Costa Rica is the land of rainforests, insane wildlife, blue waterfalls and tropical beaches. So, how to see it all with limited time? Here’s a complete 10 day itinerary to Costa Rica for first-timers who wish to see the most wonderful spots, according to locals.
This Costa Rica 10 day itinerary is suitable for all types of travelers, whether you are solo female traveling in Costa Rica or visiting with a group, by car or by bus, with a small or large budget.
We will explain all your best options for you to make the best possible choice, starting with how to get around.
Costa Rica stands as one of the most visited countries in Central America. And for good reason: it’s home to some of the most wonderful wildlife and biodiversity in the world.
You can do scuba diving in Costa Rica, but also spot exotic animals like sloths, toucans, jaguars, coatis, tapirs, monkeys, turtles, red-eyed tree frogs…
You can explore its natural wonders as well, among the 6 active volcanoes, 800 miles of coastlines and half the country being made up of rainforests.
Here’s a 10 day itinerary for Costa Rica, followed by all the things I wish I Knew before going to Costa Rica. This is the most complete and up-to-date itinerary and guide that you can find on the web. We know because we’ve read them all before our trip!
Why visit Costa Rica?
Well, it’s not hard: Costa Rica has it all. You can visit the country if you’re a nature explorer, hike enthusiastic, beach seeker or animal lover.
You can either relax and sunbathe on one of the many tropical beaches of the Pacific or Caribbean coast, or go on an adrenaline-fueled zipline roller coaster among the trees.
This Latin America country is very suitable for hikes of all levels. Among the volcanoes, jungles, and waterfalls, you will be simply amazed. Aside from hiking, you can also sleep in one of Costa Rica’s treehouse hotels!
Costa Rica is also one of the favourite destinations of surfers. Spots like Tamarindo or Santa Teresa are world famous for their powerful waves. And who says laid-back atmosphere, says yoga and meditation of all kinds! So, you’re in, right?!
How to get to Costa Rica?
Flight to Costa Rica
Flying to Costa Rica is the best option if you don’t come from a nearby country. There are two international airports in Costa Rica: San Jose Airport, also called Juan Santamaria International Airport or SJO, and the Liberia Airport, called the Daniel Oduber International Airport or LIR.
This article is a 10 day itinerary Costa Rica from Liberia and San Jose, the arrival city won’t impact the trip. To find the best deals, you should book on the flight comparator Skyscanner.
Bus to Costa Rica
If you’re travelling on a budget to Costa Rica from a nearby country, an international bus might be your best option. For instance, you can take a bus from Managua in Nicaragua to San Jose in Costa Rica very easily.
The Managua to San Jose journey takes 8 hours and costs around $30 USD. From the other border country, Panama, there are buses running every day from Panama City to San Jose. The journey takes about 15 hours and costs between $20 to $50 USD.
Ferry to Costa Rica
Yes, there are ferries running between the USA and Costa Rica. But it’s more a cruise with stops in the country than an average ferry. If you want to travel by boat in Costa Rica, you should do it inside the country instead!
How to get around in Costa Rica?
Getting from one city to another in Costa Rica can get a bit tricky because of the mountainous landscapes. Here are the best transport options for travelling around the country!
✔️ Here are ALL the simplest ways to go from San Jose to Monteverde or from La Fortuna to Monteverde, depending on your means and time.
Car Rental in Costa Rica
When planning a trip to Costa Rica, you could first think it’s as a relatively small country on the map. But you’d be surprised by the distances between each place! If you feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, your best option to not lose any time during your trip is to rent a car.
Getting a car rental will offer you the freedom to go anywhere at any time and visit more areas. However, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving license for at least one year. It costs approximately $25 USD a day.
Public buses in Costa Rica
However, if you don’t have your driving license or just don’t feel like driving on your own if you’re solo travelling to Costa Rica, you can get around with the Costa Rica bus system. This is the most affordable way to travel around the country, but also the longest one.
Buses typically range from $1 USD to $20 USD maximum, but most long-distance buses take big detours to go through San José. For instance, most buses from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa will go through San José, which doubles the journey time and wastes a lot of time.
This is also difficult to know which buses to take from one point to another because there’s no website listing all the routes of the various bus companies across the country. Rome2rio definitely helps to plan a trip but it’s not always up to date or reliable.
Your best bet is to always double check with the locals or at the reception of your hotel. They’ll tell you what your best option is, the new bus schedules, where to go… Yes, if you like to plan everything in advance, it’s a bit stressful. But always ask for all your options and if the bus journey is too difficult, keep some money for the shuttle!
Shuttles in Costa Rica
Your last option to get around Costa Rica without a car is to use the shuttle transfers all around the country. These are vans with drivers that will get you from A to B, door-to-door, like taxis. Pretty good, innit?
Obviously, it has a cost, but it can be worth it in some situations that we will get more into throughout the article. You can either take a shared shuttle, where the price is per passenger, or a private shuttle, where the price is per van. It can be great if you’re travelling with a group!
