Costa Rica is a bucket list destination for many, including myself, but I wanted to experience it with a twist. While I have rented a car internationally several times, I was warned about the rough terrain in certain parts of Costa Rica and decided to opt out; you can read more about it here. If you dont have a lot of time, but still want to see all this country has to offer, five days in Costa Rica is the perfect sweet spot. Keep reading for my Costa Rica 5 day itinerary without a car!
Things To Know Before You Go
Locals say the best time to visit Costa Rica is May- August and November. This is because the weather is mild, and while you might get a few hours of rain, the prices will be significantly lower. The currency in Costa Rica is the Colon, but I could get around using USD without any issues. Before going on any international trip I always recommend buying travel medical insurance, you can customize it to fit your needs.
This Costa Rica itinerary from Liberia is one-way, so you’ll fly into the Liberia airport, LIR, and out from San Jose, SJO.
Pro Tip: Make sure to buy your flight home from the San Jose airport in Costa Rica, NOT San Jose, California. It’s a rookie mistake that can cost you a lot.
Things To Do In Guanacaste Costa Rica
The first part of this trip is in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. I spent three days in the area; however, if you want more adventure, you can reduce it to two and add more time in La Fortuna. I split my time between Kasiiya and the Four Seasons Costa Rica. This is where you want to splurge because there are only a few excursions outside of your usual water activities, yoga, and beach hopping. Read here for an extensive review of Kasiiya. The staff at both hotels were terrific, and the food was spectacular. If you want to venture off the resort, there are plenty of beaches to see; since I visited Costa Rica without a car, I didn’t do this.
Things To Do In La Fortuna
After you’ve had your beach time, it’s time to head to La Fortuna; a 3.5-hour ride made easy if you book a shuttle. La Fortuna was my favorite part of the trip since there is something for everyone.
I stayed at an Airbnb for $40/night, which included daily breakfast, laundry service, in-room massages, and a hot tub; you can’t beat that! While some high-end hotels are in the area, it’s not necessary since you’ll spend most of your time outside the room.
One thing I loved about my stay in La Fortuna was that Uber was available. I used Uber to get around, and each ride cost under $5. My excursions included transportation, so I didn’t have to worry about that.
Activities In La Fortuna
- Soak in a hot spring: There are free hot springs all around the area, or you can buy a day pass at Tabacon Hot Springs or Ecotermales Fortuna,
- Eat at Red Frog Coffee Roasters, I had my breakfast here before horseback riding, and it was delicious!
- Horseback riding: Please note that horseback riding during the rainy season is no joke. It was so wet that the river got too high, so our horses couldn’t cross the path. I had to get in a tractor to cross the river; check it out below!
Now it’s time to head back home, I booked a shuttle with Tropical Tours this time, and they dropped me off at the SJO airport. While some travelers might spend a night or two in San Jose, I don’t recommend it as it’s a standard city with a lack of tourist activities. Let me know if you have any questions below, and have fun on your trip to Costa Rica!
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