If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica and don’t know where to go, I’ve listed out the best places in Costa Rica to visit in this destinations guide. You will find out where to go in Costa Rica in 2023.
Best Places in Costa Rica to Visit: Where to Go in Costa Rica in 2023
Looking for itinerary ideas? Check out our sample Costa Rica itineraries from 4 days to 1 month!
Map
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Arenal & La Fortuna
This area is famous for Arenal Volcano National Park, Lake Arenal and the rain forest. La Fortuna is the town that sits at the base of the Arenal Volcano and Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. Most tourists know this area as Arenal.
Distance and transportation times from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: Arenal/La Fortuna is 3-3.5 hours from both San Jose Airport and Liberia International Airport with fairly straight forward routes and doesn’t require a 4X4. Read about driving from Liberia to Arenal and driving from San Jose to Arenal.
- By plane: You can take a local flight to La Fortuna Airport which is about 20 minutes from San Jose and Liberia.
- By bus: There are direct buses from San Jose to La Fortuna. However, there are only a couple a day so if you miss it, you can take San Jose – Ciudad Quesadad to La Fortuna or San Jose – San Ramon – La Fortuna. From Liberia, you will first need to take a bus to Canas, then to Tilaran and then to La Fortuna.
- By shuttle: Take a shared shuttle for about $59 USD per adult with Interbus or book a private shuttle service for ~$200 USD for 1-8 people total one way from SJO and LIR airport.
- By boat: Get in from Monteverde by boating across Lake Arenal. Costs ~$50 USD per person.
Which airport to fly into? You can fly into either Liberia or San Jose International Airport as it’s around the same driving time.
Tourist friendly
La Fortuna is one of the most touristic destinations in the country making it one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for all travelers. It has all the services such as pharmacies, supermarkets, ATMs, laundromats, a bus station and info centers.
Best things to do
Here is our list of the top activities in Arenal and La Fortuna. Our favorites are canyoning, hot springs, horseback riding, ziplining and hiking. This area is one of the best for outdoor adventure and nature. Want to book some excursions? Get our Arenal and La Fortuna tours discount here.
Recommended hotels in Arenal
- Luxury: Nayara, The Springs, Tabacon and Kioro.
- Other very nice hotels that aren’t as expensive: Hotel Magic Mountain, Moñtana de Fuego, Volcano Lodge & Springs
- Budget/Mid Range: Arenal History Inn, Hotel El Secreto, Selina La Fortuna
- Eco/nature lodges: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Princesa de la Luna Eco Lodge and Catarata EcoLodge
Dominical
Dominical is a popular town for backpackers, surfers and solo travelers. Likewise, this small hippie surfing beach town in the South Pacific is perfect for those looking for a chill beach vacation.
The beach is quite rocky and waves aren’t the best for beginner surfers but it’s a great home base to explore the South Pacific coast.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- Driving: Dominical is 3 hours from SJO Airport via Route 34. This is on all well paved highways and roads.
- Bus: Every day at 6 AM and 3 PM from Calle 5, AV 18-20 with Tracopa. This takes 7 hours
- Shuttle: Private shuttles are the best way to get to Dominical but Easy Ride offers shared shuttles.
Something important to note is that you can get to Dominical with a sedan if you go via Route 34 and stay right in town. However, this area has many mountainous areas and unpaved roads so if your accommodation is up in the mountains or outside town, you will most likely need a 4wd/4×4. Additionally, many restaurants and attractions do require a 4wd.
You should fly into San Jose International Airport to visit Dominical. You can also fly into the Quepos airport, pick up your rental car and then drive to Dominical.
Tourist friendly
This small town has all the basics like restaurants, bars and hotels right in town. However for big grocery stores, pharmacies and banks, they are located on the main highway outside of town (Route 34).
Best things to do
- Surfing: For intermediate and above surfers, Dominical has some pretty sweet waves. For beginners, there are some surf camps and schools that will take you to nearby beginner beaches.
- Nauyaca waterfalls: These two waterfalls are a must see in the area!
- Hacienda Baru: This private nature park has hiking trails, a canopy tour, rooms and lots of wildlife.
- Kayak or stand up paddle board the Baru River: Enjoy a fun day out in nature by kayaking or stand up paddling down the Baru River.
Dominical is in a great location because you’re close to Manuel Antonio National Park, Marino Ballena National Park, Uvita, Ojochal and many places in between. There are some absolutely fantastic great day trips from Dominical filled with adventure, wildlife, nature and culture.
Recommended hotels
It is easier to find nice vacation rentals in Dominical since there aren’t a ton of hotels. For hotels in town, we stayed at Villas Rio Mar before which had nice basic rooms and apartments right by the beach.
Drake Bay
As part of the Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay has an immense amount of nature and wildlife, perfect for those wanting to experience nature at its best. It’s quite an adventure to get to Drake Bay but it’s worth it!
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
The most common ways to get to Drake Bay is by boat or plane. The best international airport to fly into is San Jose International Airport.
- Driving: Although there is a road to Drake Bay, it is not recommended to drive if you do not have a 4wd or high clearance car. In the peak dry season months like February and March, a 4wd/4×4 high clearance car can make it carefully. In the rainier months, it is not recommended to drive (September through November) as the roads can get washed out or rivers flood.
- Plane: There are local flights from San Jose to Drake Bay with Sansa. It’s about 40 minutes one way.
