Full Costa Rica Itinerary: 7 Days For First Time Visitors

The country famous for its wildlife, lush forests, tropical beaches, volcanoes, and friendly locals welcomes you! This Costa Rica itinerary is all about getting immersed in nature, culture, and many more. This 7-days Costa Rica itinerary will take you through 3 different places in the country such as San Jose, Monteverde, and La Fortuna.

If you spend a week in Costa Rica, you’ll get a good feel for the country’s nature, activities, and culture. However, if you have the opportunity to spend ten days, two weeks, or even a month exploring this amazing country, it would be ideal. This 7-day itinerary for Costa Rica is perfect for first-time visitors, returnees, or travelers seeking new recommendations for their next holiday.

Some of the highlights of this Costa Rica 7-day itinerary include birds, wildlife, rappelling, ziplining, coffee farms, and hiking in the cloud forest. If you have more than a week to explore Costa Rica, you may want to consider visiting other areas such as the Caribbean or Pacific side. I encourage you to practice “slow travel” by taking your time to explore certain parts of the country, rather than trying to see everything in one go.

Get to know locals, explore some restaurants, learn about Costa Rican culture, and try to learn what Pura Vida is all about!

Here’s how to spend 7-days for first-timers in Costa Rica. 

Costa Rica Itinerary – 7 Days:

Costa Rica 7 days itinerary – Day 1: San Jose, Costa Rica

Firstly, there are two international airports in Costa Rica: Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (SJO) and Daniel Oduber International Airport, also known as Liberia International Airport (LIR). The vast majority of flights, including yours, will arrive at San Jose International Airport (SJO). We left our home country (Aruba) and had a short layover in Panama with Copa Airlines before arriving in San Jose around 7 pm. As we arrived late at night (7 pm), we couldn’t do much on our first day except settle into our family accommodation.

However, if you are arriving early for your flight, it’s a good idea to use this extra time to get acquainted with the city, transportation system, local language, and new currency. You can begin your exploration day by visiting San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. This city is known to be the most densely populated area of the country. Most tourists usually recommend leaving San Jose as soon as possible. The reason is that there are tons of nature and adventure activities throughout the country that are too exciting to miss out on. This means that spending too much time in the capital might make you miss out on all the fun!

In my opinion, learning about a country’s culture is important when traveling. Costa Ricans as many of us are proud of their culture, so take a day or two to explore and learn. A good way to get introduced to this cultural aspect when staying in the city is by taking a self-guided or guided walking tour, visiting some museums, cultural centers, or heritage sites.

Secondly, it’s important to consider your preferred location when exploring the capital of San Jose, Costa Rica. If you want to be in the heart of the city, you should book your accommodation in the capital, which is approximately 30 minutes away from the airport. On the other hand, if you want to be closer to the San Jose airport, it’s better to book your accommodation in Alajuela.

Note: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) is actually located in Alajuela not in the city of San Jose.

Costa Rica 7 days itinerary – Day 2: San Jose, Costa Rica

This second day in the capital of San Jose was all about learning about the local culture by visiting several museums, and a theater, eating authentic Costa Rican food, and exploring the city center.

The museums and theaters that I recommend visiting while in San Jose are:

• The National Museum of Costa Rica.
• The Museum of Jade.
• The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.
• The National Theater of Costa Rica.

Even though these are common places to go to when in San Jose, I encourage you to explore and visit other museums, heritage sites or cultural locations as well.

Other museums, heritages sites or cultural location you can visit are:

• The Children’s Museum.
• La Salle Natural Science Museum.
• Museum of Popular Culture.
• Plaza de la Cultura.
• Archaeological Site Museum Finca 6 (Stone Spheres).

When in the capital, don’t limit yourself to just visiting the museums and cultural centers located there. There are many more cultural places throughout Costa Rica that I would recommend you to explore.

Now, let’s talk about local & authentic food!

Have you heard about the Gallo Pinto? If not, try some. It is a traditional Costa Rican breakfast made of rice and beans and other mixed ingredients such as cilantro, red bell peppers, onions etc. Make sure you order your “Pinto” on your next trip. On your next trip to Costa Rica, you must try the traditional Costa Rican dish “Casado“. It is a dish that consists of several different foods served together.

This traditional dish contains the following:

• Rice.
• Beans.
• Salad.
• Tortillas.
• Fried Platano Maduro (Fried Sweet Plantain).
• Meat (beef, pork, chicken or fish).

On this day, treat yourself to some of the best Costa Rican cuisine! Visit some Sodas and buy your local food there. Maybe you can even do a Gastronomy tour!

