The Process
Three steps between you and the trip you actually wanted.
No booking forms. No package brochures. No algorithm. Just a conversation — and a plan built specifically for you.
Book Your Free ConsultationPlanning a Costa Rica trip from scratch takes most people 30–50 hours. You compare hotels on three different sites, read TripAdvisor reviews until everything blurs together, try to figure out which tours are worth it, and still arrive with that nagging feeling you missed something. We've spent years doing that research — for every region, every season, every type of traveller. And we've built the relationships that make the difference between a good trip and the one people come back from raving about.
Tell us everything. We'll ask the right questions.
The first step costs nothing. Book a 20–30 minute Zoom call with one of our Costa Rica experts. This isn't a sales call — it's a discovery session.
- When you're thinking of going and for how long
- Who's coming with you (couples, families, solo, group)
- What matters most — adventure, relaxation, culture, wildlife, surf, food, or some combination
- Your honest budget range
- Any specific things you've already heard about and want to explore
- Whether you've been to Costa Rica before
We call our contacts. You get the plan they can't put on a website.
Once you decide to move forward, you pay the planning fee (~$250 CAD) and complete a short intake form. Then we get to work.
- We reach out to our network directly — through phones and WhatsApp, not booking engines
- We negotiate rates you can't get online through years of consistent, curated referrals
- We build the itinerary day by day — where to stay, what to do, how to get between places
- We review it before we send it — cross-checking logistics and confirming availability
What's included
- ✓Full day-by-day custom itinerary
- ✓Accommodation recommendations with negotiated partner rates
- ✓Tour & activity coordination with vetted local guides
- ✓Transportation logistics (shuttles, domestic flights, rental car guidance)
- ✓Restaurant recommendations by region
- ✓Safety & logistics guide
- ✓Practical prep guide (entry requirements, packing, currency, connectivity)
- ✓15-minute follow-up walkthrough call
- ✓WhatsApp support before and during your trip
Turnaround: 7–10 business days from intake form submission.
Arrive prepared. Leave with stories.
You've got the plan. Now you go. But we don't disappear after delivery.
- Pre-trip check-in — one week before you leave, we'll send updates and answer final questions
- WhatsApp support during your trip — a direct line to your Elevate contact throughout Costa Rica
- Post-trip follow-up — because every trip teaches us something that makes the next one better
Optional Add-ons
Need more? We can do more.
Airport Transfer Coordination
~$50 CAD coordination fee
Pre-arranged pickup with a trusted driver at SJO (San José) or LIR (Liberia). They meet you at arrivals with your name. No fumbling for a taxi on a foreign airport curb.
Private Guide Add-On
Varies by region and duration
A private, English-speaking guide for a day, a region, or your entire trip. We source from our vetted network — wildlife specialists, cultural guides, surf instructors, fishing experts.
Honeymoon / Anniversary Package
+$100 CAD over base
Extra attention to romantic experiences, private dinners, surprise coordination at partner properties.
Family Package (with Kids)
+$75 CAD over base
Age-appropriate activity planning, kid-friendly accommodation filtering, packing and health prep guide for travelling in Costa Rica with children.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
How is this different from a travel agency?+
Traditional travel agencies earn commissions by booking you into specific hotels and tours — which means they have an incentive to steer you toward what pays them, not what fits you. We charge a flat planning fee, so our only incentive is building the best possible trip. We also work exclusively in Costa Rica, which means our depth of knowledge isn't spread across dozens of countries.
What if I'm not happy with the itinerary?+
We build in a revision round. If something doesn't feel right, tell us — we'll adjust. The goal is a plan you're excited about, not one we handed off and forgot about.
Do I have to book through you?+
No. We give you the contacts, the negotiated rates, and the plan. You book directly with the providers. This keeps you in control and means there's no third-party markup on your actual trip costs.
Can I use this if I've already started planning?+
Yes. Plenty of clients come to us with partial plans. We work with what you have, fill in the gaps, and flag anything that could be improved.
What if my trip is only a few days?+
Short trips are welcome. The planning fee is the same because the relationship-building and coordination take the same amount of work regardless of trip length — but the value is often higher on a shorter trip, where every day counts more.
Do you work with solo travellers?+
Absolutely. Solo travel in Costa Rica is excellent, and we have specific recommendations for solo travellers around safety, transport, and social experiences.
What languages do you work in?+
We serve clients in English and French. Our network operates in Spanish and English — all partner contacts we recommend are English-communicative.
Do you offer refunds?+
If for any reason you need to cancel before we begin work on your package, we'll issue a full refund. Once work has begun, we offer a partial refund on a case-by-case basis.
The hardest part is booking the call.
The rest takes care of itself. Pick a time, tell us about your trip, and let us show you what we can build.
20 minutes. No credit card. No obligation.