Costa Rica is a a very rich destination for discovery. Whether you are looking for nature, forests, national parks, animals, beach or sporting activities, you will find your happiness without any problem. Going to Costa Rica for 3 weeks is a wonderful trip, we still have to find an itinerary that suits us.
Why travel to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a destination that is talked about a lot these last years. She's from elsewhere Victim of his own success. This destination is very diverse such as Guatemala and can be suitable for everyone.
Indeed, the Costa Rica is known for its impressive biodiversity because it brings together 6% of the world's biodiversity for only 0,03 of the surface areas of the planet.
If you are looking for animals, Costa Rica is the perfect destination for you. You will find animal species specific to Central America.
Also, Costa Rica is suitable for many activities such as canyoning, rafting, zip lines, surfing or even diving.
It is therefore an exceptional nature destination that is really worth it.
Traveling to Costa Rica in March
For my part, I left 3 weeks in Costa Rica en traveling by bus and I enjoyed myself in this destination. I went there during the March , which is a ideal month to go there. Indeed, the climate in Costa Rica is rather tropical, it is good there all year round.
La best season to get there is during the dry season between November and April while wet season is between May and October.
During the month of March, I had splendid weather with however a little rain in the Arenal region. On the other hand, temperatures are relatively high on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. In fact, in the Nicoya peninsula it was on average 36 ° C and a little cooler on the Caribbean coast.
3 week itinerary in Costa Rica
Costa Rica remains a big country and it will take you several months to get around it, however, if you are lucky enough to spend 3 weeks in Costa Rica it will still allow you to have a great overview of the country.
Here is the itinerary that I suggest to you based on what I was able to do on my trip to Costa Rica.
Alajuela and the Poàs volcano
Day 1 - Arrival in Costa Rica
The first day is thearrival in Costa Rica. The international airport is in Alajuela so I will tell you recommend sleeping in Alajuela rather than going back to San Jose if you want to leave the next day to do the Poas volcano.
Day 2 - Poàs volcano
After a good night's sleep to recover from jet lag, you can go do the Poas volcano. If you have a car, you can go there without a problem independently. It is often said that the best time to get there is early in the morning.
If you don't have a car, buses leave Alajuela every hour from 9am and drop you off at the entrance to the volcano park.
Do not forget to reserve your visit time the day before on the website, without it, you will not be able to climb the volcano.
This is a very active volcano that has experienced 39 eruptions since 1828, the last of which dates from 2017.
After a long period of closure, the volcano has reopened and it is again possible to access the main crater for a maximum of 15 minutes per visitor. This maximum duration per visitor is due to the fact that the crater regularly releases toxic sulphide vapors.
Arenal & surroundings
Day 3 - Departure for La Fortuna
The morning of the 3rd day or the evening before, depending on your means of transport, you can head towards the Arenal region and in particular towards La Fortuna.
La Fortuna is a relatively touristy small town who live mainly from tourism. Indeed, you will find many agencies on site who will seek to offer you different excursions depending on what you are looking for.
In particular, you can find activities such as hot springs, La Fortuna waterfall, hikes in Arenal National Park or Arenal Ecological Park, rafting, zip lines, visits to coffee or chocolate factories, night walks in the forest etc. To enjoy it a little, I advise you to stay at least 2 days in the Arenal region.
Day 4 - Arenal Park and Hot Springs
On a day's time, I advise you to go take a hike in Arenal National Park or Arenal Ecological Park which will allow you to have a beautiful view of the Arenal Volcano if the weather allows it.
To complete this day, stop in the hot springs in the region. Some are chargeable and accessible through certain hotels and others are free, in particular the one located under a bridge. This is the best way to end a day after a good little hike in the forest.
Day 5 - Tenorio National Park
If you are in the Arenal area and have time, I couldn't recommend better than to take a day to do Tenorio National Park. This park is known for its turquoise water. You have the possibility to go to the park with your own car or if you don't have one, you can join a excursion at the day from La Fortuna which will cost you about $ 70 per person.
Tenorio National Park was one of the most beautiful park I have seen with beautiful turquoise water.
The legend says that when God created the earth, after having painted the sky he would have washed his brush in the water of the park of Tenorio which gave this turquoise color to the river of the park.
Monteverde & surroundings
Day 6 - Departure for Monteverde
On the 6th day, continue your itinerary in Costa Rica by taking the direction of Monteverde, the journey will take you approximately 4 hours.
Days 7 & 8 - Activities in Monteverde
Just like in La Fortuna, you are sure to be bored in the Monteverde area. In its tourist agencies, the small village of Santa Elena offers many activities to do in the surroundings of Monteverde that can keep you busy for several days. There is has something for everyone whether it is the hikers, animal lovers or thrill seekers.
Among essential activities there is :
A walk in the Monteverde Biological Reserve, in the Bosque Nuboso reserve or at Cerro Amigos : it will take you half a day or the whole day. You can admire many animal species there but especially the impressive jungle with the often present mist which gives a very special atmosphere. Depending on the reserve you go to, the price of admission varies significantly.
The thrilling activities such as ziplines in canopies, rafting, canyoning or walk on the famous suspension bridges of the region which will take you half a day.
The nocturnal walks to see nocturnal animals and insects (spiders, snakes, poisonous frogs etc)
The rise of giant ficus trees in which you can climb to admire a beautiful sunset or simply to have a special experience
In order to make the most of it, I recommend that you spend 2 or more days in the Monteverde area.
Nicoya Peninsula
After having spent a good week in the region of volcanoes and mountains of Costa Rica, I suggest you to go to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Day 9 - Departure for the Nicoya peninsula
There are many options available to you if you want to spend a few days in the Nicoya Peninsula. The beaches are all more beautiful than the others with splendid sunsets.