Uber in Costa Rica
For shorter distances in relatively touristic areas, you can order an uber drive. It costs less money than the regular red or orange cabs. For instance, a ride from San Jose downtown to San Jose airport will cost $10 USD with an uber and $30 USD with a regular taxi.
Best 10 day itinerary Costa Rica
Even if the country doesn’t look this big on the map, the points of interest are a bit scattered around. The roads are not the fastest ones either. For instance, La Fortuna and Monteverde look very close on the map, right? It’s still a 3-hour drive!
That’s why we recommend only choosing 3 different locations in addition to the airport city (San Jose or Liberia) if you have ten days. So, how to see the rainforests, waterfalls, and beaches at the same time? Here’s the best itinerary you can follow to see all the local spots that make Costa Rica so wonderful to explore.
Day 1: San Jose to La Fortuna
As always when arriving in a new country, the first day will not be the funniest: you will have to get out of the airport, go to the first place of the route
, buy what you need and get used to this new country. Here are your different options depending on your arrival time and ability to drive.
Sim card in Costa Rica
When travelling to Costa Rica, you should get a local SIM card in order not to ruin yourself with your home operator roaming abroad. There are 3 phone operators in Costa Rica: Kolbi, Claro and Movistar. The one that has the best coverage is Kolbi as it’s the government’s operator.
But if you arrive in San Jose Airport and need data right away, the more convenient to get is Claro. The Claro shop is located next to baggage claim 5 and is open from 6 AM to 11 PM. It has a plan at 12,500 CRC ($20 USD or 13.8€) that includes 5 GB, unlimited WhatsApp and 700 MB of social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Waze and Pinterest).
Getting a Klaro sim card at the airport will take the stress out of not being able to communicate at your arrival. However, you won’t have data in rural areas with Klaro. If you can wait a bit, we highly recommend getting a Kolbi sim card for the powerful coverage capacities. You can also buy a prepaid SIM card at any phone or computer shops, and even in supermarkets.
San Jose to La Fortuna
Then, you can head from La Fortuna, the first stop of our 10 day itinerary Costa Rica from San Jose. Getting there is quite difficult when you don’t know the country and we have gathered all the possible options to help you. So, here are your four options.
Rent a car at San Jose Airport
As we told you before, the best way to get around Costa Rica is by getting a car. For this particular journey, it really is your best option as travelling between those two cities can get quite tricky depending on your arrival time. Driving from San Jose to La Fortuna will take you around 2 hours and a half.
Take public buses
There is only one direct bus per day between San Jose Airport and La Fortuna. If you arrive before its departure time at 8:30am, oh lucky you! It will cost around $5 USD.
However, if like most of us you arrive later in the day and don’t want to rent a car, you have two options. If you’re brave enough or really on a tight budget, you can take 3 to 4 different buses to arrive at La Fortuna, your final destination. You’ll need to change buses in cities like Alajuela, Zarcero or Ciudad Quesada.
San Jose to La Fortuna Shuttle
If you’re not too hyped by the previous option, this is where you can bring out your shuttle joker. As they leave from the airport where most tourists are, they cost around $57 USD but it’s worth your money.
Ask your hotel if they have an airport shuttle or just book one online! The shuttles leave and arrive upstairs near the parking lot when getting out of the airport.
If you can’t find a shuttle and don’t feel like taking the buses on your first day, you can get a taxi at the airport. They offer deals between $100 and $200 USD. If you’re interested, you can contact Roy Briams at +506 8312-5894. Lastly, you can also try Uber, which is usually cheaper!
2 options depending on your arrival time
Mistico Hanging Bridges
You still have some energy left and are dying to start your Costa Rican adventures? You can dive straight into it by driving to the Mistico Arenal hanging bridges site. As you can tell by its name, these are mythic hanging bridges over the rainforest. You’ll be walking between the tops of the trees and might spot some cool animals!
The last entrance is at 3.30 PM and the site closes at 4.30 PM. The full trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) long and lasts around 2 hours and a half. There’s a shorter version of 1.1 mile (1.9 km). To do the full tour, it’s ideal to arrive before 2 PM.
The entrance fee of a self-guided tour is $26 USD for adults, $21 USD for 65 and older, $16 USD for teens between 11 and 18 and free for children. It’s very accessible and a perfect activity to add to your Costa Rica itinerary 10 days with family.
La Fortuna Town
You finally made it to the incredible area of the Arenal Volcano! Settle in, explore, get used to the area and discover your hotel. After a long day of travelling, you might want to chill in the swimming pool of your hotel or have a refreshing cocktail.
If you arrive before sunset, you can also explore La Fortuna. There are many restaurants, but also nice shops. If you haven’t booked any tour yet, you might want to do it when arriving at the reception of your hotel as all the tours we did were full.
Where to stay in La Fortuna?
