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Pura Vida! I completely love visiting Costa Rica. I’ve had the pleasure of exploring this superb nation twice now, and I’m at all times amazed by its mix of journey and nature. However at the moment, my pal Anthony Cieniewicz is taking the reins to share his very best itinerary for per week in Costa Rica, highlighting all one of the best spots for an ideal mix of browsing, rainforests, and hidden waterfalls.
Costa Rica Journey Overview
Right here’s what my one-week itinerary seems to be like at a excessive degree:
- Fly into Liberia Worldwide Airport to remain alongside the coast of Tamarindo (3 Days)
- Browsing and Seashores
- Journey to Arenal Nationwide Rainforest (La Fortuna) (2 Days)
- Volcanos, Scorching Springs, and Rainforest
- Journey to Bajos Del Toro (1 Day)
- Off the crushed path waterfalls and Eco Resort
- Fly out of San Jose
- Positioned 1 hour from San Jose
Why Go to Costa Rica?
Though Costa Rica is barely smaller than West Virginia, only a few locations on the planet provide the number of nature and journey that Costa Rica does. Since it’s a Central American nation you may journey from America by flight in roughly 4 to 5 hours.
The nation depends on tourism so you may anticipate to be welcomed with open arms by the 5 million locals and most areas converse English as a second language. You’ll be delighted to listen to that Costa Rica was ranked thirty second most secure out of 162 international locations, making it one of many high locations to reside and go to in Central America.
Finest Time to Go to Costa Rica
Costa Rica has superb local weather 12 months spherical nevertheless it’s a rainforest so there might be seasons of unusually excessive rain (100 inches a 12 months) you’ll want to be conscious of. The next two seasons needs to be saved in thoughts:
Dry Season: December to April
- That is one of the best time for seaside lovers and outside adventurers. Count on sunny days and minimal rain, good for exploring the coasts and nationwide parks.
Wet Season: Could to November
- Often known as the “inexperienced season,” the rain brings lush landscapes and fewer vacationers. Superb for price range vacationers and people thinking about rainforests and waterfalls. Simply be ready for afternoon downpours, particularly in September and October.
Issues To Pack for Costa Rica
Right here’s a snapshot of some private must-haves when visiting CR:
- Rain Jacket
- You by no means know when it should rain in Costa Rica
- Bathing Swimsuit
- Loads of seashores, waterfalls, and scorching springs to swim in
- Mountain climbing Sneakers
- A pair you aren’t afraid to get muddy
- Bug Spray
- A DEET spray is greatest for lengthy lasting occasions
- Itch Cream
- You’re going to get bit so give your self one thing to appease the ache
- Passport
- Be sure it isn’t near expiring
- Hammock
- To hold between the timber on the seaside or within the rainforest
- My private favourite is Sensible Owl as you may simply sling it up and it suits 1-2 folks relying on the mannequin.
Really useful Lodging
1. Tamarindo: Ocho Artisan Bungalows
- Value: ~$300 an evening
- It is possible for you to to remain in your individual non-public bungalow with air con, kitchen and a number of beds. The resort is located proper on the seaside and features a pool you can see the ocean from in addition to a bar and restaurant. I like to recommend going to the bar throughout joyful Hour the place it is possible for you to to drink with reside music and watch folks locate the seaside after taking a sundown booze cruise a The employees are a few of the friendliest individuals who will give you a welcome drink upon arrival.
2. Arenal Volcano Rainforest: Arenal Springs Resort
- Value: ~$200 an evening
- This scenic resort is situated on the base of the Arenal Volcano which has been dormant since 2010. It is possible for you to to benefit from the assorted pure scorching springs, eating places and spas on website. This consists of free breakfast and yoga courses. My favourite factor about this resort is everytime you known as them they’d choose you up in a golf cart to convey you to the swimming pools or essential foyer. The swim up bar additionally served tropical drinks and meals whilst you soak in the advantages of the recent springs. Usually you must pay an entrance charge to enter scorching springs within the space.