- Boat: Take the boat from Sierpe River to Drake Bay. This boat ride is a lot of fun and has beautiful views. Takes about 1 hour depending on the tide. Read our guide on taking the Sierpe to Drake Bay ferry here.
Tourist friendly
Drake Bay is not the most tourist friendly destination as there are no banks or ATMs, large medical clinics, hospitals or full service supermarkets. It’s also not the most easily accessible destination.
Additionally, it has just a handful of hotels. There are a couple all-inclusive luxury resorts (one is adult only) and then there are a couple of hostels and decent budget cabins and rooms. Not terribly much in between and not many family friendly places.
For these reasons, we do recommend it more for more adventurous couples, adults and older families rather than young families or seniors with mobility issues or serious health conditions. Drake Bay may not be for everybody but if you visit with an open mind and the correct expectation having done the appropriate research, it may be one of the best places you visit in Costa Rica!
Best things to do in Drake Bay
Drake Bay is best for a few nights to hike, get away from crowds and enjoy nature. You can go snorkeling at Caño Island Reserve, hike Corcovado National Park on a day trip, scuba dive, go horseback riding and go deep sea fishing.
If you’re visiting end of December to April or July through September, you can go whale watching.
Recommended hotels
We stayed at Tranquilo Lodge and they provided all meals in their pricing so that was really nice. Our ocean view suite had air conditioning and a huge comfy bed. Another luxury all inclusive hotel is Copa del Arbol Beach and Rainforest Resort. There is also Drake Bay Backpackers Hostel for budget.
In case you’re looking for an even more off the grid place to stay, check out Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge (upscale) or Jungla del Jaguar Lodge and Hostal. Both are a bit further down the peninsula than Drake Bay.
There are some more vacation rentals popping up in Drake Bay that is worth checking out on Airbnb.
Flamingo
Playa Flamingo’s luxury beach community in Guanacaste is excellent for all travelers looking for a relaxing beach vacation. Additionally, Flamingo’s upcoming new marina has made it an even more well known fishing and scuba diving destination.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- Driving: Flaming is 1 hour from Liberia International Airport and 4-5 from San Jose. You do not need a 4wd/4×4.
- Bus: There is a bus to Flamingo from Liberia everyday at 430, 6, 8, 11 and 6 PM with Transportes La Pampa. This takes about 2.5 hours. There is a bus from San Jose every day at 8, 1030 and 3 PM with Empresa Tralapa. This takes 6 hours.
- Shuttle: A private shuttle from Liberia Airport to Flamingo costs around $90 USD one way for 1- 4 passengers. From San Jose, it’s around $220 USD.
You should fly into Liberia Airport to get to Flamingo.
Tourist friendly
Flamingo’s small beach community has all the basics for tourists: restaurants, convenience stores, banks, pharmacies, shops, hotels and car rentals. Many tourists will rent a car so they can explore the area or a golf cart just to get around. There isn’t a very big supermarket in the area though so for full service supermarkets, it’s best to go to Huacas and Tamarindo.
Something to note is that Flamingo is more for luxury travelers. You need to stay in Potrero or Brasilito if you’re on a tight budget.
Best things to do
The best things to do in Flamingo is enjoy the beach, watch the sunset, partake in Happy Hour and relax! Right from Flamingo, you can also take catamaran sailing trips, snorkeling trips or fishing charters. This is a great place for fishing and scuba diving as the Catalinas Islands are only about a 30 minute boat ride away.
Recommended hotels
There are a ton of vacation rentals in Flamingo, much more than hotels. Some like 360 Splendor are full service rentals with daily housekeeping and concierge services. Others are normal houses and condos for rent. You can find rentals on Airbnb, Homeaway and VRBO.
For hotels, check out the beachfront Margaritaville and Paradise Flamingo Hotel.
Jaco
Jaco is the most developed beach towns since it’s only an hour and half drive from San Jose. Although it’s known for surfing, there are also plenty of other activities. It’s not the prettiest beach but it’s ideal for those who like developed areas, convenience and a good night life.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: Jaco is only 1.5 hours driving from San Jose and about 3 hours from Liberia. Both routes have nicely paved roads that goes through the main highway.
- By bus: Read how to take the bus from San Jose to Jaco in this article. From Liberia, first take a bus to Puntarenas and then a bus to Jaco which departs daily at 4:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:30. This route takes 1.5 hours.
- By shuttle: A shared shuttle from San Jose to Jaco is $47 USD per adult with Interbus, a private is around $150 USD for 1-4 people one way.
Fly into San Jose International Airport for Jaco.
Tourist friendly
Jaco has everything for tourists: banks, car rental companies, cell phone stores and frequent buses. If you love food, restaurants in Jaco are some of the best in Costa Rica with Argentinean grill, Italian and more. Check out what our favorite restaurants in Jaco are.
Jaco is well known for a crazy night life so if you want to party, this is the place to go!
Best things to do
- Surfing: This beach is excellent to learn how to surf due to its constant waves. Since it’s a very long beach, there are spots for beginners and pros. Take a surf lesson or join a surf camp. For surf lessons, check with Room2Board, Selina, Surf Factory, Tortuga Surf School.
- Crocodile Bridge: This river is only 20 minutes from Jaco and houses one of the biggest populations of American crocodiles in the country. Take a boat ride down the river to see birds and crocodiles up close. You can also stop by this bridge on your way to Jaco to see the crocodiles.
