🇨🇷 COSTA RICA TRAVEL GUIDE 2023 | 10 Days in Costa Rica | La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero

Welcome back to eileen’s world and the next stop on my world tour, Costa Rica!
I spent 10 days driving around Costa Rica, starting in San Jose, and making my way from the west coast to the east coast. I stopped by La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero, and Puerto Viejo. I’ll be sharing with you ALL my tips and traveling around Costa Rica, including where to go, stay, eat, and what to do.
Tortuguero Canoe Tours, Kevin (Tour Guide) Instagram: @sambolatours
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#costarica #costaricatravel #lafortuna #monteverde #manuelantonio #tortuguero #puertoviejo

[@galynngenevieve360]

THE BEST, most realistic, Costa Rica vlog I've seen. THANK YOU

[@eileensworld]

Thank you for watching Galynn! Are you planning on going soon?

[@carolinenewball8333]

Enjoyed your blog, appreciated you providing prices for everything. Good to see that you gave a true and honest opinion on everything. Gave me a good insight of Costa rica, thank you.

[@AngelaDunnjenkinsBey]

Thank you. I’ve haven’t been in 25 years. Now with my family need to go back. I cackled when you talked about that sushi because it did not look good from the side. This is very helpful as I plan for 2024.

[@VagaBondVito]

Such a well done video. Thanks for the info.

[@annsteinhauer3926]

Thank you so much for this! I am starting to plan a trip to Costa Rica, and this was super helpful!

[@eileensworld]

Thank you for watching and I’m happy to hear it helped you!

[@davidcuervo1734]

Great video! I liked the fact that the video didn’t drag by spending way too much time on one area. It was informative, good information with prices and short clips, but sufficient information on the areas visited. We’re going to Costa Rica next week and flying into Liberia Airport and plan to visit La Fortuna for a few days, and then planning on going to one or some of the beaches in Guanacaste around Tamarindo.

[@eileensworld]

Thanks for the feedback David! Have a great time in Costa Rica

[@binuc5904]

One of the best travel video for Costa Rica visit. Thank you for all the details.

[@eileensworld]

Thank you for watching!

[@LaToniaFoxworth]

A really nice Costa Rica VLOG yes thanks! 🤩

[@user-ly4jy8ob8j]

Eileen, We enjoyed the honesty of your video especially the comment about tropical drinks without alcohol or not very much alcohol. We used your trip experiences to help us plan our upcoming trip in February. Thanks.

[@eileensworld]

Thank you for watching and I am so happy you found the video helpful. Enjoy your trip in February!

[@mitchparajon8126]

Loved the video!

[@eileensworld]

Thanks Mitch 🤘🏻

[@susanahinojosa]

Great Video !!! Thank you for all the Good info

[@eileensworld]

Thank you Susana! Are you going soon?

[@susanahinojosa]

@@eileensworld yes.. soonish... February...

[@robertombricen7966]

As a Costa Rican I can say, this video is very good, not sugarcoating everything, nice... And as an advice, if you want to try really good authentic Costa Rican food, go to the Sodas, follow the locals, if you see a lot of locals eating in one place, it means is cheap and good. Try to stay away from the touristic restaurants, those places are more expensive than they need to be... Pura vida.

[@eileensworld]

Thanks for sharing - had a couple meals at the sodas and totally agree, much cheaper and tasty! Pura vida 🫰🏼

[@martysmith5260]

I was stationed at an Army base in Panama, so I got to travel to Costa Rica a couple of times. Parts of Costa Rica are as close to the Garden of Eden you will ever see - in this life, anyway.

[@eileensworld]

🌴🌺

[@phoenixnmhesq]

Which parts? What did you love about Costa Rica

[@jchasern]

Loved tour video, very informative

[@eileensworld]

Thank you!

