Costa Rica was a country that had been on our must-visit list since the very beginning of our travel adventures. Not only had it been highly recommended by many, but it also seemed like a place that truly encompassed everything we love in one destination: mountains, jungles, beaches, delicious food, and a low-key, laid-back atmosphere.
We intentionally left road tripping Costa Rica out of our full-time travel route for a while because, living in the U.S., we figured Central America would be easier to visit more spontaneously. It felt like a destination we could save for later and squeeze in when the timing felt right.
Safe to say, Costa Rica did not disappoint.
It was just as beautiful and diverse as we had heard, though still a bit more underdeveloped compared to other places we’d visited and its popularity. But honestly, that was part of its charm.
Road Tripping Costa Rica for 3 Weeks (What to Expect)
We spent a total of three weeks road tripping through Costa Rica, letting each experience dictate where we went next. We had a loose plan to drive through the main regions and cover as much of both coasts as possible, but we stayed flexible and followed the flow. We convinced our friend Vlad who we met in Bali a few years ago to join us for part of the trip and it made our adventure even more memorable!
We traveled during the off-season from mid-May to early June, and while we were still able to experience Costa Rica’s beauty exactly as we imagined, we did get a lot of rain. That ultimately influenced our decision to keep our trip at three weeks instead of extending it further. We’d recommend traveling a bit closer to peak season (December – April) instead, if you’re looking for more consistent weather and want to avoid multiple rainy days in a row—especially for jungle hikes and beach days.
Tip: Break up your long drive by stopping by small towns along the way! A great way to see less popular areas and eat authentic food.
San José: Where Our Costa Rica Journey Began
We started our trip in San José, mainly because it’s home to the country’s major international airport. We spent a couple of days there gathering information from locals at the hostel we stayed at and figuring out where we should head next.
While San José serves its purpose as an entry point, we personally don’t recommend spending much time there. Compared to the rest of the country, there isn’t much to see or do, and Costa Rica’s true magic really shines outside the capital.
Things to Do in San José
- Visit a local market (Mercado Fundado) to experience everyday Costa Rican life
- Explore the city, visit museums, and shop for souvenirs briefly before heading out to nature
Using San Jose as your travel home base? Here are a few highly recommended tours:
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Tortuga Island Tour
- La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Bridges
- Monte Verde Night Tours
La Fortuna: Waterfalls, Volcano Views, and Hot Springs
La Fortuna was just as beautiful and breathtaking as everyone says it is. We stayed at a small lodge-style hotel that offered stunning views of the Arenal Volcano, which alone made us decide to spend more time enjoying the region.
La Fortuna is home to the famous La Fortuna Waterfall, a variety of thermal baths (both free and paid), national parks, and plenty of adventure activities. It’s a place where there’s truly something for everyone and is worth being a stand alone trip if it’s all you have time for.
We really loved this region and already know we’ll be coming back in the future to explore it more deeply and take part in even more excursions.
Note: Costa Rica is known for its delicious, fresh coffee! Be sure to try it while visiting.
Things to Do in La Fortuna
- Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
- Relax in natural or resort hot springs
- Explore Arenal Volcano National Park
- Book adventure tours like zip-lining or hiking
>> Secure your tickets ahead of time here <<
Tamarindo: Surf Town Energy and Resort Comfort
Tamarindo is a well-known and popular surf town located in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It was our first stop on the west coast and we really enjoyed exploring the many beaches, shops, and restaurants in the area.
It’s also one of the more popular regions in the country due to its larger resorts and vacation-style accommodations, but once you step outside of those, Tamarindo still maintains the feel of a simple, small town. There’s a good balance here, plenty of options for travelers looking for comfort and convenience, while still being close to nature and the beach.
Tamarindo felt lively without being overwhelming and offered a great introduction to Costa Rica’s beaches, surf culture, especially for those who want easy access to lessons, rentals, and a social atmosphere right along its main beach.
Tip: Look for local restaurants by the main roads outside of the city center for a more traditional and affordable experience!
Things to Do in Tamarindo
- Take a beginner surf lesson at Tamarindo Beach
- Go horse back riding for sunset
- Walk around town and explore local shops
- Visit Playa Conchal to see a white shell sand beach
Note: We saw a few camper vans parked by major beaches, signaling that it can be a great way to explore Costa Rica!
