¡Pura Vida, fellow wanderers! 

Embraced by the vast Pacific Ocean and the shimmering Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica stands as a sanctuary of nature's marvels, unique wildlife, and the heartwarming "pura vida" vibe. As I ventured through its rainforests, surfed its azure waves, and danced to its marimba beats, I discovered a country where every corner holds a story and every sunset a promise. Now, I've distilled that wealth of knowledge into this handy guide, designed for you to tailor our suggestions and craft your ideal Costa Rican adventure — without the daunting hours of research.

Benefit from daily tidbits, locals-only deals, and a curated collection of resources, ensuring your journey through Costa Rica is nothing short of spectacular.

¡Vamos a descubrir Costa Rica juntos! (Let's discover Costa Rica together!)

Costa Rica

Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

San José Province, San José, Costa Rica

Guanacaste Province, Las Catalinas, Costa Rica

When it comes to Costa Rica, there is no limit to things to explore. This guide is written with the aim to make the most of your trip (5-10 days)and experience a little bit of all that Costa Rica has to offer - the Volcanoes, wildlife, rainforests, beaches and culture!

📍San Jose 
📍La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano
📍Monteverde
📍Tamarindo
📍Puntarenas
📍Gulf of Nicoy

Make the most of Costa Rica

Tips, spots and dining in Jaco, Costa Rica

Jaco Costa Rica, Calle Hermosa, Puntarenas Province, Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

Jaco Costa Rica

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- More than 124 things to do including accommodation, activities, attractions, beaches, mountains, hikes, some secret places and more...
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- Direct links to service reservation pages 
- Different itinerary suggestions depending on your interests.
- Recommendations

Costa Rica 

Embark on an unforgettable 7-day road trip through the breathtaking landscapes of Costa Rica, a country that epitomizes the essence of Pura Vida. Your journey kicks off in the vibrant capital city of San Jose, where you'll soak in the local culture and enjoy the lively atmosphere before heading towards the majestic Arenal Volcano and the town of La Fortuna.

Day 1: San Jose
Begin your adventure in San Jose, where the city's rich history and vibrant markets await. Immerse yourself in the local lifestyle, savoring traditional Costa Rican cuisine and exploring the historic landmarks that make this city unique.

Day 2-3: La Fortuna and Arenal
Hit the road to La Fortuna, nestled at the base of the iconic Arenal Volcano. Explore the lush landscapes with activities like hiking, zip-lining, and relaxing in natural hot springs. Witness the awe-inspiring Arenal Volcano and its surrounding beauty before heading to the coast.

Day 4-5: Tamarindo
Drive to the golden shores of Tamarindo on the Pacific coast. This surfer's paradise offers not only pristine beaches but also a vibrant nightlife and a variety of water activities. Experience the laid-back vibe, indulge in fresh seafood, and catch a mesmerizing sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Day 6: Manuel Antonio
Venture south to Manuel Antonio National Park, renowned for its diverse wildlife and pristine beaches. Hike through lush rainforests, spot monkeys and sloths, and unwind on the park's pristine beaches. It's a nature lover's paradise.

Day 7: Return to San Jose
As your road trip concludes, head back to San Jose, reflecting on the incredible landscapes and diverse experiences that define Costa Rica. Whether you're captivated by volcanic wonders, enchanted by tropical beaches, or immersed in the country's rich biodiversity, this 7-day journey offers a taste of the pura vida lifestyle that Costa Rica is famous for.

7 Day Costa Rican Road Trip

My guide to backpacking Central America is finally here! This guide is based on hundreds of hours of research, my own 4 month long trip, and some extras that I wasn't able to get to but would still highly recommend based on reviews from trusted friends! This guide serves as an essential list of the best attractions in each country and what not to miss! The route in the guide is laid out North to South, starting in Belize and ending in Panama, but it can also be used in reverse. 

The guide includes information for how to get between locations; however not in great detail as the schedules and prices change frequently and let's be honest, the busses are never on time in Central America! The best way to get between places depends on your timeline and budget of your trip: if you have months to explore, take the local "chicken busses" for a more affordable and immersive experience; if you only have weeks, take the more direct shuttles; and if you're tight on time, take the more direct and upscale coaches. Whichever option you choose, the locals are always willing to help with chicken busses, and shuttle busses and coaches are very easy to book throughout Central America at your hostel, any tour operator, or online. 

Where possible, I included accommodation recommendations for places that I personally stayed at and can vouch for, or know someone who did. In addition, there are links for booking hostels in each region! 

I hope this guide provides some help and inspiration to backpack Central America, it's one of my absolute favourite places on Earth!

Need a custom trip planned for Central America? Reach out, I can help you!

El Salvador

Guatemala

Belize

Honduras

Central America

Nicaragua

Panama

A Complete Backpacker's Guide to Central America.

4 Week Itinerary Costa Rica

This itinerary is based off of my personal experience in the beautiful country. I have spent over a year of my life in Costa Rica, when I was both 13 and 19. 


Everything You Need to Know About Costa Rica

A jam-packed itinerary to make the most of 5 days in Costa Rica! We completed this itinerary ourselves and enjoyed every minute of this adventure. The itinerary can easily be spread over more than 5 days. Explore waterfalls, volcanoes, cloud forests, and more! Pricing & costs, travel tips, local food suggestions, and wildlife spotting tips are also included. This guide was built for the go-go-go adventurers out there!

Costa Rica: Ultimate Adventure & Nature Guide

Jaco Beach

Jaco Beach is a larger coastal city known for parties and surfing. This city is somewhere you will either want to spend a week in, or be good after one day depending on what you like. The town is filled with common tourist shops with clothes and souvenirs, along with awesome clubs. This city has an amazing Saturday night rave after party from 2am until sunrise and never disappoints. Tickets must be purchased prior if you want a good price at they double at the door. To buy tickets you must speak with a surf instructor on the beach. 

Jaco also offers hidden waterfalls. This amazing hike is roughly 3 miles before reaching the top. You will have to climb small waterfalls to get to the top. There are roughly 15 waterfalls that stream into one another, so if you don't want to make the trek to the top you can swim at one of the first few. These waterfalls are hidden behind a farm and can be done via tour guide or solo. The farm owner will ask for 5,000 Colones per-person if you are arriving without a guide as a cover to hike through his land. 

Beautiful beach, lots of surfers and surf schools. Take a stroll to the big house at the end of the beach and say hi to local Cali who can share many special recommendations. 

Darkish sand beach with rocks - Great surfing waves - Long breaks, several surf spots - Not good for swimming, riptides common      

Jaco is known as another surf town in Costa Rica, if surfing is your thing, this is a great spot.

Jaco Beach

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