[@veronikaemil2]

It was a funny video 😂 At last someone had the gut not to sugarcoat everything and pick out only some nice angles.. It was informative, thank you!❤

[@eileensworld]

Thank you for watching Vera! I’m very happy that you find it funny and informative. Traveling isn’t always rainbows and sunshine and I’m just trying to keep it 💯

[@alejandrogusman9874]

Costa Rica es el país más precioso y verde de todo el mundo y uno de los más visitados del planeta....❤. Precioso COSTA RICA ❤️. USA NEW York City 🏙️

[@mirroreffectchannel]

Interesting content am looking to travel there early next year to make content

[@eileensworld]

Happy content making in Costa Rica!

[@sebparent3501]

15:10 Totally true. I was there in 2018 and 10x-15x guys in middle of the road asking me to pull over. Try to avoid them.

[@eileensworld]

Some things don’t change I guess…

[@mariaoxyuk1278]

Oh, too bad you didn’t catch a good weather in Manuel Antonio! The beach there is outstanding

[@chrish9502]

I’ve watched a few of your travel videos and always appreciate the honesty you approach it with

[@eileensworld]

I heard honesty is the best policy 😅

[@janec8751]

Nice realistic vlog.. pls do other places too. Thanks

[@eileensworld]

Thanks Jane! Have you been to Costa Rica?

[@user-ix8kx4yf5x]

Its a very cute and funny video.

[@eileensworld]

Thank you 😬

[@josephthomascloutier]

Loved your costa rica tour. Honest and informative! Heading ther next month. what brand camera are you using? Excellent video.

[@eileensworld]

Thank you for watching! I am using the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 in this video. Have a great trip to Costa Rica!

[@eugene5323]

Thanks for telling the truth about your experiences in Costa Rica! I will surely like. subscribe and follow your Channel !

[@eileensworld]

Thanks! Have you been to Costa Rica?

[@eugene5323]

I'm leaving in the morning for Costa Rica the first time, and it already looks like I booked the wrong time of the year it's the rainy season 😢 😭

[@eugene5323]

If you can tell me about your rental car experience?

[@eileensworld]

I went in October and that was rainy season! It was fine though. It mostly rained when we were in Quepos/Manuel Antonio

[@eileensworld]

Booked it online and brought our proof of insurance from our credit card company to avoid all the extra fees they will try to charge

[@mariaoxyuk1278]

You also have to see a guide with telescopes to catch h the animals 😊

[@summerliu3394]

Thanks for sharing, I having watch Costa Rica flight tickets and want to go but the tickets sound like very expensive now. How is your ticket?

[@eileensworld]

Our 1 way ticket from San Francisco was $320. We also went in October when it’s low season

[@raquelarias7568]

Well to be fair..you visit in the worst time of the year, I would advise to avoid september and october, not the best climate and also remember the parks are not disney world, good weather means better chance to see animals

[@eileensworld]

Very true! Even though we went during rainy season, it was nice to visit CR without the crowds

[@jrleon9699]

The best seasons are December to may

[@JustMe-kf6pq]

I guess you have to pick and choose what's more important to you. They visited during low season and that's why they got all those awesome prices.

[@connister18]

What time of year is this taken?

[@user-yk8li2fh1c]

Thanks for the very informative video. Do you mind share which car rental company did you use?

[@eileensworld]

We used Economy

[@tracybrito5581]

Do you have a video on your recording equipment? I’m curious on what you use to make your videos

[@eileensworld]

I am using the DJI osmo pocket 2

[@sebparent3501]

24:22 Instant hot water. Common in Costa Rica

[@macielcastro3179]

😊😊

[@eileensworld]

:)

[@Tito-Freedom]

Hi!, i will be Costa Rica next month but just for 4 days, and i was wondering what would you recommend between staying in Monte Verde or La Fortuna?

[@eileensworld]

La Fortuna 100000000000000%

[@cgomez4405]

Very informative. I love that you didn't sugar coat it and say how fabulous everything was. We all know that's not always the case. lol We're heading there, end of February, how many days would you recommend in La Fontana?

[@eileensworld]

2 nights is sufficient!

[@cgomez4405]

@@eileensworld Thank you!

