2023 Costa Rica Travel Guide
Your Personalized Costa Rica Travel Guide
Let’s promise each other something. You have to promise to read this entire post. In turn, WE promise that by the time you finish reading, you’ll be fully equipped to travel to Costa Rica with an itinerary that feels like it was made for you. Because it was! Consider this your very own personal Costa Rica Travel Guide – updated with all the most recent information for 2023, of course.
Let’s Fall In Love With The World
If you’re new here, our blog is called Baggage and it’s all about falling in love with the world. We’re two sisters who love to travel, and who believe wholeheartedly that everyone can have meaningful relationships with places. Therefore, this Costa Rica Travel Guide is designed with that idea in mind, and organized based on how long you have to explore one of the most biodiverse places on the planet (meaning that it’s absolutely full of animal and plant life).
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Are You Playing The Field or Going Steady in Costa Rica?
Playing The Field is our blog category for travelers who have just 3-5 days to hit all the best spots in Costa Rica! If this is you, you’re not interested in committing to one place long term. Instead, you want to have it all in a short amount of time. We’ve got you.
On the other hand, Going Steady is the category for the traveler who has 1-3 weeks to explore Costa Rica. You need an itinerary that goes into detail about where to go and what to do to make the most of every moment. It’s time to form a meaningful relationship, and this Costa Rica Travel Guide will help you do just that.
First, decide how long you have to travel. Next, simply click on the photo below that pertains to your relationship goals with Costa Rica. You’ll be taken to the section of this blog post that has all the information you’ll need!
A Note About NonToxic Travel
At Baggage, we are all about nontoxic travel – because we care about the relationship we have with our planet. You can rest assured that all of our Costa Rica Travel Guides include stays in eco-friendly hotels, and share small ways that you can make a big impact as you travel. We’ll help you learn how to pack light, shop local, and seek out authentic experiences that support the local economies and ecosystems of the places you travel to.
Let’s start with 10 things you need to know before you go:
- Currency: Colon (CRC). The exchange rate fluctuates but $1 USD is approximately 600 colones.
- Language: Spanish. Many Costa Ricans speak English, but a basic understanding of the Spanish language is ideal for ordering at restaurants, asking for directions, and exchanging greetings.
- Plug Type: A & B. Costa Rica uses the SAME plug as the U.S., which means you don’t need to bring a converter for any of your devices!
- WiFi: Solid. It’s easy to work remotely from Costa Rica. Most accomodation and businesses across the country have solid, free WiFi. Much of our group did not purchase international phone plans and were able to use their phones just fine as WiFi could be easily found. There were two power outages during our one month in Costa Rica that caused the WiFi to go down, which we have heard does happen on the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s a great idea to have a personal hotspot or a portable WiFi device like GlocalMe just in case.
- Infrastructure: Fair. The road system in Costa Rica has drastically improved over the years, though it still faces many challenges in 2023. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Costa Rica’s infrastructure is better than many other countries in Central America. Ultimately, when it comes to getting around this country as a tourist, you should hire shuttle drivers.
10 Things You Need To Know Continued…
6. Tourism Structure: Advanced. Today, Costa Rica is designed with tourists in mind. There are benefits and drawbacks to this country’s dedication to tourism. For example, you can enjoy more modern amenities in Costa Rica than other Central American countries, but you can also fall victim to tourist traps and overcrowded destinations if you’re not careful. Don’t worry though, this Costa Rica Travel Guide will help you avoid all of that!
7. Price: Expensive. Honestly, if you’re looking for a cheap country in Central America, Costa Rica is not the right fit. This country planned to welcome 2 million tourists in 2022, and the prices reflect what they know foreign tourists can afford to pay. However, this travel guide will help you find the most authentic AND affordable way to see this country. We traveled with a group of 6 and each person spent around $2,000 for an entire month in Costa Rica!
8. Towns to know
Montezuma
The most quaint beach town in Costa Rica. Think laid back lifestyle, flowing waterfalls, and untouched natural beauty.
Santa Teresa
The trendiest beach town in Costa Rica. Think surf, so-cal style, and young travelers everywhere you look. Read our post on Montezuma vs. Santa Teresa if you want to get to know both of these amazing beach towns.
La Fortuna
The hub of ecotourism and adventure. Think volcano views, nature hikes, and sustainable ecolodges in the jungle.