Traditional Costa Rican dishes are part of the country’s culture. Trying out traditional Costa Rican dishes such as the Gallo Pinto is a must when visiting the country. These are famous traditional food places.

Costa Rica 7 days itinerary – Day 3: Monteverde, Costa Rica

Next, on this Costa Rica 7-day itinerary we started our third day journey to Monteverde. It won’t matter if you choose to go first to Monteverde or La Fortuna from San Jose, as both locations are 2.5 hours away from the capital. It depends on where you want to head next. For example, if you plan to travel to Tamarindo, it’s better to visit Monteverde first. The distance between Tamarindo and Monteverde is approximately 3 hours, whereas it takes around 4 hours to reach Tamarindo from La Fortuna. However, as already mentioned this Costa Rica 7-day itinerary only focuses on San Jose, Monteverde, and La Fortuna as the basics of your trip as first-time visitors during your 7-day vacation.

The first thing we did when we arrived at Monteverde was check in at our new accommodation. It is wise to spend several nights in Monteverde because there is so much to do but also because the car ride might be to long and tiring for some travelers. We booked this accommodation through Airbnb and you can find it as “the cabin in the woods” or in Spanish “la casa en el bosque“.

This accommodation was one of the highlights of our stay in Monteverde! You could hear all the different nature sounds, if you are lucky see different small animals, we had a waterfall for our own, the cabin had everything we needed, it was very comfortable, affordable, well located and the host was super friendly.

I wish we could have spend more nights here. If you would like to stay in this place read more about it here!

In addition, this day is the perfect day to join a guided tour, do some adventure activities, and learn about nature.

Three nature activities I recommend you doing during your visit in Monteverde is:

• Do a Natural History & Wildlife Guided Tour / Walk on the Hanging Bridges.
• Do a Guided Night Tour.
• Do a Guided Birdwatching Tour.

Three adventure activities I recommend you doing during your visit in Monteverde is:

• Do a Ziplining Tour / Canopy Tour.
• Do Bungee Jumping.
• Do Rappelling / Canyoning.

You can choose which activities to do on which days based on what suits you the best. An example of this is that you can first do all the nature guided activities, and then the next day, you can do all the adventure activities. Another example could be starting your day with a guided morning activity, followed by an adventurous activity, and ending with a guided night tour. The availability of these activities and the way you plan them depends on whether you’re travelling alone, booking a package deal, or if you’ve already arranged transportation and activities with a tour operator.

I believe that exploring things on your own is the best way to go about it. It is crucial to decide what you want to do, when you want to do it, and how much you are willing to spend. However, if you are not renting a car, then it is always helpful to have some assistance. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with paying for a tour that includes all expenses such as entrance fees, transportation, and the activity itself, or a guided tour dedicated to a particular activity. I think both self-guided and guided tours can fulfill your expectations based on your preferences and requirements.

Day 3 – Nature Activity 1: Hanging Bridges & Natural History Walk

These nature activities, including the one previously recommended, can be arranged through various tour operators, independent tour guides, or small local businesses. Be aware that nature & adventure tours and activities are not that affordable in Costa Rica. It’s important to note that some activities and tours are the main source of income for local guides and family businesses, so it’s not fair to expect or demand a lower price for these experiences.

Different Types of Reserves In Monteverde:

All of the main guided tours and activities will take place in some of these reserves.

There are three different reserves in Monteverde:

1. Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve: is a large private reserve with different trails that introduce you to the characteristics of a typical cloud forest and lead you to different view points such as a hanging bridge and a waterfall deck. In this reserve there are over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles living within its bounds. It is one of the few remaining habitats that support all six species of the cat family which are the jaguars, ocelots, pumas, oncillas, margays, and jaguarundis as well as the Resplendent Quetzal. 
2. Santa Elena Reserve: is another great option for a guided or self-guided hike in the cloud forest. It act as an habitat for spider monkeys, has an observation tower from where you can see as far as the Arenal Volcano and has different trails ranging from 1-3 miles (1-5km) in length.
3. Children’s Eternal Rainforest: is the largest private reserve of Costa Rica and you can actually stay overnight at one of the forest’s two biological stations. It is a hotspot for biodiversity, ecotourism, birdwatching, and hiking trails. In this area, the forest transitions from a rainforest to a cloud forest. 

In addition, the Curi-Cancha Reserve is a reserve situated in the Arenal-Tempisque conservation area in the core of the amazing region of Monteverde. It is a great place for birdwatching. You are likely to find exotic-looking birds such as the Resplendent Quetzal, hummingbirds and some land animals like agoutis or coatis.

