Costa Rica: Living the Pure Vida life

miltonmomsatlantaa
Dec 28, 2025
15 min read

We spent an amazing week in Costa Rica June1-7, 2025. We purchased our package through Costco Travel.

What to pack:(affiliate Links)

Passport make sure it has at least 6 months left on it and make a copy and email to on family

Breathable clothes

Snorkel gear (if not staying at a resort that has it and you are near water)

Binoculars (These are night vision and camera in them)

Water bag

rain ponchos

Water bottle

Hats

Bug spray

suntan lotion

Water proof bag to take to beach

CO2 detector

Enroll in alerts for Costa Rica before you leave. https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step

Keep this handy:

U.S. Embassy San Jose, Costa Rica 

+506 2519-2000 

ACSSanJose@state.gov 

https://cr.usembassy.gov/ 

State Department – Consular Affairs 

+1 (888) 407-4747 or +1 (202) 501-4444 

This trip was a bit more low-key than most Costa Rica adventures, as my son and I both have back injuries. But honestly, it was the perfect balance of relaxation and exploring! It’s so easy to customize your itinerary – add on tours or just chill in one spot for a few days before hopping to another area.

We stayed at the Andaz – a luxury resort that doesn’t make you feel like you have to be fancy. Super family-friendly with a great kids' club! 🏖️

It’s a Hyatt property, so don’t forget your Hyatt membership number (especially if you book through Costco) to earn those points! 💳 Bonus, the hotel bills show both Costa Rican Colones and US Dollars, and we always added a tip. 💵

🚻 Bathroom Tip: I read a lot online about needing to throw toilet paper in a trash can in Costa Rica, but our hotel said the pipes were fine for regular flushing. I didn’t see any signs about it at any of our stops either – just something to be aware of.

💳 We paid for almost everything with credit cards but kept small bills on hand for tips. Most people we tipped actually said they prefer US Dollars for tips! 🌎

We flew Delta (our favorite airline) into Liberia, Costa Rica – Guanacaste. Pro tip: double-check you’re booking Costa Rica and not Africa 😅🌍.

After landing, you deplane and head toward customs. At the bottom of the escalator, there’s a restroom if you need it before going through. Customs was straightforward — passport, profession, and proof of lodging and return flight. We just showed our Delta app and our hotel confirmation email, and that was it.

Once we cleared customs, we were immediately greeted by a Costco Travel representative, which made everything super easy. He escorted us right to our shuttle. It ended up being just our family in the shuttle, though I believe others can join depending on the day.

🚐 The ride to the Andaz took about 45 minutes to an hour. The drive was absolutely beautiful — lush, green, and very scenic — though mostly just nature along the way. The road felt similar to a two-lane road in the U.S., just a bit narrower.

Such a smooth and stress-free arrival! 🌴✨

As soon as we arrived at the Andaz, we were welcomed with fresh coconut water served in actual coconuts and cool towels to refresh after the trip. We were taken into a private room where the staff went over all the resort amenities and dining options.

They also offered a dining package that was $195 per person per day, which included some alcohol. Since my son is 15, we’re not big drinkers, and our Costco package already included breakfast, it just didn’t make sense for us.

We ate almost every meal at the resort (all but 3 meals), and our total food cost was nowhere near what that dining package would have been. Again, free breakfast + minimal alcohol made a big difference.

Just sharing in case you’re deciding whether the dining package is worth it — for us, it wasn’t. 🌴

After check-in, we were taken to our room by golf cart. We upgraded through Costco to a jungle-view room and requested to be close to everything since I have a spine injury. They were incredibly accommodating and made sure we were well-located.

Getting around the property is easy — you can take a golf cart anywhere on the resort. All you have to do is message the front desk through WhatsApp, and they send one right over. They’ll give you the number at check-in, or you can ask for it.

At first, we tipped for every golf cart ride, but we noticed most guests didn’t — totally optional.

📱 WhatsApp Tip:Download it before you leave home. Set the country to Costa Rica, then use this number: +506-8822-8944. You can message them before and after your trip, and we used it for pretty much all communication whenever we had questions. Super convenient!

We had a standard room with two double beds. The layout is nicely divided by a wall, which gave it a little extra privacy, and it also had a lovely outdoor sitting area.

The bathroom was spacious and featured one of the most amazing showers — it even has a door that opens to the outdoors! 🚿🌴 Such a fun, spa-like touch.

