North to south in 16 days
Day by day
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Day 1 Land at Liberia (LIR), drive to Rincón de la Vieja About 40 km, 1 h
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Days 1–2 · 2 nights
Rincón de la Vieja, Guanacaste
The mud pots and fumaroles of Rincón de la Vieja
Highlights
- Las Pailas in the national park
- Oropéndola waterfall
- Hot springs and mud baths
Another night here? With an extra night: tubing on the Río Negro, or on horseback through the dry forest.
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Day 3 Rincón de la Vieja, drive to Bijagua About 50 km, 2 h
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Days 3–4 · 2 nights
Bijagua, Alajuela
The sky-blue water of Río Celeste
Highlights
- Río Celeste waterfall
- Los Teñideros, where the river turns blue
- Sloths in the gardens around Bijagua
Another night here? With an extra night: tubing on the Río Celeste, or a night walk looking for frogs and tapirs.
Cabaña Montezion Bijagua
★★★★★ · 10.0
Paradise Rio Celeste 2
★★★★★ · 10.0
Yarumo Lodge Río Celeste Black Chalets
★★★★★ · 10.0
Mei Tai Cacao Lodge
★★★★★ · 9.9
Casitas Tenorio B&B
★★★★★ · 9.8
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Day 5 Bijagua, drive to La Fortuna About 100 km, 1 h 30 min
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Days 5–7 · 3 nights
La Fortuna, Alajuela
The cone of Arenal volcano
Highlights
- Lava trails in Arenal National Park
- La Fortuna waterfall
- Hanging bridges through the rainforest
- Hot springs at the foot of the volcano
Another night here? With an extra night: canyoning or rafting on the Balsa, or a day along Lake Arenal.
Alojamientos N&S
★★★★★ · 10.0
Cabañas Litos
★★★★★ · 10.0
Jarabacoa Family Hostel
★★★★★ · 10.0
Natural Green Lodge
★★★★★ · 10.0
Fortuna Retreat
★★★★★ · 9.8
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Day 8 La Fortuna, drive to Monteverde About 110 km, 2 h 40 min
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Days 8–9 · 2 nights
Monteverde, Puntarenas
Walking in the cloud forest
Highlights
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Hanging bridges through the canopy
- Hummingbirds at the Hummingbird Café
Another night here? With an extra night: the Santa Elena reserve, or a coffee and chocolate tour.
El Nido Lodge
★★★★★ · 10.0
ÉWA Homes Monteverde
★★★★★ · 10.0
Finca Aquarius
★★★★★ · 10.0
The Green Tree Lodge
★★★★★ · 10.0
Villa Golondrina
★★★★★ · 10.0
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Day 10 Monteverde, drive to Manuel Antonio About 190 km, 4 h 10 min
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Days 10–12 · 3 nights
Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas
Sloths and monkeys above white bays
Highlights
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Espadilla beach
- Sunset over the Pacific
Another night here? With an extra night: a catamaran along the coast, or kayaking in the Damas mangroves.
Apto Cielo Azul
★★★★★ · 9.0
Hotel Playa Espadilla
★★★★★ · 9.0
Mango Moon Villa
★★★★★ · 8.8
Hotel Planeta Sano
★★★★★ · 8.7
Natural Pacific Suites, private family rooms
★★★★★ · 8.7
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Day 13 Manuel Antonio, drive to Uvita About 70 km, 1 h 30 min
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Days 13–14 · 2 nights
Uvita, Puntarenas
Whales off the Whale's Tail
Highlights
- The Whale's Tail in Marino Ballena
- Uvita waterfall
- Caño Island by boat
Another night here? With an extra night: diving or snorkelling at Caño Island, or the Nauyaca waterfalls.
Bambura Bahia Villas
★★★★★ · 10.0
Ruca Lodge - Luxury Container Tiny Home Surrounded by Nature
★★★★★ · 9.9
Apartamentos Equipados DMR #3
★★★★★ · 9.7
MADRE TERRA
★★★★★ · 9.7
Cedrela Beach Villas
★★★★★ · 9.6
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Day 15 Uvita, drive to Alajuela About 210 km, 4 h
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Day 15 · 1 night
Alajuela, Alajuela
Poás crater, an hour from the airport
Highlights
- Poás volcano crater
- La Paz waterfall gardens
- Coffee farm in the hills of Alajuela
Another night here? With an extra night: La Paz waterfall gardens, or a day in San José with the Gold Museum and the Mercado Central.
Casa Cafetal Aeropuerto Two Bedrooms
★★★★★ · 10.0
Hotel Bamboo Aeropuerto
★★★★★ · 9.4
Las Carmelas, Airport Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, San José
★★★★★ · 9.4
Hildas Bed and Breakfast
★★★★★ · 9.2
Hostal Casa Azul
★★★★★ · 8.5
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Day 16 Alajuela to San José airport (SJO), fly home to Amsterdam About 10 km, 10 min
Arrange something yourself
A few days with family or friends, a train ride, local transport: a part of the trip you arrange yourself. No hotel and no tours of ours; without the car, no kilometres and no hire those days. Enter what it costs and it counts in the total.