Costa Rica

My backpacking adventure in Costa Rica was a trip of a lifetime, filled with unforgettable experiences and breathtaking sights. I visited the Central American country in April / May 2022 and stayed there for a total of 23 nights. My travel route:

• San José - 2 nights
• Monteverde - 4 nights
• Santa Teresa - 7 nights
• Manuel Antonio - 2 nights
• Puerto Viejo - 7 nights
• San José - 1 night

San José - 2 nights

San José, the capital city of Costa Rica, is a great starting point for any backpacking adventure in this beautiful country. I landed in San José after my long haul flight from Europe. Here I had booked an accommodation for two nights to get used to the climate and the time zone. While there are plenty of things to see and do in San José, I recommend spending no more than two nights here to settle in after a long flight before exploring the rest of the country.

During my time in the capital, I walked a lot and explored the streets. I especially liked the Amon district, which is a artists' quarter that convinces with trendy cafes and vibrant street art. Take a stroll through this lively district and soak up the local culture, or grab a bite to eat at one of the many delicious eateries in the area.

Other notable attractions in San Jose include the local food market and the National Theater, a stunning historic building with beautiful architecture, and Catedral Metropolitana de San José. While San Jose is a great city to explore, I highly recommend using it as a jumping-off point for the rest of your Costa Rican adventure. 

Monteverde - 4 nights

If you're looking for a nature-filled adventure, I highly recommend traveling from San José to Monteverde, where you can spend four nights exploring the lush rainforest and all its wonders. Monteverde is a unique destination with breathtaking views, incredible biodiversity, and plenty of activities to keep you entertained.

One of the most popular attractions in Monteverde is the national park rainforest, where you can hike through the cloud forest and spot exotic wildlife. The admission fee for the park is $25 per person. Unfortunately, I hardly saw any animals during my hike through the park. Nevertheless, my walk alone through the rainforest was a very magical moment full of peace. 

Besides beautiful rainforests, Costa Rica is known for its sloths. If you pay attention, you can sometimes spot them in the wild. During my stay in Monteverde, I decided to go to the sloth sanctuary, where you can learn about these fascinating creatures and even get the chance to feed them. The admission fee for the sanctuary is $35 per person.

If you're looking for a bit of adrenaline, Monteverde is also known for its thrilling zip lining tours. Soaring through the canopy is a unique and exhilarating way to experience the beauty of the rainforest. Most visitors to Monteverde stay in the small town of Santa Elena, which is just a short drive from the national park and other attractions. The town has a cozy atmosphere with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. It's the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure in the rainforest. 

From Monteverde, many travel on to La Fortuna. However, I decided to continue my journey to Santa Teresa to enjoy some time by the beach.

Costa Rica is a popular travel destination year-round due to its tropical climate. The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, which usually runs from December to April. However, this is also peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices during this time.

I traveled to Costa Rica at the end of April / beginning of May, which was the start of the rainy season. While I experienced rain in the evenings from 6pm onwards, it was manageable and didn't impact my trip too much. Plus, there were fewer tourists around, which made it easier to explore some of the popular attractions without the crowds.

In general, the road network in Costa Rica is not very well developed and you should allow enough time to get from A to B. When traveling around Costa Rica, there are several transportation options available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Renting a car (50$ to 100$ per day) or taking private shuttles (250$ to 300$) is the most expensive option. However, they provide comfort and convenience, with air-conditioning and a direct route to your destination with hotel pick-up and drop-off. Shared shuttles are a more affordable option, with prices ranging from 80$ to 150$ depending on your travel route. While they may not be as comfortable as private vehicles, they still offer air-conditioning and a direct route to your destination. This option usually also includes hotel pick-up and drop-off. 

For those on a tighter budget, public transportation is the cheapest option, with prices ranging from $10 to $20 depending on the route you take. However, public transportation may not be as comfortable as shuttles, as it typically lacks air-conditioning and requires multiple transfers, which can result in longer travel and waiting times. Overall, the best transportation option depends on your budget and preferences. While shuttles provide comfort and convenience, public transportation can save you money. So, weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision on how to get around Costa Rica.

How did I travel around?

For shorter distances or transportation to the airport, I often booked an Uber. Note, however, that Uber drivers are not very welcome among locals, because they are in competition with normal cabs. However, I had no problems with using this service.