- Waterfall exploring: Outside of Jaco are lots of hills and mountains and within those hills are hidden waterfalls. You can take a tour to explore these waterfalls or go yourself with a 4X4.
There are plenty more activities to do in and around Jaco. Read our post on things to do in Jaco for more ideas.
Recommended hotels
Here are some recommendations. Jaco has a ton more of hotels, hostels and vacation rentals.
- Croc’s Casino Resort: This all inclusive resort has a Las Vegas style casino and is on the north end of Jaco. It’s right on the beach with beautiful views.
- Selina Jaco: Selina on the beach in Jaco with surf lessons, private and shared rooms.
- Hotel Doce Lunas: If you’re looking for a romantic quiet place in Jaco, this is the best for couples. It’s located right outside town in the jungle so it’s very peaceful and surrounded by nature. Only a 2 minute drive to town.
We used to live in Costa linda Condos which is very close to town and a great option. Las Palmas is another condo complex which is more high end and is beachfront.
Manuel Antonio/Quepos
Manuel Antonio is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica because of the Manuel Antonio National Park that is famous for its cute sloths and pristine beaches. It’s very touristic but for a good reason – it is downright beautiful. Quepos is the local town near Manuel Antonio.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: About a 3 hour drive from San Jose and 4.5 hour drive from Liberia. This is a very easy route from both airports on the highways, no 4×4 required.
- By bus: There is a direct bus from San Jose to Quepos that leaves every day at 6, 9, 12, 14:30, 18:00 and 19:30, takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes. From Liberia, take the bus to Puntarenas and then to Manuel Antonio, every day at 5, 7, 9, 11, 13:00, 14:30, 16:30 and 17:30 which takes 3 hours.
- By flying: There is a local airport at Quepos. Flights from San Jose are about 10 minutes. From Liberia, flights normally stop in San Jose first and then Quepos.
- By shuttle: A shared shuttle from San Jose is $57 USD with Interbus and a private is around ~$200 USD one way for 1-8 people.
Fly into San Jose International Airport to get to Manuel Antonio.
Tourist friendly
Manuel Antonio is probably the most tourist friendly destination in the country, making it one of the best places in Costa Rica for first time visitors. You can find all the services like ATMs, car rentals, banks, hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets, tour desks and souvenir shops. There are buses from Quepos to the national park almost every half an hour.
The only thing I would say is a bit of a pain to tourists is the hill as it’s steep and narrow with no sidewalks and limited parking. Additionally, Maunel Antonio is expensive.
Best things to do
- Manuel Antonio National Park: Manuel Antonio National Park is the highlight of this area. There are four different beaches and various hiking trails with beautiful viewpoints. Read our guide to Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Night Walk: Manuel Antonio is full of wildlife and is an excellent place to take a night tour to see frogs, snakes, insects and other creatures of the night.
- Beach: With beaches as beautiful as the ones in Manuel Antonio, you can’t pass up jet-skiing, snorkeling, sailing, surfing or parasailing. The best beach for water sports is Playa Espadilla Norte.
For more ideas, check our post of fun things to do in Manuel Antonio. We also have small discounts for tours in Manuel Antonio, get it here!
Recommended hotels
Most of the hotels/hostels are scattered on the hill and there are a few near the national park. Want to splurge on your vacation? Manuel Antonio has some absolutely beautiful luxury hotels!
- Hotel La Mariposa: This gorgeous hotel has one of the best views of the national park. It has 2 infinity pools, spectacular views of the ocean and gardens and an on-site restaurant. Excellent for romantic getaways and luxury splurges
- Tulemar: This vacation rental and resort has beautiful luxury homes and bungalows. Has a ton of wildlife on their property, offers a 24/7 personal concierge and has their own beach entrance.
- Pura vida mini hostel: This hostel has a fully stocked communal kitchen, the bus stop is right outside and they have dorms and private rooms. No AC or hot water, but has free Internet access. Selina hostel is another good one.
Monteverde
Perfect destination for those who enjoy mountains, birding, adventure and hiking. Monteverde is home to the precious tropical cloud forest and is one of the best birding spots in Costa Rica.
Santa Elena is the main town close to the cloud forest, Cerro Plano is the small community and Monteverde is the name of the entire canton.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: Monteverde is approximately 3 hours from SJO airport and 3-3.5 hours from Liberia. High car/4wd/4×4 recommended. We do not recommend driving this route at night as it is a curvy road going up a mountain without road barriers. See what the Monteverde roads are like and our recommendations.
- By bus: There is one bus from San Jose to Monteverde that leaves at 6:30 and 14:30, about 5 hours. From Liberia, take the bus to Puntarenas which leaves at 5, 7:45, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 12:30, 14:30 and 15:30. Then from Puntarenas take a bus to Monteverde which leaves at 8:30, 13:30 and 14:15. Both routes are 3 hours. You can also take the same bus to Canas, then Tilaran and then Monteverde.
- By shuttle: There are shared shuttles for $57 USD with Interbus or you can book a private shuttle, around $200-250 USD for 1-4 people total one way from San Jose and Liberia.
- By boat: Take the taxi-boat-taxi from Arenal across Lake Arenal. Costs ~$30-60 USD per person.
You can fly into either San Jose or Liberia International Airport to get to Monteverde.
Tourist friendly
Santa Elena has many services like banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, clothing stores and souvenir shops. However, there aren’t any car rental companies in Monteverde. You need to pick up your rental car before or get your car delivered for a very hefty fee (~$200 USD from La Fortuna which is the closest office).