Let’s discuss something first:

The walk on the hanging bridges can be done as a self-guided experience or as part of a guided tour. If you have decide to do a self-guided hanging bridge walk then as the name say it already you will be responsible of hiking or walking through the trails alone following a map or the signs along the way. You can find several hanging bridges around the country of Costa Rica.

Most known hanging bridges locations are:

• The Mistico Hanging Bridges Park.
• Sky Adventures offer the Sky Walk.
• The Monteverde Cloud Forest also has several hanging bridges.
• The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve has also different suspension bridges.
• Selvatura Park also has hanging bridges.
• & Many more.

So, first choose where are you going to be and where you want to explore. A self-guided walk on the hanging bridges just takes a couple of hours to complete the trail. However, I do have to say that you will end up not watching any animals or learning about the environment you are in in comparison by going with a guided tour. If you are worried about spending too much money and prefer a self-guided experience because of this, then I would recommend you to choose one or two experiences that you really like and go for a guided tour as you may not have the possibility to do these types of activities in other countries.

The reason why a guided experience is recommended is due to the possibility to learn about the forest. When you join a Natural History Walk, you can experience the forest while learning about biodiversity, sustainability, and conservation. The Natural History Walk is a guided tour that covers the flora, fauna, history, and culture of Monteverde and Costa Rica. During the walk, you will have ample opportunity to observe various plants, birds, and wildlife that you might miss if you explore the park on your own.

Each hanging bridge park could have between five to eight bridges for you to walk on. Also, there are many tour companies in different areas of the country that offer singular or combo tours of the hanging bridges but take into account that prices for a combo package might not be as affordable for some travelers as wanted. You can opt for a singular guided tour that includes a Natural History walk on a hanging bridge park of your preference or that better suits your needs and your guide’s knowledge. In addition, you can also include transportation from and to your hotel for this activity.

Note: if you are going to book a natural history guided walk with any company please make sure you know if the walk will also take place on hanging bridges or what can be expected from the tour. I point this out to the people who are scared of heights or have any other limitations. If you are interested in one of our recommendations you can book them directly on this blog.

The majority of the people love walking on the hanging bridges. Some do the whole trail on their own and other book guided tours. The question now is: Should I do the trail and the hanging bridges on my own, or should I book a guided natural history & wildlife tour? Being honest, booking a guided tour is recommended. As a traveler, we often try to avoid unnecessary expenses, and some people wonder if guided activities fall into this category. While some believe they can explore on their own, others simply want to take pictures and enjoy the hike.

Everyone has their own opinion and the right to feel a certain way and make their own decisions about booking guided tours. However, how many times have you visited a place and left feeling like you didn’t learn anything or see anything interesting? It’s happened to all of us. Don’t get me wrong, you can certainly do this trail and activity on your own, as the trail is marked and you can get a map at the front desk.

If you are looking for a less commercialized tourism experience, you should not dismiss the idea of a guided tour just because there may be other tourists involved. Instead, consider looking for a small group tour that is led by a certified independent guide or a family-owned tour operator. You could also consider booking a guided tour to other reserves that are less touristy. As a visitor, it is important to remember that you have the power to make a difference.

These are the reasons why I recommend you to book a Guided Tour with local businesses or independent tour guides:

• You will have Bilingual Guides.
• You will have Certified Local Guides.
• Small group experience.
• More than 20+ years Experience as Guides.
• Very Knowledge Guides on different areas.
• You will support local businesses.
• You will support sustainable certified local businesses.
• You will support Seasonal Guides.
• Some Tours offer Transportation.
• Some Tours include the Entrance Fee.
• You will support Nature Preservation & Conservation.
• You will encourage Responsible Tourism.
• & Many more.

Going on a guided walking tour can be a fun and exciting experience! A Natural History & Wildlife Small Group Guided Tour is suitable for everyone, including bird enthusiasts, animal and nature lovers, and adventure explorers. While this tour may not take as much time as a Birdwatching Guided Tour, it is equally enjoyable. By going on this tour, you will have the opportunity to see different animals and learn about many other things that you wouldn’t have known otherwise. All certified guides have binoculars or spotting scopes, ensuring that you get to see everything and even take some pictures!

Day 3 – Nature Activity 2: Birdwatching Tour

If you’re interested, you can participate in a Guided Birdwatching Tour instead of the Natural History & Wildlife Guided Tour. During this tour, you’ll be able to observe various flora and fauna while walking and take plenty of photos if you’re an avid bird watcher. However, keep in mind that this activity is suitable for everyone! The guide will provide you with knowledge and ensure that you get to see various beautiful and unique birds.

In addition, during your trip, you will have the opportunity to witness up to 450 different bird species, including the rare Resplendent Quetzal. With a knowledgeable local naturalist guide, you will visit the best locations to observe the diverse and unique birdlife in the area. Whether you are an expert or a beginner in bird watching, this tour promises an unforgettable experience for all wildlife and bird lovers.

