Don't Make THESE Mistakes in Costa Rica (2026)

Video Description

Planning your trip to Costa Rica? This video covers the 7 biggest Costa Rica travel mistakes that tourists commonly make—and how to avoid them. We break down critical planning errors like choosing the wrong airport (SJO vs LIR), underestimating Costa Rica drive times, parking scams, restaurant planning failures, overpacked itineraries, and dangerous road shortcuts. Costa Rica is known for its luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, wildlife, and adventure travel, but poor planning can quickly turn an amazing vacation into a stressful one. Whether you’re researching Costa Rica luxury travel tips, Costa Rica safety, car rentals, Guanacaste or La Fortuna, the best time to visit Costa Rica, or just how to plan a Costa Rica vacation, this guide will help you save money, save time, and travel to Costa Rica with confidence. ✨ Download our free Costa Rica Travel Guide: https://findingmangos.kit.com/costaricaguide 🥭 We can help you plan your trip: https://www.findingmangos.com/trip-planning 📘 Our Costa Rica Kid's Coloring Book on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/4jyrscj5 ✈️ Adventure with us on Instagram: / finding_mangos_in_costa_rica Here are the top 3 small things that save you money, time, and stress once you’re there: Fast-Dry Beach Towels – regular towels stay wet all day 👉 https://amzn.to/4pkixpe Muddy Shoe Travel Bag – keeps mud off everything else in your suitcase 👉 https://amzn.to/3YiBRbE Reef-Safe Sunscreen – sunscreen is expensive there 👉 https://amzn.to/3YmHkye CHAPTER BREAKS 0:00 Intro 1:10 The Parking Scam 2:37 The Drive Time Lie 4:39 The Airport Code Disaster 6:01 Restaurant Roulette 7:49 The Overstuffed Itinerary 9:39 The Resort Bubble 11:13 The Shortcut Surprise 13:25 Rental Car Confusion When we were planning our first trip to Costa Rica, we had a tough time finding the right videos on YouTube to help us plan our trip. So after our first trip to Costa Rica, we decided to start making the videos we wish we’d been able to find to answer our questions like: o Is Costa Rica cheap or expensive? o What is the number one beach in Costa Rica? o Is it safe to visit Costa Rica? o What are the best resorts in Costa Rica? o Is Costa Rica very touristy? o What are the best things to do in Costa Rica? o When is the best time to travel to Costa Rica? o Where can I get a good travel guide for Costa Rica? o How is Costa Rica for families? o Which airport to fly into Costa Rica? o What is the best time of year to visit Costa Rica? From the pristine beaches of the Pacific to the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean to the awe-inspiring Volcano Arenal and its unforgettable jungle hot springs, Costa Rica is a GEM. If you love exotic wildlife, pristine nature, and friendly locals, then come experience the Pura Vida of Costa Rica. This small Central American nation is home to some of the most breathtaking natural beauty and diverse wildlife on the planet. From the lush rainforests to the sparkling beaches, Costa Rica has something for every traveler. EXCITING LEGAL DETAILS: Artist Attribution: this is where we used to highlight the artists who made our icons, but now I make them myself. yes, what a nerd. Affiliate Links: This is NOT a sponsored video. Links provided above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting our channel!