Costa Rica is the most beautiful of all Central American countries.

Day 1 - San José

Like most Latin American capitals. San José is a bit of a dump. Further, it rains a lot in San José. I would recommend leaving immediately for Jaco.

San Jose Costa Rica

Day 2 - Jaco

I took a 2-hour bus from San José to Jaco. Unlike San José, Jaco is a beach town with a significant expat population.

Getting around Costa Rica is not easy, but I would still not recommend renting a scooty here. Unlike Nicaragua or Thailand, the roads are always slippery due to the rain.

Crocodile Point
A small frog rests on a human hand, photographed at an animal sanctuary, with a focus on showcasing its detailed features.
Frog on my hand at an animal sanctuary

Note that it is easier and preferred to get rentals in Jaco than in San José.

Day 3 - La Fortuna

I drove from Jaco to Arenal Volcano. The journey took about 5 hours.

Arenal Volcano in the background
Arenal Volcano

I would highly recommend staying at Arenal Backpackers Resort in La Fortuna at night.

A nighttime view of Arenal Backpackers Resort in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, featuring a well-lit outdoor pool area surrounded by tropical foliage and umbrellas.
Arenal Backpackers Resort

Day 4 - Back to Jaco

Earlier in the morning, I drove to Laguna Cerro Chato.

A serene lake, Laguna Cerro Chato
Laguna Cerro Chato

And then later, I drove back to Jaco.

Note

  1. The US Dollar is widely accepted.
  2. Credit cards are accepted everywhere.
  3. The prices are high compared to most Latin American countries.
  4. English is widely spoken. Similar to Cancun.