Its a place where you can use the bathroom too. Our top tip is to grab a seat on their glorious back patio! Youll meet your guide at the park entrance and explore, spotting a ton of wildlife and learning about the area. They are the easiest option if you need a quick place to sleep! Thats why weve carefully designed this 7-day Costa Rica itinerary to include three main destinations. The water is cold but super refreshing, and the entire area is gorgeous. We got you covered! Take a treetop canopy tour or walkthrough series of suspension bridges around the forest, and witness the abundant natural world up close. Great Costa Rica Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend? 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). Medical bills add up very quickly if you end up in hospital, not to mention, if you are a victim of theft, travel insurance will replace your items. This travel guide outlines the best way to spend one week in Costa Rica. San Jose. Tourists need to be fully vaccinated, along with a valid travel policy to enter the country. Irazu Volcano National Park. It includes all your fees, water, transport, and a great guide. Here, the family adventure continues as you explore the heavenly beaches, namely Tambor beach. 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. 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. and is characterized by its acid blue lake crater, which is one of the worlds biggest craters. Since Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica most of the locals in the country will converse in their local language. This 8-day Costa Rica trip takes you right into the heart of Costa Ricas most popular national parks such as Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and Manuel Antonio National Park. Its also slightly longer at 3 to 4 hours. Feel free to dip in the outdoor pool or enjoy the refreshing scenery on the terrace and garden. They also offer a self-drive option with the meeting point in Puntarenas. Explore the heavenly freshwater creeks and lagoons on a, The whole family will also love this full Costa Rica one-week itinerary. Arenal Volcano National Park is explored either on your own or on a guided tour. So, experience Costa Rica through our eyes by following this amazing 7-day Costa Rica itinerary! You can even step a little further, and optional activities (which I will list down below) to the itinerary. 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. With more travelers, better will be for the growth & development of Costa Rica in the coming years. This specific spot is really close. It involves sliding down the rope over the trees, giving you an aerial view of the densely populated forests. However, important COVID-19 guidelines & government protocols need to be followed. Although this might feel like a short time to, Whether you are traveling solo, as an adventure or wildlife enthusiast, or with your family, check out our best. 2. You could, however, plan your trip two weeks after the holiday season and still can have a great time in Costa Rica. 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). I dont know about you, but I just love a good burger for lunch, and thankfully in the town of Jaco, theres an excellent burger joint. To add some thrill to your Costa Rica journey, opt for a 44 jeep or a campervan. The adventure ends on the pristine Pacific coast beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park with time for some well-earned sun, sea, and sand. Note: Booking a canopy tour can vary from company to company. During peak season, the early morning time slots book up days in advance. When we are going on a longer trip (more than a month) the insurance provider we always use is SafetyWing. This specific tour includes unlimited drinks, dinner, snorkeling, swimming, a really fun and knowledgeable guide, and a great crew. Conveniently located in the city center and just a 5-minute walk from the Costa Rica National Theatre and San Jos Cathedral. The rooms and suites here are cozy and homey andhave a ceiling fan, cable TV, and an en-suite bathroom. You can drive yourself or book a tour which will pick you up from your accommodation in La Fortuna. I personally loved my stay here, and all thanks to the green surroundings it presents when you touchdown this beautiful town. 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. For major African countries, a mandatory yellow fever certification will be required. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. You can see the expansive blue for miles on end with no obstruction at all. So, you have to do a night walk through the rainforest to see and appreciate all the critters that only come out after dark. La Fortuna Waterfall Just across the Arenal Volcano, youll find a more serene natural spot La Fortuna Waterfalls. 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. This is especially true in Costa Rica because things are not very cheap here. Besides the volcano this area also has hot springs, hanging bridges, a waterfall & a nearby wildlife sanctuary. La Mariposa has a lot more in store for its guests, too. Whats great about this road trip is that there are plenty of awesome stops along the way like La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which is about halfway between the two cities, and Poas Volcano, which is about 1.5 hours from San Jose. The mood here is quaint, casual, and authentic to the local surroundings outside. In the evening, I recommend experiencing the local hot springs of La Fortuna. No other activity is planned for today, so its completely up to you to spend your final few hours in San Jose. In the end, head to the Coffee Lab to taste some of the finest samples of coffee. 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. Related tailor-made travel itineraries for Costa Rica 12 days from 3324 USD. We saw so much wildlife, including a huge green lizard and even a bullet ant, which is known to have the most painful sting of any insect on the planet. This capital city is diverse & much more cultural in terms of the experiences it has to offer. A mix of nature and adventure, this trip allows you to combine the two best things about Costa Rica. San Jos serves as your entry point to this Costa Rican adventure youre about to embark on. 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. Bound, monkey-like, along specially built walkways that get you right up into the action in the tree canopies. 