What do we recommend? If you only want to relax, eat, sleep and drink, then you should go to an all inclusive resort. If you want to see and experience the real Costa Rica, you should not go to an all inclusive.
People Also Ask
One of the primary advantages of an all-inclusive vacation is its convenience, especially for those on a budget. Unlike regular resorts, where you need to constantly check your expenses and budget for meals, activities, and entertainment, all-inclusive packages bundle everything together.
We recommend spending 10 days to two weeks in Costa Rica, as this timeframe will give you enough time to cover all the major highlights while also including time for traveling from one destination to another.
The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. We'd also recommend traveling in the country's green season, from May to June or in November. This is when you catch the seasons in transition, and the national parks are quieter.
Exploring the entire coast would make an excellent itinerary and take a good week or ideally two. If this is your first trip and you're wondering where to go in Costa Rica, the Caribbean coast would be a good intro to the lush ecosystem and wildlife Costa Rica is known for.
Convenience: One of the major draws of all-inclusive holidays is the convenience they offer. Your accommodation, food, drink, and entertainment are all taken care of in one booking, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your holiday rather than worrying about logistics and budgets.
All-inclusive is a term used when more than just the cost of the hotel room or cruise cabin is included in the price. Traditionally, this means all meals, snacks, and beverages are included in the price of the trip. However, there can be many variations on the term all-inclusive.
?? Disadvantages of All-Inclusive HolidaysPotential for Lower Quality Services: In some cases, to keep costs down, resorts may offer buffet-style meals or limit the premium drinks and activities included in the package. This could mean that the quality of food, drinks, and entertainment may not meet your expectations.
While tipping is allowed at some resorts, it is optional, so you won't have to worry about staff pressuring you to do so. You don't have to feel bad about not being able to or wanting to tip everyone.
Be very cautious when you go into any body of water in the country as tides and rip currents can be strong. Also, as much of the country is considered the rainforest, the weather can change dramatically on very short notice.
With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea pounding the other side, Costa Rica's beaches are famous for having big waves and fast currents. These are perfect for surfing, but not so much for gentle, safe swimming.
Climate and WeatherThe Caribbean coast tends to experience more rain than the Pacific coast in Costa Rica. The climate along the Pacific coast is typically drier, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The dry season typically lasts from December to April and features bright days and little rain.
The hurricane season usually lasts from early June to late November. The most severe hurricane to make landfall in Costa Rica in the past 12 months was »«.
September and October are Costa Rica's rainiest months, with rainfall lasting nearly all day. If you happen to book a trip during these months, not to worry: These are the most beautiful months along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Plan to head to Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, or Tortuguero.
For most of the country, the hottest months in Costa Rica are March and April. January and February are also very hot and may only differ by a one or two degrees (Celsius). The rainiest months are generally September and October (except for the Caribbean) so you will find that this depends on the region.