7 day roadtrip through costa rica
For senior year spring break, instead of going along with the typical resort vacation, two of my friends and I opted for something a bit more adventurous: a Costa Rican road trip. We began our trip by flying into the capital city, San Jose, then worked our way through Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. This trip was WILD and filled to the brim with adventure + incredibly inexpensive. It was the perfect destination combining adventure, nature, and resort luxury. Expect to pull the car over a bunch to admire the scenery and breathe in the fresh air. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about car rentals, where to spot sloths, and where to eat the best damn coconut cream pie in the world.
MY FAVORITE costa rica SPOTS
La Fortuna Waterfall
We hiked and laughed and swam and got desperatly dehydrated and it was a beautiful day.
Cloud Walk
We saw our first wild sloth here!! It downpoured on us the whole walk but it was still soooo magical.
Sunset Sail + Snorkle
We drank all the rum punches the world could offer and then snorkled and watched the sun set.
San Jose to arenal
The drive from San Jose to Arenal is an easy 3 hours once you get outside of the city. San Jose isn’t that spectacular so we only spent one quick night and then headed our to Arenal where we spent 2 nights.
Can’t miss:
La Fortuna Waterfall – a decent hike with an amazing waterfall finish
Arenal Volcano – we did a horseback ride to the outlook which was a great way to see it (even though it was cloudy)
Stay: We stayed at the beautiful Los Lagos Resort & Spa which had everything you need (in a town of not much) except wifi.
MONTEVERDE
The drive from Arenal to Monteverde took about three and a half hours – it wasn’t the easiest and I definitely recommend a 4WD vehicle because of it. We stayed here for two nights.
Can’t miss:
Monteverde Eco Reserve – beautiful, easy hike
Sky Adventure Cloud Walk, Zipline, and Tram – we spotted our first sloth here!
Taco Taco – cheap tacos + puppies and sooo good
Chocolate tour at Café Caburé – hidden gem!!
Tree house Cafe – a little touristy, but fun
Stay: We stayed at the Sunset Hotel which was very basic, but beautiful views and free, homecooked breakfast.
MANUEL ANTIONIO
The last leg of our trip was a four hour drive to the beaches of Manuel Antonio and spent our 3 last nights.
Can’t miss:
Playa Espadilla – $4 parking right on the beach, don’t fall for the guys on the street
Cafe Milagro – the best coconut pie I’ve ever had in my entire life
Manuel Antonio National Park – SLOTHS
Lunch at Cafe Agua Azul – rooftop, water views + great burgers
Brunch at Emilio’s – incredible view!!
Playa Bisaenez – This beach is a little off the beaten path and great if you are looking to escape the crowds. A short trail walk will lead you to this secluded beach with cream-colored sands, high cliffs, and a vendor ready to bring you a cold cerveza right to your towel.
Sunset Sail Tours – one of my favorite memories from our trip filled with snorkeling and rum punch
Where to stay: We stayed at Hacienda Pacific Hotel, but I would recommend Selina Hostel.
Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to drive back to San Jose because traffic can be so tricky!
