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Trip Report

Costa Rica : Northwest and caribbean coast

1 week between volcanoes, hot springs and tropical climate

  • Cerro Tortuguero+ 6
  • hot springs from Tabacon
  • Volcano Arenal
  • Costa Rica : Northwest and caribbean coast
maellernv
About Me:A french girl (27 years old) who, breaking away from the urban way of life, chose to travel the world during one year (or more ?) to set off on a adventure, on a auest for life, beauty, and above all, a quest of freedom. Ready to live a th... read more

North AmericaCosta Rica7 days / March 2021

Highs & Lows

An incredible fauna and flora

Rain showers that soak you in 2 seconds from head to toe

Itinerary Overview

After an 11-hour flight from France, I arrived in Costa Rica, in the capital of San Jose, at 9 pm local time. It is hot, very hot. I get out of the small airport and take my taxi to the hostel where I will spend the night, before leaving, the next morning, for La Fortuna!

Wake up at 7 am. Little sleep last night, the 7 hours time difference with France is felt. But no matter, the adventure can begin! To reach La Fortuna, it takes about 4 hours by bus. Arriving at La Fortuna, it's cool here, a bit cloudy, a bit of fog, but it's good to breathe this fresh air!

Palacios Arenal, this hostel is charming, relaxed and the host is very friendly. I meet a Spanish guy, and we decide to rent a scooter to visit the area together. On the road, we meet some Coatis, always looking for food. Direction, the Arenal volcano: we choose to do a tour of the volcano, for about 3 hours of walking. The view of the volcano is magnificent when the clouds disappear! On the way back, we had to visit the hot springs of Tabacon, located 10 minutes from the center of La Fortuna. We bathe in the middle of the locals and other tourists in very hot water. Day 2, we decide to go and play Tarzan in Salto, 5 minutes from the center. Sensations guaranteed! Between greenery, small waterfalls, and acrobatics, the day ends with a good meal at the hostel.

In La Fortuna, before leaving, I meet 2 English girls, and we decide to share an Uber to go to the small port of La Pavona, the boarding area for Tortuguero. The boat arrives. 1h30 later, during the crossing we had the chance to see some caimans. Arrival at the small village of Tortuguero, which is located on a sand bank covered with tropical forest, on the Caribbean coast.

It is already 4 pm. A short visit of the village (really small!) then rest in the ‘’Cabana’’.

The next day, the alarm clock rings at 6 am, because at 6.30 am i board for a canoe tour with a guide I met the day before. We observe very closely during all the crossing, caimans, toucans, capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, lizard Jesus Christ. Back at 10 am with a good fruity breakfast.

In the afternoon, located at 6 km by boat from the village of Tortuguero, direction of the Tortuguero hill. After 30 minutes of walking, I arrived at the top where it is possible to admire the village from above.

The next morning, before taking the boat back to the port, I take a short walk in the Tortuguero National Park. Monkeys, monkeys, and more monkeys! They walk everywhere in the branches! Return by the beach and then by boat to La Pavona.

Departure from La Pavona with a German couple I met the day before in the cano tour. They take me nicely to my hostel in puerto viejo ! Relaxed atmosphere here, Caribbean atmosphere ! When I arrived, I discover the Playa Negra, a huge beach with black sand, very black. Then rest at the hostel.

The next day, I take the local bus to go to the Cahuita national park, located half an hour from Puerto Viejo. This park is beautiful! I walk from 9 am to 3 pm in the park along the beach. Small imperative pauses in the hot water of the Caribbean. In the park, observation of monkeys, snakes, spiders, butterflies, this place is full of life! I then return from this beautiful walk for a little rest.

The next day, I decide to take a bus this time in the other direction, to visit the national park of Manzanillo. It is necessary to arrive early because this park is very touristic. Unfortunately, I don't see much this time, except a small group of monkeys in the trees. I then decide to enjoy the sea and the beautiful beaches.

  • 2 Nights: La Fortuna
    Discover northwest costa rica
  • 2 Nights: Tortuguero
    Meeting the wildlife
  • 3 Nights: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
    National park and beach
La Fortuna - Discover northwest costa rica
1

La Fortuna Discover northwest costa rica

La Fortuna - Discover northwest costa rica - hot springs from Tabacon
hot springs from Tabacon
La Fortuna - Discover northwest costa rica - Volcano Arenal
Volcano Arenal
La Fortuna - Discover northwest costa rica - El Salto, 5 minutes from La Fortuna
El Salto, 5 minutes from La Fortuna

After an 11-hour flight from France, I arrived in Costa Rica, in the capital of San Jose, at 9 pm local time. It is hot, very hot. I get out of the small airport and take my taxi to the hostel where I will spend the night, before leaving, the next morning, for La Fortuna!

