Costa Rica, with its vibrant culture, lush rainforests, and stunning beaches, is one of Central America’s top travel destinations. This small nation offers an abundance of natural beauty and cultural experiences.
Situated between the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, Costa Rica features diverse landscapes, from black volcanic sand beaches to cloud forests and pristine white sand shores. During your visit, indulge in local coffee, zip-line through the treetops, relax to reggae music on the beach, and observe sloths and monkeys in their natural habitats!
Costa Rica at a Glance | What to Expect
Language: Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken, making it easy to communicate.
Currency: The official currency is the Colón.
Credit Cards and ATMs: Credit cards are commonly accepted, and US dollars are also widely used. Prices at many hotels, restaurants, and tour agencies may be listed in dollars. There’s a modern and extensive network of ATMs throughout major tourist areas if you prefer to withdraw local currency.
Plugs: Costa Rica uses type A plugs, which are the same as in the US, so you won’t need an adapter if you’re coming from the States.
Safety: Generally, Costa Rica is a safe place to visit. As with any destination, exercising common sense and being cautious, especially if traveling alone at night, is advisable.
Weather: The best time to visit Costa Rica is the dry season, from mid-December to April. However, this peak season also brings larger crowds and higher prices. If you don’t mind a bit of rain, consider visiting from May to November when prices drop, and fewer tourists are around. Rain typically comes in short bursts, so it won’t disrupt your trip too much.
Food and Drink
- Casado: This traditional dish, commonly found in local sodas (small restaurants), combines white rice with savory black beans, a vegetable side (often a citrus-dressed cabbage slaw), and a protein, usually grilled chicken, pork, or fish.
- Gallo Pinto: A delicious mixture of rice and beans typically eaten for breakfast.
- Patacones: Fried plantain chips that make a tasty snack.
- Ceviche: A seafood dish prepared with citrus, often served as a refreshing treat.
- Imperial Beer: The local beer of choice.
- Coffee: Costa Rica is known for producing some of the finest coffee beans in the world.
Costa Rica offers diverse experiences, allowing you to explore various regions within one trip. I recommend renting a car to navigate the beauty of the country, although driving can be challenging due to mountainous terrain and unpaved roads. Keep in mind that distances on maps are sometimes misleading; a short distance could take hours due to winding roads.
For our week-long adventure, we chose to visit three towns: La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. Each of these towns boasts its unique features and landscapes. Let’s dive into the itinerary!
La Fortuna is famous for Arenal Volcano and offers plenty of tourist activities. It can be a bit pricey, so we found better deals for excursions elsewhere in Costa Rica.
Monteverde is a lush, ecologically rich area situated in the mountains. True to its name (Green Mountain), it’s ideal for nature lovers wishing to explore the unique cloud forests, zip-lining tours, and coffee tasting. Wander along trails where the sounds of exotic birds and tropical frogs create a symphonic atmosphere.
Manuel Antonio is home to Manuel Antonio National Park—the most popular national park in Costa Rica, renowned for its wildlife and accessible trails. The town also features a vibrant area near the park filled with shops and restaurants, conveniently located across from Manuel Antonio Beach.
7-Day Costa Rica Itinerary
Day 1: La Fortuna
After landing at San Jose International Airport, we embarked on a three-hour drive to La Fortuna.
Upon checking into our hotel, Hotel Secreto, we found it to be the ideal location—tucked away on a quiet street yet close to all of La Fortuna’s attractions. We chose this hotel for its great location, pool, and complimentary breakfast.
We kicked off our full day in La Fortuna by visiting the La Fortuna Waterfall, which charges an $18 entry fee per person. This was a top priority for us, and I highly recommend arriving early as the site opens at 7 am. We trekked down the 500 steps to the base of the breathtaking waterfall, where you can swim, so don’t forget your bathing suit!
Next, we decided to hike around the volcano. With a range of trails available, we selected the Arenal 1968 trail, which charges $17 per person for entry. There are three hike options, and we chose a moderately challenging one that offered beautiful views. At the top, there’s a small café where you can reward yourself with a cold beer!
Post-hike, we were ready for lunch. Dining at a soda is a must in Costa Rica. After walking past one multiple times, we finally came upon one with a small sign and enjoyed delicious casados. While La Fortuna’s food scene wasn’t our favorite overall, we really enjoyed this experience.
For dinner, we drove out of downtown to Restaurante Tiquicia, where we savored traditional Costa Rican cuisine under a thatched roof accompanied by live music. The mojito I had here was exceptional; I recommend dining here, but it’s wise to make a reservation!
Day 2: La Fortuna
La Fortuna is renowned for the Arenal Volcano, making hot springs a favored attraction. There are numerous options available, including luxurious resorts, day passes to various locations, or free springs—just keep an eye out for pickpockets and individuals attempting to charge for parking in free areas. We opted for a day pass and selected Hotel Los Lagos Resort, which offered an affordable $25 entry fee. Payment could be made in cash on-site, and higher packages included meals, but we simply wanted to enjoy the springs for the morning.
The springs were fantastic! With various hot and cool springs, along with both private and public options, we relished our time there amidst the beautiful grounds.
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring La Fortuna, checking out local bars and shops.
For dinner, seeking fresh seafood, we headed to Marisqueria Snapper’s House, where we enjoyed incredibly friendly service, delicious seafood, and a charming patio atmosphere! Highly recommended.
La Fortuna is a relatively quiet town, but we found a few places with live music. As you stroll through the streets, you’ll discover a variety of venues to enjoy a drink. Here are a couple we liked:
- Lava Lounge and Bar – great for local craft beer
- Nanku – live music (the food is overpriced, so just grab drinks)
- Pollo Fortuneño
Day 3: Monteverde
We departed early for Monteverde’s cloud forest. Although Google Maps indicates it’s about 40 miles, the four-hour drive takes you through winding mountain roads and lush jungles—making it quite an adventure. Since we had just one night here, we aimed to fit in as much as possible!