There are a handful of excellent restaurants. There is a sushi place, an excellent steak house, a craft beer place and a couple of other international restaurants. For local food, Soda Sabor Tico is our favorite.
Best things to do
- Ziplining: The ziplines at Monteverde are some of the best in the country. Our favorite is Selvatura Park, 100% Aventura and Sky Adventures. If you only have 1 full day in Monteverde, Selvatura Park is highly recommended as they have the most activities to do in one day.
- Hanging bridges: This is the best way to experience the cloud forest as some of these bridges are up to 5000 feet (1500 meters) high! You can walk the hanging bridges in the parks like Selvatura and Sky.
- Birdwatching: Monteverde is one of the best places to see the Resplendant Quetzal, a prized bird for bird watchers. Head to Curi Cancha Reserve for the best birdwatching February – July.
- Night Tour: On a night tour, you can see snakes, frogs, nocturnal mammals and insects you don’t normally see in the day.
- Hiking: Choose from any of the 3 cloud forest reserves to go hiking and see wildlife: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena or Children’s Eternal Rain Forest. Not sure which one to visit? Read our guide comparing the Monteverde cloud forests to help you decide. Our personal favorite is Santa Elena.
Recommended hotels
Monteverde has a lot of cute country lodges and B&B’s.
- El Establo Hotel: A beautiful hotel that has lovely views of the cloud forest. They have loft style rooms, their own zipline, a lake and a spa. About a 15-20 minute walk to town.
- Senda Monteverde: Luxury hotel in Monteverde, close to downtown with gorgeous rooms and views.
- Hotel Belmar: Another upscale lodge with views of the forest and peninsula.
- Monteverde Country Lodge: A cozy lodge with balconies, about a 15 minute walk to town. Excellent for mid-range budget.
- Hotel Poco a Poco: This hotel is located near Santa Elena downtown and is a city style hotel with a pool and air conditioning in some rooms.
Not sure if you should visit Monteverde or Arenal? Check our post comparing Arenal and Monteverde or check out our 5 day Arenal and Monteverde itinerary.
Papagayo Peninsula
The Papagayo Peninsula is home to the most all-inclusive resorts in Cosat Rica and some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Costa Rica. Here you will find luxury chain resorts like Planet Hollywood, Four Seasons, RIU, Occidental, Secrets and more. Ideal for honeymooners and luxury vacationers.
Distance from SJO and LIR Airports
To get to the Gulf of Papagayo resorts, it is best to book a shuttle. Most guests are going to use the resort as a homebase and book day trips. If you are staying at the resort for just 1-2 nights and staying in other places in Costa Rica, it’s best to rent a car.
- By driving: It is about 4.5 hours from San Jose and 30-45 minutes from Liberia.
- Bus: There are no direct buses that go to any of the resorts.
- By shuttle: A private shuttle from Liberia International Airport is around $50-80 USD one way depending on number of passengers.
Fly into Liberia International Airport for the Papagayo Peninsula.
Tourist Friendly
Since there is no real town on the peninsula except for Playas del Coco, this area is more for people who want the complete resort vacation experience. The resorts however do have everything: restaurants, ATM, tour desk, taxi and transportation service and on-site medical care.
Best Things to do
The best things to do in the Papagayo Peninsula are relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing at Witch’s Rock, scuba diving and beach hopping.
Recommended Hotels
In the Papagayo Peninsula, there are luxury resorts such as Four Seasons, Planet Hollywood, Andaz Papagayo, Occidental Papagayo, Secrets and Riu. The Ritz Carlton is also building their own resort.
Playas del Coco
Playas del Coco is the main beach town in the Gulf of Papagayo and is also a popular town for American and Canadian retirees. It used to be a small, sleepy fishing village and now it has grown in popularity in the last decade.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: Playas del Coco is 20 minutes from LIR airport and 4-5 hours from SJO airport. Both routes are fairly straightforward. From San Jose, take the InterAmericana highway through Liberia.
- By bus: From Liberia, there is a bus every hour from 5 to 19:00 which takes one hour. From San Jose, there is one bus that departs 3 times a day at 8, 14:00 and 16:00. It takes about 5 hours.
- By shuttle: From LIR airport, a private shuttle costs $55-60 USD one way. From San Jose, costs around $220 USD one way.
You don’t necessarily need a car for this area but it will be very convenient with one since public transportation is not frequent. If you want to explore, you will have to rent a car.
Fly into Liberia International Airport for Playas del Coco and the surrounding beaches (Ocotal/Hermosa/Panama).
Tourist friendly
Coco is extremely tourist friendly. It’s only 25 minutes from Liberia airport with banks, supermarkets, bars and car rental companies. Something to note is that this area is extremely dry and hot for most of the year and has a tad bit shorter rainy season.
If you’re older or retired, you will love Coco as it’s full of retired expats, retired immigrants and snowbirds. If you’re a young backpacker looking for other backpackers and a fun party atmosphere, go to Tamarindo. You won’t find a ton of that in Coco. Families love Playas del Coco too for its more laid back and small beach town vibe.
Best things to do
- Fishing: Coco used to be a small fishing village so if you love fishing, you’ve picked the right destination. You can go kayak fishing, in shore fishing, shore fishing and deep sea fishing.
