Learn the true meaning of pura vida and live in the moment by hosting a Costa Rica bachelorette party. Costa Rica is the perfect place to make your once-in-a-lifetime event extra special, from the incredible sunny beaches for your girls to work on their tans before the wedding, to the fine dining and evergreen majestic forests for relaxing in. No place can do justice to your bachelorette party plans like Costa Rica.
Planning a bachelorette party can be pretty overwhelming, but this Costa Rica bachelorette party guide has got you covered. From where to stay to what to do, let’s make your bachelorette party an unforgettable experience.
How to Get to Costa Rica
By car: Driving from the US to Costa Rica would take 61 hours and may not seem ideal. But if driving from bordering countries like Panama, you would need to pay $3 per person as an exit fee at Panama Immigration.
By air: Costa Rica has two international airports, Juan Santamaria (SJO) and Daniel Oduber Quiros (LIR). SJO handles most of the flights while LIR handles US, UK, and Canadian flights. Bus services will save you a lot of money if you live in one of Costa Rica’s neighboring countries (i.e., Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, or Guatemala).
Note: Flying on weekends and during the holiday season can be expensive compared to the off-peak times. Compare flight prices here.
By boat: Costa Rica has the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east, so it’s possible to sail your way to your Costa Rica bachelorette party. Cruise companies like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian include Costa Rica in their itineraries.
Getting Around Costa Rica
There are different modes of transportation in Costa Rica. You can fly, rent cars, take taxis, use the bus services, or rent a motorcycle.
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- Taking a bus is one of the cheapest ways to get around Costa Rica. Not only can you get around the city for less than a dollar, but you can get the bus to every popular tourist destination you may want to go to, paying at most $15.
- You can also rent a car in Costa Rica if you want to get around easily without relying on public transport or shared rides. If you are planning on renting a car, expect to pay about $40 per day for a regular vehicle and up to $70 for an intermediate four-wheeled drive, including full insurance. If you have a large group, you may need to rent several cars to accommodate everyone (that’s a lot of designated drivers!).
$$: Mid-tier Options
- You can get taxis at a decent rate to cover both long and short-distance trips. For example, a 25-minute ride from the airport to the center of San José would cost around $25.
- Motorbikers with valid experience who have a license can rent bikes. They are a great way to enjoy the country’s beautiful scenery. Larger motorcycles can cost up to $150 a day to hire.
- A private shuttle offers a reliable way to get around Costa Rica with your bachelorettes. Prices depend on the distance you’re traveling, with a trip from San José to Tamarindo costing around $250 for six people.
$$$: Splurge Options
- Rent a chauffeured stretch limousine to move your group around in style! Prices depend on your how long you need the car, and you will need to pay a $300 deposit when you book.
- Book a party bus to experience the beaches and pools around Guanacaste, and finish the afternoon with some Costa Rican nightlife! Prices start from $99.
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
Complete your Costa Rica bachelorette party with a perfect place to stay. Costa Rica is an all-rounder place with many exceptional food places, unforgettable scenery, beautiful sunsets, plus luxury resorts, hotels, and villas to stay in. Many attractions will be within walking distance of your accommodation, whether you choose to stay in the capital of San José or the beachside destination of Tamarindo.
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- Make Hotel Sura B&B in the city of San José your home for a few days for a comfortable experience at an affordable price. Room rates start at $41 per night.
- The beachfront El Mono Loco in Tamarindo offers reasonable rates for a bright and clean hotel with a pool. Rooms start from $46 a night.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- Occidental Tamarindo is located right on the foothills next to the beach and offers an amazing in-house dining experience. It is just 2 km away from the city center and has rooms ranging from $131 to $200.
- For $668 a night, your guests will experience beach accommodation and a luxurious house with a private pool. This is a great option for larger groups in the Tamarindo area, offering plenty of space for up to 13 people.
$$$: Splurge Options
- JW Marriott is a great choice if you want to stay a little farther away from downtown Tamarindo. It has all the luxury amenities you may want. A plus point is that the hotel management is highly accommodating. They can arrange vehicles for you so that you can explore the town. Rent a limo for the group and explore the city. Depending on the time of booking, a deluxe guestroom at JW Marriott starts from $557.
- Rent a villa for a larger group, giving you the freedom and flexibility of your own space. Villas with a capacity of holding more than 10 guests start from $1500 a night.
Create an unforgettable experience for your bachelorette and her group! You can decorate the rooms with personalized messages and notch up the vibe with balloons and flowers. Many hotels offer complimentary room decorating services.
