Just 1 hour and 15 minutes from LIR, this vibrant beach town is known for its gorgeous sandy beach, epic sunsets, and laid-back party vibe.

The main beach is perfect, and you'll also find on-the-beach massages, great food, and fun nightlife, all set in a sunny tropical dry forest climate.

Tamarindo blends adventure and relaxation, with everything from catamaran tours to estuary wildlife boat rides, surfing, ATV tours, ziplining, and horseback riding, all within walking distance of the beach

Monteverde, about 2 hours 15 minutes from LIR by car, is best reached with an AWD vehicle due to rugged roads. Known as the "jewel in the crown of cloud forests," it's a misty haven of rare biodiversity and lush greenery.

The walkable village offers great eateries, shops, and small attractions like frog and orchid tours. Friendly dogs add to the laid-back vibe.

Where We Stayed: Monteverde Lodge – great location, fair price, and rare AC.

Don’t Miss:

• Reserva Curi-Cancha: Our favorite—dense mossy trails and a stunning top trail.

• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Classic trails and a forest-view restaurant where we watched Capuchin monkeys.

Tips: Bring layers and rain gear—temps are 60–75°F and it's always damp.

Hidden Gem: We found secret hot springs via Google Maps, with free-roaming horses and parakeets.

Arenal / La Fortuna is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes from LIR by car, or you can take a domestic flight to La Fortuna.

Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s most famous volcano, attracting many tourists with its natural hot springs, lush forests, white-water rafting, and scenic hikes around the volcano. The nearest town is La Fortuna, a charming area with a variety of resorts to use as a home base while exploring the Arenal region.

Often called Costa Rica’s "Little Amazon", Tortuguero is a remote, lush jungle destination on the northern Caribbean coast, known for its winding canals, abundant wildlife, and world-class fishing. Catch-and-release tours for tarpon, snook, marlin, and more are best during the dry season (Jan–April) via kayak or offshore.

Nature excursions include jungle hikes, extinct volcano trails, night walks, and witnessing leatherback sea turtles nesting and hatching (Feb–April).

Getting There:

• Drive + Boat: Rent a car at LIR, drive ~5.5 hrs to La Pavona Dock, then take a 1.5 hr boat ride (most affordable).

• Chartered Flight: Fastest—fly direct from LIR to Tortuguero.

• SANSA Flights: LIR → SJO → Tortuguero (not recommended due to extra connections).
  There’s no direct bus from LIR. If driving, Monteverde Cloud Forest makes a great halfway stop.

To reach Manuel Antonio, you can fly directly from LIR to Quepos with SANSA, charter a flight, or drive 4 hours down the coast.

The area marks the transition from tropical dry forest to coastal rainforest. The town has steep hills, great restaurants, but limited nightlife.

Manuel Antonio National Park offers stunning wildlife, including sloths, coatis, and monkeys. White-water rafting is available, though slower during the dry season. The beaches are lined with beachfront restaurants and monkeys. Nearby Quepos features local fairs and rodeos.

The Nauyaca Waterfall is a must-see, and while you can visit without a guide, a guide will enhance the experience.

To reach Uvita, you can either drive 5 hours from LIR or fly from LIR to Quepos and drive 1 hour.

Uvita is a small coastal village with a laid-back Pura Vida vibe. It's home to the famous Marino Ballena National Park and the stunning whale tail beach. Enjoy morning beach yoga or surf the world-class waves.

Uvita offers quick access to the Nauyaca and Uvita Slide waterfalls, and is just 15 minutes from Dominical, a fun village to explore. Other activities include whale watching, snorkeling at Cano Island, and kayaking through mangroves. For the adventurous, take a boat trip to the OSA Peninsula and visit Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.