Travel Costa Rica - Pura Vida Mini Hostel Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a district located on the Nicoya Peninsula in the Province of Guanacaste.

While you are staying in Tamarindo, you might have time to explore more of Costa Rica. We have compiled a list of some popular – and our favorite – places to see in our beautiful country.

We have also provided detailed information on how to get to various destinations throughout Costa Rica, departing from Pura Vida MINI Hostel.

Destinations

San Jose

The city center is very mesmerizing so check it out to get a flare of the local people, culture and customs and be sure to check out the markets for souvenirs. Be sure to see the National Theathre of Costa Rica an Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.

Vulcano Poas

The best day trip out of the city, this volcano isn’t active anymore but instead features a sulfur water filled caldera. The water is so still and aquamarine like a painting, you almost think it’s fake. The area has some good hiking trails and is easily accessible from Alajuela center, where the international airport is also located.

The Orosi River Valley

If you need to get out of the city, consider taking a day trip to the Orosi River Valley, one of the most beautiful river valleys in the country. There are lots of little villages to explore along the way, and the river is very picturesque, making the area perfect for a lovely afternoon walk.

La Fortuna and Vulcan Arenal

One of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist attractions is Arenal, one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. There’s beautiful hiking in the area, geothermal springs, a gorgeous lake, and the popular La Fortuna waterfall. Most of the activities in this region center around the national park with bird watching tours and trekking. Most visitors to the Arenal Volcano National Park stay in nearby La Fortuna as accommodation is cheaper than the hotels at the foot of the volcano. Since this area is so popular, prices tend to be higher here than elsewhere in the country but you can still find good deals around.

Monteverde

This town in mountainous northwestern Costa Rica is renowned for its biodiverse cloud forests, and for outdoor pursuits from hiking to zip-lining. Famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve shelters countless wildlife species, including jaguars, ocelots and the colorfully plumed quetzal. The reserve’s well-marked trails cut through ferns and orchids, and way overhead, hanging bridges allow walks amid the forest canopy.

Manuel Antonio National Park

This park on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, encompasses rugged rainforest, white-sand beaches and coral reefs. It’s renowned for its vast diversity of tropical plants and wildlife, from three-toed sloths and endangered white-faced capuchin monkeys to hundreds of bird species. The park’s roughly 680 hectares are crossed with hiking trails, which meander from the coast up into the mountains.

Santa Teresa and Malpais

Want totally off the beaten track? The surf’s always up in the Costa Rican beach town of Santa Teresa. Bright sun and gleaming sands make the perfect backdrop to hang ten in the crystal-clear waters, and fishing, snorkeling and kite-surfing are popular among vacationers. Yoga and spa services are a must for the ultimate relaxation, and, at night, catch a glorious sunset on the same beach where earlier you caught a wave.

Tortugero

The North East part of Costa Rica is home to one of the oldest and by far least explored national park called Tortugeros National Park. Intrigue waterways will take you on a ride through unspoiled first growth forest, wild life viewing and stunning scenery. This place is home to miles of unspoiled beaches and lush tropical jungles where many species of turtles come to lay their eggs. Its a must to explore.

Corcovado National Park

This reserve on southwest Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula protects varied tropical ecosystems. Considered one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, its wildlife includes scarlet macaws, tapirs, jaguars and squirrel monkeys. Hiking trails follow coastal and inland routes through habitats ranging from Pacific beaches and mangrove swamps to lowland and montane rainforests.

Samara

Costa Rica’s hidden tropical paradise on the Pacific ocean. It is the perfect, long, white sand beach with shallow, gentle waters. Samara has a superb coral reef and its own picturesque and deserted wooded island in the bay – Isla Chora. It is popular with swimmers and surfers, and it is an ideal beach for your kids. Samara is not only a charming beach resort, with a wide choice of friendly and attractive hotels, Bed & Breakfast, homes for rent, restaurants, bars and discos, but, unlike other Pacific Ocean resorts, it is also a thriving fishing and farming community.

Nosara

Nosara is a cocktail of international surf culture, stunning back-road topography, jungled microclimates, moneyed expat mayhem and yoga bliss. It recalls Malibu, Oahu’s North Shore and Byron Bay, Australia, while remaining completely its own!

Chirripo National Park

If you’re an avid hiker or up for a challenge, consider booking a multi-day trek through Chirripo National Park. This park lies in the middle of the Talamanca mountain range and will give you great exposure to the rainforest environment. Pack well, and be prepared and safe for unexpected conditions.