Santa Teresa: Surf, Dirt Roads, and Laid-Back Living
Santa Teresa is also located on the Guanacaste coast and was one of our favorite stops in Costa Rica. It’s a very chill, laid-back town that reminded us of other places in the world where life moves a little slower—but still with enough infrastructure to feel comfortable.
Think dirt roads, small local shops, and surf breaks everywhere. Most people walk along the main road or get around on ATVs, and it’s completely normal to see surfboards tucked under arms at all hours of the day.
This is definitely a place where digital nomads, surfers, and yogis love to call home, and we get why. We also took advantage of our time there to visit a few nearby beaches, which included: Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa, and Hermosa.
Tip: Pack your beach essentials and a few snacks before heading out. Many of these beaches don’t have restaurants on site.
Things to Do in Santa Teresa
- Take surf lessons at playa Santa Teresa
- Watch the sunset at Playa Carmen
- Join a beachfront yoga or wellness class
- Rent ATV to explore nearby beaches
>> Here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling to a tropical destination <<
Puerto Viejo: Afro-Caribbean Culture on the Caribbean Coast
The drive from Santa Teresa to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast was long—but absolutely worth it.
Puerto Viejo is another stunning destination where wildlife, tropical beaches, and Afro-Caribbean culture all meet in one place. We especially loved the food here.
The flavors felt incredibly familiar, especially for Kelvyn, as they reminded him of the Dominican dishes he grew up with. The rice and beans with jerk chicken were to die for, specially at Tamara.
This town felt like it still had a great mix of local experience with a slight digital nomad community. Where along with beautiful long stretches of dark sand and light sand beaches, you could find a great mix of modern cafés, traditional local restaurants, national parks, and an active beach community. It felt a bit like Sri Lanka’s coastal towns, which till this day is one of our favorite travel destinations.
Things to Do in Puerto Viejo
- Try Afro-Caribbean cuisine
- Visit nearby beaches like Playa Cocles, Punta Uva, and Chiquita.
- Spot wildlife such as sloths, snakes, and monkeys on Cahuita’s National park trails.
- Watch sunset beach volleyball and surfing
>> Get your National Park Tickets ahead of time here <<
What to Know Before Traveling Costa Rica
Overall, Costa Rica was incredibly beautiful and our roadtrip gave us a well-rounded taste of what the country is all about. Here are a few other things we noted while traveling:
- The food and tropical fruits are incredible. No matter which coast you are in, you are guaranteed to find authentic Costa Rican food that is always fresh and tropical fruits that are delicious.
- Driving is very accessible. We rented a car and had no issues throughout the trip. While major highways and cities are paved, many towns still have bumpy dirt roads.
- The wildlife is unreal. Depending on the region and time of year, you can expect to see monkeys, sloths, macaws, toucans, and so much more.
- It’s can be budget-friendly, but not backpacker cheap. While you can travel Costa Rica on a budget, it’s not your typical backpacking destination—especially if you plan on doing excursions and activities. Think of it as a “standard U.S.-priced vacation.” And if you opt for private tours, thermal baths, guided experiences, or hotels with volcano or jungle views, it can quickly turn into a more luxurious trip.
- Bugs and mosquitoes bites are very common, specially during the rainy season. Be mindful on the region you are traveling to and take repellent or allergy medicine in case you are someone who often needs it.
>> Want to know what else we do to prepare before traveling? Check out this blog post <<
Would We Go Back to Costa Rica? Absolutely.
We’re already excited to return and explore the parts of Costa Rica we missed. This trip gave us an incredible introduction to the country, and we know there’s still so much more to see.
Costa Rica truly lives up to its reputation and then some!
Planning your Costa Rica roadtrip adventure soon? We’d love to hear all about it on @THETRAVELERINUS
Disclaimer: All the information shared is based on our research and experiences. Please note that we are not travel consultants, tour guides, or financial advisors and are not held liable for any misinformation. We give suggestions, but advise each person to do their own research and make the decision that best suits them. This blog posts also contains affiliate links, by using the links we provide you are helping us at no additional cost to you.
