Beaches & Nature with Santa Teresa — Self-Launched Costa Rica

Fly into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia. Take a shared shuttle to Tamarindo (approx. 1 hour, ~£10–12 per person via Interbus or Tamarindo Transfers). Check into a centrally located hostel or guesthouse within walking distance of the beach. Spend the afternoon exploring Tamarindo's surf scene and beachfront strip.

🚌Shared shuttle from Liberia Airport to Tamarindo via Interbus (~£11pp)

🛏Pura Vida Hostel Tamarindo or Casa Cook Guesthouse — budget double/dorm from £20–35pp

• →Arrive at Liberia Airport and take a shared shuttle to Tamarindo (~£11)
• →Check in and explore Tamarindo beach and town centre
• →Optional: sunset surf lesson on Tamarindo Beach (~£25 via local surf schools)

After breakfast, take a local bus or shared shuttle south to Sámara (approx. 2.5–3 hours, change at Nicoya if taking the public bus, ~£5–8). Sámara is a laid-back beach town with a calm bay — choose accommodation in or very close to the centre to avoid expensive taxis. Afternoon free to swim and explore.

🚌Public bus Tamarindo → Nicoya → Sámara (~£6pp) or shared Interbus shuttle (~£30pp)

🛏Hostel Matilori Sámara or Casa Kolibri — central budget guesthouse from £18–30pp

• →Take public bus or shared shuttle from Tamarindo to Sámara via Nicoya (~£6)
• →Settle into centrally located guesthouse
• →Explore Sámara Beach and main strip on foot

A full day in Sámara. Book an ocean safari boat tour with snorkelling independently through a local operator on the beach or via GetYourGuide — these tours typically visit the nearby Chora Island and are bookable on the day. Afternoon free for the beach or kayaking.

🚌On foot / local taxi if needed

🛏Hostel Matilori Sámara or Casa Kolibri — central budget guesthouse from £18–30pp

• →Ocean safari boat tour with snorkelling at Isla Chora (~£35–45pp, book via GetYourGuide or direct with local operators on Sámara beach)
• →Afternoon swimming and relaxing on Sámara Beach
• →Optional: kayak rental on the beach (~£10 for 2 hours)

An adventurous travel day — Sámara to Santa Teresa involves a combination of bus and ferry. Take a bus to Playa Naranjo or Paquera, catch the ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya (~£4), then a bus to Cobano and a short taxi/local bus to Santa Teresa. Total journey ~4–5 hours. The roads are rough and the ride is part of the experience. Check into a guesthouse near the main strip.

🚌Bus + Paquera ferry + local bus/taxi combination (~£15–18pp total)

🛏Funky Monkey Lodge or Tranquilo Backpackers Santa Teresa — central budget from £20–35pp

• →Bus from Sámara to Paquera ferry terminal (~£5)
• →Paquera–Puntarenas car ferry across Gulf of Nicoya (~£4pp)
• →Bus from Paquera to Cóbano (~£3), then taxi/colectivo to Santa Teresa (~£5)
• →Arrive and explore Santa Teresa's famous surf beach at sunset

A full free day in Santa Teresa — one of Costa Rica's most spectacular surf beaches. Take a surf lesson, rent a board, or explore the coastline on an ATV. The town has excellent restaurants, a yoga scene, and beautiful sunsets. Book optional adventure activities (ATV tours, zip-line, horse riding) directly with local operators on the main strip.

🚌On foot or bicycle/scooter rental (~£15/day)

🛏Funky Monkey Lodge or Tranquilo Backpackers Santa Teresa — central budget from £20–35pp

• →Surf lesson with a local school (~£25–35pp, bookable on the strip)
• →Optional: ATV tour along the coastline (~£45–60pp)
• →Optional: yoga class at one of Santa Teresa's many studios (~£10–15)
• →Explore restaurants and beachfront for sunset

Early start for the reverse ferry and bus journey to San José. Take the Cóbano bus to Paquera, the ferry to Puntarenas, then a bus to San José's terminal (~£12 total, around 5–6 hours). Alternatively, book an Interbus shared shuttle directly (~£40) for more comfort. Arrive in San José by afternoon — stay in the Barrio Amón neighbourhood, which is walkable and safer than the bus station area.

