Day 1: San José – Gateway to Paradise

Your Costa Rican adventure begins in San José, the bustling capital city that serves as the heart of the nation. While many travelers rush through San José to reach the beaches and rainforests, this vibrant metropolis deserves at least a day of exploration. The city sits in the Central Valley at an elevation of 1,200 meters, providing a pleasant climate year-round with temperatures averaging 20-26°C.

City Characteristics

San José is a fascinating blend of old and new, where colonial-era architecture stands alongside modern high-rises, and traditional markets neighbor trendy cafés. The city is home to approximately 340,000 people in the urban center, with over 2 million in the greater metropolitan area. Despite its urban nature, San José maintains a laid-back atmosphere that reflects the Costa Rican philosophy of Pura Vida. The streets are alive with the sounds of street vendors, marimba music, and the constant flow of traffic navigating the city’s grid system.

The city’s architecture tells the story of Costa Rica’s history, from the neoclassical National Theatre to the contemporary Museum of Art and Design. San José lacks the polished tourist infrastructure of other destinations, which gives it an authentic, lived-in feel. The markets overflow with tropical fruits you’ve never seen before, small sodas (local restaurants) serve traditional casado lunches, and locals gather in the plazas to chat and people-watch.

What to See and Do

Start your day at the Teatro Nacional, Costa Rica’s most important building and a source of national pride. This stunning 1897 theater features a lavish interior with gold leaf decorations, marble staircases, and Renaissance-style paintings. Even if you don’t catch a performance, the guided tours are worth every colón. The café inside serves excellent Costa Rican coffee while you admire the ornate surroundings.

Walk to the nearby Mercado Central, a maze-like indoor market that’s been operating since 1880. Here you’ll find over 200 stalls selling everything from fresh produce and exotic spices to leather goods and souvenirs. The market is an assault on the senses in the best way possible—the smell of fresh coffee beans, the vibrant colors of tropical fruits, and the friendly banter of vendors create an unforgettable atmosphere. Don’t leave without trying a traditional empanada or fresh fruit juice from one of the food stalls.

In the afternoon, visit the Museo del Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum), which houses one of the finest collections of pre-Columbian gold artifacts in the Americas. The museum’s 1,600 pieces showcase the incredible metalworking skills of indigenous peoples who inhabited Costa Rica before the Spanish conquest. The displays provide fascinating insights into these ancient civilizations’ beliefs, social structures, and artistic achievements.

End your day in the Barrio Escalante, San José’s hippest neighborhood. This area has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, becoming the epicenter of the city’s culinary and cultural renaissance. The streets are lined with art galleries, craft breweries, international restaurants, and boutique shops. It’s the perfect place to experience modern Costa Rican culture while enjoying a craft cocktail or farm-to-table dinner.

Day 2: Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna

Wake early for the scenic three-hour drive to La Fortuna, a charming town that sits in the shadow of the majestic Arenal Volcano. The journey takes you through changing landscapes—from the urban sprawl of San José to rolling coffee plantations and finally to the lush lowland forests of the northern zone. As you approach La Fortuna, the perfect cone of Arenal Volcano dominates the horizon, a constant reminder of the powerful geological forces that shaped this land.

City Characteristics

La Fortuna is a small town of about 12,000 residents that has successfully transformed from a quiet agricultural community into Costa Rica’s adventure capital without losing its small-town charm. The town center remains authentically Costa Rican, with a charming central park, a beautiful Catholic church, and locally-owned shops and restaurants. Unlike more touristy beach towns, La Fortuna maintains a genuine community feel—you’ll see locals going about their daily lives, children playing in the plaza, and families gathering at sodas for typical meals.

The town’s growth has been driven by its proximity to Arenal Volcano National Park and the numerous adventure activities available in the area. Despite the influx of tourism, La Fortuna has managed to preserve its identity and natural surroundings. The climate here is tropical, hot and humid with frequent afternoon rains, creating the lush green landscape that makes this region so spectacular.

What to See and Do

Check into your hotel and then head to Arenal Volcano National Park. Arenal was Costa Rica’s most active volcano from 1968 to 2010, when it entered a resting phase. The volcano’s perfect conical shape rises 1,657 meters above sea level, and hiking trails wind through the solidified lava flows from past eruptions. The main trail, the Coladas trail, takes you through secondary forest that has reclaimed areas devastated by the 1968 eruption, offering a powerful lesson in nature’s resilience.