[@rodvarmo]

I love Gallo pinto (the Costarican breakfast) and the salsa lizano. The guys that look for your car say a high price. You just give them whatever you have / want at the end when you are leaving Food is better at the sodas

[@eileensworld]

I gotta go back now and make him give me some money back then! Agreed, gallo pinto was 🔥

[@yumii28]

We’re driving from San Jose to la Fortuna then Monteverde with kids. Did you feel carsick at all? Should I bring the kids some motion sickness pills?

[@eileensworld]

Yes I get car sick very easily and always took a pill before the long drives!

[@user-xk2ud3kl2z]

Hi - very helpful video. I am thinking of renting a car to drive around. How was the drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde? I am reading it is a very challenging road (we would be going in May). Also how was the drive to where you parked your car at Tortuguero? Why did you go from Manuel Antonio instead of from La Fortuna? Thanks in advance for your answers.

[@eileensworld]

If I remember correctly, the drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde had the MOST potholes. The drive to the parking area to get to Tortuguero was fine.

What color is your lipstick? I love it!

[@eileensworld]

Most likely the Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm in Sunny Berry!

[@rageshsiva1605]

where can i purchase tickets for the 1 day pass for los lagos ahead of time? or is it just available on site? TIA

[@eileensworld]

You’ll have to buy it on site

[@luissoto4204]

I'll be there at the end of the month. Landing in SJO for a week. Should I rent a car? Traffic? Insurance? Should I buy tickets in advance? Hotel reservations? First time. Thanks for all your help.

[@eileensworld]

What’s your plan for the week there?

[@satyajit2007]

Which month and days u travelled. It looks cloudy ? What was the temperature? Your vlog is close to real . Thanks

[@eileensworld]

We went in mid-end October of 2022, which is rainy season. Can’t remember the exact temperature but definitely got and humid even if it was cloudy. Thank you for watching!

[@Hafizur44]

We are going in July. We booked the hotel in Tortuguero. Not sure how to buy the boat tickets. Did your hotel make the arrangements? I really liked your video. Please let me know. Thank you.

[@eileensworld]

Hi Hafiz, did you book sunset rooms? If so the owner will connect you with someone on the day of your arrival at the port to help you. Otherwise, it’s still easy. You can arrive and buy the tickets there, just make sure you know the schedule of the boats!

[@Hafizur44]

@@eileensworld Thank you Eileen. No I didn’t book sunset room. I was little worried about the tickets. As you said I will get the tickets.

[@Hafizur44]

@@eileensworld one more thing. Is it safe to park there? I guess that’s the only option. Right?

[@eileensworld]

Yes it’s safe to park there. It’s a designated parking lot…and as far as I know the only parking lot there. We left our car there for 2 night and everything was fine!

[@Hafizur44]

@@eileensworld Thank you very much Eileen.

[@pattyleong902]

Hello, can you please explain the car rental process, and the insurance part. I’ve researched so much and still don’t know if I should go with Hertz, Budget etc or a Costa Rican company. Thank you!

[@eileensworld]

Hi there - we had everything booked with Economy ahead of time and had our credit card company (Chase Sapphire Reserve) send us the documents to say our car insurance will be covered from the credit card

[@zachgraves3356]

Super helpful video!! Was shocked to see how cheap your car rental was, but just checked Economy and it seems it is indeed that cheap (compared to $1000+ with other companies). What exactly did you print out for your proof of insurance, just your credit card fine print? Was there any push back when you presented it? I'll be in CR next month and hoping to use Economy now to see if I can swing a similar price

[@eileensworld]

Hey Zach! We asked our credit card (Chase Sapphire) for a letter that stated the insurance coverage and what regions it covers. We didn’t get any pushback once we picked up our car and everything went smoothly. Thank you for watching and it always makes me so happy when others find it helpful! I’m happy to answer any other questions

[@zachgraves3356]

@@eileensworld Thank you, that's good to know! It almost seems to good to be true, but we'll try it out! The quote I get online from economy for two weeks in May is about $200 USD vs $900+ USD with other companies (Enterprise, etc), hopefully it works out

[@zachgraves3356]

Also did you rent from the Alajuela office close to the airport?