Honorable Mentions: Samara, Nosara, & Monteverde. These popular destinations are easy to add to your unique itinerary.
9. Apps you need
Google Maps: Google Maps is superior to iPhone maps in Costa Rica. Don’t forget to download it before you go. You’ll use it for directions to just about everywhere.
Whatsapp: This is the best way to communicate with Costa Ricans, or anyone who has an international number. We used Whatsapp to talk to everyone from our accommodation hosts, to local fishermen, to the new friends we met! If you don’t have Whatsapp, try messaging on social media.
10. Best time to visit: Costa Rica’s dry season is December through April. We visited for the entire month of December and had BEAUTIFUL weather. 10/10 we recommend escaping from your cold U.S. state and exploring Costa Rica before the holidays.
Playing The Field (3-5 days)
Your Costa Rica Travel Guide needs to show you the very best this country has to offer, in a very limited amount of time. With just 3-5 days to explore a new destination, it’s even MORE important that you have a set plan before you travel. Let’s start by making sure you have the best place to stay.
Where To Go
You Have Options
Given that you’re playing the field, you have options. First, you must ask yourself the most important question: do you want to stay at the beach or in the jungle? Santa Teresa is the perfect beach town for a relatively quick trip, and you can easily access some amazing attractions from here. On the other hand, La Fortuna is the volcano hub and nature lover’s dream destination. Choose to stay in La Fortuna if you want to do long hikes through the jungle, explore the Arenal Volcano, and try your hand at adventurous tours like Ziplining and White Water Rafting.
But what if you want it all? The beach AND the jungle. Maybe you just can’t choose – and you don’t have to! If you want to experience lush jungle, wildlife, and stunning beaches with surf – Montezuma is the town for you. This town is MUCH quieter than busy Santa Teresa and La Fortuna, so it feels like a real escape from the rest of the world. Montezuma has natural tide pools, a stunning waterfall, and monkeys hanging around everywhere you look. If you want to know more about Montezuma, read our full Montezuma Travel Guide here.
Getting There
Santa Teresa
Fly into Liberia’s Guanacaste Airport (LIR) and take a 3 hour shuttle ride to Santa Teresa. The shuttle is $50 per person if it’s a shared shuttle, and the price goes up significantly if you ride solo. We traveled across the country with Tropical Tours Shuttles, and had great experiences every single time. Plus, the shuttle driver will drop you at your exact location, which makes your travel day that much easier.
Montezuma
For Montezuma, follow the exact same instructions as above, flying into Liberia (LIR) and taking a shuttle to Montezuma. This drive only takes about 3 hours, and it’s much better than the bus route which requires you to switch buses with your baggage multiple times.
What Not To Do
While you can reach Santa Teresa and Montezuma from San Jose’s airport, we don’t recommend it for such a short trip. To sum it up, it will be a very long travel day that requires you to take a ferry and switch transportation multiple times.
Alternatively, you could fly more directly to Santa Teresa and Montezuma by taking a small plane from Liberia to Tambor Airport, if money is not a big consideration. Ultimately, this route will be the most expensive because you’ll have to pay for the additional plane ticket. Plus, you’ll still have to pay a taxi or shuttle service for the 30-45 minute ride into one of the towns, and these prices are usually steep at around $50.
Trust us when we say that you don’t need to rent a car for your trip to Santa Teresa or Montezuma. Costa Rican roadways can be difficult to navigate for first timers because they are less developed and sometimes flooded. The best part about these two destinations is their walkability. Therefore, as long as you book accommodation in town (which we’ll help you with below) you will be able to walk to all the best beaches, restaurants, and shops.
La Fortuna
La Fortuna is easy to reach, making it perfect for a short trip to Costa Rica. Simply fly into San Jose Airport and take a 3.5 hour shuttle to La Fortuna. You can book with the same Tropical Tours company that we recommended above.
Alternatively, if you know that you want to do a lot of exploring away from your resort, this is the one destination we recommend renting a car for. In truth, there are so many things to do in La Fortuna, but they are not as closely connected as Santa Teresa and Montezuma. We had a car during our time in La Fortuna, and it was the only affordable way that we could get off the resort and out to explore. However, with just a few days you may not need to get off the resort, because there is more than enough to enjoy right where you will be staying…
Airbnb in Santa Teresa
Amor De Mar in Montezuma
Finca Luna Nueva in La Fortuna
Where To Stay
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is overflowing with picture perfect Airbnb properties. You can check out the exact Airbnb that we stayed in during our 2 weeks in Santa Teresa. It’s perfectly located just 5 minutes from the beach, and 2 minutes from some of the best restaurants and bars.
