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Costa Rica is ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world and it’s easy to understand why. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, you’ll be sure to hear and see the phrase, “pura vida.” In English, this translates directly to “pure life” and perfectly describes the Costa Rican lifestyle, characterized by happiness and positivity. In addition to its welcoming energy, Costa Rica is well-known for its abundance of wildlife species, volcanic formations, and conservation efforts.
After spending a week traveling in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on my first-ever international solo trip, I jetted to Costa Rica for another week of solo travel. This Central American country had been on the top of my travel bucket list for some time and, being a huge nature gal and adventurous spirit, seemed like the perfect destination for my next trip. The mood for this next big adventure was set when I was welcomed into the country with mother nature’s display of a sun halo over the Costa Rican landscape, visible right from my window seat.
4 DESTINATIONS
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6-8 DAYS
SAN JOSÉ (1-2 NIGHTS)
Costa Rica’s lively capital and an ideal overnight stop with plentiful attractions for travelers.
LA FORTUNA (2 NIGHTS)
A small town in the Northern Highlands of Costa Rica known for outdoor adventure and stunning volcano views.
MONTEVERDE (2 NIGHTS)
Its name meaning “green mountain” in English, this destination is the perfect stop for adventure and nature enthusiasts to explore the famous cloud forest, see exotic wildlife, and learn about local coffee production.
MANUEL ANTONIO (1-2 NIGHTS)
A rejuvenating coastal village famous for its pristine beaches, world-class views, and wildlife preservation efforts.
CURRENCY
The currency used in Costa Rica is the Costa Rica Colon (CRC) and the current exchange rate is 1 USD = $655.81 CRC.
DAILY BUDGET
Compared to other Latin American countries I’ve traveled to, Costa Rica was definitely the most expensive one, however can still be done on a budget with some extra mindful effort. I spent an average of $20-$40/night on accommodation through Airbnb and Booking.com but would recommend other budget and solo travelers to stay at hostels to cut accommodation costs and embrace a more social environment.
Throughout the country, there are activities you can do and places you can see for free, and other prices for things like accommodation, excursions, and transportation will vary depending on the time of year. Costa Rica’s shoulder season is during the months of May and November (the transition months between the dry and rainy seasons), and travelers will typically see lower prices and fewer tourist crowds in those months.
TRANSPORTATION
The cheapest and most popular way to get around Costa Rica on a budget is by bus. Especially if you plan on visiting popular destinations like the ones I mention in this guide, it’s a low-cost and reliable way to get around the country without the hassle of navigating on your own.
Alternatively, traveling by rental car allows for flexibility and can still be a relatively low-cost option with an average price of $24/day. Driving in Costa Rica can be intimidating with few road signs, abundant potholes, narrow one-lane bridges, and steep grades, so it’s highly suggested to rent a car with 4WD. Additionally, cell service can be spotty between cities and in remote areas, so be sure to download offline maps through Google Maps ahead of time to navigate without worry.
LGBTQ+ RIGHTS AND SOCIETAL ACCEPTANCE
Costa Rica’s legal status of protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination and ensuring equal rights has evolved over time and the country is now considered to have one of the best records in the region when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. The overall societal acceptance has grown significantly in the recent years and the country even hosts massive pride events each year. You can read and learn more about the progress of LGBTQ+ rights in Costa Rica and around the world on Equaldex.
SAN JOSÉ
The largest city in the country and Costa Rica’s capital, San José is home to the San Jose International Airport, which made the city my first and last stop of my week-long trip. If you have time in your travel schedule, there’s an abundance of opportunities for sightseeing around the city, such as visiting a park, touring museums, and exploring the food (and/or nightlife) scene. For many travelers, the capital is an ideal place to make a quick stop and get a restful night’s sleep before a busy travel day.
San José is considered a generally safe city, however certain areas can see more petty crime at night, so it’s wise to exercise caution and keep your wits about you, especially as a solo and/or female traveler.
WHERE TO STAY
BARRIOS OTOYA & AMÓN
San José is a large city, so depending on your travel habits and itinerary preferences, there’s a variety of ideal neighborhoods to book your stay in. A couple of the most beloved neighborhoods in the city are Barrio Otoya ad Barrio Amón, known for their unique neoclassical and Victorian styles along with unique restaurants, shops, art galleries, and cafés. Selina is a well-regarded hostel chain with more than 100 locations around the world, one of which being right in the heart Barrio Otoya with 9.1 rating. You can check out the Hostelworld page for Selina San José here.
WHAT TO DO
LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS
Just an hour and a half away from the capital and right along the way to La Fortuna, La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a stunning eco-park with hiking trails to five cascading waterfalls and a wildlife sanctuary home to jungle cats, monkeys, and other native species. If you arrive first thing in the morning, you’ll likely avoid tourist crowds and be able to embrace the peaceful sounds of singing birds and flowing water.
A tourist entrance ticket to the gardens is well worth the cost of $49 + taxes, especially as you could easily spend an entire day exploring. If you’re looking to experience a view of La Paz Waterfall for free, you can get a view of the falls at the bottom from the street below.