- Boating/beach hopping: The Gulf of Papagayo has some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica but many are only accessible by boat. Go boating in Playas del Coco to discover these gems.
- Scuba diving: There are several islands out in the Gulf with excellent scuba diving. One of them is only a 20 minute boat ride from Coco!
Recommended hotels
Coco’s lodging options are few. There aren’t really any hostels in town and there isn’t a large variety of lodging. Most visitors rent a condo.
- Toro Blanco: Budgetish/ mid range hotel 1 minute from the beach. They have rooms with equipped kitchenettes and a pool
- Hotel Chantel. Located up in the hills, has ocean views all around. Boutique hotel, mid to high range
- Villa Buena Onda: Adult only luxury boutique hotel with amazing ocean views.
- Laura’s House Bed and breakfast. Small B&B, two minute walk to the beach and five to town. One of the best budget options.
- Hotel M&M. On the beach and has a hostel-like atmosphere, rooms don’t have AC.
Puerto Jimenez
This town in the Osa Peninsula is perfect for those who want to explore the Osa Peninsula. It’s a very small town but can be used a home base. Many people stay in Puerto Jimenez as their base before embarking on the overnight hike in Corcovado National Park (Carate to Sirena Station).
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: From SJO airport, Puerto Jimenez is about 6 hours. From Liberia, it is about 8 hours.
- By bus: From San Jose, there is a bus from Calle 14 that departs at 8 and 12. This takes 8 hours. From Liberia, it’s best to bus first to San Jose and then take the bus to Puerto Jimenez. You have to split it into two days.
- By flying: Puerto Jimenez has a local airport. A direct flight from San Jose airport is about 40 minutes.
- By shuttle: A shared shuttle from San Jose is around $99 USD one way and a private can be around $400 USD one way for 1-4 people.
Fly into San Jose International Airport for Puerto Jimenez. Most people will then take a local flight to Puerto Jimenez,
Tourist friendly
Many tourists use Puerto Jimenez as the home base in Osa Peninsula or as stopover for those who plan to hike Corcovado National Park. You can find all the services in town that you won’t in other places in the Osa Peninsula.
This is also where you can find naturalist guides to hire for Corcovado, hardware stores for equipment, pharmacies and car rental companies. If you stay at one of the nicer lodges or hotels in Puerto Jimenez, you can use that as your homebase and do day trips from there.
Best things to do
- Corcovado National Park: Visit the national park on a day trip hike or plan the overnight to Sirena station.
- Matapalo: Matapalo is the southern most tip of the Peninsula and you can take a day trip there to hike, go wildlife watching or surf.
- See dolphins: Take a boat ride around the Golfito Bay to see huge groups of dolphins.
- Surf: Surfing is excellent down in the Matapalo beaches.
- Fish: The Crocodile Bay Resort is famous for sport fishing
Turtles also come to this area during certain times of the year to lay their eggs. You can take a turtle watching tour with Osa Conservation and they also take volunteers.
Recommended hotels
There aren’t a ton of hotels in Puerto Jimenez and there isn’t much in between high end and extreme budget.
- Iguana Lodge: This hotel is ideal for those who don’t want to plan very much. They can put together a package for you which includes transportation, tours, dinners and lodging. They also offer yoga, SUP/boogie boards for guests. More on the high-end range.
- Crocodile Bay Resort: Another high end resort that is great for fishing and can put together packages.
The Osa Peninsula is huge with a few different places to visit and stay, so make sure to read our Osa Peninsula guide to help you plan your trip.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Known for its laid back, chill Caribbean vibes, Puerto Viejo is a destination unlike any other in Costa Rica. With pristine white sand beaches with crystal clear water, it’s a favorite for snorkeling and a relaxing beach vacation. Combine that with common sloth sightings, unique dishes and friendly locals, Puerto Viejo finds its way into every visitor’s heart.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: It’s about 5 hours from San Jose and 8 hours from Liberia. This road goes through a national park and is fairly straightforward using GPS.
- By bus: There is one bus from San Jose that leaves daily at 6, 10, 14:00 and 16:00 which takes around 4.5 hours. From Liberia, it is best to bus to San Jose and then take the bus to Puerto Viejo.
- By flying: The closest airport is Limon. You can fly from San Jose to Liberia and then take the bus from Limon to PV, every day from 5 AM – 18:00 or take a shuttle.
- By shuttle: A shared shuttle is $57 USD per adult with Interbus, a private is around $300 USD one way.
Fly into San Jose International Airport to get to Puerto Viejo. Most people will land at SJO Airport, book a shuttle to Puerto Viejo, rent a car for their time there and then shuttle or bus back to San Jose (if they are only staying in Puerto Viejo). You can also fly into the Limon domestic airport from SJO and then pick up a rental car, take the bus or grab a shuttle to Puerto Viejo.
Tourist friendly
Puerto Viejo town is small, but has everything for tourists. If you venture outside of town or stay in a hotel at the neighboring beaches, you’ll have to go to town for those services.
The entire Puerto Viejo area and the small barrios can be easily explored by foot or bicycle. One thing tourists should note is that this area doesn’t adhere to a strict rainy-dry season. It can rain all year long with October as the driest month.
Best things to do
- Explore the beaches: Some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches are near Puerto Viejo. Check out Cocles, Punta Uva, Negra or Chiquita.
- Eat: Costa Rican Caribbean cuisine is completely different than the rest of the country. Indulge in rice and beans, pati and other unique dishes.
