Is it worth taking a domestic flight instead of driving from San José?

Yes, especially to the Nicoya Peninsula. A twenty-five-minute domestic flight avoids hours of congested traffic and provides stunning aerial views of the countryside and coastline.

What is the best way to explore the Nicoya Peninsula?

Fly into Tambor on a domestic flight, rent a car locally, and explore the peninsula at your own pace. The ferry is a scenic return route option.

Is Costa Rica suitable for all types of travelers?

Costa Rica rewards travelers interested in culture, wildlife, nature, and wellness who are willing to engage with local life. It is less suited to those seeking all-inclusive resort experiences.

What does 'Pura Vida' mean in Costa Rica?

Pura Vida, or 'pure life,' is a Costa Rican philosophy and way of living that emphasizes contentment and living life to the fullest, evident in daily interactions and the local culture.

How should I approach travel to Costa Rica?

Engage genuinely with local culture, history, and cuisine rather than treating destinations as checklists. Curiosity and presence determine the depth of your experience.

What are the main regions of Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has distinct regions including the Nicoya Peninsula, Caribbean coast, Pacific coast, and cloud forests, each with unique character and infrastructure suited to different traveler preferences.

Olga Leonetti's Costa Rica Revelation at 3,000 Feet

I knew Costa Rica had multiple regions, each with its own personality. What I didn't fully understand until I went myself was just how much the logistics matter. Flying into San Jose, the capital hits you immediately. Think Toronto traffic, then multiply it by ten. That chaos was my first lesson: this country rewards those who plan smartly, not those who wing it.

My husband and I had originally considered renting a car in San Jose and making the five-hour drive to Punta Arenas, then taking the ferry across. That would have added another five hours on top of our international flight. Instead, we made a decision that changed everything about how I now advise clients on Costa Rica. We headed to the domestic airport and booked a twenty-five minute flight to Tambor on a nine-seater jumper plane.

The Moment That Stays With Me

That flight is the image I carry with me every time a client mentions Costa Rica. We lifted off from San Jose, and suddenly the entire countryside unfolded beneath us. Mountains, forests, patchwork farms. You simply cannot see this from an international flight coming into the main airport. We touched down in Tambor as the sun was setting, the small plane dipping low over the landscape before landing. The golden light spilling across everything. I remember sitting there thinking, this is why people fall in love with this country.

From Tambor, we picked up our rental car and traveled around Costa Rica at our own pace. On the return, we took the ferry back, getting the scenic route we had initially considered. It gave us the best of both approaches: efficiency when we needed it, and the slower, more immersive experience when we had the energy to appreciate it.

What the People Taught Me

The landscape was stunning, but what surprised me most were the people. The Costa Ricans I encountered were warm, generous, and genuinely happy. They may not have had much in material terms, but they were always smiling. Pura Vida is something you hear about before you go, but experiencing it firsthand is different. It's not a slogan. It's how they actually live. They embrace life fully, and that energy is contagious. It changed how I talk to clients who are on the fence about Costa Rica. I tell them the country will meet them with open arms, and I mean it.

Now, when a client calls asking about Costa Rica, I have a mental map of the country that no brochure could give me. I understand the infrastructure, the roads, the regional differences. When they tell me what they want to see and experience, I know exactly where to put them in the country to get it. That knowledge only comes from being there yourself, from making the decisions and living with the results.

Who Costa Rica Is For

Costa Rica is perfect for travelers who want culture, wildlife, nature, and wellness. It rewards the curious, the ones who want to get out and explore, not just settle into one spot. If someone thinks they can see everything from an all-inclusive resort, staying in one place the whole time, this isn't the right destination for them. Costa Rica asks you to move, to engage, to be present.

After thirteen years as an advisor, my philosophy is simple: travel is more than just a destination. It's about how you approach the experience. The clients who thrive are the ones who immerse themselves in the local culture, history, and cuisine. They live the destination rather than just visiting it. Costa Rica taught me that lesson vividly, and I carry it into every trip I plan. For the right traveler, this country delivers something unforgettable. And now I know exactly how to make that happen.