If traveling on a guided tour, listen to all instructions received and keep a note of them. Mid-range Hotels Have a certain budget to spare for accommodation? Luxury Hotels Fancy up a stay? Sugar cane factory experience (making your own candy) 7 Days in Costa Rica: Our Recommended Itineraries, Costa Rica is a veritable nature wonderland, largely regarded as one of the world's last unspoiled wildernesses. The third bus is from Puntarenas to Quepos which is 2.5 hours and will cost you $5 USD. Poas is also one of the most famous volcanoes to visit in Costa Rica. Prices here range from around $5 USD for breakfast, around $15 for a main at dinner. You can even step a little further, and optional activities (which I will list down below) to the itinerary. Along the way, youll see Rio Celeste Waterfall, the Bubbling Hot Pot, and Tenidoros. 7 DAY COSTA RICA ITINERARY - My Darling Passport. For important safety guidelines & tips, visit the site to learn more. Mercadito Arenal is a relatively new gourmet food court in La Fortuna, offering tasty meals from a variety of restaurants and an exclusive Voodoo Mixology Bar. Within the national park, Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur offer more seclusion, but no real facilities. Moreover, you can book optional tours, flights & read more resources on this itinerary. If you dont have a rental car the next easiest way to reach Manuel Antonio is by booking a direct shuttle, like this one which costs $48 USD and will take 5.5 hours. Im a 22F taking my first solo trip to Costa Rica for one week in August. Night tour of Mangroves on a boat. Theres no better way to indulge in Costa Rican tradition than to embrace the local pura vida the pure life. Rock pool relaxing The second bus is San Ramon to Puntarenas which is 1.5 hours and will cost you $3 USD. Once youve refreshed in your hotel room after an epic morning and afternoon exploring, its time to head out again for something really cool a night walk and dinner tour of La Fortuna! You can relax, rejuvenate or dip into the cool waters. After checking into your accommodation in La Fortuna and provided its not getting dark, we recommend checking out La Fortuna Waterfall before you head out for dinner. There are 30+ guest rooms on the property, and a private bathroom is included in every room! Room rates here start as low as US$81 per night what a steal! Day 1: From San Jose to La Fortuna Every trip to Costa Rica probably begins in San Jose, the capital Irazu Volcano National Park. Click Here! This day is packed with adventurous fun that will surely pump your adrenaline to experience Costa Ricas wild side. It also features a massive jacuzzi that can hold up to 60 guests. Youll learn a ton about the park and volcano! This bridge crosses the river and is a popular gathering spot. Hot Tip: If you have an extra day or two to spare, add a stay in Jaco theres lots to do in this quirky town. Although La Fortuna is absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night! Feel free to reach out to our local travel experts who can help you design your personalized trip to Costa Rica. Along with the above-mentioned activities, you can also add Monteverde Butterfly Garden, El Trapiche, and Santa Elena Cloud Forest tours to your list. From a weeks journey to a 15 to 18-day tour plan, you can discover the best of the countrys famous destinations & top-notch attractions. This 4-in-1 tour includes a visit to the hanging bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, a volcano hike as well as Tabacon Hot Springs. Manuel Antonio National Park is open from 7 am to 4 pm every day. You can find an impressive lobby here, as well as an executive lounge, conference space, and an innovative restaurant. Weve covered all bases with this itinerary culture, volcanos, waterfalls, wildlife, and the beach! This easy-going Costa Rica tour is great for travelers who want to experience the best of Costa Ricas pristine coasts and rainforests. While on theMonteverde Cloud Forest Reserve tour, take a stop at the cheese factory before heading to the Pacific coasts Manuel Antonio National Park, an idyllic tropical beach landscape with activities including snorkeling and sea kayaking. (90 minutes by paved road from La Fortuna). This 7 day Costa Rica itinerary for families has maps and photos to help you plan and is perfect to fit into a 1 week spring break. As you explore the museum, youll come across various galleries showcasing true Costa Rican artworks. To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements. 