You can check availability and book Hotel La Mariposa online here! 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. Travel Tip: To enter the country, youll first need to show your return ticket (proof of exiting the country). One of the best ways to get around Costa Rica in 7 days is by rental car. Its a great introduction to San Jose and also allows you to explore busy markets and plazas with a knowledgeable guide. Not all buses in Costa Rica travel directly from one point to the other; most of them make stops between places. 11 Best Day Trips from San Jose, Costa Rica, Family Vacations in Costa Rica: Top 12 Destinations to Visit, Playa Hermosa: Costa Ricas Beautiful Beach, 10 Best Waterfalls to Visit in Costa Rica, 7 Best Places to view Wildlife in Costa Rica, Fishing Costa Rica: Where to Find the Best Catch, Honeymoon in Costa Rica: 8 Romantic Destinations, Ecotourism in Costa Rica: 10 Ways to Experience it, Planning a Trip to Costa Rica: Your Essential Guide to Costa Rica, 13 Best Things to Do in San Jose, Costa Rica, 5 Things to do in Santa Teresa in Costa Rica, 6 Best Ziplining in Costa Rica: Where to Go, 11 Things to Do in Jaco: Costa Ricas Liveliest Beach, 10 Things to Do in and Near Liberia, Costa Rica, Top 5 Things to Do in Cahuita, Costa Rica, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica: Things to Do, Whitewater Rafting in Costa Rica: 10 Best Rapids, Tortuga Island in Costa Rica: Everything You Need to Know, Sarapiqui in Costa Rica: Adventure and Beyond, Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica: Beaches and More, Tamarindo Beach in Costa Rica: Attractions and Things to do, Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast: 5 Best Places to Visit, Costa Rica's Pacific Coast: 8 Best Places to Visit. 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. Conveniently located in the city center and just a 5-minute walk from the Costa Rica National Theatre and San Jos Cathedral. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Experience a canopy tour If you havent tried a canopy tour in San Jose, then you shouldnt miss out on experiencing this thrilling activity at Monteverde. 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. Head out for an ATV tour or go for tours in the national park to see bats and frogs. 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. After all that hiking, if you arent too tired, its time to head to Mystico Adventure Park. Some places in the country can cause immense heat, UV exposure, and water hazards. 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. Right in the heart of San Jose sits Caf Rojo, a trendy coffee shop, restaurant, and cultural space. Costa Rica is a veritable nature wonderland, largely regarded as one of the world's last unspoiled wildernesses. With its wooden furniture and tropical decor, its brimming with Costa Rican charm everywhere you look. Home stay with amazing families which including a cooking demo, cycle ride, swim in a river, a home cooked evening meal with locally sourced fresh food and one of the funniest games of football in the pouring rain with the local village children Ive ever played. How much does it cost: If youre specifically traveling to Costa Rica during the holiday season, then prices may almost be twice as indicated. If you dont have time to stop here tonight, do not worry, this is the main beach in Manuel Antonio, and its almost guaranteed youll visit at some time during your 7 days in Costa Rica. La Luna Restaurant is snuggled atop the Gaia Hotel & Reserve in a clubhouse, just minutes away from Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific Ocean. Today, you will explore La Fortuna to its core. 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, 7 days in Costa Rica offers the opportunity to explore some of this Central American nations most phenomenal natural sights. Meanwhile, secluded pools in the lower section offer a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano. This small city is situated in San Carlos, set amongst the gorgeous backdrop of Arenal Volcano. After the tour, youre free to enjoy the beaches and relax. All the hotels linked below perfectly match up the 7 days Costa Rica itinerary and will require little effort to plan. The Costa Rican food here is excellentfresh ingredients with unmatched flavors. The final activity on your 7 days in Costa Rica is this epic sunset cruise! The restaurant has a fantastic ocean view, and the surrounding rainforest is filled with wildlife. Traveling to Costa Rica? Right from indulging in rainforest hikes, brisk high-altitude trails, and epic surfing coasts the country will want you to witness each of its experiences up close. Some were as big as 15 feet too. Luckily, our guide kept us safe! In the evening, I recommend experiencing the local hot springs of La Fortuna. They are the easiest option if you need a quick place to sleep! Situated in the Grano de Oro Hotels central courtyard, this beautiful restaurant provides visitors with a relaxed fine dining experience. Waterfall trekking Mani also knew little gems to keep us occupied in free mornings/afternoons and was more than happy to use his free time to take us to them. The adventure ends on the pristine Pacific coast beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park with time for some well-earned sun, sea, and sand. Upon your checkout, drive past winding roads to reach Monteverde. It's also one of two locales in the country where you'll see squirrel monkeys. Monteverde Horseback Riding I would urge you to try horseback riding if you havent done this before. Moreover, you can book optional tours, flights & read more resources on this itinerary. It all comes down to individual preference & travel style. 