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10 Days to see All of Costa Rica

A July 2000 trip to Costa Rica by rkaleal

The Highlights of Costa Rica in 10 Days

  • 9 reviews
  • 2 stories/tips

10 Days to see All of Costa RicaBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Costa Rica's untamed beauty will leave you with lifelong memories. From beaches to volcanoes, rural villages to urban centers, Costa Rica has it all. The highlights are of course the rainforests, the cloud forests and the beaches. Remember that the Costa Rican government is dedicated to natural preservation, and much of the country is protected natural park. Also be excited to encounter various wild creatures: don't be surprised to find numerous iguanas at your feet instead of squirrels or monkeys waking you before your alarm goes off!

Quick Tips:

See it all! Rent a four wheel drive vehicle from the airport and head out. Here is where you must visit, or else your trip is not complete:
1. San Jose
2. the Arenal Region
3. The Punta Arenas region (the beach)
4. Monteverde

Take time in between each to stop in route. For example, on the way from Punta Arenas to San Jose, you could stop at Sarchi where colorful crafts await you at great prices.

Best Way To Get Around:

You have two options: escorted tour or 4x4. The 4x4 allows greater freedom, but the escorted tour allows fewer headaches. Both are good options. If you decide to travel on your own, be ready to be stopped by police. ALWAYS travel with your passport (and Visa if necessary), and know that you may have to pay off the police to continue on without being detained. As corrupt as this sounds, it is the practice in Costa Rica, and it is better to expect this then be surprised by its development while there.

Tabacon Resort Hot SpringsBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Tabacon Hot Springs Resort"

Tabacon Hot Springs Resort is an oasis of relaxation set in the Costa Rican rainforest! One does not need to be a guest to take advantage of the facilities - a non-guest can expect to pay around $10 or $15 dollars to enter for the day. That price includes access to the springs and pool, but spa treatments, food, and drinks are additional. This is a must do for anyone in the Arenal region. Springs warmed thermally by the Arenal volcano. Hotel rooms usually between $150 and $200 per night and include access to the facilities.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by rkaleal on December 1, 2005

Tabacon Resort Hot Springs
8 KM from La Fortuna La Fortuna, Costa Rica
(506) 519-1900

El EstabloBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

This hotel is nothing fancy, but it's nice enough to cover your needs. I would compare it to a Holiday Inn in the States. Suites are around $190 and rooms started around $80. Include in-room bathroom. The best parts of this hotel are the staff, who are very friendly, and the fact that it is in walking distance to both the butterfly sanctuary (a must-see) and downtown. In downtown, there is shopping, and activities, including the option to rent 4-wheelers to view the country side. This hotel is a great option for families, young adults, and older travelers.

I found it was the best location on my trip to rest and relax. This is probably because of the fresh cloud-forest air that permiated through the open windows, but regardless, I left El-Establo relaxed and ready to continue my journey.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by rkaleal on December 1, 2005

Arenal Vista LodgeBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Do not be fooled by this hotels simple appearance! If you are ready to experience Costa Rica on a "somewhat" intimate level, then Arenal Vista Lodge is great. The rooms are comfortable and large - large enough for three twin beds and plenty of space - but know ahead of time there is no TV, air-conditioning, or phone in the room. Each room has its own bathroom and balcony, which will provide excellent--let me repeat: EXCELLENT views of the Arenal Volcano which is in constant eruption. This hotel is very secluded and only about 100 yards from the rainforest. Be ready to be woken at 4 AM in the morning by the howler monkeys. I know during my stay I wanted to kill the monkeys, but afterwards I missed their screaming! The hotel is also right by Arenal Lake. Although this may not initially sound like the ideal hotel, after leaving you realize how great of an experience it was, and how close you were to everything without really roughing it. We were able to take a quick hike (about 2 hours) in the rainforest by walking about 50 feet from our hotel room's balcony.

