Costa Rica Adventure/ 3-Week Road Trip – Our Route, Tips & Highlights

Costa Rica – the Pearl of Central America. The impressive diversity of flora and fauna has long attracted worldwide attention.
It’s no surprise that round trips through the country with its well-developed infrastructure are becoming increasingly popular among travelers.
Despite its small size, Costa Rica offers an amazing variety due to its different climate zones and ecosystems.
With early planning, it’s possible to explore the country’s diversity in a short time.
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Tropical national parks, majestic volcanoes, exotic wildlife, dream beaches with white and black sand, and stunning waterfalls are just some of the highlights you can experience on a Costa Rican round trip.
In this post, you’ll find our three-week road trip itinerary, helpful tips, and highlights.

ROUND TRIPS IN COSTA RICA: TRAVELING ALONE OR IN A GROUP?

You have the choice: join one of the many organized tours, often available in English, or go on a road trip on your own.
Since we wanted to stay flexible and weren’t fans of long bus rides, we decided to plan and organize the trip ourselves. Traveling independently means embarking on a little adventure.

Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure and the friendly Ticos (as the locals call themselves), a self-organized tour through Costa Rica is definitely possible.
However, if you’re planning to go alone, it’s essential to have basic English skills—and ideally some basic Spanish as well.

TRANSPORTATION DURING THE ROUND TRIP

For the entire trip, we rented a car, which we picked up right after arriving in San José. Having our own car was the essence of flexibility and adventure for us.
We think a rental car is especially worth it for anyone who has limited vacation days but still wants to see as much as possible.

To hit the road stress-free, we pre-booked our rental car through rentalcars.com.
The rental prices vary by vehicle class. For our car, including full insurance, an extra driver, and four-wheel drive, we paid around 40 $ per day.
Additional information on getting around by car in Costa Rica is available in our post Costa Rica: Tips & General Information for Your Dream Trip.

Of course, it’s also possible to explore the country by public transportation, such as by bus.
However, this option wasn’t feasible for us as it would have taken too much time and prevented us from reaching many places off the main roads.
Therefore, we don’t have personal experience with public transportation for long distances.

OUR NAVIGATION TIP

The free Waze app is the most reliable navigation app in Costa Rica. Nearly all Ticos use it because it provides real-time updates on traffic, police checks, and road closures.
To use the app, however, you’ll need an internet connection. So, make sure to get a prepaid SIM card before picking up your rental car!

GOOD TO KNOW

For your trip to Costa Rica, you’ll need a power adapter, as the country uses Type A and Type B plugs. These are different from those used in many other parts of the world, so be sure to check your devices and bring the appropriate adapter. You can find the appropriate adapter here: Travel Adapter Costa Rica.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU PLAN FOR A COSTA RICA TOUR?

It depends on what you want to see and where those sights are located. We recommend planning for at least 2 weeks—better yet, 3 or more weeks—for a round trip.
Despite our three-week trip, it quickly became apparent during our route planning that we couldn’t visit everything we initially wanted to see.
Even though Costa Rica is geographically similar in size to countries like the Dominican Republic or Panama, traveling from one location to another often takes considerable time due to the country's terrain and road conditions.

An example: The distance from Puerto Limón on the Caribbean coast to Uvita on the Pacific coast is only about 130 km as the crow flies.
However, dense jungles, mountains over 3000 meters high, and deep valleys increase the driving distance to about 310 km on mostly challenging roads.
This route can take around six and a half hours by car.

Our tip: Plan for no more than 200 km per day or stage, allowing time for relaxation and exploration.

OUR ROUTE THROUGH COSTA RICA

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN SAN JOSÉ

Distance: 37 km, 45 minutes
Accommodation: Cabañas Cerro Verde Lodge y Spa
‍Our highlight: The many cyclists on Sunday morning

This accommodation was only a stopover for the night. After a 12-hour flight and arriving at 7 pm, we had no energy left to drive the 4-hour journey to our main destination, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, in the dark.

