Costa Rica
Pura Vida! Costa Rica was a timmmeee! Wow. Where do I even begin? The food, the culture, the people I met on this trip… UNFORGETABLE. When planning a trip to Costa Rica, researching specific areas in which you’d like to visit is key. In order to truly grasp the rang of people, foods, and overall vibes in which the country has to offer, I highly recommend spending time in AT LEAST two completely different towns. Imagine flying into Los Angeles and feeling like you know even the basics of California when San Diego, San Francisco, and Oakland exist; all providing completely different atmospheres. Yes, you’ve been to Los Angeles but can you really get a feel for California as a whole? Not even close! I decided to explore La Fortuna, Jaco, and Manuel Antonio. Three different towns carrying three different energies. A genius decision, the trip was already off to a great start.
La Fortuna
I flew in to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. Reserved a rental car ahead of time via Expedia (https://www.expedia.com/cars) and made the 3 hour drive to La Fortuna, a small rainforest town northwest of San Jose. I spent most of my time in La Fortuna because there was so much to explore here. 5 days, 4 nights, 3 unique lodging accommodations consisting of 2 airbnbs and 1 luxury hotel.
Accommodations -
I kicked off my experience by booking a one night stay at The Dome, an airbnb that felt most similar to a glamping set up. Surrounded by trees and greenery, I showered, ate, and basically slept outside. 10/10 experience. As a camping amateur, one night here was the perfect amount of time. Get the experience, enjoy the outdoors, and leave the experience on a high lol.
The switch up from The Dome to Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa was quite drastic as far as vibes go. A 15 minute drive from the city center, I spent two nights here and enjoyed every single moment of it. Although I loved the outdoor nature vibe from night one, it felt great to sleep in a big comfy bed, have room service, and wake up to breakfast every morning; not to mention the room view of Volcano Arenal and the on-sight hot springs included in your stay were the perfect accessories to an already beautiful and detail oriented hotel. I love a good bang for your buck situation and I most certainly felt that with Hotel Arenal.
I wanted to experience a night right in the heart of La Fortuna so for my last night, I booked an airbnb literally 2 minutes away from the city center. A modern apartment with an indoor/outdoor aesthetic. Super cute spot but what I loved most about it was its location.The neighborhood felt so authentic. I wouldn’t be surprised if my next door neighbors were Costa Ricans. I love to immerse myself into the culture and talk to/people watch the townies, so of all the stays, I felt like I could do that most at this airbnb.
Eatery -
Tiquicia Restaurante - This place takes the #1 spot for my absolute favorite meal. WOW I can literally taste the tender pork and the heavenly flavors as I type 🤤 YUM! ‘Lizzie McGuire, YOU ARE A RESTURANT REPEATER’ lol (iykyk) because yes I definitely came here twice, on two different days, and ordered the exact same meal (chifrijo tiquicia) which I don’t normally do. I encourage travelers in new countries to try as many new foods as possible but this meal guys!! This meal just HAD to be ordered twice (at minimum) that’s how delicious it was.
Rainforest Cafe - Came here for breakfast. Seems to be a quite popular spot right located in the city center. Yummy food. I ordered a breakfast burrito. It was good but it wasn’t delicious. I’d try something new if I were to go again.
La Forchetta - Came here for dinner. An authentic Italian restaurant. The owner is originally from Italy but has been living in Costa Rica for a few decades now. SO SWEET! I’d come back here every time I’m in La Fortuna just to pay him a visit. On top of the amazing customer service, the food was great and the ingredients tasted really fresh.
Jaco is a beachy town southwest of San Jose. I heard this is the place to be if you want to experience night life catered more so towards tourist so we packed our bags and made the 3-4 hour drive from La Fortuna. Ugh, Jaco was NOT my favorite location y’all. I’m sure there’s so much more of the town to explore but my first impression from my 24 hour Jaco stay was that it gave Vegas strip, Costa Rica edition. Loud, busy, dirty.
Activities -
La Fortuna Waterfall - Stunning. The park is open 7 days a week from 7am to 5pm. The $20 entrance fee and the 500 steps down (and of course back up 😅) are totally worth the serene environment. I always recommend arriving early to beat the crowds. I got here at 7:30am and by 8am the first wave of a big crowd had already arrived. Bring water shoes and feel free to swim towards the waterfall. It is a strong current and I didn’t notice any nearby lifeguards so swim at your own risk! Be safe!
