This small island offers amazing snorkeling to see an array of fish and even larger animals like Sharks, Dolphins, Octopus, and Manta Rays. You can also make the most out of the outdoor pool and garden, where you can relax and sunbathe. This Costa Rica 6-day itinerary is perfect for kids and adults alike! We recommend spending 10 days to two weeks in Costa Rica, as this timeframe will give you enough time to cover all the major highlights while also including time for traveling from one destination to another. A two-week Costa Rica itinerary will guarantee you see everything the country has to offer. The itinerary was packed full of awesome activities, and we got to experience so much of the country within a short amount of time. In addition, youll also find a terrace, a shared kitchen, a tour desk, and even ticket service for your convenience. 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? The rooms and suites here are cozy and homey andhave a ceiling fan, cable TV, and an en-suite bathroom. While it isnt a huge park, its the perfect size to explore in a couple of hours There are beautiful walking trails, lots of wildlife (including the adorable squirrel monkeys! This small city is situated in San Carlos, set amongst the gorgeous backdrop of Arenal Volcano. So, if youre wondering how to spend a week in Costa Rica, then is the guide for you. If you have the time, set out early for Pos Volcano, where you can peer over the edge of the crater. The tour includes a 90-minute hike (more of a leisurely walk), a visit to a frog sanctuary, and ends with a Costa Rican dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove. 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? Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The airport lies northwest of the capital, so staying in San Jos requires a bit of backtracking. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full. Hanging bridges tour San Jose. The walk is mostly downhill on the way there (depending on where you start, that is), and youll have to walk down a dirt trail to the beach. 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. San Jos. You should book the cruise online in advance as there are limited spots available. 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! A mix of nature and adventure, this trip allows you to combine the two best things about Costa Rica. Local water spot for swimming El Point is one of my personal favorites and it has a beachfront location. When it came to which extra activities to do he knew which ones, which places to do them and gave us many things to choose from. Through my partnership program, all additional activities & experiences will be available through G Adventures. Right from indulging in rainforest hikes, brisk high-altitude trails, and epic surfing coasts the country will want you to witness each of its experiences up close. If you have the time (i.e. We got you covered! 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. Hot springs water park Our travel experts will respond within 48 hours. Espadilla Beach (aka North Espadilla Beach) is a stunning stretch of beach that is a 30-minute walk from town. The adventure ends on the pristine Pacific coast beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park with time for some well-earned sun, sea, and sand. Biesanz Beach is a small secluded beach often referred to as a secret beach and its an easy walk down to the beach from town. For more budget-friendly options around Costa Rica, check the catalog. For major African countries, a mandatory yellow fever certification will be required. Costa Rica is a veritable nature wonderland, largely regarded as one of the world's last unspoiled wildernesses. Known as one of the most spectacular national parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park is a place you dont want to miss, which is why it has to be your first stop during your time in Manuel Antonio. Cruise along the coastal waterways and Pochette Mangroves before landing on the pristine white sands of Tortuga Island. Explore the heavenly freshwater creeks and lagoons on a, The whole family will also love this full Costa Rica one-week itinerary. Irazu Volcano National Park. It makes an ideal weeklong family vacation for American families who need to work around limited school holiday periods. I curated this itinerary, to give you a glimpse of what to expect, which places to visit, and when to visit. If you need transport, this tour is another great option and includes much of the same. Youll meet your guide at the park entrance and explore, spotting a ton of wildlife and learning about the area. If you drive instead, start out as early as possible. Experience a canopy tour Nearly 51% of the country is occupied by rainforest, making it an ideal place to indulge in a canopy treetop tour. Related tailor-made travel itineraries for Costa Rica 12 days from 3324 USD. Manuel Antonio and its neighboring town, Quepos, have the best selection of restaurants of any beach community in the country. 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. It is also conveniently located near supermarkets, restaurants, and bars. Day 4: Embrace Pura Vida and Relax! (44 hours by paved road from La Fortuna). This happens because acidic and neutral waters combine, creating enough particle concentration to reflect light. Take a treetop canopy tour or walkthrough series of suspension bridges around the forest, and witness the abundant natural world up close. 