🚌Bus/ferry/bus from Santa Teresa to San José (~£12–40pp depending on option)

🛏Selina San José or Hostel Pangea — well-located budget option from £18–30pp

• →Bus + ferry + bus from Santa Teresa to San José (~£12 public / ~£40 shared shuttle)
• →Check in to centrally located hostel in Barrio Amón or Escalante
• →Optional: explore the Gold Museum or National Theatre of Costa Rica (~£8–12)

A scenic journey through Braulio Carrillo National Park to Tortuguero. Book a shared transfer + boat package from San José to Tortuguero through a local operator or Caribe Shuttle (~£35–45pp including bus and canal boat). Lunch is typically included at a stop in Guápiles. Arrive at your eco-lodge by canal boat. Evening guided village walk with your lodge guide.

🚌Caribe Shuttle shared transfer + boat from San José to Tortuguero (~£40pp)

🛏Miss Junie's Lodge or Cabinas Tortuguero — budget lodge from £25–40pp including meals

• →Shared shuttle bus from San José through Braulio Carrillo National Park to the boat embarkation point (~included in transfer package)
• →Canal boat transfer to Tortuguero (~included in transfer package, total ~£40pp)
• →Lunch en route at Guápiles (~£8 if not included)
• →Guided hike in Tortuguero village (arrange via lodge, ~£10–15pp)

Full day in one of Costa Rica's most biodiverse regions. Book a 3-hour canal safari directly through your lodge or a local guide on the canals to spot monkeys, caimans, sloths, and tropical birds. From July to September, book a late-night turtle nesting tour through the park rangers or your lodge (this must be booked in advance during peak season, ~£20–25pp).

🚌Canal boats (included with lodge or hired locally)

🛏Miss Junie's Lodge or Cabinas Tortuguero — budget lodge from £25–40pp including meals

• →Three-hour guided canal safari of Tortuguero National Park (~£20–30pp via lodge or local guide)
• →Tortuguero National Park entrance fee (~£12pp)
• →Optional: late-night turtle nesting tour July–September (book via park rangers, ~£22pp)
• →Free time to explore Tortuguero village and canals by kayak (~£10 rental)

Depart Tortuguero by canal boat and shared transfer to Sarapiquí. Caribe Shuttle offers this route (~£35–40pp). Lunch stop at Guápiles as part of the journey. Sarapiquí is a river town surrounded by rainforest — a great base for wildlife and adventure. Check into a guesthouse close to the river.

🚌Canal boat + shared shuttle Tortuguero to Sarapiquí (~£38pp)

🛏El Bambu Hotel or La Quinta de Sarapiquí — riverside budget option from £20–35pp

• →Canal boat + shared shuttle from Tortuguero to Sarapiquí (~£38pp via Caribe Shuttle)
• →Lunch at Guápiles en route (~£8)
• →Check in and explore Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí riverside area

A packed activity day. Start with a floating safari on the Río Sarapiquí — bookable directly through local guides at the river dock (~£20pp). Optional extras include white-water rafting on Class II–III rapids (~£40pp), the Tirimbina Chocolate Tour with suspension bridge walk (~£20pp), and a canopy zip-line tour (~£40pp). Mix and match according to your budget.

🚌Local taxis between activities (~£5–10)

🛏El Bambu Hotel or La Quinta de Sarapiquí — riverside budget option from £20–35pp

• →Floating safari on Río Sarapiquí with local guide (~£20pp, book at river dock)
• →Optional: white-water rafting Class II–III at Sarapiquí River (~£40pp via Aguas Bravas or GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: Tirimbina Rainforest Chocolate Tour with suspension bridge walk (~£20pp)
• →Optional: canopy zip-line tour through the rainforest (~£40pp)

Take a shared shuttle from Sarapiquí to La Fortuna (Arenal) — approximately 2–3 hours via Interbus or Caribe Shuttle (~£25–30pp). The iconic Arenal Volcano comes into view as you approach La Fortuna. Check into a guesthouse with volcano views if possible. Afternoon to explore La Fortuna town.

