One of our readers’ favorite destinations (and ours!) is Costa Rica. You just can’t beat the pura vida lifestyle with its laid-back vibe! Here is our latest reader success story: Costa Rica on points.

I’ve been listening to your podcast since summer, and I have learned so much. I recently bought your Next Level program! My reader/listening success story is about getting our trip for our anniversary nearly free!

 

Flights to Liberia with Southwest Points

I learned about the Companion Pass you could get with Southwest, so that’s how we booked our flights to Costa Rica. The points were sort of high at first, but I booked anyway. I kept watching the points decrease on Southwest and kept getting points back by rebooking! I learned I could do this from listening to your show and reading your blog. It ended up being around 30K Southwest points round-trip for both of us because of the Companion Pass. We flew into Liberia.

 

Hyatt Hotels with Points

At first, I had only booked four nights at a Small Luxury Hotel called Rio Perdido with Hyatt points, and it was amazing. (Sadly, SLH is no longer bookable with Hyatt points). We loved the food at this resort, and the staff was outstanding. We saw lots of monkeys and even saw an anteater by our bungalow in the forest. Our adventures included zip lining, white water tubing in a canyon, hot springs, a barista class, and a mixology class, all at Rio Perdido. We hiked through the forest to see three volcanoes and did yoga on a cliff, which was also fun. I was a little sore from all the activities, so I got a massage at the spa. It was amazing as well!

 

 

I also wanted to stay at the Andaz Papagayo, but it was unavailable. While we were in Costa Rica,  I checked two days before we left, and some rooms had opened up! So I rebooked our Southwest flight to leave three days later, and we got to spend three days at the Andaz Papagayo after Rio Perdido.

This was the perfect way to end our vacation! Pam sold me on this hotel on one of their podcasts. This resort was so fun and relaxing. We didn’t have our teenagers with us, so we spent a lot of time at the adults-only pool. We also visited the beach that they boat you to. The beach house over there was very nice.  We liked the restaurants at the Andaz and also ate at the marina. We did one excursion while at Andaz, which was a catamaran and snorkeling tour.

 

 

My husband couldn’t believe I pulled this off with points and miles! Our flights were just some taxes, and the hotel stays were free! I’m not a Globalist, but a kind soul gifted me a Guest of Honor booking for the Andaz, so we got free breakfast at both Rio Perdido and Andaz (it was included at the SLH because we booked on Hyatt points).

We paid for transfers and some excursions that we wouldn’t normally pay for since this vacation would have cost us at least $8,000. With points and miles, we spent maybe $1,200 total, including excursions, food, and transfers!

Thanks for teaching me how to travel affordably so we could cross off one of our bucket list destinations! You ladies are truly the best mentors a girl could ask for!

 

Bottom Line

Thanks for sharing your Reader Success Story: Costa Rica on Points, Jeannie! We love that you pulled off this amazing trip as a newbie—it just shows that anyone can book nearly free travel. Who’s ready to head to Costa Rica?

 

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Points and Miles to Cost Rica

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Podcast 65: Unlocking Paradise: How Points Made Costa Rica Affordable for a Family of Seven

Friday Family Vacation to Costa Rica