Last Updated: June 7, 2024
While many destinations in Costa Rica are far off, a little careful planning can let you experience some of the country’s best attractions without spending too much time in the car. Below, we’ll give two itinerary options that limit drive time. These are seven-day itineraries but also would work for shorter trips. There is one for flying into San Jose Airport and another for those arriving at Liberia Airport.
Itinerary Option 1 – San Jose Airport
Summary
This itinerary has you flying in and out of San Jose Airport (SJO). SJO is located in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, near the country’s geographic center.
From the airport, you will first drive to the cloud forest of Monteverde (2.5 hours). After enjoying this unique ecosystem in the mountains, you will head to the central Pacific coast for some beach time (2.5 hours). At the end of your beach stay, it’s only a short 1.5-hour drive back to the airport.
Days 1-4: Arrive in San Jose. Drive to Monteverde to See the Cloud Forest.
Getting to Monteverde
After arriving at the busy Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), you will spend your first three nights in the tranquil cloud forests of Monteverde. Monteverde is only about a 2.5-hour drive from San Jose. Much of this is along major highways.
As long as your flight arrives by early afternoon, you will be able to pick up a rental car and make the drive the same day.
Check out our Rental Car Discount to save 10% through one of the most reputable rental agencies. Our readers get extras like a free second driver, free car seats for kids, a free cooler, and a free surf rack.
Tip: Be sure to avoid driving to Monteverde after dark (around 6:00 p.m. in Costa Rica). Although the roads getting to this remote destination have improved dramatically in recent years, the last stretch is best during daytime hours. This road is not well lit, narrow in parts, and has steep, mountainous terrain. For more information, read our post, Driving to Monteverde.
If you would prefer to stay overnight near the airport, you can get recommendations with our post, Best Hotels Near SJO Airport.
Monteverde: What to Expect
Monteverde is located at a high elevation along the Continental Divide, the point where the Atlantic and Pacific slopes converge. This gives it a uniquely cool climate compared to the rest of the country. Temperatures are still pleasant, though, in the 70s or 80s°F (21-26°C) during the day. Nights are slightly cooler, in the 60s°F (16-18°C).
While town may be sunny and warm, just a few minutes away, the thick forest may be enshrouded in a light mist. This can make for some beautiful scenery that you won’t find anywhere else.
Monteverde is well developed for tourism and has accommodations for every budget. Some hotels are set right in the forest, taking advantage of the views. For recommendations, check out our post, Monteverde Hotel Guide.
Monteverde: Things to Do
Monteverde is a well-known ecotourism destination. In addition to hiking the cloud forest, you can visit wildlife exhibits to see butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds.
Zip line facilities here are some of the most elaborate in the entire country. From high up on a zip line cable, you can get amazing views of the vast forest and green valleys below. Hanging bridges are another way to take in the gorgeous scenery.
Coffee tours are a popular activity in Monteverde. These will give you a glimpse into Costa Rica’s rich farming culture.
For more information on visiting Monteverde, read our full destination guide, Monteverde: A Forest in the Clouds.
Days 4-7: Head to the Beaches of the Central Pacific Coast.
Getting to Jaco
The closest beach destination to Monteverde on the central Pacific coast is Jaco. Jaco is about 2.5 hours from Monteverde. Then it’s only a 1.5 hour drive to SJO Airport after your stay.
Jaco: What to Expect & Things to Do
Jaco is one of Costa Rica’s largest beach towns. Restaurants, shops, tour operators, and surf shops line the busy main strip along the sand. Jaco has a fun, relaxed vibe that many people enjoy.
Although the main area of town is built up, there is plenty of nearby jungle to explore. ATV tours can take you into the peaceful countryside to hidden waterfalls. Adventure parks offer packages with zip lining, tram rides, waterfall rappelling, and horseback riding. There is also hiking in Carara National Park, a catamaran cruise to Tortuga Island, crocodile river tours, and of course, surfing.