[@eileensworld]

@@zachgraves3356 once you arrive at the airport and get your luggage, you’ll see all the rental car stands. From there, there was a shuttle that took us directly to the office which is a short drive from the airport.

[@eileensworld]

@@zachgraves3356 same! We weren’t sure how it was going to play out and was pleasantly surprised. Please let me know how it goes

[@serracar1]

Do you happen to know if there's a cell phone company anywhere in or near the airport to buy a Sim chip ?

[@eileensworld]

I am sorry, I do not. I only use e-sims now. I recommend using an e-sim if your phone has e-sim capabilities

[@joycejung5884]

In hindsight would you have not gone to Manuel Antonio? How did you set up the parking overnight when you went to Tortuguero?

[@eileensworld]

I wouldn’t recommend the park base off of my experience, but maybe going in a different season and better weather could lead to a better experience? We didn’t use a guide and most of them can be found in the front of the park, but it’s hard to know who to trust. Even getting into the park already left a bad taste in our mouth and park tickets in CR in general are not cheap. If it’s in your budge and you can hire a reputable guide, I am sure that can lead to a better visit! Regarding parking for Tortuguero, there is a parking lot in La Pavona.

[@paradiddle5664]

We went in August 2022 and 23 and saw ample amounts of wildlife.

[@billgalli5991]

Manual Antonio was disappointing, even after reduced visitors allowed. Hanging bridges with a guide first thing in the morning.

[@zheniatanasova8875]

Your video is super informative and helpful. Helped us in booking a car, and we are going next week. If you have only 6 days and don’t want to spend too much time driving, which areas do you recommend? We are huge beach people so definitely want to enjoy that and also the hot springs. Other than that, we have no specific plans. Thanks in advance. We also arrive at and depart from San Jose.

[@eileensworld]

I am so happy you found my video helpful. You preferences are in line to what I actually liked the most in CR 😝. La Fortuna for sure for Arenal and the hot springs and then you can drive to the east coast to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for beach time on the Caribbean side. I know there is a lot more to do in the east coast so you can look into that for more beaches San Jose is right in the middle so you will have to drive a bit no matter where you go. I really loved Tortuguero as well but since you only have 6 days, you can stick to the hot springs and beach.

[@zheniatanasova8875]

@@eileensworld Thank you so much. I think we will have 3 days in La Fortuna, and 3 days on the Caribbean side. Did you find the beach better on the Caribbean side or on the Pacific Ocean side? I don't think we will have enough time to go to Tortuguero, although we'd love to go. If you have to choose one place on the Caribbean side, which one would it be? Thanks again!

[@eileensworld]

From my experience, Caribbean side! That sounds like a good plan too have, not too packed and you can enjoy your time in each place

[@zheniatanasova8875]

Just wanted to update this thread in case it is helpful for others who might be going to Costa Rica: we actually had to pay for liability insurance, which was $20 per day. My Chase Freedom Flex credit card had the accident damage waiver but Economy insisted that we needed a liability insurance, which is different from the benefit provided by my credit card. Also, I didn’t drive there and don’t enjoy driving but driving in Costa Rica is an extreme sport and if it were not for my husband driving, I wouldn’t have rented a car. Hope this helps someone.

[@eileensworld]

Thanks for coming back to share this. I’m with you about driving being an extrem sport, esp. with all the potholes. I avoided getting an international drivers license so I would have to drive hehe. How was your trip???

[@nobodylikesadouchebag1227]

Great video. Thanks. What month did you visit in?

[@eileensworld]

Thank you, I went in October

[@bjdeng2646]

May I ask when you visited there? Or, When the video was shot?