To capture the busy morning activities of the birds, the tour will start in the morning, preferably around 6:30 am or 7:00 am. If you are interested in any of our recommendations, you can book them directly through this blog.

Day 3 – Nature Activity 3: Night Tour

Some tourists may not consider night tours as a suitable activity. However, I suggest taking a chance and booking one. It’s not as frightening as you might imagine. During this guided night tour, you can see a mix of different animals that are active during both day and night. The guide will use a powerful spotting scope and flashlight to help you spot wildlife that you might miss if you were alone.

Please take note that this tour is guided and you will not be alone, so it may not be as frightening as you imagine. Going on a night tour in a foreign country is a unique experience that you can share with your family and friends. However, I strongly advise against doing it alone due to the potential risks involved. To the best of my knowledge, this is not an activity that can be done without a guide. If you are interested in this tour, you can book it directly from this blog’s recommendations.

Day 3 – Adventure Activity 1: Ziplining / Canopy Tour

Next, we decided it was time for some adventure. We visited Sky Adventures Monteverde Park which is famous for its nature and adventure activities. One of the most exciting activities offered here is the zipline or canopy tour. You will be gliding along seven high-flying cables at a thrilling speed of up to 70 km/h. It was an incredible experience!

Ziplining is definitely a pure adrenaline experience with breathtaking views. This company also offer different combos if you are interested in doing something else besides ziplining such as riding an aerial tram ride, walking on the hanging bridges, or doing a obstacle course/challenge circuit.

Monteverde is an excellent destination to experience thrilling activities like ziplining. On a clear day, you will feel like you are floating above the clouds as you glide over the Monteverde cloud forests. I recommend exploring all the famous and lesser-known adventure companies in the area to make the most of your visit.

Companies that offer adventure activities besides Sky Adventures Monteverde Park are Selvatura Adventure Park, 100% Aventura Adventure Park, Costa Rica Sky Adventures, Monteverde Extremo Park and others such as the Original Canopy Tour Monteverde and Monteverde Tours Costa Rica. Choose wisely based on your wishes and needs as each one might offer something different.

Also, try to find-out as much information as possible of each company before booking. All of these companies involve nature and wildlife as a resource to provide you with these activities. This means that in order to promote nature preservation and conservation, informing yourself where you are putting your money into and what you are supporting is crucial. 

Note: if you are interested in one of our recommendations mentioned in this Costa Rica 7-day itinerary, you can book them directly on this blog.

Costa Rica 7 days itinerary – Day 4: Monteverde, Costa Rica

If you love adventure or extreme activities you will love Costa Rica as well. This country offers so many things for so many different types of travelers. Let’s discuss Bungee Jumping in Monteverde.

Day 4 – Adventure Activity 2: Bungee Jumping

Depending on what you did the previous day or what type of traveler you are you might be interested or not in this adventure activity. We did bungee jumping with Monteverde Extremo Park. It is a well-known company that offers this type of activity but also other activities as well.

You may be wondering why I chose to go bungee jumping in Costa Rica. Well, my friend, here’s the answer.

Monteverde Extremo Park offers the highest bungee jump in Costa Rica or even in Central America! It is one of the highest adrenaline-jumping attractions in Monteverde. I cannot describe the feeling of doing this activity because, to be honest, I am scared of heights and decided not to jump. However, my travel partner did jump and I can tell you that he was ready to do it again!

Even though, I did not do it, I can tell you a bit of what it is expected during this activity:

• You will first travel on a short tram and cable system to reach a high platform. The view of the forest from there is breathtaking. Unfortunately, it was raining and a bit misty during our visit, so our pictures and videos don’t do it justice. But trust me, it’s worth seeing in person!
• Your certified guide will give you a prep talk and guide you through the whole process of the jump. He is well aware that you are terrified but that’s the whole point of doing this amazing bungee jump! Conquering your fears, challenging yourself, and getting your adrenaline pumping.
• Then from this platform of 143 meters…. you jump into space..! The rush my travel partner felt was unbelievable. This is a good activity for any adventure and adrenaline junkie!
• After you jump the cart you travel in will move back and forth across cables that are suspended unbelievably high across this bountiful Monteverde valley!
• For the ones waiting for their turn, I think they had to be thinking and reminding themselves that this bungee jumping activity is safe. I think it is as this Bungee Jumping activity at Monteverde Extremo Park undergoes strict security checks, and well let’s also think positive!
• Once you’ve taken the plunge, please comment on this blog if you do it again. I’m curious to know if the second time is as good as the first!