DAY 2 – FROM CARTAGO TO PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA

Distance: 211 km, 4.5 hours
Accommodation: Little Yemanja Bungalow
‍Our highlights: The amazing accommodation with howler monkeys, Caribbean vibes, and the Cahuita National Park

Due to jet lag, we started our journey to the Caribbean coast at dawn. Early on Sunday morning, we noticed that Ticos are apparently enthusiastic cyclists.
We encountered hundreds of cyclists battling the humid conditions, steep serpentines, and busy traffic of cars and trucks along the way.

Our drive took about four hours and, as expected during the rainy season, we arrived in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in a tropical downpour.
After dropping our bags at our beautiful jungle accommodation, just a five-minute walk from the beach, we headed into town to buy groceries.

As soon as you reach the village center, you’ll be swept away by the cheerful and relaxed atmosphere of this small coastal town.
Along the mostly unpaved streets are colorful houses, cozy restaurants, and cafés.
You’ll see surfers, hear reggae music, and meet friendly locals—many of Jamaican descent—all giving off a unique Caribbean vibe.

As the sun sets, people gather at the beach to end the day in a cozy bar with a beer or mojito. Is there a better way to close out the day?

OUR TRANSPORTATION TIP

Not a fan of walking? Rent a bike for about $5 per day from one of the many rental shops. Your accommodation may even have bikes to rent.
Besides bikes, red tuk-tuk taxis are a popular means of transport. Special surf bikes with a rack for surfboards are also available.

DAY 3 - PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA & SURROUNDINGS

Awakened by howler monkeys climbing the trees beside our accommodation, we set off early for Cahuita Nationalpark, a 20-minute drive away.
We detailed our experience in a separate post. After visiting the park, we drove along the coast back to Puerto Viejo and onto Manzanillo to explore another national park before spending the afternoon at the beach.

However, the weather had other plans. Rain started during our drive and continued through dusk, so we spent a cozy afternoon reading in our jungle accommodation before heading to Sol del Caribe for dinner.

Restaurant Tip: Sol del Caribe is a small, affordable restaurant with a lot of Caribbean flair. The food and cocktails are highly recommended.

DAY 4 – FROM PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA TO SAN MIGUEL

Distance: 223 km, 4 hours
Accommodation: Epic Adventure Lodge
‍Our highlight: Rafting

After a relaxed breakfast on the veranda, surrounded by the sounds of howler monkeys in the jungle, we hit the road to the interior of the country.
Here, an exciting white-water rafting tour on the famous Sarapiquí River awaited us, right near our accommodation.
Our impressions and further details about the rafting tour can be found in our post "Costa Rica Round Trip: Top Sights & Highlights".
The tour with the Epic Adventures team was a blast, and we would do it again anytime.

Once we had changed into dry clothes, we headed on foot into the small town of San Miguel.
There’s not much to it: a gas station, a butcher, a car repair shop, a small supermarket, and two restaurants—but that’s all you need for a short stay in the area.
In fact, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that locals here don’t lock their cars or houses—everyone knows everyone.

DAY 5 – FROM SAN MIGUEL TO LA FORTUNA

Distance: 69 km, 1.5 hours
Accommodation: La Fortuna Lodge by Treebu Hotels
‍Our highlights: La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs, & La Fortuna

After our short but pleasant stay in San Miguel, we continued our journey toward La Fortuna, stopping along the way at the famous La Paz Waterfall.

STOP AT LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS NATURE PARK

You can find an extensive description of our visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens here: The La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park.

To sum it up: We wouldn’t visit the park again. We enjoyed the free view of the waterfall from the road much more.
You can find the viewpoint for the waterfall here on google.maps.

Upon arriving at our accommodation in La Fortuna, we explored the town, which has around 10,000 residents.
‍Downtown, you can walk or bike everywhere, but it’s best to use a car to reach sights outside of the center.

La Fortuna is known for the 1,600-meter-high Arenal Volcano, visible from afar. The town is set up in a grid around a landscaped main square with a prominent church in the background.
Around the square, you’ll find accommodations, restaurants, bars, small supermarkets, and various tour operators. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll likely find it here.

Restaurant Tip: On our first evening, we ended the day with traditional Arroz con Pollo (rice with chicken) and a cold beer at Pollo Fortuneño—simply delicious!