The main beach in Jaco isn’t the most scenic but is still nice. Plus, you don’t have to stray far from town to discover some of the area’s other beautiful beaches.
For more information on Jaco, read our destination guide, Jaco: Costa Rica’s Booming Beach Town.
Tip: If you’d prefer a quieter stay, there are several options for smaller beach communities to the south. Playa Hermosa, Esterillos, and Playa Bejuco are just a short drive away.
Itinerary Option 2 – Liberia Airport
Summary
This itinerary has you flying in and out of Liberia Airport (LIR). LIR is located in northwestern Costa Rica, in an area known as Guanacaste.
From the airport, you will drive inland to the wildlife-rich town of Bijagua (1 hour). After spotting animals like monkeys and sloths, and visiting an incredible waterfall, you’ll then head to the coast (1.5-2.5 hours). Guanacaste has some amazing beaches that we’ll highlight below. After the beach, it is just a short drive back to the airport (30 minutes to 1.5 hours).
Days 1-4: Arrive in Liberia. Drive to Bijagua to Experience Lush Rainforest and Waterfalls.
Getting to Bijagua
From Liberia Airport, you will drive about one hour inland to Bijagua. The drive is along a major highway at first, then a smooth paved road.
Bijagua: What to Expect & Things to Do
Bijagua is a small town that is best known for the nearby Rio Celeste Waterfall. This is a gorgeous bright-blue waterfall that gets its color from volcanic minerals in the soil. Travelers visiting other parts of Costa Rica often plan a quick stop here to see the Rio Celeste. However, we think there is plenty to do in Bijagua to fill at least a few nights.
Aside from the waterfall, the area has lush rainforest that is filled with wildlife. A few different nature reserves have hiking where you can see animals like monkeys and sloths as well as many types of tropical birds.
Other activities are river tubing, horseback riding, frog night tours, and farm tours.
You could also easily take a day trip to see Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna/Arenal is one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations. It’s about a one-hour drive from Bijagua.
Even though it’s a very small town, Bijagua still has several accommodations to choose from. Quaint B&Bs, ecolodges, vacation rentals, and even high-end hotels are all options.
For more information about visiting Bijagua, read our destination guide, Bijagua: A Gateway to the Rio Celeste.
Days 4-7: Head to the beaches of Guanacaste.
Getting to Guanacaste
After exploring the rainforest, you will get to enjoy some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful (and swimmable) beaches.
The beaches of Guanacaste Province are located between 1.5-2.5 hours from Bijagua, depending on which town you stay in. Tamarindo, which we recommend below, is about 2.5 hours from Bijagua.
For your return to Liberia Airport at the end of the trip, you’ll be about one-hour away. This will allow you to make the drive the same day as your flight without needing an overnight near the airport.
Tamarindo: What to Expect & Things to Do
Tamarindo is Guanacaste’s biggest beach town. It has a laid-back surfer vibe and a very hip feel. In and around the center of town near the beach, you’ll find upscale cafes and restaurants, trendy boutiques, and many options for accommodations.
Some hotels are located right off the sand, while others are a short stroll or drive away. A community to the south called Playa Langosta offers even more options for accommodations in a quieter setting.
Most people visiting Tamarindo spend their time surfing or exploring the area’s many gorgeous beaches. But there are other things to do. Activities include catamaran tours, diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, ATV tours, and zip lining.
For more information on activities and accommodations, check out our destination guide, Tamarindo: Where Paradise Meets Convenience.
Other Beach Towns in Guanacaste
For those looking for a smaller beach destination, you have several options. Below we link to our full posts with additional detail.
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste): A quieter beach town in Northern Guanacaste with many condo rentals. The main beach has calmer water for swimming.
Playa Potrero: One of the more affordable beach towns in Guanacaste. It has great access to several different beaches.
Playa Flamingo: An upscale destination with a gorgeous white-sand beach.
Playa Conchal: Not a town per se, but Conchal Beach has several high-end resorts that have been built up along its beautiful turquoise water.
