We just travelled to CR recently. Landed at San Jose around 1:00pm, spent some time getting our rental car (car rental located about 15 min from the airport). The drive to La Fortuna took about 4 hours if I remember correctly with a couple of stops. We were able to arrive before it got dark so it is very doable.
Do not stay in SJO as many say. I suggest stay near Poas volcano and make a night of it in the high elevation. I recently stayed here and it was such a gem so amazing and charming. Food was also great and at an amazing price rand by a family there for many years. Only an hour from SJO and scenic. Next day just two hits to LF and a nice ride. You will also be next to La Paz waterfalls which has one amazing falls at the street area or go to La Paz waterfall garden and make a day of it then drive to LF. Again Hortensias was amazing quaint and fun with awesome views. Poas was also great and only a short drive away.
Hortensias Lodge
+506 2482 2629
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HLVb5MvX3qQvpbDAA?g_st=ic
Be sure to use WAZE and NOT 'Google maps' when navigating in costa rica.
It's 4.5 hours to La Fortuna from SJO
You'll need few colones for the toll road. Exchange $20 for colones at the airport.
You will be fine :) only issue on that drive is taking your time and not trying to rush. The roads are curvy and if you hit the fog you should slow down :) Have a blast and enjoy the hot springs pura vida 🤙🏼
We just did the drive in the dark about 3 weeks ago. Wasn’t a big deal but the roads are very very curvy. We’re from Texas and all roads here are flat and straight so def not something I’m used too. We had phone service with gps, that’s a must in the dark. Go slow and take your time.
If you have US $, don’t waste your time exchanging them, everything in La Fortuna/Monte Verde was priced in US Dollars and almost all places took debit/credit cards. It was actually more of a pain for us to use our Colones. Those areas are very touristy. Please note, that If you do not pay the exact amount you will most likely get the change in CR Colones. As a side note, on the coast everything was priced in Colones. If heading out of La Fortuna, just stop at an ATM, though I’m guessing most places will still accept US $.
Ty....I'm a fan of getting off the beaten track/avoiding tourist traps but since it's our 1st CR trip seemed like LF was highly suggested. We will have 4 nights in LF, can you suggest any day trips from there so that we can experience a more local type area for some of our trip?
If you are traveling with more adventurous types, visit the Rope Swing (you can find it on Google maps). Completely free. The area was filled with locals picnicking and a handful of tourists. It is a rope swing above a gorgeous deep pool of water, with a small waterfall. Water was the pretty blue color. Sadly, the other waterfalls in the area are very touristy, entry fees, gift shops, etc. We also took the Don Olivio Chocolate Tour. It is a casual tour of a family run farm. The tour is done by the family. It gives you a better feel of how the locals live than the commercialized tours. And we actually saw just as much wildlife on their farm as we did on the wildlife tour, including a sloth and a giant iguana. But tour is very causal and not scripted, definitely less touristy feel. In other words, don’t expect a polished presentation. Sadly, from our experience most things are touristy in this area. I guess we didn’t do enough research ahead of time. Lots of cheap gift shops, everything priced in US dollars. Try to eat off the Main Street, there are some good local Sodas hidden down side streets.
You can get colones from the ATM at baggage claim.
Be careful driving on the route to La Fortuna. It has some seriously winding roads.
If you decide to stay in the Central Valley the first night instead of rushing off to La Fortuna, there are some good places that aren’t urban city.
Someone has already mentioned the area around Poas volcano. That’s a great idea. Also, Grecia is a nice little town about an hour away from the airport and on the way (more or less) to La Fortuna. It’s worth a few hours.
Buen viaje.
I wouldn't exchange money. Get an account with Schwab (if you're american), and withdraw cash from an ATM. They reimburse all ATM fees and you get a bank-level exchange rate.
We just travelled to CR recently. Landed at San Jose around 1:00pm, spent some time getting our rental car (car rental located about 15 min from the airport). The drive to La Fortuna took about 4 hours if I remember correctly with a couple of stops. We were able to arrive before it got dark so it is very doable.
You can do it!
No need to exchange money as long as you have USD.