3. Bajos Del Toro: El Silencio Lodge & Spa
- Value: ~$400 an evening
- This eco-friendly resort has all of it in the midst of a few of the nation’s most superb waterfalls. El Silencio was an imposing keep after an extended journey. Being eco pleasant they’ve a farm to desk restaurant which is sourced from with trout from their pond, produce from their greenhouse, and poultry from their hen coop. All that is accessible by bike provided complimentary by their employees. You may even see three secluded waterfalls with out ever leaving the resort as they’re a 1 mile hike away. There are additionally loads of different onsite actions for a charge (roughly $50) reminiscent of native rum tasting and horseback driving. Final however not least every villa has its personal outside scorching tub. Though on the costlier aspect you’ll not be disillusioned in a splurge at this resort.
Transportation in Costa Rica
Costa Rican roads are infamous for being lengthy and windy alongside the nation’s spectacular geographical options. If you want to lease and drive a automotive it’s solely doable as they observe the identical guidelines as America. You’ll want to guarantee you’re cautious and have a stable cellular phone service for GPS.
I opted for personal drivers for a lot of the journey as I used to be in a position to plan the choose up occasions to be extra accommodating to my multi metropolis touring. These take advantage of sense when splitting with different folks in your journey and usually price $100-200 between the locations on this itinerary.
Liberia airport additionally presents shuttles to Tamarindo that yow will discover right here on their official web site.
Right here’s how I bought round from place to put:
- Liberia airport -> Tamarindo: Non-public driver 1 hour for ~$80
- Message Johnny on WhatsApp +50685931361
- Tamarindo -> Arenal
- Message Johnny on WhatsApp +50685931361 4 hour drive ~$200
- Arenal -> Bajos del Toro
- Arenal Springs Resort organized transportation for round $100 which took 2 hours
- Bajos del Toro -> San Jose Airport
- Bajos del Toro has a non-public driver for ~$100 which is able to take round 1 hour to the airport
For journey inside the cities you may take Ubers in most locations for a fraction of the value in comparison with America.
Coolest Actions & Issues To Do
Listed below are a few of the high experiences in every of the locations on this Costa Rica itinerary.
Location #1: Tamarindo
Tamarindo is likely one of the hottest locations in Latin America for vacationers resulting from its nice local weather and multitude of seashores. The strip hosts loads of eating places, bars, lodges and even a on line casino. The actual promoting level although is the miles of seaside with calm waves good for studying to surf, making it one of many high locations to reside and go to in Costa Rica.
Browsing
Because of the heat water and straightforward rolling waves (1-2 toes) you will note many individuals out on the water studying to surf. I like to recommend renting a big board instantly so you may start to get some reps in on the seaside. Browsing is a lifelong talent to grasp nevertheless with these waves and a big board it is possible for you to to stand up and hold ten on some rollers.
You need to lease a rash guard, an athletic shirt that stops chafing in your chest. In any other case you’ll rapidly develop a rash that may make it painful to surf. There are many surf shacks you can lease for about $20-$30 a day. The one which I used is Iguana Surf. They may also provide classes that are really useful on your first time out on the water.
In case you are already a sophisticated surfer you may head over to Witch’s Rock for some bigger waves that you’ll want a ship to ferry you out to.
Turtle Hatching
Simply north of Tamarindo there’s a seaside known as Las Baulas Nationwide Marine Park. This seaside is common from November to April the place leatherback turtles will come yearly to put their eggs. These turtles are large, clocking in at 500-1500 kilos.
Sunsets
Having the seaside lookout in the direction of the west makes for some scenic sunsets. You’ll not be the one particular person on the seaside as you unwind to see the solar set over the horizon. This can be a stunning view that’s price bringing a blanket and a drink to observe it from the seaside. There might be many avenue distributors and eating places providing objects for buy.