Tip: If you travel on from Arenal to Monteverde, inquire about doing it via Horse. In 2000, this trip was around $60 pp and lasts about 4 hours. You go over the mountains to arrive in Monteverde - often beating the bus that left Arenal. It is another great way to see the countryside. I loved seeing the countryside up close, and traveling through dense forest I would never had seen otherwise.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by rkaleal on December 1, 2005

Arenal Vista Lodge
In Front of the Arenal Lake and Volcano Arenal, Costa Rica
+506 231-4947

Costa Rica Hotel & Beach Resort Punta LeonaBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Hotel Punta Leona"

Punta Leona has it all, especially if you just want to have a relaxing vacation at the beach. The property features two beaches--one is white sand--as well as numerous restaurants, shops, and activities. There are a few nice pools, putt-putt, and a small on-site disco for guests. The rooms are also very well set up. We stayed in the Sevlamar rooms which are little bungalows set up in clusters in the forest area. They provide seclusion and beautiful surroundings. Although these rooms are not right on the beach, there is shuttle service within the resort to take you to the different places.

We also had great experience with the staff. Even though the on-site pizza restaurant was a fifteen minute walk from our room, they did not hesitate to bring up a pie and drinks for us! They always ensured the guests were having a good time.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by rkaleal on December 2, 2005

Costa Rica Hotel & Beach Resort Punta Leona
San Jose, Costa Rica
(506) 231-3131

SkywalkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "SkyTrek"

If you are ready for one of the best experiences of your life, head to SkyTrek while you are in Monteverde! This one of a kind experience starts when you step into your climbing harness and head to the first platform. You then soar through the trees on a zip line 30 feet above the air. Sound exciting? That is just the first line, and there are over 10 more, with the highest above the cloud line at the peak of a mountain, over 400 feet above the air. SkyTrek offers a unique way to see the Cloud Forests of Costa Rica while providing the guest with a memory of a lifetime. Not sure of the cost now, but in 2000, was $28 pp. Well worth it. Adventure lasts about 2 and 1/2 hours.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by rkaleal on December 1, 2005

Skywalk
Santa Elena Monteverde, Costa Rica

Reventazon River AdventuresBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

If you like white-water rafting, you must raft Rio Reventazon. During the summer, when I was there, the rapids were great. The company classified the rapids as III and IV, but I would be inclined to say that they were closer to level IV and V rapids. It was an excellent adventure.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by rkaleal on December 2, 2005

Reventazon River Adventures
Rio Reventazon San Jose, Costa Rica

Poas VolcanoBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The Poas Volcano is absolutely exquisite. This sulfer-emitting volcano has a beautiful blue-green caldera (or lake) in its cone. It is a great site and natural beauty.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by rkaleal on December 2, 2005

Poas Volcano
about an hour outside of San Jose San Jose, Costa Rica

Arenal VolcanoBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This volcano is currently erupting and will continue to erupt for much time in the future. From across the man-made lake in front of it, you have a great view of the magma, especially at night. There are also opportunities to take a boat ride in the lake to get up close and personal with the volcano!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by rkaleal on December 2, 2005

Arenal Volcano
Arenal, Costa Rica

Do Not Expect to BargainBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Before I went to Costa Rica, I was very excited to be able to bargain for products, much like in Mexico. I was very surprised to learn that in Costa Rica prices are posted and one does not bargain. This is important to know, because you do not want to look cheap and like you do not know the culture. But don't worry! Prices are still good on most items, so you will still feel like you are getting a bargain!

A Suggested ItineraryBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

This is a suggested itinerary for a 10-day trip:
Day 1: Land in San Jose, spend the night
Day 2: Transfer to Arenal
Day 3: Arenal
Day 4: Transfer to Monteverde
Day 5: Monteverde
Day 6: Transfer to Guanacaste
Day 7: Guanacaste
Day 8: Return to San Jose
Day 9: Raft
Day 10: Fly home

About the Writer

rkaleal
rkaleal
Lawrence, Kansas

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