Travel September 8, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock Costa Rica’s Hidden Luxuries: 11 Genius Points-and-Miles Hacks That Will Change Your Travel Game Forever

Imagine a place where the beaches dazzle under endless sun, rainforests whisper ancient secrets, volcanoes command the horizon, and wildlife flutters—or sloths lounge—in the lush canopy above. That’s Costa Rica for you: a breathtaking kaleidoscope of natural wonders and warm-hearted culture wrapped into one mesmerizing destination. And yes, if you’re a coffee lover like me, prepare for a caffeinated journey that rivals the landscape itself. Isn’t it funny how a country so modest in size manages to fill such big shoes in the travel world? From pioneering ecotourism to offering a safe, stable haven amidst a sometimes unpredictable region, Costa Rica seduces every adventurer, nature enthusiast, and luxury seeker alike. Whether it’s your first dip or a return visit fueled by longing, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure. Ready to explore how you can make the most of your trip—and your points and miles while you’re at it? LEARN MORE.

Gorgeous beaches, lush rainforests, dramatic volcanoes, incredible biodiversity and phenomenal hotels ranging from sprawling seaside resorts to intimate jungle lodges … Costa Rica is truly one of the most unique, welcoming destinations in the world. The coffee is pretty phenomenal, too, if you’re into that (and I am!).

To travel there is to fall in love with its natural wonders and cultural riches — I have yet to meet anyone who has visited and not wanted to return.

Costa Rica pioneered the ecotourism trend, protecting over a quarter of its territory as national reserves and parks, both on land and in the ocean. It’s also a beacon of stability in a region that has been volatile at times, making it a safe bet for a hassle-free vacation.

While many folks flock to its Pacific and Caribbean beaches, its world-class surf breaks and golf courses, others are enchanted by its teeming forests, where you can spot unique fauna like snuffly tapirs foraging for food, dazzlingly colorful resplendent quetzals, quizzical toucans and languorous sloths sunning themselves in the canopy. Just to name a few.

So, if this little Central American nation has been on your travel to-do list, now might just be the right time to plan your visit, especially once the summer heat has dissipated and the days turn dry and sunny. Here are some of our best tips to make the most of your trip to Costa Rica, and how to get the most out of your points and miles while doing so.

What’s the best part of Costa Rica for a trip?

Although it’s the third-smallest country in Central America (and that’s not saying much!), Costa Rica still clocks in at over 19,000 square miles, which means most travelers will likely want to stick to one or two spots during their visit.

The capital of San José offers plenty of flights to and from U.S. hubs, but for many vacationgoers, the main arrival point is Liberia on the country’s west coast thanks to its proximity to the beach resorts of Guanacaste, the rainforests of the interior and the national parks to the south.

For the purposes of this guide, we’ll just stick to the regions around Liberia, though if you’re interested in exploring other parts of the country, let us know in a comment and we’ll write up guides to those as well.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Mix and match Alaska Airlines and American Airlines awards

Alaska American United LAX — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

One of the best ways to fly from the U.S. to Costa Rica is to take either American Airlines or Alaska Airlines, two U.S.-based Oneworld airline partners that, between them, fly to Liberia from the following airports (though note some of these are seasonal):

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

That gives flyers a lot of choices when it comes to redeeming miles. In some cases, you’re better off redeeming Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points for shorter American Airlines flights, but in others, redeeming American Airlines AAdvantage miles for its own flights as well as those on Alaska is the better choice. So … you have to do a little homework, but it can be worth it to save thousands of points or miles.

For instance, you can book American Airlines’ flights from Miami to Liberia for as few as 7,500 Alaska points plus $44 (or $76 in the other direction), while American’s award rates start at 9,000 miles plus slightly lower taxes and fees.

However, Alaska will charge you 17,500 points and the same taxes and fees from other hubs like DFW, JFK and LAX …

Whereas American AAdvantage rates tend to start at around 10,000-11,500 miles each way plus $24 in taxes and fees (or $56 coming from Costa Rica). Use a tool like seats.aero to compare rates quickly and determine which is best.

