Costa Rica in December: Best Places to Explore

What could be better for escaping December’s chilly weather than a vacation at the beach? There is none. Where could be better than a vacation spent in Costa Rica? It’s certainly high on the list of gorgeous vacation destinations. As you start planning your December getaway, find out why Costa Rica could be the perfect place for your time off, and why choosing Casa Teresa Luxury Villas as your “base” for an extended family holiday is the idyllic choice for those seeking the perfect blend of luxury, exclusivity, and adventure.

The Allure of Costa Rica in December

You want a December destination with great weather conditions, fun things to do, and plenty to experience. Costa Rica will provide you with all this and more. Warm and dry December weather means that you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the beach and explore. 

With green and lush rainforests to explore, gorgeous beach views, and wildlife galore, it’s the kind of nature-filled vacation you won’t forget anytime soon. Where should you go when you want to experience the beauty and charm of Costa Rica? Here are a few best places to visit Costa Rica in December:

• Santa Teresa
• Guanacaste
• San Jose
• Tamarindo
• Alajuela

These five places are high on the list of must-visit destinations in this gorgeous Central American country. We of course are partial to Santa Teresa’s beaches, yet are glad to help our guests plan or research further-afield excursions.

The Best Tips for Costa Rica Vacations

For an unforgettable vacation, you’ll want to plan ahead of time. Proper planning helps you to avoid travel issues while also ensuring you get to do all the activities you want to do. To help you hit the mark with your December getaway, here are some helpful planning tips to keep in mind:

• December can get busy: Visiting Costa Rica in December means peak season, especially when traveling during the latter part of the month. To book Casa Teresa’s beachfront villas in Costa Rica, we advise connecting with our concierge as soon as you’re even thinking of planning your trip! We can help you arrange travel, give suggestions on the best times to arrive or depart, and help with arranging transportation to/from and around the villa during your stay. When planning a holiday vacation to Costa Rica, try to book in advance. 

• Costa Ricans know how to have fun: If you’re looking for things to do in Costa Rica in December, know that you are planning to go to the right place. There’s a reason why the country’s motto is “Pura Vida.” Pure life is what the nightlife in Santa Teresa conveys and the oasis at the Casa Teresa property allows for the perfect place from which to explore the local scene. From low-key beach bars to high-end nightclubs to “jungle parties”, the nightlife is happening in this paradise–and it’s the perfect place to celebrate the holidays. 

• The weather is great: One of the best reasons to visit Costa Rica in December is that the weather in Santa Teresa Costa Rica is amazing. The highs don’t get past 79 degrees, and because the wet season has already passed, you’ll find plenty of dry days to enjoy the great outdoors. Because Costa Rica is full of natural wonders, you’re going to want to plan to be outside, so planning a trip for December is perfect. 

• Costa Rica is relatively safe: When choosing a country to visit, many travelers seek safety. While there is some petty crime in Costa Rica, for the most part, you’ll find a safe place to enjoy. It’s always best to do research before heading to any destination that you don’t know well, but Costa Rica will offer a mostly calm and pleasant experience for you in terms of feeling safe. 

• Be prepared: Although direct flights aren’t too difficult to find to Costa Rica, when planning any trip with a layover, be prepared for delays in today’s travel landscape–especially over the holidays. Try to give yourself time between flights and stay in touch with your travel concierge when booking your stay with us, as we will ensure to have your private transportation ready for you upon your arrival, regardless whether your flight is delayed or not. We can also help arrange chartered flights to Costa Rica.

Top Things to Do

You’re going to want to make a list before heading to Costa Rica in December, so you can be sure to see all of the best things there are to be enjoyed in this amazing place. When visiting locations like Santa Teresa, there are nearby nature reserves, unique local shopping experiences, amazing food, and of course endless, stunning beaches to explore. 

When traveling with friends and family, make sure you book these activities in advance so that you can all have an incredible time together. To help you plan, here are some of the country’s favorite locations – note that some may be more than a few hours’ drive from our vacation villas, and so may be best for an overnight stay in addition to your holiday stay with us. Please ask our concierge on tips and tricks to making the most out of your vacation with both near and far adventures.

• Tabacon Hot Springs – For those planning on road-tripping a bit during their stay at our luxury Santa Teresa villas, Tabacon Hot Springs is a perfect destination and there are nearby accommodations that can help host you for a night or two. Naturally warm from the volcano of Arenal, these hot springs are becoming increasingly popular among Costa Rica visitors. Surrounded by the beauty of a rainforest, it’s a unique experience for those who are looking to simply relax while on vacation. Note this is approximately a 5-6.5 hour drive from the town of Santa Teresa and best visited with a 1-2 night stay so you can fully enjoy the experience before returning to your own tranquil escape back at Casa Teresa.

• Montezuma Waterfall – About 36 minutes from Santa Teresa, you’ll find what’s considered one of the most iconic destinations in Costa Rica. If you’re a photo lover, this is the perfect backdrop for you. Note this does require a bit of a hike, but the waterfalls, plus unique opportunities to swim, are all worth it – particularly when you know there’s five star amenities and a plunge pool waiting for you back at Casa Teresa!

• Curu Wildlife Refuge – Curu Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful day trip from Santa Teresa, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from the town. If you love animals, you’ll want to take time to stop by Punta Arenas for a visit to this refuge, where you’ll find everything from monkeys to capuchins, and so much more. Located near the beach, it’s also a beautiful place to visit and worth your time if you adore the outdoors. 

• Tortuga Island –This is among one of the most popular tours departing from Santa Teresa, and we’d love to help you book it in advance – just ask! Just off the coast of Costa Rica, you’ll find two small islands that makeup Tortuga Island. With gorgeous clear waters and white sand beaches, it’s the type of paradise you will want to spend time in. Don’t forget to check out all of the snorkeling and dolphin viewing tours that are available when you visit Costa Rica in December. 

A few more tips…

Before you go, here are a couple more tips to ensure you have the best possible visit:

• Try some bird watching while in Costa Rica. You may not be the most avid bird watcher at home, but when it comes to visiting Costa Rica, you want to see all that nature has to offer and the local bird scene is a must.
• Discover the beauty of the local flowers. If you’re someone with a green thumb, who always checks out local flowers and plants while traveling, or you want custom floral arrangements during your stay that add a magical and inspiring touch to your stay, the flowers of Costa Rica never disappoint.  

Booking Your Luxury December Vacation at Casa Teresa Luxury Villas

Of course, one big part of a vacation is enjoying the down-time, and we’ve meticulously created spaces throughout our exclusive property to ensure our guests can relax and renew during their stay effortlessly. Whether booking the entire property for your whole family to celebrate the holidays together or opting for Casa Teresa Grande or Casa Teresa Villa individually, you and your guests can pamper yourself with myriad five-star services tailored to what you’re seeking from a vacation to Costa Rica in December. Enjoy dedicated steam rooms, cold plunge pools, spa bathrooms, and easy access to booking private chefs, yoga sessions, massage treatments, meditation, and more. 

You can complement your stay with us with some of the above adventures, or choose to stay in and enjoy everything that luxury Costa Rica rental offers.

Contact us to learn more about the best places to visit in Costa Rica in December and to ask our concierge about planning the perfect December in Costa Rica for you and yours.