Mistico Hanging Bridges - I actually enjoyed this activity more than I originally thought I would. Closed shoes are required as there is lots of walking involved as well as hills and inclines. 22 bridges in total and 6 of those are wobbley (but secure) hanging bridges. I went mid-day and the heat was blaring so I’d recommend going in the morning, bringing water, and wear sunscreen. $32 entrance fee for an approximate 2.5 hour tour. I wanted to walk at my own pace so I booked the self-guided tour and made it through the entire park in about 1.5 hours. If you actually want to see the animals, I recommend having a tour guide as they are much more informed about the park and will be able to spot animals throughout the tour. I personally think the very first hanging bridge has the best view so make sure to get your pictures in!
Arenal Mundo Aventura Zip Lining - I’ve been on a few zip lines throughout my adult life, and I feel confident saying one of my favorite zip-line experiences was had via this activity. I booked the AMA extreme experience in advance via the official website www.arenalmundoaventura.com/ which consisted of 7 different zip lines. The longest one toping La Fortuna waterfall and showcasing an amazingg view of the rainforest. SO much fun. The company offers complimentary shuttle pick up and drop off to and from your hotel, but you do have the option of drive to the facility as well as there is lots of parking.
El Salto - I looovveeeddd El Salto! This free activity felt so authentic to the La Fortuna culture. Like I could totally envision local kids coming here to have fun and escape the Costa Rican heat. Swimming in rivers, jumping in via rope swings, chillin’ on a big rock taking in the views - y’all I had a ball here! I actually recommend going mid day when there are a few more people outside. I was able to meet, talk, and laugh with so many locals and foreigners which only enhanced my experience. If your stay is close enough, I’d recommend walking here as parking is limited, however, there is free nearby parking. There will sometimes be “parking attendants” present that will tell you there is a parking fee. Y’all don’t fall for the scam. These people are only trying to make quick cash. Parking is essentially free. You can CHOOSE to pay them if you’d like or you can CHOOSE to not pay them. Completely up to you.
Tabacon Hot Springs - THEE hot springs resort in La Fortuna. Beautiful and relaxing ambiance. $89 day pass entrance fee. Open 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm. On site restaurant, pool bar, bathrooms, showers and day beds readily available. The number of day visitors are limited so I recommend booking this activity in advance via Tabacon’s official website (www.tabacon.com/product-category/one-day-pass/) Bring water shoes if you have them as the pool floorings consist of rocks and gravel. Spend a couple hours here to exist in a relaxing state and recharge your body. Every single spring pool here is warm/hot. So if you don’t really like jacuzzis, this might not be the place for you as there are no pools cooler than 77 F (25 C). There are obviously many different hot spring locations available in La Fortuna. Some free, some for a fee. Tabacon is definitely a more luxury experience but if you’d like to save a buck or two, definitely do your research on the free hot springs around town. They may not be as nice, but the hot springs experience can still be had.
Jaco
Accommodations -
I booked a one night stay at a beachfront airbnb apartment literally on the sands of the beach. It was a pretty spacious three story apartment with the living room area on the first floor, bedroom on the second floor, and master bedroom on the top floor with a very small pool overlooking the beach. Great for a one night stay but I actually wasn’t the most comfortable here. It didn’t give the ‘homey’ vibe that I love and it kind of forced everyone to separate into their bedrooms as the living room area didn’t offer enough comfortable seating. The apartment had the beach view on one end and the strip on the other so it was very much so in the hustle and bustle of it all. Waking up and being able to walk straight onto the beach was nice, but if I were to stay in Jaco longer stay, i’d switch out the walk onto the beach off the wake up for a quieter area and a more comfortable home.
In this guide
Eatery -
Now if you watch any of my travel VLOGS on youtube, you know I love me some delicious food. I want to give a disclaimer and reiterate that I was in Jaco for less than 24 hours so the chances of me missing great food options are high. I actually think I need a complete redo of Jaco just to really try new food options alone but with that being said, I was quite disappointed with my meals in this town.
KFC - I know what some of y’all may be thinking! “KFC is another country!?! WHY!” However!! If you know, you knowww, KFC is supposed to go UP in another country. It’s supposed to be SO good, the chicken is supposed to hit SO different and I simply wanted to test that theory. Y’all when I say I went in with such high expectations and was let down completely. I’m not kidding. This was actually the worst KFC experience i’ve ever had. I went to the location right on the strip (mistake #1) so it wasn’t the cleanest spot. Ordered a chicken sandwich that was sloppy and dry. Fries weren’t fresh. I don’t even think I enjoyed my drink. Overall just bad food.
