sample 10-day itinerary
day 1
Welcome to Cielo Azul en la Casa del Sol in Potrero!
Upon arrival at Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport n Liberia (LIR), pick up your rental car, consider picking up groceries at Walmart, and then drive ~50 minutes to the condo. If you're like me, you'll be anxious to dip your feet in the ocean, so unpack your bags, put on your swimsuit, lather up with sunscreen, grab some beach towels and some beach chairs, and walk 5 minutes to playa Penca. You won't believe the nice sand and how warm the water is! You will already feel the grind of the daily life start to melt away.
Once you start feeling peckish, head back to the condo and celebrate your arrival with a homemade pina colada that you can enjoy by the pool.
After a long travel day, you probably don't want to be driving anywhere for dinner, so just walk to one of several nearby options.
day 2
surfing in tamarindo
Tamarindo is a small town about 30 minutes south of Potrero. It's known as a surfing destination. Rent a board right off the beach, or sign up for some lessons. It does tend to be a busier place, so bring some currency to rent a palapas on the beach.
Back at the condo late afternoon, if surfing didn't wear you out, head over to downtown Potrero via playa Potrero for a nice sunset dinner. Hemingway's is right on the beach and will light up a big bonfire after sunset, but NASU and Mangue Tapas Bar are great options right off the beach as well. Or if you're looking to spice things up with some Mexican, El Diablito has amazing drinks and food.
day 2 Photos
Surfing in Tamarindo
Surfing in Tamarindo
Surfing in Tamarindo
Sunset dinner at Hemingway's
Sunset dinner at Hemingway's
Sunset dinner at Hemingway's
day 3
las catalinas hike or bike ride
Las Catalinas is a newer Italian-style community just 4 km north of Potrero and the condo. There you will find a network of hiking and mountain biking trails that provide great views of the area.
Drive to Catalinas through to the public parking area at the far end of the road. Walk over to Pura Vida Ride where you can pick up a map of the local trails for hiking or mountain biking. The store also has lots of bikes for rent. Whatever activity you choose to do, make sure to bring lots of water!
After your active morning, enjoy a nice lunch at Pots and Bowls and then chill on the local beach, playa Danta.
Head back to the condo late afternoon, in time to see the incredible sunset at playa Penca. For dinner, pick another local spot near the condo.
La Jama | La Pizzeterria Da Oreste | Sol y Mar | Las Brisas
And for a cooling desert, walk over to Gelateria . Just be careful of falling mangos from the tree as you savour your gelato outside!
day 4
Zipline and ATV
Rise and shine! Stretch your legs on playa Potrero on your way to breakfast at Nita Coffee or Cafe del Sol. Or if you want a closer option, you can also try Reparito right next to the condo or Soda Marcel a few steps away.
Next, it's adrenaline time with some ziplines and ATV at the Congo Trail. This is just a 15 minute drive from the condo, right at the river crossing on the Monkey Trail. If you prefer to skip the ATV but want bigger ziplines with some different options, you can try Diamante Adventure Park instead. It's just 10 minutes farther than the Congo Trail.
For dinner, why not keep the party going at one of several downtown Potrero bars with great night life such as The Shack or the Whiskey Howler.
day 4 Photos
Ziplines at the Congo Trail
Ziplines at the Congo Trail
Ziplines at the Congo Trail
ATV at the Congo Trail
ATV at the Congo Trail
day 5
Playa Real and Playa Roble
After a few days of higher intensity activities, it's time to get back to beach pace. Check out the tide tables and head over to playa Roble and playa Real at low tide. This is a 30 to 40 minute drive from the condo. Park at playa Real, then walk to your left along the shelf to access playa Roble and then Roca island. At low tide you can walk around the shelf of this island and explore the tide pools and all the crabs that scamper off as you approach. You might see some locals fishing there as well. Services are limited in this area, especially during the low season so bring a picnic and relax on playa Real after your exploration of Roca island.
If you're not yet "beached out", you can always check out playa Zapotillal on the way back as it's in the same area - and just as quiet.
If you time it right, you could have dinner in Brasilito on the drive back. There are several options include Patagonia del Mar, and Gracia la Vid to name a few.
Day 5 Photos
Playa Real
Roca island
Roca island
Roca island
Roca island
Playa Roble
Day 6
Rincon de la Vieja / Guachipelin
Time for another adventure day! Rincon de la Vieja is a national park with a volcano, and about 1h30 minute drive from Potrero. You can access this park for hikes, or sign up for various adventures through Guachipelin which owns adjacent land. You can choose packages from their website, but you can build your own day as well - just contact them directly. Here are a few recommendations.
