8:45 a.m.: Make your way to the National Theatre, the starting point of your first activity. It includes marble sculptures as well as wall and ceiling murals from both French and Italian artists. We think youll like it. From there, were thinking about taking a directo bus to Manual Antonio and enjoying the hiking/beaches there. Flying. Renting a motorbike in Costa Rica can be quite an epic adventure. In Tortuguero National Park you can go zip-lining across the treetops, you can go on a night forest walking tour to spot unique animals, on a sunrise canoe safari and you can even see turtles! Are the markets and restaurants open? We like staying walking distance to the restaurants & bars, but dont want a noisy place to stay. Hi Rohit, Were very glad to hear that our website has been helpful with your planning! Depending on your interests, there are a wide variety of awesome tours to pick and choose from. The country has a breathtakingly beautiful landscape and a wealth of unforgettable experiences on offer. Located in the middle of the forest, the building appears as a treehouse. Click here to book your zip-line and canopy tour in Tortuguero National Park! Hi Kaamil, If you are under contract, your carrier (AT&T) would have to agree to unlock your phone. There are several popular walks and viewpoints to choose from, such as the jaguar trail, which follows a forest route along the beach. It is also amazing for wildlife viewing. Tight security likely. to the airport or a little more with traffic. This is a great way to introduce you to the flavours and attractions of San Jos. I absolutely enjoyed reading your blog! San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, is filled with rich history and culture. We did a level two rafting route. Be sure to check out our Rental Car Discount if you do. While you can explore Orosi on a day trip from San Jos, I definitely recommend staying overnight, as you can experience a true local finca. Continue your Costa Rica trip itinerary from La Fortuna and explore Arenal National Park. Thanks so much ! The main beach in Jaco is gray sand but there are some very nice beaches nearby like Playa Blanca. Thanks! The old building conjures a nostalgic mood and makes for a great place to spend the night. After rafting its time to head to La Fortuna, but with a short detour to see some waterfalls first. With this trip plan and the many travel resources available, you can look forward to an unforgettable escape in the rustic beauty of Costa Rica. The downtown is fairly noisy, but there are some places on quieter side streets like Hotel Boutique Indalo. Budget: Hospedaje Meryscar This budget option iswhere we stayed during our Costa Rica itinerary. Its the perfect place to whet your appetite and make you crave more. A Complete Guide to Jaco, Costa Rica LAIDBACK TRIP Hi Alan, We are not a tour operator so I dont think we can help you. What we like most about the National Museum ($11) is that you learn a little about a broad range of topics related to Costa Ricas history. A well-prepared Costa Rica itinerary will give you the freedom that you crave to explore the rugged rainforests of the country, without missing out on the main attractions. We have taken the direct bus from San Jos to La Fortuna and it took a good chunk of the day. We recommend spending 10 days to two weeks in Costa Rica, as this timeframe will give you enough time to cover all the major highlights while also including time for traveling from one destination to another. Otherwise, wed recommend getting GPS through the rental car company or a WiFi stick (Adobe has them) and using the Waze App on your smartphone, that App works really good here. In this blog I share all my favourite travel stories and tips, to help you make the most out of your own trips! Would you suggest renting a car? Want more Costa Rica travel tips? Sunset from the ferry on the way back to San Jose. Tours are done by a group of actors who dress up in period attire from the 1890s. d-oh! Catch a live band. Rainforest and Tropical Coast: 6 days in Costa Rica Ziplining is a fun, family-friendly activity, popular in Arenal. Because of our early departure time on the return flight, I am now going to stay in San Jose for 2-3 nights. If you book a hotel using one of the links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. To make the most of your 10-day trip to Costa Rica, try to plan it during the dry season. We are catching a red eye out, but would love to wander around sans suitcases for the day. For a more comfortable bus experience, you can also book a shuttle bus. It even introduces a trendy urban mood to the scene. They serve their own beer and have a chalkboard full of choices from other Costa Rican brewers. In Isla Tortuga you can expect to see plenty of fish, corals and spend some time relaxing on the beach. Does the Gran Hotel offer a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel? NOTE: The capital city of San Jose is where you'll fly in and