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). Moreover, you can book optional tours, flights & read more resources on this itinerary. It only takes 15 minutes to get down but a little longer on the way up its 500 steps! One of Costa Ricas most popular strands of sand, Playa Espadilla hums with activity on weekends and holidays. 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. Health & Safety: Costa Rica is a safe country. Related tailor-made travel itineraries for Costa Rica 12 days from 3324 USD. Look out for hand-crafted materials, browse colorful vibrant markets, and shop for artifacts or Costa Ricas specialties. 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. We recommend limiting your itinerary to two destinations for a 7-10 day itinerary. And youre lucky enough to have your own, private villa. Follow up with a visit to one of many hot-springs complexes in the area as the sun sets behind Volcn Arenal. Prices here range between $150 and $350 USD a night. Through my partnership program, all additional activities & experiences will be available through G Adventures. 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. You can book a Standard Double Room here for as low as US$48 per night with discounts available during the low season. Depart back to your hometown. Take a zipline or hanging-bridges tour through the forest canopy north of the volcano with amazing views of the mountain itself. What we love is that Emilio, the owner often greets his guests in person. San Gerardo de Dota Want a more peaceful experience? 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. The caf is situated behind Plaza Vista in central Manuel Antonio and it overlooks the Pacific Ocean, plus the food is all homemade. This depends on your travel stay, experiences you book, transfer costs, and other daily expenses. My ideal suggestion would be to visit the Baldi Hot Springs Hotel & Spa. Keep your eyes peeled for the parks most beguiling residents: endangered sea turtles, manatees, caiman, monkeys, sloths, and even jaguars. 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. Especially, trying this activity in misty Monteverde is a special experience. We recommend spending at least 3 hours here! All trails are well marked and there are signs and maps everywhere so you wont get lost. This bridge crosses the river and is a popular gathering spot. You can check out some amazing deals 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. As soon as youve landed, rent a Then these mid-range hotels are a nice option. 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. Its conveniently located only a few minutes from the National Park entrance. Related Read: Check out the best Restaurants in San Jose. Having a small handy bag will also help to keep your day-to-day essentials. This two-star hotel is legitimately just 25 meters away from the park entrance and five minutes on foot from Playa Espadilla. We like Nayara Gardens with its terrific views of the volcano. 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. Try out the thick, juicy steaks if you prefer dinner for two. Its located a 3-minute or 17-minute walk from Manuel Antonio! (44 hours by paved road from La Fortuna). Within the national park, Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur offer more seclusion, but no real facilities. Seeing this massive crater with your own eyes is mesmerizing, and understandably, its one of the most popular day trips from San Jose. Youre lucky enough to be here in paradise. Late in the evening, you can explore the town, visit nightclubs & bars, and indulge in a delicious food experience. In case you want a little bit more about the country, why not check out our guide on10 days or 14 days in Costa Rica? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 7 Day Costa Rica Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Costa Rica! For us, it is important to have a home base and a place to settle into. They also have different types of cheesecakes and other healthy brunch options. Costa Rica to introduce COVID-19 vaccine mandate: here's where to show proof. I hope this 7-day Costa Rica itinerary has helped you plan your upcoming trip to this gorgeous country. (1020 minutes from most area lodgings). There are lounge chairs for rent as well as kayaks and snorkeling equipment. Approximately 40-minutes from Poas Volcano National Park is La Paz Waterfall Garden, and we think this should be your next stop on your drive from San Jose to La Fortuna. Im so excited for you to explore one of my favorite destinations in the world! Along with the holiday season, the months of July & August are also popular. You'll pass again through the mountainous stretch between La Fortuna and San Ramnthats the way you cameto get back to the main highway heading east. The menu represents bold indigenous flavors, herbs, local products, and peppers reminiscent of the different global cuisines.The interior dcor has stunning murals that uplift this roadside restaurant to a charming dining experience. The bus holds 50 people seated and 20 standing so its important to be aware that you may have to stand for the journey. The best for swimming is Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. 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. 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. It is also conveniently located near supermarkets, restaurants, and bars. To cater to some of these requirements, look at the below table I created following the itinerary. Along your way, expect to spot toucans, bellbird, parrots, and other species. Exit at Atenas, a pleasant town that makes a good lunch stop. You can expect rains and a bit of chilly weather, but its ideal to experience most Costa Rican attractions. We welcome your questions or comments to this article. If youre a true foodie, this is the city for you and you can even join a food tour here! 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. Swimming in the ocean How much does it cost: If youre specifically traveling to Costa Rica during the holiday season, then prices may almost be twice as indicated. Also, be sure to check out more of our in-depth guides including: Is Costa Rica Safe? Head out for an ATV tour or go for tours in the national park to see bats and frogs. Travel insurance isnt just a piece of mind, but to us, its essential! 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