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Regions at a glance
Schematic only, not to scale.
| Region | Best for | Nearest airport | Typical road time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | Dry-season beaches, sailing, volcano hot springs | Liberia (LIR) | Tamarindo about 1–1.5 h from LIR |
| Central Pacific | Short transfers, Manuel Antonio, surf lessons | San José (SJO) | Jacó about 1.5–2 h; Manuel Antonio about 3–3.5 h |
| Southern Pacific | Whales, waterfalls, Caño Island | San José (SJO) | Uvita about 3.5–4 h |
| Caribbean | Canals, village life, chocolate | San José (SJO) | Puerto Viejo about 4–4.5 h; Tortuguero by road + boat |
| Central Valley | Coffee, volcanoes, city culture | San José (SJO) | Most sights within 1–2 h |
| Arenal & Monteverde | Hot springs, hanging bridges, cloud forest | SJO or LIR | La Fortuna about 3 h from SJO |
Road times are estimates for good conditions; mountain roads, rain and weekend traffic can add an hour or more. Check a live map on the day you travel.
Region
Guanacaste
Sunny North Pacific coast.
Region
Central Pacific
Close to San José.
Region
Southern Pacific
Wilder coast, whale season.
Region
Caribbean
Different culture and calendar.
Region
Central Valley
Coffee and volcano day trips.
Region
Arenal & Monteverde
Volcano and cloud forest.