They also provided generously sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, which was a nice bonus. Small details like that really stood out. ✨

The room came with some really nice extras! We had two pairs of flip-flops to keep (perfect for the shower), two fedora hats to keep, and two cozy bathrobes (those stay in the room).

They also provide an umbrella and a flashlight for use during your stay — such a thoughtful touch. Inside the room, there’s a small fridge, a safe, and all the essentials you’d need.

When we arrived, the fridge was stocked with free bottled water, Coke, Diet Coke, and beer, and it was refilled daily, which we loved. 🍹

Little details like this really made the stay feel special and easy.

We visited during rainy season, and the resort was well prepared. If it rains, they place large umbrellas in stands along the walkways for guests to use.

The golf carts also have covers, so you stay dry when getting around the property. Even in the rain, everything felt easy and comfortable — no stress at all.

Just another example of how thoughtful the resort is.

The resort itself is hilly with quite a bit of walking between areas. That said, I used the golf cart every single time we went anywhere on the property, and it was never an issue.

They did a great job responding quickly, and rides were always easy to get. If mobility or injuries are a concern, this made a huge difference and kept the stay very comfortable.

The property has four pools spread throughout the resort. There’s an adults-only pool near the spa — still a bit of a walk after the golf cart drop-off, according to my husband — but it’s very peaceful and beautiful.

There’s also a large walk-in pool near Rio Bhongo restaurant, with a smaller pool above it and another pool with bathrooms to the right. Drinks and food are served poolside, and when it rained, the staff was great — we simply carried our food into the restaurant and ate there instead.

🏖️ At both the pools and beaches, the resort provides bug spray, towels, and SPF 50 sunscreen. I’d still recommend bringing your own sunscreen and bug spray from home to keep in your room so you can apply each morning.

🐒 Wildlife highlight: We saw iguanas and monkeys in the trees near the walk-in pool, which I absolutely loved. There are also howler monkeys, and yes — they’ll wake you up in the mornings with their howls! It was fun to experience and never bothered us at all.

Nature really is everywhere here. 🌿✨

Beach

The beach is located near the pool and Rio Bhongo restaurant, but getting there requires a bit of effort. You’ll need to take about 100 steps down, and besides a bench at the top, there aren’t really places to stop and rest along the way.

For me, with a collapsed spine, it was pretty challenging, but I have to say — the first day I saw 12 monkeys above me, including a momma and her babies, which made the trek totally worth it. 🌿🐒

If you’re up for the walk, the beach is stunning, but definitely keep in mind it can be a bit of a hike down (and up)!

At the hotel beach, they’ve got towels, bug spray, and sunscreen ready for you, making it super convenient to enjoy the sand and surf. This is also where you can book water trips or take the free boat ride over to the beach island.

To get on the boat, you’ll need to wade into the water, which was a bit tricky for me with my spine, but everyone else had no trouble. The boat ride itself only takes about 7 minutes. The first boat leaves at 9:30 AM, and the last one back is around 4 PM, with a break from 12-2.

For anyone who needs an easier way back, I couldn’t do the steps, so I asked someone on the beach, and they called a golf cart for me. From there, I took a shuttle back to the hotel. So, no need to worry if the steps are a challenge — there are other ways to get back! 🚙

When you arrive at the beach island, you’re greeted with free fresh popsicles, watermelon, and juice — such a refreshing treat! 🍧🍉

There are also vendors walking around selling handmade goods, but they’re super respectful and won’t bother you if you just want to relax. I ended up picking up some cute jewelry and a few adorable mugs. Perfect souvenirs! 🌟

The island vibes are definitely laid-back and welcoming. 🏝️

The beach offers a great selection of food and drinks, plus you can enjoy kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling gear all for free — they even provide life jackets for safety. 🏄‍♀️🐠

There’s a nice bathroom at the restaurant, and if you’re craving something different, the restaurant offers a menu that's distinct from the beach food. Plus, there’s a pool by the restaurant, so you can enjoy both the beach and pool vibes.

Just a heads-up: everything at the beach shuts down around 4 PM, but the restaurant reopens for dinner. Be sure to make a reservation ahead to secure your spot! 🍽️

No need to worry about carrying cash! You can charge everything to your room at the Andaz, making it super convenient.

They also provide towels at the beach and pool, so you don’t need to bring your own — just grab one when you head out! 🏖️

Spa

The spa has a unique weight room in a gazebo, which makes for such a beautiful and peaceful spot to work out! 🌞 I also treated myself to a massage and a body scrub-making class, and I loved both experiences.