DAY 6 – LA FORTUNA & SURROUNDINGS

There’s a lot to explore in La Fortuna, so after breakfast, we headed straight to our first activity of the day: zip-lining.
We had spontaneously booked a zip-line and canopy tour the previous evening via getyourguide.
‍Our experiences from this thrilling tour are detailed in the post "Costa Rica Round Trip: Top Sights & Highlights".

After all the action, the La Fortuna Waterfall, also known as Catarata Río Fortuna, was next on our list. For us, this waterfall was the most beautiful we saw in all of Costa Rica.
You’ll also find out why this fascinating place is a must-visit in our article “Costa Rica Round Trip: Top Sights & Highlights”.

In the afternoon, we opted for one of La Fortuna’s few free and wonderfully relaxing activities: the hot springs.
In the thermal-like Tabacón River, surrounded by dense forest, you can spend hours unwinding.

In the upper part of the river, we found a quiet spot among locals and enjoyed the combination of nature and warm water.
We included directions to the free hot springs in the previously mentioned post.

On our way back, we felt like grabbing a bite to eat and decided to stop by Soda Los Rodríguez—little did we know that we’d end up chatting for so long with the warm and welcoming owner, Agnes. In the end, we spent the entire evening at her small restaurant.
The menu, as is typical for a soda, doesn’t offer much variety, but the food and the homemade juices were absolutely outstanding.
The cozy atmosphere gives this little spot its unique charm. If you happen to stop by, let us know if you spot the sign we left behind!

DAY 7 – FROM LA FORTUNA TO SANTA ELENA/MONTEVERDE

Distance: 110 km, 2.5 hours
Accommodation: Finca Terra Viva
‍Our highlights: Monteverde Coffee & Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena

On day 7, our journey took us into Costa Rica’s highlands, specifically to the small village of Santa Elena (Monteverde). To reach Santa Elena from La Fortuna, you travel along the only road that circles half of Lake Arenal.

The drive along the lake is scenic but doesn’t always provide great views of the water, making the road seem longer and less exciting.

Once you’ve left Lake Arenal behind, you enter a more remote area, where the roads get rougher and the route climbs uphill.
When you start to see coffee plantations on both sides of the road, you know you’re close to Santa Elena.

Upon arriving in Santa Elena, we went directly to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Wearing sturdy shoes and a light rain jacket, we embarked on a tour of the Monteverde Biological Reserve, also known as the Cloud Forest.
Due to the cooler temperatures and high humidity in Santa Elena/Monteverde, we often needed jackets, so make sure to pack one!

For all the information you’ll need to visit the reserve, check out our post "The Monteverde Reserve – the Cloud Forest".

After our three-hour walk through the Cloud Forest, we got hungry and visited The Open Kitchen in downtown Santa Elena, which offers delicious meals and fresh juices (although it’s a bit pricier).

Returning to our accommodation, we quickly noticed the coolness of the area, as many lodgings lack insulation.
For the first time on our trip, we felt it was genuinely cold, and we were grateful for the heaters under the bedside tables that we initially thought we wouldn’t need.

DAY 8 – SANTA ELENA/MONTEVERDE & SURROUNDINGS

The previous evening, we had booked a coffee tour for day 8 with Café Monteverde.
The tour started promptly at 9:30 am on the Farm Café Monteverde located just outside Santa Elena and concluded with a tasting.

If you’re interested in a coffee tour, you can read about our experiences in the post "Costa Rica Round Trip: Top Sights & Highlights".
This engaging and educational tour was absolutely worth it, and we highly recommend it!

After a light snack at a soda (local eatery), we drove to La Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena. The 20-minute drive mostly traversed unpaved, pothole-ridden roads.
If you plan to visit one of the zip-lining parks in Monteverde, you’ll take this same road, as the parks are located just before the reserve.

Since we arrived at 1 pm, the ranger at the entrance provided a brief overview of which trails we could take to finish in time for the 3 pm closure.

Although the Santa Elena reserve is similar in nature to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, each has its unique qualities.
Santa Elena is slightly smaller, less touristy, and generally covered in a thicker mist due to its higher altitude, often shrouding the treetops in clouds.