out of. But after visiting more regularly, we now see the city in a new light. The locals always appreciated our bad Spanish when we visited the country as tourists. Some places in Costa Rica that are more easily accessible by bus from San Jose are Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Uvita, Montezuma, and Puerto Viejo and Cahuita on the Caribbean Coast. The hotel sits right across from the National Theater along the busy Plaza de la Cultura. Many animals in the rainforest only come out at night, so this is the best time to spot them. Oh-oh-I got a 404 Site Not Found error when I tried to click through to the bus schedule. When we have taken a taxi this route before, it was around $30. The Pasos Canoas border is best if travelling from the Pacific Coast side of Costa Rica. Whatever it is youre looking for, Costa Rica has something to offer to every type of traveller. For one-of-a-kind souvenirs, head to Galeria Namu. 7 best things to do in San Jos, Costa Rica - Lonely Planet Is it relatively easy to take the public bus to downtown San Jose and what is the typical cost? We would love to get the contact information to that tour, and also prices if available Thanks for all the information in your blog. Some of the options are zip lining, whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River or Sarapiqui River, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and coffee tours. Thank you so much! One thing that we really like about the Gold Museum is the video, which breaks up the exhibits nicely and gives a great overview of the history. . Weve done La Fortuna, Arenal, MA, Jaco already. my name is Oneida Garcia and I will be traveling to San Jose costa rica within the next few week. Click here to book your stay at Hotel Sura in San Jos! We spent two hours swimming in the Blue Falls, and then hiked to Catarata del Toro where we could admire the falls without other tourists around. Considering you have ten days in Costa Rica, I think its better to spend a few nights in Tortuguero, whether you arrange it independently or with a tour, thats up to you. However, in addition to exploring the city I am very interested in some type of outdoor adventure, ie zip lining, water rafting, waterfalls. You have epic views of Arenal Volcano right from poolside, as well as unique and stylish rooms. We will only have 4 full days in CR before we have to move on, and Ive been reading about La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano, so I wanted to ask you, with only 4 days, would you recommend going to Arenal Volcano or M/Antonio if you could only pick one place to visit? Prepare to have your mind blown after arriving in Tortuguero National Park. Would love to book the Hotel Aranjuez for 1 night next February (yes Im one of those plan way in advance types) Booking.com is only open to the end of December for them..sigh. Take a look at Cahuita and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Mirador Prendas Costa Rica is a rugged haven, and Mirador Prendas is the epitome of top-notch accommodation in the Sarapiqui region. While the roads are not the worst, there are potholes scattered along various routes and your drive will be significantly more comfortable. Costa Rica to Panama Map There are various different crossing methods and locations when travelling from Costa Rica to Panama or vice versa. It gets dark by 6 PM everyday in Costa Rica and we do not recommend driving long routes at night (2+ hours). Hi Charne, We love staying in downtown San Jose with the kids. This neighborhood once hosted the countrys first electric power plant. We have heard great things about the Childrens Museum and what you said only reaffirms this thanks! Heres the link for his book and website. This might be more something you stumble upon when you get there if you want out of the norm. A 5-day vacation in Costa Rica allows some time to take in many of Costa Rica's highlights Our Destinations Summary Guide is a good starting place or our Two Week Itinerary. Its the middle of the dry season everywhere except the Caribbean slope so most of the country is seeing little to no rain. Hope you and your kids enjoy the city! Located along Central Avenue (Avenida Central) in downtown San Jos, it's been a local institution since 1880. Hi Bill, In September, it is the rainy season on the Pacific slope so many towns are receiving quite a bit of rain at this time. