Spend the day in the Cao Negro Wildlife Refuge, a lowland forest reserve replete with waterfowl near the Nicaraguan border. The tour is also more than just ziplining and lasts for 5 hours. This happens because acidic and neutral waters combine, creating enough particle concentration to reflect light. You can also make the most out of the outdoor pool and garden, where you can relax and sunbathe. Visa & Documentation: Visa requirements will differ from country to country. You can directly head to the designated area and pay an entrance fee of $40 for the hot springs. Keep your eyes peeled for the parks most beguiling residents: endangered sea turtles, manatees, caiman, monkeys, sloths, and even jaguars. 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. Check out the best day-trips from San Jose! Located in the Central Americas region, Costa Rica is a top-rated tourist destination amongst travelers. Boats leave from nearby Jaco or Puntarenas, both about 90 minutes from San Jose. We recommend allowing a half-day, or more specifically, 5-6 hours here. Restaurante Tierra Mia is situated on a side street off of the main road, its a quiet place and very comfortable. Was an amazing 10 days and a great way to see Costa Rica, Lots of activities and Jurgen was so helpful. Learned so much. In case you want a little bit more about the country, why not check out our guide on, Published by Sofie, updated on October 12, 2022. 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. 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 Is Costa Rica open for travel?At the current time of writing, yes Costa Rica is open for tourism. To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements. Today's a traveling daya chance to really see the country's famous landscape. Zipline over treetops in Monteverde before taking a boat to La Fortuna where you will hike trails around the iconic Arenal Volcano. When we visited, we saw over 15 crocodiles! Look out for hand-crafted materials, browse colorful vibrant markets, and shop for artifacts or Costa Ricas specialties. My ideal suggestion would be to visit the Baldi Hot Springs Hotel & Spa. After the tour, youre free to enjoy the beaches and relax. More so, for our 7 days Costa Rica itinerary we recommend getting a rental car. And finally you will hop on the bus from Quepos into Manuel Antonio which will take just 15 minutes and is $1 USD. If you are arriving late or very early and just want a place to rest your head, check out these amazing hotels near the SJO international airport. Costa Rica Family Itinerary: 7 to 8 Days Costa Rica is easy to access via two international airports, Liberia and San Jose. Feel free to dip in the outdoor pool or enjoy the refreshing scenery on the terrace and garden. With that said, these hot springs are probably not the best choice for those looking for a relaxing and peaceful experience. They are the easiest option if you need a quick place to sleep! 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. Along the way, youll see Rio Celeste Waterfall, the Bubbling Hot Pot, and Tenidoros. 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 Take a zipline or hanging-bridges tour through the forest canopy north of the volcano with amazing views of the mountain itself. The view of the volcano here is impressive! Theres also a thrilling surprise at every step, on what you encounter during your entire exploration. 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. Hanging bridges tour Traveling to Costa Rica? Travel: Looking for other Costa Rica itineraries? Shuttle vans have hotel-to-hotel service, usually from the Hampton Inn to many Arenal-area hotels. A week full of excitement awaits you on this adventure-packed tour that will take you from the cloud forests of Monteverde to the Pacific coast of Tortuguero. If you need to book this activity, I recommend doing it through Horse Trek Monteverde.Price In the range of $45 $50 (depends on the package). Since this is uncertain & can change the moment you read this article, its advisable to be updated with the latest news. It makes an ideal weeklong family vacation for American families who need to work around limited school holiday periods. These range in length; however, it is possible to complete a couple of trails here in half a day. The first bus is the La Fortuna to San Ramon bus which is 2 hours and will cost you $4 USD. Just park your car at one of the ends of the bridge and walk over to see the crocs in the wild. Is Costa Rica expensive?Yes, Costa Rica is relatively an expensive destination when compared to other Latin & Central American places. Kids of all ages will beam on first seeing the tropical paradise that is the Nicoya Peninsula. Head to San Gerardo de Dota for a serene bird-watching tour. You could, however, plan your trip two weeks after the holiday season and still can have a great time in Costa Rica. If yours doesn't, taxis are plentiful and cheap. 7 DAY COSTA RICA ITINERARY - My Darling Passport. Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica's most famous national park for a reason: it has beaches, lush rain forest, mangrove swamps, and rocky coves with abundant marine life. Other highlights here include six hanging bridges, 14 tree platforms, one double belay rappel, and 9 other double-anchored zip lines. 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. Especially, trying this activity in misty Monteverde is a special experience. How much will the above curated itinerary cost?The above Costa Rica itinerary 7 Days will cost you $900 $1200. 7 DAY COSTA RICA ITINERARY - My Darling Passport This travel guide outlines the best way to spend one week in Costa Rica. 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? 