The diverse flora and fauna of the Santa Elena reserve are truly captivating.
If time is short in Santa Elena/Monteverde, we suggest visiting the Santa Elena Reserve over the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

DAY 9 – FROM SANTA ELENA/MONTEVERDE TO TAMARINDO

Distance: 157 km, 3 hours
Accommodation: Tamarindo Bay Suites
‍Highlights: Sunset on the beach, surfing, & the accommodation

To reach Tamarindo, the route briefly takes you over a beautiful mountain pass just after leaving Santa Elena, offering a final panoramic view of the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Once you’re past the pass, temperatures rise quickly—from a cool 22°C in Santa Elena to a hot 33°C in Tamarindo.

This former fishing village on the Nicoya Peninsula has become one of Costa Rica’s most popular surf spots and vibrant destinations.
Tamarindo is famous among surfers, divers, and sports fishers.
The roads may not be the best, but the town makes up for it with a long sandy beach, a variety of accommodations, restaurants, bars, and surf shops.

During the day, young tourists crowd the beaches to surf and sunbathe, leaving the streets quiet.
But once night falls, locals and tourists gather at the beach for the sunset, listening to music, relaxing, swimming, and surfing.

After the sunset, many head to Tamarindo’s bars. Night owls will feel right at home here.

If you’re not in the mood for partying and happen to be in Tamarindo on a Thursday, you should definitely visit the small night market.
Charming stalls illuminated with string lights offer local delicacies, handmade jewelry, and artwork. Live music creates a relaxed atmosphere.
The night market takes place every Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Our Tip: Don’t miss one of the spectacular sunsets in Tamarindo! The sky turns a stunning array of yellow and orange hues—an unforgettable sight.

DAY 10 – TAMARINDO & SURROUNDINGS

On day 10, we planned a relaxing day in Tamarindo, focused solely on surfing and relaxing.
Since the tide allowed for surfing around noon, we spent the time before and after the session swimming and reading on the quieter left side of Playa Tamarindo.
This side is calmer than the busy surf area on the right, with smaller waves ideal for a peaceful swim.

We rented our surfboards for $20 per day from Iguana Surf Camp & Surf Shop, which is also a great place for surf lessons.
More information on surfing can be found in our post "Surfing in Costa Rica".

DAY 11 – FROM TAMARINDO TO SANTA TERESA

Distance: 193 km, 4 hours
Accommodation: Buena Onda Bungalows
Highlights: The town's atmosphere, sunsets, surfing, &the beaches

After two amazing days, we left Tamarindo with some reluctance but were excited to head to our next destination, Santa Teresa—another popular surf spot known for its charm and appeal to young travelers. Santa Teresa offers more than just surfing; it’s a great place for anyone seeking relaxation.

The main road through Santa Teresa runs parallel to the beach and is mostly a bumpy dirt road with potholes.
Driving here can be challenging, so many tourists rent ATVs, motorcycles, or bicycles. These vehicles often have attachments for carrying surfboards.

Along the main street, you’ll find hip cafés, restaurants, shops, mini-markets, yoga studios, and surf shops, which give Santa Teresa its laid-back vibe.
Here, nobody is in a hurry—just go with the flow and soak up the Santa Teresa atmosphere.

Restaurant Tips: Our favorites included The Rambler, Eat Street, and The Bakery, offering delicious and unique dining experiences.

During the day, the long beaches are quiet and serene, with most people spread out or enjoying the town’s amenities.
But at sunset, everyone gathers in the main beach area behind the town.
Pro surfers take to the massive waves, while others relax with friends, drinks, and snacks, or enjoy a quiet walk with their dogs along the endless sandy beach.

The often-pink sunsets in Santa Teresa are truly magical. Once you see one, you’ll understand why so many people rave about them.

However, a word of caution: As a woman—even in a small group—it’s best not to linger on the beach after dark. Our hostess and online articles warned about occasional nighttime incidents on the beach. This isn’t meant to scare you; we never felt unsafe, but it’s good to be mindful. We always left the beach when it got dark, along with most other visitors.

DAYS 12 & 13 – SANTA TERESA & SURROUNDINGS

Days 12 and 13 were calm but not at all boring. We spent our time eating, surfing, walking along the beach, reading, and watching the beautiful sunsets.
We alternated between Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa. Both beaches, like most in Costa Rica, are pristine and natural; you won’t find beach huts, umbrellas, or loungers here.