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with Heymondo. Hi Nyle, We would stay near the airport since you wont have much time (see our recommendations for hotels near SJO here). The beach wasnt too busy at first, but everyone flocks down to the sea to watch the sunset, and it makes for an even more magical experience. We are a family of 4 travelling to Costa Rica from South Africa by the end of February for one month. Heredia is a great spot, John. Thanks in advance! Drone shot of Tortuguero National Park, taken from the jaguar trail. Our hotel is near the airport. We did the 4-hour combo tour to Catarata del Toro and the main swimming area of the Blue Falls. Id definitely recommend that you pay a little bit extra for a 44. After our zip-line experience we went back to our hotel, showered, enjoyed a local dinner in town, and got ready for a jungle night walk! Any day trip recommendations? Do you have any recommendations? The waterfalls are very different, but both were incredibly beautiful. Heaven. This date is also known as Father's Day (Da del Padre) in many areas in Spain.Is San Jose a Public Holiday? Santa Teresa is a charming beach village on the Nicoya Peninsula. Required fields are marked *. It should prove to be a nice contrast with sleeping in the rainforest! . The courtyard area with hammocks of Arenal Hostel Resort. Itinerary Overview: Day 1: San Jose Day 2: San Jose to La Fortuna Day 3: La Fortunta Day 4: La Fortuna Day 5: La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio Day 6: Manuel Antonio Day 7: Manuel Antonio Why We Recommend this 7-Day Costa Rica Itinerary La Fortuna Waterfall! Hello! It's pretty likely that this post contains affiliate links. Day 1 Itinerary in Costa Rica Day 2 Itinerary in Costa Rica Day 3 and Beyond Staying Safe in Costa Rica Day Trips From Costa Rica FAQ on Costa Rica Itinerary Best Time To Visit Costa Rica These are the best times to visit Costa Rica! Theres not much to do in Guanacaste aside from the beach and water activities, whereas Manuel Antonio has a ton of tour options. The area also boasts magnificent waterfalls and opportunities to go whitewater rafting. You Tube will help and print out this guide we wrote of basic Spanish phrases to bring with you. Your blog has been invaluable in my planning. Day 4. If you only have a limited amount of time, we recommend the National Museum and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Although intimidating at first, the downtown is a destination in itself and shouldnt be overlooked. A mix of business-people, hipsters, young professionals, artists, and students can be seen along the areas busy sidewalks. With covid restrictions, I was wondering what the vibe is? The opulent building was constructed between 1891 and 1897, but the beautifully decorated rooms and stage are still used for performances today. Drone shot of the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, Going for a dip in the Blue Falls of Costa Rica. we booked Hotel Aranjuez as per your recommendations. Costa Rica's Wild South. We too used to be overwhelmed by the congested streets and sprawling city blocks. We have visited Finca Bellavista before and it is a very interesting place. My gf and I are coming down in the fall to stay for 4 or 5 days at Finca Bellavista a self sustaining tree house community in the south pacific costal region of Costa Rica. I cant find any info on the hilton website. Heres the link to our page with the transfer from downtown San Jose to the airport. Debating if we should stay near the airport or San Jose. I am not looking for fancy, I often end up on chicken busses. Budget: Fauna Hostel Slightly further away from the city centre, Fauna Hostel is a comfortable and beautiful place to stay for your night in San Jos. Inside the Gold Museum, you can stroll through several floors of gold artifacts created by indigenous people that date back to AD 0. Displays of pre-Columbian artifacts like stone spheres, carved sculptures, pottery remnants, jewelry made from gold and jade, and even a butterfly garden are part of the experience. San Jos city centre is full of fantastic museums and restaurants. Its free. Look for sloths in the wild, hike around Arenal Volcano, and soak in the Tabacon Hot Springs, then spend some time in Tenorio Volcano National Park, home to the beautiful Rio Celeste. We are thinking of visiting San Jose this weekend. Click here to book your Arenal one-day ultimate tour! Even though they are temporarily out of stock, it looks like you could purchase it through a third party on Amazon and hopefully get it in time. A good option on the Pacific coast is the Jaco area, which is only 1.5 hrs from SJO airport. Thanks for letting us know about La Terrasse. I will have two kids (9 and 12), so I imagine well be most focused at that point on beach fun I so appreciate your help! Thanks for the info, Todd. Im exploring how to get there by bus but having a hard time figuring With some careful trip-planning and wise itinerary decision-making, those 5 days in Costa Rica can still be life-changing. This shop has an impressive assortment of fair trade handicrafts from different indigenous groups throughout Costa Rica and the rest of Latin America. As you can see, the Costa Rica driving times range between an average of an hour and a half and 5 or 6 hours, always taking into consideration the condition of the roads and the climate conditions, as specified above. Of course, San Jose isnt the tropical rainforest or misty cloud forest, which draws all the crowds, but if you have a day or