Costa Rica

[JaneDoe]

Thinking of going to Costa Rica in 2026 – probably Easter time. Haven’t done any research yet but i want to be ready to book the flights when they become available.
What is the best route using a BA 241 voucher?

Any suggestions appreciated – plan is travelling/exploring for 10 days and a 5 day beach holiday at the end.

Thanks

[Cat]

You don’t have an awful lot of choice, as far as I’m aware – it’s either BA to San Jose direct, or Iberia to San Jose from Madrid.

I wrote a thread with my recommendations here, if that helps.

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/costa-rica-destination-advice-recommendations/

What sort of beach do you want – wide and sandy, white sand, black sand, somewhere to surf or jungle-backed and wild? What do you want to see when you explore – is it all about the wildlife, is it all about the scenery, the views of volcanoes and the magic of the cloud forest, or do you want to explore organic coffee farms and do yoga!?! People go to CR for so many different reasons, I always find it quite hard to recommend destinations without a bit more info!

[JaneDoe]

Thanks Cat. will go through that thread tonite.

Beach – hotel with nice pool for my husband, and nice white sand for me – swimming, snorkelling , paddle boarding- no need for surf.

yes for WIldlife, scenery. Won’t go out of our way for coffee farms and yoga

Will look at the both BA direct and Iberia option to compare points and cost.

[Cat]

I’d go with either Manuel Antonio or Uvita for the beaches, both have lovely hotels with lovely pools (if you really like snorkelling, you can always do a day trip to Cano island from Uvita), combined with a few days exploring Monteverde and/or La Fortuna / Arenal.

[Olly]

Is the BA flight year round now? It used to be winter only which may rule out Easter

[kelliea1]

We flew Iberia from MAD-SJO with a night in SJO, which I’d recommend.
Visited La Fortuna , Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. Lots to do in each resort.

[jek]

We did Costa Rica a year ago: 1 night MAD, 2 nights SJO, 2 nights Tortuguero, 3 nights La Fortuna, 3 nights Monteverde, 4 nights Manuel Antonio, 1 night SJO, 1 night flight (SJO-MAD-LHR).

Every transfer will cost a half day (at least 4h), so you will need at least two night per location. We relaxed in La Fortuna (hot springs) and Manuel Antonio (pool / beach).

Tortuguero is not easy to reach, but highly recommended. If you go to Tortuguero, don’t do a mangrove tour in Manuel Antonio.

If you are keen on proper beach time, you may want to consider the north west.

Many HFP’ers have been in Costa Rica, so feel free to come back with questions…

[cin3]

Almost any central American country is better than CR for many many reason but if you’re intent on going check out the coast from Dominical down to Uvita and the chirripo area. Probably the least frustrating area to visit is around Cahuita and punta uva.

[flymeanywhere]

Have a look at Pacific Trade Winds website…they organised our trip, did all the logistics. Tell them where, what and your budget and they come back with options.. very reliable