When you book your spa appointment (you can do it online), they give you a locker and a robe — and I was happy to find that the robe fit my plus-size self comfortably. 😌✨

Overall, the spa experience was a relaxing part of the trip!

The spa also has saunas and a steam room, and outside, there’s a pool and cold bath that my son and husband visited every day — they loved it! 🏊‍♂️❄️

One of my favorite moments: while relaxing in the small pool, I got to see monkeys up close — such a cool experience! 🐒

When you head to your spa room, they walk you across a beautiful bridge and give you a flower to wish away pain before tossing it into the water. Such a peaceful and unique ritual. 🌸✨

The spa really added to the relaxation vibes of the trip!

The spa room was lovely, with a shower and a nice sitting area.

Restaurants

For dinner, I highly recommend using Open Table to make reservations. We booked them each morning, but it's smart to make reservations ahead of time just in case.

We noticed that sunset is around 6 PM, and that’s when most guests seem to eat, so be prepared for a little more crowding at that time. All the restaurants were fairly casual, except for one, which had a slightly dressier vibe..

Rhio Bongo (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

No reservations are needed for breakfast (at least when we were there). The breakfast buffet is incredible, with a variety of options and an amazing view to start your day. They even make fresh omelets to order! 🥚🍞

We had two servers throughout the week, and one of them was especially amazing. On our last day, they even gave us gifts and spent time helping my teen son practice his Spanish. It was such a thoughtful touch that made the experience even more memorable. 🌟

The dinner experience was fun, with themed nights like Taco Tuesday, which we loved! 🌮 Be sure to check out the themes ahead of time and maybe plan your dinners around them — it adds a nice touch to your evening.

Coffee & Vinyl's

The coffee shop is a cozy spot that offers classes and a small selection of items for purchase, like sunscreen. It also has bathrooms for convenience.

What makes it extra fun is that they have games to play and vinyl records you can listen to while sipping your coffee. 🎲🎧 A great place to relax and unwind! Ostra is the fancier place to dine. Make sure you have a reservation here. They had just recently changed this restaurant to an Asian themed food when we went.

If you're in the mood for sushi, they also have a sushi section called Perla. You can choose that if you're craving something different from the regular options. 🍣

Chaco Pescao was such a fun tapas spot — we actually ate here twice! The waiter recommended we order two dishes each, which was perfect for sharing and trying a variety of flavors. Our favorite was definitely the Picanha sandwiches — so delicious! 🍞🍖

At the table, they serve popcorn and chickpeas as a fun snack while you wait. We noticed a lot of people coming to the bar area first to enjoy drinks before heading to their table. 🍸

One of the nights we were there, they even had live music, which added a great vibe to the evening. 🎶

Meso is a stunning open-air restaurant located on the beach island. While the lunch prices felt more like dinner prices, the food and service were definitely worth it. Everything we had was delicious, and the atmosphere right by the beach made it even better. 🏖️🍽️

🍽️ Dining at the Four Seasons 🌴

We also had the chance to dine at the Four Seasons twice during our trip. Make reservations in advance via Open Table, and don’t forget to use WhatsApp to arrange for the free air-conditioned shuttle to get there. The shuttles run on the hour and half-hour, but sometimes they’re a few minutes behind. It takes about 20 minutes to get there, so plan ahead! 🚙

We had an incredible dinner at the Steakhouse Nemare on the golf course, where we timed it perfectly for sunset — and even saw a rainbow! 🌅🌈 The food was outstanding, no matter what we ordered. 🍖

We also dined at Pesce, an Italian restaurant, and while we arrived after 6 PM and it was dark, I’m pretty sure it has a beautiful beach view. If you want to enjoy the view, try booking around 5:00 PM. There are a couple of gift shops here too, offering things like over-the-counter medicines and snacks. 🛍️

🛒 Pro Tip: Stock Up Before You Go! 📦

It’s a bit tricky to get essentials at the resort, so I highly recommend you bring snacks, medicines, or anything else you might need. Otherwise, you might have to drive an hour back to Liberia. There’s a Walmart about 10 minutes from the airport if you need to grab anything on the way.

Excursions:

🚤 Excursions Through the Resort 🌊

We booked two excursions through the resort, and both were amazing experiences!

