Looking for an adventure-packed vacation that combines lush rainforests, stunning beaches,
and delicious cuisine?
Look no further than Costa Rica!
This Central American country has it all, from thrilling ziplining and surfing to relaxing
hot springs and wildlife viewing.
And the best part?
You can experience all of this in just seven days.
Yes, you heard that right.
In just one week, you can have an unforgettable vacation in Costa Rica.
So grab your sunscreen and get ready for a fun-filled journey as we take you through
a seven-day itinerary that will leave you wanting more!
Viewcation Presents: Best Costa Rica Itinerary (7 Days)
Day 1: Fly Into San Jose
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and the main point of entry for the vast majority
of international travelers.
As you fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport, you'll immediately feel the warm
tropical breeze and the vibrant energy of the city.
One of the first things you can do in San Jose is to explore the downtown area, which
is filled with colorful buildings, historic landmarks, and bustling markets.
You can visit the National Theater, a stunning neoclassical building that dates back to the
19th century, or the National Museum, which offers an immersive experience of Costa Rica's
rich history and culture.
If you're looking for a nature escape, you can head to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens,
a nature park located just an hour from San Jose.
The park is home to several magnificent waterfalls, lush rainforests, and a variety of wildlife,
including sloths, monkeys, and toucans.
And of course, no trip to Costa Rica is complete without indulging in some of the country's
delicious cuisine.
San Jose is filled with fantastic restaurants that serve everything from traditional Costa
Rican dishes to international cuisine.
Be sure to try the gallo pinto, a popular breakfast dish made with rice and beans, and
the ceviche, a mouth-watering seafood dish that's sure to please your taste buds.
Day 2 & 3: La Fortuna
It takes about two hours to drive from San Jose to our next featured destination, La
Fortuna.
We recommend setting aside at least two days of your trip to experience this fantastic
destination in all of its stunning glory.
La Fortuna is a relatively small town located in the northern region of Costa Rica, known
for its stunning natural beauty and adventurous activities.
La Fortuna is located at the base of the iconic Arenal Volcano, which towers over the surrounding
landscape at over 5,300 feet tall.
The volcano is still active, and although it hasn't erupted since 2010, visitors can
still see smoke rising from its summit on clear days.
The area around La Fortuna is rich in geothermal activity, which means there are plenty of
hot springs and natural spas to enjoy.
These springs offer a variety of temperatures and settings, from quiet and secluded to lively
and family-friendly.
If you're an adrenaline junkie, La Fortuna is the place to be.
There are plenty of adventure activities to choose from, including ziplining, white-water
rafting, and canyoning.
You can also take a hike through the rainforest or take a boat tour of the nearby Lake Arenal.
La Fortuna is surrounded by lush rainforests and is home to a variety of wildlife, including
monkeys, sloths, toucans, and more.
There are several ecotourism activities to choose from, including nature walks, birdwatching,
and wildlife spotting tours.
Overall, travelers can expect a mix of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty during a visit
to La Fortuna.
It's the perfect destination for those looking to immerse themselves in Costa Rica's vibrant
culture and diverse landscape for a couple of days and nights.
Day 4; Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve
From La Fortuna, you can make your way over to Monteverde.
By car, it should only take you about three hours to reach your destination, but prepare
yourself for a bit of a bumpy ride – especially towards the end of your journey.
The crown jewel of Monteverde is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.
As such, we recommend spending at least a day here before heading on over to your next
location.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve is a stunning natural reserve located in the central
highlands of Costa Rica.
It's known for its lush rainforests, incredible biodiversity, and unique cloud forest ecosystem.
The preserve boasts an astonishing variety of flora and fauna.
The area is known for being home to 2,500 plant species, 100 species of mammals, 400
species of birds, and thousands of insect species.
Visitors can expect to see everything from colorful butterflies to elusive jaguars.
The unique cloud forest ecosystem in Monteverde is one of the main highlights of the preserve.
Cloud forests are characterized by their cool, misty atmosphere and the fact that they are
shrouded in a layer of clouds for much of the year.
This creates a unique environment that supports a variety of plant and animal life that is
not found in other ecosystems.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve is famous for its canopy tours and hanging bridges,
which give visitors an up-close look at the forest from above.
These tours allow you to walk across suspension bridges that are suspended high above the
forest canopy, giving you a unique perspective of the forest and the wildlife that lives
there.