- Cahuita National Park: Visit this national park to see wildlife and hike.
- Jaguar Rescue Center: If you want to get up close with animals such as jaguars, sloths and toucans, head to the Jaguar Rescue Center. They take in injured animals and rehabilitate them.
Read about other things to do in Puerto Viejo here.
Recommended hotels
There are a lot of lodging options in Puerto Viejo and the neighboring communities. You can find hostels, standard hotels and vacation rentals. No all inclusive resorts or big resorts. Mostly all small boutique hotels.
- Hotel Banana Azul: Located in Playa Negra, Hotel Banana Azul has a beautiful property with a beach club, gardens and ponds and a delicious on-site restaurant.
- TreeHouses lodge: 5 luxury treehouses on Punta Uva.
- Villas del Caribe: This hotel is on Playa Chiquita. They have a pool and rooms are big enough for families with AC. About a 5 minute drive to town.
Samara
Samara is a very family friendly beach town in the South Guanacaste zone. It is an excellent town to see beautiful beaches, surf, relax and adventure. If you are flying into Guanacaste and Tamarindo sounds too much of a party town for you, definitely check out Samara.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: Samara is a 2 hour drive from Liberia airport and 4 hours from San Jose. From San Jose, you can take the Puntarenas ferry to Naranjo.
- By bus: From Liberia, you need to first take the bus to Nicoya and then to Samara. From San Jose, there is one bus at 12 PM and 5 PM every day with company Alfaro. This route takes 5 hours.
- By shuttle: From Liberia airport, Interbus has shared shuttles for $57 USD per person. Private shuttles are around $145 USD from Liberia and $290 from San Jose.
Fly into Liberia International Airport to get to Samara.
Tourist friendly
Samara is very tourist friendly with plenty of hotels, restaurants, info centers, banks and tour operators. It’s a small town and is a very family friendly with a low key, mellow atmosphere. Ideal for yogis and surfers too. Some businesses don’t accept credit card so make sure to have local currency or USD with you.
Best things to do
- Surfing: Samara has waves for beginners. You can take a lesson or rent a board.
- Kayak and snorkel at Isla Chorro: Nice thirty minute kayak to the nearby island. Has decent snorkeling at the island
- Playa Barrigona: Gorgeous beach close by. It’s quiet so nice place to get away from crowds at Samara. Sometimes has surfing competitions. Must need 4×4/4wd in rainy season.
- Samara Waterfall: there is a small waterfall just outside Samara like 10 minute drive.
Recommended hotels
- Hideaway Hotel Samara: Cute boutique hotel at the south end of the beach. Very quiet.
- Villas Kalimba: 6 independent villas. Has a garden and large pool with a waterfall and Jacuzzi.
- Hotel Sol: Standard hotel rooms and a family suite. In a quieter area of Samara.
- Hotel Villas Playa Samara: All-inclusive resort on the beach with a spa, restaurant, pool and bungalows and villas.
- Azura Beach Resort: all inclusive resort for adults
San Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica. As the capital city, it’s actually a bit small with several nice cultural and historical gems so it’s perfect for 1 or 2 nights. There are some excellent restaurants in Costa Rica and is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica to learn about culture and history.
We don’t highly recommend staying in San Jose for your entire trip. However, it is possible as you can stay in the city and do day trips from there. This is a very easy way to visit Costa Rica.
Distance from LIR airport
- By driving: From Liberia airport, it’s about a 5 hour drive.
- By bus: There is a bus from Liberia to San Jose everyday at 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 20:00. This takes about 4.5 hours.
- By flying: You can take a local flight to San Jose from all the other local airports.
- By shuttle: A shared shuttle from Guanacaste to San Jose is $57 USD per adult with Interbus and a private is around $250 USD one way for 1-4 people.
Tourist friendly
Being the capital city, San Jose has absolutely everything for tourists. The only thing I’d say is not nice is the driving and traffic and the sidewalks are not well maintained. It is also sketchy at night.
Best things to do
- National theater: The national theater is the most beautiful building in Costa Rica. They hold plays and orchestras and you can tour it during the day.
- Museums: The Gold Museum and Costa Rican Center of Science and Culture are two excellent museums.
- San Jose city tour: Learn more about the capital city on this informative guided city tour.
- Coffee tour: Coffee is readily grown in the outskirts of the Central Valley and you can take a tour to learn how Costa Rica processes their coffee.
Read our San Jose travel guide and post about day trips from San Jose. (We offer small discounts on San Jose day tours. Please click here to get it!)
Recommended hotels
Most hotels in San Jose are perfect for a home base and the airport.
- Adventure Inn: A cozy boutique inn with a gym, office area and restaurant. It’s kind of halfway in between the San Jose airport and downtown so nice location. The furnishings and decorations are some of the most Costa Rican inspired I’ve seen. Get 10% off your booking in the link!
- Gran Hotel: This hotel is excellent for a home base in downtown San Jose. You’re close to all the attractions and walking distance to pretty much everything.
- Hotel Presidente: Another hotel in downtown San Jose, has a cafe/bar with a great view of the Avenue, perfect for people watching.
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa’s vast beaches, excellent surfing waves and remote location is another beloved surfing, yoga and wellness destination in Costa Rica. Although Santa Teresa is a bit far from the airports, it’s worth the journey to visit this idyllic beach town in the Nicoya Peninsula.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: From San Jose, it’s about a 5 hour drive with taking the Puntarenas ferry. It’s about 4 hours from Liberia International Airport.