So that you’re stocked up and ready with the specific types of points or miles you need when you’re ready:

Alaska is a 1:1 transfer partner of Bilt. If you have the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card or the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card, you can earn 3 Atmos Rewards points for every dollar spent on eligible rent when paying through Bilt, on up to $50,000 per calendar year; terms apply.

American Airlines is a transfer partner of Citi ThankYou, so you can transfer points to your AAdvantage account if you have one of the following cards:

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You also might want to check out one of the following American Airlines cobranded cards to rack up miles quickly with a large welcome offer and keep your account stocked thanks to earning miles on everyday spending:

The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Flying Blue miles for Delta flights

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800 pushes back at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Delta flies to Liberia, Costa Rica from its megahub at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The airline also recently announced it would be relaunching weekly nonstop service from JFK from Dec. 19, 2026-Apr. 10, 2027.

The Delta SkyMiles program prices awards dynamically, so the higher the cost of airfare, the more miles you’ll need for tickets. However, the airline is also partners with other carriers including Virgin Atlantic and Air France-KLM, so you can often find lower-priced awards using miles from their loyalty programs instead of SkyMiles.

For instance, this flight from Atlanta to Liberia would cost 31,700 SkyMiles plus $25 in taxes and fees in economy.

But it would only cost 18,500 Virgin Atlantic miles plus the same taxes and fees.

Even better, Air France-KLM Flying Blue would only charge you 16,500 miles, though the taxes and fees are $52. Still, that could be worth it to save nearly half your miles compared to using Delta SkyMiles!

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a 1:1 transfer partner of:

Flying Blue, meanwhile is a 1:1 transfer partner of:

Even if you don’t regularly fly Virgin or Air France-KLM, or fly Delta for that matter, you have tons of ways to top up your frequent-flyer accounts.

Book United flights using Air Canada Aeroplan points

United Airlines Boeing 737-800 taxis at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

United Airlines flies nonstop to Liberia from its major hubs, including:

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

United MileagePlus prices award tickets dynamically based on airfare, too, so the more tickets cost, the more miles you can expect to redeem. That’s why it pays to keep Air Canada’s Aeroplan program in mind since you can redeem Aeroplan points for United flights.

For instance, this flight from Chicago to Liberia requires just 15,000 Aeroplan points.

But the same flight would cost 20,000 United MileagePlus miles, unless you have elite status or a cobranded United credit card. That’s the lowest price discrepancy I could find — typically, United flights to Costa Rica start closer to 22,500 miles each way.

Now, the taxes and fees on United MileagePlus awards are just about $80 round-trip, versus $180 with Aeroplan, but it could be worth spending the extra cash to save miles, as well as the fact that round-trip airfares on this route typically run anywhere from $760-$2,200 over the next several months.

Also keep in mind that if you do have elite status or a cobranded United Credit card, that you often have access to award prices that are cheaper than general MileagePlus members. That 20,000-mile award drops down to 18,000 miles, so be sure you’re logged into your account to see what pricing is available to you.

United is transfer partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt, so even if you don’t fly the airline regularly or have a United credit card, there are plenty of ways to stock up on miles.

Air Canada Aeroplan is a transfer partner of:

Whether you want to go with United miles or Aeroplan points, you have plenty of options for stocking up on them.

Stay true (blue) to JetBlue

JetBlue plane. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

For East Coasters, JetBlue is also a contender since it flies to Costa Rica from its hubs at:

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
New York-JFK

Even better, the airline’s flights can be downright bargains when redeeming its own JetBlue TrueBlue points. You can find flights from JFK, in particular, for as few as 11,900 TrueBlue points plus $24-$63 each way instead of $195-$229. Like Delta and United, JetBlue prices awards dynamically based on airfares, but you can count on a solid fixed value per point of about 1.4 cents apiece.

JetBlue is a transfer partner of the following programs at the following ratios:

Use Marriott points at these Costa Rica hotels

There’s no shortage of resorts where you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to save on hotel rates. You can stretch your points and your budget even further by redeeming points for all-inclusive hotels. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are three great Marriott-affiliated hotels where your points can come in handy.

