Alas, riptides can make swimming risky here. Because the drive is so long, we dont recommend stopping much along the way, except for what we term to be must-stops the Crocodile Bridge and lunch in the lovely town of Jaco. Conveniently located in the city center and just a 5-minute walk from the Costa Rica National Theatre and San Jos Cathedral. Other than the ones listed above, you can discover more at La Fortuna. 15 BEST All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica (Our Unbiased Opinion! See tours. 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. Related Read: Check out the best Things to do in Manuel Antonio! Youre lucky enough to be here with friends and family. 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. 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. Given the small size of Costa Rica and how accessible it is by vehicle, you'll be able to visit the jungle, volcanoes, and great beaches in the same 7-day trip. Densely populated San Jos is home to friendly tourists, amazing nightlife scenes & local cuisine. 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. But, it all depends on individual preference. Hotel Secreto La Fortuna is just a short drive from La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Volcano. Basically, there are two international airports from where you can arrive in Costa Rica. When we visited, we saw over 15 crocodiles! Reward yourself today with lots of relaxation. Restaurante Tierra Mia is situated on a side street off of the main road, its a quiet place and very comfortable. Poas is also one of the most famous volcanoes to visit in Costa Rica. Travel Scams, Safety Advice & More, 10 BEST Breweries in Costa Rica that youll love, Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2023, Categories Things to do, Travel Inspiration. My top recommendation for the day would be to go on a coffee tour in Monteverde. Although La Fortuna is absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night! Seeing this massive crater with your own eyes is mesmerizing, and understandably, its one of the most popular day trips from San Jose. They specialize in Asian cuisines and Vietnamese-inspired dishes prepared with local ingredients and fresh products. We recommend spending at least 3 hours here! An easy morning drive back to San Jos gives you time to spend the afternoon in the city. 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). 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. 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. Try to get a seat near the front of the plane, and don't dawdle when disembarking. They sell amazing burgers from prime beef supplied by grass-fed animals on a nearby farm. Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Monteverde. 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. This specific spot is really close. On your first full day in La Fortuna, we recommend you wake up early and make the short 15-minute drive to Arenal Volcano National Park. 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. Right in the heart of San Jose sits Caf Rojo, a trendy coffee shop, restaurant, and cultural space. La Mariposa has a lot more in store for its guests, too. The mood here is quaint, casual, and authentic to the local surroundings outside. Due to the different regions of Costa Rica offering a variety of experiences, this 7-day itinerary includes overnight stays in three major cities: La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. San Jose. Beaches and Volcanoes 7 days from 2524 USD. Im so excited!! Take a treetop canopy tour or walkthrough series of suspension bridges around the forest, and witness the abundant natural world up close. 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. Boats leave from nearby Jaco or Puntarenas, both about 90 minutes from San Jose. Its also the perfect place to see monkeys and sloths in the wild in Costa Rica! 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 only catch here is, that you can expect a large number of tourists flocking to the country to experience activities. Its a place where you can use the bathroom too. 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. 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. Located in the Central Americas region, Costa Rica is a top-rated tourist destination amongst travelers. The path is not at all strenuous, and can easily be completed with the help of nature guides. 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. San Jos. Costa Rica Eco Adventure 7 days from 1704 USD. 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. I personally loved my stay here, and all thanks to the green surroundings it presents when you touchdown this beautiful town. Are we saving the best for last? This two-star hotel is legitimately just 25 meters away from the park entrance and five minutes on foot from Playa Espadilla. Even if you arent a coffee drinker, its worth sipping to relish the rich Costa Rican flavors. The itinerary was packed full of awesome activities, and we got to experience so much of the country within a short amount of time. I should note that the cruise is available both in the morning and afternoon for $95 USD and leaves from Quepos. 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. WebDAY 1: Arrive & settle into San Jos Arrive and get settled in San Jos. Click Here! I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. 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. Day 1: San Jose to La Fortuna. Theres no better way to indulge in Costa Rican tradition than to embrace the local pura vida the pure life. Bound, monkey-like, along specially built walkways that get you right up into the action in the tree canopies. As you rappel down the waters, be excited to witness exotic birds and wildlife. Almost all Manuel Antonio hotels have transport to the park. Your driver will pick you up from any hotel in La Fortuna, which is handy! 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. Cruise along the coastal waterways and Pochette Mangroves before landing on the pristine white sands of Tortuga Island. Ziplining and Tarzan swing 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). Upon your checkout, drive past winding roads to reach Monteverde. In fact, the restaurant is home to a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane. See more volcano tours. Along the way, youll see Rio Celeste Waterfall, the Bubbling Hot Pot, and Tenidoros. The adventure ends on the pristine Pacific coast beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park with time for some well-earned sun, sea, and sand. You have plenty of dishes to try, like the Ginger and Panko-crusted Tuna (my favorite) in sesame salad dressing, Shrimp, Tequila-lime Scallops, and Tenderloin Steak, and tasty Mushroom Risotto for vegetarian selections. 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. Its highly rated and includes lunch, transport, and an expert guide. La Fortuna (nights 1 and 2) Volcano Lodge Hotel and Thermal Experience. Weve covered all bases with this itinerary culture, volcanos, waterfalls, wildlife, and the beach! 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. Jaco is one of the most touristic places in Costa Rica so you can choose from hundreds of restaurants. 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. A full-service bar is also on hand, so you can enjoy a glass of champagne while relaxing in the pools. Feel free to dip in the outdoor pool or enjoy the refreshing scenery on the terrace and garden. Deciding where to stay during any trip is probably one of the difficult things to do. For us, it is important to have a home base and a place to settle into. Its a full-day tour at 12 hours long but is highly recommended. From tarantulas to armadillos and large bugs you can expect to hop across them every now & then.Price Starting entry fee is $30 approx. This specific full-day tour to Rio Celeste is a top choice. Their travel medical insurance is very affordable at only $42 USD per every 4-weeks. After an adventurous day at Rio Celeste, there is no better way to unwind than soaking in a relaxing hot spring! With its wooden furniture and tropical decor, its brimming with Costa Rican charm everywhere you look. Costa Rica is also a relatively small country, making it the perfect destination to explore even on a week-long trip. Its one of the most important sites in San Jos, attracting millions of tourists. If traveling on a guided tour, listen to all instructions received and keep a note of them. There are also shops and restaurants on one side of the bridge get a fruit smoothie, they are delicious. This restaurant/bar has an interesting history that stretches way back to the eighties. The restaurant has a fantastic ocean view, and the surrounding rainforest is filled with wildlife. Zipline over treetops in Monteverde before taking a boat to La Fortuna where you will hike trails around the iconic Arenal Volcano. The kids will love being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungles of Arenal Volcano National Park. Their bakery offers an array of fabulous pastries, especially the bagels and the flourless almond cookies! Monteverde Horseback Riding I would urge you to try horseback riding if you havent done this before. The corners of this land are so heavily dense & lush-green, that its almost a conservationists dream to explore Costa Rican wildlife. 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.) 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. 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. Brace yourself for lines at immigration if you arrive in the evening along with several other large flights from North America. The water is cold but super refreshing, and the entire area is gorgeous. Its one of the most unique things to do during your 7 days in Costa Rica! This day is packed with adventurous fun that will surely pump your adrenaline to experience Costa Ricas wild side. The type of stay you book can lower your total cost or dramatically increase it. 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