two to explore, its definitely worth your time. You could rent a car (see our discount through Adobe Rent a Car) or take a shuttle. Here are a few details to keep in the front of your mind when organising your trip. Do you need travel insurance for 10 days in Costa Rica? The National Theater ($10) is another historical site that you wont want to miss. It has hosted diplomats and celebrities over the years. From what we have heard, the newer parts are nice too but dont have as much historical charm. Thanks for letting us know! This is a full day trip to a beautiful paradise island. Two other museums nearby are the Jade Museum, which has a massive collection of pre-Columbian jade artifacts, and the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design. The water is nicer in Isla Tortuga (no ocean surfing waves) but bear in mind theres a 1 hour speed boat journey to get there. Thanks for the tip about cafe rojo. But its still only a 10-15 minute walk to the sights. Catamaran tour to Tortuga Island. I have AT&T. Traveled to Costa Rica as a family in June, 2023 California, United States Read more reviews Planning Your Trip to Manuel Antonio Costa Rica is famous for its immense biodiversity, and many travelers to the country want to spend time in at least one of its beautiful national parks. Costa Rica 11 Day Itinerary Transportation San Jose is massive! 7 days / from 2524 USD. I loved the vibe in Santa Teresa, and especially so at sunset. San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, is filled with rich history and culture. Costa Rica 2-week Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide Whenever we have a special occasion to celebrate, we head toLa Terrasse. What did you think? For currency, colones are better so that you dont have to worry about getting the correct exchange rate. This market is now in a new, more spacious location on Avenida 6 between Calle 5 and 7. Would we be better getting a hire car? San Jos and the Central Valley of Costa Rica have some of the most pleasant weather in the world, with average daily temperatures of 24-28C (75-82F).. Days can be warm and nights cool, but the mercury stays consistent every month of the year. When exploring such a diverse country, organisation is key. If you want to tick off the main cities, explore the natural wonder, go on an adventure and push your comfort zone, then this 10-day Costa Rica itinerary is the perfect plan for you! In the moments when the river cruises slowly our rafting instructor pointed out birds, iguanas and other animals that live along the river. Hi, Im traveling alone to San Jose tomorrow for some dental work. If you want to see the beautiful country at your own pace, then renting a car is your best bet. Relaxing in the hot thermal pools of Orosi. However this turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it meant we were the only people at both waterfalls. In San Jose, one of those places is, An artist painting the underside of arailroad bridge. Distance from San Jose: 28 km. Adventurous types may be interested in a rafting trip through miles of tropical scenery on the Pacuare River, or perhaps an excursion to the lesser-visited Osa Peninsula. Renting a board for the small price of $10 USD a day is a great way to spend the day in Santa Teresa. Most of the reputable car rental shops can be found in San Jos. A chameleon that we saw during our night walking tour in Tortuguero National Park. Sep 17, 2019,02:37pm EDT Listen to article Share to. Hello, Safety Tip: Like any city in the world, San Jose has rough areas that youll want to avoid. The months of May and November, known as the green season will make your trip to Costa Rica more affordable, but youll have to prepare for a fair amount of rain. There is a bus from San Jose to Los Quetzales National Park and you could stay at one of the simple lodges up on the highway (not possible as a day trip without a car). Click here to see prices and availability for an organised Tortuguero 3-day adventure! use uber for a car and then download WAZE to find your way around !! This Costa Rica 6-day itinerary is perfect for kids and adults alike! Thanks. We are not planning on renting a car. If the Airbnb is in San Pedro, yes, that is a good area and its fairly close to downtown. I have never been and will be traveling with my two children (11 and 15). Hi Jenn & Matt, I have to say I read your entire blog, it was interesting with informative information and probably the primary reason for reading it was I am also from Boston, and this will be my second trip to CR. Click here to book your canoe tour in Tortuguero National Park! Thanks for all your info. Click here to book your Costa Rica car rental! Either way, your experience will depend largely on the weather. Santiago Apstol Parish Church, a must-visit site on a day trip from San Jose. At the time when we visited we werent allowed to see the Blue Falls without a local guide.

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