Playa Avellanas: An off-the-beaten-path beach town with surfing and a super laid-back vibe.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to avoid long drives on your visit to Costa Rica, these itineraries should give you some ideas for how to structure your trip. We’ve tried to limit drive time as much as possible, all while ensuring you can still see everything that Costa Rica has to offer.
Have a question about planning a trip to Costa Rica that limits driving? Ask us below.
Looking for more information to plan your visit? Check out these posts:
Tours Help: Need help figuring out tours for your trip? We have a customized Tour Booking Service or you can book individual tours through our site.
Family Travel: If you’re traveling with kids, be sure to check out our Family Travel articles for more tips on making an itinerary, packing, what to do, and more.
Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Clearing Up the Confusion – Learn about Costa Rica’s required insurance and pitfalls to avoid when renting a car.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Is it worth visiting during rainy season? Provides practical information about Costa Rica’s seasons and when is a good time to come.
You do such a great job making the trip a breeze! My daughters and I would love to come back and try the Liberia route. I was initially worried about driving in Costa Rica on the shoulder of the rainy season, but we did a lot of it and it was easy with our 4-wheel drive that we got through your referral company. They were fabulous to deal with, also. I would recommend it to anyone feeling a little anxious. I was shocked to see the last part of the road to Monteverde paved! That stretch wasn’t bad but it sure looks great now. We LOVED Costa Rica! Thanks Matt and Jenn!
Hi Connie, That’s great! Thanks for the feedback. So glad you and your daughters had a good visit before. That’s wonderful that everything worked out with Adobe Rent a Car too (for anyone reading this, here is the link to our rental car discount page: https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/costa-rica-rental-car-discount/). Thanks so much for following along with our site. We hope you can get back to Costa Rica soon. Pura vida!
Hi Jenn and Matt,
I’m looking into traveling with a total of 5 adults and a 3yr old. I wanted your thoughts on an itinerary that included the a cloud forest and the rainforest for a few days and then the beach area for a few days. We can only find direct flights from Minneapolis into Liberia starting December 4th. Any thoughts, recommendations would be wonderful. Thank you in advance!
Hi Amanda, You could do the Liberia Airport itinerary we have here, but add Monteverde for cloud forest. The order I would do is LIR to Monteverde to Bijagua to Guanacaste. If you’d like, you could swap Bijagua for La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano but that will add some driving since it’s a longer drive from Monteverde to La Fortuna due to road conditions. I hope that gives you some ideas!
Hi Jenn & Matt, Thanks for providing incredible travel resources. How would you modify this itinerary if we start our trip LIR > Samara then inland. Do you recommend Rio Celeste/La Fortuna/Arenal over Rincon De La Vieja for a first time visit? Thanks!
Hi Jennifer, We would do La Fortuna/Arenal for a first time visit along with Samara since there are so many choices for things to do. Rincón is nice but there’s not a lot there outside the couple of hotels/resorts, and it’s remote. Hope that helps!
Hi Jenn and Matt,
Never been to Costa Rica before but reading through your website certainly makes me want to experience it! My teenaged kids have a week long school break starting November 13, 2021. Your Liberia Airport itinerary would allow us to see both the mountains and the beach without spending too much time driving but I was wondering about the weather at that time of the year. From what I could read on your site, it’s towards the end of the rainy season but if the “dry weather switch” flips a little later this year, we could be in for a wet vacation. What do you think of traveling in that area November 13 to 20? The Caribbean Coast could be a safer bet but it did not seem to me to be offering as much as this itinerary. Looking forward to reading your advice on the matter. Thanks!
Hi Louis, The Liberia itinerary is one of your safest bets for decent weather in mid November. Guanacaste is one of the drier regions in general so it’s always a good one during rainy season. Of course if there is a tropical rainfall event (an onda) coming through, it doesn’t really matter where you are, but putting those aside, Guanacaste is a good pick. Bijagua may be rainy but most of the mountains will be that time of year. You should still have some nice days. Hope that helps!
