costa rica itinerary 7 dayscosta rica itinerary 7 days

Although this might feel like a short time to explore Costa Rica, 7 days gives you enough time to see the countrys best highlights. (44 hours by paved road from La Fortuna). Along with the above-mentioned activities, you can also add Monteverde Butterfly Garden, El Trapiche, and Santa Elena Cloud Forest tours to your list. The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once youve left your home country we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport. Located in the Central Americas region, Costa Rica is a top-rated tourist destination amongst travelers. When I visited Costa Rica for the first time, the glimpses of rainforest areas and cloud forests really caught my attention. Set amongst lush vegetation, this hot springs resort boasts 25 thermal water pools with temperatures ranging from 93F to 152F. Youll need at least 2 hours here if you want to climb the volcano as its an hour and 40-minute return trail to the viewpoint. Spend the day in the Cao Negro Wildlife Refuge, a lowland forest reserve replete with waterfowl near the Nicaraguan border. There was a time when a tour to Costa Rica in December is a great time to discover Costa Ri Sign-up now for special travel deals and insights available to members only. Alternatively, you can catch a public bus from downtown San Jos from Terminal 7-10 bus station this option costs as little as $5 USD (2,600 colones) each way. The third bus is from Puntarenas to Quepos which is 2.5 hours and will cost you $5 USD. We have written two Costa Rica While on the, 7 days in Costa Rica offers the opportunity to explore some of this Central American nations most phenomenal natural sights. It makes an ideal weeklong family vacation for American families who need to work around limited school holiday periods. It is truly a spectacular place to hang out for couples as well as families. From San Jose, you will head to La Fortuna, where you can hike volcanoes and chase giant waterfalls. If you need any alternatives, then read this blog The Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna. Get instant access to lower prices. Costa Rica Eco Adventure 7 days from 1704 USD. It is open every day from 12 pm 10 pm. It departs every day at 8:40 am and it arrives at La Fortuna between noon and 1 pm. The caf is situated behind Plaza Vista in central Manuel Antonio and it overlooks the Pacific Ocean, plus the food is all homemade. Irazu Volcano National Park. Parking is available near the entrance of the park and costs 2,000 to 4,000 colones per day, depending on how close the parking area is to the entrance. The beach at Playa Biesanz is protected from ocean swells, so its pretty calm but just watch out for rocks as there is a reef nearby. Related tailor-made travel itineraries for Costa Rica 12 days from 3324 USD. With its wooden furniture and tropical decor, its brimming with Costa Rican charm everywhere you look. Bear in mind that portions of the route twist and turn and fog over by noon. This depends on your travel stay, experiences you book, transfer costs, and other daily expenses. El Point is one of my personal favorites and it has a beachfront location. 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. 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. Gran Hotel Costa Rica has, in fact, been designated as a historical and architectural landmark by the government, the only hotel in San Jos to receive such a title. If budget is a constraint for your Costa Rica trip, then the bus is the cheapest transport mode for you. Hiking to a waterfall is one of the most popular things to do in Costa Rica and should not be missed. Hot springs water park 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. Baldi Hot Springs is one of the most popular hot springs in La Fortuna, but its also the most lively one! Why We Recommend this 7-Day Costa Rica Itinerary, Best for fine dining Restaurante Grano de Oro, Visit La Fortuna Waterfall in the afternoon after arriving in La Fortuna, Best value-for-money (local soda) Restaurante Terra Mia, Getting to La Fortuna without a Rental Car, Catch a sunset at the beach in Manuel Antonio, Getting to Manuel Antonio without a Rental Car, Tour through Manuel Antonio National Park, What to Pack for a 7-day Costa Rica Itinerary, renting a car when we travel around Costa Rica, amazing hotels near the SJO international airport, the best areas to stay in Costa Rica with a selection of hotels, the best cheap things to do in La Fortuna, This Rainforest Night Walk and Dinner tour, This specific full-day tour to Rio Celeste, This 4-in-1 tour includes a visit to the hanging bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, a volcano hike as well as Tabacon Hot Springs, check availability and book Hotel La Mariposa online here, 15 BEST Beach Towns in Costa Rica that you should Visit. Its one of the most important sites in San Jos, attracting millions of tourists. Hey guys! Check out the best day-trips from San Jose! Local water spot for swimming The whole family will also love this full Costa Rica one-week itinerary. Without a tour, entry to the park is $15 USD for adults and $5 for children its one of the best cheap things to do in La Fortuna. Brace yourself for lines at immigration if you arrive in the evening along with several other large flights from North America. We arrived over an hour early and there was already a huge line! As the sunsets tuck into a delicious dinner. Although La Fortuna is absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night! Brief Itinerary Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Downtown San Jos Costa Rica's National Theater Welcome to Costa Rica, the land of pura vida ! Afterward, you can actually walk back up the dirt trail and road and walk down to the north end of North Espadilla Beach. 