La Artesanal - Now this cafe was really cute. A small outdoor/indoor vibe with good food at a good price. Breakfast sandwiches, parfaits, smoothies, omelettes and more; FINALLY a decent meal in Jaco lol. Order the Bruschetta! OMG so good. La Artesanal felt authentic to costa rica. I wish I experienced more restaurants like this in Jaco. I recommend.
Activities -
Now I didn’t actually experience any of the nightlife mainly because of the unexpected downpour. The rain took over and so comfort and sleep took priority. Although I stayed inside for my ONE night in Jaco, I did do some research prior to coming. If all went as planned and I did make it out, I’d experience one (or both) of these two places.
Orange Pub - Open 7 days a week from 7pm to 2:30am. If you want a casual bar vibe with music and drinks, go earlier in the night. If you want to experience more of a cluby type of vibe, go after 11pm. Mainly Hip Hop/Reggaeton music. Most recommended spot for nightlife in Jaco. Of course be safe and always be aware of your surrourdings.
XTC - Pretty much the same vibe as Orange Pub however the music scene seems to be a lot more diverse. Hip Hop, Reggaeton, Afrobeats, R&B.. etc. Smaller dance floor, recommended to get a table, and they offer hookah. Open Wednesday - Sunday from 8pm to 2am.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is the perfect middle child to La Fortuna and Jaco. A resort town more so catered towards vacationers that def gives beachy but also has some hints of jungle. A 3 hour drive from San Jose, but just a little over an hour scenic drive from Jaco, which was actually quite lovely. Some what of a short distance, beautiful views, and yummy fruit stands on the side of the rode really contributed to the fun mini roadtrip.
Accommodations -
Shana By The Beach is a cute and affordable 4 star hotel located on a massive hill. The staff was super warm and welcoming and the views from my room were beautiful. The standard pool area was nice, but I love that they considered individual adults by including a separate ‘adult only’ pool. My room was situated at the top of the hill so getting down and then back up from the pool/restaurant/bar area was a workout chilllleeeee. Luckily, for moments that I wanted to be lazy, they offered a shuttle service via golf carts to take you up and down. A standard breakfast was included with my stay and we were accompanied by monkeys who came to say hi and steal food lol. I enjoyed my stay here. Nothing too luxurious, but it was nice, clean, and i loved the location. Great for a 2 night stay. I will say that all rooms do not hit the same. My best friend got a room on the ground floor and while there was still somewhat of a view, it didn’t hit the same as the rooms above ground so i’d recommend requesting a top floor room if you can.
Eatery -
YUM!! I had some really good meals in Manuel Antonio but I really wanna put emphasis on the coconuts! THE COCONUTS YALL!!! Chefs Kiss. Some of the sweetest I’ve every tasted in life. I understand that coconut water is an acquired taste but I encourage everyone to at least try it. The ones sold on the side of the road are perfectly fine. If you’re already a coconut water lover, you’ll definitely be so satisfied by the ones in Costa Rica.
Shana By The Beach - I had free breakfast and a paid lunch/drinks while staying at this hotel. The breakfast was quite standard, Not my favorite, but not bad. It gave buffet style and some of the dishes were a little cold. The lunch here was a la carte and I will say that it hit much different than the breakfast. Ceviche, the burger and fries.. all pretty good! The drinks, however, were just alright. It gave cheap liquor and a lot of sugar.
Bahia Azul - YUM! An extensive menu with authentic Costa Rican dishes. YUM! The flavor was THERE. I ordered a grilled shrimp plate that came with rice and salad.. SO GOOD. Highly recommend for food and vibes.
Delicias - Cute cafe in the cutest town, Dominical. A mix of American and Costa Rican foods. Very impressed with their juices and smoothies. It gave freshly squeezed, fresh picked fruit.. just FRESH. all the way around. I ordered a breakfast burrito that lacked flavor and was quite underwhelming but my best friend loved it so to each its own. The french toast paired with strawberry jam, on the other hand, was delicious. Their toast, egg, sausage, and rice plate.. delicious. All in all, I would definitely recommend this place. I’d go back tomorrow if I could!
