Costa Rica: Ten-Day Trip
Over the spring break at our university, my boyfriend came down to Costa Rica to visit me. We traveled around the country together for ten days in some of the cheapest ways we could. This post will explain how we spent our ten days - everything from transportation, accommodations, food, and adventure - along with some other options in case you're interested in other places to visit that we didn't make it to.
Day 1: Juan Santamaría International Airport
Welcome to Costa Rica! Once you make it through the airport, you'll have to take a taxi to downtown San José if that's where you want to go. If you follow our guide, there are a couple places where you can take public buses to the beaches.
The first is Terminal 7/10, which has buses to Jacó just about every hour. This bus station is new and very nice. Here is a website that has information about this terminal.
If you're headed to Montezuma, there are a couple options. You can head to Jacó and take the fast boat that will go straight to Montezuma for $30. It only goes out once a day though (in the morning, I believe), so make sure you're there early or stay a night in Jacó. The second option is taking bus from the San José - Puntarenas bus station. From Puntarenas, you can take the Paquera Ferry (1.5 hours) for only around 800¢ (approx. $1.50). There will be a public bus in Paquera to take you to Montezuma (1.5 hours) waiting on the other side. It will make multiple stops, but will eventually get to Montezuma.
Day 2: Pacific Ocean and the Beach
Montezuma
Out of all of the beaches, Montezuma was definitely my favorite even though it takes quite a bit of work to get there. The town is very laid back and despite the fact that we were there a weekend during most of the United States's university spring breaks, there was almost no one at the beach except for a couple surfers.
Activities
• Isla Tortuga Tour: Although we didn't do it, I've heard great things about this tour, which includes activities like snorkeling.
• Playa Montezuma: There are two different beaches right near the town, so I’m not sure which one is considered Playa Montezuma... but behind a restaurant called Chico’s is a small beach and if you head over some rocks to the left, another beach will be waiting there.
• Montezuma Waterfall: This waterfall was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Although quite busy, the place was not crowded. Just outside the town to the west (once you cross a small bridge), there will be a trail that leads to the right. Follow that for 20 to 30 minutes and you’ll hit the waterfall – you can’t miss it. Be sure to bring your bathing suit and binoculars – we saw monkeys while we were there!
• Playa Grande: If you walk to the left from town along the beach (you’ll head through some trails in the woods, too) for about 45 minutes, you’ll reach Playa Grande. I enjoyed this beach the most – the sand seemed to be softer and the waves easier to handle.
Here is another website with some suggestions on what to do in Montezuma.
Accommodations
• Cabinas Mar y Cielo: These cabinas were absolutely fantastic. For about $50 a night, the cabina includes everything of a standard hotel room, but with two separate rooms with a kitchen and mini fridge. We were able to save some money by cooking which was a plus. Beware though, the restaurant next door can get loud.
Restaurants
• Chico's: This restaurant had decent prices for being on the ocean and as they say, their own "private beach".
• Soda El Sol: In the center of town, this small soda has the classic Costa Rican casados: rice, beans, salad, plantains, and your choice of meat or vegetables.
Jacó
This beach hosts many tourists as well as locals, due to its close proximity to San José (1 hour).
Manuel Antonio
This is a favorite place among many tourists. Check out my other post about my weekend at Manuel Antonio.
Day 3: Pacific Ocean and the Beach
Relax in the sun! 🔆
Day 4: Travel to Monteverde
Activities
• Kinkajou Night Tour: If you're looking to see animals, a night tour is the place to go. This company will pick you up from most of the hotels in Santa Elena. Lasting about 2.5 hours, our tour guide was able to show us many animals - and tell lots of jokes while he was at it.
Accommodations
• Hotel El Bosque: A fantastic hotel with a good price and breakfast. It is about a 30-minute walk from downtown Santa Elena and the taxi costs about $4 each way into town if you'd rather do that.
Day 5: Monteverde
Activities
• The Three Main Reserves: Monteverde Cloud Forest, Children's Eternal Rainforest, and the Santa Elena Reserve. All three reserves have their ups and downs, but you'll be able to see the beauty of Monteverde through any of them.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest only lets a limited number of people into the reserve at one time, but has look-out points and a waterfall. The Santa Elena Reserve has a tall platform that you can climb and see some gorgeous views from, also. The profits from this reserve also benefit a local high school.
