If you’re looking for a warm pregnancy-friendly babymoon destination, let me put Costa Rica on your radar. My husband and I recently returned from an incredible 7-day trip to Costa Rica where we relaxed on the beach, chased waterfalls, and soaked in time with just the two of us before our first baby arrives.
We split our Costa Rica babymoon between the beach and the rainforest spending 3 days on the Papagayo Peninsula and 3 days in La Fortuna (plus an extra day for travel). This guide shares our complete 7-day itinerary, including where we stayed, all of the activities we did, and tips for planning a fantastic trip. It’s perfect for any couple looking to combine relaxation with nature and outdoor adventure!
Table of Contents: Costa Rica Babymoon Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Costa Rica + Travel to Papagayo Peninsula
Day 1 Quick Overview:
- Fly to Liberia, Costa Rica
- Check into the Andaz Papagayo
- Dinner at Ostra
The first day of our Costa Rica babymoon trip was a big travel day. We live in western Colorado, so flying anywhere internationally involves taking at least 2 flights. Fortunately, Costa Rica is relatively easy to travel to from the U.S., which is nice when you’re pregnant and don’t want to be on a plane for long periods of time!
We flew into Liberia, Costa Rica and made it through customs and immigration in about 30 minutes. Then we hopped on a shuttle to pick up our rental car. Once we secured our vehicle we made a quick pit stop at Walmart to stock up on snacks for the trip.
We spent the first 3 nights of our trip at the Andaz Papagayo on the Papagayo Peninsula, which was a 35 minute drive from Liberia. The Papagayo Peninsula is a fairly exclusive area of Costa Rica and definitely caters to tourists. You either need to be staying at a property on the peninsula, have a dining reservation at one of the resorts, or take a resort shuttle to get through the entrance gate to the peninsula.
After getting settled in our room at the Andaz we headed to a dinner reservation at Ostra, which serves Southeastern Asian cuisine. Dinner reservations are recommended for all of the restaurants at the resort, but the restaurant was fairly empty, so I imagine it’s not difficult to get a last-minute table.
Book your stay at the Andaz Papagayo!
Day 2: Explore the Resort + Beach Sunset
Day 2 Quick Overview
- Paddleboarding, snorkeling, or kayaking
- Workout in the outdoor gym
- Beach sunset at Playa Cabuyal
- Dinner at Gaio
Our first full day in Costa Rica was largely spent relaxing and hanging around at the Andaz Papagayo. We’re very active travelers and typically pack our days full of activities, so this was definitely a change of pace for us, but a welcomed one.
After grabbing breakfast at Gaio at the Andaz we headed down to the beach for a little paddleboarding. Paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkeling equipment are all complimentary at the Andaz Papagayo.
Unfortunately there were microscopic jellyfish in the water, so we weren’t able to swim, but we still had a blast paddling around. We spent the rest of the morning at the adults-only pool swimming and lounging around.
One of the coolest amenities at the Andaz Papagayo is their outdoor gym, which we took advantage of in the afternoon. It’s equipped with a squat rack, kettlebells, TRX system, row machine, and more, so you can put together a solid workout.
After a quick shower we went up to the front desk to inquire about a beach recommendation to go watch the sunset. Since we had a rental car we were able to head off of the Papagayo Peninsula. We drove nearby to Playa Cabuyal, which was quiet and peaceful with a local’s vibe.
After taking some maternity photos on the beach we drove back to the resort and grabbed dinner at Gaio. I had shrimp with orecchiette in a creamy pesto sauce, which was absolutely incredible. This was definitely my favorite meal at the resort!
Day 3: Beach Day + Relaxing at the Resort
Day 3 Quick Overview
- Spend the day at the Beach Club
- Afternoon walk to the marina
- Dinner at Chao Pescao
The third day of our Costa Rica babymoon was another slow, relaxing beach day at the resort. We started the day by grabbing coffee and pastries from Coffee + Vinyls before heading out to the Andaz Papagayo’s private beach club.