POÁS VOLCANO
After exploring La Paz Waterfall Gardens, you can take a short 30-minute drive to visit Poás Volcano, one of the largest active craters in the world. The park is open daily from 8:00am-4:00pm and the latest entry timeslot is 2:20pm. Tickets cost $15 USD for non-residents and are required to be purchased in advance. I made the mistake of not researching this tidbit of information and unfortunately missed out on seeing the volcano despite making the drive there.
You can read more on what to expect when visiting and how to purchase tickets here.
DINE AT FURCA
Furca is a high-end and well-rated farm-to-table restaurant in the Rohrmoser district of San José, specializing in meat dishes, specifically their house-aged steaks. They have an on-site garden which, if you’re lucky, the owner might take you on a tour to see, and a unique cohesive atmosphere with the next-door restaurant featuring art from the famous street artist, Banksy.
I ate dinner here on my last night in Costa Rica, meeting up with a Brazilian couple I had made friends with on a group tour in La Fortuna. While it was a bit of a splurge, it was a great way to celebrate the conclusion of my 2-week solo travel adventure.
LA FORTUNA
From San José, make your way to the small yet adventurous town of La Fortuna. Nicknamed the ‘epicenter of adventure,’ La Fortuna is rich in natural beauty and tourist attractions and best known for being home to Arenal Volcano. Here, you can opt for a more leisurely itinerary and explore the small city and its abundance of cafés, restaurants, and bars, or take the adventurous route and venture amidst wildlife in the rainforest or on the stratovolcano itself.
WHERE TO STAY
LA FORTUNA CITY CENTER
Almost everything is walkable in the ‘downtown’ area of La Fortuna, making it a great place to stay central to. If you do plan to venture to the volcano or hot springs, day tours typically offer local pickup within the city and there are also plentiful taxis and public transportation options around if need be. It’s a generally touristy and solo-travel-friendly area, where you’ll encounter welcoming locals and have plentiful options for hostels right in the city center. I always suggest checking out Hostelworld to find and compare hostel properties no matter where you’re traveling to.
WHAT TO DO
LA FORTUNA WATERFALL & ARENAL VOLCANO
You’ll want to block off an entire day to explore Arenal Volcano National Park. On this adventure, you’ll hike through the dense forests and up the active Arenal Volcano, swim at the base of the 200-ft La Fortuna Waterfall, and get an educational visit with members of the Maleku indigenous tribe.
I booked this day tour for $79.20 which included pickup from my accommodation in town, a live guide, park entry fees, lunch, drinks, and natural hot spring resort fees. This tour was well worth the cost, and I even ended the day having made new friends from around the world!
NATURAL HOT SPRINGS
La Fortuna is home to dozens of natural hot springs, all geothermally heated by Arenal Volcano. Soaking in hot springs can be beneficial to your body too, promoting healthy bones, aiding in brain function, relieving pain, and naturally detoxing your skin. So, take a dip, enjoy a break from adventure, and socialize with other travelers with a drink in hand. (All costs for the hot springs and drinks are included in the price of the tour mentioned above).
EXPLORE THE FOOD SCENE
There’s an array of restaurants in town that are highly regarded by locals and tourists. My first night, I ate a typical Costa Rican platter at Pollo Fortuneño, a restaurant right in the city center and walkable to other restaurants and bars. Their menu is extensive, so sure to appeal to any appetite or craving. Prices on the menu range from $3-$15.
If you’re in the mood for wood-fired pizza, La Cava Pizza a la Leña is another great restaurant up the road with a laid-back social atmosphere. Following a day spent touring around the National Park and soaking in the hot springs, my tour group had worked up an appetite and enjoyed each other’s company so much that we met for dinner and drinks at this local spot. After a few hours, we exchanged contacts and said our goodbyes before continuing with our own travels the next day.
ALONG THE WAY
TENORIO VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK / RIO CELESTE
About an hour and a half from La Fortuna and along the route to Monteverde, Tenorio Volcano National Park is a place worth making a short 1-2 hour visit to. The park is open daily from 8:00am-4:00pm and entrance tickets cost $12 USD per person.
The hiking trail here is an in-and-out path and is considered moderately difficult, mainly due to the hike to the base of main waterfall consisting of about 200 very steep stairs. The main attraction in this park is Rio Celeste, a river with stunning turquoise water and a breathtaking waterfall. The water gets its distinct milky blue color due to a natural phenomenon resulting in an optical illusion and along the hike, you’ll notice geothermal activity in the river despite the volcano in the area being dormant. The park is lush with vegetation and generally clear of large tourist crowds and was one of the highlights from my entire Costa Rica trip.
VIENTO FRESCO WATERFALLS
Midway between La Fortuna and Monteverde, Viento Fresco Waterfalls is a group of waterfalls in the countryside with an admission fee of $17 for tourists. When you arrive, there’s a lot where you can park your car and walk over to the admissions office, where you’ll pay your entry fee and be given a map and directions to get to the nearby trailhead.