Thanks Jenn and Matt for your insight. Looking forward to planing this trip.
Hola Jenn and Matt,
Ginger and I are 58, decent shape, traveling into LIR 11/13 6:30PM arrival and out of SJO the 27th 8AM departure. We’ve rented a car. Can you offer any itinerary guidance?
Hi Scott, It looks like you just arrived. Sorry we were not able to get to your comment in time. Hope you were able to figure out a good itinerary. Enjoy your trip!
MJ
We postponed our trip until the end of March 2022. We also shortened the trip to 7 days. Still LIB to SJO trip. Would love your thoughts on ideas for migrating from LIB to SJO over seven days. 😀
Hi Scott, End of March will be getting very dry in Guanacaste so if you visit any of the beaches there, keep that in mind. The landscape is not as green as many people picture that time of year. But it’s still worth it to see some of those beaches. Many are very swimmable and gorgeous. So maybe start at a beach in Guanacaste like Tamarindo, Conchal, Potrero, or Playa Hermosa. Then head inland for a few nights to experience the lush rainforest. La Fortuna/Arenal is always a good option. There is a ton to do there and a great selection of accommodations. From La Fortuna, you’re about 2.5 hours to San Jose, so it would make for a reasonable trip in terms of drive times. Hope that gives you some ideas!
Thank you kindly for your quick reply and guidance/advice, much appreciated and meaningful. 🙂
Hi,
Do you know Monteverde park offers hiking stroller as Mistico Arenal?
Thanks,
Anita
Hi Anita, I don’t think they have strollers there, unfortunately. It’s not common in Costa Rica.
Thank you for your quick reply. Actually in 2019 Mistico Arenal Bridges had some hiking strollers (Thule) for reasonable price, at the reception. At the time my daughter was one year old and using that kind of stroller helped us a lot. I am just curious, if Monteverde Cloud Forest provide same service too.
Thanks
Hi Anita, We thought you were referencing our Místico Hanging Bridges article for some reason, where we mention that they have strollers to rent. But that was just a coincidence! I have not seen them at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve when we have visited. The only places we’ve seen them in Costa Rica is at Místico and Zoo Ave in San José (they have wagons).
Thank you so much.
Hi! Thanks so much for this itinerary, very insightful. My friend and I (both 30) are flying in and out of LIR and arriving end of April 2022. It sounds like this will be the dry season?
We’ll only be there for 5 days, so we’ll want to make the most of it with surfing, ATV, hiking, etc. Any musts during such a short trip?
Hi Gina, The end of April is the very end of dry season. Most of the country will have started to get some rain at this point, but the Guanacaste region (NW Costa Rica) will probably still be quite dry. With 5 days, I think I’d do Tamarindo for the surfing/beach time and either La Fortuna or Bijagua for the hiking/nature time. Bijagua is closer so is probably the better choice with the amount of time you have, but it is a very small town. Plenty to do for just a couple of nights, though!
Hello – we are coming to costa rica last week of April for 6 days, two adults and two kids, 8 & 11. We are currently flying into sjo, we can take a return flight from SJO or LIR. My spouse and I have been to Arenal so we thought to skip it in this round. Kids care about rainforest & beach. Should we do Manuel Antonio vs. Monteverde?
Hi Punam, If you’re picking one destination, we would do Manuel Antonio. There is a ton to do plus you’ll get the beach. 6 nights seems like a long time in Monteverde.
Ji Jenn and Matt! We are planning a honeymoon in Costa Rica for about 9 days in July. I have points to use at one of the Guanacaste resorts, so want to stay there a few evenings. I assume flying in and out of LIB is our best bet given that?
We want to spend a few evenings in Gaunacaste and then try another part and stay in some cooler eco-lodges/Airbnbs. We are big fans of the beach, so maybe something a little farther south? Or we could fly OUT of SJO.