The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa is a favorite with families and couples alike since it has an adults-only area and one for guests of all ages as well as dreamy pools and a beach club. Guests can also enjoy over a dozen bars and restaurants serving everything from tapas and pizza to Asian fusion and seafood. Rates at the Westin Reserva Conchal start at $512 or 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

For something a little sultrier, you can opt for the nearby W Costa Rica-Reserva Conchal, which has just 132 rooms and 18 suites, for a more intimate, design-forward feel. While away an afternoon in one of the poolside cabanas or relaxing at the Away Spa and then celebrate with a predinner cocktail at the seaglass-inspired Living Room and dinner at the lively Zona Azul Beach Club. Rates at the W Costa Rica start at $350 or 59,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa/MARRIOTT

Marriott’s latest Costa Rica resort will open later this fall. The JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa is a sophisticated new all-inclusive making its debut along the Guanacaste coast with 415 rooms and suites and a 44,000-square-foot pool among its hallmarks. Guests will also find 11 bars and restaurants and a huge spa. Rates at the JW Marriott Costa Elena start at $580 or 112,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Use Hilton points at these Costa Rica hotels

Hilton points turn out to be versatile whether you want to stay near the beach or up in the mountains.

Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique. CARLY HELFAND/THE POINTS GUY

One of the most exciting recent additions to Costa Rica’s hotel scene in recent memory is the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, perched above beautiful Culebra Bay, about a 45-minute drive from Liberia’s international airport. The resort comprises 148 guest rooms and 40 suites spanning 20 room types, so there are choices for every configuration. The hotel also offers several distinct restaurants, including Tico Tica for seafood and pasta, La Finca for upscale Costa Rican cuisine and, of course, an outpost of Waldorf’s signature Peacock Alley for coffee, tea and cocktails. The Waldorf Astoria Spa is another selling point in its favor. Rates at the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica start at $622 or 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Looking for something a little more niche? Remember that you can also redeem Hilton Honors points at many boutique lodges thanks to the program’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels, including the captivating Rio Perdido, which has just 38 stilted bungalows constructed of timber and volcanic stone and surrounded by lush jungle on a 1,500-acre reserve. Guests can go on wildlife hikes, zipline through the forest and swim in a geothermal river, among other distinctive activities. Rates at Rio Perdido start at $290 or 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Use Hyatt points at these Costa Rica hotels

Hyatt beckons with classic beach retreats as well as more unique offerings thanks to its acquisition of Mr & Mrs Smith.

One of TPG staffers’ all-time favorite Hyatt redemptions is the beautiful Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, located in a lush private development along Culebra Bay, just 45 minutes from Liberia. The hotel sprawls along a ridgeline overlooking the inlet and features a swanky cocktail bar, high-end restaurants, a peaceful little spa and plenty of pools, not to mention a private beach club to which guests can catch a free shuttle boat. Rates at the Andaz Papagayo start at $512 or 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Andaz Papagayo. MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY

Prefer an all-inclusive where you don’t have to watch your dining budget? Consider the adults-only Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, which has a more casual, but still intimate feel with just 202 rooms and suites, not to mention a beautiful oceanfront location. The hotel has a whopping 12 bars and restaurants, including an alfresco deck with a health-focused menu, a pan-Asian eatery and an Italian cucina. Rates at Secrets Papagayo start at $560 or 25,000 Hyatt points per night.

Finally, for a nature-filled, off-the-grid experience in the heart of Costa Rica’s rainforest, consider a visit to Origins Lodge, which is tucked up in the highlands near the country’s northern border with vistas that stretch all the way to Nicaragua, about 90 minutes’ drive from Liberia. The hillside bungalows are at one with their surroundings, with plenty of natural light as well as private decks with woodfired jacuzzis. Guests can enjoy gourmet meals of locally-sourced ingredients with daily changing menus in between activities like guided nature hikes to spot sloths and visit thundering waterfalls, horseback rides, whitewater rafting and more. Rates at Origins Lodge start at $885 or 76,750 World of Hyatt points per night.