Most surf schools bring students to Playa Hermosa, as its gentle waves and mild currents make it ideal for beginners and swimmers.
However, Playa Santa Teresa can be risky for swimming during high tide due to strong currents and high waves.
It’s best to leave those conditions to the pros and enjoy the show from the shade of a palm tree.

We rented our surfboards for $15 per day at Denga Surf Shop, which also offers surf lessons if you’re interested.
More details on surfing are available in "Surfing in Costa Rica".

DAY 14 – DAY TRIP TO MONTEZUMA

Distance: 17 km, 40 minutes
Highlight: The beach

About 40 minutes by car from Santa Teresa is Montezuma, a small village popular with backpackers. Nestled behind steep hills, Montezuma is an ideal place for peace and relaxation.
Its palm-fringed beaches are beautiful and perfect for a laid-back day.

After some time on the beach, we were happy to return to the livelier atmosphere of Santa Teresa.
Montezuma’s quiet charm is nice for a day trip, but it may feel a bit too subdued for an extended stay.

DAY 15 – FROM SANTA TERESA TO QUEPOS/MANUEL ANTONIO

Distance: 223 km, 5 hours by car & 1 hour by ferry
Accommodation: Hotel Plaza Yara
‍Highlights: Manuel Antonio National Park & our accommodation

To travel from the Nicoya Peninsula to southern Costa Rica, we drove an hour to the ferry terminal in Paquera and then took a 1.5-hour ferry to Puntarenas.
The ferry process was easy: just drive up to the terminal and get a colored ticket from an attendant based on your vehicle size.
After parking, head to the terminal to purchase your ticket with both the ticket and your passport.

The ferry runs several times daily, but in peak season, it’s best to arrive at least an hour early as spaces can fill up.
You can check schedules at www.quickpaycr.com. Our ticket cost 13,020 colones (approx. $18.50) for us and our rental car.

STOP AT THE CROCODILE BRIDGE

On our way to Quepos/Manuel Antonio, we made a quick stop at the famous Crocodile Bridge. You can park your car either before or after the busy bridge and walk to the middle.
Below the bridge flows the wide, muddy Río Tárcoles, whose shores and sandbanks are home to both large and small crocodiles.
From the bridge, you can safely observe the animals basking in the sun from a distance.

Safety tip: Auto break-ins happen often around the Crocodile Bridge, so don’t leave your belongings unattended!

After this quick stop, we continued to Quepos. Closer to town, we were surprised by the number of palm oil plantations—unexpected in a country as eco-conscious as Costa Rica.

The lively town center of Quepos on the coast is likely not the main reason for the influx of tourists to this region. If you drive a bit further south along Route 618 and head up the hill, you’ll reach a dead-end after about 20 minutes that leads directly to the entrance of Costa Rica’s most famous national park—Manuel Antonio National Park.
On the way, you’ll pass numerous restaurants, various accommodations, and the beautiful Playa Espadilla.

We arrived at our lovely hotel, surrounded by jungle, in the late afternoon. There, we relaxed by the pool and watched monkeys play in the trees.

DAY 16 – MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK

After a hearty breakfast, we started our tour at 7:30 am at the park entrance. We had booked a guided tour through getyourguide to learn more about the park’s flora and fauna.
Our guide, Jason, provided valuable tips, including guidance on purchasing tickets in advance and parking.

These tips were extremely helpful, as we didn’t know that entrance tickets can only be purchased online in advance, nor that so-called parking attendants would try to flag down cars on the road well before the park entrance. They falsely claim that this is the last available parking.
Thanks to Jason's advice, we parked for $7 at Chalo’s parking lot, right in front of the entrance.

We cover more details about our Manuel Antonio experience in a separate post. But for now, we’ll say this park is a must-visit if you’re traveling to Costa Rica.

After a morning of exploring the park, we spent a lovely afternoon at Playa Espadilla. This spacious beach is perfect for swimming and ideal for families.
Unlike most beaches in Costa Rica, chairs and umbrellas are available for rent here.

