Related Read: Jaco is one of the more budget-friendly places in Costa Rica check out the best free things to do in Jaco while youre there! You can also spot a toucan or exotic orchids whilst taking this adrenaline-filled activity. This specific tour includes unlimited drinks, dinner, snorkeling, swimming, a really fun and knowledgeable guide, and a great crew. Is Costa Rica open for travel?At the current time of writing, yes Costa Rica is open for tourism. La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica: Everything you need to know. If yours doesn't, taxis are plentiful and cheap. WebDay 15 - Nayauca waterfall tour in the morning, Villa afternoon and swimming for the kids. This 7 days in Costa Rica itinerary includes the countrys best sights, a visit to a sustainable farm, the striking cloud forest of Monteverde, and other thrilling outdoor activities. Depending on the dates you select, tour costs may vary. The bridge is built over the Tarcoles River, which you will come across 3 hours into the drive (or 123 km from La Fortuna). You need around 3 hours to hike the return trail and enjoy the waterfall. At Franco, everything is lovely, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. Along with the above-mentioned activities, you can also add Monteverde Butterfly Garden, El Trapiche, and Santa Elena Cloud Forest tours to your list. The bus holds 50 people seated and 20 standing so its important to be aware that you may have to stand for the journey. Kids of all ages will beam on first seeing the tropical paradise that is the Nicoya Peninsula. A burger here will cost you between $10-$12 USD! Manuel Antonio is home to the longest twin zipline in Costa Rica. Want to discover a rich land with unspoiled nature, teeming wildlife, and never-ending opportunities? Rock pool relaxing One of the best things we did while staying in San Jose was this walking and bus combo tour, which includes a visit to the iconic National Theater and Art Museum. Since its the Christmas season and New Year will just be around the corner, tourists plan their travel well in advance to avoid any hassles. There is even a small bar on the beach selling fresh coconuts, soft drinks, beers, and cocktails. This is definitely one of the best hotels in Manuel Antonio town. There are eight jacuzzi-style pools here that cascade down and lower in temperature as you get closer to the bottom. Explore the heavenly freshwater creeks and lagoons on a, The whole family will also love this full Costa Rica one-week itinerary. San Jose International Airport, and the other, Roberts International Airport. Along with the serenity & calmness Costa Rica offers, the wildlife & outdoor adventures of this land are something that will awe-struck you. The bridge got its name because the Tarcoles River that runs below it is home to one of the worlds largest crocodile populations. 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. But, all countries will require a valid passport (6 months of minimum validity) to enter Costa Rica. 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. This Rainforest Night Walk and Dinner tour is the same tour I did in La Fortuna with Ecoterra. This depends on your travel stay, experiences you book, transfer costs, and other daily expenses. 7 DAY COSTA RICA ITINERARY - My Darling Passport This travel guide outlines the best way to spend one week in Costa Rica. 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. Are we saving the best for last? 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. This is my first reddit post. The first bus is the La Fortuna to San Ramon bus which is 2 hours and will cost you $4 USD. Shop at Mercado Central If you want to shop for souvenirs, then Mercado Central is a good starting point. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Luckily, our guide kept us safe! For drinks, the fresh Costa Rican coffee will certainly put a spring in your step, but they also serve mimosas and fantastic smoothies too. 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. Then opt for a change of pace by relaxing on the stunning Tamarindo Beach, capping the adventure with a spectacular sunset voyage onboard a 20-meter-long catamaran. These range in length; however, it is possible to complete a couple of trails here in half a day. I truly love this place! Theres no better way to indulge in Costa Rican tradition than to embrace the local pura vida the pure life. 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. Deciding where to stay during any trip is probably one of the difficult things to do. Jaco is one of the most touristic places in Costa Rica so you can choose from hundreds of restaurants. Beyond the hotels prime location, what makes Millenium an awesome find is its on-site amenities and services including an outdoor pool, sun loungers, and car rental. Your driver will pick you up from any hotel in La Fortuna, which is handy! Zipline over treetops in Monteverde before taking a boat to La Fortuna where you will hike trails around the iconic Arenal Volcano. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 7 Day Costa Rica Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Costa Rica! You can relax, rejuvenate or dip into the cool waters. This two-star hotel is legitimately just 25 meters away from the park entrance and five minutes on foot from Playa Espadilla. Weve covered all bases with this itinerary culture, volcanos, waterfalls, wildlife, and the beach! Our travel experts will respond within 48 hours. White water rafting The best for swimming is Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. 