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. Waterfall trekking To add some thrill to your Costa Rica journey, opt for a 44 jeep or a campervan. We think the best way to get to Tortuga Island is on an organized tour from San Jose such as this one. The park is home to monkeys, sloths, and a You can also opt for additional activities & even extend your stay to explore other tourist places. I curated this itinerary, to give you a glimpse of what to expect, which places to visit, and when to visit. Book your trip the night before; tour operators in La Fortuna keep evening hours for exactly that reason. Arenal Volcano National Park is explored either on your own or on a guided tour. Fortify yourself with the fruits, jellies, and chocolates sold by vendors on the road up to the summit. Having said that, its still important to be prepared before you travel to unfamiliar territory. There are eight jacuzzi-style pools here that cascade down and lower in temperature as you get closer to the bottom. If traveling heavily on a certain budget, expect to spend $30 $45 per day. (22 hours by paved road from Manuel Antonio). Not all buses in Costa Rica travel directly from one point to the other; most of them make stops between places. Beaches and Volcanoes 7 days from Discover a range of highly-designed itineraries from us, and choose whats best for you. 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. Finally, youll end your hike at the Teideros, which is where the two rivers meet. In fact, the restaurant is home to a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane. 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. The mood here is quaint, casual, and authentic to the local surroundings outside. How to book add-ons for the above itinerary?For accommodation, you can explore a plethora of options from Tripadvisor. The third bus is from Puntarenas to Quepos which is 2.5 hours and will cost you $5 USD. Costa Rica is a veritable nature wonderland, largely regarded as one of the world's last unspoiled wildernesses. The former one is rather the busiest, with long immigration lines and security check-in. IF a burger isnt what youre after, there are lots of other amazing restaurants in Jaco. This Costa Rican adventure tour offers an unmatched way to discover the countrys sublime rainforests, with an unforgettable whitewater rafting experience extending 3 days along the Pacuare River. Deciding where to stay during any trip is probably one of the difficult things to do. The drive from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio is a long one at 221 km (137 miles) and will take 5 hours without stops. When they finally tire of the exotic flora and fauna, enjoy a cooling dip beneath the cascade tiers of La Fortuna waterfall. Theres definitely more but I think Ive named enough In the end, head to the Coffee Lab to taste some of the finest samples of coffee. Take a treetop canopy tour or walkthrough series of suspension bridges around the forest, and witness the abundant natural world up close. 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, Alternatively, you can spend the day sunbathing or even hiking one of the many trails through the forest on the island. Luckily, our guide kept us safe! South of Atenas, hook up with the Pacific Highwayfollow the signs directing you to Caldera. Since Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica most of the locals in the country will converse in their local language. 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. Many tourists chose to skip San Jose altogether and head straight for La Fortuna, which is a shame as there are a lot of cool things to do in the city. 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!. And if rustic camping is not your thing, there are plenty of room options to choose from. 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. If youre a true foodie, this is the city for you and you can even join a food tour here! You can see the expansive blue for miles on end with no obstruction at all. In the afternoon depart back to San Jose. One of my favorite attractions here is the butterfly observatory. Monteverde is a land of epic greenery, proudly boasting eco-tourism & rich biodiversity. This Costa Rica 6-day itinerary is perfect for kids and adults alike! All transport is included, and its far easier than trying to visit the refuge on your own. You can get a taxi or drive from La Fortuna town to this parking lot, where youll pay the entrance fee ($18 USD) and begin hiking. But, all countries will require a valid passport (6 months of minimum validity) to enter Costa Rica. This travel guide outlines the best way to spend one week in Costa Rica. About an hour and 15 minutes into your drive, youll come to the entrance to Parque Nacional Volcan Poas, which is where Poas Volcano is located. 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. The salads and vegetables are of the highest quality and are delivered daily with every detail planned to create a heavenly, delicious tall, rich burger. All trails are well marked and there are signs and maps everywhere so you wont get lost. Surprisingly, San Gerardo de Dota isnt yet a flourishing tourist attraction, so you can expect fewer crowds. Upon your arrival, you have free time to relax and explore the surroundings. Best time to visit Costa Rica: If youre wondering when is the best time to spend 7 days in Costa Rica, then its the holiday season (December). If you come here during the day, we recommend walking along the beach and finding your vibe. Find a shady tree, check out some of the beach clubs, go for a surf or just enjoy the scenery. 15 BEST All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica (Our Unbiased Opinion! Im just 10 days I have been/done: Its one of the best things we did in Manuel Antonio and it was lovely to relax and enjoy a few drinks out on the water. Rio Celeste is open from 8 am to 4 pm, and its best to visit early in the morning when it is less crowded. 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). San Gerardo de Dota Want a more peaceful experience? 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. Youll need some good food to fuel you for the rest of your journey, so after the Crocodile Bridge, be sure to stop in the town of Jaco a 25-minute drive away. What we love is that Emilio, the owner often greets his guests in person. Weve covered all bases with this itinerary culture, volcanos, waterfalls, wildlife, and the beach! The caf is situated behind Plaza Vista in central Manuel Antonio and it overlooks the Pacific Ocean, plus the food is all homemade. ), and stunning beaches to enjoy. 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. Rica expensive? Yes, Costa Rica is easy to access via two international airports, Liberia and San such. Reflect light can see the crocs in the Central Americas region, Costa Rica we... 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