We recommend spending at least 3 hours here! Im so excited for you to explore one of my favorite destinations in the world! They have plenty of different food options ranging from tacos, sushi, burgers, pizzas, and more so everybody in your group can find something! Its also slightly longer at 3 to 4 hours. Along your way, expect to spot toucans, bellbird, parrots, and other species. The mood here is quaint, casual, and authentic to the local surroundings outside. Day 5-6: Arenal (La Fortuna) Like Monteverde, Arenal is a hub for adventurous activity in Costa Rica, and the main town nearby is called La Fortuna.The How much will the above curated itinerary cost?The above Costa Rica itinerary 7 Days will cost you $900 $1200. Try out the thick, juicy steaks if you prefer dinner for two. The journey is quite scenic and you can stop over to click ample photos. We recommend that you check in three hours before your flight. Hiking to a waterfall is one of the most popular things to do in Costa Rica and should not be missed. Everything about Emilios Cafe is simply wonderful from the caring staff to the food, desserts, wine, and coffee. It includes all your transport, an English-speaking guide, lunch, snacks, and drinks for $133 USD. Costa Rica is also a relatively small country, making it the perfect destination to explore even on a week-long trip. Its one of our top choices for any Costa Rica itinerary! Head to San Gerardo de Dota for a serene bird-watching tour. Costa Rica budget toursCosta Rica luxury toursCosta Rica private toursCosta Rica self-guided tours5 days in Costa Rica2 weeks in Costa Rica10 days in Costa Rica. Dont forget: the park is closed on Monday. Brace yourself for lines at immigration if you arrive in the evening along with several other large flights from North America. you havent spent too many hours exploring the many awesome trails in Manuel Antonio National Park), then why not get the adrenalin pumping with a ziplining tour at El Santuario Adventure Park? Get instant access to lower prices. Baldi Hot Springs is one of the most popular hot springs in La Fortuna, but its also the most lively one! On your first full day in La Fortuna, we recommend you wake up early and make the short 15-minute drive to Arenal Volcano National Park. Then Costa Rica boasts high-end stays spread across the region. Once at the bottom, you can get some great pictures and swim in the pool below the waterfall or visit the calmer pools downriver for a more relaxing swim. Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoning Get ready to soak in this water-based adventure activity, as you rush through the gushing waters in the rainforest. Im so excited!! I hope this 7-day Costa Rica itinerary has helped you plan your upcoming trip to this gorgeous country. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Night tour of Mangroves on a boat. Grab the adrenaline rush with both hands as you shoot through the jungle on one of the countrys best zip lines. There are also lots of awesome restaurants in San Jose too, like Restaurante Grana DOro and Cafe Rojo, but we loved tasting the local cuisine at the Central Market. What to do in San Jose. Set amongst the rolling hills of Cordillera de Talamanca in the background theres nothing like witnessing wild bird species in a calm environment. Its a full-day tour at 12 hours long but is highly recommended. Chipotles offers authentic Mexican cuisine combined with international and Costa Rican gastronomy influences. Learn how the locals prepare coffee beans, how the seed germination is done, and witness their preparation up close by helping them. It makes an interesting start to your first full day in Costa Rica. Standing on the towns highest point, Hotel La Mariposa treats guests to a majestic 180-degree view of the Pacific Ocean, the National Park, and even the neighboring town of Quepos. We recommend limiting your itinerary to two destinations for a 7-10 day itinerary. Here, the family adventure continues as you explore the heavenly beaches, namely Tambor beach. Great Costa Rica Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend? Rock pool relaxing Its truly a fun way to indulge yourself in this cold-adventure sport, and I urge you not to miss it!Price You can expect a ticket fee of around $85 $90 per person. Although this might feel like a short time to explore Costa Rica, 7 days gives you enough time to see the countrys best highlights. Unfortunately, there is no direct bus from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio, so you will need to take no less than 4 separate buses to get there, which will take approximately 9 hours and thats providing there are no delays! Manuel Antonio and its neighboring town, Quepos, have the best selection of restaurants of any beach community in the country. Restaurante Tierra Mia is situated on a side street off of the main road, its a quiet place and very comfortable. On the way, keep an eye out for monkeys we saw around 15 in the trees here as well as toucans! Day 1 - San Jos, Costa Rica's capital Rent a car Visit the most populated city in Costa Rica Where to stay in San Jos? The springs feed dozens of pools at temperatures ranging from 72 F to 105 F (22 C to 40 C), so no matter your preference, you will surely find the perfect pool. La Mariposa has a lot more in store for its guests, too. Selina La Fortuna boasts 94 comfortably designed rooms accompanied by various amenities such as complimentary private parking, concierge services, baggage storage, and free Wi-Fi. Experience a canopy tour If you havent tried a canopy tour in San Jose, then you shouldnt miss out on experiencing this thrilling activity at Monteverde. This blog may contain affiliate links. To add some thrill to your Costa Rica journey, opt for a 44 jeep or a campervan. From exploring the stunning National Theater, which is one of the most prestigious buildings in Costa Rica, to learning about the citys fascinating history at the National Museum, its easy to spend several hours here and not get bored. Keep your eyes peeled for the parks most beguiling residents: endangered sea turtles, manatees, caiman, monkeys, sloths, and even jaguars. You can book a Standard Double Room here for as low as US$48 per night with discounts available during the low season. Mani also knew little gems to keep us occupied in free mornings/afternoons and was more than