Checklist
Costa Rica Trip Checklist
Everything worth doing before you fly, in the order it needs doing.
3\u20136 months out
- Decide your route and lock accommodation for high season (December–April) and any Osa or Tortuguero lodge.
- Book internal flights if you are using them — small planes sell out and have strict luggage limits.
- Check passport validity; most airlines want six months remaining.
1\u20132 months out
- Reserve a rental car with full insurance clarified in writing, or arrange shared shuttles.
- Book time-slot parks in advance where required — Manuel Antonio and Poás have limited entry.
- Arrange travel insurance if you want it.
2 weeks out
- Tell your bank you are travelling; carry a backup card.
- Buy or plan an eSIM for arrival connectivity.
- Download offline maps — signal disappears on mountain roads.
The week before
- Confirm every accommodation and airport transfer directly.
- Screenshot confirmations; do not rely on connectivity at the airport.
- Check the current dry/wet pattern for your regions and adjust plans, not expectations.