Explore More of Costa Rica

Extend Your Vacation and Explore Costa Rica!

If you're looking to make the most of your trip and extend your vacation, we highly recommend exploring more of Costa Rica! The country offers such a variety of landscapes and experiences, from lush rainforests to pristine beaches and vibrant cities. We've gathered some recommendations based on travel times and the best activities in each area, so you can make the most of your time here and truly experience the beauty and culture of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Airports

Costa Rica has two main international airports: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José and Liberia International Airport (LIR) in the Guanacaste region.

Liberia International Airport (LIR) is the closest to the wedding venue. The Andaz is located just about 30 minutes from LIR.
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) is about a 3.5-hour drive from the Andaz.

For convenience, we recommend flying into LIR, but if you choose to fly into SJO to explore the southern region before heading to the wedding, the Andaz also provides a shuttle service from both airports.

Shuttle Service

The Andaz offers a shuttle service from both LIR and SJO directly to the hotel, making travel to the venue easy from either airport.

Other Travel Options:

Fly into SJO and take a regional flight to LIR (approximately 50 minutes) with SANSA Airlines, then catch the Andaz shuttle.
Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive from San José to the Andaz. Be aware that the drive can be adventurous with winding, mountainous roads typical of Costa Rica.

Renting a Vehicle

Renting a car is straightforward in Costa Rica. Choose a reputable service (verified by Google) and opt for a 4-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle to handle various terrains. Expect to pay around $70 per day.
Rental Process: Upon arrival, follow signs to the rental service shuttle, which will take you to the lot where you’ll complete paperwork and pick up your car.
Driving Tips: Expect slower travel times (25–40 MPH) due to narrow roads and traffic jams. The best time to drive is around 10:30 AM to avoid rush hour (3-6 PM and 5-8 AM, Monday–Friday).
Insurance: Third-party liability insurance is mandatory and costs around $17 per day. You may opt out if your personal car insurance covers rental cars.

Domestic Flights

Costa Rica's domestic flights are efficient and offer scenic views. Flights typically take under an hour.

Recommended Domestic Airlines:

SANSA Airlines: Reliable flights from both SJO and LIR.
Adventure Air: Charter flights for flexible schedules and remote locations.

Luggage Considerations

Checked Bags: Airlines usually limit checked bags to 30–40 lbs with a fee for overweight luggage.

Mobile Passport Control (MPC)

To streamline your immigration process at SJO, consider using Mobile Passport Control (MPC).

How to Use: Download the app, create an account, and submit your passport details. Upon arrival at SJO, complete your customs declaration via the app, receive a QR code, and scan it at the MPC kiosk for quick clearance.
Benefits: Faster processing, no interview or background check required.

General Travel Tips for Costa Rica

Pack Smart: Bring warmer clothes and a light waterproof jacket if you're heading to higher altitudes or areas with frequent rain.
Safety: Be mindful of petty crime. Use a fanny pack or secure wallet, and avoid leaving belongings unattended.
Driving: Always inspect and record the condition of your rental car before leaving the lot. If dropping off your car at a different location, confirm that the rental service is available at both locations.
Cash: Costa Rica uses colones, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted. However, it’s always a good idea to carry some local currency, especially in more rural areas.
Important Apps: Download WhatsApp for local communication, and keep a digital copy of your passport in case of loss.

Where to Go in Costa Rica

Tamarindo

Just 1 hour and 15 minutes from LIR, this vibrant beach town is known for its gorgeous sandy beach, epic sunsets, and laid-back party vibe.

The main beach is perfect, and you'll also find on-the-beach massages, great food, and fun nightlife, all set in a sunny tropical dry forest climate.

Tamarindo blends adventure and relaxation, with everything from catamaran tours to estuary wildlife boat rides, surfing, ATV tours, ziplining, and horseback riding, all within walking distance of the beach

Monteverde Cloud Forest:

Monteverde, about 2 hours 15 minutes from LIR by car, is best reached with an AWD vehicle due to rugged roads. Known as the "jewel in the crown of cloud forests," it's a misty haven of rare biodiversity and lush greenery.

The walkable village offers great eateries, shops, and small attractions like frog and orchid tours. Friendly dogs add to the laid-back vibe.

Where We Stayed: Monteverde Lodge – great location, fair price, and rare AC.

Don’t Miss:

Reserva Curi-Cancha: Our favorite—dense mossy trails and a stunning top trail.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Classic trails and a forest-view restaurant where we watched Capuchin monkeys.