Day 6: Travel to La Fortuna
The 8 a.m. or 2 p.m. bus-boat-bus is the fastest way to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna. You can book this for $25 at the Hotel El Sueño in downtown Santa Elena (around the corner from Amy's Restaurant).
Accommodations
• San Bosco Inn: Conveniently located near downtown, this inn has both a pool and jacuzzi with a take-out window for a sushi restaurant right next to the jacuzzi. The breakfast buffet is fantastic and the staff are very helpful.
Day 7: La Fortuna
Activities
• El Salto (The Jump): In walking distance from town is a swimming hole underneath a bridge. While the water was quite cold, we had lots of fun jumping into the waterfalls and using the rope swing.
Day 8: La Fortuna
Activities
• Red Lava Tours: We spent the full next day doing the extreme 10-hour hike. Starting at 9:30 a.m., you hike up to the top of the Cerro Chato volcano, with fantastic views of the Arenal Volcano and green lagoon. You hike down for some swimming time in the lagoon, eat lunch, then head back up, before finally hiking down to find flat land again.
Day 9: Travel to San José
The bus station in La Fortuna is located around the corner from the Red Lava Tours office, where you can also buy your bus ticket. Buses leave a couple times a day, but know that this bus is very slow. Trips often take anywhere from 5 to 6 hours and will drop you off at Terminal 7/10.
Accommodations
• Hotel Aranjuez: This cozy place is made up of five houses all turned into hotel rooms. There are lots of areas to lounge around including beautiful Christmas lights strung out over the place and a beautiful garden. They have their own small gift/snack shop and the breakfast is phenomenal. It's in walking distance of downtown San José and the staff is great.
Day 10: San José
Activities
There are endless amounts of activities in San José, but here are just a few that I would recommend checking out if you only have a day: the National Museum of Costa Rica, the Jade Museum, the National Theatre, and the Main Cathedral.
Lastly, I suggest purchasing a Frommer's Guide to Costa Rica. It has so many helpful hints about anything from where to stay to fun activities.
While this is just a small portion of what Costa Rica has to offer, you'll be able to witness and experience the culture of this beautiful country. Costa Rica is far from perfect and still learning as they go, but that makes them who they are. If you have any questions about Costa Rica or what I've written here, don't be shy. I wish you the best on your travels and pura vida!
Day 1: Juan Santamaría International Airport
Welcome to Costa Rica! Once you make it through the airport, you'll have to take a taxi to downtown San José if that's where you want to go. If you follow our guide, there are a couple places where you can take public buses to the beaches.
The first is Terminal 7/10, which has buses to Jacó just about every hour. This bus station is new and very nice. Here is a website that has information about this terminal.
If you're headed to Montezuma, there are a couple options. You can head to Jacó and take the fast boat that will go straight to Montezuma for $30. It only goes out once a day though (in the morning, I believe), so make sure you're there early or stay a night in Jacó. The second option is taking bus from the San José - Puntarenas bus station. From Puntarenas, you can take the Paquera Ferry (1.5 hours) for only around 800¢ (approx. $1.50). There will be a public bus in Paquera to take you to Montezuma (1.5 hours) waiting on the other side. It will make multiple stops, but will eventually get to Montezuma.
Day 2: Pacific Ocean and the Beach
Montezuma
Out of all of the beaches, Montezuma was definitely my favorite even though it takes quite a bit of work to get there. The town is very laid back and despite the fact that we were there a weekend during most of the United States's university spring breaks, there was almost no one at the beach except for a couple surfers.
Activities
• Isla Tortuga Tour: Although we didn't do it, I've heard great things about this tour, which includes activities like snorkeling.
• Playa Montezuma: There are two different beaches right near the town, so I’m not sure which one is considered Playa Montezuma... but behind a restaurant called Chico’s is a small beach and if you head over some rocks to the left, another beach will be waiting there.
• Montezuma Waterfall: This waterfall was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Although quite busy, the place was not crowded. Just outside the town to the west (once you cross a small bridge), there will be a trail that leads to the right. Follow that for 20 to 30 minutes and you’ll hit the waterfall – you can’t miss it. Be sure to bring your bathing suit and binoculars – we saw monkeys while we were there!
• Playa Grande: If you walk to the left from town along the beach (you’ll head through some trails in the woods, too) for about 45 minutes, you’ll reach Playa Grande. I enjoyed this beach the most – the sand seemed to be softer and the waves easier to handle.
Here is another website with some suggestions on what to do in Montezuma.