Getting to the beach club requires taking a short boat ride or shuttle from the resort. Once you arrive there’s a private pool and restaurant in addition to a shady beach with lots of lounge chairs to choose from. The beach club offers the same complimentary water activities as the main resort beach. There are also additional activities available, like jet skis and fishing charters for an extra fee. Be sure to keep your eyes out for monkeys here!
During the afternoon we were hoping to get out for a short hike. When we checked into the Andaz we were given a booklet that had a map with trails on it, but when we asked about how to access them we were told we would have to go with a guide (which is understandable, but I wish we were told this up front). Unfortunately it was too late in the day to coordinate with a guide, so we went for a walk down to the marina instead.
We ended the day with dinner at Chao Pescao, which features tapas dishes from around Latin America and the Caribbean. All of the food at the resort was incredible and this was no exception. It’s worth noting that the Andaz Papagayo is NOT all-inclusive, so make sure to leave room in your budget for dining (we spent a little over $600 over the course of 3 days).
Day 4: Travel to La Fortuna + Llanos de Cortés Waterfall
Day 4 Quick Overview
- Breakfast and pool time at the Andaz Papagayo
- Drive to La Fortuna
- Visit Llanos de Cortés waterfall
- Check into Airbnb
- Dinner downtown La Fortuna
Day 4 was a travel day to get from the Papagayo Peninsula to La Fortuna. The Andaz Papagayo has an 11am check-out time, so we grabbed breakfast, went kayaking, and hung out by the pool before we left.
Visit the Llanos de Cortés Waterfall
After checking out we began the 3+ hour drive to La Fortuna, passing back through Liberia on the way. During the drive we made a pit stop at the Llanos de Cortés waterfall, which was right off the highway. The entrance fee is $7/adult and $4/child. Children under 6 are free.
It’s a short walk from the parking lot down some steps to this stunning 65 ft. tall waterfall. You can swim in the pool at the base, but there is rope set up to stop you from getting too close to the falls.
When we got down to the waterfall there were a few locals available offering to help tourists take photos. One man led us up a trail to a second swimming hole and the top of the waterfall. He also pointed out an owl and large iguana that we probably would have missed on our own. While these locals are technically not paid guides, it’s a good idea to have cash on hand to tip them!
Getting Settled in La Fortuna
After enjoying our time at Llanos de Cortés we continued driving to La Fortuna where we checked into an Airbnb for the next 3 nights. We specifically booked this Airbnb because it had a private, heated soaking pool in the unit. Hot springs are one of the main attractions in La Fortuna, but since soaking in hot water for prolonged periods of time isn’t recommended when you’re pregnant, I wanted something I could control the temperature of.
Once we were settled we drove into La Fortuna to grab dinner at The Open Kitchen. Then we walked around downtown for a bit and enjoyed the holiday lights that were up in the Parque de La Fortuna.
Day 5: Visit Tenorio Volcano National Park + Go on a Coffee and Chocolate Tour
Day 5 Quick Overview
- Visit Tenorio Volcano National Park
- Hike to the Rio Celeste Waterfall
- Go on a coffee and chocolate tour at North Fields Cafe
Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike
We started day 5 of our trip with a hike to the Rio Celeste Waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park. You need to make reservations in advance to visit the national park, and provide names and passport information for everyone in your group. The entrance fee is $12/person (plus tax) for non-residents of Costa Rica.
It’s about a 90-minute drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park from La Fortuna, so we got an early start to the day. We booked the earliest 8am reservation slot to be some of the first people on the trail, which was definitely worth it. The national park allows you to hike on your own or you can hire a guide. If you’re new to hiking check out my complete guide for beginners!
After just under a mile of hiking on the main trail you reach a junction. From here you can either walk down steps to see the Rio Celeste waterfall, or continue hiking to the confluence of the Río Buena Vista and Quebrada Agria, which creates the gorgeous blue water you see at the falls. I recommend doing both, but visiting the waterfall first before it gets crowded.