happy to use his free time to take us to them. You can see the expansive blue for miles on end with no obstruction at all. Along with the process, interact with the locals and get to know insider-destination tips for hidden getaways. In case you want a little bit more about the country, why not check out our guide on10 days or 14 days in Costa Rica? However, tourist guides & local information will be in English only, or in bilingual. Hotel Secreto La Fortuna is just a short drive from La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Volcano. The restaurant has a fantastic ocean view, and the surrounding rainforest is filled with wildlife. Late in the evening, you can explore the town, visit nightclubs & bars, and indulge in a delicious food experience. They have around 25 thermal pools around the property, surrounded by lush vegetation & clean amenities. Note: You can book the same tour through G Adventures from their official website. Its worth noting that Poas is a very active volcano (39 eruptive episodes since 1828!) Before I get to the itinerary part, its important to understand a few essential planning points before you plan any Costa Rica trips. This is especially true in Costa Rica because things are not very cheap here. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Theres also a thrilling surprise at every step, on what you encounter during your entire exploration. Other than the ones mentioned above, you can explore optional activities like hiking through Chirripo National Park, taking a beer tour, visiting Los Quetzales National Park, and taking free walking tours. Since, theres so much to explore keeping an extra day at this beautiful location does make sense! This 8-day Costa Rica trip takes you right into the heart of Costa Ricas most popular national parks such as Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and Manuel Antonio National Park. The country, while appearing small on a map, takes a long time to get around. Further along, youll see the Borbollones or Bubbling Hot Pot. Chat with a local travel specialist in Costa Rica who can help organize your trip. A bus can take you to most of the places & inner regions of the country, with affordable ticket rates. For your last day in Manuel Antonio, we recommend starting with a nice, easy activity, and that is walking to Biesanz Beach and from there walking along to North Espadrilla Beach. For major African countries, a mandatory yellow fever certification will be required. Other highlights here include six hanging bridges, 14 tree platforms, one double belay rappel, and 9 other double-anchored zip lines. If your flight gets in early enough and you have time, head downtown and tour the Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum) or the nearby Museo de Jade Marco Fidel Tristn (Jade Museum). Hotel Cultura Plaza is a contemporary hotel nestled in the heart of the city center and close to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Theater of Costa Rica, and the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and an attached bathroom. So, if youre looking for a more intimate and genuine hot springs experience, then I think youll fall in love with Titok Hot Springs, which are located in Arenal, a 15-minute drive from La Fortuna. Surprisingly, San Gerardo de Dota isnt yet a flourishing tourist attraction, so you can expect fewer crowds. The caf is situated behind Plaza Vista in central Manuel Antonio and it overlooks the Pacific Ocean, plus the food is all homemade. We recommend allowing a half-day, or more specifically, 5-6 hours here. Im a 22F taking my first solo trip to Costa Rica for one week in August. In fact, the restaurant is home to a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane. We highly recommend hiring a rental car to drive this route because that way, you can stop as you please along the way (At Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens.) You have plenty of dishes to try, like the Ginger and Panko-crusted Tuna (my favorite) in sesame salad dressing, Shrimp, Tequila-lime Scallops, and Tenderloin Steak, and tasty Mushroom Risotto for vegetarian selections. Located in the Central Americas region, Costa Rica is a top-rated tourist destination amongst travelers. Day 1: From San Jose to La Fortuna Every trip to Costa Rica probably begins in San Jose, the capital La Fortuna Waterfall Just across the Arenal Volcano, youll find a more serene natural spot La Fortuna Waterfalls. Waterfall trekking Costa Rica is paradise on earth this Central American gem is filled with lush green rainforest, golden sand beaches, plenty of adrenalin-fuelled activities, and of course, a nice sprinkling of Pura Vida!. Espadilla Beach (aka North Espadilla Beach) is a stunning stretch of beach that is a 30-minute walk from town. When I visited Costa Rica for the first time, the glimpses of rainforest areas and cloud forests really caught my attention. Related Read: Not keen on staying in the city? Day three in Monteverde is free to relax or try out other listed activities. Tabacn Hot Springs is one of my favorite hot springs in La Fortuna. Book your trip the night before; tour operators in La Fortuna keep evening hours for exactly that reason. The best for swimming is Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. Bliss! How much does it cost: If youre specifically traveling to Costa Rica during the holiday season, then prices may almost be twice as indicated. This is definitely one of the best hotels in Manuel Antonio town. Weve started this 7-day Costa Rica itinerary in San Jose because its where the large International Airport is located, and so is where most travelers begin their Costa Rica Adventure. WebDay 15 - Nayauca waterfall tour in the morning, Villa afternoon and swimming for the kids. We saw so much wildlife, including a huge green lizard and even a bullet ant, which is known to have the most painful sting of any insect on the planet. Bound, monkey-like, along specially built walkways that get you right up into the action in the tree canopies. From tarantulas to armadillos and large bugs you can expect to hop across them every now & then.Price Starting entry fee is $30 approx. For drinks, the fresh Costa Rican coffee will certainly put a spring in your step, but they also serve mimosas and fantastic smoothies too. 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