The park is home to incredible biodiversity—keep your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, coatis, and over 500 species of birds including toucans, trogons, and the spectacular great curassow. The forest is alive with sounds: the roar of howler monkeys echoes through the canopy, while countless insects create a constant symphony.

After your hike, reward yourself with a soak in the area’s famous hot springs. The volcanic activity that created Arenal also heats underground water sources, creating natural thermal pools throughout the region. Numerous hot spring resorts offer facilities ranging from rustic pools to luxurious spa experiences. Popular options include Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, with its landscaped gardens and multiple pools, or the more affordable Ecotermales Fortuna, which limits visitors to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

As evening falls, enjoy dinner with a view of the volcano. Several restaurants in La Fortuna offer volcano-facing terraces where you can watch the sun set behind Arenal’s iconic silhouette. The volcano is often shrouded in clouds during the day, but evenings sometimes offer crystal-clear views—a photographer’s dream.

Day 3: Adventure Day in La Fortuna

Today is all about embracing your adventurous side in one of Costa Rica’s premier adventure destinations. La Fortuna offers more adrenaline-pumping activities per square kilometer than almost anywhere else in the country.

Morning: Zip-lining and Hanging Bridges

Start with a zip-lining canopy tour through the rainforest. This thrilling experience involves gliding along steel cables suspended high above the forest floor, offering a bird’s-eye view of the jungle canopy. The longest lines can stretch over 500 meters, reaching speeds of 70 km/h as you soar above the treetops. Guides point out wildlife along the way, and the experience provides a unique perspective on the rainforest’s vertical structure—most of the life in a rainforest exists high in the canopy, invisible from the ground.

Follow this with a walk across the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, a series of 16 bridges (six hanging, ten fixed) that wind through 3 kilometers of pristine rainforest. Unlike the adrenaline rush of zip-lining, the hanging bridges offer a peaceful, contemplative way to explore the forest. The gentle swaying of the bridges as you walk adds a touch of excitement, while the elevated perspective allows for spectacular wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.

Afternoon: La Fortuna Waterfall

No visit to La Fortuna is complete without seeing the spectacular La Fortuna Waterfall. This 70-meter cascade plunges into a turquoise pool surrounded by lush vegetation. The walk to the base involves descending about 500 steps down a steep trail—the descent is easy, but remember you’ll need to climb back up! The reward is worth the effort: you can swim in the refreshing pool at the waterfall’s base, feeling the spray on your face as thousands of liters of water crash down per second.

The area around the waterfall is a haven for wildlife. Look for colorful poison dart frogs on the rocks, listen for the calls of oropendolas and toucans, and watch for butterflies and dragonflies flitting above the water. The combination of waterfall, swimming hole, and pristine forest creates a scene straight out of a tropical paradise fantasy.

Evening: Town Exploration

Return to La Fortuna for a leisurely evening exploring the town. Walk through the central park, visit local shops selling handmade crafts, and enjoy dinner at one of the town’s many excellent restaurants. For an authentic experience, try a local soda serving traditional Costa Rican cuisine like casado (a plate with rice, beans, plantains, salad, and your choice of meat) or fresh tilapia from nearby Lake Arenal.

Day 4: Monteverde Cloud Forest

Today brings one of the most scenic journeys in Costa Rica: the trip from La Fortuna to Monteverde. You have two options—the long way around via paved roads (4-5 hours) or the adventurous taxi-boat-taxi combination across Lake Arenal (3 hours total). The latter is highly recommended: you’ll drive around the lake, take a boat across its waters with stunning volcano views, and then continue by vehicle through rural villages to Monteverde. This route offers incredible scenery and a real sense of adventure.

City Characteristics

Monteverde isn’t a single town but rather a collection of small communities spread across the mountains, with Santa Elena being the main village. Founded by American Quakers in the 1950s who came seeking peace and a place to practice their beliefs (including pacifism), Monteverde has a unique character that sets it apart from other Costa Rican destinations. The Quaker influence is still evident in the community’s commitment to conservation, education, and sustainable living.

