Picking where to stay in Costa Rica can make or break your trip. The North Pacific coast feels completely different from the South. Beach towns have their own personalities. La Fortuna up in the mountains is nothing like the surf scene in Santa Teresa. You need to match the location to what you actually want out of your vacation.
I’ve driven all over Costa Rica filming these places for my YouTube channel. I stayed in condos in Playas del Coco. I walked the nightlife strip in Jaco. I dealt with the rough roads getting into Santa Teresa. I woke up early in La Fortuna hoping the clouds would clear off Arenal Volcano. These aren’t just places I researched online. I actually stayed there and figured out what works.
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This guide covers four different areas I know well. Each one serves a different type of traveler. I’ll break down the neighborhoods, tell you what it actually costs, and explain the logistics of getting there. By the end you’ll know exactly which area fits your trip.
Table Of Contents
Estimated Reading Time: 20 Minutes
Playas del Coco & Ocotal: Best for First-Timers
Why This Area Works for First-Timers
Playas del Coco is just 30 minutes from Liberia International Airport on well paved roads. This is the closest real beach town to the airport. Not a resort complex. An actual Costa Rican town with supermarkets, banks and restaurants.
The area gives you options. Playas del Coco has a variety of dining and nightlife options. Playa Ocotal is 10 minutes away with some of the best snorkeling and quieter beaches. You can stay in one spot and do both.
Where to Stay: Neighborhood Breakdown
Los Palmas (northern Coco) has cheaper condos close to the beach. Small commercial area with a supermarket, coffee shop, and restaurants. Quieter than downtown at night.
Downtown Coco puts you in the middle of everything. Main beach strip, restaurants, park. Water isn’t as clear here but you can walk everywhere. Gets busy on weekends. Parking is tight.
Pacifico is the gated development with higher prices. Auto Mercado is there as a higher end grocer. Pools and maintained grounds. They have a gym in the attached commercial plaza as well.
Ocotal has black sand, crystal clear water, and excellent snorkeling on both ends. Rough road for the last couple kilometers. Dolce Vita and Serena Suites are the main condo options. Less crowded than Coco but a bit of a drive to get to. You can rent a golf car to go between Coco & Ocotal.
Practical Details
The 30 minute drive from Liberia is straightforward until you hit the beach towns. Downtown Coco has paid parking and guys who watch your car for money. The road to Ocotal is mostly paved and a 5-10 minute drive from downtown Coco.
For groceries I often go toMega Super across from Pacifico. They have great selection and low prices. The Super Compro on the Ocotal road has cheaper prices as well. There’s a fish market on the road to Ocotal that sells fresh catches.
Playa Hermosa is 10 minutes away. Tamarindo is an hour south. Both easy day trips if you want to compare beach scenes.
Jaco: Best for Nightlife & Surf
Why Stay in Jaco
Jaco has the most developed nightlife of any beach town in Costa Rica. More bars and restaurants per block than anywhere else I’ve walked. The town runs along one main strip parallel to the beach. Everything is walkable if you can handle the heat.
The beach has year round surf. It’s close to San Jose at about 1.5 hours. If you’re flying into SJO instead of Liberia, this is your easiest Pacific beach option.
The Jaco Experience
I walked the nightlife strip on a Tuesday night around 10pm. Still pretty lively. Orange Pub and XTC are the well known drinking spots. There’s a casino downtown. Rolling Thunder Saloon had a band practicing when I walked by.
The liquor store density is insane. You can’t walk more than a block without passing another one. Pizza Hut, KFC, Subway are all here if you need familiar food. Mega Super for groceries. There’s a Viniy convenience store at the main intersection downtown. It’s an easy stop for some basic groceries and things you need for the beach.
The walk from one end of the strip to the other takes about 20 minutes at a casual pace. Beach access points run along the whole strip. Some of the beach access points have better parking options that are closer to the water.
Jaco has a ladies of the evening scene. It’s just part of the town. You’ll get solicited walking around at night. The Cocal Casino is known for this. If that’s not your thing, just be aware it’s present.
Where to Stay in Jaco
I’ve stayed at the south end of Jaco as well. It’s quieter than downtown but still walkable to restaurants. The south end of the beach is also less crowded. Families with kids will appreciate the vibe and calmer waves at this end of the beach.
Downtown puts you right in the action. Walking distance to everything. It can get loud at night from the bars. If you’re here for the nightlife scene, stay downtown. If you want to sleep, stay at one of the ends.
What to Know
It’s hot and humid in Jaco. I was sweating just walking around at night. Bring light clothing. The heat during the day would be much worse.
Crowds pick up on weekends. Prices run higher than other beach towns because everything is more developed. You’re paying for the convenience and the scene.
Security is fine if you’re aware. I walked around at night with camera gear and didn’t have issues. Just don’t be stupid about it. The police presence is visible downtown but there will still be unbecomming behavior.
La Fortuna: Best for Adventure Base & Volcano Access
Why Stay in La Fortuna
La Fortuna is at the base of Arenal Volcano, about 3 hours from San Jose airport. This is the stopover point between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. If you’re doing a coast-to-coast trip, you’ll probably spend a night here.
The town exists because of the volcano and adventure tourism. Tour operators line every street. Hot springs are everywhere. The air feels fresh and cool compared to the beach. It’s a relief after the coastal humidity.