Restaurante Cerdo Feliz - OMG THIS RESTURANT! TOP TIERE FOOD. My favorite meal in Manuel Antonio. Such a cute mom and pop shop located within the hills. Good price, good food, beautiful presentation. The restaurant itself has table games such as cards, Jenga, Connect Four.. etc, creating such a fun and interactive experience. I ordered chicken fajitas and nachos; both BOMB. Absolutely loved this place.
Activities -
Manuel Antonio (Quepos) has a lot to offer and I really do feel like it gives range as far as things to do. You can hit the beach, relax at a resort all day, enjoy night life, visit national parks, chase waterfalls, explore nearby town.. the possibilities are endless and its one of the main things that I really appreciate about this town and neighboring areas.
Nauyaca Waterfalls - The most serene waterfalls in Costa Rica. My absolute favorite of the ones I’ve visited. About an hour drive away from Shana By the Beach. Woke up early and hit the road; aiming to be there as soon as they open. Entry fee was $32 per person. You have the choice of hiking to the waterfall or hoping on a shuttle for a small extra fee. I HIGHLY recommend getting on the shuttle. It was somewhat of a longer drive to the waterfall (Maybe 10 min give or take) and obviously an even longer walk. We drove past a few women who decided to hike the trail and those same women STUGGLED walking back up. SO much that they asked to car pool for the remainder of their hike. It’s a tough one y’all, definitely advanced skill level hike. Anyways, the waterfall itself was stunninng. The water felt amazing. You can swim across the pond and jump off of rocks. Just. beautiful. A beautiful experience.
Dominical - A super cute town not too far from Nauyaca Waterfalls. I’m not gonnna lie, this town is a vibeeee. It’s so small and tightly knit. Good restaurants, small shops, minutes away from a gorgeous beach, grocery stores, small businesses… it’s just SO CUTE. I rented a motor bike for $40 and literally explored all day,
Bahia Azul - This place was recommended by a local while on the hunt for some late night grub and it did not disappoint. On top of the food being absolutely superb, the vibes were equally immaculate. Authentic Costa Rican music, so many locals out on the dance floor, great crowd, great DJ; I LOVED this place. I felt so emerged into the culture. Such a fun night filled with laughs, food, and good company. 100% authentic Costa Rica vibes. Highly recommend.
Costa Rica
Pura Vida! Costa Rica was a timmmeee! Wow. Where do I even begin? The food, the culture, the people I met on this trip… UNFORGETABLE. When planning a trip to Costa Rica, researching specific areas in which you’d like to visit is key. In order to truly grasp the rang of people, foods, and overall vibes in which the country has to offer, I highly recommend spending time in AT LEAST two completely different towns. Imagine flying into Los Angeles and feeling like you know even the basics of California when San Diego, San Francisco, and Oakland exist; all providing completely different atmospheres. Yes, you’ve been to Los Angeles but can you really get a feel for California as a whole? Not even close! I decided to explore La Fortuna, Jaco, and Manuel Antonio. Three different towns carrying three different energies. A genius decision, the trip was already off to a great start.
La Fortuna
I flew in to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. Reserved a rental car ahead of time via Expedia (https://www.expedia.com/cars) and made the 3 hour drive to La Fortuna, a small rainforest town northwest of San Jose. I spent most of my time in La Fortuna because there was so much to explore here. 5 days, 4 nights, 3 unique lodging accommodations consisting of 2 airbnbs and 1 luxury hotel.
Accommodations-
I kicked off my experience by booking a one night stay at The Dome, an airbnb that felt most similar to a glamping set up. Surrounded by trees and greenery, I showered, ate, and basically slept outside. 10/10 experience. As a camping amateur, one night here was the perfect amount of time. Get the experience, enjoy the outdoors, and leave the experience on a high lol.
The switch up from The Dome to Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa was quite drastic as far as vibes go. A 15 minute drive from the city center, I spent two nights here and enjoyed every single moment of it. Although I loved the outdoor nature vibe from night one, it felt great to sleep in a big comfy bed, have room service, and wake up to breakfast every morning; not to mention the room view of Volcano Arenal and the on-sight hot springs included in your stay were the perfect accessories to an already beautiful and detail oriented hotel. I love a good bang for your buck situation and I most certainly felt that with Hotel Arenal.