Perched at elevations between 1,300 and 1,800 meters, Monteverde straddles the Continental Divide. This unique position creates the perfect conditions for a cloud forest—moist Caribbean trade winds blow up and over the mountains, condensing into clouds and mist that envelop the forest in an ethereal embrace. The climate is cooler than the lowlands, with temperatures ranging from 12-20°C, and it’s often misty and drizzly—bring a jacket!

The community maintains a strong commitment to conservation. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve protects over 10,500 hectares of pristine cloud forest, while the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (funded by children’s donations from around the world) protects an additional 22,600 hectares. This environmental consciousness pervades the entire community, from hotels using renewable energy to restaurants serving organic, locally-grown food.

What to See and Do

Settle into your accommodation in Santa Elena, then head out for an afternoon visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This mystical forest is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Trees draped in moss and epiphytes create an otherworldly landscape, while the constant mist gives everything a soft, dreamlike quality. The reserve contains over 2,500 plant species, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, and tens of thousands of insect species.

Walk the well-maintained trails that wind through different forest zones. The cloud forest has distinct layers, each hosting different species. The canopy level, often invisible due to mist, is where you’ll find the reserve’s most famous resident—the resplendent quetzal. This stunning bird with its iridescent green body and impossibly long tail feathers is sacred to the Maya and was once worshipped as a god. Seeing one is a highlight of any Costa Rica trip, and Monteverde offers some of the best chances, especially during the March-May nesting season.

The forest floor is equally fascinating, carpeted with ferns, mosses, and fungi. Look for the unique walking palm trees, which “walk” across the forest floor by growing new roots toward sunlight and gradually abandoning old roots. The reserve is also home to all six species of Costa Rica’s wild cats, including jaguars and ocelots, though these elusive predators are rarely seen.

In the evening, visit one of Monteverde’s excellent restaurants. The area has developed a reputation for outstanding cuisine, with many restaurants serving farm-to-table dishes using ingredients from local organic farms. Don’t miss trying the local cheese—the Monteverde Cheese Factory, established by the original Quaker settlers, produces excellent cheeses that are sold throughout Costa Rica.

Day 5: Monteverde to Manuel Antonio

Today involves a longer travel day as you make your way to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and the stunning Manuel Antonio area. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours, descending from the cool mountains through changing ecosystems to the warm tropical coast. The drive takes you through small towns, palm plantations, and increasingly coastal landscapes, building anticipation for the beaches ahead.

City Characteristics

The Manuel Antonio area comprises two main settlements: Quepos, a working fishing town of about 20,000 residents, and the tourist-oriented strip connecting Quepos to Manuel Antonio National Park. This 7-kilometer road winds along dramatic coastal hills, offering spectacular ocean views and housing the majority of hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.

Quepos has an interesting history—it was once a banana port operated by the United Fruit Company, but after the plantations were destroyed by Panama disease in the 1950s, the town reinvented itself. Today, fishing remains important to the local economy, and the marina attracts sport fishing enthusiasts from around the world. The town retains an authentic Costa Rican character, with local markets, budget-friendly sodas, and a relaxed atmosphere that contrasts with the more tourist-focused Manuel Antonio strip.

The climate here is tropical and hot, with temperatures averaging 27-32°C. The area experiences two distinct seasons: dry season (December-April) when skies are clear and beaches are at their best, and rainy season (May-November) when afternoon showers are common but the landscape is lushest and there are fewer tourists.

What to See and Do

Arrive in the afternoon and check into your accommodation. Most hotels in Manuel Antonio are perched on the hillside, offering spectacular ocean views—wake up to howler monkeys in the trees and toucans flying past your balcony. These hillside locations also provide cooling breezes, a welcome relief from the coastal heat.

Spend the rest of the day settling in and exploring the area. Take a sunset walk along any of the public beaches—Playa Espadilla, just outside the national park, is the longest and most accessible. Watch the sun sink into the Pacific while pelicans dive for fish and surfers catch their last waves of the day.

For dinner, explore the restaurants along the Manuel Antonio strip. The area offers everything from budget-friendly sodas to upscale dining with ocean views. Many restaurants specialize in fresh seafood—try the ceviche, made with the day’s catch marinated in lime juice with cilantro and onions, or whole grilled fish served with rice, beans, and plantains.