Traveling during rainy season, I had the entire hiking trail to myself and was even told that I was the first visitor in days. Do exercise caution and plan ahead as these falls are located off a section of Route 145 that is mostly dirt and contains large potholes. I highly recommend having a vehicle with high clearance and/or 4WD to avoid problems.
MONTEVERDE
Living up to its name, Monteverde is an incredibly lush and naturesque destination sitting at an elevation of 4,662 feet (1,440 meters). The journey from La Fortuna to Monteverde will have you quite literally driving through clouds, and you’ll quickly notice the temperature difference upon arrival. Due to its high elevation and climate patterns, it’s wise to pack warmer clothing and/or layers for this leg of your trip in Costa Rica.
The city is best known for its cloud forests, rich in beauty and biodiversity. This type of forest is even quite rare, as it only occurs withing tropical or subtropical mountainous environments with just-right atmospheric conditions to produce consistent cloud coverage. This is a destination you’ll want to visit sooner rather than later, as the effects of climate change are threatening these types of ecosystems and causing the clouds in cloud forests to disappear.
WHERE TO STAY
NATURE HOUSE
While I’m normally one to prefer a hostel for the social atmosphere and dorm prices, I truly loved my stay at this charming family-owned and operated guest house. For a two-night stay in a private room with access to a shared bathroom, I paid a total of $61.02 which included a free daily breakfast, cooked by the host himself. The house is conveniently located, just a couple miles from the main attractions and city center, and offers a serene mountainside nature experience.
You can book your own stay at Nature House in Monteverde here!
WHAT TO DO
ZIPLINE IN THE CLOUD FOREST
Get your adrenaline rushing and go ziplining over the cloud forest canopy, repelling down to the forest floor, and climbing up a rope ladder overlooking monstrous trees! Monteverde is home to the longest zipline canopy in Latin America, measuring 1,590 meters long (just under a mile) and a thrill worth experiencing.
I booked The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde for $50 and had two incredible guides for the entirety of the 2.5-hour tour. Professional photos from the tour are also available for purchase and worth the few extra bucks, as it’s difficult to take photos or videos from your phone throughout the tour.
COFFEE TOUR
While you’re in the Costa Rican mountainside, it’s fitting to go on a tour of one of the local coffee farms. There, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the industry and how coffee makes its way from seed to cup, as well as the ability to try various fresh coffee samples. I booked an afternoon tour of Café Monteverde for $38 USD and especially appreciated their emphasis on a sustainable approach to coffee production.
MANUEL ANTONIO / QUEPOS
From Monteverde’s cloud forest, make your descent down the Pacific coast to the neighboring towns of Manuel Antonio and Quepos. With a reputation for its wildlife preservation efforts and beautifully kept beaches with rideable waves, these coastal towns are an oasis for sport fishers, surfers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventurous travelers alike.
WHERE TO STAY
QUEPOS
Manuel Antonio is the main travel destination for tourists, housing the popular national park and public beaches, making Quepos the cheaper town to book your accommodation. The quaint gateway town has a handful of well-rated hostels to choose from and is great for walking around as it has an abundance of local food spots and shops.
Quepos is just a 15-minute drive to Manuel Antonio by car, or there are also public busses that run between the towns every 25 minutes. Busses run from 5:45am-9:00pm and cost about $0.65 each way.
WHAT TO DO
CROCODILE BRIDGE
Along the drive from Monteverde to Quepos, you’ll encounter the Río Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge, a popular rest stop and unique tourist attraction. While some travelers simply stop here for a snack and a leg stretch, others park their cars to check out the scene underneath the bridge of dozens of large crocodiles basking in the sun. If you do stop at this bridge, practice ethical animal tourism and keep a distance from the crocs, observing them and taking pictures from afar, then continuing your journey.
PLAYA BEISANZ
A visit to Playa Beisanz is one to remember as it’s a beautiful yet quiet, unknown paradise. The entrance to the beach is just off the side of the road near Hotel Parador, and you’ll make a 10-minute walk down a slippery trail before setting foot in the sand. Featuring rocky formations, clear water, and white sand, this beach is a perfect place to get comfortable with a fresh snack and a book. Do be careful when leaving your belongings unattended on the shore, as it’s common for monkeys to snoop through or even snatch up bags.
HOTEL LA MARIPOSA
Grab a drink from the bar and a balcony seat and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Manuel Antonio National Park from Hotel La Mariposa. The hotel is just a mile from Manuel Antonio Beach and there’s no need to be a guest to enjoy the amenities and views. Even for just a quick pop-in, it’s a neat experience to visit one of the places mentioned in the book, “1000 Places to See Before You Die.”
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK GUIDED TOUR
While visiting Manuel Antonio, it goes without saying that you should take a trip to explore the national park. Within the park, you’ll be able to observe native wildlife, relax at the quiet beach, and walk along the well-maintained trails. I suggest booking with a guide, as they are knowledgeable on the park and experienced at spotting wildlife that is easily missed with an untrained eye.
I booked my guided tour through this Airbnb Experience for $28, however also had to purchase the entrance ticket for the park for an additional $16. While there’s no official parking area for the park, you can arrive by public bus or park in a private lot right by the entrance for a small fee.