If you’re looking for a hostel, we recommend Somos – which is located right on the main road just steps from the beach. We found Somos because it was right next to our airbnb, and we enjoyed the Somos restaurant for everything from coffee, to breakfast, to drinks and dancing later at night. Or, you can also try Selina Santa Teresa North for a fun vibe – you’re sure to meet other young travelers here.
Montezuma
Hands down, Amor De Mar is the place to stay. This beautiful hotel has some of the most stunning grounds we have ever seen, and it will allow you to truly relax on your quick trip to Montezuma. In addition, this hotel is located directly across from Montezuma’s famous waterfalls, which is the #1 thing you have to do in Montezuma. These falls get overcrowded with tourists in the afternoon, but since you’re staying right next door, you can venture out earlier in the morning to have it all to yourself.
If you need help deciding whether to stay in Montezuma or Santa Teresa, read our Montezuma vs. Santa Teresa post here. These towns are just a short 30 minute ride apart, so you can travel between the two. However, you won’t have much time to do so with just 3-5 days, so you’ll want to stay in the town that’s most appealing to you.
Honestly, there’s nothing worse than spending the short amount of time that you have to experience a new destination moving from one place to another. Sometimes, it really is just best to stay put and experience all that one place has to offer. With destinations like Montezuma and Santa Teresa, you can’t go wrong.
La Fortuna
Stay just outside the busy town of La Fortuna, at the affordable eco resort known as Finca Luna Nueva. You don’t even have to leave the grounds of this gorgeous property to experience the beauty of the Alajuela province of Costa Rica. See the volcano, hike the hours-long trails, relax at the pool with a freshly made cocktail, dine on ingredients grown in-house on the farm, and unwind in the yoga pavilion. This is the perfect relaxing escape for a long weekend getaway. Finca Luna Nueva also offers many tours, from a Chocolate Tour (which we highly recommend), to a nighttime nature hike.
On the other hand, if you prefer to stay in the center of the action in La Fortuna, book your stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa. This stunning resort property has miles of hiking trails that lead out to multiple waterfalls, volcano viewpoints, and hanging bridges. This was also the spot where we saw some of the most unique bird species and wildlife!
Surfing in Santa Teresa
Tide Pools in Montezuma
Waterfall Hike in La Fortuna
What To Do
Santa Teresa
- Surf (rentals are $15 per day, or you can purchase lessons if you want to learn)
- Sit your bum on the beach
- Don’t miss a sunset on Santa Teresa Beach
- Try as many cute cafes as you can (try Cafca Cafe, Ani’s Bowls, and Somos Restaurant)
- Meet other young travelers (sunset is a great place to do this, or by staying in one of the hostels we mention above)
- Enjoy delicious meals at trendy restaurants (try Kooks BBQ, Pronto Italian, and Eat Street)
Montezuma
- Visit the Montezuma Waterfalls
- Eat at local restaurants (try Sano Banano for any meal, and Bar Restaurante Montezuma for dinner)
- Explore the Tide Pools at Amor De Mar
- Check out the Butterfly Brewery (10 minute walk from Amor De Mar hotel)
- Lay on the beach
- Rent a surfboard ($10 a day)
La Fortuna
Take full advantage of your stay at Finca Luna Nueva by exploring all that the eco lodge has to offer. With just a few days, our best recommendation is to embrace a slow pace of life, and learn about the sustainable nature of this property. There is no better place for a true retreat.
- Relax in the saltwater pool
- Sit in the spring-fed jacuzzi late at night (it’s open 24 hrs)
- Take a Chocolate Tour
- Go on a nature hike
- See the Volcano from the Bamboo Observatory
- Practice Yoga in the Bamboo Pavilion
If you choose to stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa instead, you can still plan to spend most of your time on the resort property. We’ve uniquely selected these stays so that you can enjoy what little time you have in Costa Rica, rather than spend it driving from one tourist attraction to another.