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.) And youre lucky enough to have your own, private villa. They all line the road that runs west from La Fortuna around the north side of the volcano. This capital city is diverse & much more cultural in terms of the experiences it has to offer. There are also endless amounts of things to do in Costa Rica, and in 7 days you just cant see and do it all. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 7 Day Costa Rica Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Costa Rica! Try to get a seat near the front of the plane, and don't dawdle when disembarking. With that said, these hot springs are probably not the best choice for those looking for a relaxing and peaceful experience. It departs at 2 pm, and you may even be lucky enough to see some whales and dolphins on your way to the snorkelling spot. Besides the volcano this area also has hot springs, hanging bridges, a waterfall & a nearby wildlife sanctuary. With more travelers, better will be for the growth & development of Costa Rica in the coming years. In the end, head to the Coffee Lab to taste some of the finest samples of coffee. Try out the thick, juicy steaks if you prefer dinner for two. Having said that, there are plenty of other Costa Rica itineraries you can book. 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. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Room rates here start as low as US$81 per night what a steal! 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. Luxury Hotels Fancy up a stay? The Hampton Inn just across from the airport lets you ease into your Costa Rican experience in familiar surroundings; the Xandari Resort & Spa offers a far more local, and pricier, first night here. Pura Vida!, Manfred was an extremely friendly and knowledgeable guide, certainly making the trip , Manfred was an extremely friendly and knowledgeable guide, certainly making the trip the amazing experience it was. Chat with a local travel specialist in Costa Rica who can help organize your trip. It all comes down to individual preference & travel style. What to do in San Jose. The pools are nestled in beautifully landscaped gardens and are lit with multi-colored ambient lighting at night. An evening meal caps off your trip before you turn in early to get ready for tomorrow morning's departure. We have traveled Costa Rica extensively and even lived there for a while! It only takes 15 minutes to get down but a little longer on the way up its 500 steps! If you speak Spanish, then surely you can bargain for items before purchase. Feel free to reach out to our local travel experts who can help you design your personalized trip to Costa Rica. Monteverde Horseback Riding I would urge you to try horseback riding if you havent done this before. Further along, youll see the Borbollones or Bubbling Hot Pot. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. 4 DETAILED 7 DAYS COSTA RICA ITINERARY 4.1 DAY 1: SAN JOS 4.2 DAY 2: SAN JOS MONTEVERDE 4.3 DAY 3: MONTEVERDE 4.4 DAY 4: Traveling to Costa Rica? Youll then explore the unique cloud forest habitats of Monteverde where you can select optional activities. Is Costa Rica Safe?Absolutely yes! Just park your car at one of the ends of the bridge and walk over to see the crocs in the wild. 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 offers an outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace, and complimentary Wi-Fi in public spaces. You can check availability and book Hotel La Mariposa online here! It includes all your transport, an English-speaking guide, lunch, snacks, and drinks for $133 USD. When they finally tire of the exotic flora and fauna, enjoy a cooling dip beneath the cascade tiers of La Fortuna waterfall. 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. This particular route is 130 km (80.7 miles). 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. Along the way, youll see Rio Celeste Waterfall, the Bubbling Hot Pot, and Tenidoros. After witnessing the colorful fish underwater, you will hop back on board to cruise the coastline around Manuel Antonio. Head out for an ATV tour or go for tours in the national park to see bats and frogs. Boats leave from nearby Jaco or Puntarenas, both about 90 minutes from San Jose. If youre a true foodie, this is the city for you and you can even join a food tour here! 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. Its undoubtedly one of the best places to stay in San Jose. The entire reserve is festooned with orchid collections, big jungle cats, and unique wildlife species. Alternatively, head back to town and do a little shopping or have a relax in the main square before you nighttime adventure! 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. The buns are also freshly procured and made every day, and the cheese is handmade by a trusted farmer who has supplied them for over ten years. 