You’ll be staying in La Fortuna for 3 nights, so here are two nice options depending on your budget and way of travelling. If you’re solo travelling or on a budget, there’s a hostel option to make friends. The second option is a bit more expensive, but it might be nice for a family or couple.
Selina La Fortuna
💯 There’s a good chance you’ll stay in a Selina hostel at some point during your trip. There’s one in almost every tourist city in Costa Rica. Selina La Fortuna represents everything we love about hostels: hippie vibes, amazing decoration and amenities, worldwide travellers, and activities!
Located in the heart of La Fortuna, it’s perfect for backpackers on a budget wishing to meet other travelers at the welcoming drink, movie night or yoga lesson. Selina also has a restaurant and bar on site, which serves delicious food, and an explore desk where you can book tours and shuttles. A bed in an 8-bed dorm is about $15 USD per night.
San Bosco Inn
💯 Also located in the heart of La Fortuna, San Bosco Inn offers nice private rooms suitable for up to 3 people for $45 USD. They have a double bed and single bed, a bathroom, and a desk area.
The hotel has a swimming pool and gives you free access to the hot springs complex of the Volcano Lodge Hotel, which we’ll talk more about on day 2.
Day 2: La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano Hike and Hot Springs
Ready for your first full day in Costa Rica? Today, we have a lot in store for you because you’ll explore one of the most famous areas in the country. Put your hiking shoes, swimming suit and clothes on and let’s start!
If you have a car, you can do it all on your own and pay the entrance fees with the different spots. If you don’t, we’re not sure you can easily find uber drives between all the destinations so we would recommend visiting it all with a tour.
✔️ We personally chose this full day Arenal tour, which costs $80 USD per person and includes guided visits to the three spots, lunch, and transportation. Here’s the itinerary we followed.
La Fortuna Waterfall
The first spot you should stop at is La Fortuna waterfall, or Catarata Río Fortuna in Spanish. This waterfall in the middle of the jungle is an absolute must do in Arenal. After parking your car, you’ll go through an office where you can pay the entrance fee, $18 USD. You can use the bathroom and changing rooms to put your swimming suit on.
Then, you will go down the 500 steps on a paved and easy trail. All along the way, there are good spots to take pictures, and a viewpoint right in front of the waterfall downstairs.
You can swim under the waterfall but it’s quite busy, noisy, and slippery. If you want to swim in a quieter place, just take the stairs on the left when you arrive and there’s a nice river coming from the waterfall.
The water is insanely clear and there are lots of pisces called the Machaca. We were told they are from the same family of the Piranha, but vegetarian 😉
Arenal Volcano Hike
After a good swim in the refreshing water of La Fortuna waterfall, you’ll head to the parking lot of the Arenal Volcano trail. This active volcano is the pride of the region and you cannot leave Costa Rica without having seen it.
Here’s a map of the different trails you can follow. The Arenal Volcano entrance fee is $15 USD per adult and $5 USD per child. It opens every day from 8AM to 4PM.
The one we did with Jungle Tours was the Sendero Perezoso (blue one) and it lasted around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to walk until the summit of the Arenal Volcano.
However, you’ll get to an awesome spot with an unreal view of the volcano. If you’re lucky with the weather, the Arenal Volcano summit won’t be too shy, and you’ll be able to see it without clouds!
Swim in the green lake in front of Arenal Volcano
On your way back to the parking lot, you can take the small trail called the Peninsula Tarzan Swing. It leads to a human made liana to jump in the water of the lake. It’s a very cool jungle experience that we highly recommend!
If you’re visiting with Jungle Tours, you’ll eat right after this on the picnic tables. If not, you should try to find a restaurant before or after your Arenal Volcano hike to have lunch.
Hot Springs Arenal
Volcano Lodge & Springs
Volcano Lodge is a real thermal experience in itself. They built wonderful hot spring pools and waterfalls surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Dive in it to relax and heal from all the hikes you’ve done already. You can even have a drink at the bar in one of the pool and jacuzzi areas, while staying in the hot water.
You can have access to those for free if you stay at San Bosco Inn. If not, those hot springs are not accessible to everyone. If you’re not staying in San Bosco Inn and wish to access the hot springs, a one night stay at Volcano Lodge is around $120 USD.
Free Hot Springs La Fortuna
Last but not least, you must finish your day with a relaxing moment in one of the many Arenal hot springs. The one that most people on a budget go to is the free hot springs of La Fortuna. This natural river with an insanely hot river ranging from 80° to 105°F (28° to 40°C) is part of the Tabacón complex.
That’s where you’ll go with Jungle Tours. When you’re on a tour, your time is limited to one hour but otherwise, you can easily spend hours in the hot and relaxing water.
Just don’t bring any important belongings there because there are lots of tourists who leave their stuff without any surveillance and don’t find them anymore when they come back.
Ecotermales Hot Springs
Eco Termales Spa is another hot spring site that you can access for $44 USD. Its speciality is that these are natural hot springs, compared to others which are human built.
