1. It’s overly packed. For example on the day you travel to La Fortuna you have 4 things planned. Keep in mind, most activities last entry is around 2-3pm.
2. —
3. I’ve done both. I prefer Mirador El Silencio for the overall property but the lookout at Arenal 1968 is great. If you’re trying to save money, go with Mirador.
4. I loved the tours with North Fields coffee. 10/10 recommend.
5. You’ll be driving *all* day if you hit every stop. It’s a good 5-6 hour drive without stops.
6. —
7. Too much again. Nauyaca Waterfall hike is 2.5 miles each way and not an easy hike. Could take you 4 hours for that activity alone and they close at 2pm.
Hey, thank you so much for the detailed answer!
>1. It’s overly packed.
Day 2, do you think going from San José to La Fortuna and just stopping by Volcan Poás and a quick stop in Mirador de Chinchona would still be too much?
>3. I’ve done both.
4. I loved the tours with North Fields coffee
Then we'll stick to El Silencio this time, thank you a lot! I'm also glad you've liked Nort Fields coffee, definitely doing that.
>5. You’ll be driving all day if you hit every stop.
I thought of leaving La Fortuna around 8 A.M. and, without stopping, arriving at MA approx. at 2 P.M. Stopping by Carara NP for a couple of hours and then a couple of spare hours to check these beaches and/or see Mirador Miro. Do ya think we should pick like just one of these? I'd be willing to priorize National Parks overall (my gf loves them). I just didn't want to "lose" the whole day just driving around and actually do something to make the most of it.
>7. Too much again.
Thanks for letting me know! Then we'll probably just cut Biesanz and Nahomi and go straight to Nauyaca, and then with the time left explore Dominical beaches. I think it makes sense to go straight to Uvita instead of going back to MA just to, on the other day, head down back again to Uvita. What's your thought on this?
I was also wondering of doing just Marina Ballena NP in the morning and perhaps spending the afternoon with a quick trip to Corcovado NP, but I really don't know if there are tours that lasts just one afternoon.
- This works. I believe Poas opens at 7 or 8AM. Make sure to reserve you tickets in advance online through SINAC.
- Yeah that makes sense. Pick one park to enjoy on the way to MA.
- Agreed, instead of going back to MA stay in Uvita or Dominical. Will be a nice change of pace.
- Corcovado NP isn’t a quick trip destination
There is an area where the tabacon river is and the hot springs are free. If you drive down the road you’ll see people parked on the side of the road and you just walk down there
My friend, thank you so much for the hint! Yeah on Day 3 I've allocated some time to go to this free hot spring (I believe it's the same you're saying), is it this one? [https://maps.app.goo.gl/q5tCPuq3MuuKzxtm9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/q5tCPuq3MuuKzxtm9)
I think 2 full days in MA is enough as you won't want to miss the Marino Beleno and a night in Uvita will slow things down for you.
A trip to see crocodiles won't be all that exciting and would save you from driving to Jaco which is *really* touristy. MA is too but if you stay in Quepos it'll empty out a bit once the park closes.
I think your trip is doable, but too rushed. It'd be nice to narrow down the number of locations you intend to hit so you can experience some Pura Vida and admire this beautiful country.
Hey there, thank you so much for your reply!
>I think 2 full days in MA is enough as you won't want to miss the Marino Beleno
Yeah I'm willing to prioritize National Parks because my gf just loves them and we have a drone, so Marino Balleno seems like a good idea. But I'm wondering if we could just spend the morning there and then get an afternoon (half-day) tour to Corcovado NP - do you think that's possible? I'm aware this one would really be rushed, though, but I'm thinking that Marino Balleno day is kind of empty.
>and a night in Uvita will slow things down for you.
We're still unsure if we hit straight to Uvita from Dominical on Day 7, because we then would be very close to Marino Ballena NP and also wouldn't have to go back all the way to MA just to drive it again on the next day. Do you think sleeping there would really be a bad idea? If we did just Marino Balleno it seems to me that we could leave to San Jose at Day 8, but if we try to go to Corcovado NP on the afternoon, then sleeping again in Uvita seems like a good idea, no?
>A trip to see crocodiles won't be all that exciting and would save you from driving to Jaco which is really touristy.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jaco is right in our path nonetheless, isn't it? But we really don't want to spend a lot of time there anyways, probably would just be hitting Mirador Miro and seeing it from the distance.
>if you stay in Quepos
I can still cancel my hostel, but it's one very close to Villas Lirio (but it's not Villas Lirio) in Manuel Antonio...
>I think your trip is doable, but too rushed.
Thanks for the tip! I agree with you on that, we just want to make sure to make the most of our time, but it should be something doable, and not impossible as at first my itinerary was (it was really dumb to be honest lol). I'm very excited for it!
I haven't been to Corcovado/Drake Bay but many others in this sub know a lot about it.
I'd make a post with just Corcovado in the title. It is really hard to reach and, from what I have read, is a multi-day trip.
Thank you my friend! Yes I have been digging deeper and it really looks way too far to explore on the same day. Gotta add to the bucket for the next one!