Avoid resort fees when redeeming hotel points in Costa Rica

Unfortunately, resort fees are a fact of life and can add hundreds of dollars to your trip cost depending on the hotel and the length of your stay. Sure, $30-$40 extra per day might not break the bank, but some resorts charge much, much more than that. The Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique, for instance, charges a 12% mandatory daily fee. On rates that tend to hover around $1,250, that’s an extra $150 per day!

Luckily, Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt waive resort fees on award stays, so you might want to consider those programs first if you’re going to redeem points for a hotel on your trip.

Save on luxury stays with premium card credits

There are plenty of very high-end hotels to stay in Costa Rica, and Guanacaste in particular. If you are considering resorts on the costlier side of the budget spectrum, it could be worth taking a look at the cards in your wallet and whether they open up possibilities for booking (and saving) through the issuer’s hotel booking portal.

Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. RITZ CARLTON

For instance, folks with either the American Express Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can book American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts properties and get up to $300 back in statement credits semiannually for up to a total of $600 per year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (of two nights or more for the latter) through American Express Travel.

Nekajui interior — Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. CARLY HELFAND/THE POINTS GUY

Not only that, but by booking through FHR, you also receive benefits like availability-based upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast for two and a $100 credit to use for on-property charges like meals or spa treatments, so you can end up saving even more. That can come in handy at a hotel like Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, where room rates are already high and redeeming Marriott points can come at exorbitant levels.

Four Seasons Papagayo. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Similarly, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) and book a hotel that is part of The Edit by Chase Travel℠, such as the longstanding favorite Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, you are eligible for two statement credits of up to $250 each (for a total of $500) this calendar year to put toward stays of two nights or more. During your stay, you are also eligible for availability-based upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast and a $100 on-property credit.

Use points toward activities

While we often suggest redeeming points for flights and hotel nights to get the most value, don’t forget that you can use certain types of points and miles for activities, in addition to travel.

For example, you can redeem your Capital One miles from a card like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card at a rate of one cent apiece for experiences like a kayak and snorkeling trip around Culebra Bay near Papagayo, or a full-day volcano zipline, horseback ride and whitewater tubing experience in the nearby mountains.

If you have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you can also redeem them at one cent apiece for activities like a catamaran sailing and snorkeling tour, or a horseback ride along Conchal Beach.

Are these the highest-value redemptions? No. But if they help you create a memorable experience for yourself and your loved ones during your trip — and save you money — then, why not?

Rental car documentation in Costa Rica

If you want to cover some ground during your time in Costa Rica, you might consider renting a car. Especially because doing so might be cheaper than paying for your hotel’s airport shuttle, and once you get to your accommodations, many resorts provide free parking.

However, car rentals in Costa Rica work a little differently than in the U.S., and many other countries, for that matter. That’s because you must — no getting out of it — purchase third-party liability insurance from the Instituto Nacional de Seguros, which covers damage and injuries to third parties, but does not cover you or your vehicle. It costs around $10-$20 per day.

rental cars ord — Rental cars lined up in a parking lot. CHRISTOPHER DILTS/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

Then, unlike pretty much anywhere else you rent, just using a credit card to pay for your rental that provides primary or secondary insurance is not enough, either. Some agencies will still require you to purchase their own collision damage and liability insurance, so call ahead to see if you need to factor that in. If you do find an agency that will allow you to rely on your own credit card insurance (Alamo and Avis should let you do so), then you will still need to obtain a formal letter from your credit card stating that your rental will be covered by their insurance. A call to your card’s customer service phone number should suffice, then they will email you a letter that you can print and take with you. It’s a rigmarole, but worth saving hundreds of dollars over the course of even a short rental.

Bottom line

Costa Rica is truly one of the world’s most versatile destinations, with something for everyone, whether it’s a relaxing beach vacation, a laidback surf trip, an adrenaline-inducing adventure in the jungle or a wildlife-filled rainforest experience. There are also plenty of ways your points and miles can help you save on a trip there, so bookmark this page and come back to it for ideas.

And, if you have more questions or tips of your own, feel free to share those in the comments!