Where is a good home base for solo travel in Costa Rica?

October 7, 2023 9:45 AM

I'm planning to travel to Costa Rica for a week and a half or so in December for a solo trip. I'm kind of stuck on the planning due to lack of time and mental capacity and need to just get flights and the first couple of nights in order and then plan the rest over the next few weeks. Where would be a good starting place / home base for the types of day trips I'd like to do?

If you want to suggest a whole itinerary that'd be great but to keep this simple:

I'd like to arrive and depart from the San José airport. I looked into guided tours but they are far too packed for my taste - I'd like a slower pace, and many of them had tour members in cars together for 4+ hours (not for me).

Overall the main things I'd like to do are around moderate hikes and appreciating nature and wildlife, and contributing to the local economy while I do.

Some examples of things I'd like to do (not all are required):
- Relax in some smaller beach towns - maybe have 1-2 beach days when I arrive to wind down from work, then every few days or so
- Maybe spend some time in downtown San Jose - I've read that one day is usually enough there
- Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
- Visit a wildlife rescue center - the Jaguar one in Puerto Viejo seems like it would be a great one
- Hike to waterfalls
- Visit Arenal Volcano National Park
- Hot springs maybe
- Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Local food mostly
- Smaller or boutique hotels vs. all-inclusive

Not so much interested in ziplining and scuba diving, and I'm not great at snorkeling.

I'm okay with renting a car as well.

Where can I park myself, at least initially, to be in a good place for some day trips to the above? I imagine I'll need to relocate 2-3 times or so over the course of the trip. I could extend to two weeks as well.

Thank you!

posted by mireille to Travel & Transportation around Costa Rica (4 answers total)

Best answer: "I'm kind of stuck on the planning due to lack of time and mental capacity..."

I am not affiliated with these people in any way, but I love them for helping me in a similar situation: https://geckotrail.com

They were great when I was planning my trip, and if I were you, I'd just tell them what you've said here and then relax and wait for your trip to materialize. They create a suggested itinerary entirely for free, and they then get a cut of whatever activities or hotels you end up having them book. You can tell them to book the whole package, leave things out, give you a few days entirely unplanned in between...super easy. They arranged for small hotels, privately owned, about 50$/night. Could have asked for fancier or more basic lodging, I'm sure. You're not traveling in a group, because everyone is on their own individual path of travel. If you'd rather not be on busses, you can just let them know you'll have a car (chances are, they can get you a good deal on a car as well).

I went from Manuel Antonio to the Cloud Forests (quick stop for Zip Lining). They booked me a morning tour of the Cloud Forests, then I had the day to just hang out /explore (found a cool little frog "zoo"!). Then, I got on a Greyhound type bus to Arenal. I had booked the Hot Springs there, and they put me up in a cute little hotel. I felt safe in all the hotels (traveling alone as a young woman), mostly because of 24/7 reception. The rooms were also really clean. No big chain hotels. From Arenal, I traveled to a smaller place (forgot the name). They'd booked me an amazing White Water Rafting tour, which ended up being my highlight. Then, back to San José where even the taxi from the hotel to the airport was all taken care of.

Very much recommend Manuel Antonio (with a guide for the best animal sightings). There's great beaches all around. I loved the Zip Lining, and would recommend a treetop walk if you're not into that. It's cool to see everything from above. Cloud Forests were stunning, but a tiny bit suffocating, so I didn't need to spend more than a day there. Would not recommend the town "Jaco" unless you're really into partying. Quepos was cute, with a fun beachtown vibe. San José was too busy for me. I would skip hanging out there unless you really enjoy big cities. I spent some time in a tiny place called Matapalo (Puntarenas), and I enjoyed the quiet beach there. Went horseback riding and hiked to a waterfall. Arenal was pretty good, but personally, I found the Hot Springs to be a letdown. The air is so warm. Then you're just sitting in warm water, too. I would have enjoyed it more with a companion, I think. The White Water Rafting was an amazing experience, very much recommend. During quieter stretches, great jungle sightseeing.

You will have so much fun! I bet you'll want to stay for two weeks.
posted by toucan at 11:10 AM on October 7, 2023 [7 favorites]

When in December? Earlier in the month can still be the rainy season, and since it's at the end of the rains, mudslides can be a concern. Late December should be dry, but you'll be going at a very busy/crowded time. Either is fine, but you may want to plan accordingly.

I went for 11 days, and picked three places (including a final night outside San Jose). I would not try and do more than that - so if you want to do the classic trio of Manuel Antonio + Arenal/La Fortuna + Monteverde, than that's all I would do - I would not also try to get over to Puerto Viejo (though that could work if you did 2 weeks).

What is "moderate hiking" to you? I ask because I've found this means very different things to people, depending on their experience level.

Anyway, be aware that Manuel Antonio + Arenal/La Fortuna + Monteverde are all very touristy. Which is great if your priority is ease, number of hotel options, range of restaurants, adventure activities like zip-lining, etc. But if you are more into off-the-beaten track places (which is sorta sounds like you maybe are?) there are options that are just as beautiful (if not more so), with a fraction of the people and cost. But you'll have limited options in terms of accommodation and food, and less tourism infrastructure. Feel free to MeMail me.
posted by coffeecat at 12:14 PM on October 7, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: In 2015, we used Costa Rica Custom Trips to arrange everything for us, hotels and transfers (flights and vans). We were very happy with their service. We visted Drake Bay, Arenal, and Monteverde.
posted by ShooBoo at 5:29 PM on October 7, 2023

Response by poster: I've marked two as best answers as an external customizing expert-on-the-ground planner is exactly what I think I need. I've reached out to toucan's recommendation of Gecko Trail to start, and just by going from their website and questionnaire I think it's really promising. Thanks all!
posted by mireille at 10:04 AM on October 9, 2023 [1 favorite]