Choose your dates. Your timing should depend on whether you're hoping to catch or avoid the parties and crowds of the tourist high season, which is from December through April. The weather during this season is ideal (less rain) but expect higher prices. If you wish to save money and see fewer people, consider traveling during the rainy season, but expect in-country travel to be more challenging as dirt roads become rivers of mud.
Secure your lodging. Especially during high season, you'll want to get your room booked in advance. While budget hostels run as cheap as US$7 per night, midrange hotels fall generally between US$20 and $100 per night. Unless you're going in the off-season, expect to pay slightly more at the most popular tourist spots such as Jacó, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and the beaches of the Península de Nicoya.
Buy your plane ticket. Many airlines connect San José's Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría to the U.S. and Canada, while American Airlines, Continental and Delta have introduced flights to Liberia as well. Special deals are easier to find outside of the high season. A visa is not required for 90-day stays for all people from western European countries, Argentina, Canada, Israel, Japan, Panama and the U.S. The same applies for citizens of Australia, Ireland, Mexico, Iceland, Russia, New Zealand, South Africa and Venezuela for a 30-day period.
Get outdoors. Costa Rica is an ecotourism paradise, abounding with outdoor adventures beyond the shore. Check out the famous Arenal volcano and the country's bounty of natural hot springs. Ride the rapids of the Pacuare River or watch for tapirs, toucans and harpy eagles at Parque Nacional Corcovado.
Enjoy the local culture and nightlife. Any time of year, a girls' night out in Tamarindo will likely include free drinks, lots of dancing and a memorable time.
Stay safe. Although safer than many other Central American countries, Costa Rica is not crime-free. Since female travelers are a common sight in Costa Rica, they are not especially targeted, so as long as you exercise basic common sense you should have nothing to worry about. Petty theft is the most common offense, so keep your valuables safely in tow at all times and do not flaunt your relative wealth in public.