I can already imagine you doing a massive 80-meter (262 ft) long jump from a 143-meter (470ft) high platform in Monteverde. So exciting!

Extra information about this activity:

• The maximum weight limit is 110 kilos.
• You can purchase the video the guide made of you jumping for an extra cost.
• There is an observation tower for your family members that would like to watch you jump.
• Transportation from your hotel is possible even for the ones that don’t want to jump with you but there is an extra cost involved.

Note: other adventure activities you can do with this company are the Extremo Canopy tour, Aerial Superman, Extreme Tarzan Swing, and other. If you are interested in one of our recommendations mentioned in this Costa Rica 7-day itinerary, you can book them directly on this blog.

Day 4 – Adventure Activity 3: Rappelling/Canyoning

Canyoning, also known as rappelling, is an amazing adventure activity that you can experience while in Costa Rica. Despite my fear of heights, I discovered that it was one of the best things to do in the country. There are numerous ways to enjoy canyoning or rappelling. In our case, we did waterfall rappelling. I have never done something like this. So, it is fine for beginners. The staff is very friendly and is a small local family business. A German Shepard dog who knows the way guides you and joins you in your adventure. He can guide you to the different waterfalls but also take you back to the office.

I did this waterfall rappelling adventure with Finca Modelo Ecologica in Monteverde, Costa Rica. This company offers adventure ecotours in Monteverde. This means that you can also book different experiences with them. Besides Canyoning you can also do TreeTop Climbing, Climbing & Night Walk Tour, Hiking trails, and a Package tour that includes TreeTop Climbing & Canyoning.

When participating in this adventure, you wear a helmet, gloves, and other necessary gear. Before beginning the activity, you learn important skills such as rappelling, proper shoe placement, and self-protection techniques. These are just a few of the fun things you’ll discover during the experience. One of the staff also gives a short demonstration on how you should do the activities in this case waterfall rappelling. This activity can also be done in La Fortuna.

This is what you can expect when doing this activity:

• The tour guide will fit you with canyoning/rappelling equipment.
• You take a short hike into the cloud forest.
• Once you reach the instructions point, the tour guide will explain the proper way to descent down the waterfalls.
• You will start rappelling down the first waterfall which is a small one to make you comfortable.
• You will rappel down the other waterfalls.
• When finished, your tour guide will hike back with you to the reception.

Things to consider:

• All the waterfalls you will rappel down are different.
• The water will be cold.
• The last one is the tallest one (measures 131 feet – 40 meters).
• This activity is for anyone in moderate physical condition.
• All tour guides are trained in Wilderness First Aid & CPR.
• According to their website there are daily safety checks on all the equipment and anchors.
• There are three tours each day and each tour takes up to 2-3 hours.
• The tour includes: transportation from and to Monteverde Hotels, elbow and knee protectors, bilingual guides, and Canyoning gear.
• Kids 15 years+ are only permitted.
• Adults ages 50+ need to be in good physical condition.
• Tour can take up to 1-20 people per tour.
• Bring: quick dry light weight clothes that can get wet, tennis shoes or light hiking boots, towel, and a change of clothes.

Costa Rica 7 days itinerary – Day 5: La Fortuna, Costa Rica

We drove from Monteverde to La Fortuna as this is also one of the most popular destinations to go to when in Costa Rica. La Fortuna is a small but prosperous town where you can find many different activities. You will find several adventure activities as well as nature activities.

Firstly, let’s discuss our new accommodation:

I planned to spend a few days in La Fortuna, so my travel partner and I chose to stay at the well-known Selina Hostel. I’ve written about my experience at this hostel on one of my blogs. It’s a great place for anyone, particularly for travelers who want to take a break and recharge their energy after a few days of adventure. Couples, solo travelers who want to meet new people, and groups of friends who want to socialize, and create new friendships. Travelers who are passionate about wellness, adventure, and nature. Selina La Fortuna Hostel has good reviews from other visitors and it has great amenities & facilities in place.

This Selina Hostel has a great location. It is close to several important attractions such as the Arenal Volcano National Park, Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, El Salto (Rope Swing), several Hot Springs and others.

Secondly, it has different types of accommodation options, and with this also comes flexibility concerning affordability.

The different types of accommodations are:

• Teepee Tent.
• Small Room – Shared Bathroom.
• Standard Room.
• Deluxe Room.
• Private 4 Beds Room.
• Family Room.
• Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room.
• Bed in a 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room.

Next, the reason for choosing this Costa Rican hostel is based on its facilities and amenities.