🚌Shared shuttle Sarapiquí to La Fortuna (~£28pp)

🛏Selina La Fortuna or Hostel Arenal Backpackers Resort — budget option with pool from £18–30pp

• →Shared shuttle from Sarapiquí to La Fortuna/Arenal (~£28pp via Interbus)
• →Check in with volcano views if budget allows
• →Explore La Fortuna town — waterfalls walk to La Fortuna Waterfall (~£6 entry, 15-min walk from town)

Full day exploring Arenal. Book a guided walking tour in Arenal Volcano National Park via GetYourGuide (~£25–35pp) to walk through the lava fields with views of the cone. Afternoon optional canopy tour at Arenal Ecoglide (~£50pp) or kayaking on Lago Arenal (~£25pp). In the evening, relax in the hot springs — budget-friendly Tabacón hot springs pools or the free-access hot river near Tabacón (~£0, local secret).

🚌Local taxi or tuk-tuk to park entrance (~£8 return)

🛏Selina La Fortuna or Hostel Arenal Backpackers Resort — budget option with pool from £18–30pp

• →Guided walking tour in Arenal Volcano National Park (~£30pp via GetYourGuide or direct at park entrance, includes entry ~£12)
• →Optional: canopy zip-line tour at Arenal Ecoglide (~£50pp)
• →Optional: kayaking on Lago Arenal (~£25pp)
• →Evening hot springs — free hot river near Tabacón or budget entry pools (~£0–15pp)

The classic jeep–boat–jeep transfer across Lago Arenal to Monteverde is the most scenic and quickest route (~£25pp, 3 hours total). Avoid the long road route. Arrive in Santa Elena (the backpacker-friendly village beside Monteverde) by midday. Choose accommodation on or near the main strip in Santa Elena for easy walking access to restaurants and shops.

🚌Jeep–boat–jeep La Fortuna to Monteverde (~£25pp)

🛏Hostel Sloth or Cabinas El Pueblo Santa Elena — central budget option from £15–28pp

• →Jeep–boat–jeep transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde (~£25pp, book via hostel or Desafío Adventures)
• →Arrive in Santa Elena and explore the main strip
• →Optional afternoon: Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (~£25pp, bookable on the strip or via GetYourGuide)

Full day in one of the world's most biodiverse cloud forests. Purchase entry to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and explore self-guided or join a guided morning hike (~£18 entry + £15 guide). For the full canopy experience, book the Selvatura Treetop Walkway (8 suspension bridges, 3km, ~£22pp) or the famous Monteverde zip-line (~£45pp). Both bookable directly or via GetYourGuide.

🚌Local taxi or shuttle from Santa Elena to Cloud Forest Reserve (~£5 each way)

🛏Hostel Sloth or Cabinas El Pueblo Santa Elena — central budget option from £15–28pp

• →Guided hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve (~£18 entry + optional guide £15pp)
• →Optional: Selvatura Park Treetop Walkway — 8 suspension bridges, 3km (~£22pp, book at selvatura.com or GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: Monteverde zip-line/canopy tour (~£45pp)
• →Optional: Don Juan Coffee Tour if not done on Day 13 (~£25pp)

Final day — take a shared shuttle from Monteverde/Santa Elena to Liberia Airport (~3–3.5 hours, ~£30–35pp via Interbus or Caribe Shuttle). Book in advance to secure your seat, especially in high season. The route crosses the Pan-American Highway with views of the Guanacaste lowlands. Arrive at Liberia Airport in time for your flight.

🚌Shared shuttle Santa Elena to Liberia Airport (~£32pp)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Shared shuttle from Santa Elena/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (~£32pp via Interbus — book at least a day ahead)
• →Allow extra time at Liberia Airport — food prices are high so grab breakfast in Santa Elena before departing