2 females traveling to Costa Rica for 7 days.. need help!
My best friend and I will be traveling to Costa Rica for 7 days at the end of October to celebrate her 30th birthday. I was wondering if anyone has any suggested itineraries for us, including places to see and visit, and any recommendations on transportation. Also, since it will just be the two of us (both female, 30y/o), are there any places that we should avoid? Any information or ideas are greatly appreciated.
Reply to this Hi Mary Beth,
Feliz Cumpleanos for your friend!
If you are looking for fun times and activites I woulld recommend, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Playa del Coco
For Relaxing times: Tortugero, Monteverde, Corcovado
Becareful in San Jose the capital, where ever you are always take red official taxis, don´t wander about late at night and have fun!!
Pura vida!
Reply to this Hi Mary Beth,
I would say Puerto Viejo, down on the caribbean side. I stayed at this placed called Banana Azul- and there is just one word I can say "amazing". They are right on a beach called "Playa Negra" and about a 10 min. bike ride into the town of Puerto Viejo which has a bunch of resturants, shops and things. You can take a bus from "los caribeños" bus station in San Jose that should run you more or less $5.00. Or you can take Interbus which is a lot more private. Only 6 people per bus, a/c, etc. and that should run you about $35.
I would also even check out La Fortune to see the Arenal Volcano. There are many places to stay at up over in that area. A must is the hot springs...so relaxing. Anyway... have fun!
Reply to this I traveled to Costa Rica with a friend about five years ago. We were two females in our mid-twenties. Oceans is right about what to be careful of--I would just add the usual warning about guarding your daypack in crowded places, and keeping an eye on your luggage when it's on a local bus (my friend brought hers on the bus with her, I had mine underneath, and watched to make sure it stayed on the bus whenever it stopped).
We spent a few days in Santa Elena (visiting the Santa Elena Cloud Forest park instead of the busier Monteverde one, although you could go to either/both from Santa Elena), a few days in Quepos (the town closest to Manuel Antonio, where you can stay for much less than one of the hotels on the road to Manuel Antonio, and have more options for meals etc), a few days in Dominical (very relaxing surf town) and a few days in San José (to do day trips to Cartago, Volcan Irazu, and the Orosi Valley).
We used a combination of tourist buses (Interbus) and local buses.
We opted not to go to the Arenal area, because the chances of actually seeing the volcano through the clouds can be quite slim, depending on the time of year.
Reply to this Head straight to the coast as soon as you fly in. Buses are cheap and safe (relatively speaking), but a rental car allows a little more freedom (especially since you only have a week).
Both times I've been, I've headed to the Pacific side. I would highly recommend Playa Hermosa (just south of Jaco), Tamarindo further North, and Nosara. Never been to the volcano in the north, but it's a popular destination.
Ultimate recommendation - pick one or two towns and stay there the whole time. Don't try to do too much, or you'll spend half your time in transit. Go to Tamarindo, rent a nice room on the beach and just explore all that the town has to offer. In your last 2 or 3 days - go to Nosara and you'll find yourself so relaxed that you might miss your flight.
Pura Vida,
Kuno
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