Costa Rica Tours For Seniors
10 Amazing Tours Of The Pacific Coast for 2023
Author, Cynthia Ross Tustin, Updated April 7th, 2023
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Costa Rica tours for seniors, time to share the best Pacific Coast adventures! As a regular traveler to Costa Rica, I can tell you the Pacific Coast has so much to offer seniors, retirees, baby boomers, or any older person who’s young at heart! Labels are not required!
Fun fact, the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica has 212 km (132 miles) of sandy beach, while the Pacific side has 1,016 km (631 miles) of sandy beaches…in several different colors!
Not everyone likes to sit on the beach all day, every day while they’re on vacation. Many of us, irrespective of age, like to “take in” the country we’re visiting. That’s one of the reasons I’m back in Costa Rica so often…lots to do. Hiking, ziplining, sightseeing, snorkeling, and trekking around volcanoes make the week fly by.
Let me share a few favourite (yes, spelled with a “u”, just like flavour, and savour) tours/excursions from the Pacific Ocean side of the country.
If you don’t have time to read the entire post, I completely understand. I’ll tell you upfront that if you can only take one tour, then take the Sunset Catamaran in Playa Flamingo.
You can sign up for it here, Sunset Catamaran in Playa Flamingo
So What Are The Best Adventure Tours For Seniors On Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast?
- Costa Rica Tours For Seniors
- 10 Amazing Tours Of The Pacific Coast for 2023
- So What Are The Best Adventure Tours For Seniors On Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast?
- 10 Unique Excursions For “Vintage” Tourists
- 1. Sunset Catamaran in Playa Flamingo
- 2. Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour – Longest Twin Zip Line in Central America
- 3. Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Typical lunch, and Arenal Volcano Hike
- 4. Cruising on a 100′ Wooden Sail Ship in the Province of Puntarenas
- 5. Monteverde Rain Forest Night Walk
- 6. Isla Tortuga Adventure tour – from Jaco
- 7. Diamante Eco Adventure Park Day Pass with Lunch
- 8. ATV Tamarindo to Pirates Bay
- 9. North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour
- 10. Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari
- Costa Rica Tours For Seniors, Stuff People Need to Know…At Any Age
- So Is Costa Rica Good For Seniors to Visit?
Catering To Seniors
Many tour companies cater to seniors and offer tours and excursions with older individuals in mind. In fact, many activities in Costa Rica are ideal for older travelers, including chartered cruises, and guided tours of Costa Rica’s 26 national parks and wildlife refuges.
And then of course there’s lounging on the country’s stunning beaches. There is unparalleled natural diversity, with many nature tours focusing on the amazing wildlife of Costa Rica. Then there are the opportunities for birdwatching, and they are impressive.
Amateur ornithologists will be in their element here. Several areas boast an incredible variety of bird life that has to be seen to be believed, such as Los Quetzales National Park, home of the spectacular quetzal.
All of the tours that I recommend involve varying degrees of physical fitness. If you have a serious health condition, you should check with your doctor if you have concerns. Full
10 Unique Excursions For “Vintage” Tourists
Costa Rica Tours for Seniors
1. Sunset Catamaran in Playa Flamingo
Pro Tip: Costa Rica is at 10 degrees north latitude, just above the equator, which means you can easily see both the northern and southern hemisphere constellations as well as the moon and other planetary bodies. Try the SkySafari 6 Pro app if you want to know exactly what you’re looking at
Rating: 5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 358 great reviews
Why Choose the Sunset Catamaran in Playa Flamingo?
Sunsets on Costa Rica’s west coast are spectacular, as you watch a big ball of orange sink into the Pacific Ocean. Start with a smooth catamaran ride along the beautiful coastline, and see the beach from the ocean!
Keep your eyes open for dolphins, whales, and sea turtles as you head toward a white sand beach with remarkable snorkeling. There you’ll drop anchor to swim and explore with a guide, or at your own pace, with the brilliantly coloured fish and bright coral.