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. The final activity on your 7 days in Costa Rica is this epic sunset cruise! You dont necessarily need to book a room to access the hot springs. Our top tip for these trails is to walk them slowly, as the slower you go, the more chance youll have at spotting wildlife like monkeys, macaws, sloths, snakes, and more! Follow up with a visit to one of many hot-springs complexes in the area as the sun sets behind Volcn Arenal. Our tour guide Manfredo was awesome, a very nice guy who made sure everyone got the best experience Costa Rica has to offer. Rio Celeste is open from 8 am to 4 pm, and its best to visit early in the morning when it is less crowded. Along with that, its history and exquisite architecture add a whole discovery when youre traversing around the city. Along your way, expect to spot toucans, bellbird, parrots, and other species. Dont forget: the park is closed on Monday. You can stay here for as little as US$65/night with deals available during the low season. While on the, 7 days in Costa Rica offers the opportunity to explore some of this Central American nations most phenomenal natural sights. One of Costa Ricas most popular strands of sand, Playa Espadilla hums with activity on weekends and holidays. They specialize in Asian cuisines and Vietnamese-inspired dishes prepared with local ingredients and fresh products. Costa Rica is even safe for tourists willing to solo travel. The area is famous for adrenaline activities such as a canopy zip-line tour, ATV tour, or canyoning. To add some thrill to your Costa Rica journey, opt for a 44 jeep or a campervan. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent views and even see where the lava from the last major eruption oozed down the side of the volcano. The caf is situated behind Plaza Vista in central Manuel Antonio and it overlooks the Pacific Ocean, plus the food is all homemade. The pools are nestled in beautifully landscaped gardens and are lit with multi-colored ambient lighting at night. In the end, head to the Coffee Lab to taste some of the finest samples of coffee. Right in the heart of San Jose sits Caf Rojo, a trendy coffee shop, restaurant, and cultural space. Agua Azul Caf is located on the main highway in a strip mall with an open parking lot. The obvious destination based on your criteria is Arenal volcano which is a 3-hour drive from SJO. La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica: Everything you need to know. We recommend that you check in three hours before your flight. You should book the cruise online in advance as there are limited spots available. Along with a Costa Rican guide below, Ive also curated a detailed 7 days Costa Rica road trip itinerary to plan you help your journey well. When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?Weather in Costa Rica: December, January, February, March, and April. These months make up the Dry Season, which is also peak tourist season. Travelling to Costa Rica in May and June. Visiting Costa Rica in July and August. Weather in Costa Rica: September, October and November. Be part of a volunteer program in Costa Rica. 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. La Fortuna is one of the best areas to stay in Costa Rica with a selection of hotels here are our favorites! Be sure to get to the park when they open at 8 am so you have plenty of time to explore (you have other activities to on this day of your Costa Rica itinerary). This is especially true in Costa Rica because things are not very cheap here. 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. Your trip to Costa Rica most likely starts in San Jose, the countrys capital city and one of the only two Day 2: Hot Springs and Volcano Arenal. And if rustic camping is not your thing, there are plenty of room options to choose from. Hanging bridges tour WebTropical Costa Rica (Mar 2023) - 9 day tour from San Jose roundtrip Book NOW to receive Free Gratuities on almost ALL 7+ Night Norwegian Cruise Line sailings through March 11th! If you dont want to drive there yourself, consider this Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour ,which costs $90 USD, and includes your lunch, fruit snacks, water, and transport from Manuel Antonio. Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoning Get ready to soak in this water-based adventure activity, as you rush through the gushing waters in the rainforest. Especially, when a country like Costa Rica is abundantly filled with luxury stays, budget-friendly hotels & fancy lodges. Night tour of rainforest Experiencing the rainforest by night is an interesting way to catch up with countless nocturnal. Youll meet your guide at the park entrance and explore, spotting a ton of wildlife and learning about the area. Approximately 40-minutes from Poas Volcano National Park is La Paz Waterfall Garden, and we think this should be your next stop on your drive from San Jose to La Fortuna. Day 2 - Santa Elena, your base for the Monteverde rainforest Where to stay in Santa Elena Day 3 - Visit the Monteverde rainforest A few facts Visiting the rain forest and driving on the same day? Make sure you book a ticket online on the SINAC website in advance since a limited number of tourists are allowed per time slot to visit the crater. Especially, trying this activity in misty Monteverde is a special experience. Zipline over treetops in Monteverde before taking a boat to La Fortuna where you will hike trails around the iconic Arenal Volcano. Set amongst lush vegetation, this hot springs resort boasts 25 thermal water pools with temperatures ranging from 93F to 152F. Health & Safety: Costa Rica is a safe country. Try out the thick, juicy steaks if you prefer dinner for two. The atmosphere is unique because the owners converted an old mansion into a magical place while maintaining stylish touches