Costa Rica Travel

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by FCAV

Any updated spots to hit, must-do's, etc for Costa Rica? Fly into San Jose in a week!

Fyi, it's a myth that everything down there is dirt cheap.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

Fyi, it's a myth that everything down there is dirt cheap.

Used to be - now you have to go to Nicaragua.

[Flamenspiel]

Ok, just had a pointer in here, what is there to do in Santa Teresa and Malpais? Do you need a car?

[dissentowner]

Worst bump ever.

[PaperBagger'14]

Heading to Playa de Flamingo for 2 weeks, so far we have sloths, fishing, volcano hike, manta ray snorkeling and very beginner surfing lessons! Not into the party scene so much anymore, any other must dos within a short drive?

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Heading to Playa de Flamingo for 2 weeks, so far we have sloths, fishing, volcano hike, manta ray snorkeling and very beginner surfing lessons! Not into the party scene so much anymore, any other must dos within a short drive?

Conchel is a nice beach in that area. A day spent at Lola’s on Playa Avellanes is a good time as well. Go watch the surfers at high tide on Playa Grande, especially if it’s before 10 am.

[Scorch]

Do you need strong Spanish to get around?

Can you get by with English?

[cam_wmh]

Bumping this, as I just booked CR for a couple weeks in Feb.
I was recommended, to check out the following;
Papagayo, Monteverde, Santa Teresa, Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Playa Conchal.

I'd like to narrow it down, anyone have suggestons?

[Fuzz]

Where are you flying in/out of? We picked a beach on the pacific side, La Fortuna, and Monteverde area. For 2 weeks that gives you enough days at each. Depends what you want out of beach time. We found a tiny B&B in Playa Hermosa. Not a party town. I had read the beaches on the Caribbean side aren't great, so we didn't go near there or San Jose. We were originally going to stay in Tamarindo, but it was too much of a party town.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Bumping this, as I just booked CR for a couple weeks in Feb.
I was recommended, to check out the following;
Papagayo, Monteverde, Santa Teresa, Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Playa Conchal.

I'd like to narrow it down, anyone have suggestons?

It sounds like you are probably going to the Pacific side? If you have a chance to get to the Caribbean side, I loved Torteguero (national park / rain forest) when I was there. It was 10 years ago, so my info is probably out of date, but we toured around the rain forest in a small boat and some of the animal viewing experiences were amazing.

[surferguy]

What do you want to get out of the country/ what do you want to see/do?

Are you renting a car?

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by surferguy

What do you want to get out of the country/ what do you want to see/do?

Are you renting a car?

Yup, I’ll have a car. Haven’t left the country since Feb, ‘20.. so I’ll need both adventure, a bit of surfing, and beaches.

Originally Posted by Amethyst

It sounds like you are probably going to the Pacific side? If you have a chance to get to the Caribbean side, I loved Torteguero (national park / rain forest) when I was there. It was 10 years ago, so my info is probably out of date, but we toured around the rain forest in a small boat and some of the animal viewing experiences were amazing.

Animal viewing, sounds fun. I’ll check that.

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Where are you flying in/out of? We picked a beach on the pacific side, La Fortuna, and Monteverde area. For 2 weeks that gives you enough days at each. Depends what you want out of beach time. We found a tiny B&B in Playa Hermosa. Not a party town. I had read the beaches on the Caribbean side aren't great, so we didn't go near there or San Jose. We were originally going to stay in Tamarindo, but it was too much of a party town.

Landing in SJ, where I’ll get a car. I would like some fun cocktail nights out, but yeah or wild the whole time. I will be mobile, so am flexible between mellow, and loud.

[Fuzz]

It's a decent sized country and the roads are not always great, sp hitting all those points might be a bit rushed. I'd choose either the pacific or Caribbean side for beaches, not try to do both. No idea on surfing though, but there was lots going on at Tamarindo. Surferguy probably knows best on that.



Selvatura Adventure Park had incredible zip lines, I wouldn't miss it. We also did a night walk through the rain forest with a guide, which was totally worth it. So many cool creatures you wouldn't spot on your own.


If you like hiking, the Arenal volcano is pretty fun.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Bumping this, as I just booked CR for a couple weeks in Feb.
I was recommended, to check out the following;
Papagayo, Monteverde, Santa Teresa, Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Playa Conchal.

I'd like to narrow it down, anyone have suggestons?

The wife and I went a few years ago and spent 1 week near Conchal Beach and 1 week in La Fortuna. The beach side was great for relaxing, fishing and beginner surfing lessons. There's also a cool freshwater waterfall close ish to there called Llanos de Cortez.

La Fortuna is a really nice area too, lots of good hikes around, there's a sloth sanctuary just outside of the city and it puts you almost at the foot of a volcano (Mt Arenal).

As was said before the roads aren't always very good so if you're planning on driving a lot, a 100km drive might take you 3-4 hours. I'd personally not visit more than 2-3 of those spots in 2 weeks.

[cam_wmh]

Thanks gentlemen

[surferguy]

Ok Cam!

Getting to all those destinations will be difficult. I’d suggest landing and hitting up Arenal/Monteverdi for a few days. If you have a car, it’s completely doable on your own, I’ve bumped a ####ty Suzuki swift up to Monteverde before. Just go slow. When in Arenal, pay the money and go to Tabacon, it is pretty special.

As far as surf, the best town with the best vibe is Santa Teresa. Good waves, good vibes.

Jaco is a dirt bag city as is Tamarindo. Again it depends on what you are into. Fun waves can be found at Playa Grande, Playa Avellanes and Playa Negra.

There are some cool (if you are into beaches without waves) up around Flamingo. Conchal is worth the visit.

You can choose to go to the central coast as Dominical is decent, been a while since I’ve been there, my information is likely outdated. The wave at Dominical is a dumpy punchy beach break. It can be fun if you have the skill set to be in that kind of surf.


Heading to the Caribbean side is probably a lofty goal in two weeks. You’d would be spending the majority of trip in the car.


Nicoya Pennisula is getting rather spendy now.

Next time I go I’m headed to the Oso Pennisula as it is much sleepier.


If you have any specific questions just ask. I’ll do my best.

Have fun, the water is warm.

[cam_wmh]

Quick lil update, before I depart next week.
I’ve booked half of the accommodations of the 3 weeks.
Escazu for a night, then Manuel Antonio for a few and a dope week long All-Inclusive in Tamarindo. (First time at an AI, actually)