You’ll relax in the 8 intimate pools, ranging from 90° to 106°F (32° to 41°C). There’s also a fresh waterfall and pool if you’re too hot.
Baldi Hot Springs
Baldi Hot Springs claim to be the largest hot springs in the world. Yes, you read that correctly! So, if you have some time off, why not treat yourself with an entrance to such a unique place?
It’s $36 USD per adult and $18 USD for children from 6 to 10 years old. You’ll enjoy not less than 25 thermal pools amidst the tropical rainforest and filled by crystalline waterfalls.
What’s more relaxing than a natural bath in the middle of nature with exotic birds singing all around?
Tabacon Hot Springs Costa Rica
We’re finishing this list of the best hot springs in La Fortuna with the one that you’ve seen all over Instagram: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. This large site of natural hot springs will heal your muscles and soul for sure. Discover the wonderful waterfalls and spend time in nature.
Tabacón Hot Springs entrance fee depends on how long you’re staying and if you wish to have lunch, dinner, or both. The cheapest option is the early morning pass with lunch, which costs $70 USD.
One thing is for sure; this experience will improve your well-being and reduce your stress levels.
Day 3: Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park
Now that you’ve seen most of the Arenal Volcano region, you should take a day trip to Tenorio Volcano National Park to admire the wonderfully blue waterfall and explore a new national park.
We highly suggest that you read our article about Rio Celeste waterfall before going in order to be 100% prepared for this expedition. In a few words, you can either do it on your own or with a tour company, like Seven Tours for $65 USD. Here’s the itinerary we followed with the tour company.
Rio Celeste Waterfall
Rio Celeste Waterfall is an iconic spot in Costa Rica because of its never-seen-before blue water. It’s a 2-hour drive from La Fortuna, you can check out our complete guide for the road directions.
Rio Celeste is located inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park. You can access it with a 30-minute walk from the parking lot. You will walk in the middle of a lush green forest until the famous stairs of Rio Celeste.
You’ll need to pay an entrance fee of $12 USD per adult and $5 USD per child from 2 to 12 years old. Yes, it’s very worth your money and you can’t skip this one. Make sure to wear a raincoat and junkie shoes though.
Tenorio Volcano National Park
There are many other wonderful natural spots to visit when exploring Tenorio National Park. After marvelling at Rio Celeste, you should go back to the main platform right after the stairs and continue the hike.
First, you will stop at Laguna Azul, a turquoise blue lagoon in the middle of the rainforest. Then, witness the volcano fumaroles in the water of Borbollones and the insane change of colour at the meeting point of two rivers, called the Teñideros.
Bugai Rio Celeste Restaurant & Swim
I bet this hike whetted your appetite? Good news, the next stop of the tour we did was a nice nature restaurant with typical food. It’s called Bugai Rio Celeste Nature & Food and is a bit outside of the touristic paths as it’s a 20-minute drive from the waterfall.
The place is not only worth the drive for the food, but also for the heavenly swimming spot located just next to it. After your lunch, follow the path at the right of the restaurant and have a well-deserved swim in the refreshing river.
After this day of exploration, you’ll drive back to La Fortuna and relax at your hotel. Depending on the hour, you could also relax in one of your favourite hot springs, before heading to another location on the next day.
Day 4: La Fortuna to Monteverde & Wildlife Night Tour
After spending the 3 first days of your 10 day itinerary in Costa Rica in La Fortuna, it’s time to head for new adventures to Monteverde, another wonderful rainforest. The foggy and mystic atmosphere of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve will conquer your heart right away.
La Fortuna to Monteverde Shuttle
The most common way to go from La Fortuna to Monteverde is to take a shuttle. As the lake Arenal is located on the middle of the journey, all the shuttles are actually a “jeep boat jeep” combination. You can book it at the desk of your hotel, or directly with the company Aventuras El Lago for $30 USD.
Settle in your accommodation
After arriving in Monteverde, either with a shuttle or your own car, we highly suggest that you go check out your accommodation first. The reason behind it is that most Monteverde hotels are something else. It’s a place where you can sleep in a treehouse or just have a wonderful view of the foggy forest.
Tree House Restaurant
Even if you can’t afford to sleep in a treehouse, no worries. Here’s your chance to visit one! The Tree House Restaurante is in the city centre of Santa Elena, the town near the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
It’s a very untypical restaurant that you absolutely must try. It’s not every day that you can eat surrounded by trees! Their food is delicious as well and the staff is very welcoming and helpful. You should go there quite early as the day is not over just yet…
Monteverde Night Walk
Yes, here’s your first night activity! Monteverde is known to be home to some of the best wildlife of Costa Rica. However, the animals can be difficult to spot during the day. By doing a night tour, you’re almost 100% sure to spot some cool wildlife!
Kinkajou Night Walk offers tours for $28 USD where you can spot all the famous animals that make Costa Rica wildlife so special. Among them, we saw a toucan, sloth, frog, flashy green snake, and many others.