If you have a car it will be easy for you to move from beach to beach along the peninsula.
Days 10 & 11 - Samara & surroundings
Samara was for me a real crush where you can easily stay a week to rest a little at the water's edge.
Do not hesitate to go to this small village with a very pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. This place is much less touristy than other pacific villages such as Tamarindo or Santa Teresa. It is therefore a very charming place to spend a few days. Around Samara you will find a beach in Samara as well as a beach in the north (Buena Vista) and another in the south (playa Carrillo).
Days 12 & 13 - Montezuma & surroundings
If you like the beach and have the time, stop by a few days south of the peninsula.
The choice choice between Santa Teresa, place to prefer for young people looking for a festive atmosphere and surfing and families or Montezuma for travelers wanting more peace and a more relaxing / hippie vibe.
In two days in the area you will have time to go in particular see Montezuma waterfall, which will take you just a few hours and enjoy the beach in Montezuma or Santa Teresa.
For the second day I strongly advise you to go to the Cabo Blanco reserve located at the southern end of the Peninsula.
You can easily spend the day there. There is two ways in this reserve in the middle of the forest:
A first will allow you to make a loop for 45 minutes / 1 hour
The second is a 2 hour walk (one way) allowing you to reach the beach, swim, have a picnic and a 2 hour walk back.
You will surely come across many animals and few tourists.
The North Caribbean coast in Tortuguero
Day 14 or Days 14 & 15 - Depart for Tortuguero (via San Jose)
After enjoying the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, traverse the country and head to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica to continue your 3-week itinerary in Costa Rica. You also have something to do on this coast.
If you are by car you can cross Montezuma to Tortuguero in one day while if you are by bus, you will have to stop in San José and leave for Tortuguero the next morning (from San José you will have to link 2 different buses to reach Tortuguero).
Day 16 - Tortuguero
Tortuguero is nicknamed " the little Amazon "Because of his ecosystem that is close to that of the Amazon jungle. Take the opportunity to walk on the river for a day. You will have may be the chance to spot caimans as well as many species of birds and animals.
Obviously, Tortuguero is extremely famous for its turtles because it is a breeding ground for 4 of the 7 species of turtles. During the right period you will therefore be able to observe this impressive phenomenon.
The South Caribbean Coast in Cahuita & Puerto Viejo
Day 17 - Departure for Cahuita
Then, head south of the Caribbean coast towards Cahuita at first. The journey will take you a good half day, then take the opportunity to rest or swim by the beach.
Day 18 - Cahuita National Park
Cahuita Park is theone of my favorite parks in Costa Rica. Indeed, this park is located between jungle and beach and is divided into three parts with completely different natural settings. You will have the possibility to enter by the main entrance of Cahuita then to exit 7km further by another exit which saves you from making a round trip in the park.
In the park I have was impressed by the number of animals that can be seen quite easily.
You will spend most of the day there. Note, however, that the second part of the park, that is to say the part in the mangroves, closes at 14 or 15 p.m. for safety reasons.
Believe me, this park is well worth the detour especially if you haven't been very lucky in the other parks and haven't been able to see a lot of animals.
Day 19 - Puerto Viejo & surroundings
The next day, go to Puerto Viejo, it is a small very lively village on the Caribbean coast where you can easily go out or have a drink. Walk along the coast, swim on these long sandy beaches and visit the small village.
Day 20 - Manzanillo Nature Reserve
La manzanillo reserve is accessible by bike from Puerto Viejo. You can go there to see many animals between beach and jungle. Again this reserve worth the detour like that of Cahuita. Very accessible and uncrowded.
Day 21 - Return to San Jose then return by plane
Your 3 weeks in Costa Rica are coming to an end, you can easily reach San José from Puerto Viejo in about 4 hours by bus. There are several buses a day. In particular, there are buses that will drop you directly at the international airport depending on the time of your flight.
Obviously, from many routes can be done in 3 weeks, here is just an idea that you can arrange in your own way according to the activities you want to do.
Similar items
Here is my 3-week bus itinerary in the beautiful country of Costa Rica!
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For more information on the Costa Rica, do not hesitate to consult the following articles:
- Which beach to choose in Costa Rica?
- What budget for 3 weeks in Costa Rica?
- Guatemala or Costa Rica?
- Traveling in Costa Rica by bus
- Three unmissable natural sites in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica: Caribbean or Pacific Coast?
- Single woman traveling in Costa Rica: all you need to know
- 7 day itinerary in Costa Rica
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Thank you for all this information and the great videos on Costa Rica. I shared your video on my FB group "Québécois Amoureux du Costa Rica"
Thank you very much, your comment and your support make me very happy 🙂
Hello, I am very interested in your tour. How did you travel from Monteverde to Samara (4 X 4 and ferry?) And in how long? Like you, I would like to go down to Montezuma, then take the ferry to Puntarenas. The same is that it is complicated to take the ferry with the car in Costa rica, do you have to take your tickets first? Thank you for your comeback. cordially
Hello
So to do Monteverde - Samara I took the bus. But I stopped in Tamarindo so I did: Monteverde - Tamarindo then Tamarindo-Samara. All the journeys are quite long anyway. Check out my article on visiting Costa Rica by bus. There are all the details of each bus trip 😉
So for my part I didn't have a car so I don't know if it's complicated, but it didn't seem ... The cars got on the boat easily. I took the boat with the bus. You have to book 1 day or even 2 days before to be sure to have places I think 😉
Hello,
Did you book the hotels in advance or on site?
Thank you
Hello,
For my part, I generally book on booking 2 or 3 days before arriving in the cities.. But the more you are, the more I advise you to book in advance.. And it also depends on the period in which you wish to travel.