Every minute of this 4-hour sailing tour is designed to be both fun and relaxing. Watch the sun sink and the stars rise as you make your way back to shore.
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
🌴 Beverages
🌴 Snacks
🌴 Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks
🌴 Local guide
🌴 Hotel pickup & drop off
🌴 Use of Snorkeling equipment
🌴 Kayaks
🌴 if booked within one day of the tour transportation to and from the tour may not be available
🌴 Gratuities for guide and crew
What guests are saying about the Sunset Catamaran in Playa Flamingo
“This was amazing! Most beautiful sunset! Great crew who works very hard, plenty of drinks and delicious dinner! We did this on our last night in Costa Rica and would highly recommend!”
— Shalynn, December 2022 (Read more reviews)
Playa Flamingo is a beautiful beach town about an hour from Liberia’s international airport.
Buy the Sunset Catamaran in Playa Flamingo
Costa Rica Tours for Seniors
2. Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour – Longest Twin Zip Line in Central America
Pro Tip: You can pair GoPro with your smartphone, simply download the Quik app for iOS or Android and follow the on-screen instructions. You usually need to join GoPro’s Wi-Fi network to complete the setup. But your grandchildren will want proof you went ziplining.
Rating: 5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 268 great reviews
Why Choose the Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour – Longest Twin Zip Line in Central America?
Attach your GoPro to your helmet, cinch up your harness, and get ready to zip some cable. The ziplines found here at Manual Antonio National Park are some of the longest in Central America. It has a run for nearly a mile, with 14 tree platforms.
This tour also includes three nature walks, six hanging bridges, and astounding scenery. Factor in the traditional lunch to fuel up for the adrenaline-filled day, and you have an amazing tour.
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
🌴 Lunch
🌴 Top-quality equipment (rigging, harnesses, etc)
🌴 All fees and taxes
🌴 AC transportation to and from the site
🌴 Water and fruit
🌴 Professional photography available
🌴 GoPro heady helmets
🌴 Professional Bi-Lingual Guides
🌴 Gratuities
What guests are saying about the Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour – Longest Twin Zip Line in Central America
“The guides were energized, amazing and made the experience super FUN! Safety was their highest priority, they explained things very well. The breaking system was smooth and easy, for we could just enjoy the ride. Absolutely would recommend for anyone.”
— Michael, November 2022 (Read more reviews)
Manual Antonio National Park is a showcase of Costa Rica’s beauty and biodiversity. The rainforests of Costa Rica account for 5% of all the biodiversity in the world.
Get it here, Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour – Longest Twin Zip Line in Central America
Costa Rica Tours for Seniors
3. Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Typical lunch, and Arenal Volcano Hike
Pro Tip: Remember it’s a Rainforest so expect rain, and bring your rain gear…and your swimsuit
Rating: 5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 584 great reviews
Why Choose the Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Typical lunch, and Arenal Volcano Hike?
This is a “three-fer”, a hattrick, a trifecta, a trilogy of adventure activities. (I just couldn’t bring myself to use more salacious urban slang for three things…seriously, “a three-way of adventurous activities” would have sounded odd.”
This one tour will take you on a hike to the Arenal Volcano, a visit to the 16 Hanging Bridges, and exploring the La Fortuna Waterfall. It’s a full-day tour from La Fortuna, and it’s ideal for nature lovers the tour will have you hiking and swimming amidst Costa Rica’s beautiful natural scenery.
The Arenal Volcano hike is fairly easy and most of it is over flat ground. You end up at a dry lava field from the 1968 eruption (this part of the trail is rocky. Here your guide will give you all the history surrounding the Arenal Volcano.
The Arenal Volcano stands 1,633 metres (5,358 ft) high, towering over its surroundings. Currently dormant, the volcano was Costa Rica’s most active volcano until 2010.
