Where the jungle meets the ocean. If you’re looking for a trip that combines hiking and relaxing, then Costa Rica is a great travel destination for you. Please check my Instagram stories highlights for Costa Rica to see how our itinerary played out! @Sunitagabrielle
We flew into Liberia, verse San Jose. I was really happy with this decision because San Jose is a very busy airport and when I spoke to other travelers, it sounded stressful and crowded over there. Liberia is smaller and easier to navigate.
Rental car-
The rumors are true! We rented from Avis and booked online and when we arrived they not only doubled our price and forced us to add all different types of coverage, but they also made us wait over an hour to get our car and they gave us two broken GPS units. It was a nightmare. However navigation the roads wasn’t nearly as bad as the experience to get the car. I will never rent from Avis again based on this experience. I heard a lot of ppl got a private driver while it’s pretty pricey, I think I still would prefer to get a rental car.
Where to stay:
La Fortuna – near the arenal volcano
Monteverde- cloud forest hanging bridges
Playa Conchal- Clearist seashell beach
Tamarindo- on the beach, more touristy
Playa Flamingo-beachy
Manuel Antonio
We started with our drive from Liberia to La Fortuna
On the drive from Liberia to La Fortuna- make sure to stop at Rio Celeste! It closes at 2pm so get there as early as you can. This waterfall has the bluest water possible. If you drive a little past it, you can see the blue water that flows from the waterfall.
Also, across the street meet some great locals (Jonathan was really kind and helpful!) get some fresh coconut water and the coconut that they will cut for you after you drink it!
La Fortuna
Where to stay :
We stayed at the perfect little Airbnb. It had a pool, was close to everything we needed. The town itself might not feel super safe, but this house definitely helped us feel safe. They had a gate for the car and a private pool in the back. I highly recommend the Airbnb we stayed in (linked above).
Tabacon Hot Springs and Resort – we stayed here one night. Since there were 3 of us, it wouldn’t have made sense for us to pay for a day pass and not just stay the night. It was definitely worth it, you get a private area of the hotel springs, and breakfast. Next time, I would stay a day or two longer, this was one of my favorite places.
What to do:
⁃ La Fortuna Waterfall- 500+ steps, but well worth every step!
◦ Go early to Arenal Volcano National Park – (active volcano)
⁃ La Fortuna Waterfall- base of dormant Chato Volcano (500 steps)
⁃ *Mystico Arenal Hanging Bridge
• zip lining, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife, hanging bridges
◦ Arenal Hot Springs
◦ Mystica Hanging Bridges
• Venando caves, Cano Neagro National wildlife refuge, ride ATVs,
• White water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, standup paddle, moutain biking
◦ Cooking with Costa Rican family a Airbnb experience $49/person
◦ Boat tour, snorkeling, scuba dive
◦ Sunset boat cruise
List of the best hikes
⁃ *COLADOS 1968 (2.5 km): This hike goes to the lava flow from the eruption and goes through the forest to get there. Beautiful views!
⁃ LOS HELICONIAS (1 km): shortest and easiest hike
⁃ LOS TUCANES (3 km): lava fields hike
⁃ CHERRO CHATO (3.2 km): This hike takes you to the top of the Chato Volcano where there is a crater lake. Of course this volcano is dormant. This trail might not be open – so you’ll want to double check that and ask locals.
⁃ BOSQUE 1968 (4.5 km): This hike includes most of the Colados 1968 trail and is longer and you’ll probably see some wildlife
– La Fortuna Waterfalls- 500 step staircase (go early opens at 7-8am)
To Eat in La Fortuna
◦ Restaurante Don Rufino
◦ Marisquerias Snappers House
◦ Spectacular Cantina-Mexican taco
Next Stop: Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa
Stay here one or 2 nights if you can! It’s well worth it. You have access to the hot spring for the day you arrive and the following day and if you plan on visiting it, then it makes sense to just pay to stay the night there as well. The breakfast is delicious and the staff will make you feel like royalty. This is a unique, must do experience!
Tabacan Resort & Spa – natural hot spring created from the Arenal Volcano that is nested around beautiful exotic gardens.
Next Stop: Conchal beach
Where to stay:
We stayed at the perfect Airbnb, it was a condo at a beach club resort. It was very spacious, had a balcony, and at the resort, the pool was beautiful and they had free games, paddle boards, and kayaks, as well as a nice gym. For breakfast the restaurant at the club was delicious. I highly recommend staying at the above Airbnb that I linked.
To do:
◦ Palo Verde/El Viejo boat tour
⁃ For wildlife, the Palo Verde National Park is a good option. One of the biggest rivers, the Rio Tempisque runs through the national park and is home to many monkeys, birds, crocodiles, iguanas, and more. You can go on a 2 hour boat ride down the river to see even more wildlife.
Day / evening trip to Tamarindo : this is a hot spot over there. It’s on the beach and very lively, you can grab dinner, drinks, and dance the night away over there.
◦ Deep sea fishing
◦ Snorkeling near reef
◦ Sunset sailing tour
Next Stop: Monteverde
To Do:
◦ Day hiking cloud forest (chilly)
◦ Manuel Antonio – beach
◦ Manual Antonio park beach and trails
◦ Selvatura park- hanging bridges -2 hours and $40 /person
◦ Selvatura park sloth sanctuary –
◦ Butterfly garden
◦ Chocolate coffee and sugar cane tour at Don Juans -2 hours
To Eat:
◦ Taco Taco
◦ Tree House Restaurant- live music
◦ Cafe Orchard for breakfast/lunch
◦ Quepos marina -dinner
◦ Monteverde Fussion
◦ Passiflora
◦ Lunch at marisqueeia Jiuberths
◦ Sabor tico- authentic CR food
◦ Tree house Restaurant