Live It Up or Live Like a Local – Costa Rica Has Both!

Playa Garza, Guanacaste

Costa Rica may be small on a map, but it’s immense in personality. Here, lush rainforests meet pristine beaches, and every sunrise feels like an invitation to slow down and savor life.

Some travelers come for five-star indulgence – infinity pools, spa rituals, and ocean views framed by palm trees. Others are drawn to its authentic heartbeat – the laughter in a local café, the call of a howler monkey echoing through the trees, the feeling of belonging, even far from home.

The beauty of Costa Rica is that you don’t have to choose. You can live it up and live like a local – often in the very same trip.

Two Paths, One Country

Path 1: The Pampered Resort Life

Picture waking to gentle light spilling into a spacious villa, sipping freshly brewed gourmet coffee on your terrace. Breakfast is followed by a private guided nature walk, a few hours in the spa, and maybe an afternoon catamaran cruise along a quiet cove. A carefully chosen resort delivers elegant rooms, fine dining, but still that lush tropical energy.

In this mode you might choose:

• A high-end resort in the Guanacaste or Papagayo region on the Pacific coast—accessible, luxurious and calm

• A boutique property in the Arenal/La Fortuna zone, where you can soak in hot springs, enjoy sweeping views of a volcano, yet be pampered

• Daytrips arranged for adventure– a canopy zip-line in the morning, a private wildlife encounter in the afternoon and dining by torchlit waterfalls in the evening

The yoga studio at The Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo is the perfect place to relax

Path 2: Live Like a Local

This is a different rhythm. You stay in a privately managed villa or locally owned boutique lodge, walk into the village, buy fresh fruit at the mercado, mingle with residents and catch the beat of daily Tico life. You’ll still appreciate refined comforts but the focus is on authenticity, culture and ease of connection.

Here you might:

• Stay in the Osa Peninsula, Nosara or the Southern Caribbean side –

  areas less polished, more natural, still premium in comfort

• Hire a local guide for a coffee-plantation tour, join a cooking class in a village home or take a kayak to a hidden waterfall

• Return each evening to a deeply relaxed setting – again, comfort matters, but the vibe is local, relaxed and genuine

Culture, Nature, Context

Costa Rica’s identity is anchored in a concept called “pura vida” that translates roughly to “pure life,” and reveals the country’s approach to living. Locals greet you with a genuine smile. They pause to enjoy the moment. They take time to breathe and appreciate.

Historically, Costa Rica has enjoyed relative political stability in the region, which translates to reliable infrastructure and a warm welcome for international visitors. Tourism and conservation go hand in hand.  More than a quarter of the land is protected in national parks and reserves, and biodiversity is rich – monkeys, macaws, sloths, sea turtles, orchids.

Local cuisine tends toward fresh, simple flavors – rice and beans (gallo pinto) for breakfast, fresh-caught fish, tropical fruit and incredible smoothies. While it’s not the haute cuisine of larger cities, the simplicity speaks to healthy, natural living.

From a logistics standpoint, flights from the U.S. into San José or Liberia are comfortable. Local transfers to resorts or lodges are well-managed. You’ll benefit from the connections and ground-support that a seasoned travel advisor brings.

Sustainability in Style

Luxury in Costa Rica often looks different – and more thoughtful. Many high-end lodges here lead the way in sustainability, blending refined comfort with genuine care for the land. Solar energy, rainwater systems, and partnerships with local communities mean your stay doesn’t just feel good. It does good. Travelers appreciate knowing their presence supports conservation and preserves the “pura vida” spirit for generations to come.

Why This Destination Fits You

For empty-nesters or travelers nearing retirement who have done the broad strokes of travel and now want something meaningful, refined, and well-paced, Costa Rica is ideal.

You’re active – you enjoy walking, swimming, bird-watching, exploring – but you also appreciate comfort, ease, and expert planning. You might travel with adult children or grandchildren and want something inclusive, not exhausting.

Perhaps you’ve done European capitals, Caribbean beach escapes, and a safari, and now you want something in-between – exotic but accessible.

You value seamless service. You don’t want to spend days reading forums or hunting for transfers. That’s exactly where expert guidance from someone like me at Jubilosa Travel comes in – a tailored itinerary, local connections and reliable luxury, without the effort!

Real-World Journeys, Beautifully Planned

• Milestone Anniversary Trip. You’re a couple marking 35 years of marriage with a 10-night stay in Costa Rica. You split your time: five nights at a high-end resort in the Papagayo Peninsula, enjoying spa treatments, sunset cruises, and an elegant dinner at a beachfront restaurant. Then five nights in a charming boutique lodge near Arenal volcano, taking nature walks, enjoying hot springs and relaxing with no schedule.

• Multi-Generational Family Adventure. You and your partner, adult children and two teenage grandchildren are seeking a memorable trip everyone will enjoy. You choose a villa in Nosara for five nights --surf lessons, beach time, yoga for the adults, exploration for the teens --then four nights in the Caribbean side near Puerto Viejo, staying in a well-appointed eco-lodge, mixing rainforest hikes with beachside dinners, giving everyone a little freedom and something new each day.

• Wellness Transition Retreat. You’re a pair of professionals entering a new phase of retirement and need a restorative escape. You opt for a small luxury resort nestled in the rainforest, with morning guided nature walks, afternoon massage/spa and evenings by candlelight overlooking the jungle canopy. Meals focus on fresh local produce. The pace is calm. And logistics are smooth. all entirely organized with your travel advisor.

Plan Your Path

1. Define YOUR style

• Do you want resort-luxury with every amenity, or local-style comfort with authentic immersion?

2. Pick your base(s)

• Resort side: areas like Papagayo, Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio

• Local-living side: Nosara, Osa Peninsula, Southern Caribbean coast

3. Hire a private guide for at least one day

• In a resort stay it adds depth. In a local stay it enhances connection

4. Mix activity with downtime

• Balance nature walks, wildlife spotting, light adventure with spa time, poolside reading, and leisurely dining

5. Logistics made easy

• Choose a direct flight into Liberia (for Pacific coast) or San José (for central/Caribbean)

• Use private transfers. We can arrange everything – no juggling rental cars or independent bookings

6. Consider multi-day stays in two contrasting regions

• For example: three nights resort and four nights local lodge. It keeps things interesting and fulfills both “luxury” and “authentic” impulses

7. Weather & best seasons

• Dry season on the Pacific side (Dec–Apr) is popular. Rainforest/Caribbean side has more varied weather – but fewer crowds. We will tailor timing and region accordingly

Your Costa Rica, Your Way

In the end, Costa Rica invites you to choose the travel rhythm that feels right: whether every comfort at a polished resort or the richer flavor of local life, balanced with ease and refinement.

For experienced travelers who value expert guidance, seamless logistics and meaningful experiences (with perhaps an adult child or grandchild along for some of the journey), this destination checks the boxes.

Reach out to Jubilosa Travel when you’re ready so we can tailor the version of Costa Rica that’s perfect for you!