Next, hike to the base of the La Fortuna Waterfall. But it’s a short climb down of about 500 steps (remember, what goes down, must come up. But you’ll be fresh and rested after your plunge in the waterfall pool, about two hours at the base of the waterfall.
Finally, you’ll spend about 2.5 hours hiking in a “primary rainforest”, this is where you will cross the 16 hanging bridges called the Mistico Hanging Bridges. FYI, a primary, or primal, rainforest means that it is in its original state and mostly untouched. It’s dazzling!
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
🌴 Driver/guide
🌴 Hotel pickup and dropoff
🌴 Lunch
🌴 All tickets and fees
🌴 Alcohol beverages (available for purchase)
🌴 Gratuities for staff and guides
What guests are saying about the Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Typical lunch, and Arenal Volcano Hike
“This was an amazing tour to see a lot of the Arenal area, and it’s wildlife, in one day. Juan Carlos was an incredible guide who was knowledgeable, patient, and enthusiastic to teach about the natural history of the volcano and the surrounding forest. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting”
— Jacob, December 2022 (Read more reviews)
Without a doubt, the most strenuous part of this adventure is the hike out/up from the base of La Fortuna. But the steps are safe, sturdy, and at a reasonable incline, at least from my out-of-shape-soft-squishy perspective.
That’s why I’ve rated all these tours for “seniors,” you can use my “sub-optimal fitness” level as your exertion guide. I can do these steps. I can’t run up them, but I can climb them.
Grab this award-winning tour here, Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Typical lunch, and Arenal Volcano Hike
Costa Rica Tours for Seniors
4. Cruising on a 100′ Wooden Sail Ship in the Province of Puntarenas
Pro Tip: If you’re an avid snorkeler, consider bringing your own mask, fins, and snorkel.
Rating: 5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 75 great reviews
Why Choose the Cruising on a 100′ Wooden Sail Ship in the Province of Puntarenas?
Sea-lovers will enjoy this sailing ship cruise, just smell the ocean air and teak decks! Whether you’re a morning person or would prefer a sunset jaunt, you’ll find the Brisa Elegante comfortable and spacious. You have the choice of morning or afternoon trips.
As you sail into the open sea keep a lookout for sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins. sometimes, I swear the sea turtles want on the boat. When you’re near the coastline, you can hear the raucous calls of the birds. And not just seagulls yelling”mine, mine, mine”, but Wilson’s Plover, Collared Plover, Pelicans, Frigate Birds, Brown Boobies, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Whimbrel. You’ll also pass by Manual Antonio National Park.
(FYI, the Brown Boobies here are adorable! But my favourites are still the Blue-Footed Boobies in the Galapagos Islands!)
The seasoned crew will set anchor near Playa Biesanz for a chance to swim, snorkel, and kayak, and then it’s time to eat! Make some new friends on tour, this ship hosts up to 46 guests.
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
🌴 All snorkeling equipment
🌴 Enjoy our water sports equipment: kayaks, SUPs, water mattresses, pool noodles
🌴 Pop/water/coffee/tea
🌴 Lunch or dinner, depending on your choice of cruise time.
🌴 Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at our wet bar
🌴 Gratuities for staff and crew
What guests are saying about Cruising on a 100′ Wooden Sail Ship in the Province of Puntarenas
“Excellent way to spend a half day in Costa Rica. Views of the shoreline from the ship were beautiful. Service provided by the crew was top notch.”
— Steven, July 2022 ( Read more reviews)
The ship has a few features that are uncommon in a traditional gulet. The most obvious is the very large foredeck with ample space to roam around or for functions. Also, the mahogany hull gives her the elegant look and extreme strength.
If you really enjoy your time on the Briza Elegante, and who wouldn’t, then you should consider booking a longer vacation on the ship.
Book this cruise early, Cruising on a 100′ Wooden Sail Ship in the Province of Puntarenas!