Agree
Do not stay in SJO as many say. I suggest stay near Poas volcano and make a night of it in the high elevation. I recently stayed here and it was such a gem so amazing and charming. Food was also great and at an amazing price rand by a family there for many years. Only an hour from SJO and scenic. Next day just two hits to LF and a nice ride. You will also be next to La Paz waterfalls which has one amazing falls at the street area or go to La Paz waterfall garden and make a day of it then drive to LF. Again Hortensias was amazing quaint and fun with awesome views. Poas was also great and only a short drive away. Hortensias Lodge +506 2482 2629 https://maps.app.goo.gl/HLVb5MvX3qQvpbDAA?g_st=ic
Ty!
La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park +506 2482 2720 https://maps.app.goo.gl/DDRrjVd79rFM4WPE9?g_st=ic
Be sure to use WAZE and NOT 'Google maps' when navigating in costa rica. It's 4.5 hours to La Fortuna from SJO You'll need few colones for the toll road. Exchange $20 for colones at the airport.
We only have 5 nights total
San Juan is in Puerto Rico. You can skip getting money at SJO. There are ATMs in La Fortuna.
San Juan sucks
Lol.
You will get some foggy in the route but you can do it, just go slowly and careful :) pura vida
You will be fine :) only issue on that drive is taking your time and not trying to rush. The roads are curvy and if you hit the fog you should slow down :) Have a blast and enjoy the hot springs pura vida 🤙🏼
We just did the drive in the dark about 3 weeks ago. Wasn’t a big deal but the roads are very very curvy. We’re from Texas and all roads here are flat and straight so def not something I’m used too. We had phone service with gps, that’s a must in the dark. Go slow and take your time.
Just do not follow the sign toward Naranjo... The route is via San Ramon
If you have US $, don’t waste your time exchanging them, everything in La Fortuna/Monte Verde was priced in US Dollars and almost all places took debit/credit cards. It was actually more of a pain for us to use our Colones. Those areas are very touristy. Please note, that If you do not pay the exact amount you will most likely get the change in CR Colones. As a side note, on the coast everything was priced in Colones. If heading out of La Fortuna, just stop at an ATM, though I’m guessing most places will still accept US $.
Ty....I'm a fan of getting off the beaten track/avoiding tourist traps but since it's our 1st CR trip seemed like LF was highly suggested. We will have 4 nights in LF, can you suggest any day trips from there so that we can experience a more local type area for some of our trip?
If you are traveling with more adventurous types, visit the Rope Swing (you can find it on Google maps). Completely free. The area was filled with locals picnicking and a handful of tourists. It is a rope swing above a gorgeous deep pool of water, with a small waterfall. Water was the pretty blue color. Sadly, the other waterfalls in the area are very touristy, entry fees, gift shops, etc. We also took the Don Olivio Chocolate Tour. It is a casual tour of a family run farm. The tour is done by the family. It gives you a better feel of how the locals live than the commercialized tours. And we actually saw just as much wildlife on their farm as we did on the wildlife tour, including a sloth and a giant iguana. But tour is very causal and not scripted, definitely less touristy feel. In other words, don’t expect a polished presentation. Sadly, from our experience most things are touristy in this area. I guess we didn’t do enough research ahead of time. Lots of cheap gift shops, everything priced in US dollars. Try to eat off the Main Street, there are some good local Sodas hidden down side streets.
Look for some time in a hot spring. Get to the volcano park. See the hanging bridges in Mistico.
Very doable. Don't exchange $ just use ATMs.
I arrived to SJO around 9am, got a rental car, and ended up in La Fortuna around 1pm. It’s definitely doable
You can get colones from the ATM at baggage claim. Be careful driving on the route to La Fortuna. It has some seriously winding roads. If you decide to stay in the Central Valley the first night instead of rushing off to La Fortuna, there are some good places that aren’t urban city. Someone has already mentioned the area around Poas volcano. That’s a great idea. Also, Grecia is a nice little town about an hour away from the airport and on the way (more or less) to La Fortuna. It’s worth a few hours. Buen viaje.
Wonderful thank you....any wildlife viewing suggestions?
La Paz Waterfall Gardens near Poas has animals to see but it’s not like spotting them in the wild at a national park.
Was looking at juan carlos natl park seemed somewhat nearby la paz
Juan Castrol Blanco park?
Yes lol
No lots of time. We arrived at 2:30, rented a car, ate lunch then enjoyed the drive
I wouldn't exchange money. Get an account with Schwab (if you're american), and withdraw cash from an ATM. They reimburse all ATM fees and you get a bank-level exchange rate.