Was an amazing 10 days and a great way to see Costa Rica, Lots of activities and Jurgen was so helpful. Travel insurance isnt just a piece of mind, but to us, its essential! Some were as big as 15 feet too. 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). 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. In fact, the restaurant is home to a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane. Just follow the guidelines, stay away from isolated/no-entry zones, and dont showcase your valuables around. With its wooden furniture and tropical decor, its brimming with Costa Rican charm everywhere you look. Believe it or not, you can experience the best this country has to offer in only a week! Visit the Cloud Forest Reserve reconnects you with nature in a serene way. 7 days in Costa Rica offers the opportunity to explore some of this Central American nations most phenomenal natural sights. After all that hiking, if you arent too tired, its time to head to Mystico Adventure Park. Hanging bridges tour They specialize in Asian cuisines and Vietnamese-inspired dishes prepared with local ingredients and fresh products. 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. It makes an interesting start to your first full day in Costa Rica. Exit at Atenas, a pleasant town that makes a good lunch stop. During peak season, the early morning time slots book up days in advance. There are eight jacuzzi-style pools here that cascade down and lower in temperature as you get closer to the bottom. La Fortuna (nights 1 and 2) Volcano Lodge Hotel and Thermal Experience. For additional convenience, dressing rooms, showers, and lockers are available for guest use. Below, Ill suggest a few stay options that will help you sort your hotels as well. San Jose. The final activity on your 7 days in Costa Rica is this epic sunset cruise! Dec 30, 2021 2 Min read. This Costa Rica 6-day itinerary is perfect for kids and adults alike! 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. Costa Rica is also a relatively small country, making it the perfect destination to explore even on a week-long trip. When we are going on a longer trip (more than a month) the insurance provider we always use is SafetyWing. Their bakery offers an array of fabulous pastries, especially the bagels and the flourless almond cookies! The entire reserve is festooned with orchid collections, big jungle cats, and unique wildlife species. For that luxury touch, the main area of the hot springs comes complete with a swim-up bar and a waterslide. How to book add-ons for the above itinerary?For accommodation, you can explore a plethora of options from Tripadvisor. Poas is also one of the most famous volcanoes to visit in Costa Rica. You can start with the Tuna Tostadas and finish with a large healthy Shrimp Salad! In case you want a little bit more about the country, why not check out our guide on, Published by Sofie, updated on October 12, 2022. This specific spot is really close. My top recommendation for the day would be to go on a coffee tour in Monteverde. Costa Rica's 7 day Itinerary: Top picks for the best adventures! But we think its most beautiful at night when the sky really puts on a show think shades of pink and purple lighting up the sky. The former one is rather the busiest, with long immigration lines and security check-in. Visit the Teatro Nacional and the Museo de Oro Precolombino, and save time for late-afternoon shopping. Allow up to 5 hours for this experience, which we think is a must for first-timers to the city. One of my favorite attractions here is the butterfly observatory. Having a small handy bag will also help to keep your day-to-day essentials. We like Nayara Gardens with its terrific views of the volcano. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 7 Day Costa Rica Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Costa Rica! This Rainforest Night Walk and Dinner tour is the same tour I did in La Fortuna with Ecoterra. Kids of all ages will beam on first seeing the tropical paradise that is the Nicoya Peninsula. Free Gratuities on most 7+ Night Norwegian Cruises! 7 DAY COSTA RICA ITINERARY - My Darling Passport This travel guide outlines the best way to spend one week in 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. Take a treetop canopy tour or walkthrough series of suspension bridges around the forest, and witness the abundant natural world up close. Especially, when a country like Costa Rica is abundantly filled with luxury stays, budget-friendly hotels & fancy lodges. If budget is a constraint for your Costa Rica trip, then the bus is the cheapest transport mode for you. It is truly a spectacular place to hang out for couples as well as families. El Avin is a famous restaurant in Costa Rica, and because of its location, its also one of the best spots in Manuel Antonio to watch the sunset. 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. Its similar to glacier lakes that reflect rock flour. However, for a tourist who wants maximum flexibility cozy cabins or mountain-side lodges become trendy. You can also opt for additional activities & even extend your stay to explore other tourist places. I hope this 7-day Costa Rica itinerary has helped you plan your upcoming trip to this gorgeous country. It includes all your fees, water, transport, and a great guide. It only takes 15 minutes to get down but a little longer on the way up its 500 steps! The Hampton Inn just across from the airport lets you ease into your Costa Rican experience in familiar surroundings; the Xandari Resort & Spa offers a far more local, and pricier, first night here. Although La Fortuna is absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night! The kids will love being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungles of Arenal Volcano National Park. 