- Horseback riding, and river tubing. This is followed by buffet lunch. You can then do the mud bath / hot springs in the afternoon.
- River tubing, buffet lunch (always included), followed by Oropendola waterfall and mud bath / hot springs in the afternoon
A few tips
- River tubing is a must and I recommend it in the morning
- There is a short (600m) walk across from the mud bath parking area that will take you to three small waterfalls. This is self guided and free and you can swim at each waterfall
- For an additional access fee, you can access the national park for some guided or self-guided hikes such as Las Pailas loop
- You can also combine a half day at Guachipelin with a half day at La Leona waterfall which is in the same area.
- Leave by 4 to avoid driving back in the dark
Day 6 Photos
River tubing at Guachipelin
Day 7
Beach walk and/or shopping, and a sunset cruise
Two great options for consideration today, depending on what kind of morning you feel like.
- Drive 10 minutes to Brasilito where you park and walk along the playa Brasilito and over onto playa Conchal. This gorgeous and long beach has sections of broken sea shells instead of sand as its beach.
- Or, drive 5 minutes to Flamingo and do a bit of shopping at the marina, and then enjoy playa Flamingo nearby.
- If you're looking for more typical beachside shops, drive 30 minutes north to Coco where you will find more typical beachside shopping.
For the afternoon, sign up for a catamaran sunset cruise. These will typically start at 2:30 and will first take you snorkelling at a more remote beach, provide snacks and drinks along the way, and then have you enjoy the sunset from the boat before bringing you back to port at around 6:30. There are several options for these sunset cruises including Panache Sailing and Lazy Lizard.
Day 7 Photos
Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo
Playa Conchal
Catamaran sunset boat tour
Catamaran sunset boat tour
Catamaran sunset boat tour
Day 8
Boat Safari in Palo Verde
Pablo Verde is a national park located on the banks of the Tempisque river and about 1h15 from the condo. It is a wetland that attracts a wide diversity of birds and fauna.
This half-day tour takes you on a boat safari where your captain and your guide will point out the variety of fauna, flora and birds along the river banks. Do bring your binoculars and your long lens for this! Booking can be made through this excellent family-run outfit - Palo Verde Boat Tours - and I recommend booking the morning tour with the lunch option.
Back mid afternoon, you have your choice of playa Penca or the pool to close out the day. Do listen for the howler monkeys - they are often near the condo before sunset and their "howl" is often mistaken for a barking dog. If you hear them, follow your ears to find them.
For dinner, walk 2 minutes from the condo to the north end of playa Potrero where you can have an oceanside dinner at Las Brisas.
Day 8 Photos
Palo Verde boat safari
Palo Verde boat safari
Palo Verde boat safari
Palo Verde boat safari
Palo Verde boat safari
Palo Verde boat safari
Palo Verde boat safari
Day 9
Kayak, Paddle Board, or Boogie Boarding
On your last full day in Costa Rica, you have a few options to consider.
- Playa Prieta is one beach over from Playa Penca. You can walk there from Playa Penca, either around the shelf or on the short inland trail. You can also drive there if you want. Playa Prieta is another gorgeous beach with lots of shade, and usually some good waves for boogie boarding.
- Or, head over to the Sailing Center on Playa Potrero (right next to Hemingway's restaurant) and rent a paddle board or a kayak for a few hours and explore the area at your leisure.
Sentido Norte is THE place for sunset and dinner to close out your vacation. It is located high up and right at the entrance to Las Catalinas, just a 5 minute drive from the condo. From this perch, holding a fabulous drink in a casual lounge setting, you will have views of several of the beaches that you've visited (Penca, Prieta, Danta) right through sunset. Then move to the restaurant area for some of the best dining in the area. If you want to be there for sunset and for dinner, be sure to make two reservations as they are considered separate. You will need to phone or email to set that up. Also, note the dress code on the website.
Day 9 Photos
Playa Prieta
Playa Prieta
Poor Calzon beach
Poor Calzon beach
Poor Calzon beach
Sentido Norte
Sentido Norte
Sentido Norte
Day 10
Last Day...
Depending on your departure time, you may have one last chance to dip in the ocean at Penca and get one more gelato. If you have a lot of time, you can consider several options including deep sea fishing or golfing. If you want to scuba dive, make sure to do that on an earlier day and follow guidance on how long to wait before boarding a plane.
Before you go, please make sure to write about your trip in our guest book, and then leave the condo key at security on your way out.
We hope you enjoy Costa Rica as much as we do.
Pura Vida!
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