The Deck
When you would like to view the sundown from an elevated degree then The Deck restaurant is the spot to hit. This restaurant/bar has an outside patio that overlooks the entire coast line. The meals is your basic American bar meals however the views are unbeatable. Additionally they will sometimes have reside music and an outside projector.
Different Distinctive Spots in Tamarindo
- Playa Grande (40 minutes away)
- Playa Avellana (40 minutes away)
Location #2: Arenal Nationwide Rainforest (La Fortuna)
After absorbing the solar at Tamarindo you may head inland to the rainforest. The local weather is dramatically completely different with temperatures dropping 10 to twenty levels and rain being a typical incidence. We’re within the rainforest afterall. In Arenal it is possible for you to to select your poison between journey or leisure.
La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall is likely one of the essential sights in Arenal and one of many beautiful locations in Costa Rica. It’s a properly developed organic reserve created in 1969 to assist fund the event inside the La Fortuna neighborhood by way of tourism income. The waterfall is accessible through 500 steps which is able to take 10 minutes to descend to the bottom of the 70 meter excessive waterfall.
As soon as on the base you may swim close to the falls with a lifeguard on responsibility. The water might be chilly as it’s fed from a close-by mountain vary. Entry to the waterfall and the orchid gardens will price $18 per particular person. Convey some water, a washing go well with and a snack to eat whereas down there.
Arenal Volcano
The Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of all sights within the space. A as soon as dormant volcano that first erupted in 1968 and claimed the lives of 87 folks. It remained energetic till 2010 making it the tenth longest energetic volcano on the planet. There are many hikes that you are able to do as much as Arenal Volcano, such because the 1968 path, however I might suggest spending your time finishing the opposite actions that may have the volcano viewable from a distance. The Arenal Springs Resort has a few of the greatest views of it proper out of your resort room.
Hanging Bridges
The hanging bridges are an eco sanctuary arrange by the household that beforehand owned the land and needed to share it with the world. For an entrance charge of about $25 it is possible for you to to discover the panorama and traverse over 20 suspended hanging bridges. There are buzzing chicken sanctuaries and majestic vantage factors all through the two hour lengthy path. Hold a watch out for wildlife and you could come throughout some leaf cutter ants recreating a scene from a bugs life.
Get a Therapeutic massage
After an extended day of adventuring and climbing you could need to unwind. Lots of the lodges within the space will provide massages you can e-book an appointment for that may run you round $100-200 per hour. My suggestion is to help a few of the native small companies within the city and obtain a therapeutic massage from them at a fraction of the value. Bamboo Massages in downtown La Fortuna will price solely $65 for 75 minutes and you’ll be welcomed into a relaxing resort model outside therapeutic massage pavilion. The masseuses there’ll remember to are likely to your weak and sore factors.
Scorching Springs
Being close to Arenal Volcano ends in vital geothermal exercise which creates pure scorching springs within the surrounding space. If this can be a excessive precedence bucket record merchandise for you I might suggest planning to e-book your lodging at a resort that has scorching springs on website. The most well-liked scorching springs are at Baldi Scorching Springs Resort. A every day entry into these springs for non friends will run $50-100. On the really useful resort choice, Arenal Springs Resort, they’ve a mess of scorching spring swimming pools at various temperatures. The recent springs even feed into the swim up bar so it is possible for you to to soak into the magical therapeutic properties of the springs at the same time as you sip a drink.
Arenal Spring Resort Actions
If you find yourself staying on the really useful resort choice remember to take a look at the every day actions provided on website. On sure mornings they are going to provide a morning yoga class led by an teacher on one in every of their outside deck pavilions. It’s an extremely stress-free expertise that places you in the appropriate mindset to absorb the character that may encompass you. Afterwards, we had been in a position to benefit from the free continental breakfast which included many native cuisines. This could prevent some cash in your journey and get you up early so you may take full benefit of the actions Arenal has to supply.
