Emma in Costa Rica

Hi, I’m Emma. I’m a Canadian who has been living in Costa Rica for 8 years and visiting since I was about 10 years old.

Emma in Costa Rica was created to help you plan your trip with real, experience-based recommendations.

On this site, you’ll find:

the best things to do across Costa Rica
destination guides for places like La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, and more
recommended tours you can book directly
tips on getting around, including car rentals and what to expect - as well as an exclusive discount on all car rentals!

Everything here is based on places I’ve been and experiences I genuinely recommend - so you can spend less time researching and more time enjoying your trip.

Not sure where to begin? Start HERE

VIDEOS

The image features a collage of three photos, with a red banner at the top reading "Residency, Apartments, Buying Property Big Things" and a YouTube label. On the left, a woman looks stressed, holding her face with her hands. The center photo shows the entrance of a historic building with steps, under cloudy skies. On the right, a woman is smiling outdoors, holding a bag. Below, there is a caption sharing a personal story about the stress of applying for residency and searching for a new apartment.

my-first-trip-to-guanacaste-close-to-tamarindo-costa-rica-vlog

Promotional graphic for a YouTube video titled '4 Days at Rincon de la Vieja.' The left shows a woman wearing a rain jacket outside among lush tropical plants with a dinosaur statue in the background. The center features a volcanic eruption illustration over a dark landscape. The right depicts two women smiling, one with muddy face and hair tied up, and the other with blonde hair, in a jungle setting.

A video thumbnail showing a person sitting on a deserted Costa Rican beach during sunset, with the sky illuminated by warm light. Text overlay: 'Live in Costa Rica $1000 or less'. Below, a title reads 'How I live in Costa Rica for under $1000 a month' with a paragraph explaining how they manage to live on a budget.

Thumbnail for YouTube video titled 'Get to Know Manuel Antonio', showing two women with flowers in their hair taking a selfie with lush green hills, a bay, and the ocean in the background.

Three photos of a Costa Rican apartment interior, including a bedroom with a bed and stuffed animals, a room with red curtains and string lights, and a woman sitting on a wooden floor smiling. Text overlay mentions a Costa Rican apartment tour on YouTube and a personal experience of renting a $325/month apartment in Costa Rica's countryside, describing it as a less expensive alternative to previous accommodations.

A smiling woman taking a selfie at Costa Rica Independence Day celebrations, with a large group of people in traditional dresses and hats, holding umbrellas in the background.

A collage of three photos: a woman holding a fish on a boat, a scenic view of trees and mountains, and a person relaxing on a hammock under a metal roof. The photos relate to fishing, nature, and new experiences.

48 Hours in Jaco - 10 Things To Do in Jaco, Costa Rica

Thumbnail for a YouTube video featuring two smiling women wearing green hard hats, with a volcano erupting in the background and text "4 DAYS IN POÁS." There is also an image of strawberries and coffee beans.

Thumbnail for a YouTube video titled '4 Days at Rincon de la Vieja' with three images: a woman and a dinosaur statue in a rain forest, a volcanic landscape with ash cloud, and two women covered in mud, smiling.

The

Vacation Generator

costa rica culture

Two decorated oxen hitched to a colorful cart in a lush green environment.

Something Adventurous

Person rappelling down a waterfall surrounded by lush green foliage.

Aerial view of a coastal neighborhood with houses, trees, and swimming pools, bordered by a sandy beach and ocean waves.

Living in Costa Rica

best of costa rica

A tall, conical volcano with dark ash-covered slopes and a cloud near the summit, surrounded by green forested landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

A wide aerial view of a sandy beach along a lush green coastline with mountains in the distance under a cloudy sky.

Stylish black fishnet bikini top and bottom, black sunglasses, passport, U.S. dollar bills, notebook with highlighted items, and a smartphone with a tropical leaf case on a white bed.

prepare for costa rica

Costa Rican Towns in Under 48 Hours