Those tours usually last around 2 hours and they pick you up at your hotel or hostel at 5:40PM, 6:45PM or 8:15PM. You can eat before or after the tour, and they will drop you off at your place after the tour as well. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Where to sleep in Monteverde?
Cabinas Eddy B&B
Cabinas Eddy B&B was one of our top accommodations of the trip. All bedrooms have large windows overlooking the forest. With its large bed of red sheets, its wooden walls and its breathtaking view of the green forest, the atmosphere of this place is truly mystical.
The manager of the place is super nice and helpful. He will try to answer absolutely all your questions and give the best information about the tours you can do in the area. A private room for two people is around $31 USD, including a homemade breakfast (fruits, banana pancake, eggs…).
Hostel La Suerte
If you’re travelling on a budget, you can also stay at Hostel La Suerte. It’s well located and has a wonderful view on the forest. A bed in an 8-bed dorm costs $20 USD per person, with a delicious typical costa rican breakfast included.
Day 5: Monteverde Hanging Bridges & Ziplining
Do you like thrills or breathtaking landscapes? This second day in Monteverde is made for you! Have a big breakfast, take your raincoat, mosquito repellent, camera and let the adventure begin.
Monteverde Hanging Bridges
If you didn’t have enough time to do the hanging bridges of La Fortuna, now is your chance! Sky Adventures Monteverde Park, part of the Selvatura Park, is $50 USD per adult, $33 USD per student and $28 USD per child. If you want to book in advance, you can secure your spot here.
It’s more expensive than the hanging bridges at La Fortuna, but Monteverde has the longest suspension bridge in all of Costa Rica. A walk on it offers scenic landscapes and great opportunities to meet animals in the trees.
However, if this is too expensive for you, you can simply wander in Monteverde town. Your last option would be to choose a less expensive option by visiting Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for $21 USD. We were told you can see both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts from the top when it’s not too cloudy.
Monteverde Zip Line
Another famous activity that you can do in Monteverde is ziplining among the trees. Several parks offer this activity, but the less touristy and best one is Canopy Extremo. It costs $50 USD per person and includes a pickup and drop off to your hotel.
After eating a typical lunch at Restaurante Cafeteria Reposteria, start your ziplining adventure at Canopy Extremo Park. You will get to zip 10 lines and try out the famous Tarzan Swing. We recommend to book in advance on their Viator page as it can get pretty busy.
You’ll also do a rappel to get down a tree and climb back up to the top, passing inside a hollow tree. Don’t worry, if you’re too scared to do the swing and rappel, you can skip those parts.
Don’t forget to put lots of mosquito repellent on before starting the ziplining tour. Wear long sleeves, pants and try to hide every part of your body, especially your ankles. Mosquitos are absolutely crazy there!
Monteverde Souvenirs Shopping
You can end this adrenaline-filled day by wandering in the streets of Santa Elena. It is the perfect place to buy souvenirs or gifts for your loved ones. If you ever need to withdraw money there, go to the banco nacional. The other ones don’t seem to work very well.
Day 6: Monteverde to Santa Teresa
You’ve already explored two rainforests, now it’s time to get to the coast for some sea, sun & relaxation time! Your legs might be hurting a bit from all the hikes you’ve done in the past five days, but don’t worry; Santa Teresa has everything you need to refuel the batteries and relax.
How to go from Monteverde to Santa Teresa?
Monteverde to Santa Teresa Shuttle
Tropical Tours Shuttles offer daily shuttles departing at 8 AM from Monteverde for $62 USD per person. As for every shuttle in Costa Rica, you’ll need to book it early and it won’t leave if it doesn’t have a minimum of four people.
Monteverde to Santa Teresa by bus
If you don’t want to take a shuttle between every destination, we recommend that you save money for this journey and take the public buses. Many travellers take this road so you won’t be alone, and you can definitely share the journey with new friends. Here’s how to do it.
First, you’ll need to take a bus from Santa Elena to Puntarenas in the early morning. You should go to TransMonteverde, the bus stop, one day before the check the hours as they change frequently. It lasts between 2 and 3 hours depending on the traffic and the ticket costs $2.5 USD (1570 CRC).
Go until the last stop of the bus. From there, you will have to walk 30 minutes to the ferry station or take a cab for $2.4 USD (1500 CRC) that you can share with other backpackers.
Then, buy a ferry ticket from Puntarenas to Paquera for $1.3 USD (810 CRC). It lasts between 1h10 and 1h30. In September 2021, the departures were at 7AM, 10AM, 12:30PM, 3PM and 6PM.
When you arrive, a bus will be waiting at the exit of the ferry to drive you from Paquera to Cobano. It lasts 1h30 and costs $2.4 USD (1500 CRC). Lastly, you’ll take one last bus from Cobano to Santa Teresa for 45 minutes and $1.6 USD (1000 CRC).
