Planning Your Time

Attractions near Braulio Carrillo National Park lend themselves to day trips from San José. Tour operators also have whirlwind daylong Tortuguero trips from the capital. We recommend you avoid these—the area really deserves two or, ideally, three days. Choose a single Caribbean destination and stay put if you have just a few days; Cahuita and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca are ideal for that purpose. If you have a week, you can tackle the north and south coasts.