Somos Surf shop in Santa Teresa
Outdoor Shower in Montezuma
View of the Volcano in the Clouds
How Much You’ll Spend
We are confident that you can spend 3-5 days in any of these destinations in Costa Rica for around $400-500 USD. This price includes the cost of the shuttle rides, but not your flights. If you’re traveling with a group, accommodation becomes more affordable. We traveled with a group of 6 and stayed in one of Finca Luna Nueva’s Family Bungalows in La Fortuna, where we paid only $30 per person per night.
Santa Teresa is the most expensive destination. If you’re a solo traveler or traveling as a couple, a hostel will be your best bet to keep costs low.
See the cost breakdown of exactly how much money we spent during our first week in Montezuma in the video below.
Longer Stays Can Be More Affordable
It might seem counterintuitive, but traveling often becomes more affordable the longer you stay. Hotels and Airbnbs often offer discounts for stays longer than a week. Plus, you’ve spent the bulk of your money on transportation to get to the destination, from airfare to shuttle services.
So, if you’re thinking about planning a longer trip to Costa Rica to get the most bang for your buck – keep reading. Our best Costa Rica Travel Guide is truthfully the longest one, because this is a country that deserves more than a few days of your time.
Going Steady (1-3 weeks)
You’re ready to commit to giving Costa Rica more than a minute of your time. You know that this destination is the right fit for you, and you’re excited to see where it goes.
Where To Go
With 1-3 weeks in Costa Rica, you should choose 2 of the 3 destinations that we mention above, to explore. Pick from Santa Teresa, Montezuma, and La Fortuna.
Visit Montezuma & Santa Teresa, staying on the Nicoya Peninsula and embracing the surf and sun. Or, start in one of these towns and then make your way to La Fortuna for the second half of your trip. Remember that Santa Teresa and Montezuma are just a 30-45 minute shuttle ride from each other, so you can plan a day trip to visit whichever town you don’t wind up staying in.
Getting There
You should fly into and out of Liberia’s airport (LIR) to visit these destinations. Plan to take shuttles from the airport to your destination, and then again when you travel from whichever beach town you’re staying in (Montezuma or Santa Teresa) to La Fortuna. La Fortuna is about 2.5 hours away from Liberia’s airport (LIR), so you will need a shuttle again on the morning that you leave. Again, Tropical Tours is a great option for shuttle rides. Once you have their number on Whatsapp you can simply text it a day or two in advance of when you will need a ride and let them know when/where to pick you up.
The only towns that are close enough to travel by ATV or Scooter are Santa Teresa and Montezuma. It’s a great idea to rent one of these vehicles and spend a day exploring whichever town you don’t wind up staying in!
What Not To Do
If you’re Going Steady, you don’t have quite enough time to stay in all three destinations. If you travel around too much, you’ll wind up tiring more quickly and you won’t fully embrace where you are. Pick 2 of the destinations that are most appealing to you and make it your goal to really get to know them. Meet the locals, find time to relax, and learn about the unique culture of the place you visit.
Airbnb With A Pool in Santa Teresa
Casa Luna At Amor De Mar in Montezuma
Pool Bar At Finca Luna Nueva
Where To Stay
Santa Teresa
For longer stays, we definitely recommend booking an Airbnb. Here is the airbnb we booked for our 2 weeks in Santa Teresa. If you’re a digital nomad working remotely, we also recommend Outsite for longer stays. This is a co-living space where you’ll get your own room and bathroom, but have shared kitchen, office, and living spaces. It’s really like a hotel for remote workers. Make sure to book accommodation with a kitchen so that you can cook some of your meals in – Santa Teresa gets expensive quickly if you eat out all the time.
Montezuma
Amor De Mar is the only right answer here. If you’re traveling with a group, book one of the houses – either Casa Luna or Casa Sol. We stayed in Casa Luna with a group of 6 and cannot recommend it enough. For more on this amazing eco hotel, check out our full blog post on Amor De Mar.
La Fortuna
Stay at the Finca Luna Nueva eco lodge – where you can embrace nature, sustainable living, and a resort-style pool all at the same time. We stayed in a Family Bungalow with our group of 6 travelers, and spent just $30 per person per night ($180/nightly). For more information on this amazing stay, read our full blog post on Finca Luna Nueva.
Alternatively, if you want to be in the heart of La Fortuna and closer to the volcano we recommend Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa. As a guest, you will get free use of the extensive hiking trails and amenities right on site.