The most popular facilities and unique reasons to stay at this hostel are:

• Outdoor fireplace (they host a Welcome drink for new guests at this location where you can interact with other guests, it’s like a Welcome circle).
• Garden (you can learn new things and sign up for activities related to their garden area).
• Tour desk (they provide different tours such as a walking tour in La Fortuna so you can book directly with them).
• Baggage storage & Lockers.
• Shared kitchen.
• Bar/Restaurant (overlooking a river).
• Air conditioning.
• Pets are allowed (on request).
• Daily housekeeping & Laundry (additional charge for laundry).
• English & Spanish Speaking Staff.
• Business Facilities (coworking space for guests at additional charge/free).
• Yoga & Meditation classes (free & additional charge).
• Massage (additional charge).
• Free Airport Shuttle.
• Free Wi-Fi.
• Free Parking.
• Restaurant & Bar.
• Outdoor swimming pool.
• Non-smoking rooms.
• Other: Movie Night, Treasure Hunt, Do It Yourself Themes, Aerial Silks, Theme dinners, Happy Hour, Morning Walks/Activities, and others.

Furthermore, the disadvantages of staying here are that the prices at the bar/restaurant might be considered a bit overpriced. It might not be considered a very authentic place. Also, some think they offer overpriced tours and it can be a bit crowded at certain seasons.

Day 5: Hot springs – Ecotermales:

I am pretty sure that after all the activities you have done you will definitely enjoy this was as much as we did. La Fortuna is best known for its hot springs. The geothermal activities caused by the famous Arenal Volcano feed the hot springs of La Fortuna. There are two options to choose from when you think about hot springs.

One benefit of staying at a hot spring resort is that you will have complimentary access to all of their thermal pools throughout your entire stay. However, this will depend on your budget. Some of the most popular hot spring resorts in La Fortuna include Tabacon, Baldi, Los Lagos, and Paradise. However, these hot springs are places that a lot of people visit. So, keep in mind to book in advance.

The second option is to book a day pass or a night pass for any of the hot springs of La Fortuna. This can be either a resort or a location that runs independently and not as part of any resort. We chose Ecotermales Fortuna as our option for some hot spring relaxation. This place is run independently and it is not part of any resort. It was also less busy so it gives the feeling of being immersive.

These are the reasons why I recommend this place:

• The place has a bar on location.
• They have a restaurant area on location.
• Serve traditional lunch, or a buffet-style dinner. 
• Big parking lot.
• Friendly & helpful staff.
• Several Thermal pools.
• They are dedicated to being a sustainable company.
• They have a restaurant area on location.
• The location was built to fit perfectly within the natural springs which bring water directly from the Arenal volcano thereby ensuring that every 45 minutes the water of their pools is new and clean, without any physical-chemical. processing that can alter the purity of the water.
• This place has bathrooms/changing rooms available.

Your last option would be to check which free and public natural hot springs are around your area that you can visit. We chose Ecotermales because the local and public free hot spring was too crowded. You know how it is when something great becomes no longer a local secret. I don’t want to be misunderstood. Next time, I’m going to jump into a local free hot spring and relax. I’m curious to see if there’s a difference between paying for a hot spring at a resort and enjoying a natural one with locals and tourists. Whichever option you choose you will love it for sure!

Note: if you want to do another nature or adventure activity instead of hot springs. Then you could visit La Fortuna Waterfall where you could swim after your hike. If you are interested in one of our recommendations mentioned in this Costa Rica 7-day itinerary, you can book them directly on this blog.

Costa Rica 7 days itinerary – Day 6: La Fortuna, Costa Rica

During our 7-day Costa Rica trip, we did not experience anything out of the ordinary. However, on one particular day, we faced an unforeseen situation. One of the roads we had planned to take to return to San Jose was closed at night, so we decided to spend the night in La Fortuna. We found a new accommodation and checked in for the night.

Even though, we didn’t plan to stay at this accommodation or any new accommodation. We ended up liking this change of plans. I think you have to do your best when plans change. Adapting yourself and your plans to your new situation. This accommodation was the last one available during that night. This is considering that we might have been traveling to Costa Rica during high season.

New Accommodation in La Fortuna:

This new accommodation is Hotel San Bosco Inn. In my opinion, this is a good accommodation as a plan A and not plan B. San Bosco Inn is situated in a central location in La Fortuna, San Carlos near the Arenal Volcano. It has a pool, air conditioning rooms, parking lot, and breakfast. Breakfast was served in a self-service manner and had a very relaxed atmosphere. Additionally, the staff was very friendly and helpful. We didn’t participate in any of their tours or activities because we only ended up staying with them as a backup plan. However, they do offer a variety of tours and activities, such as rafting, hiking the Arenal volcano, canopy tours, and more.