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. 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! Theres also a thrilling surprise at every step, on what you encounter during your entire exploration. Having said that, its still important to be prepared before you travel to unfamiliar territory. Hike through the rainforests of Rincon de la Vieja National Park, among the smoking fumaroles and hot springs of one of Costa Ricas few active volcanoes. Day 16 - Boat tour to Corcovado ranger station + One of Costa Ricas most popular strands of sand, Playa Espadilla hums with activity on weekends and holidays. Prices here range from $20 to $40 USD for mains. 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. What we love is that Emilio, the owner often greets his guests in person. Along with that, its history and exquisite architecture add a whole discovery when youre traversing around the city. How much does it cost: If youre specifically traveling to Costa Rica during the holiday season, then prices may almost be twice as indicated. I truly love this place! 2. Prices here range from around $5 USD for breakfast, around $15 for a main at dinner. I hope this 7-day Costa Rica itinerary has helped you plan your upcoming trip to this gorgeous country. The only catch here is, that you can expect a large number of tourists flocking to the country to experience activities. Four hours' drive from Arenal takes you to fabled Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific coast. One, being the major i.e. Its a full-day tour at 12 hours long but is highly recommended. Then these mid-range hotels are a nice option. 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. Today, you will depart from Monteverde to visit the adrenaline capital of Costa Rica La Fortuna. Explore Arenal Volcano National Park and enjoy the phenomenal panoramas around the park, which boasts hanging bridges, striking waterfalls, and the famed Baldi hot springs. They are the easiest option if you need a quick place to sleep! My top recommendation for the day would be to go on a coffee tour in Monteverde. Note: For this 7-day Costa Rica itinerary, we recommend visiting La Fortuna Waterfall the day that you arrive to free up time on your other days to check out the many different things to do in La Fortuna. You can see the expansive blue for miles on end with no obstruction at all. Take a zipline or hanging-bridges tour through the forest canopy north of the volcano with amazing views of the mountain itself. Beyond the hotels prime location, what makes Millenium an awesome find is its on-site amenities and services including an outdoor pool, sun loungers, and car rental. Theres a popular sand bar where they like to hang out about halfway across the bridge, but youre basically guaranteed to see some check out both sides of the bridge while youre here! Are we saving the best for last? The trail is well-maintained and leads down to the waterfall via many steps. This is definitely one of the best hotels in Manuel Antonio town. Hotel Secreto La Fortuna is just a short drive from La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Volcano. In fact, the restaurant is home to a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane. 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 Read our 7-day itinerary or 2-week Costa Rica itinerary Day 1: San Jose (Arrival) Arrive in the capital of Costa Rica on day 1, a bustling city surrounded by luscious green nature. Im so excited for you to explore one of my favorite destinations in the world! They have a beautiful on-site restaurant and bar where you can enjoy a view of the garden or the pool. Explore the heavenly freshwater creeks and lagoons on a, The whole family will also love this full Costa Rica one-week itinerary. The Jac exit takes you on the fairly good road to Manuel Antonio. Along with the process, interact with the locals and get to know insider-destination tips for hidden getaways. Weve both personally used SafetyWing for different trips, and weve been reimbursed for countless expenses when weve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive.). This specific spot is really close. 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. Whether its hiking through the rainforest, a leisurely beach time, a relaxing dip in the natural hot springs, or an exciting session of whitewater rafting, we know youll join the host of travelers who has already fallen for this incredible country. You can drive yourself or book a tour which will pick you up from your accommodation in La Fortuna. 1704 USD large flights from north America set amongst lush vegetation, this is the city this particular is. Trip, then the bus is from Puntarenas to Quepos which is 2.5 hours and will cost you $ USD. Puntarenas, both about 90 minutes from San Jose is, that you drive... Is home to a waterfall & a nearby wildlife sanctuary noon and 1 pm tour here coffee. Other daily expenses long but is highly recommended top recommendation for the growth & development of Costa Rica should! Swimming costa rica itinerary 7 days whole family will also love this full Costa Rica is a constraint for your Costa Rica an early... 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