Slomad Travel in Costa Rica

A typical immersive Costa Rica trip is seven to nine days and includes visits to some of the country’s most popular highlights. These are usually places such as Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, and then a third location like Monteverde if there is time.

Recently, I see many of our travelers realizing that they don't want to leave feeling like they need another vacation to recover from their vacation. Instead, they’re choosing to stay longer in fewer places and enjoy a more relaxed pace. And for travelers who can work remotely, Costa Rica makes it easy to balance mornings spent working from a hotel terrace with afternoons exploring waterfalls, beaches, or local cafés.

Slomad travel and longer stays are designed for anyone wanting to make the most of their vacation. This could mean remote workers, retirees, families, gap-year travelers, honeymooners, or repeat visitors who’ve already seen the country and want to spend more time truly getting to know it.

There are also some people who want to explore locations that they might feel comfortable calling “home” in the future. Relocation is an important step, so it’s a good idea to spend an extended vacation in a place before making a final choice.

Whether you want an adventure or a more permanent experience, Costa Rica rewards travelers who slow down. After all, this is what Pura Vida is all about.

The Arenal Volcano area offers you the chance to explore waterfalls, soak in hot springs, admire wildlife, discover the secrets of coffee farms, and simply enjoy the volcano views. It’s most suited for remote workers, wellness seekers, and slow-paced adventurers who want to immerse themselves in nature, community, and active outdoor living.

Life moves at its own pace in Puerto Viejo, and visitors quickly settle into the rhythm of bike rides, cafés, and the area’s rich culture. It’s best for travelers who enjoy beaches, Caribbean culture, biking instead of driving, and a slower daily rhythm.

The Blue Zone of Costa Rica offers so much to do and see. Find yourself even luckier if you get to know a local family and see what makes them one of the longest-living communities in the world. It’s perfect for travelers interested in wellness, surfing, and experiencing one of the world’s unique Blue Zones firsthand.

This is good if you want a little bit of city life. San José is the go-to choice, as it’s the capital city of Costa Rica. But dotted around the Central Valley there are volcanoes, coffee farms, and so many other hidden gems to find (if you’re OK with weathering some traffic). It’s ideal for travelers wanting easy access to coffee farms, volcanoes, day trips, and urban conveniences without feeling disconnected from the natural world.

When choosing your accommodations, it’s important to remember that comfort matters, but connection matters even more. I’d suggest properties close enough to a town that you can explore the area without feeling isolated, while still allowing you privacy and modern conveniences.

Some of my favorite options are:

• The Nayara properties (Tented Camp, Gardens, and Springs) in La Fortuna, where luxury is the gift that keeps on giving.
• Montaña de Fuego, also in La Fortuna. Its standalone casitas are cozy and are surrounded by expansive gardens, providing a home away from home.
• Si Como No in Manuel Antonio, which offers many on-site amenities and opportunities for the whole family, including a wildlife sanctuary.
• Aguas Claras in Puerto Viejo serves as a beautiful hub from which to explore the Caribbean coastline, including bikes you can take out for a spin and see the town.

For stays lasting over several weeks, it’d be ideal to get accommodations with more home-oriented amenities, such as full kitchens, laundry facilities, and outdoor living spaces. These small conveniences make longer vacations feel much more comfortable and heighten your sense of belonging. Your group might have specific needs as well, so make sure you confirm before booking if everything you need is provided.

Truly, four to five regions is perfect for a three-week trip, spending three or four nights in each location. You’ll get the best of each place, with flexibility for activities, relaxation, and exploration at your own pace.

With three weeks in the country, I like to recommend my travelers see both coasts of Costa Rica, no matter the season when they travel. It’s an experience not many get, and it lets you see that even this country is quite small, it offers a lot!

This is the order in which I’d organize the trip:

1. Puerto Viejo, to see the Caribbean coast from the get-go.
2. La Fortuna, to have an inland destination with extraordinary volcano views and lots of adventure.
3. Monteverde, or another cloud forest location, to get a taste of Costa Rica’s eco-tourism.
4. Manuel Antonio, to explore the country’s most popular national park and enjoy a lot of wildlife encounters.
5. A final destination that really caters to your preferences to focus on something you really want to do, such as the Central Valley, Guanacaste, Uvita, Jacó, or Nicoya.

Though our packages include transportation from one destination to another, when booking a longer stay it is a good idea to consider a rental car. It provides travelers the freedom and flexibility to grocery shop, discover smaller towns, and take spontaneous day trips without relying on transit schedules or organized tours.

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