Any recommendations and tips you have would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Josh, Yes, we’d fly in/out of Liberia for your time at a resort in Guanacaste since it’s much closer. If you’re flexible on where to go for the rest of the trip, it might be worth it to head inland and check out La Fortuna/Arenal or Monteverde (cloud forest). Both of those areas have some cool options for accommodations like tent glamping and treehouses, and you’d get to see another part of the country. Either airport would be fine for these two destinations.
Hi Jenn and Matt! My husband, 4 girls (ages 13 through 21) and I would be first time visitors coming this July. The best flights seem to be in and out of SJO. Do you have itinerary recommendations since it will be the rainy season? Probably staying 8-9 days. Is it possible to do Manuel Antonio, Arenal, and Guanacaste or should we stick with two locations? Any advice greatly appreciated! What I’m learing so far is that the country is just too beautiful for one trip! Thank you!!
Hi Christine, Not sure if you have seen it, but we have a rainy season itinerary that could work for you. You just may want to swap out the last destination if flying out of San Jose since Guanacaste is farther away. Maybe do Tortuguero to La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. If you have 9 days, 3 locations is fine, but if you’d prefer a slower pace, you could easily do only 2 destinations. Yes, lots to see here…too much to see in just one visit! 🙂
My family (kids are ages 12 and 10) of 4 will be either 6 or 7 nights next March (19-24/25) in CR. I have a flight into SJO on hold arriving around 1130a and departs at 130p. Unsure if I should target LIB instead for the below interests we have.
There are 4 primary places we are focused on staying, perhaps picking 2 of them to stay for 2-3 nights. This is what we are most interested in doing:
– opportunity to see wildlife (cloud forest)
– unique activity like zipline/canopy tours
– white water rafting
– waterfalls
We are less into the volcano/hot springs given we have done quite a bit of this in other places. Horseback riding on the beach, safari river tours and if there were some amazing white sand beaches to see however would be great.
We are hoping to manage drives into 2 hour blocks if possible between places. We would be interested in finding a private tour/transportation be able to drive us if at all possible.
Target budget- would like to keep it below $500-600/night if possible.
1. Which 2/3 makes sense given above?
– Monteverde – sounds a bit rough to get to but amazing. Also seems like it would be cooler temps. Would be looking at a place to stay near there with a pool.
— Manuel Antonio offers similar. Would be looking at a place to stay there with a pool.
–La Paz staying at Peace Hotel and a day trip maybe to La Fortuna. It really breaks the bank however!
– Guancaste but unsure if dry hot windy March makes sense. If so, what specific beaches to hit?
2. What is closest to SJO – MA or Monteverde?
If we decide to do Guanacaste – easier travel from MA or Monteverde?
Can you please suggest an itinerary/suggestions for what we seek to do around the locations of Monteverde/Guanacaste/SJO?
Thank you!
Hi Cathy, There is definitely a lot to think about when planning a trip to Costa Rica. You have a lot of questions in here! I think you could benefit from our video chat service. Through that, we could talk for an hour to help you figure out which destinations would be best for your family in March based on the weather, your interests, and drive times. We can also help recommend hotels and activities. Otherwise, if you want to focus your questions a little, we’d be happy to help through comments. Thanks!
Hi Jenn and Matt, my husband Tim and I have booked to fly from London to SJO on 6th January 2023 for 14 nights with our little boy in tow, he’ll be 8.5 months old by the time we fly. We are pretty intrepid so want to see lots, but also want some proper beach downtime, does the itinerary below sound like too much? Or manageable and a good way to break up the drive from SJO to the Guanacaste coast?
SJO – 2 nights (my husband loves a capital city, is it worth doing this, or more to see elsewhere?)
La Fortuna / Arenal area – 3 nights
Tamarindo / Other beach resort – 7 nights
Montverde – 2 nights then to SJO airport
Also, is it crucial to have a car? My husband doesn’t fancy driving so we were hoping to get taxis between places.
Thanks so much in advance!