- By bus: There is a bus from San Jose to Mal Pais (ending in Santa Teresa) every day at 6 AM and 2 PM leaving San Jose. It costs around 7000 colones one way per adult and is a 5.5 hour ride. This bus goes by the way of the ferry and includes the ferry ticket.
- By shuttle: You can find shared shuttles with Interbus from San Jose that costs around $57 USD per person. Private shuttles are around $250 USD depending on number of passengers.
You can fly into San Jose International Airport and then take the Puntarenas ferry or drive to Santa Teresa. If you fly into Liberia International Airport, make sure to drive around the Nicoya Peninsula via Route 21 past Montezuma. 4×4/4wd required.
Tourist friendly
Santa Teresa’s location makes it far from main services like hospitals but it has pretty much everything for tourists at least for hotels, tour desks and restaurants. Santa Teresa is a cash heavy community so make sure to bring plenty of USD and Costa Rican colones because there is only one ATM servicing this entire community and it runs out of money often.
There are many hotels, vacation rentals, a bank in Mal Pais, restaurants, surf shops and cars/ATV/bike rentals. It’s a really popular destination for digital nomads, young adults, surfers and older families.
Best things to do
- Surfing. Santa Teresa has great surfing waves. Stay at a surf and yoga camp to learn how to catch waves!
- ATV. Rent an ATV (main mode of transportation) and drive around the beaches.
- Fish. Mal Pais is the main fishing hub in the area.
- Tortuga Island and Curu Wildlife Refuge: For hiking and more beaches
Recommended hotels
- Hotel Santa Teresa: We stayed here with my brother and enjoyed it. It’s in Carmen and very close to the beach.
- Casa Chameleon Mal Pais: Upscale adult only hotel with villas in Mal Pais. Great for couples.
- Selina Santa Teresa: Selina has Santa Teresa North and South. Beachfront, good for young adults.
- Florblanca Resort: Luxury resort, great place for couples.
- Lua Villas: In Playa Hermosa, 5 minutes to the beach. Cute hotels with fully furnished studios and apartments.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a popular beach town in Guanacaste with excellent surfing waves and a fun nightlife. The beach is beautiful with stunning sunsets. It’s a favorite for families looking for a fun beach and convenience.
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: Tamarindo is 1 hour from LIR airport and 4-5 hours from SJO.
- By bus: There are 2 buses from San Jose to Tamarindo. The one that leaves from Calle 14 departs daily at 11:30 by way of Liberia and 15:30 by way of Tempisque. The one that leaves from Calle 20 departs daily at 7:15 and 16:00. Both routes take 5.5 hours. From Liberia, the bus leaves at 3:50, 4:30, 5:15, 6:10, 7:30, 9, 10. 11, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00 which takes 1.5 hours.
- By flying: Tamarindo has a local airport. From San Jose it is a 35 minute flight, from Liberia it is 10 minutes.
- By shuttle: A shared shuttle from LIR airport is $20 USD a person with Tamarindo Transfers and Tours, minimum 2 people. A private is around $65-80 USD for 1-4 people one way.
Fly into Liberia International Airport for Tamarindo. You can also fly to SJO Airport and then take a local flight to Tamarindo.
Tourist friendly
Tamarindo has everything: an airport, car rental companies, hostels, banks, souvenir stores, pharmacies, tour companies and supermarkets. It’s a small enough that you can walk everywhere. They have a good selection of international restaurants.
One downside is that parking is limited and there are no secure parking lots in Tamarindo. Additionally, we don’t really like the pirate taxi drivers but there aren’t really any official taxis or Ubers in Tamarindo.
Tamarindo is also a party town and it can get fairly rowdy during national holidays and the high tourism season. The beach can get packed in December, March and April. The many bars downtown will play loud music on weekends. In January, Tamarindo is host to a couple of big electronic music festivals and it gets quite crazy during that time as well. It is important to note that Tamarindo is both a family friendly and party beach town.
Best things to do
- Surfing: Tamarindo’s excellent for learning and there are tons of surf shops.
- Sunset sailing: Sail into the ocean on a catamaran, snorkel with some fishies and then come back under a beautiful sunset.
- Estuary boat ride: Take a leisurely boat ride through the Tamarindo estuary for wildlife watching.
There are a bunch of activities outside of Tamarindo such as ziplining, sport fishing and hiking. Read our post for more info on things to do in Tamarindo.
Recommended hotels
There are a ton of lodging options in Tamarindo from hostels to Airbnbs.
- Hotel Mar Rey: This budget to mid range hotel is smack dab in the middle of town. It’s just steps from the beach and restaurants.
- Coral Reef Surf Hostel: One of the best hostels in Tamarindo right in town. It’s next to some restaurants and only a 5 minute walk to the beach. Selina is also in Tamarindo.
- Jardin del Eden: This luxury adult only hotel is perfect for romantic getaways or group trips. Some rooms have balconies with ocean views and the hotel has their own beachfront area.
- Diria: Luxury hotel on the beach with pools and restaurants.
There are a couple surf camps/vacations in Tamarindo such as Witch’s Rock and Iguana Surf.
Tortuguero
Although Tortuguero is in a remote area of the North Caribbean that is only accessible by boat or plane, it’s actually one of the best places in Costa Rica for first timers. This area, nicknamed the “Little Amazon” of Costa Rica is one of the best for wildlife, nature and rainforest!