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? Day three in Monteverde is free to relax or try out other listed activities. If you dont have a rental car you can book a shuttle that will pick you up from your hotel in San Jose, costing approximately $37 USD this will take 4 hours and 15 minutes. While on theMonteverde Cloud Forest Reserve tour, take a stop at the cheese factory before heading to the Pacific coasts Manuel Antonio National Park, an idyllic tropical beach landscape with activities including snorkeling and sea kayaking. Its free to visit the Crocodile Bridge and is just a nice quick stop where you can stretch your legs for a minute. 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. Within the national park, Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur offer more seclusion, but no real facilities. We welcome your questions or comments to this article. Start with a trip to Arenal Volcano National Park and explore the jungle on foot, with the option to crash through the regions white water on a rafting trip or repel down mighty waterfalls. Also, be sure to check out more of our in-depth guides including: Is Costa Rica Safe? Rio Celeste Waterfall is located around a 30-minute walk from the entrance, and you reach the waterfall via a stunning staircase that makes for some pretty spectacular photos. (1020 minutes from most area lodgings). 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. Alternatively, skip the bustling city altogether and head straight on a day trip to Tortuga Island, a beautiful island paradise that is only accessible by boat. Travel: Looking for other Costa Rica itineraries? You dont necessarily need to book a room to access the hot springs. 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. Alternatively, head back to town and do a little shopping or have a relax in the main square before you nighttime adventure! It is open every day from 12 pm 10 pm. How much will the above curated itinerary cost?The above Costa Rica itinerary 7 Days will cost you $900 $1200. Manuel Antonio National Park is open from 7 am to 4 pm every day. For more details on documentation, visit here. Alternatively, you can catch a public bus from downtown San Jos from Terminal 7-10 bus station this option costs as little as $5-10 USD but it will likely take up to 5 hours. The rooms and suites here are cozy and homey andhave a ceiling fan, cable TV, and an en-suite bathroom. 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. Try out the thick, juicy steaks if you prefer dinner for two. 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! Its also the perfect place to see monkeys and sloths in the wild in Costa Rica! 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. The seven day itinerary includes beach, La Fortuna and Monteverde. The bridge got its name because the Tarcoles River that runs below it is home to one of the worlds largest crocodile populations. We got you covered! 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. Hot springs water park Of course, this is an optional add-on if you arent already too tired. Their state-of-the-art guest rooms have elegant furnishings, updated facilities, and top-of-the-line technology. 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. Dont forget: the park is closed on Monday. 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. Since, theres so much to explore keeping an extra day at this beautiful location does make sense! The tour is also more than just ziplining and lasts for 5 hours. Make sure you book a ticket online on the SINAC website in advance since a limited number of tourists are allowed per time slot to visit the crater. Zoom through the treetops on a tandem zipline over 4,300 feet long! For drinks, the fresh Costa Rican coffee will certainly put a spring in your step, but they also serve mimosas and fantastic smoothies too. See tours. Although this might feel like a short time to explore Costa Rica, 7 days gives you enough time to see the countrys best highlights. Beyond-beautiful hotels are the norm here, and you have your choice of seaside luxurywe like the Arenas del Mar Beachfront and Nature Resortor tree-shrouded lodges like Villas Nicols. Its worth noting that Poas is a very active volcano (39 eruptive episodes since 1828!) With more travelers, better will be for the growth & development of Costa Rica in the coming years. Campervans are mostly meant for backpackers, but nowadays families opt for the same to set everything within a budget. All transport is included, and its far easier than trying to visit the refuge on your own. Almost all Manuel Antonio hotels have transport to the park. WebDAY 1: Arrive & settle into San Jos Arrive and get settled in San Jos. If you want to go snorkeling, theyll show you exactly where to go, and its the same snorkeling spot we went on the sunset cruise. Day 1: San JosDay 2: San Jos MonteverdeDay 3: MonteverdeDay 4: Monteverde La FortunaDay 5: La FortunaDay 6: La Fortuna San JosDay 7: San Jos. Visited hot springs, s, Lots of activities and Jurgen was so helpful. Enjoy casual dining, a wide-ranging menu, and views of incredible sunsets over the Pacific Ocean while sipping on an ice cold beer or a delicious cocktail. Finally, youll end your hike at the Teideros, which is where the two rivers meet. 