Leila, Tim and Luca
Hi Leila, That itinerary makes sense for traveling with an 8.5 month old. You’ll still see and do a lot, but won’t be driving too much and will have plenty of downtime at the beach. I would just suggest adding one night onto Monteverde. Two nights is rushed since it takes a while to get there. That way, you will have two full days.
As for the capital, some people (like us) enjoy San Jose. It’s nice if you stay in the main area of the downtown near the National Theater (see our San Jose post for more details). Right there is the Gold Museum, which is really nice, and they have a theatrical tour of the National Theater. You could also visit the Children’s Museum, which our kids love. It’s huge and interesting culturally.
You can easily take private shuttles between these destinations. Feel free to reach out through our Shuttle Booking page if you’d like any help with those.
Hi Jenn and Matt, thank you so much for your reply and tips! Based on your feedback we have agreed on:
San Jose – 2 nights
Arenal/La Fortuna – 3 nights
Tamarindo/Other beach – 6 nights
Monteverde – 3 nights
Do you think that sounds okay logistics-wise?
We will certainly get in touch via the shuttle booking page for help with those.
Thank you from Leila, Tim and baby Luca
Hi Leila, Yes, I think that itinerary works!
Hi Jenn and Matt ,
We are 4 adults 65 – 73 yrs , planning a first time 8-10 day trip to CR starting @ December 3 , 2022 . We enjoy easy hikes , nature , not into surfing or sunbathing . We will fly into & out of SJ . Please suggest destinations and itinerary. Thank you . I have read your 1 and 2 week itineraries, we are somewhat in between 😊.
Hi Nanku, There are lots of destinations to choose from with easy hikes and nature. If you’re flying in and out of San Jose, you could do La Fortuna to Bijagua to Manuel Antonio. It really depends on the feel of the places you’re looking for, though. Here’s a link to our Destinations Summary Guide that covers all the options. We also have a video chat service if you’d like to meet to talk about a specific itinerary based on your group’s interests.
Hi Jenn and Matt,
My fiance and I will be spending two weeks in Costa Rica, flying in and out of Liberia. Since we are travelling during the rainy season, we were thinking about driving down to Puerto Vijeo in hopes to catch some warmer, sunnier weather. Do you think this is worthwhile? If so, please let us know if you have any recommendations on what our route could look like.
Thank you so much! Your blog has been so helpful.
Hi Kelly, If you are coming between now and early November, yes, the Caribbean coast is your best bet. It is far from Liberia but probably worth it since the weather in Guanacaste may not be great. The southern Caribbean (Cahuita and Puerto Viejo) typically have nice weather this time of year. Just keep in mind that we still do sometimes get strong storms this time of year that can affect the Caribbean as well.
Since you’re flying into LIR, you could add in a stop at La Fortuna/Arenal for a few nights at the beginning. The weather usually is a little better this time of year there than on the Pacific coast. It has a lot of activities too that will be different from what you can do on the Caribbean side. Hope that helps!
Hi Jenn and Matt, My 21 year old daughter and I were in San Jose this past January to serve with a Christian non-profit – and loved the people so much that we want to come back to see more of the country with the rest of our family. We are looking at mid-May, with 7 total – my husband and I, plus 5 young adults. We love to hike but will need some down time on a beach and/or by a pool each day, and given the size of our group, we’re looking at renting a house. Do you have any general suggestions – I have looked at your itineraries. Thank you!
Hi Diane, For hiking and beach time, Manuel Antonio or the Uvita/Dominical area (about 1 hour south of Manuel Antonio) are good options. The main differences between these two areas is that Manuel Antonio is more developed and touristy (though shouldn’t be too busy in mid-May) and Uvita/Dominical is more rural, spread out, and quieter. Both have gorgeous beaches and good hiking. Manuel Antonio has a ton of options for activities so that may be a safer bet since there will be something to do for everyone. You can follow the links we just gave for more information about each area.
Hi Jenn and Matt!
