Did you know Costa Rica is sited as one of the happiest places in the world? It is also one the most beautiful tropical vacation destinations. The country landscapes range from lush green cloud forests to black sand beaches, leaving you with endless activities and destinations to explore. Filtering through all the possible places to visit can be overwhelming and time consuming. In this article, I will go through some basic need-to-know information and provide you with a trip itinerary for 10 days in costa rica.
Because Costa Rica is quite large, expect to be on the road every few days for at least a few hours. You can think of the itinerary as a road trip that will take you in a loop, from La Fortuna, to Bajos Del Toro to Manuel Antonio. You will have the ultimate vacation experience with this 10 day guide.
Your 10 Days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Fly in to Liberia and drive to La Fortuna: Day 1
La Fortuna: Day 2 to 5
Bajos Del Toro: Day 5 to 7
Manuel Antonio: Day 7-9
Drive to Liberia and Fly Home: Day 10
How to Get to Costa Rica
There are two major airports where you can fly into to start your 10 days in Costa Rica: Liberia Guanacaste Airport (LIR) and Juan Santanaria International Airport (SJO). You can start your vacation from either of these airports as they are similar distances from popular visited regions. However, I find that there are advantages to flying into Liberia airport, as it is smaller, I personally feel safer, it is easier to get in and out of and flight prices are typically cheaper from Canada. It will not make too. much a difference whichever you choose to fly into.
Transportation in Costa Rica
Costa Rica roads are similar to Canada’s. The country drives on the right side of the road and speed limits are marked in kilometres per hour. Pay close attention to these speed limits as they give out fairly hefty fines for speeding. Roads can be very narrow and windy, and road conditions can have poor visibility due to fog. This is especially true in the Northern regions. However, do not let this deter you from renting a vehicle as it is the best and fastest way to travel Costa Rica.
- Expect your travel time to be longer than what your GPS/Maps/Waze tells you.
- Do not take the “scenic route” as you may find yourself at river crossings or extremely poor road conditions.
- Expect to come across several one-way bridges.
- At gas stations there will typically be an attendant that will pump your gas.
Renting a Car
Renting a car is highly recommended in Costa Rica. Having a vehicle will provide you additional freedoms while travelling the country, avoiding long travel times and delays on public transportation. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended to explore the off-the-beaten path destinations. Costa Rica is quite large so expect some lengthy road trips along the way.
There are many rental companies in Costa Rica, I chose to rent from Alamo. I had no issues with the company. The staff were friendly, the company provided a shuttle service from the airport to their car lot and 24/7 support via WhatsApp. I even had a flat tire while travelling in Bajos Del Toro and they assisted me immediately to a tire shop and I was back on the road within a few hours.
Do You Need a 4×4
If you are planning to visit the main tourist destinations such as La Fortuna or Manuel Antonio, you do not need a 4×4. However it is recommended for off-the-beaten-path locations such as Bajos Del Toro. The roads in Costa Rica are a mixed bunch, sometimes they are paved and other time they are just plain old dirt roads. If you are already an anxious driver, just choose the 4×4 option for peace of mind.
Public Transportation
You can visit Costa Rica using public transportation, however it can suck up all your fun time as it can take up an entire day travelling place to place. If you are trying to maximize your time in Costa Rica, I would recommend against public transportation. However, if you have plenty of time, using public transportation can create a more authentic Costa Rican trip. Many of the buses leave from San Jose, so you will likely be going back and forth between San Jose and other locations. Something to keep in mind if choosing public transportation is that many locals do not speak fluent English and only know basic words, so brush up on your Spanish or have a translator ready!
Things to Consider Before Travel
There are several things you should know and consider when planning a trip to Costa Rica. Here I will provide you with the most important information, I believe, you need to know before travelling to this country and how to avoid tourist traps and scams.
Visa and Entry Requirements
If you are travelling from the United States or Canada, you do not need a visa if you plan to stay in the country for less than 90 days. Requirements include:
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months past your travel date and you will need proof of return.
- They may also ask for address of where you will be staying in Costa Rica so have that ready.
Insurance
Health Insurance:
While you are not required to purchase health insurance to visit Costa Rica, it is highly recommended in case of health emergencies, accidental injury and trip cancellations or delays. The medical care in Costa Rica is generally good, however it can be pricey. Just buy the insurance and have peace of mind while travelling! I use Costco’s Manulife insurance and have never had a problem submitting claims on my travels.
