So, here I am, I’ve made it to Costa Rica. Those of you who know me, know that I’ve been talking about visiting Costa Rica for a few years now. It’s supposed to be the land of happy people, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed lifestyle. Their motto is PURA VIDA (pure life). And so, I am starting the New Year in Costa Rica. It is officially 2026. So, is this part of Central America really worth a trip? And is it a place to maybe settle during the European winter? Unfortunately, I don’t think so.
I’ve been here for over two weeks, exploring three different areas – Jacó, a private villa south of Tamarindo, and Parrita (one hour south of Jacó) – and here are my pros and cons of visiting Costa Rica.
But before I continue, just a quick note of thanks to all my readers and followers. 2025 has been an incredible year for my travel blog, including the honour of winning two awards: ‘Best Luxury Travel Blog‘ and later ‘Travel Blog of the Year‘. Both were recognised for my authentic, playful, and informative writing. I feel truly grateful, so thank you all for your continued love and support. Here’s to many more adventures together. Let’s keep travelling in 2026!
So, back to the pros and cons of visiting Costa Rica.
Click here for the best Hotel in Jaco on booking.com!
…
Costa Rica – Pros
After living in Thailand for many years, I was always intrigued by Costa Rica. It is supposedly the land of incredible biodiversity, lush rainforests, stunning beaches and lots of volcanos. And was it really the land of happy people? I was going to spend almost three weeks in Costa Rica, in the above three places. I wanted to get a feel for the country and see if it could be somewhere I’d want to return to every year.
So, firstly, the climate is definitely a big pro. Escaping the European winter – read Autumn in the Black Forest – it was nice to be in a climate that suits me the most. It was sunny and hot, and that’s exactly how I like it.
The landscape is very beautiful as well. It is quite a hilly country, with lots of lush green mountains. Although I didn’t hike the volcanoes, and I am not a fan of zip-lining or adventure parks (which is everywhere here). For me, this trip to Costa Rica was all about enjoying the beach and having a great time with friends and family. Still, the lush greenery, palm trees, and ocean views are undeniably stunning.
…
Costa Rica Beaches
The beaches are different here in Costa Rica as well. Especially near the town of Jacó, which is a town I actually wouldn’t recommend visiting. It’s a busy spot in Costa Rica but it used to be THE party place. And you can still tell by the bars and the people there.
So, the beaches were nice, but the sand was black, mainly due to the volcanoes in the country. It took me a while to get used to it. Everything was dirty after each beach visit. That said, at my third location near Parrita, the beach was amazingly long and great for walking, which I really enjoyed. Not to mention the beautiful sunsets I got to see every night. Really stunning!
So, as a pro for visiting Costa Rica, we have the weather, the beaches and the lush mountains. Are the people here really friendly and happy? Maybe. But not noticeably more or less than in other countries.
…
Costa Rica – Cons
Even though the photos I took in Costa Rica look amazing, unfortunately for me, the list of cons for visiting Costa Rica is more prominent than the list of pros. Firstly – and the biggest con of them all – this is definitely the most expensive “poor” country I have ever been to. It was quite amazing how much food, drinks, and everyday things cost here. And I wasn’t even in the expensive part of the island. How do the locals do it?
Adding to that was the lack of fresh fruit. Yes, it’s true. This is the first tropical country I’ve been to that isn’t overflowing with fresh produce. Many hotels and restaurants didn’t even have bananas, which felt surreal. It was really strange for me to see. I honestly thought I would see fruit stands every few meters. Even in the supermarkets, there was a clear lack of fresh fruit. Amazing! And such a shame! I would have at least liked some tasty bananas or mangos.
Another downside for me was the food in Costa Rica. I found it surprisingly difficult to find restaurants that served fresh and healthy meals. A lot of the food felt heavy, deep-fried, and served in very large portions, even when I thought I had ordered something healthy. It just wasn’t the kind of food I enjoy eating every day, especially when staying somewhere for more than a short visit.
I still remember the meals I enjoyed in Panama. No matter where I ate, it was fresh and delicious.
But, as mentioned previously, I was here to relax, walk the beaches and spend time with family and friends. And that is exactly what I did!
…
And so..
I managed to take a day trip to the lush mountains after all. I bought some tickets to the Antonio Manual National Park, which was promising amazing wildlife, great trails and stunning beaches. Yes, it was nice, and I did see some monkeys, but it was just a little bit too touristy once again.
So, after almost three weeks and three different locations, my time in Costa Rica came to an end. I hope you enjoyed my pros and cons of visiting. I know one could argue that I could have seen more spots here, to convince me to like Costa Rica. But it won’t take away the fact that it is a really expensive ‘poor’ place to visit.
Personally I don’t think I will be back. Nevertheless, I did enjoy my time in Costa Rica, and it was worth coming. Listing the pros and cons is simply about sharing my personal experience. For me, Costa Rica won’t be the place I escape to during the European winter, so I guess, I will have to keep looking.
But my trip exploring Central America is not over yet, and there is still plenty to see. Maybe I’ll find another place that I really love. I know there are plenty of countries with beautiful beaches, lush mountains, and amazing produce where the price value relationship is more justified. After all, I don’t mind expensive, if I get the value.
(post 234)