I wanted to experience a night right in the heart of La Fortuna so for my last night, I booked an airbnb literally 2 minutes away from the city center. A modern apartment with an indoor/outdoor aesthetic. Super cute spot but what I loved most about it was its location.The neighborhood felt so authentic. I wouldn’t be surprised if my next door neighbors were Costa Ricans. I love to immerse myself into the culture and talk to/people watch the townies, so of all the stays, I felt like I could do that most at this airbnb.
Eatery -
Tiquicia Restaurante - This place takes the #1 spot for my absolute favorite meal. WOW I can literally taste the tender pork and the heavenly flavors as I type 🤤 YUM! ‘Lizzie McGuire, YOU ARE A RESTURANT REPEATER’ lol (iykyk) because yes I definitely came here twice, on two different days, and ordered the exact same meal (chifrijo tiquicia) which I don’t normally do. I encourage travelers in new countries to try as many new foods as possible but this meal guys!! This meal just HAD to be ordered twice (at minimum) that’s how delicious it was.
Rainforest Cafe - Came here for breakfast. Seems to be a quite popular spot right located in the city center. Yummy food. I ordered a breakfast burrito. It was good but it wasn’t delicious. I’d try something new if I were to go again.
La Forchetta - Came here for dinner. An authentic Italian restaurant. The owner is originally from Italy but has been living in Costa Rica for a few decades now. SO SWEET! I’d come back here every time I’m in La Fortuna just to pay him a visit. On top of the amazing customer service, the food was great and the ingredients tasted really fresh.
Activities -
La Fortuna Waterfall - Stunning. The park is open 7 days a week from 7am to 5pm. The $20 entrance fee and the 500 steps down (and of course back up 😅) are totally worth the serene environment. I always recommend arriving early to beat the crowds. I got here at 7:30am and by 8am the first wave of a big crowd had already arrived. Bring water shoes and feel free to swim towards the waterfall. It is a strong current and I didn’t notice any nearby lifeguards so swim at your own risk! Be safe!
Mistico Hanging Bridges - I actually enjoyed this activity more than I originally thought I would. Closed shoes are required as there is lots of walking involved as well as hills and inclines. 22 bridges in total and 6 of those are wobbley (but secure) hanging bridges. I went mid-day and the heat was blaring so I’d recommend going in the morning, bringing water, and wear sunscreen. $32 entrance fee for an approximate 2.5 hour tour. I wanted to walk at my own pace so I booked the self-guided tour and made it through the entire park in about 1.5 hours. If you actually want to see the animals, I recommend having a tour guide as they are much more informed about the park and will be able to spot animals throughout the tour. I personally think the very first hanging bridge has the best view so make sure to get your pictures in!
Arenal Mundo Aventura Zip Lining - I’ve been on a few zip lines throughout my adult life, and I feel confident saying one of my favorite zip-line experiences was had via this activity. I booked the AMA extreme experience in advance via the official website www.arenalmundoaventura.com/ which consisted of 7 different zip lines. The longest one toping La Fortuna waterfall and showcasing an amazingg view of the rainforest. SO much fun. The company offers complimentary shuttle pick up and drop off to and from your hotel, but you do have the option of drive to the facility as well as there is lots of parking.
El Salto - I looovveeeddd El Salto! This free activity felt so authentic to the La Fortuna culture. Like I could totally envision local kids coming here to have fun and escape the Costa Rican heat. Swimming in rivers, jumping in via rope swings, chillin’ on a big rock taking in the views - y’all I had a ball here! I actually recommend going mid day when there are a few more people outside. I was able to meet, talk, and laugh with so many locals and foreigners which only enhanced my experience. If your stay is close enough, I’d recommend walking here as parking is limited, however, there is free nearby parking. There will sometimes be “parking attendants” present that will tell you there is a parking fee. Y’all don’t fall for the scam. These people are only trying to make quick cash. Parking is essentially free. You can CHOOSE to pay them if you’d like or you can CHOOSE to not pay them. Completely up to you.
Tabacon Hot Springs - THEE hot springs resort in La Fortuna. Beautiful and relaxing ambiance. $89 day pass entrance fee. Open 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm. On site restaurant, pool bar, bathrooms, showers and day beds readily available. The number of day visitors are limited so I recommend booking this activity in advance via Tabacon’s official website (www.tabacon.com/product-category/one-day-pass/) Bring water shoes if you have them as the pool floorings consist of rocks and gravel. Spend a couple hours here
to exist in a relaxing state and recharge your body. Every single spring pool here is warm/hot. So if you don’t really like jacuzzis, this might not be the place for you as there are no pools cooler than 77 F (25 C). There are obviously many different hot spring locations available in La Fortuna. Some free, some for a fee. Tabacon is definitely a more luxury experience but if you’d like to save a buck or two, definitely do your research on the free hot springs around town. They may not be as nice, but the hot springs experience can still be had.