Unfortunately a recent landslide closed the bottom portion of the steps down to the Rio Celeste waterfall, but you can still get a really great view from where things are closed off. Once you’re back up on the main trail continue hiking towards the confluence, passing hot springs along the way (swimming is not allowed). I logged 3.5 miles for the entire hike with a little over 700 ft. of elevation gain.
Book a Guided Hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park
Coffee and Chocolate Tour
We spent the afternoon just hanging around our Airbnb and going for a scenic drive around Lake Arenal, however I would recommend scheduling a coffee and chocolate tour at North Fields Cafe.
We did a tour with North Fields in the afternoon on Day 6. Our guide, Alberto, was incredibly knowledgable and kept things lively throughout the tour. With that said, we packed a little too much activity into Day 6 and my body crashed hard afterwards. If I could go back in time I would have fit the tour into Day 5 instead.
Book Your Coffee and Chocolate Tour at North Fields Cafe
Day 6: Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges + Waterfall Hike
Day 6 Quick Overview
- Visit Mistico Park and walk the Arenal Hanging Bridges
- Waterfall hike at the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails
Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges
Day 6 was probably the most jam-packed day of our Costa Rica babymoon. The day started by visiting Mistico Park to walk the Arenal hanging bridges, which was about a 30 minute drive from our Airbnb.
We booked the earliest time slot (6am) in order to be some of the first people in the park for the day and beat the crowds. I would HIGHLY recommend doing this, especially if you want to take photos on the bridges without other people in the shot.
Be aware, there are no bathrooms available once you enter the park, which could pose a bit of a challenge when pregnant. It took us about 90 minutes to walk through the whole park, and while we initially took our time we definitely rushed towards the end because I really had to pee!
Book a Self-Guided Tour at Mistico Park | Book a Guided Tour at Mistico Park
Hiking at the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails
After exploring the hanging bridges we grabbed breakfast nearby at Coffee Time before driving over to the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails for another hike. An entrance pass is $22/person if you’re not staying at the lodge, which gives you access to hiking trails with views of the Arenal Volcano.
We did a 4.4 mile loop hike along the Red, Green, and Blue Trails, stopping at the Danta Waterfall along the way. The waterfall was an unexpected highlight of the trip and we happened to time it perfectly with gorgeous light.
As I mentioned earlier, after our hike we did a coffee and chocolate tour, but I would recommend just spending the rest of the day relaxing and doing the tour the day before. Waking up early and essentially doing two hikes in one day is a lot on a pregnant body!
Day 7: Visit La Fortuna Waterfall + Travel Home
Day 7 Quick Overview
- Visit the La Fortuna Waterfall
- Drive to Liberia
- Fly home
La Fortuna Waterfall
We started our final day in Costa Rica with a visit to the La Fortuna waterfall. This is one of the most popular activities in La Fortuna, so again, I recommend going as soon as it opens at 7am. The entrance fee is $20/person and you can either get a ticket in advance or buy one at the gate.
Getting to the waterfall requires walking down (and subsequently up) 500 steps. As someone who hikes regularly, I didn’t find this difficult at all, however there is a warning at the entrance booth that it’s not recommended for pregnant women. Use your judgment and assess how you feel to decide whether or not you want to do this. Keep in mind, if it’s raining the steps will probably be slippery.
You can swim at the base of the waterfall, but the water was pretty rough when we visited. There’s another swimming area down the river that is much calmer. This is a very popular and busy destination, so expect for there to be a lot of other people around.
Get Your Ticket For the La Fortuna Waterfall
Travel Back to Liberia + Fly Home
After visiting La Fortuna waterfall we popped back into our Airbnb to grab our luggage. Then we headed out on the 2 hour and 45 minute drive back to Liberia to fly home. We stopped at Sloffee Best Coffee right outside of La Fortuna on our way out of town to grab some drinks and pastries for the road. My husband is the coffee snob in our relationship and he said this was the best coffee he had during the trip!