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, We think the best way to get to Tortuga Island is on an organized tour from San Jose such as this one. Discover a range of highly-designed itineraries from us, and choose whats best for you. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. 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! 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? Campervans are mostly meant for backpackers, but nowadays families opt for the same to set everything within a budget. You dont necessarily need to book a room to access the hot springs. But, all countries will require a valid passport (6 months of minimum validity) to enter Costa Rica. For any Costa Rica trips, I advise you to carry a large rucksack and a convenient travel bag. The first bus is the La Fortuna to San Ramon bus which is 2 hours and will cost you $4 USD. It was established in 2000 and converted into two-level bars and a restaurant built in, around, and above the airplane with stunning views of the Manuel Antonio coastline below! This restaurant/bar has an interesting history that stretches way back to the eighties. Of course, this is an optional add-on if you arent already too tired. The private Deluxe Room here costs fromUS$152 per night, while a bed in the Small Dorm costs around US$26 per night. We have traveled Costa Rica extensively and even lived there for a while! If you have the time (i.e. Then, you can walk all the way to the national park and get the bus back up to town. 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. 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. Yes, you get your accommodation, transport, and kitchen all sorted with a campervan. 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. Some offer clubbed packages, whilst others as a single service. The only catch here is, that you can expect a large number of tourists flocking to the country to experience activities. 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. If youre interested in a guided tour, this specific tour is a great option. Its one of the best things we did in Manuel Antonio and it was lovely to relax and enjoy a few drinks out on the water. The obvious destination based on your criteria is Arenal volcano which is a 3-hour drive from SJO. Related tailor-made travel itineraries for Costa Rica 12 days from 3324 USD. 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. 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. This is definitely one of the best hotels in Manuel Antonio town. Visited hot springs, s, Lots of activities and Jurgen was so helpful. You can also extend this itinerary to venture into other Costa Rican destinations. The restaurant serves local cuisine inspired by fresh seafood. This travel guide outlines the best way to spend one week in Costa Rica. Our travel experts will respond within 48 hours. Note: Booking a canopy tour can vary from company to company. Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. Im so excited!! Having said that, there are plenty of other Costa Rica itineraries you can book. In my opinion, its a must-visit during your 7 days in Costa Rica! Set amongst the rolling hills of Cordillera de Talamanca in the background theres nothing like witnessing wild bird species in a calm environment. Day 2 - Santa Elena, your base for the Monteverde rainforest Where to stay in Santa Elena Day 3 - Visit the Monteverde rainforest A few facts Visiting the rain forest and driving on the same day? Traveling to Costa Rica? 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. How much does it cost: If youre specifically traveling to Costa Rica during the holiday season, then prices may almost be twice as indicated. 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. Chat with a local travel specialist in Costa Rica who can help organize your trip. It departs every day at 8:40 am and it arrives at La Fortuna between noon and 1 pm. This stunning 230-foot (70 meters) waterfall shoots out from a tall cliff into a pool below thats surrounded by lush forest. Depart back to your hometown. Bound, monkey-like, along specially built walkways that get you right up into the action in the tree canopies. 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. The bus holds 50 people seated and 20 standing so its important to be aware that you may have to stand for the journey. Costa Rica is a veritable nature wonderland, largely regarded as one of the world's last unspoiled wildernesses. Explore Arenal Volcano National Park and enjoy the phenomenal panoramas around the park, which boasts hanging bridges, striking waterfalls, and the famed Baldi hot springs. The journey is quite scenic and you can stop over to click ample photos. 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. The owner, a trained chef in Mexico, spares no ingredients so you can taste the authenticity in the soft savory tacos and the mezcal in margaritas. Then Costa Rica boasts high-end stays spread across the region. Whats great is that Manuel Antonio National Park is literally right next to Manuel Antonio town, so you dont have to spend any time really traveling here! 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