Jaco
Jaco is a beachy town southwest of San Jose. I heard this is the place to be if you want to experience night life catered more so towards tourist so we packed our bags and made the 3-4 hour drive from La Fortuna. Ugh, Jaco was NOT my favorite location y’all. I’m sure there’s so much more of the town to explore but my first impression from my 24 hour Jaco stay was that it gave Vegas strip, Costa Rica edition. Loud, busy, dirty.
Accommodations -
I booked a one night stay at a beachfront airbnb apartment literally on the sands of the beach. It was a pretty spacious three story apartment with the living room area on the first floor, bedroom on the second floor, and master bedroom on the top floor with a very small pool overlooking the beach. Great for a one night stay but I actually wasn’t the most comfortable here. It didn’t give the ‘homey’ vibe that I love and it kind of forced everyone to separate into their bedrooms as the living room area didn’t offer enough comfortable seating. The apartment had the beach view on one end and the strip on the other so it was very much so in the hustle and bustle of it all. Waking up and being able to walk straight onto the beach was nice, but if I were to stay in Jaco longer stay, i’d switch out the walk onto the beach off the wake up for a quieter area and a more comfortable home.
Eatery -
Now if you watch any of my travel VLOGS on youtube, you know I love me some delicious food. I want to give a disclaimer and reiterate that I was in Jaco for less than 24 hours so the chances of me missing great food options are high. I actually think I need a complete redo of Jaco just to really try new food options alone but with that being said, I was quite disappointed with my meals in this town.
KFC - I know what some of y’all may be thinking! “KFC is another country!?! WHY!” However!! If you know, you knowww, KFC is supposed to go UP in another country. It’s supposed to be SO good, the chicken is supposed to hit SO different and I simply wanted to test that theory. Y’all when I say I went in with such high expectations and was let down completely. I’m not kidding. This was actually the worst KFC experience i’ve ever had. I went to the location right on the strip (mistake #1) so it wasn’t the cleanest spot. Ordered a chicken sandwich that was sloppy and dry. Fries weren’t fresh. I don’t even think I enjoyed my drink. Overall just bad food.
La Artesanal - Now this cafe was really cute. A small outdoor/indoor vibe with good food at a good price. Breakfast sandwiches, parfaits, smoothies, omelettes and more; FINALLY a decent meal in Jaco lol. Order the Bruschetta! OMG so good. La Artesanal felt authentic to costa rica. I wish I experienced more restaurants like this in Jaco. I recommend.
Activities -
Now I didn’t actually experience any of the nightlife mainly because of the unexpected downpour. The rain took over and so comfort and sleep took priority. Although I stayed inside for my ONE night in Jaco, I did do some research prior to coming. If all went as planned and I did make it out, I’d experience one (or both) of these two places.
XTC - Pretty much the same vibe as Orange Pub however the music scene seems to be a lot more diverse. Hip Hop, Reggaeton, Afrobeats, R&B.. etc. Smaller dance floor, recommended to get a table, and they offer hookah. Open Wednesday - Sunday from 8pm to 2am.
Orange Pub - Open 7 days a week from 7pm to 2:30am. If you want a casual bar vibe with music and drinks, go earlier in the night. If you want to experience more of a cluby type of vibe, go after 11pm. Mainly Hip Hop/Reggaeton music. Most recommended spot for nightlife in Jaco. Of course be safe and always be aware of your surrourdings.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is the perfect middle child to La Fortuna and Jaco. A resort town more so catered towards vacationers that def gives beachy but also has some hints of jungle. A 3 hour drive from San Jose, but just a little over an hour scenic drive from Jaco, which was actually quite lovely. Some what of a short distance, beautiful views, and yummy fruit stands on the side of the rode really contributed to the fun mini roadtrip.