There are also a variety of guided tours available in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, ranging
from nature walks to birdwatching tours.
These tours are led by knowledgeable guides who can provide insight into the ecology of
the forest and the animals that call it home.
Day 5: Pacific Coast Beaches
Any Costa Rican Itinerary would be tragically incomplete without including a stop or two
at the beach.
Driving from Monteverde to Costa Rica's Pacific Coast will take between two and a half to
four hours, depending on how you pace yourself.
The Pacific Coast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with crystal
clear water, soft sand, and stunning sunsets.
Whether you're looking for a secluded, hidden beach or a lively, bustling one, there's something
for everyone.
With the warm, clear waters of the Pacific Ocean, there are plenty of water sports and
activities to enjoy.
From surfing and paddleboarding to kayaking and snorkeling, there are endless opportunities
to enjoy the ocean.
The Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is also home to a variety of wildlife and natural wonders,
such as sea turtles, dolphins, and whales.
You can take a boat tour to see dolphins and whales, or head to a nearby national park
to see sea turtles nesting.
The Pacific Coast region is likewise home to some of the best resorts and accommodations
in the country.
Whether you're looking for a luxury beachfront villa or a budget-friendly hotel, there are
plenty of options to choose from.
Backpackers tend to flock to the nearby towns of Jaco or Tamarindo.
Both towns are full of beachside restaurants, hotels, and other attractions.
Finding lodging that fits your budget, regardless of how big or small that might be, should
be a fairly simple task.
Day 6 & 7: Manuel Antonio National Park
Before making your way back to San Jose to return home, we highly recommend dedicating
at least two days and nights to exploring the majestic wonders of Manuel Antonio National
Park and its surrounding towns.
You can get to Manuel National Park from the Pacific Coast beach town of Jaco in just over
an hour and a half by car.
From Tamarindo, however, it will likely take you about five hours to complete your journey,
but along the way, you'll be treated to spectacular scenery.
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Costa Rica,
located on the Pacific Coast near the town of Quepos.
The park covers an area of 1,983 hectares and is known for its stunning beaches, lush
rainforest, and incredible biodiversity.
The park is renowned for being home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica,
including Manuel Antonio Beach, Espadilla Sur Beach, and Playa Gemelas.
These beaches are known for their white sand, crystal-clear water, and picturesque surroundings.
Visitors can expect to see an incredible variety of wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, iguanas,
and a wide variety of birds.
You can take a guided tour through the park to see these animals up close and learn more
about the unique ecology of the area.
Manuel Antonio National Park has an assortment of hiking trails that wind through the rainforest
and offer incredible views of the ocean and surrounding landscape.
The most popular trail is the main trail that leads to several of the park's most popular
beaches.
So, when packing for your trip, don't forget to bring your hiking shoes, binoculars, and
plenty of sunscreens!
The park's crystal-clear waters offer some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in
Costa Rica.
You can explore the coral reefs and see a variety of colorful fish and other marine
life.
First-time visitors will be blown away when they see the most spectacular sunset views
in Costa Rica.
Travelers can watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean from one of the park's many lookout
points, offering a breathtaking view of the coastline.
Overall, Manuel Antonio National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and
those looking to experience the beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica.
With its stunning beaches, incredible wildlife, and breathtaking views, it's no wonder that
the park is one of the most popular destinations in the country.
And as far as lodging and other amenities go, nearby you’ll find everything from hostels
to luxury resorts and bungalows to choose from.
There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, and marketplaces worth visiting to get a taste
of the local flavor, especially in the nearby town of Quepos.
Quepos has been described as the "Gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park", and it tends
to be where the vast majority of travelers congregate when visiting the region.
While in town, be sure to pick up a souvenir or two to take back home with you.
Really, a week is the bare minimum amount of time you should spend exploring Costa Rica
to experience both its natural beauty and rich vibrant culture.
On that note, you won’t be lacking for things to do if you choose to spend two or more weeks
taking in everything that Costa Rica has to offer.
Before we wrap this video up, we'd like to give you the chance to let your voice be heard.
Did you know that the Costa Rican town of La Fortuna is located at the base of the iconic
Arenal Volcano and that because of this, the area is known for offering some of the best
natural hot springs in the world?
Let us know in the comments, and as always, happy travels!