From San José to Monteverde you can take a direct bus. Go to the main bus terminal in San Jose, called the Terminal 7-10. You can take a taxi or an Uber to get there. The bus cost me about $10. It will drop you off in the town of Santa Elena. From there you can take a cab to your hotel. 

From Monteverde to Santa Teresa I booked myself a shared shuttle that picked me up at my hostel. A shuttle will take you to the port of Puntarenas, where you will get off and walk on the ferry, which will take you to Paquera. From there, you will switch to another shuttle that will take you directly to Santa Teresa. The entire journey will take around 6-7 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. The cost of the shared shuttle can vary, but it is usually around 80-100 $ per person. You can usually book the shuttle at your hotel.

To get from Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio, I took the public transport. You will need to take a few different modes of transportation. First, you will need to take a local bus to Cobano. From there you switch to another bus that takes you to the ferry port in Paquera. From Paquera, you will take the ferry to Puntarenas, and then transfer to another bus that will take you to Manuel Antonio. The total journey time was around 10 hours, depending on ferry and bus schedules. The cost of the entire journey will be approximately $10-15 per person, making it a budget-friendly option.

From Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo I also traveled by public transport. You will need to take a bus from Quepos to San José. The bus ride takes around 4 hours and costs approximately $10. Once you arrive in San Jose, you will need to take another bus to Puerto Viejo. The bus ride from San José to Puerto Viejo takes around 5-6 hours and costs approximately $10-15. It was the longest journey I had, but you can definitely make it in a day if you leave early in the morning. 

Costa Rica offers a variety of accommodation options that cater to different budgets and preferences. From luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hostels, there is something for everyone. Luxury resorts and hotels are the most expensive option, with prices ranging from 200$ to 600$ per night. Mid-range hotels and lodges can be found between 80$ to 200$ per night. Budget travelers can opt for hostels, which typically cost between 8$ to 30$ per night, depending on the location and amenities.

Another popular option is to stay in eco-lodges or casitas, which offer a unique experience of living in nature. Prices for eco-lodges and casitas range from 50$ to 300$ per night.

Booking accommodations in Costa Rica is easy, with options ranging from traditional booking websites like booking.com and Hostelworld.

During my trip I stayed in the following accommodations:

• San José - Selina Hostel
• Monteverde - Selina Hostel
• Santa Teresa - El Gato Rojas Surf Hostel
• Manuel Antonio - Costa Linda Art Hostel
• Puerto Viejo - Hotel Pura Vida

Costa Rican cuisine is a delicious and diverse blend of flavors, drawing influences from the country's indigenous roots, Spanish colonizers, and Afro-Caribbean heritage. Some of the most popular dishes include gallo pinto (rice and beans), casado (a typical plate with rice, beans, salad, and meat or fish), ceviche (a fresh seafood salad), and plantains in various forms, such as patacones (fried plantain slices) and maduros (sweet fried plantains).

In general, local restaurants offer these traditional dishes at very reasonable prices, typically ranging from $5 to $10 USD per plate. On the other hand, trendy or tourist-oriented restaurants may charge more for the same dishes, often incorporating more international or fusion elements into their menus. It's worth noting that Costa Rica also offers a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood that are widely available in markets and roadside stands, making it a great destination for foodies and health-conscious travelers alike.

Costa Rica is one of the more expensive countries to travel to. The budget needed to travel to Central American country depends on various factors such as the duration of the trip, the type of accommodation, transportation, food, and activities planned.

As a rough estimate, budget travelers can expect to spend around 50$ to 70$ per day, while mid-range travelers can expect to spend around 80$ to 150$ per day. For luxury travelers, the budget can exceed 200$ per day.

Accommodation costs in Costa Rica can vary greatly depending on the type of accommodation, location, and season. Budget accommodations such as hostels and guesthouses can cost between 10$ to 50$ per night, while mid-range hotels and resorts can cost between 50$ to 150$ per night. Luxury accommodations can range from 150$ to 500$ per night or more.

Transportation costs also vary depending on the mode of transportation chosen. Public buses are the cheapest option (around 10$ to 15$), while shared shuttles (around 80$ to 120$), private shuttles (around 300$) and rental cars (50$ to 100$ per day) can be more expensive. Activities such as national park entrance fees, tours, and adventure activities can also add to the budget.

In total, I spent about 1,600$ for my 3-week backpacking trip through Costa Rica: 

• Flights 550$
• Accommodations 450$ 
• Food 310$
• Transportation 170$
• Activities 120$