Costa Rica has been crowned the happiest country in the world three times! And you can see why. Costa Rica has it all - long stretches of beaches, rainforests home to exotic wildlife, adrenaline inducing volcanoes and coffee fields serving some of the best coffee in the world. Their national greeting is "pura vida" which means so much more than its literal translation of pure life, it is Costa Rica's way of welcoming everyone and everything that comes along their path.

When to Go

February to April - this is high season for a reason. The weather is amazing and you'll experience the least amount of rain. If you do plan to travel during wet season, prepare for roadblocks due to heavy rain. Wet season is a gorgeous time to travel to Costa Rica, I would recommend adding a few extra days to your trip because you'll find yourself taking long detours since the highways are usually first to get all muddy. So really there is no going wrong with timing and Costa Rica!

How Long To Go

The perfect itinerary to get a good glimpse of Costa Rica is 10 days. Yes, you can pack many of these activities into 7 days but you'll feel a little rushed. If you're lucky to get two weeks, then by all means spend an extra day lounging at the many beach towns Costa Rica has to offer.

How to Get Around

Local buses are so easy to catch, comfortable and cheap. You can use Uber here which is a great way to get around for short distances. Sometimes I wouldn't be able to get internet connection and I would have to catch a taxi, so feel free to haggle on a price with the taxi driver.

Money

The local currency is called colones. Always carry cash with you because not all places accept credit/debit cards and it is greatly appreciated that you tip. Costa Rica is the most expensive Central American country so make sure you bring more than you think you need.

The Highlights of Costa Rica:

San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica but unless you are a history buff or a lover of classical arts, you're likely to run out of adventurous things to do. If there is one thing you must see in the capital, it is the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica. This theatre is just stunning and offers a lovely cinematic experience. San Jose is a great place to get your bearings before venturing on to the more exciting parts of the country.

Arenal - Home to the Most Active Volcano in Costa Rica

To get to the Arenal Volcano, you will want to catch a 5-hour bus from San Jose to La Fortuna or to save time, hop on an affordable shuttle bus that will take 3 hours. La Fortuna remains a sleepy town despite the sheer volume of tourists coming through to see Arenal. The sight of Arenal is breathtaking and there is a sense of explosive excitement amongst all the travellers that visit.

Things to do in Arenal:

Arenal Volcano National Park - This is perfect for thrill seekers because oftentimes lava is pouring out of the volcano.
Venado Caves - These spectacular underground caves are within Arenal Volcano National Park.
Tabacon Hot Springs - There are a few hot springs in the area but this scenic one is worth the splurge.
Rio Celeste - If you only have time for one waterfall in Costa Rica, make it this one! A local tale contends that God was painting the sky and used Rio Celeste's water to clean the paintbrush resulting in the waterfall's phenomenal blue.

Monteverde - Cloud Forest Galore

It is quite common for people to go from La Fortuna to Monteverde which involves a boat ride across Lake Arenal and a shuttle bus to Monteverde. It takes 3-4 hours but it is a great way to meet other travellers. Monteverde is the place where you will feel like you are walking on cloud nine amongst tropical birds and mammals trying to camouflage with the forest.

Things to do in Monteverde:

Monteverde Cloud Forest - Walk along the hanging bridges and spot some wildlife amongst the trees.
100% Aventura Park - An excellent place to go ziplining through the cloud forest!
Monteverde Orchid Garden - A gorgeous garden dedicated to Costa Rica's national flower.
Night Walk - Go in search of sloths and other creatures after dark.
Zipline - Monteverde is the perfect place for a zipline adventure in the cloud forest.

Tamarindo - Surfer's Paradise

Whether you're a seasoned surfer or a beginner looking for a great spot to learn, Tamarindo offers nice swells to catch some epic waves. It is a party beach town so expect a lot of young backpackers getting their groove on. This once serene fishing village transformed into a surfer's paradise with travellers from around the world looking to improve their surfing skills.