Wake up at 7 am. Little sleep last night, the 7 hours time difference with France is felt. But no matter, the adventure can begin! To reach La Fortuna, it takes about 4 hours by bus. Arriving at La Fortuna, it's cool here, a bit cloudy, a bit of fog, but it's good to breathe this fresh air!

Palacios Arenal, this hostel is charming, relaxed and the host is very friendly. I meet a Spanish guy, and we decide to rent a scooter to visit the area together. On the road, we meet some Coatis, always looking for food. Direction, the Arenal volcano: we choose to do a tour of the volcano, for about 3 hours of walking. The view of the volcano is magnificent when the clouds disappear! On the way back, we had to visit the hot springs of Tabacon, located 10 minutes from the center of La Fortuna. We bathe in the middle of the locals and other tourists in very hot water. Day 2, we decide to go and play Tarzan in Salto, 5 minutes from the center. Sensations guaranteed! Between greenery, small waterfalls, and acrobatics, the day ends with a good meal at the hostel.

Tortuguero - Meeting the wildlife
2

Tortuguero Meeting the wildlife

Tortuguero - Meeting the wildlife - Cerro Tortuguero
Cerro Tortuguero
Tortuguero - Meeting the wildlife - Cano tour in Tortuguero
Cano tour in Tortuguero
Tortuguero - Meeting the wildlife - Spider monkey
Spider monkey

In La Fortuna, before leaving, I meet 2 English girls, and we decide to share an Uber to go to the small port of La Pavona, the boarding area for Tortuguero. The boat arrives. 1h30 later, during the crossing we had the chance to see some caimans. Arrival at the small village of Tortuguero, which is located on a sand bank covered with tropical forest, on the Caribbean coast.

It is already 4 pm. A short visit of the village (really small!) then rest in the ‘’Cabana’’.

The next day, the alarm clock rings at 6 am, because at 6.30 am i board for a canoe tour with a guide I met the day before. We observe very closely during all the crossing, caimans, toucans, capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, lizard Jesus Christ. Back at 10 am with a good fruity breakfast.

In the afternoon, located at 6 km by boat from the village of Tortuguero, direction of the Tortuguero hill. After 30 minutes of walking, I arrived at the top where it is possible to admire the village from above.

The next morning, before taking the boat back to the port, I take a short walk in the Tortuguero National Park. Monkeys, monkeys, and more monkeys! They walk everywhere in the branches! Return by the beach and then by boat to La Pavona.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - National park and beach
3

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca National park and beach

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - National park and beach - Manzanillo beach
Manzanillo beach
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - National park and beach - capuchin monkey
capuchin monkey
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - National park and beach - The island
The island

Departure from La Pavona with a German couple I met the day before in the cano tour. They take me nicely to my hostel in puerto viejo ! Relaxed atmosphere here, Caribbean atmosphere ! When I arrived, I discover the Playa Negra, a huge beach with black sand, very black. Then rest at the hostel.

The next day, I take the local bus to go to the Cahuita national park, located half an hour from Puerto Viejo. This park is beautiful! I walk from 9 am to 3 pm in the park along the beach. Small imperative pauses in the hot water of the Caribbean. In the park, observation of monkeys, snakes, spiders, butterflies, this place is full of life! I then return from this beautiful walk for a little rest.

The next day, I decide to take a bus this time in the other direction, to visit the national park of Manzanillo. It is necessary to arrive early because this park is very touristic. Unfortunately, I don't see much this time, except a small group of monkeys in the trees. I then decide to enjoy the sea and the beautiful beaches.

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    I would not have done the manzanillo park, too touristic
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Always good to eat local food, and the carabbean food is amazing
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Try to find some people who have a car because by bus the distances become very long in Costa Rica
  • Packing tips?

    Swimwear and rain coat
  • Transportation Tips?

    Try to find someone with a car !
  • Any surprises?

    The rain, a lot of rain in the carabbean coast
  • Booking details?

    Easy to book hostels on Booking or Hostelworld