[@eileensworld]

October 2022

[@Deewonderfullife]

Where is your colorful long sleeve from ? It’s beautiful! And so is the print ! Also wondering why there were so many dead and headless turtles 🐢

[@eileensworld]

It’s a Billabong bathing suit! As for the dead turtles….it’s still an unsolved mystery

[@Deewonderfullife]

@@eileensworld it’s gorgeous ! And perhaps poaching /:

[@hanslara6552]

Hi, the dead turtles are because in that places are jaguars and other predators. Don’t worry, they don’t attack humans and they attack turtles only in the night, because its very easy for them and also a very good meal. Kind regards from Costa Rica. Pura vida!! 🇨🇷 🇨🇷

[@hanslara6552]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqLNl4amZd9ge6M&pp=ygUlamFndWFyIGNvbWllbmRvIHRvcnR1Z2EgZW4gY29zdGEgcmljYQ%3D%3D

[@lawrencelee4948]

Awesome video!! How was the drive from Tortugero to PV?

[@eileensworld]

Thank you Lawrence! After all those days of driving, the one from Tortuguero to PV wasn’t bad. It’s long, around 4 hours, but no horrible pot holes

[@lawrencelee4948]

@@eileensworld thank you!! Any suggestions or ideas if you were to do it again? Looking at going for 5 days on the Caribbean side.

[@eileensworld]

@@lawrencelee4948 the only thing I would do differently on the Caribbean side was spend have more time in PV. I loved Tortuguero because of the turtles we saw but that’s seasonal.

[@eileensworld]

@@lawrencelee4948 what do you have planned?

[@lawrencelee4948]

@@eileensworld I missed the response!! Well my goal is to rent a car and go from San Jose to Tortugero for one night. Then head to puerto viejo for 2 nights. I’m being told that may not be possible. What did you all do? Any suggestions? Thanks a ton!!!!

[@neatnewcomb1763]

We just returned from Costa and I felt Bamboozled at every turn.. so annoying!

[@eileensworld]

What happened??

[@alejandravalle8519]

Did you have to pay any surprise fees for the car rental? Most people say that the price you pay online is not really the final price you pay for the car

[@eileensworld]

No surprise fees because we brought proof of car insurance from our credit card (chase sapphire)!

[@wendysoulliere1305]

What kind of money do they use in Costa Rica

[@eileensworld]

Costa Rica uses the Costa Rica Colon. Are you visiting from the US? If so, some places accept USD. However, depending on their conversion, it MAY be more expensive to pay in USD.

[@DanielGiella]

Did the ittenary feel rushed that feels like a lot for only 10 days

[@eileensworld]

Not at all! Because even though we went to several places, our days were not jam packed

[@jackazam1169]

Hi its our first time plz give me the hotels name close to the center and airport thanks a lot .

[@eileensworld]

The one close to the airport was Berlor Airport Inn

[@tinachen1665]

You paid $200 for your car rental for 10 days? That cheap? We are here now and paid $1000 for 13 nights w vamos

[@eileensworld]

Yup! With Economy. We brought our own proof of insurance with our credit card and didn’t have to pay anything additional.

[@analemus4305]

194 dollars for the 10 days? Where did you book the economy car?

[@eileensworld]

we booked on economy’s website

[@grd6021]

How hot was it?

[@eileensworld]

We went in October which is rainy season and it was still pretty hot and humid. Monteverde was the only place that was a bit cooler

[@VuNguyen-yt8ck]

Did you really paid only $194 for 10 days car rental? Is that including insurance?

[@eileensworld]

Yes I did, and we used the insurance from our credit card

[@Trap323a]

Good lord all this driving sheesh 😂😂😂

[@eileensworld]

It was like a driving game…how to avoid potholes 🫣

[@edho758]

You didn't land in San Jose, that's a fact

[@eileensworld]

Where did I land ? 🤔

[@edho758]

@@eileensworld you did land in Alajuela, one of the seven provinces of CR. Haha it's a common error ☺️☺️

[@moez1774]

I Actually enjoyed watching this video. Kudos for providing great information including prices instead of making a lame "tour" video of just clickbait selfie & bikini videos like the many other lames on KZbin. My only feedback would be to observe and better pronounce the words of the things that you're talking about specific to the country you're visiting. I kinda cringed when you said "la secret-o" hotel.

[@eileensworld]

Thanks for the feedback!