First, my son and husband did the private jet ski tour, and they had a blast. The resort provides life jackets for safety, and they enjoyed the thrill of the ride. 🌊🏍️

We also did a private fishing tour from 7 AM to 11 AM. The crew was fantastic, and when we were done, we asked them to take the boat to a spot where I could easily get off and catch the shuttle back. They were incredibly kind and helped me off the boat — the ladder was a bit tricky with my back, but they made sure I was comfortable. 🎣

A cool thing: If you keep the fish you catch on ice during the trip, Meso will likely cook it for you! 🐟 We had ours on ice, and the crew even fileted it for us. However, there wasn’t enough ice to safely carry it across the beach, so for safety reasons, they couldn’t cook it.

These excursions were definitely pricey, but we don’t regret it at all! The fishing tour was $750 (plus tip), and the jet ski tour for two was $600 (plus tip). Worth every penny for the experience! 💰

Frank the Tank Tour

Before we left, on the recommendation of other travelers, we booked a private tour with Frank. While Frank doesn’t actually go on the tour, he helps design an itinerary that hits all the highlights, and he created a custom tour for us based on our preferences. We wanted to skip one stop, and he was happy to adjust it for us!

The tour cost $180 per person and included an amazing lunch at a local "soda" (a traditional Costa Rican eatery). 🥘

They picked us up right from the main area of the hotel and shared tons of history about Costa Rica along the way. Frank was super accommodating, even letting us stop in Liberia so my husband could grab something he needed. From there, we drove for about another hour through breathtaking scenery, past the volcanoes, which made the drive even more enjoyable. 🌋🚗

It was an unforgettable day, and we were so glad we booked this tour and highly recommend them.

We also made a fun stop at a fruit stand where we picked up some fresh Mangas — they were even better than mangos! 🍊✨

Next, we headed to a coffee and chocolate tour. It was fascinating to see the stages of how both are grown, and we got to sample both coffee and hot chocolate made with real sugar cane — so delicious! ☕🍫 They even have clean bathrooms on-site, and you can purchase some coffee to take home. We spent about 45 minutes here, and it was such a cool, tasty experience.

Sloth Encounter

Our next stop was at the base of the national park, where they have a little store with restrooms. From there, we joined the local tour guide along with ours from Frank. This is where I was truly amazed.

Due to my collapsed spine, our tour guide from Frank (aka Frank the Tank) was kind enough to carry a stool into the forest for me, so I could sit whenever I needed to rest. 🪑💛 The tour guides from the park were fantastic at spotting deadly frogs and helping us snap some great pictures with them on our phones. 🐸📸

We were lucky enough to spot three sloths in the trees, which was a total highlight of the trip! 🦥🌿 After the hike, we headed back and I picked up a cute sloth stuffed animal and some adorable ornaments as souvenirs. 🎁

To cool us off, they gave us some fresh watermelon — such a refreshing treat! 🍉 We also tipped our tour guide for the great experience.

🍽️ Lunch at a Local "Soda" 🍴

Just about next door, we had lunch at a local "soda" — a traditional Costa Rican restaurant. The beautiful scenery and great food made it the perfect spot to relax. They had a variety of options, including chicken, beef, and pork. 🍗🍖🥩

After lunch, we began our almost 2-hour drive back, enjoying the amazing views along the way.

After lunch, we began our almost 2-hour drive back, enjoying the amazing views along the way.

🛍️ Shopping Near the Airport 🏷️

Near the airport, we stopped at a store that sold all items made in Costa Rica, so I asked to do some shopping. I picked up lots of gifts for friends, and the prices seemed reasonably priced. However, I had an odd experience at checkout.

I watched the cashier as she rang up each item, but when I checked the receipt later, I saw that I had been charged $27 for a sombrero, even though we didn’t buy any hats, and there were no hats on the counter. It felt like I may have been scammed, but luckily, this was the only issue we had during our entire trip.

Tip: Always check your receipt before leaving, as I didn’t realize the mistake until I got back to the hotel.

✈️ Flying Home from Liberia 🛫

The airport in Liberia was very crowded, so definitely give yourself plenty of time to get through security and to your gate.

We did the upgrade through Costco to fly Delta, which is our airline of choice. By booking through Costco, we were able to earn Delta points and still enjoy all our Delta perks.

There are a few food places and shops near the Delta gates, so if you need a snack or want to pick up something, you’ll have options. I also bought some coffee at the airport to bring home as a souvenir of our trip! ☕

This was an amazing trip and highly recommend it!