Tips: Bring layers and rain gear—temps are 60–75°F and it's always damp.

Hidden Gem: We found secret hot springs via Google Maps, with free-roaming horses and parakeets.

Arenal

Arenal / La Fortuna is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes from LIR by car, or you can take a domestic flight to La Fortuna.

Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s most famous volcano, attracting many tourists with its natural hot springs, lush forests, white-water rafting, and scenic hikes around the volcano. The nearest town is La Fortuna, a charming area with a variety of resorts to use as a home base while exploring the Arenal region.

Tortuguero

Often called Costa Rica’s "Little Amazon", Tortuguero is a remote, lush jungle destination on the northern Caribbean coast, known for its winding canals, abundant wildlife, and world-class fishing. Catch-and-release tours for tarpon, snook, marlin, and more are best during the dry season (Jan–April) via kayak or offshore.

Nature excursions include jungle hikes, extinct volcano trails, night walks, and witnessing leatherback sea turtles nesting and hatching (Feb–April).

Getting There:

Drive + Boat: Rent a car at LIR, drive ~5.5 hrs to La Pavona Dock, then take a 1.5 hr boat ride (most affordable).
Chartered Flight: Fastest—fly direct from LIR to Tortuguero.
SANSA Flights: LIR → SJO → Tortuguero (not recommended due to extra connections).
There’s no direct bus from LIR. If driving, Monteverde Cloud Forest makes a great halfway stop.

Manuel Antonio

To reach Manuel Antonio, you can fly directly from LIR to Quepos with SANSA, charter a flight, or drive 4 hours down the coast.

The area marks the transition from tropical dry forest to coastal rainforest. The town has steep hills, great restaurants, but limited nightlife.

Manuel Antonio National Park offers stunning wildlife, including sloths, coatis, and monkeys. White-water rafting is available, though slower during the dry season. The beaches are lined with beachfront restaurants and monkeys. Nearby Quepos features local fairs and rodeos.

The Nauyaca Waterfall is a must-see, and while you can visit without a guide, a guide will enhance the experience.

Uvita

To reach Uvita, you can either drive 5 hours from LIR or fly from LIR to Quepos and drive 1 hour.

Uvita is a small coastal village with a laid-back Pura Vida vibe. It's home to the famous Marino Ballena National Park and the stunning whale tail beach. Enjoy morning beach yoga or surf the world-class waves.

Uvita offers quick access to the Nauyaca and Uvita Slide waterfalls, and is just 15 minutes from Dominical, a fun village to explore. Other activities include whale watching, snorkeling at Cano Island, and kayaking through mangroves. For the adventurous, take a boat trip to the OSA Peninsula and visit Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

The Osa Peninsula

The fastest way to reach the Osa Peninsula is by chartering a plane from LIR to Drake Bay, or taking two SANSA flights from LIR to SJO, then from SJO to either Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez. Driving takes about 8 hours.

Drake Bay is ideal for eco-lodges on the north side of the peninsula, while Puerto Jiménez is best for staying in the town on the south side.

Osa Peninsula is the most biodiverse place on Earth, perfect for nature lovers. We stayed at Corcovado Wilderness Lodge near the park, where we saw macaws and toucans, hiked the national park, snorkeled Cano Island, and did night tours and where we got engaged!

Both Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay offer access to Corcovado National Park. Puerto Jiménez has slightly cheaper options and more amenities, while Drake Bay offers better proximity to the park.

Puerto Viejo

The fastest way to reach Puerto Viejo is by chartering a plane from LIR to Limón or taking two domestic flights via SJO, then a 1-hour drive. Driving from LIR takes about 6.5 hours.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, on the Caribbean coast, is known for Salsa Brava surf, Playa Negra, and the Jaguar Rescue Center. Nearby, Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge offers rainforests and wildlife, while Cahuita National Park features a coral reef and dive site.

The town has a rustic Caribbean vibe, with authentic cuisine and lively reggae nightlife, making it a top spot for wildlife and cultural experiences.

Montezuma/Santa Teresa

You can fly from LIR to Cobano via SANSA or drive about 4 hours. From Cobano, choose between the laid-back, art/nature-focused Montezuma or the active, party-friendly Santa Teresa.

Montezuma is ideal for relaxation, while Santa Teresa is perfect for surfing, nightlife, and dining. Both are 25 minutes apart, so you can enjoy both!