Arenal Volcano views depend entirely on cloud cover. Most times I’ve been here, clouds hide the volcano. The volcano is best seen in the mornings before the clouds set it, so take a look when you first wake up.
Downtown La Fortuna
The town is clean and well maintained. The central park has sitting areas, a big tree, and Christmas lights during December. Security guards patrol the park at night so families can enjoy it.
Everything is walkable downtown. Restaurants, tour operators, the church, grocery stores. Shops stay open late because tourists come back from day tours and need to eat or book the next activity.
There’s a few gyms right in the downtown square, which is great if you’re staying in a nearby hostel. You’ll also find a few large dollar style stores and grocery stores. The municipal bus station is a few streets over if you’re traveling by bus.
Where to Stay
When I visit La Fortuna I try to find hostels with private rooms. This gives the best bang for buck, as they usually have full kitchens. You’ll also find a lot of options on Airbnb on the outside of town. I found a nice 2 bedroom apartment about 3 minutes drive from downtown for a fair price.
Downtown is my preference though, as it puts you walking distance to everything. Restaurants, tour booking, the park. You’ll hear some noise at night but it’s not crazy like Jaco.
The road heading toward the volcano has resort-style accommodations and hot springs. You’ll need to drive or take tours to get back to town. Trade-off is better views and direct hot spring access.
What You Can Do
Free hot springs are down the road toward the town of Nuevo Arenal. Check the Youtube video for a review and tour of that location. There’s a lot of paid hot springs as well. These are resort style with multiple pools and bars, and a higher price.
Volcano hikes happen when weather permits. Hanging bridges, waterfall tours, all the standard adventure activities operate out of La Fortuna. You’ll have no trouble finding a tour operator to take you on these adventures.
The town itself has a modest night scene. Restaurants, a few bars, nothing wild. Most people are exhausted from day tours anyway.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I stay in Costa Rica for the first time?
Playas del Coco works best for first-timers. It’s 30 minutes from Liberia Airport on paved roads. You get a real Costa Rican town with supermarkets, restaurants, and nightlife instead of just a resort bubble. Ocotal is 10 minutes away for snorkeling. The infrastructure is solid and you can walk to most things downtown.
What’s the best beach town near Liberia Airport?
Playas del Coco is the closest real beach town at 30 minutes from the airport. The drive is straightforward on paved roads. You get actual town infrastructure with banks, grocery stores, and local restaurants. Downtown has nightlife and the beach. Los Palmas has cheaper condos. Ocotal is right next door for better snorkeling.
Is La Fortuna worth staying overnight?
Yes, especially if you’re doing a coast-to-coast trip. The town is 3 hours from San Jose and makes a good stopover. You need at least one night to do hot springs and volcano activities. The air is cooler than the beach, which is a relief. Downtown is walkable with good restaurants. Free hot springs are down the road toward the volcano.
Is it safe to travel to Costa Rica right now?
Costa Rica is generally safe for tourists. I’ve walked around Jaco at night with camera gear and had no issues. La Fortuna has security guards in the park at night. Downtown Coco has visible police presence. Standard safety rules apply. Don’t be stupid about it. Keep aware of your surroundings. Avoid sketchy areas that locals warn you about.
What are the best beaches in Costa Rica?
Ocotal has crystal clear water and excellent snorkeling on both ends. Black sand beach, less crowded than most. Playas del Coco is good for convenience and walkability. Santa Teresa pulls the surf crowd with consistent waves. Jaco has year-round surf but the water isn’t as clear. Each beach serves different purposes. Ocotal for snorkeling, Coco for first-timers, Santa Teresa for surf culture, Jaco for nightlife.
Do you need a passport to go to Costa Rica?
Yes, you need a valid passport to enter Costa Rica. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date. US and Canadian citizens don’t need a visa for tourist visits up to 90 days. Immigration will ask how long you’re staying and where you’re going. Have a return ticket ready to show them.
What’s the best time of year to visit Costa Rica?
December through April is dry season on the Pacific coast. This is peak tourist season. Less rain, more crowds, higher prices. May through November is rainy season but it doesn’t rain all day. Mornings are usually clear. You get better prices and fewer tourists. The Caribbean side has different weather patterns with rain possible year-round.
Should I stay in one place or move around Costa Rica?
Depends on trip length. One week or less, pick one base and do day trips. Two weeks, split between beach and mountains works well. Playas del Coco for 4-5 days, then La Fortuna for 2-3 days, then another beach town. Moving around every 2 days gets exhausting. Give yourself at least 3 nights per location to settle in.
Is Jaco safe for tourists?
Jaco is safe if you’re aware. Police presence is visible downtown. I walked around at night with camera gear without issues. The ladies of the evening scene is present, especially around Cocal Casino. You’ll get solicited walking around. Just be smart about it. Don’t flash expensive stuff. The nightlife scene attracts some sketchy elements but most tourists have no problems.
How far is Santa Teresa from Liberia Airport?
It’s a long drive from Liberia to Santa Teresa. Plan on several hours with winding hills and some rough road sections. From San Jose you can take the Puntarenas ferry to Paquera, then drive over. Either route takes significant time. The last sections can be chunked out depending on season. Consider if the surf scene is worth the journey for your trip.
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