Eunice & Matt

There are two international airports in Costa Rica, Liberia and San Jose. You'll want to fly into the latter in San Jose, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).

Many airlines fly direct from the states. Expect to pay between $350-600 round trip on United or Southwest.

Try and fly in early! You'll have a little longer yet to get to the town of Uvita after landing and you don't want to miss the sunset.

+ Car Rental

We highly recommend renting a 4x4 vehicle coming to Costa Rica. Although the main route to Uvita is on paved road, once in the town, you will definitely be driving on dirt roads and on steep mountains. It's part of the fun of being here! 

We recommend renting from one of the major carriers like Budget, Enterprise, and National. Although you can get a better deal going with a local company like Adobe Rent A Car. Just know the risks you take.

Also, please note with car rentals in Costa Rica, your credit card will typically cover collision and damage, but you will need to buy liability insurance through the rental company as Costa Rica car insurance is nationalized and your insurance back in the states more than likely doesn't cover liability in Costa Rica.

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+ The Drive 

The drive is about 3-hours in total from San Jose Airport. Part of the drive is on a toll road so please do get some Costa Rican Colones (cash) while at the airport by using an ATM or money exchange.

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+ Looking for a lunch stop?

If you'd like to break up the drive and having lunch on a beautiful beach, we recommend stopping at El Pelicano
Restaurant in Playa Herradura on the way down. About an hour and a half from the airport: https://goo.gl/maps/u5pT19TxevRxqjKm7.

Roll the windows down, put on some reggae, and enjoy the beautiful country of Costa Rica on your drive to Uvita!

If you're not up for renting a car and want a quick way to The Costa Ballena (area of Uvita), there are commuter flights from San Jose to Quepos, about 45-minutes drive from Uvita. The flight only takes 25-minutes or so. It'll certainly speed up your trip. Hope you're not afraid of small planes! 

Get in touch with us if you need help making these flight arrangements. Both commercial and private charter flights are rather reasonable for getting there and you could have a taxi or rental car waiting for you in Quepos when you land.

Hopefully, your family has a rental car to get around the beautiful Costa Ballena area. There is so much to see and do! 

If you don't plan on having a rental car, we are considering providing one or two large vans for the week to assist with folks getting around the area.

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Notes on driving in Costa Rica

Rules are similar in Costa Rica to what you're used to back home. However, being in a third world country means the rules get bent a bit. Double yellow lines mean no passing but with most highways being two lanes, don't be surprised if a local (or series of locals) pass you, even on curves in the road. Best to let them do it, slow down, and move on.

You'll see entire families on motorcycles. Mom, dad, two kids, and a dog. Of course, it's not safe. Give a wave and some space and move along on your day. It's okay to pass them on the highways as they'll only be going half the speed limit most the time. 

Road signage is totally lacking in Costa Rica. We find Waze to work a little better than Google Maps. 

Pedestrians do not have the right of way in Costa Rica. They will be waiting for you to pass, not the other way around.

And be sure to be careful when you see a sign that says "Puente Adelante" (Bridge Ahead). These are one-lane bridges. This means that you have to take turns with oncoming traffic to pass. The general rule is whoever gets there first has the right of way. Instead of cars rotating one at a time, the whole group of cars coming from one direction cross at the same time, while the cars on the other side wait. Once all the cars have gone through, the other side can go.

When parking at the beach, look up! Do not park under coconut trees as they can smash your windshields and dent hoods.

Parking around town is rather liberal. If it looks like a spot to pull over and park, it probably is fine. Just be careful of yellow lines or stakes which means no parking.

If there is a parking attendant, it may be the best bet to park in his/her lot and pay them the $1 or $2 to watch your car. Crime is not big in Costa Rica but petty theft exists all over the world. Be sure to lock your doors, take your valuables, and all will be fine. We've never had any issues.

Dominical

A surfer’s escape, Dominical is a laid-back beach town where you can roll out of bed, walk to the beach, and not return until well into the night. With a number of affordable accommodations and fun beach bars, Dominical attracts backpackers, surfers, and yogis alike. But no matter what you fancy, during the day everyone ends up at the beach. Along a sandy palm-tree-lined avenue, dozens of merchants sell souvenirs, and restaurants serve up quick bites alongside cold drinks. Stay for sunset and you too will fall in love with this small town’s charm.