Different Arenal Spots
- Tabacon Scorching Springs (By the resorts in Palma)
- Soda Viquez (In La Fortuna 10 minutes from Resorts)
- Soda = Native Costa Rican Restaurant, Household owned inexpensive meals
- Arenal Lake (1hr from resorts)
Location #3: Bajos del Toro
Bajos del Toro is a quaint city nestled simply an hour north of San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital metropolis. This space is thought for its stunning waterfalls (one in every of them being the most important in Costa Rica). In case you are coming to Bajos del Toro I do suggest splurgin on the El Silencio Lodge ($400 – $500 an evening per villa). This resort positions itself as an eco resort with the amenities being layered into the rainforest. The paths might be muddy as you trek to the waterfalls however mixed with the luxurious El Silencio Lodge you’ll have the right yin and yang in Bajos del Toro.
El Silencio Lodge
El Silencio Lodge is a luxurious eco resort situated inside a 500 acre cloud forest. The facilities and repair are actually world class. The resort has 20-30 standalone suites and villas every coming with its personal non-public outside scorching tub. The rooms can match 3 folks beginning at $420 an evening.
On the resort grounds you can see a good looking farm to desk restaurant sourced with produce from their greenhouse, poultry and eggs from their hen coop, and contemporary trout from the pond and stream. The resort will cater to your must personalize every expertise providing good touches reminiscent of a welcome drink and a tree to plant on the grounds.
The on website actions are quite a few and embrace the next:
- 3 waterfalls on the resort which are reachable in a 2 mile hike
- Horseback driving by way of the cloud forest ($50 an individual)
- Native rum tasting ($50 an individual)
- Yoga and Spa Services
- Bike trails
- Fishing alongside the stream no matter you catch is cooked on the restaurant ($50 an individual)
- Hummingbird backyard
- Transportation to native waterfalls
Waterfalls (Catara del Toro and Blue Falls)
Each waterfalls are situated in the identical space 20 minutes away from the resort and could possibly be accomplished in in the future
Catara del Toro
One of many largest waterfalls in Costa Rica. You’ll are available on the high of it then journey down the path and stairs to the bottom of the waterfall. No swimming is allowed however you’re going to get some mist on you from the falls. The surroundings and native fauna is sort of distinctive to this location as properly. There are many different trails and a restaurant that may be explored as properly. The value for Catarata Del Toro is $14 per grownup. You may get a combo pack with Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls for $25.
Blue Falls
Blue falls is a gem in Costa Rica that has a number of world class waterfalls. This path might be a little bit extra off the crushed path and require some climbing by way of mud and steep inclines. I imagine the additional effort and seclusion makes for a extra distinctive expertise. You’ll be paired up with a information when you attain the world the place the paths fork off. This information may be very useful in displaying you one of the simplest ways to traverse by way of the forest and throughout waterways.
I like to recommend doing blue falls – “Gentle Path” which would be the 2-3 hour path the place you’ll hit Las Gemlas, Blue Rapids, Blue Pool, Tepezquintle and La Celestial. The distinctive factor about most of those waterways is the blue colour to the water. The explanation it comes by way of as such a good looking blue colour is because of the excessive content material of aluminum sulfate within the water which causes the water to mirror extra of a tropical blue colour.
Different Bajos del Toro Spots:
- La Paz Waterfall (1hr 15 minutes)
- Tesoro Escondido Waterfall (10 minutes)
- Parque Nacional Volcan Poas (2 hours)
Recap: My One Week Costa Rica Itinerary
As you may see from the sights above, Costa Rica is an ideal journey for somebody trying to journey and soak within the nature of this stunning nation. On this journey you’ll expertise three a number of pure wonders from the seaside to the volcanos to the rainforest and the waterfalls. I encourage you to look at the animals and organisms at each cease alongside the best way. When you meet the locals with kindness and respect they are going to reciprocate ten fold.
One last item to recollect is “Pura Vida” which is the costa rica motto for “Pure or Easy life” it means to spend the time with the folks and locations you like and to take life extra slowly and luxuriate in it.