Day 6: Manuel Antonio National Park

Wake early for a full day exploring Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most beloved and visited protected areas. Despite being the country’s smallest national park at just 683 hectares, it packs an incredible punch, combining pristine beaches, lush rainforest, and abundant wildlife in a compact, accessible package.

What to See and Do

Arrive at the park entrance by 7 AM to beat the crowds and the heat. The park limits daily visitors to 600 people during low season and 800 during high season, and it regularly reaches capacity, so arriving early is essential. Consider hiring a naturalist guide at the entrance—their trained eyes will help you spot camouflaged wildlife you’d otherwise miss, and they carry powerful spotting scopes for close-up views of distant animals.

The park features several well-maintained trails that wind through primary and secondary rainforest. The main trail, Sendero El Perezoso (Sloth Trail), leads to the beautiful Playa Manuel Antonio. Along the way, you’ll encounter an astounding concentration of wildlife. The park is famous for its monkeys—white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, and most notably, the endangered Central American squirrel monkey found nowhere else in the country. These tiny, adorable monkeys travel in troops, leaping between branches with incredible agility.

The park is also home to two-toed and three-toed sloths, often found sleeping in the trees or slowly munching on leaves. Their excellent camouflage makes them challenging to spot without an experienced guide. You’ll also see iguanas sunbathing on branches, colorful poison dart frogs, basilisk lizards (famous for their ability to run across water), and coatis rooting through the forest floor.

The birdlife is spectacular—over 350 species have been recorded. Look for toucans with their oversized colorful beaks, scarlet macaws flying in pairs (they mate for life), brilliant blue morpho butterflies, and countless other species. The combination of forest and coast also attracts seabirds like magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans.

The park’s beaches are among Costa Rica’s most beautiful. Playa Manuel Antonio is a perfect crescent of white sand backed by rainforest, with calm, clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The beach’s protected bay creates safe conditions for families. Playa Espadilla Sur offers more surf and space, while hidden Playa Escondido (accessible by a short trail) provides a more secluded experience.

Spend the middle of the day relaxing on the beach. The contrast of lounging on pristine sand while monkeys play in the trees behind you perfectly encapsulates what makes Costa Rica special—world-class nature easily accessible and integrated with visitor experiences. The forest comes right down to the beach, so you can cool off in the ocean and then explore the trails, all within steps.

Afternoon: More Adventures

After the park, consider booking an afternoon activity. Options include:

Catamaran tours: Sail along the coast at sunset, with opportunities for snorkeling, dolphin watching, and enjoying the spectacular coastline from the water. These tours typically include drinks and snacks, and the sunset views are unforgettable.

Mangrove kayaking: Explore the Damas Island mangrove estuary by kayak, paddling through narrow channels surrounded by tangled mangrove roots. The mangroves are nurseries for countless fish species and home to birds, crabs, and sometimes crocodiles. It’s a peaceful, beautiful experience that offers a different perspective on Costa Rica’s coastal ecosystems.

Sport fishing: Quepos is renowned for sport fishing, with opportunities to catch marlin, sailfish, dorado, and tuna. Charter boats range from budget-friendly shared trips to luxury private vessels.

Day 7: Beach Day and Departure Preparation

Your final full day in Costa Rica is perfect for relaxation and reflection on your journey. If you’re not ready to leave the beaches, spend the morning at one of the area’s other beautiful coastal spots.

Exploring More Beaches

Playa Biesanz is a hidden gem located just a 15-minute walk from the Manuel Antonio park area. This small, protected cove offers excellent snorkeling with clear waters and coral formations teeming with tropical fish. The beach is quieter than Manuel Antonio’s main beaches and has a more local feel. The rocky outcrops create interesting tidal pools perfect for exploring.

Playa Matapalo, a bit further south, is a long, wild beach with powerful waves popular with surfers. The beach is backed by palm trees and has a more remote, untouched feeling. It’s perfect for long walks, beachcombing, and watching the sunset without crowds.

Alternatively, visit Quepos for some final shopping and cultural immersion. The town’s marina area has shops selling local crafts, and the Saturday farmers market (if your visit coincides) offers fresh produce, prepared foods, and handicrafts. The market is where locals shop, providing an authentic glimpse into everyday Costa Rican life.

