In this series of posts, we answer common questions about traveling to Costa Rica. We often hear from travelers who want to visit both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts during their visit. In this post, we’ll explain some ways to do that and which airports make the most sense.
Question
“Hello, we are a family of 5 planning to travel to Costa Rica for two weeks in March. We have noticed some good airline prices and want to book, but our itinerary isn’t set yet.
We’d love to see both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts but not sure if that’s realistic. Would you suggest flying in and out of San Jose (SJO) or is it worthwhile using Liberia (LIR) on one end of the trip to shorten drive times to a key destination? We can easily get international flights to either airport.
Our priorities are seeing wildlife and jungle as well as some beach time. Can you suggest some key destinations you’d prioritize for our family? The kids will be ages 2, 7 and 9. We’d pictured ourselves renting a car.”
Answer
Overall, for wildlife viewing, jungle, and visiting both coasts, we would say that SJO Airport would give you the most options. That way, you could visit the Caribbean coast (Tortuguero, Cahuita, or Puerto Viejo de Talamanca) and the central Pacific coast (Jaco or Manuel Antonio) with the least amount of traveling in between.
That being said, if you incorporated Liberia Airport (LIR), it would open up some additional options.
We have a coast-to-coast itinerary, which does this. It visits Tortuguero (remote wildlife viewing destination on northern Caribbean coast), La Fortuna/Arenal, and ends at the beach in Guanacaste (near LIR). It is tailored for the rainy season but can be nice any time of year.
Just keep in mind that the Guanacaste region is typically very hot and dry in March. This is great for beaches but not very good for wildlife viewing.
Another variation would be to fly into SJO and go to Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero, and then end in La Fortuna. La Fortuna is about the same distance (2.5 hour drive) from either SJO or LIR. All three locations have amazing wildlife and jungle.
One final idea to limit driving a bit (since you have younger kids) would be to stick to the Pacific coast and inland destinations. From SJO Airport, you could visit Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, and then La Fortuna, flying back out of SJO or LIR. The Caribbean coast would have to wait for another trip with this one, though.
We hope this helps narrow down your possibilities for seeing both coasts of Costa Rica!
Looking for more information to help you plan your trip? Check out these resources:
Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Clearing Up the Confusion – You might be tempted by online car rentals that are just $1 per day. But be careful, those prices don’t hold up once you arrive in the country. Learn what to look for in a quote and get a discount through our special link.
La Fortuna: What to Expect from Costa Rica’s Most Popular Destination – La Fortuna (Arenal) is incorporated into many itineraries and for good reason. Learn what this region offers for hotels and things to do.
Family Travel – Taking the kids to Costa Rica for the first time? We’re constantly traveling in Costa Rica with our two boys and share lots of insights with these family-focused articles.