Costa Rica Tours For Seniors
5. Monteverde Rain Forest Night Walk
Pro Tip: Great night photos can be had on your smartphone if you set the camera to HDR mode (if you have an Android), keep the camera very still (a tripod is helpful), and since your flash may be too harsh our here, consider putting a piece of tissue paper over it.
Rating: 5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 187 great reviews
Why Choose the Monteverde Rain Forest Night Walk?
Not many people want to hike around the jungle at night. But this tour is pretty unique, and you’ll be glad you took it. Over 80% of Monteverde’s wildlife is nocturnal.
Your experienced guide will help you spot animals such as gray foxes, reptiles, kinkajou, geckos, and white-nosed coati. My favourite and more as they come out after dark. If you want to know more about the animals in the Monteverde rainforest, check out my friend Brodi’s blog post on the 30 Coolest Animals.
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
🌴 Rechargeable battery flashlight
🌴 Optic gear
🌴 Field guides to identify species
🌴 Local taxes
🌴 Entrance fee of Refugio de Vida Silvestre $8pp Cash or card
🌴 Gratuities
🌴 Transportation
What guests are saying about the Monteverde Rain Forest Night Walk
The “guide took us out and he was fantastic! Made sure we saw a lot of amazing animals and taught us a lot about the local ecology. I was a little nervous going into a night hike as a solo travelled, but he instantly made us all feel super safe and we’ll taken care of.”
— Liz, August 2022, (Read more reviews)
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, founded in 1972, is also a great stop. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to half of Costa Rica’s flora and fauna and 2.5 percent of the world’s biodiversity. A “cloud forest” is called such due to the mists produced by the cooling of wet air currents in the mountains. Sitting at an elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level, the reserve is also mist-covered, and you can cross the skywalk through the lush forest canopy.
This tour is an easy and comfortable walk, with experienced guides, so it’s quite safe. I’d also recommend socks and long pants on this tour.
Don’t miss the Monteverde Rain Forest Night Walk, you can reserve early
Costa Rica Tours for Seniors
6. Isla Tortuga Adventure tour – from Jaco
Pro Tip: Take an extra beach towel, one for drying and one for laying on the beach.
Rating: 5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 23 great reviews
Why Choose the Isla Tortuga Adventure tour – from Jaco?
Begin your full day exploring the beauty of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast on your way to the Gulf of Nicoya. Stop first at the Tarcoles River Bridge to observe the “cocodrilos”, that’s Spanish for crocodiles. This bridge is renowned for having the best views…and the most cocodrilos!
From the bridge, it’s on to Jaco to catch the sport fishing boat to the Isla Tortuga. On the way, visit Negritos Island to see spider monkeys and dolphins. And then swim and snorkel in front of Tortuga Island, to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at the beautiful white sand beach with a delicious lunch accompanied by fruits of the season. Before you leave, visit the famous, and picturesque, stone arch of Nicoya.
Book early for the Isla Tortuga Adventure tour – from Jaco
🌴 Snacks
🌴 Coffee/tea/beverages/bottled water
🌴 Snorkeling equipment
🌴 Lunch
🌴 Alcohol
🌴 Land transportation Jaco- Puntarenas- Jaco price (USD $ 25.00) per person
🌴 Gratuities for staff and crew
What guests are saying about the Isla Tortuga Adventure tour – from Jaco
“We had such a great Time! Daniel gave a lot of explanations and tips, we learned a lot! Hé came with us in the water to show us the wild sea life! The lunch provided was good! We highly recommand!”
— AudreeAnne, Nov 2022 (Read more reviews)
There are no hotels on Isla Tortuga, the island is relatively untouched, please don’t leave items or garbage behind.
Book the Isla Tortuga Adventure tour – from Jaco early
Costa Rica Tours for Seniors
7. Diamante Eco Adventure Park Day Pass with Lunch
Pro Tip: This is another camera-friendly tour. The animal sanctuary here includes a spectacular butterfly observatory. The national butterfly of Costa Rica is the Blue Morpho.