Our flight left at 3:15pm and we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time to drive to Liberia and drop off our rental car. Getting through security at the airport was a breeze and we had almost 2 hours to spare once we were inside. The airport was pretty busy on a Sunday afternoon with lots of other tourists heading home after their vacations. We were sad to leave, but ultimately had an incredible babymoon trip in Costa Rica!
FAQs: Costa Rica Babymoon
When should I visit Costa Rica for a babymoon?
Most people recommend visiting Costa Rica between December-April if you want to have the best chance of nice weather during your trip. The rainy season typically runs from May-November, and since a good chunk of this itinerary is in the rainforest, it’s safe to say there’s a good chance you’ll encounter rain during this time.
We visited Costa Rica during the first week of December, which was right after the rainy season ended. The forecast leading up to the trip called for rain and thunderstorms the entire time, but we actually lucked out with mostly gorgeous weather. A couple of days were overcast, but the only rain we experienced was after dark the last night of the trip.
As far as timing your babymoon during your pregnancy, I recommend traveling during your second trimester. I was 22/23 weeks pregnant during our Costa Rica babymoon, so I was far enough along to have a cute bump, but still had a ton of energy and wasn’t uncomfortable.
Do I need a rental car to get around Costa Rica?
I recommend getting a rental car for your Costa Rica babymoon if you want to have the freedom and flexibility to explore, but there are ways to get around without one. You can hire a driver, rely on taxis, or take tourist shuttles to popular excursions if you don’t rent your own car.
Do I need to speak Spanish to visit Costa Rica?
You don’t need to speak Spanish to get around Costa Rica. People spoke English everywhere we went during our babymoon. However, I always recommend knowing at least a few key phrases in a country’s native language to show respect.
What airport should I fly into?
For the purposes of this itinerary plan to fly into Liberia, Costa Rica. While the airport in San Jose is significantly bigger and may have more affordable flights depending on where you’re coming from, it’s a much longer drive out to the Papagayo Peninsula (4 hours vs. 35 minutes from Liberia).
Is Costa Rica safe to visit when pregnant?
I personally felt very safe traveling in Costa Rica while pregnant. In general Costa Rica is considered to be very tourist friendly, especially in the areas where we visited.
While the country itself is safe, there are a lot of activities that people typically do in Costa Rica that aren’t considered safe during pregnancy. Adventurous activities like zip lining, white water rafting, and waterfall canyoneering have major safety risks when you’re pregnant due to potential falls and sudden impacts. Even soaking in hot springs isn’t recommended (at least according to my OB). Of course, talk to your doctor or midwife for their recommendations when it comes to vacation activities.
There have been reports of zika in Costa Rica, which is risky for pregnant people because it can cause birth defects. While there is a risk, the number of cases is very low, so I still felt safe traveling there. You can take precautions by wearing bug spray, long pants, and long sleeves (although as you can see from my photos I definitely didn’t cover up). You’re going to see more mosquitos in the rainforest than at the beach, so you can always modify your itinerary if you’re concerned.
What are the road conditions like driving from Liberia to La Fortuna?
Prior to the trip I saw multiple videos on social media warning about how treacherous the roads are on the way from Liberia to La Fortuna, but after experiencing them myself I think those warnings were totally unfounded.
The main highway out of Liberia was in perfectly good condition, and while there were some speedy drivers, it didn’t feel unsafe. The road along the north shore of Lake Arenal, which takes you into La Fortuna, was hilly and windy with some narrow sections, but I thought it was easy to navigate (especially coming from a mountainous area like Colorado). Let’s just say I’ve experienced much worse drivers and road conditions in the U.S.!
Costa Rica is a great babymoon destination whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, or get a little bit more adventurous. I hope this guide provided everything you need to plan a fantastic trip!
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