DAY 17 – FROM MANUEL ANTONIO TO DOMINICAL/UVITA

Distance: 77 km, 1 hour
Accommodation: Pato Real Cabina
‍Highlights: Many macaws, howler monkeys in the morning, & our accommodation

After a brief but delightful stay in Quepos/Manuel Antonio, we continued south to Dominical.
This small town mostly consists of a main street lined with shops, surf and dive schools, tour operators, and lodgings.
While the town itself isn’t particularly remarkable, its location makes it an ideal base for exploring nearby attractions.

After parking the car, we strolled through the small town and headed to the beach, fresh coconut in hand. Just before reaching the beach, we spotted something high up in the trees that we hadn’t seen yet on our trip but had desperately hoped to – macaws. The trees were full of these roughly 90 cm tall, rainbow-colored parrots, chattering away happily.
We could have spent hours watching these stunning birds and their playful courtship behavior.

Fun Fact: Macaws are monogamous, staying loyal to their partner for life. Perhaps this explains why many parrot pairs behave like old married couples – first there’s bickering, then a quick reconciliation, and in the end, lots of cuddling.

By late afternoon, our accommodation in the forested hills of Dominicalito, a small village near Dominical, was ready for check-in.
After what felt like an endless dirt road winding through the jungle, we finally arrived at our destination.
The accommodation is a true gem and undoubtedly the most beautiful and best-located place we stayed at during our entire trip.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by one of the largest spiders we’ve ever seen, right next to the bed – a quintessential Costa Rica experience!
While Europeans like us might be startled at first, it’s simply part of the nature here.
After relocating the spider back into the wild and feeling completely amazed by the incredible accommodation, we spent the rest of the day alternating between the pool and the veranda.
The tranquility and breathtaking view of the jungle were simply heavenly.

DAY 18 – DOMINICAL & SURROUNDINGS

Distance: 15 km, 40 minutes
Highlights: Nauyaca Falls & sunset

The impressive Nauyaca Falls are located in the highlands behind Dominical, nestled in the hills.
These waterfalls are among the top attractions in the area. Why you shouldn’t miss this natural wonder is detailed in our separate post about Costa Rica’s must-see attractions.

Back in Dominical, we headed straight to the beach to spend some time surfing and relaxing. We rented the boards from Dominical Surf School.
If you're interested in taking a surf lesson, this is the perfect place for you.

At sunset, both tourists and locals gather at the beach to catch a few more waves or simply enjoy the breathtaking sunset. This is something you definitely shouldn’t miss!

UVITA & SURROUNDINGS

Distance: 19 km, 20 minutes
Highlights: Whale watching & Marino Ballena Beach

Seeing whales in their natural habitat was a dream come true for us, fulfilled on day 19 of our journey.
Uvita is famous for its Marino Ballena National Park (meaning "whale" in Spanish), which protects marine life, especially humpback whales.
From July to November, these magnificent animals migrate to Uvita’s warm waters to give birth.

We booked a whale-watching tour through a reputable provider in town. You can find our experiences and all other information about the national park in our post, „Costa Rica Round Trip: Top Sights & Highlights“.

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the stunning beach of Marino Ballena, where we cooled off in the clear water and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
Afterwards, we tackled some practical tasks like shopping, doing laundry, and cooking.‍

Helpful tip: Uvita has the two largest supermarkets in the area, where you’ll find much more variety compared to the smaller mini-markets in the surrounding towns.

DAY 20 – CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK

Distance: 74 km, 1 hour
Our Highlights: Snakes & crocodiles in the mangroves

Today’s adventure was an exciting day trip that we had booked the day before through the same provider as our whale-watching tour.
At around 7 am, a driver picked us up in Uvita, and we headed to Sierpe. There, we boarded a boat that took us down the Sierpe River to the open sea, passing Drake Bay and eventually arriving at Parque Nacional Corcovado.

We would have loved to spend 1-2 nights on the Osa Peninsula or in Corcovado National Park itself.
However, due to the length and difficulty of the journey, a day trip was the only feasible option.
This 452 km² park is considered a true jewel among Costa Rica’s nature reserves.
Its fauna is among the most diverse in the country, and tapirs and jaguars are more frequently spotted here than anywhere else. It was essential for us to experience this unique place.

