If you’re like us, you don’t have the luxury of being able to take a full week of vacation every time you travel because of these things called jobs. Fortunately, Costa Rica is only as big as the state of West Virginia, which makes it the perfect place to go on a short getaway. Here is how to make the best out of 3 days in Costa Rica.
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Getting Around
In order to travel around the country and make the most of your time, we highly recommend renting a car. But not just any car. Costa Rica’s steep hills and rocky roads definitely call for a vehicle with 4 wheel drive. We found a deal on Priceline for $18 total through a local company called NextCar. That’s how they get you.
After the company factored in their mandatory insurance and security deposit, our $18 car somehow became a $1,700 car. Yes, you are reading that correctly. No, we were not renting a Porsche. Just a regular degular Nissan SUV! Needless to say, we cancelled that reservation and went with a more reputable company. Moral of this story: rent a car in Costa Rica, but pay the extra money to do it from a company you are familiar with.
1st Stop: La Fortuna
Located just 3 hours from San Jose International airport, La Fortuna is a definite must see during your 3 days in Costa Rica. Although it is the perfect place for both relaxation and adventure, there is 1 main reason we chose to come here: Arenal Volcano.
Where We Stayed
There are tons of hotels and lodges in this area that feature Costa Rica’s most famous volcano as their backdrop, but we chose to stay at the Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa.
This hotel has the most jawdropping views of Arenal from the balcony of the couple’s suite. As if the view isn’t enough, the room features a private jacuzzi and includes complimentary breakfast, as well as access to the on-site hot springs.
Although hiking Arenal is the main attraction in La Fortuna, there are a plethora of other things to do from zip lining to white water rafting. Obviously with only 3 days it’s impossible to do them all. Because of this, we spent a day and a half doing our top activities:
La Fortuna Waterfall
Whether you just want to sit on the rocks and take in the view, or have a swim in it’s ice cold waters, La Fortuna is sure to be an unforgettable experience. It costs about $18 USD per person, with all proceeds being reinvested into local conservation efforts. Access to the falls takes an hour via horseback, or just 15 minutes on foot. We, regrettably, chose to walk down the flight of 500 stairs. Don’t get us wrong, the waterfall was probably the most beautiful and serene sight we could ever dream of. But walking back up those 500 stairs afterwards….that was a nightmare. Luckily, we arrived early enough to beat the crowds and no one got to see us struggle.
Mistico Hanging Bridges
After visiting La Fortuna waterfall, we drove 30 minutes over to the Mistico Hanging Bridges Park. $26 per person grants you access into this tropical reserve. On the 2 hour long hike throughout the park, you will catch scenic views of the Arenal volcano & lake, suspended bridges that dangle over the rainforest, and more. You might even be lucky enough to spot a wild sloth or toucan as you make your way around one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.
Tabacon Hot Springs
After all of that hiking, we spent day 2 of our 3 days in Costa Rica soaking in the La Fortuna’s amazing hot springs. These pools are naturally heated by the Arenal volcano’s thermal energy. Our hotel had it’s own hot springs, but we decided to venture to the popular resort Tabacon, to relax in their luxurious gardens. Tabacon offers full day and half day passes, both inclusive of lunch or dinner. Because we didn’t want to spend too much time here, we did half a day with lunch for $80. This also covered locker rooms and towels. Once we finished pampering ourselves, we drove a few hours to our next stop:
2nd Stop: Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is the perfect place for travelers seeking one of a kind beaches and nightlife. We specifically drove here to visit the black sand beach of the Caribbean, Playa Negra. It is not one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica, which actually made it one of our favorites. It felt like we were on our own private island having this long stretch of glittery black sand all to ourselves.
At night, Puerto Viejo is absolutely crazy. We saw hundreds of people dancing and partying in the streets, but because we traveled there during the pandemic, we decided against participating. Instead, we opted for a chill night at our hotel.
Where We Stayed
Just a 5 minute drive from the black sand beach was our perfect little bohemian hideaway at Hotel Aguas Claras. We had our own open-concept bungalow equipped with an outdoor kitchen and shower. A stay at this beautiful property also included complimentary breakfast, free bike rentals, and beach club access.
We didn’t get to do everything there is to do in Costa Rica, but we made the most out of the 3 days we had there. If you’re planning a short trip here, hopefully this blog helps you put together the perfect itinerary!
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