Eating Out in Santa Teresa
Waterfall in Montezuma
Chocolate Tour in La Fortuna
What To Do
Santa Teresa
- Surf (board rentals are $15 per day or around $80 for the week)
- Sit your bum on the beach
- Don’t miss a sunset at Santa Teresa Beach
- Check out the farmer’s market in Playa Carmen on Saturdays
- Try as many cute cafes as you can (try Cafca Cafe, Ani’s Bowls, and Somos Restaurant)
- Meet other young travelers (sunset is a great place to do this, or by staying in one of the hostels we mention above)
- Enjoy delicious meals at trendy restaurants (try Kooks BBQ, Pronto Italian, and Eat Street)
- Take a day trip to Montezuma to visit the Montezuma Waterfall
- Rent ATVs or scooters to get around
- Take a day tour to Tortuga Island
Montezuma
- Visit the Montezuma Waterfalls
- Eat at local restaurants (try Sano Banano for any meal, and Bar Restaurante Montezuma for dinner)
- Explore the tide pools at Amor De Mar
- Check out the Butterfly Brewery (10 minute walk from Amor De Mar hotel)
- Lay on the beach
- Rent a surfboard ($10 a day)
- Take a day tour to Tortuga Island ($77 per person, includes lunch)
La Fortuna
Take full advantage of your stay at Finca Luna Nueva by exploring all that the eco lodge has to offer. Embrace a slow pace of life, and learn about the sustainable nature of this property. There is no better place for a true retreat.
- Relax in the saltwater pool
- Sit in the spring-fed jacuzzi late at night (it’s open 24 hrs)
- Take a Chocolate Tour
- Go on a nature hike
- See the Volcano from the Bamboo Observatory
- Practice Yoga in the Bamboo Pavilion
If you have a car rental during your time here, drive to Arenal Observatory Lodge and Spa and pay $15 per person to hike the miles of stunning trails through the jungle and visit the waterfalls. Here you’ll find many different animal species, and the best view of the Arenal Volcano from a tower observatory. You might even have the waterfalls to yourself, as this destination is a bit more off the beaten path!
Ani's Bowls Restaurant in Santa Teresa
Traditional Breakfast at Amor De Mar
Lunch At The Pool Bar At Finca Luna Nueva
How Much You’ll Spend
You can spend 1-3 weeks in two of these destinations for around $1,500 USD if you follow this Costa Rica Travel Guide. This price includes the cost of the shuttle rides, but not your flights. Remember that traveling with a group makes accommodation MUCH more affordable, and hostels are the best if you’re solo or in a couple. During our first three weeks in Costa Rica, we stayed in Montezuma and Santa Teresa and spent ____. If you want more information about the cost of traveling in Costa Rica, read our full post: Is Costa Rica expensive?
If you’re staying 1-3 weeks, you may be able to get discounts on sites like Airbnb for stays longer than a week! This is an ideal amount of time to explore – so get ready to catch major feelings for Costa Rica.
Ultimately, most people can swing 1-3 weeks in Costa Rica, but if you have a more flexible schedule and are looking to spend an extended period of time traveling, this last Costa Rica Travel Guide is for you. You’re ready to settle down, and we’ve got the itinerary for you…
One Month Costa Rica Travel Guide
It’s Time To Settle Down
Anyone who has more than 3 weeks to travel should get to know the Settling Down section of our blog. This category is specifically designed for travelers who have a month or more to commit to a new place. Maybe you’re a remote worker or a young traveler (like us!) who wants to plan an extended stay. We spent one full month in Costa Rica and could have stayed much longer – this place is relationship material.
Costa Rica Is Relationship Material.
If this sounds like you, we’ve created an entire post that details our EXACT itinerary for one month in Costa Rica. Check out our One Month In Costa Rica Itinerary here.
That’s A Wrap
Whether you’re Playing the Field or Going Steady in Costa Rica, hopefully this travel guide has helped you discover how to make the most of your time. In closing, Costa Rica is one of the most eye-catching and lovable destinations in Central America, for its dedication to tourists and commitment to ecotourism. It’s also one of our top destinations for eco-friendly travel, which is what we’re all about here at Baggage.
Now it’s your turn to get away and fall hard for Costa Rica. We hope you love it as much as we did.
xoxo,
Baggage girls
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