We Did Costa Rica Wrong. It Was Perfect.

Costa Rica Without the Crowds (or the Price Tag)

Everyone I know who goes to Costa Rica comes back talking about the same places. The same famous beach towns, the same crowded zip lines, the same “hidden gems” that are on every travel blog. We decided to skip all of it.

And honestly? Best trip we’ve had in years.

Who this is actually for

Let me be upfront about the first half. This isn’t a five-star situation. It’s clean, it’s comfortable, and it’s got everything you actually need. But it’s not fancy, and that’s exactly the point.

If you’re someone who’d rather swim in an actual waterfall than a resort pool and you don’t need luxury finishes to have a good time? This is absolutely your place.

Spoiler: we had the full all-inclusive experience, spa and swim-up bar included, for the second half of the trip. It was great. We still liked the jungle hotel better. More on that in a minute.

The setup

We based the first half of the trip out of Liberia. Not Tamarindo. Not Manuel Antonio. Liberia. It’s a real city close to the airport, and staying there instead of a resort town made everything easier and cheaper.

We found a small adventure resort outside the city. Nothing fancy, but clean, comfortable, and loaded with access to things that actually matter: zip lining, tubing, waterfall hikes, horseback riding. Free breakfast every morning. The whole setup felt like it was built for people who actually want to explore.

The weather thing (September is a real conversation)

We went in September, which is shoulder season. Yes, it rains in Costa Rica in September. But here’s the thing: where you go matters a lot.

The rainy season hits different parts of the country differently. By staying in the Liberia/Guanacaste region instead of the Caribbean or southern Pacific side, we got some light mist in the mornings and maybe a brief afternoon shower. Nothing that stopped us from doing anything. We got rained on for maybe an hour a day, tops.

If you’re flexible on itinerary, pick your region wisely and September is totally doable.

What we actually did

The property had zip lining, tubing, horseback riding, mountain biking, nature tours, and more, all bundled and accessible right from where we were staying. No logistics, no Uber drama, no overpriced tour operator. Just wake up, eat your free breakfast, and pick your adventure.

Each day had its own thing and none of them felt rushed or overbooked.

One full day we did hot springs, mud baths, and hanging bridges. The mud situation is exactly as ridiculous and fun as it sounds. The hanging bridges gave us jungle canopy views that honestly didn’t feel real.

Another day was all waterfalls. We hiked in and swam in them. Not a pool. Not a resort feature. Actual jungle waterfalls with cold, clear water. That day alone was worth the trip.

We also fit in zip lining and tubing down the river. We were exhausted every night in the best possible way.

Then came the “relaxing” part

For the second half we switched to an all-inclusive. Swim-up bar, spa, pool, ocean views, the whole deal. It was genuinely beautiful. We were excited.

And then we spent most of it missing the other hotel.

Don’t get me wrong, it was lovely. But floating in a pool with a drink felt a little flat after days of actually doing stuff. Turns out we’re not as “resort people” as we thought. Good to know at this age.

The cost thing

Costa Rica has gotten expensive. Like, genuinely shocking if you haven’t been in a while. The touristy parts especially. But the Liberia-adjacent, adventure-focused, shoulder-season approach? We pulled off a trip that felt like it should have cost twice what it did.

When you’re not paying peak season rates, you’re not in a boutique hotel in a packed beach town, and your activities are bundled with your stay, the math actually works.

The takeaway

We went expecting the spa and swim-up bar half to be the highlight. We were wrong. And we could not be happier about it.

If you want Costa Rica without the Costa Rica prices and crowds, think smaller. Think practical. Think adventure first, relaxation second. And leave a little room to surprise yourself.

What to plan an adventure trip?

This is exactly the kind of trip we love putting together. Off the beaten path, right-sized for your budget, no cookie-cutter itineraries. If this sounds like your kind of travel, let’s talk.

Book a free consultation here!