Uvita

Marked by a small hub of banks, restaurants, grocery stores, and offices near the main highway, Uvita is a town that offers much more than convenient commerce. Take one of the many dirt roads into the mountains and you will discover hidden neighborhoods neatly tucked into the rainforest. From here, you will have breathtaking views of the famous whale tail, a giant sandbar shaped just like that of a whale fin.

On the coastal side, a charming Tico neighborhood named Bahía Ballena abuts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, and one of the only marine national parks in Costa Rica, Marino Ballena. A stop here will give a glimpse into real Tico life and show you why Costa Ricans are some of the happiest people on earth.

Ojochal
A popular landing place for expats from the United States, Canada, and all over Europe, Ojochal has quickly become a culinary destination in Costa Rica. Maybe it’s the mixture of cultures or the plentiful tropical ingredients, but it is rare to find so many gourmet restaurants so close to one another—and in the land of rice and beans, of all places. In addition to great food, Ojochal also has its own magnificent ocean views, pristine swaths of jungle, and beautiful beaches.

THE HOST VILLA & WEDDING VENUE

+ Arboretum Villa - Escaleras
From March 8 - March 15 we have reserved the wedding venue which is an 11 bedroom / 13 bathroom luxury villa overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the mountainside with two pools.

There is a mix of single king bedrooms and bedrooms with two queen beds. All bedrooms have their own bathrooms.
The casitas are set up like hotel rooms with mini-fridge, coffee makers, private balcony/terraces, etc. and we also plan on hiring a chef for a few family-style meals there.

We have some open rooms available at the host villa and would prefer to book it out first for those planning on staying the entire week. The price of staying at the villa is $250/night per room. Please let us know if you're interested!

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HIGH END HOTELS

+ Oxygen Jungle Villas
This is where we first stayed in Uvita!
In the forested hills around the whale tail are a number of boutique-style hotels. Of the choices, our pick for a luxury escape is Oxygen Jungle Villas. Oxygen has 12 modern Balinese-style villas and a picturesque infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Each villa has huge glass windows, which make you feel like you’re immersed in the jungle.

The hotel sits privately near the top of a mountain and has a lot of wildlife around like monkeys and toucans. The staff is friendly and will go out of their way to make sure your stay is relaxing and memorable. Ocean-view Villas, $250-300. Even more private Jungle Villas, $200-250.

+ Kura Costa Rica
“The most glamorous romantic resort in Costa Rica” – Forbes Magazine

Welcome to tropical utopia. The 8 Luxury Suites, tropical minimalist design, and panoramic views set the stage for ultra-personalized luxury, relaxation, and privacy. A boutique, adults-only hotel high in the Uvita rainforest. Kura is an exclusive destination in its own right.

+ Villas Alturas
Another option located outside Dominical is Villas Alturas. This hotel is also set in the jungle, but is only a short drive to the beach and amenities. Villas Alturas offers both one- and two-bedroom units, making it a good option for families.

Each of the seven villas comes equipped with a kitchen, but there is also a great restaurant on the premises. Guests will want to check out the wildlife sanctuary next door. Villas, $140-250.

For more, check Tripadvisor.

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MID-RANGE HOTELS

+ Cuna de Angel
Perfectly situated halfway between Dominical and Uvita is Cuna del Angel. Beautifully crafted with Spanish-style architecture, this hotel sits propped over the jungle and offers nice ocean breezes.

The on-site restaurant serves up gourmet food and is completely gluten-free. It is one of the larger hotels in the area with more than 20 rooms so is a good option for groups. $80-200.

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HOUSE RENTALS, AIRBNB, OR HOMEAWAY

+ Rent a house!
We love renting a house on Airbnb or Homeaway for trips to Costa Rica. There are so many relaxing, unique home designs, many with infinity pools overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

If you need any help, let us know! It would be best to end up in Uvita or Dominical. Or better yet, somewhere in between the two neighboring towns as that's where Arboretum (the wedding venue) is located. You can also look for houses in Escaleras -- the subdivision where the venue of the wedding (Arboretum) is located.