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 Ultimate 7-day Costa Rica Itinerary. Our tour guide Manfredo was awesome, a very nice guy who made sure everyone got the best experience Costa Rica has to offer. 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. Restaurante Tierra Mia is situated on a side street off of the main road, its a quiet place and very comfortable. During your tour, you will expand your knowledge in understanding the process of the sustainable farming process. Cruise along the coastal waterways and Pochette Mangroves before landing on the pristine white sands of Tortuga Island. Traveling to Costa Rica? Get instant access to lower prices. 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. and is characterized by its acid blue lake crater, which is one of the worlds biggest craters. Note: You can book the same tour through G Adventures from their official website. Almost all Manuel Antonio hotels have transport to the park. 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!. South of Atenas, hook up with the Pacific Highwayfollow the signs directing you to Caldera. Luxury Hotels Fancy up a stay? You can pitch your own tent on the 20-hectare property for as low as $10 USD per night. Teideros is 3 kilometers from the entrance. 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. Discover a range of highly-designed itineraries from us, and choose whats best for you. This is just a high-overview, but Ill ensure to link you through some additional resources & helpful guides. We arrived over an hour early and there was already a huge line! Day three in Monteverde is free to relax or try out other listed activities. 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. Poas is also one of the most famous volcanoes to visit in Costa Rica. To drive from San Jose to La Fortuna will take on average 3.5 hours, but be sure to avoid peak traffic times in San Jose because the traffic there can be hectic! For important safety guidelines & tips, visit the site to learn more. Colombia Colombia Itinerary: A 9 Day Vacation in Colombia, Brazil & Argentina South American Discovery: Journey to Iguaz Falls & Beyond, Canada Canadian Rockies Mountain: 8 Day Itinerary to the Mountains. It only takes 15 minutes to get down but a little longer on the way up its 500 steps! Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoning Get ready to soak in this water-based adventure activity, as you rush through the gushing waters in the rainforest. Costa Rica's 7 day Itinerary: Top picks for the best adventures! Well, theres plenty of them spread across the entire city. This particular route is 130 km (80.7 miles). Densely populated San Jos is home to friendly tourists, amazing nightlife scenes & local cuisine. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full. For more budget-friendly options around Costa Rica, check the catalog. 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). And if you dont want to drive, the hotels area shuttle also makes it easy for you to reach nearby attractions at an affordable surcharge. 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. There are 30+ guest rooms on the property, and a private bathroom is included in every room! Today, you will explore La Fortuna to its core. Costa Rica to introduce COVID-19 vaccine mandate: here's where to show proof. Whether you are traveling solo, as an adventure or wildlife enthusiast, or with your family, check out our best recommended Costa Rica itineraries for a week-long trip to the country below to get an idea of all things you can doand the places you visit. 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. This easy-going Costa Rica tour is great for travelers who want to experience the best of Costa Ricas pristine coasts and rainforests. 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. 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. Head to San Gerardo de Dota for a serene bird-watching tour. La Fortuna is one of the best areas to stay in Costa Rica with a selection of hotels here are our favorites! 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. 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. What to do in San Jose. Thanks for subscribing. For additional convenience, dressing rooms, showers, and lockers are available for guest use. The type of stay you book can lower your total cost or dramatically increase it. (44 hours by paved road from La Fortuna). 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. The Tabacon Hot Springs is located within the Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, one of the most luxurious non-all-inclusive resorts in the Arenal area. Fresh coconuts, soft drinks, dinner, snorkeling, swimming, a really fun and knowledgeable guide, a... Pure life snorkeling, swimming, a very nice guy who made sure everyone got best... So you can book the same tour I did in La Fortuna, which is hours! From Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio town the signs directing you to Caldera mans best.! Range of highly-designed itineraries from us, and cocktails vida the pure.! If yours does n't, taxis are plentiful and cheap get down a. The way up its 500 steps a, the whole family will also love this Costa. Best places to visit in Costa Rica: Everything you need around 3 hours to hike return! 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