Best Things to Do in Costa Rica
Bachelorette parties are synonymous with fun activities! Whatever your definition of fun is, a Costa Rica bachelorette party calls for experiencing some of the country’s thrilling activities. The coastal cities come alive at night and have fantastic nightclubs, with vibing music and karaoke nights to help you spend the evenings dancing, hopping, and celebrating with your girls.
Our Costa Rica bachelorette party guide would not be complete without some fun bachelorette party ideas, so here are some options to suit every budget.
$ Budget-Friendly Options
- Nature always offers free yet magical experiences. Staying in a place so close to nature and not indulging would be almost a crime! As a matter of fact, over half of the country is covered in forests, so plan some nature therapy for your bachelorettes without breaking the bank.
- Don’t miss out on a peaceful bird-watching experience while on a visit to one of nearly thirty national parks in Costa Rica. National parks like the Talamanca Range-La Amisted Reserves require foreigners to pay just $10.
- Make the most out of Costa Rica’s magical sunshine and over three hundred glorious beaches, by planning a full girly-girl day at the beach! Surprise your guests with cute matching swimsuits to symbolize your solidarity, and remember to take photos!
- Take a budget version of a spa day by immersing yourself (literally!) in the hot springs of Arenal, located two and a half hours away from San José.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- Go on an exhilarating zipline adventure with your squad over the forest canopy. Prices start from $60. The best part about this activity is that you can experience the wildlife from a closer angle.
- There is no shortage of great surfing sites in Costa Rica. You can also set up a private surfing session, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A one-on-one private lesson costs around $80.
$$$: Splurge Options
- Get up close to Costa Rica’s exhilarating coastline! You can take the group scuba diving for $250 per person. Bachelorettes who don’t want to dive can join in the boat trip and snorkel.
- Refresh your bachelorettes with a traditional Costa Rican spa day at Sibou Spa just outside of Tamarindo. You can book a relaxing spa day for your group, including three treatments, lunch, and two glasses of wine, for $260 per person. The spa can accommodate up to 12 people at once, and the rest of the group can enjoy the pool and beautiful restaurant while waiting their turn.
Top Tips for a Costa Rica Bachelorette Party
Now that you know about Costa Rica’s fabulous diversity of places to stay and things to do, you’re ready to organize a party like you’ll never see again. We recommend you spend between three and five days in the coastal parts of Costa Rica, so you have time to absorb the daytime atmosphere and the nightlife!
Here are some top tips to make sure your bachelorettes enjoy every minute of their trip.
When to Visit
The dry season, which runs from mid-December to April, is perfect for planning a Costa Rica bachelorette party, with dazzling sunlight and warm weather to enjoy. With so many in-season adventures, this time of the year is perfect for splashing in the ocean waves or enjoying hiking or adventures in mountainous regions and rainforests. Bear in mind that road conditions aren’t the best in Costa Rica, so if you’re a nervous traveler, avoid the winter rainy season between May and November.
What to Bring
Costa Rica’s not the place for heels or wedges – pack flip-flops and sandals to keep your feet comfortable day-in, day-out. Save on baggage costs by packing minimal and casual, with a general “beach vibe” and maybe a dress or two for a formal dinner celebration. Coordinate with your mates for things that can be shared, such as hairdressing appliances or other bulky stuff that tends to occupy a lot of space.
Do not forget to bring your passports, bank cards, and vaccination certificates. Allow a margin of at least three months before any of these expire, and always keep photocopies with you. You’ll need to submit proof of your return flight as you enter the country. Your nationality determines the maximum number of days a tourist can stay in Costa Rica, which is a generous 90 days for U.S. citizens.
Although Costa Rica has its own currency, the Costa Rican colón (CRC), U.S. dollars are still acceptable in many places. So, don’t despair if you don’t manage to change currency beforehand. We recommend you bring $250 to $300 per person in cash, as not everywhere can take cards.
Tropical Heaven Bachelorette Party
We hope you have the time of your life in Costa Rica, enjoying the right balance of exhilaration and relaxation. Make sure to check out our other resources and guides, including how to throw an affordable bachelorette party, and how to choose the right bachelorette theme for your event.
Is this your first bachelorette party? Check out our ultimate guide on how to plan a perfect bachelorette party.
We’d love to see pictures from your trip – don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @BDR if you found this Costa Rica bachelorette party guide helpful!