In addition to its impressive flora, the park includes eight different habitats, such as swamps, flooded swamp forests, and mountain forests.
From April to December, this region experiences torrential rains, allowing us to experience the unique climate and lush vegetation firsthand.

As we reached the Pacific Ocean by boat, the rain intensified, soaking us to the bone. It continued to pour as we arrived at the ranger’s station in the park.
However, our guide was not deterred by the weather—he seemed quite used to it.
Unfortunately, we had forgotten our rubber boots and rain ponchos on the boat, which was now far out of reach.

So, we ventured through the jungle in our hiking boots, without any rain protection, hoping to spot a few animals despite the downpour. Honestly, the first few minutes were frustrating.
The rain pounded through the trees, and our clothes were wet through and through. While our hiking boots managed to stay somewhat dry, they quickly became muddy as we sank knee-deep in the swamp. At that moment, we embraced the experience, and the tour became a muddy swamp adventure.

After a two-hour trek through jungle and swamp, we had only managed to spot a female tuberkelhokko, a few spiders, and a coati.
We were drenched, muddy from head to toe, and starting to feel the chill. It was time to head back.

The boat ride back followed the same route. When the sun finally emerged, our guide took us on another boat tour through the mangroves of the Sierpe River.
Here, we observed caimans, crocodiles, birds, and snakes in the mangrove forests. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, the day trip was well worth it.
Here’s the link to the tour: Parque Nacional Corcovado.

DAY 21 – FROM DOMINICAL/UVITA TO CAPULIN

Distance: 142 km, 2 hours
Accommodation: Rancho Capulin
‍Our Highlights: Tarcoles River Tour & the view from the accommodation

To minimize travel on our departure day, we completed half of the drive from Dominical to San José on our second-to-last day.
We spent our final night at a private ranch above the Tarcoles River.
The view from our room’s balcony was stunning. We could see the entire river valley and watch macaws flying from tree to tree.
It was the perfect place to reflect on the journey and take in the beauty of nature.

With such a fantastic view, it was hard to leave the room. However, we wanted to see crocodiles and caimans up close, so we looked for a river tour in Tarcoles, about a 10-minute drive away.
Thanks to the off-season, we found a provider who offered us a private tour.

Before the two-hour river tour even began, we spotted our first large crocodile right at the landing stage. The guides affectionately named it Angelina Jolie, though they didn’t explain why.
Throughout the boat trip, we encountered countless crocodiles up close, eventually losing count.
Some had names given by the guides, who could recognize them by unique features like missing teeth or specific scars on their scales.

Alongside crocodiles and caimans, our guides showed us various bird species that had settled in the mangroves along the river.
We booked this spontaneous and fascinating tour through Crocodile Man Tour for $30 per person.
However, we would not book it again, as we weren’t informed beforehand that there were two stops where the animals were fed with chicken for the tourists’ entertainment.

DAY 22 – FROM CAPULIN TO SAN JOSÉ

Distance: 60 km, 1 hour

On our last day in Costa Rica, we aimed to make the most of our remaining time by exploring San José before our evening flight back home.
After driving into the capital, we explored San José on foot, but overall, we found it somewhat disappointing and not particularly worth seeing.

Why? San José is indeed the cultural and economic center of Costa Rica, yet it lacks the natural charm and relaxed atmosphere we had enjoyed so much during our travels.
Many neighborhoods felt gray and hectic. While landmarks like the National Theater and museums are culturally interesting, they don’t offer much of what defines Costa Rica as a natural paradise.

THIS POST WASN’T ENOUGH FOR YOU? YOU’RE LOOKING FOR EVEN MORE TIPS, INSPIRATION, AND MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS FOR YOUR COSTA RICA TRIP? THEN BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR FOLLOWING POSTS:

• Costa Rica Round Trip: Top Sights & Highlights
• Costa Rica: Tips & General Information for Your Dream Trip
• Costa Rica: The Most Beautiful National Parks in the Country

Enjoy exploring and planning!

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• Discover the best accommodations
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• The Right Travel Adapter for Costa Rica
• The Best Travel Guides for Costa Rica
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Costa Rica

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