The only day-to-day travel itinerary you need to read
Costa Rica is a small nation but one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central America. It’s a country rich in flora and fauna. If you’re looking for eco-adventures, Costa Rica is the place to visit. Here’s a curated list of the best things to do in Costa Rica in 2, 5, 7 or 12 days.
Day 1 & 2: San Jose
Arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. Check in to your hotel and spend the day exploring San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica. Start by visiting the Teatro Nacional. Costa Rica’s national theater has presented world-class talent since 1897. Architecture and music lovers can get an up-close view of the Neoclassical architectural style in guided tours, which are offered daily and cost 10.45€ ($11.30). After strolling through the city’s largest market — Mercado Central — for some shopping and the most delicious examples of the cuisine of Costa Rica. Return to your hotel after exploring the city.
On the second day, you can explore some of the city’s iconic museums like the Jade Museum and the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. These museums display the world’s largest collection of Jade and gold artifacts found in Costa Rica before the 16th century. Get tickets in advance to avoid the waiting line. San Jose is definitely one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for its contemporary lifestyle and nightlife. Make sure to find yourself some amazing travel buddies to join you on this fantastic adventure.
Where to stay: Affordable hotels in the center of San Jose.
Day 3, 4 and 5 : La Fortuna and Arenal
La Fortuna is a lovely town situated four hours away from San Jose. You can get to La Fortuna by bus. It is home to the famous Arenal Volcano National Park, which comprises two volcanoes and offers a lot of adventurous activities. Rent a car to travel through the town to save a lot of time, because there is public transportation in this area.
On the first day in this area, hike through the Arenal Volcano National Park and learn about the history of this volcano. Arenal was the result of a volcanic eruption. Arenal hasn’t been active since 2011 but has become a famous tourist attraction since then. Visit the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall after visiting the national park. It is a wondrous cascade at a height of 70 to 75 meters and a relaxing spot to go for picnics and swimming.
On the second day, prepare yourself for some adventurous activities. Lake Arenal is the perfect place to take part in activities like zip-lining, trekking, rappelling and river rafting. Also, hike across the hanging bridges to explore the lushness of Arenal. By the end of the day, visit the Tabacon Hot Springs to relax after an exhilarating and exhausting day.
The next day, you’re going to visit the ChocoMuseo (Chocolate Museum). The visit to the museum is free with guided tours. Learn all about cocoa, chocolate and the process of making chocolate. You can also participate in workshops that show cocoa plantations and those that let you make the chocolate yourself. Spend a couple of hours exploring the museum and meander through the city.
Where to stay: Lodges and hotels, some of which have spas and gardens
Day 6 & 7: Monteverde
Start the sixth day of your Costa Rica holiday with a drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde, where you will spend the next two days. This area is home to a wide variety of animals and two of the country’s big cloud forest reserves. A cloud forest is a forest that lies either in tropical or subtropical areas. Because of the atmospheric conditions, there is almost-constant cloud cover. Plus, you can take part in some outdoor activities, like ziplining and hiking. Start your day by visiting the Monteverde Cloud Forest and see the lush rainforests, different species of birds and learn about the biodiversity. You can then go on to visit the other reserves such as the Curi Cancha Wildlife Rescue and the Selvatura Park, a massive complex of hotels and adventure activities, to see the various species of unusual and colorful insects, butterflies and forests.
You’re continuing the adrenaline rush at the Sky Adventures Monteverde Park. Later in the day, you can visit the Monteverde Garden to see more than 400 species of orchids. Much of Costa Rica’s variety of flora and fauna can be found in Monteverde.
Where to stay: Hotels and lodges in Monteverde.
Itinerary for 12 days:
If you’re planning to extend your stay in Costa Rica by five more days, then visit Montezuma and Santa Teresa. Spend about three days exploring both these places.
Day 8 & 9: Montezuma
Montezuma is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for alluring landscapes. Driving is the fastest and easiest way to get from Monteverde to Montezuma. Spend about two days exploring the beaches and mountains where you can see some of the rare species, like wild sloths, howler monkeys and toucans. Explore Tortuga Island and the Montezuma Waterfall. On the second day visit the Bri’ah Art Gallery to see fine works of art. Spend the rest of your day surfing, sea kayaking and scuba diving in Playa Montezuma.
Where to stay: Hotels in the city and beachfront guesthouses
Day 10, 11 & 12: Santa Teresa
Spend the next three days in Santa Teresa. It is a 30-minute drive from Montezuma. Santa Teresa is the perfect place to relax. The town is situated on the Nicoya Peninsula. The Nicoya Peninsula comprises the 3 major beaches — Playa Mal Pais, Playa Santa Teresa and the Playa Grande. Playa Santa Teresa is the biggest of the other beaches. You can relax by the beach or go standup paddleboarding and surfing. Santa Teresa is considered one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for its luxury accommodations, yoga retreats and bustling nightlife. Though Santa Teresa is a small town, it has a lot to offer for travelers.
Where to stay: Lodges, surfing villas and beachfront houses.
Things to remember for your trip to Costa Rica:
- Food: An average of 15.79 € (₡9700) is spent for meals per person for a day.
Accommodation: The accommodation prices differ based on the choice of hotels and the number of occupants per room. It ranges from 37.45 € (₡23,000) to 73.28 € (₡45,000).
Transportation: 9.28 € (₡5700) for local transportation per person per day.
- The best time to visit Costa Rica is the dry season (December to April) making it a popular time but also quite expensive to explore the tropical country. The green season (May to November) is also a good option for travelers looking out for small crowds and lower prices.
- Make sure to carry bug repellents before you leave as it’s a tropical region boasting a lot of insects.
Though the country has public transportation and long-distance buses in many areas, journeys on them take a long time. This is why this Costa Rica travel guide recommends renting a car to travel around the country.
And there we have it; your very own Costa Rica travel guide which will allow you to really see Costa Rica for what it is: A truly magnificent place. If you’re still looking for travel buddies to join you on this adventure, make sure to check out JoinMyTrip.
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