Costa Rica: Arenal vs the Beach
So you want to go to Costa Rica but you’re not sure where to start. Which airport should I fly into? Should I go to the coast or spend more time inland? Should I rent a car or take public transfers? Don’t worry I’ve got you covered.
San Jose- Day 1
We flew into the San Jose airport. My flight landed at 730 PM and so we decided to spend the night in San Jose. We booked a room at Hotel Grano de Oro. (Use this link to get 10% off your booking.) Interestingly enough it was also the highest recommended restaurant in San Jose. The restaurant had amazing food but was definitely catered to tourists. I am always happier eating local cuisine at the small hole in the wall restaurants.
Arenal- Day 2-5
The next morning we headed out to Arenal. It is only supposed to be a 3.5 hour drive but we were delayed by construction and it took us close to 5 hours. Unfortunately this didn’t leave us much time to explore Arenal in that day. We arrived right around 6 pm. The hotel we stayed at was called Tifakara Boutique hotel. It is located a short walk from La fortuna waterfall. The room was tiny. It honestly only had space for a bed. There was no ceiling above the shower which was interesting. The saving grace was their breakfast though. (I’m a sucker for a good breakfast.)
After dropping off our bags the lady at the front desk recommended we check out some hot springs. (I have a post coming up about the three hot springs and which one was my favorite.) We went to Ecotermales the first night and it was the best way to end a day of long driving.
After leaving the hot springs we went to eat at Restaurante Mi Casa which was also recommended by the locals. The restuarant had a rustic vibe and served delicious food in generous potions.
The next morning we booked an excursion for ziplining and white water rafting. We booked through Arenal Mundo Aventura and Wave expeditions. We had an amazing experience with both companies.
In the evening we decided to check out Baldi Hot Springs. You can get a day pass to visit the hot springs even if you don’t stay at the hotel. (Use this link to get 10% off your booking.)
For dinner we went to Pollo Fortuneno which was recommended by a friend. The food there was also delicious and you really can’t leave Arenal without trying their chicken.
The next morning we walked around the Arenal Volcano. Its not really a hike and is really more of a leisurely stroll. You can’t actually see the volcano from here because you are just walking around the base of it. You do get to see some of the old lava rocks though from the last eruption. After the walk we headed over to the Hanging Bridges. This one was slightly more difficult and had more inclines than the hike in the morning. We walked across bridges and experienced amazing views. This was a cool experience if you have extra time but I wouldn’t put it in the “must see” category.
After hanging bridges we decided to head over to La Fortuna Waterfall. So heres a warning because no one told me before I went, you have to walk down 600 steps! This probably wouldn’t have been a problem if we hadn’t been hiking all day but my legs literally felt like jelly. The view was worth it though.
After all that hiking theres no better way to end the day then to head to another hot spring. This time we went to Tabacon which is the most expensive of the three but definitely worth the price. It also includes a dinner buffet which actually has delicious food. Usually I’m not a fan of buffets but this one had so many options and I still think about some of the food they served there.
The next day we went on a chocolate and coffee tour. I mean can you blame me? My two favorite things. I can’t remember the name of the company we booked through because our hotel booked it for us.
The last place we ate was at Soda La Hormiga. The best and cheapest places to get food in Costa Rica are the local Sodas. They always provide authentic meals that are delicious.
Manuel Antonio Day 5-7
After the coffee tour we made our way to Manuel Antonio. It is approximately a 5 hour drive. Also this drive is ridiculous. There is a portion of route 713 that is literally unpaved rocks on the edge of a mountain with hills and inclines that felt like they were at an 80 degree angle. I wish I recorded this craziness but I was so stressed out about the entire situation. This went on for about 30-45 mins. It definitely felt longer though. Luckily we made it to Manuel Antonio before dark.
We checked into Villas Nicolas and they gave us this amazing room with an ocean view and beautiful balcony. We had dinner at a restaurant called Claro que Sea. I highly recommend the ceviche there.
The next morning we headed to the beach for a few hours. The best way to get to the beaches is by the local bus. It runs every 20 mins and costs less than a few dollars. The beaches here are literally perfect. You can rent beach chairs, umbrellas and get fresh coconuts and drinks brought out to you. The water is the perfect temperature and the water is clear of rocks and sea weed.
The night before we had asked our hotel to book us a Catamaran sunset cruise that was leaving in the afternoon. The cruise included dinner, drinks, music and transfers too and from your hotel. This was the most fun I had on a boar tour. We even saw some dolphins while we were out. The cruise also included snorkeling and had slides that went from the ship into the the water.
The next morning we spent some more time on the beach and decided to go parsailing. We negotiated the price of parasailing down significantly. Always attempt to negotiate with the locals because they would rather have your service than not.
Tips for travel
Rental Cars- I think renting a car is the best way and least expensive way to get around. When you book rental cars you will be quoted a price that is ridiculously low like $1 dollar a day. Be prepared to pay for insurance though. Do some research and call your facility beforehand to ask for a total price so you don’t end up with sticker shock.
Cash- You can obtain cash from ATMs. Most places take credit card but some places (like the sodas) will require Colones.
Cell Service- I obtained a local Sim while I was there for $10. It lasted all week and I still had half of the data left on it.