Rating: 5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 701 great reviews
Why Choose the Diamante Eco Adventure Park Day Pass with Lunch?
This place is like Disneyland for adventurous nature lovers. Your all-day pass includes access to zip lines (five of them), hanging bridges, ocean activities (stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking) snorkeling, a native botanical garden, and the largest animal sanctuary in Guanacaste Province — all in one location near the region’s most popular cities.
Not that “seniors” need a relaxing hammock, but isn’t nice to know that they’re there so you can kick back if you feel like it. (I love a good hammock, check out this past blog) The price of admission also includes access to the animal sanctuary, butterfly garden, and botanical garden.
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
🌴 Buffet lunch, water, pop
🌴 Access to a professional guide if wanted
🌴 All admissions
🌴 Equipment for snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boards
🌴 Equipment for all zip lines, including helmets
🌴 Hammocks (I wasn’t making those up!)
🌴 Alcohol
🌴Gratuities
🌴 Towels
🌴 Hotel pickup and drop off
What guests are saying about the Diamante Eco Adventure Park Day Pass with Lunch
“Loved everything about this Eco Adventure Park experience, from the Superman Zip Line, to the Animal Sanctuary, to the Cultural Experience Tour, to the Horseback Ride.”
— Ryan, December 2022 (Read more reviews)
This self-guided tour is ideal for those of us “of a certain vintage” because you choose your activities and do them at your own pace.
Grab your all-day pass here, Diamante Eco Adventure Park Day Pass with Lunch
Costa Rica Tours for Seniors
8. ATV Tamarindo to Pirates Bay
Pro Tip: Sand riding can be a bit different than dirt, or trail riding. I know, duh, right? But relax, this is packing your suitcase “pro tip”, not riding a quad “pro tip”. If you anticipate taking this tour (and it’s fun, so you should) take a set of goggles if you have them and pack a pair of lightweight pants and a long sleeve shirt.
Rating: 4.5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 60 great reviews
Why Choose the ATV Tamarindo to Pirates Bay
Get a quick safety briefing from your local guide before you head out. Your guide will tailor the tour to the group’s riding abilities. Then get set to explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Region! Zip around on some sandy beaches, and then head off into the jungle for some off-road adventure. There are backroads and rugged trails to ride, streams to ford, and mountains to climb.
It’s not all motorized fun, but mostly! This ATV tour takes you along Guanacaste’s stunningly beautiful beaches where you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel or swim. And stop for lunch along the way.
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
🌴 Quad/ATV
🌴 Local guide
🌴 All necessary safety gear
🌴 Gratuities
What guests are saying about the ATV Tamarindo to Pirates Bay
“Beautiful, empty beaches! This was a fun, muddy, thrilling way to spend a few hours seeing a whole different side of Costa Rica. “
— Linda, December 2022 (Read more reviews)
Pirates Bay (also called Playa Piratas) is located just south of the popular Playa Conchal beach. The name came from the legend that pirates had visited the beach and small islands off the coastline.
Sign up for the ATV Tamarindo to Pirates Bay
Costa Rica Tours for Seniors
9. North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour
Pro Tip: Coffee is a fruit, and the beans are called cherries; and so is the cacao that’s used to make chocolate, the seeds are from a fruit tree. So technically, I believe this means that both belong under the “fruits and vegetables” heading of Canada’s Daily Food Guide!
Rating: 5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 538 great reviews
Why Choose the North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour?
Aromatic coffee, sweet sugarcane, and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate are three of Costa Rica’s top agricultural exports—and its favorite products among locals and visitors alike. Learn about these three crops first-hand on this tour of a family-owned farm near La Fortuna. See how coffee is created from bean to cup, and then taste other delicious crops along with a guide.
