Back from my annual Friends-Trip! This summer, I spent a week in Costa Rica with two friends, and all of us flying in from different parts of the country. We wanted a trip that balanced active adventures with plenty of downtime, without the stress of constant planning.
My main goals for the trip were:
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Zipline in the rainforest
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Hike to a waterfall
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Snorkel and/or go whale watching
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| Ziplining over rainforest at Buena Vista in Costa Rica |
Why Did I Choose an All-Inclusive Resort?
This was my first time staying at an all-inclusive resort, and we chose Planet Hollywood Costa Rica. I wanted beach access (the property sits on a gorgeous black sand beach), a variety of food options without decision fatigue, built-in entertainment, and an easy place to coordinate with friends traveling from different states. The resort features terraced hotel buildings on a hill overlooking the water, a huge pool with a swim-up bar, and multiple restaurants, bars, and cafés. Evenings come alive with performances by singers, dancers, and sometimes fire performers. I decided Pacific-side Papagayo coast area was my preferred area to stay due to the ocean access and easy one hour drive east to rainforest and volcanoes. Planet Hollywood checked all the boxes. It was my first time staying at a resort like this and I really enjoyed it!
By booking excursions directly through my resort’s partner, Nexus Tours, I got transportation included and did not need to rent a car. This let me focus entirely on enjoying myself. It ended up being the perfect blend of exploration and relaxation. My catamaran tour was also booked through the resort and they used the company Catamaran Ocean Tours. I recommend both!
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| We saved money by having all three friends in one room. |
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| The pool area was a favorite! |
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| Bathroom |
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| Swim up (and walk up) bars for drinks (included/free). My fave was the pina coloda. |
My Costa Rica Itinerary
Sunday, Aug 3: Travel Day
We landed in Liberia on a Sunday afternoon, just a quick forty-minute drive from the resort. The resort offers a pick up shuttle (for a fee), but since my friend Matt rented a car for his own excursions, he gave me a ride to the resort. Leanne took the shuttle. Within the hour of arriving, we were walking into the air-conditioned lobby, welcome cocktails in hand. After checking in, we wandered around to get our bearings - we loved the powder soft black sand beach, giant pool with DJ and music, and the stunning bay views from the terrace of the main building. Dinner that first night was at the buffet, which offered everything from fresh salads to sushi, followed by an incredible fire performance that instantly set the bar high for the week’s evening entertainment.
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| One benefit of a resort was evening entertainment. |
Monday, Aug 4: Relax at the Resort
Monday was a slower day. My friend Matt, who had rented a car, set off early for a scuba diving trip, while Leanne and I opted for a more relaxed schedule. We lingered over breakfast at the buffet, floated in the pool, and enjoyed burgers from the poolside café. That night, we dressed up for dinner at the resort’s Italian restaurant, savoring pasta and drinks before heading bed.
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| Monday was all about decompressing and relaxing! |
Tuesday, Aug 5: Rainforest Hikes and Wildlife
Tuesday brought our first big adventure. I had booked the “Rio Celeste and Sloth” excursion, an all-day trip about two hours from the resort. A small bus picked us up, and our guide, Esteban, kept us entertained with stories about the region as we drove. We started at a cocoa and coffee farm, where we learned how both are grown and processed. Next, came a nature walk through lush forest, where Esteban spotted wild sloths high in the trees. He set up a scope so we could get a closer look and even helped us take photos through it. After a hearty "casado" lunch of rice, beans, and grilled chicken, we headed to Tenorio Volcano National Park to see the spectacular Rio Celeste Waterfall. The bright turquoise water looked almost unreal, and even a brief rain shower couldn’t dampen our mood. That evening, we returned in time to catch a Queen tribute band at the resort before a late-night hibachi dinner.
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| Rio Celeste Waterfall |
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| Got a close up look at this mama and baby sloth. |
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| Frogs! |
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| Casado Lunch (included in tour) |
Wednesday, Aug 6: Nature Walks, Pool Time, and Kayak
Wednesday was another easygoing day. We started with lattes and pastries from the coffee shop, then joined the free Eco Nature Walk offered by the resort. Our guide pointed out howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and taught us about the area’s unique trees and plants. After some time lounging by the pool and another round of poolside burgers, we tried our hand at kayaking in the bay (free to borrow). The water was choppier than expected, so we didn’t stay out too long, but it was still a fun way to see the coast. We ended the day with a Tex-Mex dinner and a beautiful sunset on the beach.
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| Kayaks are free to borrow at the resort and easy to put in on the beach! |
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| Saw monkeys on our morning guided nature walk (free). |
Thursday, Aug 7: Mega Adventure!
Thursday was all about adrenaline at Buena Vista Eco Park. After about an hour’s drive, we started with a short horseback ride, followed by a demonstration of traditional sugar cane grinding and pottery making. Then came the 1,375-foot jungle water slide - a wild ride that had me screaming the whole way down. From there, we zipped across the rainforest canopy on a series of ziplines before enjoying an authentic Costa Rican buffet lunch. The day wrapped up with a relaxing soak in thermal hot springs before heading back to the resort for dinner at the steakhouse and an “Oscar Night” themed performance.
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| Horseback riding at Buena Vista. |
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| Cultural demonstration on sugar cane. |
Friday, Aug 8: Catamaran Sunset Snorkel
Friday, our last full day, was pure magic. We enjoyed a slow morning at the buffet and a few final hours in the pool before heading to the beach for our sunset catamaran excursion. The boat took us to a remote beach where we snorkeled with a guide (I saw a stingray, pufferfish, and lots of tropical fish), then returned to find fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, and chips waiting for us. On the cruise back, dolphins played alongside the boat as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was the perfect ending to our Costa Rica adventure.
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| Amazing sunset in the Gulf of Papagayo |
Saturday, Aug 9: Time to Go
Saturday morning came too quickly. After one last breakfast, we packed our bags and said goodbye to Planet Hollywood before catching our flights home.
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| To-order omelets at resort breakfast buffet. |
Recommendations & Tips
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Make dinner reservations on the PH app as soon as you arrive since spots fill quickly. The buffet is always an option without reservations.
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The resort food was delicious but not particularly authentic Costa Rican cuisine. You will taste more local flavors on excursions.
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No Spanish required since resort staff and tour guides speak excellent English.
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Bring an insulated water bottle. Staff will happily fill it with ice water.
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Money: No need to exchange for Costa Rican colón if you follow this itinerary. USD, credit cards, Apple Pay, and PayPal were accepted everywhere I went.
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Weather in August: The Papagayo Coast is a dry tropical forest, so rain was minimal with only one quick shower during a hike. Expect mid-80s and humid.
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Booking excursions through the resort made transportation easy and stress-free.
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| All Inclusive meant cocktails every night! |
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| Make reservations for all (except buffet). The hibachi was the hardest to get reservations for. |
Final Thoughts
This trip was exactly what I needed, a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Between poolside cocktails, sunset sails, ziplines through the rainforest, and encounters with monkeys and sloths, Costa Rica delivered on every level. Planet Hollywood made logistics effortless, so all I had to do was enjoy the pura vida lifestyle.