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. You dont necessarily need to book a room to access the hot springs. One of the best things we did while staying in San Jose was this walking and bus combo tour, which includes a visit to the iconic National Theater and Art Museum. Monteverde Horseback Riding I would urge you to try horseback riding if you havent done this before. Days 1 through 5 were on-the-go days. WebDAY 1: Arrive & settle into San Jos Arrive and get settled in San Jos. Through the partnership program with G Adventures, you can book the same tour through their website. The hotel has several private rooms ($40 to $110 per night) for those who want peace and quiet and lots of dorm beds ($10 to $30 per night) for those who like to meet new travel buddies. You can also opt for additional activities & even extend your stay to explore other tourist places. Explore the heavenly freshwater creeks and lagoons on atour of Tortuguero National Parkon Costa Ricas Caribbean coast on foot and by boat. The corners of this land are so heavily dense & lush-green, that its almost a conservationists dream to explore Costa Rican wildlife. Its also the perfect place to see monkeys and sloths in the wild in Costa Rica! Its a full-day tour at 12 hours long but is highly recommended. Volcanoes and beaches are two of the things Costa Rica does best, so the classic first-timers itinerary to Costa Rica takes in two of its most popular destinations: the impressive Arenal Volcano and the beaches of the Central Pacific coasts lovely Manuel Antonio. Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Monteverde. Hiking to a waterfall is one of the most popular things to do in Costa Rica and should not be missed. The Costa Rican government has led the world in the protection of this natural paradise, designating a quarter of the country's landmass to be protected national parks. In the afternoon depart back to San Jose. Boats leave from nearby Jaco or Puntarenas, both about 90 minutes from San Jose. Always get travel insurance before you travel. Learned so much. Basically, there are two international airports from where you can arrive in Costa Rica. 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. A private room here costs from as low as $40 USD. Its a lovely way to start your morning and the final day of your 7-day Costa Rica itinerary. To drive from San Jose to La Fortuna will take on average 3.5 hours, but be sure to avoid peak traffic times in San Jose because the traffic there can be hectic! Menu Speak To A Vacation Planner Now 1-888-447-8459 I hope this 7-day Costa Rica itinerary has helped you plan your upcoming trip to this gorgeous country. The obvious destination based on your criteria is Arenal volcano which is a 3-hour drive from SJO. You can stay here for as little as US$65/night with deals available during the low season. These are the BEST Places to Visit in Costa Rica!Arenal A very cool place in Costa Rica to go for a day. Territorio de Zaguates. A mountainside dog sanctuary where you can interact with hundreds of mans best friends. Rio Celeste. Witchs Rock An unknown (but awesome!) place to see in Costa Rica! San Lucas Island Prison. Teatro Nacional. More items The Jac exit takes you on the fairly good road to Manuel Antonio. Franco offers a range of fresh food options that blend the best of Costa Rican coffee, confectionaries, smoothies, egg combinations, meats, and so much 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. Best of Costa Rica in 7 Days: Explore Jungles, Volcanoes and Beaches View Map With a mix of rugged jungles, active volcanoes and world-class beaches, The view of the volcano here is impressive! 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. 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. This specific tour is the best option for those staying in Manuel Antonio town. No other activity is planned for today, so its completely up to you to spend your final few hours in San Jose. You can start with the Tuna Tostadas and finish with a large healthy Shrimp Salad! You can also extend this itinerary to venture into other Costa Rican destinations. You could, however, plan your trip two weeks after the holiday season and still can have a great time in Costa Rica. Visited hot springs, sandy beaches, walked though lush cloud forest, did some amazing exhilarating activities and met some amazing people Thoroughly enjoyed the holiday!, Hike through the rainforests of Rincon de la Vieja National Park, 5 days in Costa Rica : Our Recommendations, Two Weeks in Costa Rica: Top 5 Recommendations, 10 Days in Costa Rica: Top 3 Recommendations. 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. Day 1: From San Jose to La Fortuna Every trip to Costa Rica probably begins in San Jose, the capital The former one is rather the busiest, with long immigration lines and security check-in. This is especially true in Costa Rica because things are not very cheap here. Discover a range of highly-designed itineraries from us, and choose whats best for you. Some were as big as 15 feet too. Since its the Christmas season and New Year will just be around the corner, tourists plan their travel well in advance to avoid any hassles. Today, you will explore La Fortuna to its core. Thats why weve carefully designed this 7-day Costa Rica itinerary to include three main destinations. Here, you can walk across several hanging bridges in the jungle as a guide tells you about the jungle. Here, the family adventure continues as you explore the heavenly beaches, namely Tambor beach. Plus, they offer beautiful private rooms with private bathrooms, or if youre on a tight budget, a bed in one of their dorms is an ideal choice. This blog may contain affiliate links. Surprisingly, San Gerardo de Dota isnt yet a flourishing tourist attraction, so you can expect fewer crowds. Visit the Teatro Nacional and the Museo de Oro Precolombino, and save time for late-afternoon shopping. The seven day itinerary Free Gratuities on most 7+ Night Norwegian Cruises! You can relax, rejuvenate or dip into the cool waters. You can check availability and book Hotel La Mariposa online here! 