It might look like a difficult journey with lots of changes, but it really isn’t that bad. It’s really well indicated, full of other travellers and very safe. This whole journey costs $8 USD and you save a lot of money!
Santa Teresa sunset
After surviving this long journey and dropping your bags at your hostel, you should head straight to the beach in time for sunset. Take a cocktail at Nantipa Beach Bar and witness a sunset of a lifetime on the beach in your hammock.
Where to stay in Santa Teresa?
Santa Teresa really is all about hostel life and it’s difficult to find a private room for a decent price. However, those three hostels really deliver wonderful amenities and atmospheres.
Salty Enthusiastics
Salty Enthusiastics is the homiest hostel you can find in Santa Teresa. The cute typical houses only have one big female dorm with 7 double beds. Yes, you read that right, you could have a whole double bed to yourself in a hostel!
Your bed area is also big enough for you to put your big backpack and other stuff in here and there are curtains all around it for more intimacy. The vibe is very chill and there are shared areas to chill and to cook with other guests.
Lost Boiz
Lost Boiz is quite famous in the area because many worldwide travellers stay there. It has a nice bar, restaurant, and small pool. If you’d like to party or just to meet people, this is ideal.
Selina Santa Teresa North
Here we go again! After Selina La Fortuna, let us introduce you to Selina Santa Teresa North. This pink building is perfectly located, near cool restaurants, shops and bars. It has a nice pool and garden, as well as all the things we already liked about Selina: a bar, restaurant, many activities…
Day 7: Santa Teresa beaches or surf
Now that you’re in Santa Teresa, know that this is the perfect town to chill, do nothing and have no plans! However, if you’re bored, here are some activity ideas and nice restaurants.
Santa Teresa surf
Santa Teresa has perfect waves all year long. It’s ideal for intermediate surfers, but it can be a great playground for beginners and confirmed surfers as well. Furthermore, it’s a pretty hidden spot for now so you will be away from the crowds.
You can surf at Playa Hermosa, Playa Santa Teresa or Playa Carmen. If you’re an intermediate or confirmed surfer, you can rent a board for $10/15 USD per day. For beginners, we advise that you take a surf lesson as the waves can get pretty dangerous when we don’t know them. The standard lesson in a group is $49 USD.
The Bakery Santa Teresa
After a good surf session, head to the Bakery at the very beginning of Santa Teresa (from where you arrived). This place serves really good local food and has awesome decoration. If you need cash, take the opportunity to withdraw some because the only two ATMs of Santa Teresa are located there.
Go to the Beach
We warmed you, Santa Teresa is all about chilling on the beach! Enjoy the sun on Playa Santa Teresa or Playa Hermosa. We heard Playa Hermosa is the best for sunsets. If your hostel is too far from it, you could for instance rent a bike to get there.
Day 8: Santa Teresa relaxation
Here we go, a second day of doing nothing and just relaxing in Santa Teresa. This time, you can do a yoga session of your choice and improve your tan and write postcards to your loved ones.
Santa Teresa Yoga
You can find yoga lessons multiple times a day in lots of hostels, like Don Jons or Casa Zen. Usually, these are at around 9AM or 6PM, last one hour and cost $10 USD. Just go to any hostel and ask if they have yoga lessons. Santa Teresa is also a great place to do yoga, or even acro yoga on the beach!
Enjoy the Beach
Put your swimming suit on, take a beach towel, sunscreen, and a good book. Now you have the perfect kit to lizard on the beach all afternoon. Don’t forget to hydrate yourself a lot and put sunscreen on because Santa Teresa’s sun can be cruel with the clouds.
Eat Street
End the day off with one of the best places to eat in Santa Teresa: Eat Street. It is a place where 3 or 4 food trucks are gathered with tables in the middle to offer all types of cuisine and satisfy everyone. Many travellers gather here in the evening to have a joyous feast.
Day 9: Day Trip to Montezuma
After 3 days in Santa Teresa, you might’ve heard of its neighbour, Montezuma. On this 9th day of your Costa Rica 10 day itinerary, you wouldn’t say no to a new waterfall chasing adventure, right?
How to get from Santa Teresa to Montezuma?
Only 16 km away, Montezuma is approximately a 30-minute drive from Santa Teresa. If you have your own rental car, you can easily drive there for a day or even half day trip. If you don’t have your own car, you can either take a cab for $20 USD or take the direct bus which leaves 4 times a day.
Montezuma Waterfall
The Montezuma waterfalls are actually a set of 3 waterfalls from different sizes that you can only access by riverside hiking trails. All along the way, you’ll have plunge pools and scenic views.
Montezuma Top Waterfall
The Top Waterfall is the smallest of the three and is about 5 meters tall. However, this is the best one to swim in because of how deep the natural pool is. If you dare, you can also jump in it from the rock or with the rope swing. We love a good Tarzan style jump!