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
🌴 Local taxes
🌴 Chocolate preparation and tasting
🌴 Sugar cane tasting
🌴 Water, coffee, tea
🌴 Professional guide
🌴 Hotel pickup and drop-off (less than 20 minutes away from the La Fortuna Area)
🌴 Gratuities
🌴 Does not include transportation from hotels more than 20 minutes away from the La Fortuna area.
What guests are saying about the North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour
“What a fun experience with David! He was very knowledge, whether it was about coffee, chocolate or sugar cane. He was a well of information, and generous with details based on his long experience in the industry.
— Elizabeth, December 2022 (Read more reviews)
And if there’s one thing that I’ve learned with absolute certainty from all my trips to Costa Rica, it’s that there’s nothing like the “farm-to-table” taste of coffee from where it’s grown, harvested, and roasted! It just doesn’t get any better.
Don’t miss out on coffee and chocolate, book here: North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica Tours for Seniors
10. Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari
Pro Tip: A wide-brimmed hat is helpful and some bug spray can be useful. There is often a breeze, so bug spray may not be necessary.
Rating: 5 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with over 140 great reviews
Why Choose the Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari?
This is one of those tours that not everyone would consider. Rarely does anyone say, “hey, who wants to go over to that jungle swamp for a visit”? But it’s a lot like tour #5, the Monteverde Night Tour, it’s often overlooked.
Don’t underestimate a good estuary, they’re vital for filtering rivers of pollutants before they enter our oceans. And they are considered to be “the nurseries of the sea” because so many species rely on estuaries for nesting and breeding.
So, just north of Tamarindo is the Las Baulas Marine National Park and it is another prime spot to experience the biodiversity of Costa Rica. This 2-hr boat (shade-covered) tour will take you through the park’s vast network of mangrove forests where your guide points out wildlife like Frigate Birds, Brown-footed Boobies, Pelicans, and other waterbirds that are in abundance.
It’s also common to see several varieties of monkeys. But since this area is protected by the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge it’s becoming easier to spot ocelots, crocodiles, and anteaters.
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
🌴 All taxes, fees, and handling charges
🌴 National Park fees
🌴 Bottled water
🌴 Local guide
🌴 Hotel pickup and drop-off in
🌴 Tamarindo/Langosta area
🌴 Gratuities
🌴 Hotel pickup and drop-off outside of the Tamarindo & Langosta area, but it can be arranged for an extra fee
What guests are saying about the Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari
“Christian and Rodolfo were excellent guides. We saw many birds, monkeys, raccoons, and small crocs. They explained everything about the local eco system and made sure we saw as much as possible.”
— Paul, December 2022 (Read more reviews)
And FYI, “baulas”, in the park’s name, is Spanish for Leatherback Turtle, an endangered species that has been saved through park efforts!
Buy your Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari for 2023 here!
Costa Rica Tours For Seniors, Stuff People Need to Know…At Any Age
Does Costa Rica have any travel restrictions right now?
There are currently no restrictions for entering Costa Rica at this time. All COVID-19 measures were repealed on April 1, 2022. But it’s always a good idea to check the rules before you travel. Just make sure that you have a valid passport, and proof that you are leaving in 90 days or less if you’re a tourist.
The CDC reports that there are no travel health notices currently in effect. Check out the CDC’s website for their recommendations for regularly recommended travel vaccines.
This Central American country is south of Nicaragua and north of Panama. If you’re a geography junkie or a sailor, then the coordinates are 9.7489° N and 83.7534° W. It’s 19,760 square miles, in comparison, Ontario is 415,336 square miles. If you really want the size details, check out Nation Master.
In Costa Rican eateries, tipping is optional, though it’s polite to offer an additional sum if you feel your server exceeded your expectations or went the extra mile to ensure you were happy with your meal. But just FYI, most restaurants in Costa Rica already include a 10% gratuity to your bill before you receive it. At high-end resorts, $1 per bag is customary for the bellman and $2 per day for housekeeping is the general rule of thumb.