Distance from San Jose and Liberia Airport
To get to Tortuguero, visitors must take a plane directly to the village or drive to the La Pavona dock and take the boat. From San Jose, Tortuguero is around a 4-5 hour journey by bus and boat. The plane ride is only about 45 minutes.
You can travel independently or book a Tortuguero package that includes roundtrip transportation (get our Tortuguero discount here!) and find out how to get to Tortuguero in our post.
We usually recommend to visit Tortuguero as your first destination after landing in San Jose because of the logistics. From Liberia, you have to stay a night in San Jose as it is too far to travel. It’s all the way from one coast to another.
Tourist Friendly
Tortuguero receives a good chunk of visitors (mostly Europeans) and is getting more tourist friendly. The small village just put in the first ATM and there are more hotel options. We always say that Tortuguero is an excellent first destination in Costa Rica because it’s such a lush rainforest with abundant wildlife, giving tourists a great first impression of Costa Rica.
This area is quite small though with not a ton to do, so most people stay 1-3 nights in Tortuguero.
Best Things to Do
- Turtle tour: Tortuguero is the best site in Costa Rica to see Green Turtles and Leatherbacks. May – November are the best times to see nesting turtles and babies.
- Boat ride through the national park: Tortuguero National Park is made up of canals and sandbars, so taking a boat ride or kayaking is a must.
- Hiking: The national park also has several trails for good hiking.
Recommended Hotels
- Evergreen Lodge, Aninga and Pachira: Lodges owned by Pachira that are next to the national park. All have a pool, restaurants, Wi-fi, bars and variety of rooms and bungalows. (Get our Pachira Tortuguero packages discount here!)
- Manatus: Another lodge near the national park. Only hotel with AC.
- Mawamba: Lodge with its own entrance to Tortuguero beach and village.
Uvita
Uvita is a small coastal town in the south central Pacific famous for humpback whales, Marino Ballena National Park and nature.
This area is way less touristy than the North Pacific so perfect for those who don’t like crowds. However, there aren’t any white sand beaches down in the South Pacific and the snorkeling is not as good, except for Caño Island.
Uvita is filled with nature, thanks to its lush rainforests so you can see toucans, sloths, monkeys, macaws and many more animals in the area. It is only about a 20 minute drive from Dominical and Ojochal and these three towns together are collectively known as the “Costa Ballena.”
Distance from SJO and LIR airport
- By driving: From San Jose, Uvita is about 3.5 hours depending which route you take (best route is through the Costanera Sur, Route 34). From Liberia, it takes about 5.5 hours.
- By bus: From San Jose, there is a bus to Dominical and Uvita at 6 and 15:00 everyday that takes 7 hours. From Liberia, it’s easiest to take the bus to San Jose and then to Dominical. You’ll need to plan times accordingly.
- By flying: The closest airport is in San Isidro de General with Sansa Air and then you’ll have to drive 1 hour to Dominical. You can also fly into the local Quepos airport and drive about 45 minutes to Uvita.
Fly into San Jose International Airport for Uvita.
Tourist friendly
Uvita has everything for tourists: supermarkets, banks, tour companies, hostels and international restaurants. The Costanera Sur highway Route 34 is paved as well as the main road through town. However it is hard to get around if you don’t have a car.
There is a bus that goes up and down the highway everyday but it doesn’t go to any attractions. If you want to explore the area and don’t have a car, you’ll have to hire a 4X4 taxi as many attractions in this area require one.
Additionally, if you rent a vacation rental or book a hotel up in the mountains, those absolutely do require a 4×4. If you don’t have a car, I highly recommend finding a hotel that is in town. They can help you book tours, get a taxi and meet other travelers. You’ll also be close to the beach.
Best things to do
- Marino Ballena National Park: This huge national park is famous for its beautiful beaches enveloped by a lush jungle and a unique rock formation in the shape of a whale’s tail.
- Uvita Waterfall: A fun little waterfall right outside town.
- Caño Island: Go snorkeling or scuba diving at Caño Island, a private wildliferefuge that is full of marine life. Snorkel or dive with turtles, dolphins, huge schools of fish and rays.
- Whale watching: This area is one of the best in Costa Rica for humpback whale watching which occurs nearly all year round.
- Sierpe River Boat tour: Take a boat tour through the mangroves to see wildlife.
Here are some more ideas of things to do in Dominical and Uvita.
Recommended hotels
Hotels are few in this area but what lacks in quantity makes up for in quality. You can find hotels with stunning ocean and jungle views, glamping tents, beautiful hostels and cabinas.
- Manoas: They have glamping tents and villas/apartment rentals and their own river access. 4X4 required, only 2 kilometers from Uvita town. Click here to read our review and get 10% off your booking. Go glamping for a unique experience.
- Oxygen Jungle Villas: Adult only hotel with individual glass bungalows, a stunning infinity pool and on-site waterfall trail.
- Los Laureles: Cute family run hotel near town, has an excellent restaurants. Big property with rooms and suites
Getting Around the Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica
The easiest way to reach most of these destinations is by renting a car. I will also list other transportation options and you can read our “How to get around Costa Rica” guide to find out more. Renting a car? Get our Costa Rica car rental discount here!
More Costa Rica Tips!
If this will be your first visit to Costa Rica, check our Costa Rica for first timers guide, it will help your trip greatly!
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