Montezuma Middle Waterfall
To see the Middle Waterfall, you will have to swim in the pool of the Top Waterfall. Then, a 12 meters waterfall drop will magically appear. This one is already stunning from below so there’s no real need to walk on the incredibly slippery steps to see it from below. Please also note that it’s very dangerous to jump from the top of it!
Montezuma Lower Waterfall
Last but not least, the Lower Waterfall is the biggest one with a 25-meter drop. You can have a refreshing swim in this incredible place, but again, this is not recommended to jump from this one.
After this cool waterfall adventure, head back to Santa Teresa for a last night of partying, eating good food or just chilling with friends.
Day 10: Head back to San Jose or Liberia
Time passed by and the 10th day of your Costa Rica road trip has already arrived. It’s time to head back to San Jose or Liberia, where your return flight departures from. However, it’s not over just yet!
If you still have one day left because you want to head back to the capital in advance to make sure you catch your flight, or just did the itinerary differently, we have a few surprises for you.
How to get from Santa Teresa to San Jose?
If you don’t have a car, this journey ain’t the easiest one. There’s no direct bus from Santa Teresa to San Jose and it’s very difficult to find accurate information about the different buses and ferries to take.
We were told you have to go in the main street of Santa Teresa (the only one) at 6 AM and wave to the bus for it to take you to Cobano. From there, you’d catch another bus to Paquera to take the Paquera – Puntarenas ferry.
As of September 2021, the departures are at 6 AM, 10 AM, 12:30 PM, 3 PM and 5PM.Then, ask if there’s a direct bus to San Jose or what is the most rapid way to get there.
If you don’t feel like trying the public transport once again, Tropical Tours Shuttles have daily shuttles leaving at 7:30 AM for $41 USD. Try to book it directly on their website a few days before instead of asking your hotel to do it for you not to pay the commission (around $10 USD).
Day trips from San Jose
Here are 3 day trips that you can take by yourself or with a tour from San Jose to have one last costa rican adventure. Those three are very different to fit all kinds of profiles!
Irazu Volcano
Irazu Volcano is an active volcano located in the countryside of the capital, near Cartago and the Orosi Valley. The trail is around 1.3 mile (2 km) and leads you to an impressive volcano crater. However, be aware that the green lake dried up.
Irazu Volcano National Park is open every day and the entrance fee is $15 USD per adult and $5 USD per child from 2 to 12 years old. To get there, you’ll need to drive 1h10 to 1h30 depending on the traffic, or take the daily direct bus from San Jose which costs $4 USD.
🌋 If you don’t have a car, here’s a half day Irazú Volcano National Park tour that includes private transportation from San Jose, an hike to the crater and a visit to the most important church of Costa Rica. It costs $99 USD but is so worth it.
Termales Hacienda Orosi
Hacienda Orosi is one of the best hot springs in Costa Rica. It is a complex of hot water pools built with small rocks, in the middle of a beautiful green valley.
It truly is the perfect place to relax and disconnect from the world one last time in a wonderful nature setting.
You can get there within two hours by two different buses that won’t cost you more than $8 USD. The entrance of the Termales Hacienda Orosi is $35 USD, and the site is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Ujarras Ruins
Costa Rica ancient ruins are usually not included in the majority of the tourist circuits. And that’s a shame! Among many other ruins, Ujarras Ruins is one of the oldest archaeological sites of the country. Located in the Orosi Valley, they are reachable by a one hour and a half ride from San José.
Rio Blanco Waterfall
If you didn’t see enough waterfalls yet, here’s your chance to spot a spectacular one. Rio Blanco is located in Guapiles and is not a very touristy site, due to the river crossing to get there.
The hike itself is doable if you don’t mind getting wet and stay careful. The length of the trail is 5 miles (9 km), which will take you between 4 and 6 hours. But as we say, the journey is sometimes as pleasant as the destination.
When you get there, you’ll not only see a majestic waterfall but also a huge cave next to it. This place is a real playground for photographers and nature lovers, even if it is difficult to reach without getting wet.
You must go with a local guide as the trail is quite long and having a good knowledge of the area is important. It’s a one hour and forty minutes drive from San Jose.
San Jose downtown to San Jose Airport
To get to the airport from San Jose downtown, the regular taxis charge around $25 USD while uber drivers only take $10 USD. If you’re not in a hurry, you can also take a bus to Alajuela and then another bus to Juan Santamaria International airport.
Costa Rica Travel Tips
Are 10 days in Costa Rica enough?
You won’t be able to see all the interesting spots of Costa Rica in 10 days, but you’ll still get a very good glimpse of it. During your Costa Rica 10 day itinerary, you’ll be able to visit at least 3 spots. You can choose between volcanoes, rainforests, waterfalls, beaches… Or choose locations with all those wonderful natural things.
If you’re a hike lover, you can head to one of the volcano/rainforest areas, such as La Fortuna, Monteverde or Rincón de la Vieja National Park. This last one is less known, and you’ll be able to see small active volcano fumaroles with your own eyes!
