First Time in Costa Rica: 10 Days of Adventure and Sloth-Spotting
High off my amazing trip to Mexico City I decided to head to Costa Rica! Visiting Costa Rica for the first time felt like stepping into a dream. We planned a 20-day journey across the country, and at the top of my bucket list was seeing my favorite animal—the sloth! We rented a car so we could explore the pacific side of Costa Rica then make our way down to the Oso peninsula. We stayed in a beautiful apartment, sloth sanctuary , and eco lodge deep in the rainforest ! In this guide, I’ll be sharing the highlights of our trip, from the incredible places we visited to the unforgettable meals we enjoyed.
Costa Rica: Where We Stayed and Where We Went
Over our 20 days in Costa Rica, we explored a mix of cities, coastal towns, and lush jungle escapes. Each stop gave us something new to discover—from wildlife encounters (there were a lot!) to beaches and hidden waterfalls. Here’s the order of our journey:
San José – Our starting point and introduction to Costa Rica.
Quepos – A cool fun coastal town and gateway to Manuel Antonio.
Manuel Antonio – Famous for its national park, beaches, and SLOTS!
Dominical – A smaller surf town with a bohemian vibe and chill beach .
Puntarenas – A seaside stop with local flavor, great seafood and animal sanctuary.
Nauyaca Falls – A breathtaking natural wonder tucked in the rainforest.
Osa Peninsula – Wild, remote, and full of incredible biodiversity.
Our Route Through Cities, Beaches, and Rainforests
After landing in San Jose we got our rental car and headed to Quepos where we were staying for the first half of our ten day trip. We stayed here Karl and Fred have a beautiful, spacious and cozy apartment centrally located but peaceful and quiet. They are kind hosts that will give you endless recommendations for things to do and see. I wanted to be near Manuel Antonio national park since I heard this was the best park to see Sloths! Quepos is a great starting point. Only a two hour drive from San Jose airport it’s a good sized city with well stocked super markets , clothing shops (if you didn’t pack enough !)bank and money exchange. It’s close to other cool towns like Dominical, Puntarenas, Tamarindo, and Nauyaca Falls.
Quepos
On your way to Quepos from San Jose stop at Rio Tarcoles! This is the crocodile bridge. We got out to see the crocs and take pics! To be honest I was scared to lean too far over and get a better pic! We heard a man wandered down there one night (drunk I presume) to get a closer look and well ,no ones heard from him since. What amazes me is as you drive is that it’s so green. The rainforest here is really breathtaking. I recommend renting a 4×4. Costa Rica has an extensive network of Highways and the roads connecting the major cities – tourist areas are easily driven by a car. However IF you plan on exploring off the beaten path like we did the roads can be quite rough when you’re not on the main highway and after the rain it can get quite muddy, you could get stuck! Crossing from the pacific coast to the Caribbean side we stopped to tow a family stuck in a mudslide! Driving in Costa Rica had it’s challenges ! (more on that later) Have your morning coffee with a side of the most breathtaking view at baguette
Puntarenas – Dominical -Manuel Antonio
My first time seeing Sloths was in Puntarenas at the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. There were only two and both of them were three fingered and female. You’re not allowed to touch them and they are in a small enclosed area. It’s a beautiful place with an incredible view and they have GREAT Tamarindo margaritas! If you don’t want to do the tour enjoy lunch in their cafe . We stayed here and loved our room . Spacious , serene , delicious food and fully equipped with a full kitchen which I cooked in .
Dominical is where we found our favorite beach . Since August is a slower season the small town was nearly empty . You’ll find one paved main street with pretty much all the cafes and shops Dominical has to offer. Cafe Mono Congo had great coffee and breakfast . Next door is Mama Toucans . Stock up on healthy groceries if you plan on cooking and they have the most delicious coconut ice cream! This market has a great vegan – vegetarian selection and a lot of handcrafted soaps , shampoos and great gifts. I found some of the best handcrafted and cool souvenirs in Dominical for family and friends .
If you’re planning to go to Manuel Antonio Park you can purchase tickets here Tickets are only available online and not at the park . I’d also consider booking a guide. Yes , you can tour the park on your own and there’s an abundance of wildlife you can easily see. However, sloths tend be be higher up the trees and more elusive so I booked a guide and private tour. My guide was fantastic . Sloths, birds, snakes, monkeys and so many insects . Our private tour finished at Manuel Antonio Beach – Espadilla Sur which was a fantastic way to end the day!
Oso Peninsula
Driving to the Osa Peninsula was an adventure in itself! The further we went, the more remote and wild the landscape became—winding roads, dense jungle, and the occasional river crossing made the journey feel like we were heading into one of the last untouched corners of Costa Rica. By the time we arrived, it was clear why the Osa is known as one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
Heading south the map says two hours, well this turned into six hours! I booked the weekend at a place called Luna Lodge located on the peninsula overlooking Corcovado National Park. The closest town and last stop is Puerto Jimenez. The road from Puerto Jimenez is 45 km and should take an hour and a half… It took us almost three hours. It’s not a road but gravel, with huge potholes and you have to cross 7 rivers then go up two mountains.. Trip advisor doesn’t tell you this! Even a 4×4 wouldn’t make it! We somehow managed to get about 4km away from the lodge in our car with people (when we would come across them) looking at us like what the heck ! If you can picture the roughest terrain in the jungle at night this is what we were driving through! I literally had no idea! There is a ranch about 4km from the lodge owned by a sweet Canadian couple who are used to seeing people and tourists stuck so her husband and his horse go up the mountain to the lodge to tell them “hey you have two people who want to check in!” and then he rides down and then someone from the lodge eventually gets the truck and comes to get you . We finally arrived to Luna Lodge and it’s breathtaking . Worth the rough drive! Sleeping in the rainforest with the constant hum of thunder, rain, insects, monkeys, was so calming . There’s no wifi you can just disconnect from the daily grind and truly enjoy the serenity and beauty around you .
Luna Lodge is truly an experience . Our stay included three delicious vegetarian meals (Check their site above for options) and their staff organized a private tour for us into Corcovado national Park. I was looking for a tapir ! I found two sets of tracks on both of the days I was there but no Tapir. I managed to hike 12 km in and out of the forest and avoided being pooped on by the monkeys which were very aggressive !I did spot some snakes , birds and enjoyed the beach. If you want to experience the Oso peninsula and make the drive yourself here are my tips ;
Use a 4×4 vehicle: Many roads are unpaved, steep, or have river crossings, especially during the rainy season.
Plan fuel stops: Gas stations are sparse once you leave Puerto Jimenez so fill up whenever you can.
Check the weather: Rain can make some roads slippery, temporarily impassable and the rivers high .
Pack essentials: Bring water, snacks, a first-aid kit, flashlight and a physical map in case GPS loses signal.
Start early: Driving during daylight is safer and allows you to enjoy the stunning scenery along the way.
Take it slow: The journey is as much about the adventure as the destination—stop to enjoy the views, wildlife, and small villages along the route.
We had four days left so we went back to Quepos and Nauyaca waterfalls Laying by the beach, swimming, seeing sloths. It was a really beautiful trip. Read all about our second trip to the other side of Costa Rica here . XO Tera