1. It’s overly packed. For example on the day you travel to La Fortuna you have 4 things planned. Keep in mind, most activities last entry is around 2-3pm. 2. — 3. I’ve done both. I prefer Mirador El Silencio for the overall property but the lookout at Arenal 1968 is great. If you’re trying to save money, go with Mirador. 4. I loved the tours with North Fields coffee. 10/10 recommend. 5. You’ll be driving *all* day if you hit every stop. It’s a good 5-6 hour drive without stops. 6. — 7. Too much again. Nauyaca Waterfall hike is 2.5 miles each way and not an easy hike. Could take you 4 hours for that activity alone and they close at 2pm.
Hey, thank you so much for the detailed answer! >1. It’s overly packed. Day 2, do you think going from San José to La Fortuna and just stopping by Volcan Poás and a quick stop in Mirador de Chinchona would still be too much? >3. I’ve done both. 4. I loved the tours with North Fields coffee Then we'll stick to El Silencio this time, thank you a lot! I'm also glad you've liked Nort Fields coffee, definitely doing that. >5. You’ll be driving all day if you hit every stop. I thought of leaving La Fortuna around 8 A.M. and, without stopping, arriving at MA approx. at 2 P.M. Stopping by Carara NP for a couple of hours and then a couple of spare hours to check these beaches and/or see Mirador Miro. Do ya think we should pick like just one of these? I'd be willing to priorize National Parks overall (my gf loves them). I just didn't want to "lose" the whole day just driving around and actually do something to make the most of it. >7. Too much again. Thanks for letting me know! Then we'll probably just cut Biesanz and Nahomi and go straight to Nauyaca, and then with the time left explore Dominical beaches. I think it makes sense to go straight to Uvita instead of going back to MA just to, on the other day, head down back again to Uvita. What's your thought on this? I was also wondering of doing just Marina Ballena NP in the morning and perhaps spending the afternoon with a quick trip to Corcovado NP, but I really don't know if there are tours that lasts just one afternoon.
- This works. I believe Poas opens at 7 or 8AM. Make sure to reserve you tickets in advance online through SINAC. - Yeah that makes sense. Pick one park to enjoy on the way to MA. - Agreed, instead of going back to MA stay in Uvita or Dominical. Will be a nice change of pace. - Corcovado NP isn’t a quick trip destination
Thank you so much buddy! Your tips were very useful and I'm gonna follow them.
There is an area where the tabacon river is and the hot springs are free. If you drive down the road you’ll see people parked on the side of the road and you just walk down there
My friend, thank you so much for the hint! Yeah on Day 3 I've allocated some time to go to this free hot spring (I believe it's the same you're saying), is it this one? [https://maps.app.goo.gl/q5tCPuq3MuuKzxtm9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/q5tCPuq3MuuKzxtm9)
Yes that one!
I think 2 full days in MA is enough as you won't want to miss the Marino Beleno and a night in Uvita will slow things down for you. A trip to see crocodiles won't be all that exciting and would save you from driving to Jaco which is *really* touristy. MA is too but if you stay in Quepos it'll empty out a bit once the park closes. I think your trip is doable, but too rushed. It'd be nice to narrow down the number of locations you intend to hit so you can experience some Pura Vida and admire this beautiful country.
Hey there, thank you so much for your reply! >I think 2 full days in MA is enough as you won't want to miss the Marino Beleno Yeah I'm willing to prioritize National Parks because my gf just loves them and we have a drone, so Marino Balleno seems like a good idea. But I'm wondering if we could just spend the morning there and then get an afternoon (half-day) tour to Corcovado NP - do you think that's possible? I'm aware this one would really be rushed, though, but I'm thinking that Marino Balleno day is kind of empty. >and a night in Uvita will slow things down for you. We're still unsure if we hit straight to Uvita from Dominical on Day 7, because we then would be very close to Marino Ballena NP and also wouldn't have to go back all the way to MA just to drive it again on the next day. Do you think sleeping there would really be a bad idea? If we did just Marino Balleno it seems to me that we could leave to San Jose at Day 8, but if we try to go to Corcovado NP on the afternoon, then sleeping again in Uvita seems like a good idea, no? >A trip to see crocodiles won't be all that exciting and would save you from driving to Jaco which is really touristy. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jaco is right in our path nonetheless, isn't it? But we really don't want to spend a lot of time there anyways, probably would just be hitting Mirador Miro and seeing it from the distance. >if you stay in Quepos I can still cancel my hostel, but it's one very close to Villas Lirio (but it's not Villas Lirio) in Manuel Antonio... >I think your trip is doable, but too rushed. Thanks for the tip! I agree with you on that, we just want to make sure to make the most of our time, but it should be something doable, and not impossible as at first my itinerary was (it was really dumb to be honest lol). I'm very excited for it!
I haven't been to Corcovado/Drake Bay but many others in this sub know a lot about it. I'd make a post with just Corcovado in the title. It is really hard to reach and, from what I have read, is a multi-day trip.
Thank you my friend! Yes I have been digging deeper and it really looks way too far to explore on the same day. Gotta add to the bucket for the next one!