Lastly, if your goal is to see cool wildlife, the best place to go is Manuel Antonio National Park. If you’re lucky, you can spot wild howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, geckos…
If you’re a beach lover, you can visit Tamarindo, Samara, Santa Teresa, or Jaco on the Pacific Coast, or Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. The beaches on the Caribbean coast have clear water while the ones on the Pacific coast are better to surf.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
Costa Rica has two seasons: the dry season and rain season. The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, from December to April. You can also visit during the green season, from May to June. It is the transitional phase between the two seasons, when the rains make the forest bloom.
Lots of people travel to Costa Rica in July or August, as it’s a holiday period for many. It’s during the rainy season but it’s doable. It’s all down to luck! Note that the rainiest months are September and October.
Is Costa Rica expensive?
Yes, Costa Rica is an expensive country to visit. Most people don’t expect to spend this much money in Costa Rica as it doesn’t match the standards of other central american countries.
The most expensive thing in Costa Rica are tours, because if you don’t have a car, you must visit everything with a tour.
But of course, you can still visit Costa Rica on a budget, with a backpacking style. You can always stay in hostels, which cost around $10 to $20 USD per night in high season. Then, eat at the local restaurants like SODA for the cheapest food, and take the local buses all the time.
10 days in Costa Rica Budget
This Costa Rica 10 day itinerary cost $900 USD per person, mixing hostels and hotels, tours and self-guided visits, as well as shuttles and local buses. To break it down a bit more, $217 on transportation, $230 on tours and activities, $285 on accommodation booked at the last minute and $164 USD on food.
Travel Insurance Costa Rica
If you’re travelling in times of COVID 19, you’ll need to buy travel insurance for the duration of your stay. In August 2021, it had to include a coverage for medical expenses for covid-19 infection of at least $50000, as well as a minimum coverage of $2000 for accommodation costs in the event of covid-19 infection, trip cancellation and quarantine.
So yes, it’s not easy to find! You should call a well-known travel insurance company in your country and ask them. In France, Assur Travel offers deals that include all the Costa Rica criteria. For a trip to Costa Rica for 13 days, it costs $56 USD. If you ever need to use it, be aware that you should call them before getting into any medical assistance.
Outlets in Costa Rica
Costa Rican power sockets provide a voltage of 110 to 120V and a standard frequency of 60Hz. This is the same voltage as in the United States. However, if you come from Europe for instance, you’ll need an adaptor. It costs around $10 USD.
Money in Costa Rica
That’s always a big question when travelling… Should you pay by card or cash abroad? Well, it all depends on your bank rates! Ask them the rate when withdrawing money or paying in Costa Rica.
In addition to that, we recommend always having cash on you in case you need to take a taxi or pay in a place where they don’t accept the card. The official money in Costa Rica is Colón. They also accept dollars pretty much everywhere.
However, if you don’t come from the United-States, you should withdraw only colones to make sure you can pay everywhere. Do that unless the exchange rate between your money and dollars is much more advantageous than with the colones of course.
Costa Rica packing list
Costa Rica packing list obviously depends on the season when you’re travelling, but here are the most important items that you should bring at all times in case.
- Passport, PCR test or vaccine certificate, Salud Pass
- Electronic devices and chargers
- Summer clothes + raincoat (no, you CAN’T pass this one, especially during rainy season), pullover, big socks, one jean, legging, sport outfit, sneakers and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty
- Swimming suit, beach towel and flip flops
- Toilet bag, shower towel, medicines (including bandages and disinfectant because you will be doing a lot of hiking) and mosquito repellent
- Snacks and chewing gums for when you won’t get back to your hotel to brush your teeth
Can you drink tap water in Costa Rica?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Costa Rica in the majority of the country. However, ordering a LARQ reusable water bottle could be a great idea while traveling to Costa Rica to drink 100% clean water at all times.
LARQ uses a UV-C light technology that purify water every 30 minutes. It guarantees a clean bottle and access to water at all times, which is a must when visiting a new country.
How to plan a trip to Costa Rica for 10 days: the Wrap Up
As this article is quite long, we summed up the essentials that you must do in this order before leaving for your trip. Here are all the things to do before your Costa Rica trip:
- Select your favourite Costa Rica spots (because unless you’re staying at least one month, you won’t be able to do it all)
- Prepare your Costa Rica itinerary
- Book your flights and accommodation
- Buy a travel insurance
- Check if the electrical outlets are the same as those in your country
- Pack and withdraw a bit of money
- Buy a local SIM card and a mosquito repellent
- Board on the plane and have the time of your life
If you’ve made it this far in this Costa Rica 10 day itinerary and guide, it means you’re 100% ready to go! Whether you’re travelling in a group or solo travelling, you’ll have the trip of a lifetime on the land of rainforests. If you’re not sure you can afford the trip yet, check out the 34 ways to travel the world with no money.