Mandatory Liability Car Insurance:
Costa Rica has a mandatory liability insurance when you rent a car. Make sure this price is included in your quote otherwise you will have a much higher rate than expected when you reach the car rental company. Alamo had no hidden costs and was up front about any extra insurance costs.
Safety
Generally, Costa Rica is a safe country. As a female, I did not feel unsafe at any single time during my travels through the country. This is true for even when I was visiting the less travelled and off-the-beaten path regions. Follow basic safety precautions as you would when visiting any other country, such as don’t go around waving cash and leaving your car door unlocked, keep valuables locked away and not in direct sight if it is in your vehicle. Costa Rica is more known for petty theft, so just be mindful of what you are displaying.
How to Avoid Scams and Tourist Traps
You should beware of tourist traps and scams in this country. I found that several regions with large tourist populations will attempt to charge you for unnecessary fees, inflate prices for tours and mislead you when discussing parking or other services.
- When booking things in-person, check the prices online and compare
- Read the fine print on online sites
- Listen to your gut! Sometimes that is all it comes down to
My Experience
When visiting Manuel Antonio National Park I was directed to a parking area where I was told was the official parking for the park. They told me that the park was just a 1 minute walk up the road. I saw several other people parking here as well, so thought it must be true. However after paying, I found out that the park was a 15 minute walk up the road and there is parking right outside of the park entrance.
Your 10 Day Trip Itinerary Starts Here
Now you know things to consider before travelling to Costa Rica, what airport to fly into and where to purchase your rental car and are ready to start to the adventure!
10 Days in Costa Rica: La Fortuna
Day 1 to 5
First you will land at Liberia or San Jose airport. From there you will shuttle to get your rental car and immediately start your drive to La Fortuna. If you arrive to la Fortuna earlier in the evening, I would recommend visiting the Tabacon Hot Springs to relax after our long day of travelling. Otherwise, I will start all the fun on Day 2 as Day 1 is often a travel day. Here is your La Fortuna itinerary.
Tabacon Hot Springs
You may have seen this place on Instagram or TikTok and it is 100 percent worth your money. Tabacon Hot Springs is one of the few Hot Springs in Costa Rica that are from a natural stream and not pumped from underground. The property feels luxurious, with more than 20 different hot pools scattered throughout. If you love hot springs, this is a MUST on your itinerary. The only downfall is the price tag.
Adult Day Pass (Meal not Included): $89
Children’s Day Pass (Meal not Included): $47
Adult Day Pass (Meal Included): $158
Children’s Day Pass (Meal Included): $82
10 am to 10 pm
Tabacon is a Thermal Resort. Rooms cost upwards of $490 per night
La Fortuna Waterfall
Located minutes from La Fortuna, this was one of my favourite waterfalls I visited during my trip to Costa Rica. This spot is heavily visited by tourists so I recommend showing up minutes before opening. If you do this, you will likely have the place to yourself for 30 minutes to an hour before the crowd start.
No guide. A guide here is completely unnecessary and I believe to be just a tourist trap. The trip down is 500 steps and 500 steps back up. It is impossible to get lost. I am not sure what value a guide would bring for this attraction.
Mistico Hanging Bridges
Featuring 16 bridges, with 6 suspended high above the rainforest floor, the Mistico Hanging Bridges are pretty spectacular. The park is located only 30 minutes outside of La Fortuna. Here, you will get beautiful views of the Arenal volcano while following a 3.2km trail loop that passes over all the hanging bridges along the way. Again, I think what made this place so special for me was that I arrived here early in the morning before the crowds.
Hiring a guide at Mistico Hanging Bridges Park will definitely enhance your experience. These guides will bring special scopes and point out wildlife that you otherwise would have walked past. Some wildlife you may see are sloths, different bird species such as toucans or parrots and frogs to name a few. If you are looking to do some bird watching on your trip, this is a great place to view hundreds of different species.
El Salto Rope Swing
There are few free things to do in Costa Rica, however this is one of them and it’s a fun one! Located in the southern part of La Fortuna you will find a small waterfall swimming hole that you are able to jump into with a rope swing. This place can be crowded, however I don’t feel this is one you need to go to straight in the morning.
I would recommend not go immediately after rainfall as it can make the falls more rough and the water will look murky or dirty. I went mid day after a big storm and the water was not the blue I have seen other visitors experience.
Day Trips From La Fortuna
Looking for more to do in La Fortuna? you can consider a few day road trips to fill your time. I would recommend visiting Rio Celeste Waterfall or Lake Arenal. You could also consider the Monteverde Cloud Forest, however if you choose to do this, I don’t feel you will get as much out of going to Mistico Hanging Bridges. You can pick and choose which places best suit your style for your 10 days in Costa Rica.