Day 6: Bogarin Trails – Wildlife watching:

If you have everything perfectly planned and have no need to changed accommodation. Then head to Bogarin Trails!

We wanted to spend some time in la Fortuna after our plans had changed. We wanted to have a relax day watching some animals. This trail is a good example of how nature could reward you if you really take care of it. While the forest and all of its nature was growing. New residents came on the trees such as several sloths that now inhabit the Bogarin Trail. You can spot different animals such as birds, sloths, frogs, toucans, and reptiles. You will find other companies that also do sloth watching tours while in La Fortuna. However, in my opinion the experience at Bogarin Trails is different.

Here are the reasons why I think you should visit this place:

• It feels less commercialized.
• Smaller groups.
• Self-guided, Guided and Night tours available.
• Friendly staff.
• Sometimes you can even see the owners chilling at the location.
• If it’s raining they lend you umbrellas during guided tours.
• If you are lucky they might even feed you some fruits.
• They really make sure you have the opportunity to watch different animals.
• They will tell you how everything started the real Bogarin story.
• They have a feeding area which means you can grab great photos.
• It is a small area filled with trees that sloth love.
• Their trails are inclusive: power wheelchairs, pushchairs and strollers can use 100% of the park.
• Their guides are prepared to give blind people an amazing experience.
• No animals have been introduced to the park, no animal is enclosed, and all wildlife can roam freely & undisturbed.

I really recommend this place. I encourage you to support with your visit this beautiful little project. A home and a sanctuary to countless animals. A place owned and run by locals who love nature. Also, I recommend paying for the guided tour to increase your chances of viewing animals and gaining knowledge.

Day 6 : Option 1 – Rio Celeste:

If this activity is not for you or you are looking for something else. Then take a trip to visit Rio Celeste. Rio Celeste is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Costa Rica. You cannot swim there. However, there is a spiral staircase. This staircase will lead you to a viewing platform near the white & blue colored natural pool and waterfall. After exploring and finishing the waterfall trail. You can also explore the other trails. Rio Celeste is located in Volcano Tenorio National Park and requires a hike to see the waterfall. Please research the distance beforehand.

Day 6 : Option 2 – Arenal Volcano:

Another activity you could do and I would have loved to do if I had more time or if I go back to Costa Rica is going to the Arenal Volcano National Park. You can hike on the trail of the privately owned Arenal 1968 or go to the Arenal Volcano Lava Trails. Most people recommend going to the Arenal 1968 trail. It has better views based that from almost all parts of the trail, you get to see the perfectly shaped Arenal Volcano.

The Arenal Volcano National Park is government funded. The reserve is private property. If you want the Arenal Volcano Lava Trails option. Then, for this activity you will go for a hike on the lava trails created from past eruptions of the Arenal Volcano. You will be hiking on the trails of the Volcano Sector of Arenal Volcano National Park. Few kilometers away, this national park has a Peninsula Sector. It brings you closer to Arenal Lake, which offers breathtaking views of the volcano in the background.

Day 6 : Option 3 – Rafting:

White river rafting is also one of the most popular activities you can do while staying in La Fortuna. You can choose to do half-day or full-day tours. Around La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano is the Balsa River. It is one of the best spots to try white water rafting. Tours are also suitable for complete beginners. You will have the possibility to tackle Class II and III rapids while enjoying spectacular views.

Note: I haven’t visited Rio Celeste yet. So, I cannot be honest and tell you if it’s worth it or not. If you are interested in one of our recommendations mentioned in this Costa Rica 7-day itinerary, you can book them directly on this blog.

Costa Rica 7 days itinerary – Day 7: Alajuela, Costa Rica

Sadly, this was our last full day in Costa Rica. We decided to make the most out of it. At the same time we wanted to be in close proximity to the airport. The reason for this is that we were flying the next day. I recommend staying close to the airport before your departure date. Also, Costa Rica is a big country. So, it takes time to go from one place to the other. If you are renting a car or taking buses. I suggest that you also take into account the time you will spend figuring things out. Think about the time you will spend taking the car back to the rental company. What can you do on your last day in Costa Rica?

Day 7: Activity 1 – Poás Volcano National Park

We went first to the Poás Volcano National Park to have an amazing view and learn about this volcano. I recommend you doing the volcano first. Then do other activities closer to Alajuela which is closer to the airport. The Poás Volcano is a 2,697-metre (8,848 ft) stratovolcano and has one of the largest craters in the world. This volcano has a history of eruptions such as the one of 1910. This eruption consisted of a huge cloud of ashes that rose to about 26.246 feet (8000 m).

You don’t need a guide to walk right up to the observation platform. From this observation point you can learn a little bit about the volcano and watch the light blue color crater. However, before you take this walk and are prepared to go walk to the crater/observation point.