from the ancient building. This is the gist of what you can see & do at San Jos on day one of your tour. Learned so much. In my opinion, its a must-visit during your 7 days in Costa Rica! The airport lies northwest of the capital, so staying in San Jos requires a bit of backtracking. Whats great about this road trip is that there are plenty of awesome stops along the way like La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which is about halfway between the two cities, and Poas Volcano, which is about 1.5 hours from San Jose. This small island offers amazing snorkeling to see an array of fish and even larger animals like Sharks, Dolphins, Octopus, and Manta Rays. They have plenty of different food options ranging from tacos, sushi, burgers, pizzas, and more so everybody in your group can find something! Prices here range from $20 to $40 USD for mains. More so, for our 7 days Costa Rica itinerary we recommend getting a rental car. The drive from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio is a long one at 221 km (137 miles) and will take 5 hours without stops. Always get travel insurance before you travel. As we said, if you love wildlife and especially crocodiles, you must stop at the famous crocodile bridge during your 7 days in Costa Rica. A burger here will cost you between $10-$12 USD! It was established in 2000 and converted into two-level bars and a restaurant built in, around, and above the airplane with stunning views of the Manuel Antonio coastline below! 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? Beaches and Volcanoes 7 days from Re: 3 to 4 day Itinerary for Costa Rica (Last week of May) May is a shoulder season, June is rain season. Alternatively, you can drive and park at the trailhead, but youll still have to walk a few minutes to the beach through the jungle this is what keeps Biesanz Beach so quiet! Visit the National Center of Art & Culture This sprawling museum houses modern contemporary art, dance, and theatre. With that said, these hot springs are probably not the best choice for those looking for a relaxing and peaceful experience. Some offer clubbed packages, whilst others as a single service. 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. Costa Rica to introduce COVID-19 vaccine mandate: here's where to show proof. Im so excited for you to explore one of my favorite destinations in the world! If you want a nice view of the crater, get there as early as possible to avoid the clouds that typically cover the volcano by late afternoon. The entire reserve is festooned with orchid collections, big jungle cats, and unique wildlife species. So, you have to do a night walk through the rainforest to see and appreciate all the critters that only come out after dark. You will end your trip in the coastal haven of Manuel Antonio, where you can hike through one of the best National Parks in Central America and indulge in a sunset cruise! Head out for an ATV tour or go for tours in the national park to see bats and frogs. Although this might feel like a short time to explore Costa Rica, 7 days gives you enough time to see the countrys best highlights. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. It is one of the countrys biggest private wildlife sanctuaries and hosts five stunning waterfalls accessible via paved trails. But we think its most beautiful at night when the sky really puts on a show think shades of pink and purple lighting up the sky. Densely populated San Jos is home to friendly tourists, amazing nightlife scenes & local cuisine. Before I get to the itinerary part, its important to understand a few essential planning points before you plan any Costa Rica trips. Explore this rich catalog of G Adventures special trips, ranging from family experiences to hard adventures. These destinations provide the biggest variety of activities and attractions and are also fairly easy to get to so that you wont spend your entire holiday driving. Day 3: La Fortuna and Driving to Is Costa Rica Safe?Absolutely yes! 10 day Costa Rica itinerary: Day 1: La Fortuna Mistico Hanging Bridges Park Since most international flights arrive in San Jose airport, this will be the starting point of our Costa Rica itinerary. Costa Rica Family Itinerary: 7 to 8 Days Costa Rica is easy to access via two international airports, Liberia and San Jose. Plus, La Fortuna Waterfall is never that busy later in the afternoon. This specific tour is the best option for those staying in Manuel Antonio town. Medical bills add up very quickly if you end up in hospital, not to mention, if you are a victim of theft, travel insurance will replace your items. As you rappel down the waters, be excited to witness exotic birds and wildlife. Youll then explore the unique cloud forest habitats of Monteverde where you can select optional activities. Prices start from as low as $8 for a main. Related Read: Check out the best Things to do in Manuel Antonio! Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Monteverde. It is also conveniently located near supermarkets, restaurants, and bars. It majorly covers famous experiences & activities, you could do in 7 days in Costa Rica. 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