Costa Rica - What to visit in 5 days?

Look at Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, about 40 mins, apart. If you like jungles, great beaches, wildlife, relaxed towns and few people it could be a good choice.

Maybe raft the Pacuare River on your last full day in Costa Rica. They'll drop you off back by the airport as part of the trip. Alajuela is a nice small town to stay for the night, 5-10mins. from the airport.

Hello and thanks for your tips!! I shall look into that option! Would you also have a recommendation for the pacific coast maybe? Because I will be volunteering for a week in La tortuga feliz (Caribbean coast) so I thought to also see a bit of the other side before leaving the country:)!

You don't have time to visit the other side of the country.

Monteverde is very out of the way, 4 hours from Arenal and 6 hours from Samara. Samara is 6 hours from San Jose.

Monteverde is also very overrated and touristy, not lot of wildlife...

Head to the caribe side. Far more nature, wildlife, bio diversity than anything on your list.

How long will you be in Costa Rica and what's your entire route/plan/itinerary?
Had no idea your volunteering at La Tortuga Feliz, hope you get time on your own? Protecting the turtles?
What are you into, what do you wan to see and do in your 5 days of traveling?
I like Monteverde but it is a pain to get to and you'll see way more wildlife in Cahuita NP.

I shall be in Costa Rica for 2 weeks in total but I only have free time from the 1st May when Ill be in San Jose at around 10:30am until the 6th May where my flight leaves from San Jose early in the morning.

I would like to see some nice beaches and some nature park on the Pacific side, since as i said I shall spent a week already in the Caribbean side when volunteering. What do you think of Manuel Antonio? Is that maybe a good option? Ideally i need to be back in San Jose by midday on the 5th..

And how would we know all this?

Manual Antonio is a very touristy and developed area, its nice, but its for honeymooners/couples/families, small beach, small crowded park, everything is spread out above the Pacific perched on the cliffs and hills, along a winding road.

The Pacific side beaches are not really close to any parks, you need to choose one or the other. Head to Mal Pais area for best beaches.

Personally I'd stay on the Caribe side, it's that good. Cahuita and Puerto Viejo are outstanding.

If you need to visit the Pacific maybe go to Puntarenas and see some of the southern part of Nicoya, Tambor Beach to Malpais areas, more for surfing, have not been.

Don't know your budget but could always fly from San Jose to Drake Bay, get a jungle lodge and hike the beaches and jungle.

I don't really care for the Manuel Antonio, very touristy. Jaco sucks even more, IMO.

Ok thank you very much for your advice! I think you have convinced me- Caribbean side it is then! Ill do the rest another time when I have a longer vacation:)