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San José, Costa Rica
If you want to travel to Costa Rica in Central America, your journey will probably start at San José Juan Santamaria Airport. From there, you can reach the center of the Costa Rican capital in around 30 minutes by car. With around 2 million inhabitants, San José is the city with the most inhabitants in the country, but it is less popular with tourists. The city is even known for being one of the most dangerous parts of the country. Apart from a few beautiful churches and old buildings, the offer for tourists is rather limited. During our 3 weeks in Costa Rica, we decided to stay in San José for just one night.
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Uvita Beach, Costa Rica
Uvita de Osa is a small, tranquil town in the southern part of Costa Rica. Situated right on the Pacific coast, it is not only known for its beautiful, expansive beach but also for humpback whale watching (from mid-July to mid-November and from December to April). Fittingly, Uvita is home to the renowned Whale’s Tail Beach (Cola de Ballena) – a beach at the tip of Marino Ballena National Park that forms the shape of a giant whale tail at low tide. This stunning natural spectacle is especially striking in aerial photos and can even be seen on Google Maps.
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Jaco, Costa Rica
After spending a few days in Uvita, I recommend staying on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and heading north. The coastal town of Jacó, known for its numerous surf schools and vibrant nightlife, is a perfect stopover on the way to the Nicoya Peninsula. Personally, we found Jacó a bit too noisy and touristy, so we decided to stay for just one night.
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Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica
he small town of Santa Teresa was one of my favorite places during my trip to Costa Rica. Along the main road, which forms the heart of Santa Teresa, you’ll find colorful surf shops, cozy cafés, and yoga studios lined up next to each other. Everywhere you look, people are carrying surfboards under their arms, and the inviting, beautifully decorated restaurants are perfect for relaxing. In the evenings, groups of locals and travelers gather on the beach to watch the sunset and wind down the day together. It’s nearly impossible to get lost in Santa Teresa; to the left of the main road is a direct path to the beach, and to the right, the jungle begins. Santa Teresa may be small, and while there aren’t endless things to do in Santa Teresa, many travelers end up staying for several days or even weeks.
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Sámara, Costa Rica
After the trendy surf town of Santa Teresa, I recommend heading further north along the coast to Sámara and spending two nights there. Although Sámara, with its population of around 3,500, is slightly larger than Santa Teresa, it is still small and manageable. Sámara definitely offers a good range of options for tourists – from plenty of dining choices and beach spots to tour providers. Despite its touristy vibe, Sámara, in my opinion, has a unique charm.
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Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Coming from the small towns of Santa Teresa and Sámara, Tamarindo can initially feel quite large and overwhelming. This town on the Pacific coast, situated in the bay of the same name, was once a small fishing village but has developed into a popular and frequently visited vacation spot in recent years. Personally, we felt that Tamarindo lacked some of the individual charm we found in other places. However, the town offers a vast array of activities, and we were particularly thrilled with a ziplining tour we chose nearby.
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La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna, the action, adventure, and wellness capital of the country, is a must-visit on any three-week Costa Rica itinerary. Here, you can do just about anything that a nature and adventure enthusiast could desire. From waterfalls and rainforest hiking trails to whitewater rafting and ATV tours, as well as hot springs and spectacular hanging bridges, there is something for everyone. I recommend staying at least three to four nights in La Fortuna to partake in various activities and fully immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s natural beauty. Situated right next to the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, La Fortuna provides the perfect setting to experience the country’s eco-tourism.
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Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica
The small coastal town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca near the border with Panama is manageable and cozy. There are some nice stores, cafés and restaurants here, as well as small street stalls where you can buy fruit or souvenirs. After the action-packed town of La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo is the perfect place to spend a few relaxing days at the end of your trip. Here you can soak up the last rays of sunshine on your 3-week Costa Rica itinerary and try out the many cafés and bars. If you don’t just want to laze on the beach, you can also take a trip to the Jaguar Resuce Center by bike or tuk-tuk, visit Cahuita National Park or even take a trip to Bocas del Toro in Panama for a night or two. The paradisiacal island archipelago is perfect for snorkeling, diving and swimming.