You will watch a presentation in form of a video about the history of the volcano, its eruption and more. You will have to wear helmets that act as protection as this is an active volcano. I also recommend exploring the different attractions through their network of trails. Its different cuisine and cultural communities surrounding the national park.

Day 7: Activity 2 – Doka Estate Costa Rica Coffee Tour & Plantation

Finally, for our last activity we decided to visit a Coffee Farm. My travel partner lived almost four years in Costa Rica. He took me to this well known and famous Coffee Tour & Plantation experience. At Doka Estate, you will have the opportunity to see and learn everything about coffee. You will learn about the techniques used for producing and harvesting delicious Costa Rican coffee. In addition, you will also learn about the production and varieties of plant. The geography of the area and the traditional ways of cultivating the grain in Costa Rica.

Besides that you will have the unique experience of visiting the oldest Wet Mill of Costa Rica. The guide will explain the whole process in English and Spanish while you tour the location. Also, you can taste different coffees and buy gifts at their souvenir shop. This coffee farm is only 30 minutes from the San Jose airport. So, it is a great location to visit if you don’t have enough time as us.

If you enjoy exploring less popular tourist spots, and prefer small tour companies or off-the-beaten-path tours, this place may not be the ideal destination for you. However, please note that this is simply my personal opinion. I have also asked other people who do recommend visiting this place.

It’s a fantastic place to learn with friendly staff and a butterfly garden to explore. Besides all of this, I still felt that something was missing. I think if you are like me that prefer small local businesses and less commercial tours. Then, I recommend looking at other coffee farm tours.

Note: instead of the activities mentioned earlier, you could visit Irazú Volcano, another active volcano.

Day 7 : Extra Option – La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park:

One thing we did was pass by the famous La Paz Waterfall in our car because we didn’t have time to explore the entire Nature Park. This La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is home to five famous waterfalls. It also features the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica.

Besides that you can also visit an unique historical Costa Rican farmhouse called Casita Típica. This historical Costa Rican Casita Típica reproduction is build using the tools available to the average farmer a century ago. You will be able to taste typical Costa Rican food. This includes fresh milk (right from the cow) and take a ride in an ox-driven cart. Also, sample freshly made tortillas and see how the Costa Ricans lived and worked on rural farms. This historical Costa Rican farmhouse gives tourists a history tour and cultural insight into the lives of rural Costa Ricans. 

In addition, many tours and shuttles make a brief stop near the main road to let you watch and take photos of the stunning La Paz waterfall. After that, the tour proceeds to Arenal. However, if you have time, stay and explore the entire park. La Paz Waterfall is only one of five waterfalls available to visit. The other waterfalls you can admire and take pictures of are Magia Blanca, Templo, Escondida, and Encantada.

Note: I haven’t visited the animal sanctuary, so I cannot recommend or advise you to visit this place. If you are a conscious traveler or a sustainable-oriented tourist. Please make sure you research any place that is an animal sanctuary before you visit them. I encourage this to minimize animal abuse.

Final Thoughts

Costa Rica might be small in size but too big to only spend a week there.

Luckily, in this Costa Rica 7-day itinerary, you have already covered three places of the country. Most importantly, I have summarized everything you could do during a week.

I have included as much information as I can for you to prepare your trip as perfect as possible. These activities and locations mentioned in this Costa Rica 7-day itinerary are the most visited and famous.

Perfect for your first-time visit. Yet, there is so much more to explore. I suggest that if you have enough time, you should explore other places. Other places you can explore are: Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Santa Teresa, and many more.

I hope after this blog you can return home with memories you will cherish for a lifetime. Possible also a secret desire to come back very soon. If you are still in the deciding phase of your trip. Check out our other blog to know all the reasons why you should definitely visit this country. Keep in mind that we will also be posting new blogs. These blogs are about eco-stays for all budgets, itineraries, tours & experiences, transportation tips, and many more.

Finally, as the plane takes off, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this country. Start planning your next trip to Costa Rica today!

Pura Vida Viajeros!

At Bigger Than Us – Travels, we strive to provide meaningful & authentic ecotourism and cultural tourism tours & activities. These tours and activities are connected with local businesses in Monteverde and La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Some of the upcoming activities and tours we will be providing are related to wildlife, culture and nature experiences. Examples of these are wildlife watching, scuba diving & snorkeling. Zip-lining, waterfall hiking, hanging bridge walks, white water rafting. Also, kayaking, waterfall rappelling, soaking in natural hot springs and many more. 

Stay tuned for these upcoming ecotours and activities & sing up for our Newsletter!

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