Booking ahead in Costa Rica

You should book ahead this time of year. Many hotels are full and first, second, third choices or more are unlikely available. Some hotels start to fill up 5 months in advance for Christmas season and Easter Season. This depends on where you will be traveling. Some areas are busier than others. Arenal and Manuel Antonio as an example are very difficult. Most people who live in Costa Rica go on vacation to the coast this time of year so the inland areas will be much easier to find space available. You will have a better time finding space without reservations after the first week of January.