Love your website! We are family of 3 with 11 year old and planning a trip for 2 weeks. Landing in Liberia. What would you recommend to see with a car. We love the forest but also beaches. Would you recommend to go as far as Uvita, Ojachal is there anything there to see? How much time is good in the volcano area?
Hi Eva, If you are flying into Liberia, we don’t recommend Ojochal because it’s many hours away. We would spend a few days in La Fortuna/Arenal. For beach time, the Guanacaste area is the closest. Check out that link we just gave for the different options for beach towns (there are many). If Ojochal appealed to you because of its thick rainforest, you may like Bijagua. It’s a small town but has gorgeous thick rainforest and cloud forest.
Hi Jenn and Mat,
My husband, two kids ages 14 & 17 and I are coming to Costa Rica (from Oregon) this March for 13 days to travel and visit family in San Jose. We plan to do day trips in and outside of the city for a few days, then travel toward Arenal/Monteverde (I think). We would like to stay off the tourist track and really explore Costa Rica. Our family will join us for a short trip to Arenal (or another site??) then meet back up later in the at a small town beach (or two) that would allow us to snorkel/scuba dive and play in the waves. We all love to surf, but are not pros by any means. We also want to raft the Pacuare, which might be a day trip from San Jose or might be two days?? Any suggestions for beach locations? Itinerary? West Coast or East?? We do not need attractions, just an awesome laid back beach experience and would love to immerse ourselves in Costa Rica’s natural beauty/see as much wildlife as possible.
Hi Aly, You could look at Playa Avellanas for your beach time. It’s really laid back and lesser known. Also a great place for surf lessons. For scuba/snorkeling, you could do a day trip up to the Tamarindo or Flamingo area. There are companies in these towns that will take you to Las Catalinas Islands.
For the Pacuare rafting, yes, we would do this as a day trip from San Jose.
You also could check out Bijagua if you’re looking for more culture and to be away from the crowds. It’s a really charming small town a little north of Arenal.
Hi Jen and Mat
Me and my wife are looking to fly into Costa Rica 1st week December 2023 but we don’t know which airport yet, Liberia or San Juan, plan would be to spend 15 nights touring and we want to hire a car and drive down to Santa Teresa and spend 3 nights there and then work our way up the coast, maybe Samara or open to suggestions, It’s both of our 60th birthdays this year so want a fairly relaxing holiday with an element of sight seeing, open to any suggestions
REGARDS Andrew and Lisa
Hi Andrew, We have an article about which airport to fly into that may help. Here’s the link. If you want to start in Santa Teresa and do the Guanacaste coast, Liberia Airport is the best option.
Also keep in mind that the drive along the coast from Santa Teresa north on the western side of the Nicoya Peninsula towards Samara is not good – rough roads and river crossings. We recommend heading towards Montezuma and going on the eastern side of the peninsula for points north. This is the main road. It’s actually paved now.
Hi! I’m planning a trip in Feb of 2024 and are thinking of flying into San Juan. Doing 4 days or so in the MonteVerde area with a day drip to LaFortuna/Arenal, then heading to Quepos for 5 days or so to enjoy the beach, the park and some fishing. We’d prefer not to rent a car, do you think all of this is doable without one? Any other thoughts on that itinerary? It’s our first time, 2 couples over 50, no kids. 🙂 Any input is welcome!!
Hi Nancy, We don’t recommend La Fortuna/Arenal as a day trip because it’s several hours from Monteverde but other than that, your itinerary sounds good. If you’d really like to do La Fortuna, we would add a couple of nights there (3 is even better because there is a lot to do). Most tours include transportation as long as you don’t stay too far from town so you should be fine without a car. Hope that helps!
Hello! We are planning a trip for Feb 2024 with four adults for approx 10 days. We’re thinking about modifying your “limited driving” itinerary via SJA……4-5 nights in Monteverde (with a side visit to La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano) and 4-5 nights in Manuel Antonio (vs. Jaco). We’d prefer not renting a car. Is that do-able with shuttle services? Or possibly renting for the first leg in Monteverde and then returning the car and getting a shuttle to Manuel Antonio? What do you recommend? Also, 2-3 of us want go sport fishing and I see that we could book that through your website. Is February an okay time for fishing? Someone mentioned it being very windy…..thanks in advance for your help!