Costa Rica is hugely popular for digital nomads, and one of the reasons is because of the fast and reliable internet services. Personally, I find it better and less expensive than what I have here in Ontario. When I travel there, there are always good cable or DSL options. So if you’re taking a working vacation, or just want to Facetime with the grand kids…no problem!
Cellphone service is equally good in Costa Rica, on both coasts. With mostly 4G coverage (5G in some locations), you can expect your non-Costa Rica smartphone to keep you connected. Depending on how you plan to use your smartphone, you can keep costs low.
Most major and many boutique hotels offer free Wi-Fi with a high-speed connection. Most of Costa Rica uses GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks. Making and receiving calls in Costa Rica should be no problem except in the mountains or the most remote areas.
Check your roaming plan before you travel, and see what the rules, and the costs, are. I generally use wifi and chat via either Zoom, Facebook, or Whatsapp. Easy peasy! And cheaper.
Yes and no. Yes, if that’s all the time you have, you’ll go home feeling rested and relaxed. Also yes if you go during the rainy season, September to December. Not everyone loves a good, drenching rain. I have only ever been to Costa Rica during the “traditional” rainy seasons. And I have no problem with it.
However, the rainy season is considered the “low season”, and you may not find as many restaurants open as usual.
And the answer is also no, two weeks isn’t long enough if you’re retired or nomadic. Longer is always better…especially if the option is going home to snow!
Pura Vida is as much a greeting as it is a way of life! It’s like “aloha” in Hawaii. You will hear and see it everywhere in Costa Rica. The term “Pura Vida” has been present in Costa Rica’s vocabulary for over 50 years. Its English translation means “pure life” or “simple life”.
Costa Rican Airports, both international and regional
Costa Rica has two international airports, one in Liberia (Daniel Oduber International Airport- LIR) and in the capital city of San Jose (Juan Santamaria International Airport – SJO). I use both equally. However, if you anticipate long delays, or you simply like to be at the airport really, really early, then SJO has more amenities.
Both are clean, comfortable, and safe. The staff there are helpful and friendly, and if your Spanish is terrible, you will find that their English is excellent.
The best-kept secret in Costa Rica is the regional airports. You can often fly to your destination for almost the same price as a shuttle service. So unless an airport transfer to your resort is included in your tour package, look into flying on one of the regional airlines. My personal favourite, and they have not sponsored this post, is Sansa Airlines.
The time you save, and the bumpy roads you avoid, make it totally worth it!
So Is Costa Rica Good For Seniors to Visit?
Let’s Recap The Best Costa Rica Tours For Seniors On The Pacific Coast
Yes. Hot sunny weather, check! Extraordinary beaches? Check! Wide range of activities for all fitness levels? Check! Astounding scenery? Check! Amazing food? Check! For most baby boomers, seniors, and retirees, it ticks all the boxes! constitutes old.
You should know, that in Costa Rica, seniors are often respectfully referred to as “ciudadanos de oro,” which means “golden citizens.” Here, older people are often treated with great respect. Seniors traveling through Costa Rica can expect to enjoy this particular privilege whether they’re touring the museums of San Jose or exploring the country’s beautiful landscapes.
In addition, many of the country’s most popular destinations and attractions offer senior discounts, so keep your eyes peeled for generous money-saving promotions. Costa Rica is an ideal destination for people who want to make the most of their retirement too. With a little planning, retired tourists can experience everything this amazing country has to offer.
If you have questions about Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, shoot me an email. There’s always a direct link in my regular post updates.
Cheers,
Cynthia
Cynthia Ross Tustin retired early to pursue her passion for writing. Turns out, she's equally passionate about retirement! This author has spent 1000s of hours researching all the best that retirement has to offer. What you'll find here is a well-curated resource of amazing places to go and fun things to do as your retirement approaches. Not retired, no problem! There's plenty here for all of us that are "of a certain vintage"!