Accommodations -
Shana By The Beach is a cute and affordable 4 star hotel located on a massive hill. The staff was super warm and welcoming and the views from my room were beautiful. The standard pool area was nice, but I love that they considered individual adults by including a separate ‘adult only’ pool. My room was situated at the top of the hill so getting down and then back up from the pool/restaurant/bar area was a workout chilllleeeee. Luckily, for moments that I wanted to be lazy, they offered a shuttle service via golf carts to take you up and down. A standard breakfast was included with my stay and we were accompanied by monkeys who came to say hi and steal food lol. I enjoyed my stay here. Nothing too luxurious, but it was nice, clean, and i loved the location. Great for a 2 night stay. I will say that all rooms do not hit the same. My best friend got a room on the ground floor and while there was still somewhat of a view, it didn’t hit the same as the rooms above ground so i’d recommend requesting a top floor room if you can.
Eatery -
YUM!! I had some really good meals in Manuel Antonio but I really wanna put emphasis on the coconuts! THE COCONUTS YALL!!! Chefs Kiss. Some of the sweetest I’ve every tasted in life. I understand that coconut water is an acquired taste but I encourage everyone to at least try it. The ones sold on the side of the road are perfectly fine. If you’re already a coconut water lover, you’ll definitely be so satisfied by the ones in Costa Rica.
Shana By The Beach - I had free breakfast and a paid lunch/drinks while staying at this hotel. The breakfast was quite standard, Not my favorite, but not bad. It gave buffet style and some of the dishes were a little cold. The lunch here was a la carte and I will say that it hit much different than the breakfast. Ceviche, the burger and fries.. all pretty good! The drinks, however, were just alright. It gave cheap liquor and a lot of sugar.
Bahia Azul - YUM! An extensive menu with authentic Costa Rican dishes. YUM! The flavor was THERE. I ordered a grilled shrimp plate that came with rice and salad.. SO GOOD. Highly recommend for food and vibes.
Delicias - Cute cafe in the cutest town, Dominical. A mix of American and Costa Rican foods. Very impressed with their juices and smoothies. It gave freshly squeezed, fresh picked fruit.. just FRESH. all the way around. I ordered a breakfast burrito that lacked flavor and was quite underwhelming but my best friend loved it so to each its own. The french toast paired with strawberry jam, on the other hand, was delicious. Their toast, egg, sausage, and rice plate.. delicious. All in all, I would definitely recommend this place. I’d go back tomorrow if I could!
Restaurante Cerdo Feliz - OMG THIS RESTURANT! TOP TIERE FOOD. My favorite meal in Manuel Antonio. Such a cute mom and pop shop located within the hills. Good price, good food, beautiful presentation. The restaurant itself has table games such as cards, Jenga, Connect Four.. etc, creating such a fun and interactive experience. I ordered chicken fajitas and nachos; both BOMB. Absolutely loved this place.
Activities -
Manuel Antonio (Quepos) has a lot to offer and I really do feel like it gives range as far as things to do. You can hit the beach, relax at a resort all day, enjoy night life, visit national parks, chase waterfalls, explore nearby town.. the possibilities are endless and its one of the main things that I really appreciate about this town and neighboring areas.
Nauyaca Waterfalls - The most serene waterfalls in Costa Rica. My absolute favorite of the ones I’ve visited. About an hour drive away from Shana By the Beach. Woke up early and hit the road; aiming to be there as soon as they open. Entry fee was $32 per person. You have the choice of hiking to the waterfall or hoping on a shuttle for a small extra fee. I HIGHLY recommend getting on the shuttle. It was somewhat of a longer drive to the waterfall (Maybe 10 min give or take) and obviously an even longer walk. We drove past a few women who decided to hike the trail and those same women STUGGLED walking back up. SO much that they asked to car pool for the remainder of their hike. It’s a tough one y’all, definitely advanced skill level hike. Anyways, the waterfall itself was stunninng. The water felt amazing. You can swim across the pond and jump off of rocks. Just. beautiful. A beautiful experience.
Dominical - A super cute town not too far from Nauyaca Waterfalls. I’m not gonnna lie, this town is a vibeeee. It’s so small and tightly knit. Good restaurants, small shops, minutes away from a gorgeous beach, grocery stores, small businesses… it’s just SO CUTE. I rented a motor bike for $40 and literally explored all day,
Bahia Azul - This place was recommended by a local while on the hunt for some late night grub and it did not disappoint. On top of the food being absolutely superb, the vibes were equally immaculate. Authentic Costa Rican music, so many locals out on the dance floor, great crowd, great DJ; I LOVED this place. I felt so emerged into the culture. Such a fun night filled with laughs, food, and good company. 100% authentic Costa Rica vibes. Highly recommend.
TRAVEL
VLOGS