Hi Susan, Thanks for your comment. I think we just answered most of your questions in response to someone you’re traveling with named Nancy? You can see our reply to her in the comments from today. I’ll answer your additional question on fishing now. February is dry season so a great time for sportfishing. Wind isn’t usually a concern in the Manuel Antonio area. Guanacaste/N Pacific coast is where it gets windy in Jan.-April. Hope that helps!
This will be our fourth trip to Costa Rica. We have a month and will be visiting La Fortuna (have read your advice on La Fortuna — thank you) Samara, Playa Flamingo and Monteverde. We are looking for a reasonably priced ecolodge for one night that is a convenient stop over on our drive from Samara to Playa Flamingo. Last year we stayed at the Tenorio Lodge in Bijagua and loved it, but it feels a bit out of the way for our purposes this year. Thanks so much.
Hi Mary, There isn’t much on the way from Samara to Flamingo, but it’s not that long of a drive (be sure to take the inland route, not along the coast). So we would probably just make the drive all the way to Flamingo without an overnight in between. It’s about 2 hours. If you wanted a stop on the way to do something, you could visit the small town of Guaitil near Santa Cruz for a pottery demonstration. That’s where they make traditional Chorotega ceramics.
My family will be heading to Liberia from Denver in June for 6 days. I love your itinerary above, but wondering what your recommendations would be if we are not planning on driving and looking to make shuttle reservations for a few sightseeing areas and staying by the beach for most of the time. Where would you recommend us to start and end our trip? Thank you
Hi Dimarly, With 6 days, we would do 2-3 nights in La Fortuna/Arenal or Bijagua/Rio Celeste for jungle and activities. Then spend the rest of the time at the beach in Guanacaste. There’s less to do in Guanacaste so it makes sense to spend those couple of nights at the beginning of the trip in an area with tours. Otherwise, you’ll be driving a lot. That’s a good loop for taking shuttle vans too. Feel free to reach out through our Shuttle Booking page if you’d like help making the transfer arrangements.
Flying into LIR April 13 for 9 nights, heading to Bijagua for two nights so far. Is it feasible to add one more night and do a day trip to La Fortuna for some adventures not found in Bijagua area, before making the drive to Santa Theresa for 3 or 4 nts? The bridge is closed so the drive has to go back through Liberia. Think we should stop along the way to break up the drive?
Hi Maria, You could do a day in La Fortuna but it’s about 1.5 hours away so be sure to pick something that doesn’t involve more driving once you’re there. Bijagua itself has a lot to offer so we would probably just stay there for a third night.
There isn’t much for stops right on the route from Liberia to Santa Teresa. If you wanted, you could take a small detour to the village of Guaitil to see a demonstration of how traditional indigenous pottery is made.
Hello! We are planning a trip less than a month out and trying to limit driving time/difficulty.
We plan to start out with 4 nights in Playa Hermosa and we will end our trip with 4 nights near the Rio Celeste. I had planned on a staying in Arenal but I am a little late in finding lodging that feels like the right fit. I think Monteverde would be amazing but we have decided against driving there. I was considering staying in the Rincon de la Vieja area for 3 nights at Hacienda Guachepelin. This seems all together like many more nights than I see generally recommended in those areas – a combined 7 nights between Rincon de la Vieja and Rio Celeste/Bijagua. Would we be overdoing it in that area? Should we push out further to see a wider area? Thank you so much for all of your guides!!! We will definitely rent a car through you!
Hi Allison June, We don’t think 3 nights in Rincon de la Vieja would be too much. There is a ton to do in that area – hot springs, multiple waterfalls, the national park, zip lining, tubing, etc. Here’s a link to our post about the Rincon area in case you haven’t seen it. So yes, that itinerary makes sense to us!