10 Days in Costa Rica: Bajos Del Toro
Day 5 to 7
Bajos Del Toro is by far my favourite region in Costa Rica. This region features the most magnificent waterfalls, and because it is an off-the-beaten-path you will find far less crowds. Although you could spend your whole trip here, I have narrowed it down to 2 days as many of the site require long hikes and sometimes full days to complete. I will highlight my two favourite places in Bajos Del Toro. I highly recommend visiting this region.
Catarata Vuelta Del Toro
This takes the number one spot for the best waterfall in Costa Rica by a landslide. It requires a long hike to get to it but it is well worth it if you are up for the challenge. Catarata Vuelta Del Toro is one of those hidden, off-the-beaten-path waterfalls that you will not regret visiting. Make sure to bring water shoes, bathing suit, dry pair of clothes, snack and water for this one. Note: the water is also ice cold so be prepared for that if you plan to jump in!
For full details on Catarata Vuelta Del Toro including a packing list, how to get there and what you will need to know click here.
Blue Falls
Blue Falls is a large park that features 7 different waterfalls and swimming holes. You could easily spend an entire day here visiting all the waterfalls and swimming spots. There are lots of guides at this park to direct you to the waterfalls, however they do not speak well English. I would bring your phone for translating.
Note: You will find many people in Bajos Del Toro speak poor English as it is not populated tourist spot.
For full details on Blue Falls, including how to get there and what to expect click here.
10 Days in Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio
Day 7 to 9
After spending the last few days in the rainforest, you will travel to a beautiful beach region known as Manuel Antonio. Here you will see many stunning beaches, views and wildlife including monkeys! I saw the most Monkeys in this region of Costa Rica during my trip. They can be handsy so make sure you do not have any food or valuables easily accessible when visiting beaches as it might go missing!
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is probably the main reason people visit Manuel Antonio or neighbouring towns such as Quepos. The park features both lush green rainforest areas, beaches and viewpoint hikes. You will spend an entire day here either relaxing or hiking around the park. There are bathrooms scattered around the park, and a small kiosk that sells food, however it can be expensive. I recommend eating before entering the park.
There are a few restrictions when visiting Manuel Antonio. You cannot have food, beach umbrellas, surfboards, coolers or drones at the park. If you would like to use a drone, you will need a permit.
Open 7 am to 4 pm. Closed on Tuesdays
Adults: $18.08 USD
Children (Age 2 to 11): $5.65 USD
Tickets can only be purchased online from their official website. Make sure to buy these tickets well in advance as they may be sold out if you wait to purchase the day before you go.
El Avion Restaurant
This is one of the coolest restaurants I went to in Costa Rica. They have a piece of a plane in the restaurant that you can sit and eat or grab a few drinks in. The resident of the restaurant overlooks Manuel Antonio. The prices here were as expected for Costa Rica, and not overly expensive.
Day Trips from Manuel Antonio
Looking for more to do during your 10 days in Costa Rica? You can check out the Nauyaca Waterfall or Uvita Whales Tail beach.
10 Days in Costa Rica: Travel Home
This day you will spend travelling back to the airport and returning your rental car. I hope this blog post provided you with lots of detailed information for your next trip.
That concludes your 10 days in Costa Rica!
Frequently Asked Questions
The short answer is no. However, you should know some basic terms as many locals speak either little English or no English at all. I only know some basic phrases and terms and used my phone translator to speak to many locals and I got by just fine.
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Colones. While credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most tourist areas, you will want to have some cash on you as prices are sometime reduced at colones rates.
For my 10-day trip, I took out $500 CAD to pay for small transactions and paid for things like hotels, airbnb and higher cost transactions on my credit card. I kept my cash in belt bag under my shirt.
You can drink the tap water in most places in Costa Rica. I would avoid drinking it in remote areas. On all my trips, I always drink bottled water to be on the safe side but may partner drank the tap water in Costa Rica and never had an issue.
The best times to visit Costa Rica are during the Dry season, from December to April. These are the peak months are will lead to more crowds. You can visit just before or after the peak season if you want to avoid crowds, however you may be sacrificing for a little bit more rain.
I do my best to make sure all the information I share here is accurate and up-to-date. However, things can change – restaurants may close, prices might shift, and hours of operation can vary. If you notice something has changed or if my post needs an update, please let me know in the comments! Not only will it help me to keep things current but it will also assist other travellers who come across this page. thanks for being apart of this community and helping make this space as useful as possible!
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