2 Weeks in Costa Rica- The ULTIMATE itinerary

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Hailed as one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, Costa Rica is a top destination for explorers from all over the globe. In fact, Costa Rica made it to the list of the top 10 most-visited countries in 2022.

This will come as absolutely no surprise when you think about all that Costa Rica has to offer. Lush green landscapes, unique animals, endless tranquil beaches, natural hot springs, awe-inspiring volcanoes and (of course) hot tropical weather. It really is a country that has it all.

Whilst 2 weeks in Costa Rica might not *feel* like a lot of time (because you probably won’t want to leave) it certainly is enough time to uncover all of what this magnificent country has to offer.

Whether you want to hike through the rainforest, surf the 12ft waves, relax on the beach or spend your days seeking out Sloths, you’ll be sure to have an Incredible 2 weeks in Costa Rica, no matter what you decide to do!

So, what do you need to know about spending 2 weeks in Costa Rica? Read on below to find out!

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Day 1 – Landing in San Jose

To begin your 2 weeks in Costa Rica, you will most likely be landing at San Jose International Airport. There is not a lot to do in the city, and there is so much to see in the rest of the country. With that being said, I would advise spending as little time in San Jose as possible.

Depending on what time you land, you can choose to travel straight to the next destination or stay for just 1 night and get going as early as possible in the morning (it is more than likely you’ll need to stay the 1 night).

Where to stay in San Jose

If you need to spend the night in San Jose, where you stay will be dependent on how you are travelling the country. If you plan on renting a car (or getting a private shuttle) I would suggest staying in the Alajuela region (close to the airport).

There are lots of car rental companies in that area so it makes the most sense to stay here and avoid the traffic of central San Jose. I would recommend staying at Mango Hotel. It’s a 4-minute drive from the airport and a short walk to Adobe Car Rental (the most reputable car rental company in Costa Rica)

If you plan to travel via public bus, it’s best to stay somewhere in the city centre, close to the main bus stations (there are several in the city centre). Hotel Casa 69 comes top-rated and at a very decent price.

Days 2-5 – Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is a cool, laid-back town on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The beaches are beautiful, the vibes are chilled, the music scene is vibrant and the Pina Coladas are deliciously sweet.

A few days in Puerto Viejo will definitely get your 2 weeks in Costa Rica off to a fantastic start.

Getting to Puerto Viejo from San Jose

Car

The distance between San Jose and Puerto Viejo is approximately 221 km. The journey *should* take you roughly 4 hours if you manage to avoid traffic. Knowing Costa Rica, there is a good chance are you will hit some traffic along the way. The road infrastructure is also quite poor, with single lanes and potholes for a lot of the way. This journey may take you up to 6 hours (which it did for me).

Public Bus

You can catch the bus from Terminal Atlantic Norte in San Jose to Puerto Viejo. There are approximately 7 buses a day and a ticket will cost you $10 (USD). The journey will take roughly 4.5 hours, again provided there is no traffic.

Cahuita National Park -Things to do in Puerto Viejo

What to do

Puerto Viejo is the place to come for chilled-out days, drinking cocktails, relaxing on the beach and enjoying nature.

Some of the best things to do in Puerto Viejo include:

Rent a bicycle and explore the different beaches of Puerto Viejo
Go Surfing at Playa Cocoles
Have Cocktails at Puerto Pirata
Spot Slots at Cahuita National Park

Where to stay

If you want to be in the thick of it, close to the bars, restaurants and entertainment then I would recommend staying in Puerto Viejo Town. After something a little quieter? Then you should look at staying in Cocoles, Manzanillo or Cahuita.

We loved our stay at Hotel Pura Vida in central Puerto Viejo. It was close enough to all the bars and restaurants but also set back from the town slightly so away from all the noise! Perfect 🙂

Puerto Viejo was my favourite place in all of Costa Rica, so DO NOT miss this off your 2 weeks in Costa Rica Itinerary

Days 5-7 – Tortuguero

Famous for its Jaguars and Leatherback Turtles, Tortuguero National Park is a wildlife lovers’ dream! Does sailing through the wetlands in search for crocodiles and hiking through the forest at night in search of snakes and sloths sound like your thing? If so, then you shouldn’t skip Tortuguero off your 2 weeks in Costa Rica Itinerary

Getting to Tortuguero from Puerto Viejo

Tortuguero is one of the most remote parts of Costa Rica. It is only accessible by boat or plane. You have a few options to choose from when travelling from Puerto Viejo to Tortuguero.

Car

To travel via car you must drive to the ports of either Moin (64.5 km from Puerto Viejo) or La Pavona (194 km from Puerto Viejo) and then catch the boat. The boat from Moin is approximately 3.5 hours and from La Pavona 1.5 hours.

If you are concerned about leaving your car at the ports, rest assured that you can park your car safely in both Moin and Pavona.