Hello all,
My friend and I hope to travel to Costa Rica for two weeks during July. We would like to backpack throughout the country but are lost on how to plan our route. We would like to get a well rounded experience of the country from the rainforests to the volcanoes to the beaches. However we will only be able to use the public buses to get around the country. Help on where to go and what route to take would be greatly appreciated!
You could go by bus/boat from San Jose to Tortuguero. Spend two days there. Boat/bus to Cahuita. Amazing National Park. Great beaches, rainforest, lots of wildlife. Then Puerto Viejo and the beaches south of PV (we liked Punta Uva and Manzanillo) for more beach, rainforest and wildlife. Then raft from PV to Arenal on the Rio Pacuare (the tour company picks you up, takes you rafting and drops you off in Arenal). Spend a few days in/around Arenal.
If the rafting is too expensive or not of interest and you would like another volcano than Arenal you could go from Puerto Viejo to the Orosi valley (Tapanti National Park, volcano Irazu, hot springs, botanical gardens...).
With 2 weeks the Caribe side will give you the most bang for the buck, jungles, rain forests, killer beaches, great wildlife, cool small towns, good swimming and affordable. Distances are short and easy.
Maybe start off in Arenal, it's not active but an Ok area, depending on what you enjoy, a little touristy but lots to do.
Then head to Tortuguero, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and south to Manzanillo, very nice 2 week well rounded trip, lots of cheap/free activities.
Rafting the Pacuare is worth the splurge, about 100us each, but it's awesome. Beautiful pristine jungle canyon river.
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