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. San Jos serves as your entry point to this Costa Rican adventure youre about to embark on. Since Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica most of the locals in the country will converse in their local language. Head to San Jose to spend a final day exploring the city with its many things to do suited for children, such as the Childrens Museum. Once in the park, you can wander the many different hiking trails, ranging in length. The only catch here is, that you can expect a large number of tourists flocking to the country to experience activities. Fortify yourself with the fruits, jellies, and chocolates sold by vendors on the road up to the summit. If traveling heavily on a certain budget, expect to spend $30 $45 per day. If visiting the National Park is your main reason for coming to the town, theres no better hotel in Manuel Antonio than Millenium Manuel Antonio. Swimming in the ocean Day 7: ATV Tour of the Countryside Head out for a thrilling However, it takes a lot of time! It only takes 15 minutes to get down but a little longer on the way up its 500 steps! Ridiculous Burgers on Av Pastor Diaz offers the biggest, hottest, meaty, and most expensive burger in Jaco Costa Rica, with nearly 50 burger options on the menu. The bus holds 50 people seated and 20 standing so its important to be aware that you may have to stand for the journey. Related Read: Check out the best Things to do in Manuel Antonio! The kids will love being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungles of Arenal Volcano National Park. The entrance ticket is $48 USD for adults and $32 USD for kids aged 3-12, and the park is open from 8 am to 5 pm. Along the way, youll see Rio Celeste Waterfall, the Bubbling Hot Pot, and Tenidoros. Heres your map of your 7 days in Costa Rica . Day three in Monteverde is free to relax or try out other listed activities. Waterfall trekking Day 1: San Jose to La Fortuna. The longest trail is the Waterfall Trail and its around 5.5 miles (9 km), and most are much shorter in that 1-mile (1.5 km) range. It is truly a spectacular place to hang out for couples as well as families. There are eight jacuzzi-style pools here that cascade down and lower in temperature as you get closer to the bottom. Allow up to 5 hours for this experience, which we think is a must for first-timers to the city. The restaurant serves local cuisine inspired by fresh seafood. Costa Rica Family Itinerary: 7 to 8 Days Costa Rica is easy to access via two international airports, Liberia and San Jose. If you prefer visiting Manuel Antonio Park with a guide, there are many options for guided tours through the park. 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. Hotel Secreto La Fortuna is just a short drive from La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Volcano. After an adventurous day at Rio Celeste, there is no better way to unwind than soaking in a relaxing hot spring! Entrance tickets to the park, which cost $18.08 USD for adults and $5.65 for children, NEED to be purchased online in advance. In fact, the restaurant is home to a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane. Its safe to say that travel insurance has saved us thousands over the years! I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Then Costa Rica boasts high-end stays spread across the region. Before I get to the itinerary part, its important to understand a few essential planning points before you plan any Costa Rica trips. If you need any alternatives, then read this blog The Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna. The seven day itinerary includes beach, La Fortuna and Monteverde. La Luna Restaurant is snuggled atop the Gaia Hotel & Reserve in a clubhouse, just minutes away from Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific Ocean. Some offer clubbed packages, whilst others as a single service. You can find more travel tips and other pre-tour resources on Costa Ricas official website. All trails are well marked and there are signs and maps everywhere so you wont get lost. Seeing this massive crater with your own eyes is mesmerizing, and understandably, its one of the most popular day trips from San Jose. If you want to go snorkeling, theyll show you exactly where to go, and its the same snorkeling spot we went on the sunset cruise. Hordes of tourists travel to Monteverde to indulge in bird-watching experiences or witness stunning cloud forests. Travel Realms is a blog featuring niche experiences, exclusive itineraries & famous travel guides. Monteverde is a land of epic greenery, proudly boasting eco-tourism & rich biodiversity. Then read this guide to discover the land of Costa Rica, offering endless activities & bucket-list experiences for you to venture, explore and re-imagine. 7 DAY COSTA RICA ITINERARY - My Darling Passport. Below, Ill suggest a few stay options that will help you sort your hotels as well. Beaches and Volcanoes 7 days from 2524 USD. WebOur top itinerary for 7 days in Costa Rica Day 1 & 2 & 3 - Monteverde - Situated on the continental divide under misty, magical clouds, Monteverde is one of the most biodiverse If you dont have a rental car, you can book a shuttle that will pick you up from your hotel in San Jose, costing approximately $37 USD this will take 4 hours and 15 minutes. Plus, La Fortuna Waterfall is never that busy later in the afternoon. If you have any other questions about how best to spend 7 days in Costa Rica or traveling to Costa Rica in general, dont hesitate to reach out. My top recommendation for the day would be to go on a coffee tour in Monteverde. Depart back to your hometown. Room rates here start as low as US$81 per night what a steal! For something thats right in the town proper of Manuel Antonio, Teva Jungle Hotel and Hostel is easily one of the most budget-friendly accommodation providers. See more volcano tours. Other than the ones listed above, you can discover more at La Fortuna. And if you dont want to drive, the hotels area shuttle also makes it easy for you to reach nearby attractions at an affordable surcharge. Theres also a thrilling surprise at every step, on what you encounter during your entire exploration. 20 standing so its completely up to the city what a steal information and promotions kids will love surrounded... Emails from Fodor 's travel with travel information and promotions and there are two international airports, and... And maps everywhere so you can stay here for as little as US $ with... Discover a range of highly-designed itineraries from US, and Tenidoros heres your map of your days! Three in Monteverde is a blog featuring niche experiences, exclusive itineraries famous! 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