Upon arrival, we checked into our charming Airbnb, Casitas del Bosque Monteverde. Though a bit challenging to locate, it was truly a hidden gem. This quaint wooden lodge, run by a lovely couple, features a terrace, free parking, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The rooms overlook beautiful gardens, and they even cooked us breakfast!
As beer enthusiasts, we first visited the Monteverde Brewing Company, drawn by their unique mermaid beer. Spoiler alert: all their beers were exceptional!
Afterward, we ventured to the Mistico Park Hanging Bridges—one of my wishlist items! The walk is about 2 miles (easy), taking you over eight hanging bridges. Despite the rain, the atmosphere felt otherworldly, akin to being in the clouds. Though we didn’t spot any wildlife, participating in a guided tour might increase your chances of seeing more animals.
A night walk arranged by our hotel promised opportunities to observe fauna, though we found it a bit disappointing—mostly witnessing sleeping birds and learning facts without the exciting sightings we had hoped for.
Monteverde is quite a tranquil town, as most activities are intensive and can tire you out. We opt for a simple dinner at a quaint little Mexican restaurant and then returned to our hotel for a cozy evening of wine while listening to the rain!
Day 4: Monteverde/Manual Antonio
We sprang out of bed early for a thrilling zip-lining adventure—Michael’s pick. Surprisingly, considering his fear of heights, this was his chosen activity. We opted to zip-line in Monteverde due to its affordability compared to La Fortuna, and felt it would be a unique experience amidst the cloud forest. We selected Xtremo Park for its budget-friendly options and comprehensive packages; they even feature the longest zip-line in Costa Rica.
This was easily the best zip-lining experience I’ve had! The guides were lively, we felt completely secure, and the lines took us hundreds of meters above the tree tops, crossing expansive valleys. We even tried a gigantic Tarzan swing that was both exhilarating and terrifying!
After our adrenaline rush, we jumped back in the car and headed to the beach—Manuel Antonio! The drive took about three hours, but the scenic views made it enjoyable as we caught our first glimpses of the ocean. Manuel Antonio is best known for Manuel Antonio National Park, the highlight of the area. Many hotels and restaurants are situated on a hillside, but we chose to stay near the beach at Millennium Manuel Antonio, which offered excellent amenities including a pool, complimentary breakfast, and just a short walk to the beach.
Upon arrival, we wasted no time and headed straight to the beach to soak up some sun before our dinner plans at El Arado. Known for its fresh seafood, particularly red snapper, we indulged in ceviche and red snapper while enjoying live music.
Day 5: Manuel Antonio
I highly recommend hiring a guide for Manuel Antonio National Park. We found ours on Get Your Guide and were thrilled with the experience. Meeting up at 8 am (the park opens at 7:30), we wandered through the park and encountered a wealth of wildlife—from monkeys and snakes to frogs and sloths, just what we had hoped to see! Having a guide enhanced our experience significantly; they brought their telescopes for spectacular views and photographs while keeping a safe distance.
Please note that plastic items—including water bottles—and food are prohibited inside the park. They will check your bags upon entry and require you to dispose of any banned items, so plan to bring a reusable water bottle!
After our tour, we made our way to the beach within Manuel Antonio National Park. There is a public beach just outside the park, but the beach inside is pristine! It has two sections, and we recommend heading to the right side, further down the beach, as it was less crowded and breathtakingly beautiful.
Since there’s no food allowed in the park, we left once we became hungry and headed to the public beach area. We managed to secure two beach chairs by ordering from the nearby beach bar, which proved to be an economical option while ensuring our belongings were watched while soaking in the water.
Happy hour is massive in Manuel Antonio, so we visited El Avion, a hotel constructed around an airplane protruding from a hillside. Although I heard the food was overpriced and mediocre, we went for sunset and drinks instead. The ambiance was fantastic!
For dinner, craving some pasta, we chose Victoria’s, a restaurant known for its beautiful setting and delicious offerings. We shared a plate of pasta and a pizza while enjoying live music and an enchanting candlelit atmosphere.
Day 6: Manual Antonio
We started another early morning with an exhilarating activity: ATVs! Numerous ATV companies operate in the area, but we booked through our hotel, so I missed the name of our provider. Initially, I wasn’t particularly excited about this activity, but it turned out to be incredibly fun! If you’re debating whether to try it, consider this your sign to go for it!
We took a bus through lush palm tree plantations, got fitted with helmets, and practiced a bit before heading out. Michael was our driver while I took the passenger seat. We navigated through various terrains—palm groves, rivers, and fields—which was a thrilling experience. At one point, we stopped to hike to a nearby waterfall, perfect for cooling off. On the return journey, it was my turn to drive back. Though I felt a bit uneasy and we had a couple of close calls, we made it back safely! We were welcomed back with a traditional lunch that capped off a great outing.
In the afternoon, we lounged by the pool while preparing for our last dinner in Costa Rica. We knew we wanted a special experience, so we chose Ronny’s Place, renowned for its incredible sunset views and scrumptious red snapper. Dinner did not disappoint; the food was fantastic!
Afterward, we explored some lively bars in the area featuring live music—a notable shift from the quieter atmosphere in our previous towns.
Day 7: Departure
The following day, we drove three hours back to San Jose for our flight home. Our trip to Costa Rica was truly memorable!
Costa Rica is an excellent destination, especially for first-time travelers. It’s easy to navigate, English is widely spoken, and it’s very tourist-friendly. The country’s natural beauty, warm-hearted people, and delicious food make it an unforgettable experience!
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