Things to do in Tamarindo:

Playa Tamarindo - The beach hosts an unforgettable sunset and has many beachside bars for happy hour mojitos. Tamarindo is popular for fishing so you can catch your dinner!
Playa Avellanas - This quiet beach with calmer waves is perfect for stand-up paddle boarding
Sunset Cruise - This was one of my favorite things we did in Tamarindo!
Night Market - Every Thursday night there is a night market with live music, food vendors selling delicious cuisine from all around the world, and vendors selling craft goods. Small but very lively & fun.

Santa Teresa and Mal Pais - Boho Beach Towns to Practice Yoga

The Nicoya Peninsula has a collection of bohemian beach towns where you can relax and unwind. Each beach town has its own unique flavour but there is something truly magical about the long stretches of powdery soft sand at Santa Teresa and Mal Pais. The beauty about bohemian beach towns is that they are suited to those who enjoy luxury but are still on a bit of a budget.

Things to do in Santa Teresa and Mal Pais:

Playa Hermosa - The aquamarine waters are some of the calmest along the Pacific coast and rather shallow, perfect for those who cannot swim.
Pranamar Yoga Retreat - This yoga studio inside of an oceanfront villa is located on Playa Hermosa and the view over the ocean instantly puts your mind at ease.
Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve - Adventure seekers will love going on an ATV tour here where you can ride through the rainforest and cool off at the Montezuma waterfalls.

Manuel Antonio - Connect with Nature

The small tourist hub of Quepos is the gateway into Manuel Antonio National Park. Manuel Antonio has an array of different species of monkeys and is one of the best places to spot sloths hanging in trees. It is no secret that Manuel Antonio is popular because no traveller can resist the thrilling jungle treks and long stretches of beaches.

Things to do in Manuel Antonio:

Playa Manuel Antonio - Hike along the Beach Trail to discover this beach behind a jungle of palm trees and lantana plants.
Rainmaker Aerial Walkway - This nature reserve is cheaper and less touristy than Manual Antonio National Park. The hike within this forest is enjoyable with long suspension bridges and serene waterfalls to cool off.
Damas Island - Kayak through this remarkable mangrove estuary.

Puerto Viejo - Life of the Party

Less than an hour away from Panama, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is the ultimate party beach town jam packed with backpackers and surfers. On the Caribbean coast, you can definitely feel that chill Caribbean vibe pulsating through the town. Puerto Viejo is the ideal place for beach bums happy to laze by the many beaches this small coastal town has to offer with a guaro sour in hand.

Things to do in Puerto Viejo:

Salsa Brava - Party to a blend of reggae and salsa music in one of the oldest bars in town!
Punta Uva - Ride a bicycle to this peaceful, white-sand beach with plenty of palm trees to lay under for shade.
Caribeans Chocolate and Coffee Tour - One of the most wholesome tours for chocolate and coffee lovers with a lovely walk around the cacao trees.

Tortuguero - The Amazon of Costa Rica

Notoriously challenging to get to but definitely worth it. Tortuguero is truly off the beaten track and getting there can be quite costly. The constant rainfall creates a mystical atmosphere around Tortuguero National Park. If you're visiting Tortuguero exclusively for turtle hatchings on the Tortuguero beach, you will want to plan to visit in April to May for the rare leatherback turtles or July to August for the loggerhead sea turtles.

Things to do in Tortuguero National Park:

Take a night boat tour - Witness turtle hatchings on the beach as well as other nocturnal animals emerging from their sleep.
Misty jungle trails - Book a guided tour through the jungle to spot sloths hanging out in their natural habitat.
Kayak through the waterways - This is an excellent way to explore Tortuguero away from the noisy boats and you can reach really tranquil settings surrounded by lush vegetation.

Costa Rica may be small but as you can see, it is overflowing with abundance. There is so much more to see and do in Costa Rica but this first timers guide will help you plan the perfect first trip so you'll be eager to return.

xo

Lauren

A First Timer's Guide to Costa Rica