Accommodations
• Cabinas Mar y Cielo: These cabinas were absolutely fantastic. For about $50 a night, the cabina includes everything of a standard hotel room, but with two separate rooms with a kitchen and mini fridge. We were able to save some money by cooking which was a plus. Beware though, the restaurant next door can get loud.
Restaurants
• Chico's: This restaurant had decent prices for being on the ocean and as they say, their own "private beach".
• Soda El Sol: In the center of town, this small soda has the classic Costa Rican casados: rice, beans, salad, plantains, and your choice of meat or vegetables.
Jacó
This beach hosts many tourists as well as locals, due to its close proximity to San José (1 hour).
Manuel Antonio
This is a favorite place among many tourists. Check out my other post about my weekend at Manuel Antonio.
Day 3: Pacific Ocean and the Beach
Relax in the sun! 🔆
Day 4: Travel to Monteverde
Activities
• Kinkajou Night Tour: If you're looking to see animals, a night tour is the place to go. This company will pick you up from most of the hotels in Santa Elena. Lasting about 2.5 hours, our tour guide was able to show us many animals - and tell lots of jokes while he was at it.
Accommodations
• Hotel El Bosque: A fantastic hotel with a good price and breakfast. It is about a 30-minute walk from downtown Santa Elena and the taxi costs about $4 each way into town if you'd rather do that.
Day 5: Monteverde
Activities
• The Three Main Reserves: Monteverde Cloud Forest, Children's Eternal Rainforest, and the Santa Elena Reserve. All three reserves have their ups and downs, but you'll be able to see the beauty of Monteverde through any of them.
Day 6: Travel to La Fortuna
The 8 a.m. or 2 p.m. bus-boat-bus is the fastest way to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna. You can book this for $25 at the Hotel El Sueño in downtown Santa Elena (around the corner from Amy's Restaurant).
Accommodations
• San Bosco Inn: Conveniently located near downtown, this inn has both a pool and jacuzzi with a take-out window for a sushi restaurant right next to the jacuzzi. The breakfast buffet is fantastic and the staff are very helpful.
Day 7: La Fortuna
Activities
• El Salto (The Jump): In walking distance from town is a swimming hole underneath a bridge. While the water was quite cold, we had lots of fun jumping into the waterfalls and using the rope swing.
Day 8: La Fortuna
Activities
• Red Lava Tours: We spent the full next day doing the extreme 10-hour hike. Starting at 9:30 a.m., you hike up to the top of the Cerro Chato volcano, with fantastic views of the Arenal Volcano and green lagoon. You hike down for some swimming time in the lagoon, eat lunch, then head back up, before finally hiking down to find flat land again.
You'll check out the La Fortuna waterfall, the Arenal Observatory Lodge, and hopefully see some animals along the way. The hike will end with some coffee and cookies and a drink while relaxing in the hot springs to soothe your (yes, already) sore muscles.
Warning: If any rain has been present, the trails will be VERY muddy.
Day 9: Travel to San José
The bus station in La Fortuna is located around the corner from the Red Lava Tours office, where you can also buy your bus ticket. Buses leave a couple times a day, but know that this bus is very slow. Trips often take anywhere from 5 to 6 hours and will drop you off at Terminal 7/10.
Accommodations
• Hotel Aranjuez: This cozy place is made up of five houses all turned into hotel rooms. There are lots of areas to lounge around including beautiful Christmas lights strung out over the place and a beautiful garden. They have their own small gift/snack shop and the breakfast is phenomenal. It's in walking distance of downtown San José and the staff is great.
Day 10: San José
Activities
There are endless amounts of activities in San José, but here are just a few that I would recommend checking out if you only have a day: the National Museum of Costa Rica, the Jade Museum, the National Theatre, and the Main Cathedral.
Restaurants
• Spoon: My favorite restaurant in downtown San José is called Spoon - a cute little bakery, coffee, and sandwich shop. They'll give you paper and colored pencils when you dine in, which won me over in an instant!
•
Lastly, I suggest purchasing a Frommer's Guide to Costa Rica. It has so many helpful hints about anything from where to stay to fun activities.
While this is just a small portion of what Costa Rica has to offer, you'll be able to witness and experience the culture of this beautiful country. Costa Rica is far from perfect and still learning as they go, but that makes them who they are. If you have any questions about Costa Rica or what I've written here, don't be shy. I wish you the best on your travels and pura vida!
Stay Beautiful,
Sadie
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