Afternoon Activities

Consider a final adventure or simply relax by your hotel pool with a good book and a cold Imperial (Costa Rica’s beloved beer). Some travelers enjoy booking a spa treatment—many hotels offer massage services, and there are excellent spas in the area specializing in treatments using local ingredients like coffee, chocolate, and tropical fruits.

For your final dinner, treat yourself to one of the area’s upscale restaurants. Many offer spectacular sunset views over the Pacific—there’s something magical about toasting your Costa Rican adventure while watching the sun disappear into the ocean, painting the sky in shades of orange, pink, and purple.

Alternative Itineraries and Extensions

If you have more time or want to customize this itinerary, consider these alternatives:

Caribbean Coast Alternative

Instead of the Pacific coast, explore the Caribbean side. Visit the laid-back beach towns of Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, experience Afro-Caribbean culture and cuisine, and explore Tortuguero National Park where sea turtles nest on remote beaches. The Caribbean has a distinctly different vibe—more reggae, less resort development, and a unique cultural blend.

Northern Extension: Guanacaste Beaches

Add a few days in Guanacaste Province for stunning beaches like Tamarindo, Nosara, or the Nicoya Peninsula. This area offers world-class surfing, yoga retreats, and some of Costa Rica’s driest, sunniest weather.

Southern Pacific: Osa Peninsula

For serious nature lovers, extend your trip to include the remote Osa Peninsula, home to Corcovado National Park. This is Costa Rica’s wildest region, with the highest concentration of biodiversity in the country. Expect to see scarlet macaws, tapirs, all four monkey species, and potentially jaguars and pumas.

Whitewater Rafting: Pacuare River

Include a day of whitewater rafting on the spectacular Pacuare River, considered one of the world’s most scenic rafting destinations. The river cuts through pristine rainforest gorge with Class III-IV rapids, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. Some tour operators offer multi-day trips with overnight stays in riverside lodges.

Why Costa Rica?

This tiny country, smaller than West Virginia, contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity. It’s home to over 500,000 species, including hundreds found nowhere else on Earth. In a single day, you can watch the sunrise from the Caribbean coast, cross the continental divide, and watch sunset over the Pacific. You can explore 12 distinct microclimates, from cloud forests to tropical dry forests to mangrove swamps.

But Costa Rica’s magic isn’t just about nature. It’s about the people and their philosophy of Pura Vida—pure life. It’s a mindset that values happiness, peace, and gratitude over material wealth and stress. You’ll experience this everywhere: in the friendly greetings from strangers, the relaxed pace of life, and the genuine smiles of people who love their country and want you to love it too.

Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949, choosing to invest in education and environmental protection instead. This decision shaped the nation’s identity and priorities. Today, over 99% of Costa Rica’s electricity comes from renewable sources, primarily hydroelectric and geothermal. The country has pledged to become carbon neutral and is working toward that goal through reforestation, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism.

Costa Rica proves that it’s possible to balance economic development with environmental protection, to welcome tourists while preserving culture and nature, and to create a society that prioritizes well-being over GDP. This is perhaps the most important lesson travelers take home—that Pura Vida isn’t just a greeting, it’s a way of life worth adopting.

Final Thoughts

Seven days in Costa Rica can only scratch the surface of what this incredible country offers. You’ll leave with a camera full of photos, a heart full of memories, and an inevitable desire to return. You’ll remember the thrill of spotting your first sloth, the taste of fresh mango bought from a roadside stand, the sound of howler monkeys at dawn, and the feeling of warm Pacific waves.

More importantly, you’ll take home something intangible but profound—a reminder that life can be simpler, that nature deserves our respect and protection, and that happiness comes from appreciating what we have rather than always wanting more. Pura Vida isn’t just something Costa Ricans say; it’s something they live, and spending time in their country, you’ll find yourself living it too.

Whether you’re zip-lining through cloud forests, soaking in volcanic hot springs, surfing perfect Pacific waves, or simply watching a sunset with a cold beer in hand, you’ll understand why so many travelers fall in love with Costa Rica. It’s a place that reminds us what really matters and shows us that paradise isn’t just a place on a map—it’s a state of mind.

Pura Vida, and happy travels!