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. The view of the volcano here is impressive! It is well-known for its natural hot springs and pools that wind through a luscious garden, giving guests the sense of being in the heart of a jungle. So, experience Costa Rica through our eyes by following this amazing 7-day Costa Rica itinerary! It makes an ideal weeklong family vacation for American families who need to work around limited school holiday periods. You can relax, rejuvenate or dip into the cool waters. Along with that, discover other places like Lake Arenal and Cerro Chato (extinct volcano).Price $59 approx. They have a beautiful on-site restaurant and bar where you can enjoy a view of the garden or the pool. We have written two Costa Rica You can book a Standard Double Room here for as low as US$48 per night with discounts available during the low season. If traveling on a guided tour, listen to all instructions received and keep a note of them. 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 Not only because of its abundant travel opportunities, but also the fact the country is so beautiful that it will leave you mesmerized. The Costa Rican government has led the world in the protection of this natural paradise, designating a quarter of the country's landmass to be protected national parks. Especially, trying this activity in misty Monteverde is a special experience. Its safe to say that travel insurance has saved us thousands over the years! The French chef Francis, whos the owner, beautifully blends European dishes with his native specialties and Latin flavors, creating tasty dishes so hard to describe youve got to visit Grano to experience it. They all line the road that runs west from La Fortuna around the north side of the volcano. This specific full-day tour to Rio Celeste is a top choice. Today, prepare to get up early (we recommend leaving before 7 am) and head to the stunning Rio Celeste which is a 1 hour and 45-minute drive from La Fortuna, or 104 km (65 miles). This particular route is 130 km (80.7 miles). However, an average one-week Costa Rica itinerary can cost you somewhere around $890 $1500. The Basic Double Room here costs as low as $119 USD per night, while the Deluxe King Suite starts at $165, both for double occupancy and inclusive of breakfast. Their bakery offers an array of fabulous pastries, especially the bagels and the flourless almond cookies! Menu Speak To A Vacation Planner Now 1-888-447-8459 In fact, the restaurant is home to a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane. 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. Find destinations that inspire you, parenting.com. See more volcano tours. Our top tip is to grab a seat on their glorious back patio! This Rainforest Night Walk and Dinner tour is the same tour I did in La Fortuna with Ecoterra. Volcanoes and beaches are two of the things Costa Rica does best, so the classic first-timers itinerary to Costa Rica takes in two of its most popular destinations: the impressive Arenal Volcano and the beaches of the Central Pacific coasts lovely Manuel Antonio. A mix of nature and adventure, this trip allows you to combine the two best things about Costa Rica. When we visited, we saw over 15 crocodiles! You can even step a little further, and optional activities (which I will list down below) to the itinerary. A private room here costs from as low as $40 USD. 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. 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: 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. 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 One of my favorite attractions here is the butterfly observatory. No other activity is planned for today, so its completely up to you to spend your final few hours in San Jose. You can pitch your own tent on the 20-hectare property for as low as $10 USD per night. 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. 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.) Everything about Emilios Cafe is simply wonderful from the caring staff to the food, desserts, wine, and coffee. This is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna, and exploring the park is an adventure that takes you to the volcanos base and slightly up its steep face. It gives you the maximum freedom to stop anywhere you want and visit places at your own pace. You will also see jungle cats, sloths, monkeys, snakes, frogs, and Costa Rican birds throughout the gardens! Besides the volcano this area also has hot springs, hanging If budget is a constraint for your Costa Rica trip, then the bus is the cheapest transport mode for you. 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