Travel Info

To Santa Teresa/Mal Pais and Montezuma

Shuttle:
Pickup Time: 8:00 AM or 2:00 PM
Duration: 4+hours
Price: $50 per person (min 2people required in High Season and 4 people in Low)

Bus:
Tamarindo to Liberia
Liberia to Puntarenas
Take Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera
Paquera to Cobano
Cobano to Montezuma or Santa Teresa
Duration: 12+ Hours
Price: $15 Estimation per person

Car Rental:
Rental Companies in Tamarindo with one way drop off in Santa Teresa:
Duration: Can be driven in 5-6 hours depending on your stops
Price: Varies
Can Be Cost Effective with 3 or more people
Recommend 4 wheel drive especially during the Rainy/Green Season

To La Fortuna – Vulcan Arena

Shuttle:
Pickup Time: 8:00 AM or 2:00 PM
Duration: 4-5 Hours
Price: $42 with Interbus; $52 with Grayline
Depends on Availability
Bus:
Tamarindo to Liberia
Liberia to Canas
Canas to Tilaran
Tilaran to La Fortuna
Duration: 8-10 Hours (depending on your bus connections)
Price: $12 Estimation per person

*The last buses going from Tilaran to La Fortuna are in the early afternoon so we recommend leaving as early as possible in order to get here in one day.

To Monteverde (Santa Elena)

Shuttle:
Pickup Time 8:00 or 2:00
Duration 4-5 Hours
Price: $42 with Interbus (only leaves at 2:00 PM Daily); $53 with Grayline leaves at 8:00 AM or 2:00 PM

Bus:
Tamarindo to La Irma
With Empresa Alfaro bus company : leaves only at 3:30 AM and 5: 30 AM Daily
La Irma to Santa Elena
With Transportes La Pampa and other bus companies: Tamarindo to Liberia
Liberia to Puntarenas (but asked to be dropped off at La Irma)
La Irma to Santa Elena

*The last buses going from La Irma to Santa Elena are in the early afternoon so we recommend leaving as early as possible in order to get here in one day.

To San Jose

Shuttle:
Pickup Time 8:00AM or 2:00 PM Daily Depending on Availability
Duration: 5+ Hours
Price: $52 per person
Drop off options: SJO San Jose airport or various locations in and around downtown

Bus – Direct:
Empresa Alfaro: leaves 3:30AM and 5:30AM Daily (12:00 noon on Sundays only)
Duration: 8-9 hours (does stop at SJO airport)
Price: $11 (estimate)

Tralapa: leaves at 7:00AM and 2:00PM Daily
Duration: 8-9 hours (does stop at SJO airport)
Price: $11 (estimate)

Non Direct:
Bus from Tamarindo to Santa Cruz
Frequent buses from Santa Cruz to San Jose
Or Bus from Tamarindo to Liberia
Frequent buses from Liberia to San Jose

Taxi:
Duration: 5-6 Hours
Price: $200-$300

To Samara

Shuttle:
Leaves Daily at 8:00AM and 2:00 PM Depending on Availability
Duration: 2 Hours
Price: $45

Bus:
Duration: 4 Hours Estimated
Price: $12 Estimated
Tamarindo to Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz to Nicoya
Nicoya to Samara

Alternative Shuttle:
Hybrid: Shuttle leaves at 8:00 will take you to Nicoya only
Duration: 1 hour
Price $30.
Take bus from Nicoya to Samara

To Nosara

Shuttle:
Leaves Daily at 8:00AM and 2:00 PM Depending on Availability
Duration: 3 Hours
Price: $50

Bus:
Duration: 4-5 Hours Estimated
Price: $12 Estimated
Tamarindo to Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz to Nicoya
Nicoya to Nosara

Alternative Shuttle:
Hybrid: Shuttle leaves at 8:00 will take you to Nicoya only
Duration: 1 hour
Price $30
Take bus from Nicoya to Nosara

To Nicaragua

Shuttle:
Pick up 4:30AM
Duration: Depending on destination and border crossing time
Price: $100
Drop off: Rivas, San Juan del Sur, Managua and Granada

Bus:
Tamarindo to Liberia (See Liberia Bus Schedule)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price 1500 colones or $3(estimate)

*At Liberia bus station we recommend the you purchase your (Exit Tax) for Costa Rica ($8). Follow the arrow painted on the wall that says Impuestos.
Liberia to Penas Blancas or La Frontera
Duration 2 Hours
Price: 1500 colones or $3(estimate)
Exiting Costa Rica and entering Nicaragua ($21est. total including exit taxes).

To San Juan del Sur Nicaragua

Shuttle:
Pick up 4:30AM
Duration: Depending on destination and border crossing time
Price: $100
Drop off: Rivas, San Juan del Sur, Managua and Granada

Bus:
Tamarindo to Liberia (See Liberia Bus Schedule)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price 1500 colones or $3(estimate)

To Managua

Taxi:
Price: $20

Chicken bus:
To Rivas change buses Rivas to Managua