Do you love traveling and exploring new countries? Experience an adventure in Costa Rica, full of unforgettable experiences! On the east coast, soak up the relaxed reggae atmosphere of the Caribbean, stroll along the most beautiful beaches, and explore the local coastal national parks. The interior will then captivate you with all shades of green. You will get to know the very diverse fauna and flora of the tropical rainforest. On the Pacific coast, visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park and watch breathtaking sunsets that will leave you speechless. Adventure lovers will surely be thrilled by the zip line through the jungle. And that's just a short description of everything you'll experience!
Experience the Costa Rican PURA VIDA "pure life" for yourself!
Arrival in Costa Rica, car pickup, and transfer to accommodation in the capital city of San José. Don't forget that you need to be at the airport at least 2 hours before departure.
Before your flight, carefully check the dimensions of your baggage. Most airlines check if your baggage exceeds the allowed dimensions. Remember that you cannot take any liquids (only small amounts up to 100 ml), sharp objects, and pressurized sprays (e.g., deodorant) on board the aircraft. If you have these items, put them in your checked baggage, which will be in the hold.
I recommend going through all the airport checks and not lingering anywhere, get to your gate, and then you will have time before departure. But don't forget that you need to be at the gate approximately 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
The flight to Costa Rica involves one transfer, but don't worry, the transfer is completely fine. Usually, the second gate you will go to is next to the one where you arrive.
If you are flying through Canada or the USA, remember to make sure you have purchased an ETA/ESTA (visa) - it is also necessary for a transfer.
After landing in Costa Rica, go get your luggage, buy a SIM card (important for internet access, the best operators are Kolbi, Liberty, Claro) and then pick up your car, and off you go to your accommodation.
Strava
The accommodation will mostly have a kitchenette, so you can buy fresh ingredients at local markets and cook. You can also go to so-called "Sodas" (smaller restaurants), which are usually owned by locals and therefore only have local dishes and are not as expensive as normal restaurants. However, normal European-style restaurants are not that expensive either, so you can also eat there.
At the rental agency "EC rent a car" we rent out the most cars. Make sure you have the right EC rent a car agency.
Once you have your suitcase and a purchased SIM card, exit the airport hall and there will be a lot of people standing there. Look for the man with the sign "EC rent a car". He will then take you to the rental office by car, you will sort out the car papers and he will hand you your car.
After taking over, don't forget to take a picture of the car from each side. If it's dark, just take a picture of the car tomorrow morning.
Early in the morning you will depart from San José to the Caribbean side of the country to Puerta Vieja. You will visit a park and see your first sloths, "swim" on the beautiful Caribbean beaches, and stroll through the town. You will also have the opportunity to visit Costa Rican restaurants, cafes, karaoke bars and a yoga studio with a beautiful view, or anything else.
Leave for Puerto Viejo early in the morning so you have the whole day to explore everything this picturesque town has to offer.
On the way, stop at the beautiful Parque Balvanero Vargas in Limon. Here you'll find your first sloths! This park is their home, so you're sure to spot at least one. If you have trouble finding them, a local will surely help you.
Here you can take a break and enjoy, for example, amazing iced coffee or any real Costa Rican coffee.
Puerto Viejo is a friendly town on the Caribbean coast. A relaxed atmosphere of reggae music and Jamaican colors breathes down on us. You can visit, for example, Luna May - a clothing shop whose designs are based on photos of local people or nature.
You will be in the area for 3 days, so you will have plenty of time to explore the town and its surroundings.
Beach restaurant with a beautiful view and good food🍕
You can find traditional Costa Rican dishes in the photos🤤
Optional (not included in the price) - Yoga studio (from easier slow classes to more demanding ones, they have a really wide selection) plus it's a beautiful place on a hill with a view, also suitable just for brunch.
After a long day in the car, you can relax on this beach a short distance from the accommodation. But BEWARE! Definitely don't go too far and don't swim! You will see for yourself that this beach (and most beaches in Costa Rica) has an extremely strong current and it's no joke. So be careful. On the way to the beach, you can see various types of monkeys in the treetops.
Park anywhere in the side streets.
Today you'll visit a wonderful rescue station for injured and orphaned animals. You'll then go for a walk through another breathtaking National Park called Manzanillo. Expect rainforest, mangrove swamps, and beautiful ocean views with swimming. In the afternoon, you'll spend time on a secluded beach known for its white sand, crystal-clear water, palm trees, and surrounding vibrant jungle.
The Jaguar Rescue Center is a temporary or permanent home for sick, injured, and orphaned animals. It focuses on monkeys, sloths, other mammals, birds, and reptiles. It provides veterinary services, round-the-clock care, and comfort to animals that would otherwise be unable to survive in the rainforest or the waters of the Caribbean. Here you will see animals that you will then try to spot in the wild. You will learn a few interesting facts about them and support these darlings who cannot be in the wild. Book your admission in advance here.
In the afternoon, a visit to the beautiful National Coastal Park awaits you. The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife haven located in one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica. This reserve is very important from an ecological point of view, as it contains the only intact mangrove swamp in the Atlantic and the primary lowland small rainforest located here is the only one of its kind in the region. The reserve also cares for the only natural mangrove oyster beds located along the coastal cliffs.
Observe the treetops and listen to the sounds of nature, you can see toucans, monkeys, or very rare green parrots and many other animals.
I recommend sturdy shoes/sandals, a hat and definitely swimwear, there are wonderful places to swim here. Bring plenty of water and a snack, there is nothing to buy here.
You can pay a voluntary entrance fee at the entrance (in cash).
Due to its remoteness, this beach has preserved its natural beauty and is synonymous with soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and numerous palm trees providing shade. The surrounding jungle is teeming with life, so we can encounter monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other exotic birds right on the beach or in its immediate vicinity. Similarly, the rich underwater life invites scuba diving. You can also rent a kayak on the beach and explore the coast, take a walk, or simply relax by the water.
For me, Punta Uva beach is the most beautiful on the Caribbean coast (allow plenty of time).
On the fourth day, you'll explore one of Costa Rica's most beautiful National Coastal Parks, Cahuita, where you'll be greeted by lots of animals at the end. You can spend the rest of the day on Cocles beach. You can play volleyball, take a surf lesson, and hit a karaoke bar in the evening. If you prefer a more relaxed time, you can return to Punta Uva beach.
Cahuita National Park is one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. Here you can observe a large number of animals in the wild and at the same time swim on some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. You will spend a lot of time here and enjoy a beautiful walk through the park.
The national park protects not only a vast marine area (224 km2) and one of the few preserved Costa Rican coral reefs (6 km2), but also the mainland part of the park (10.7 km2), which protects mangrove forests and tropical rainforest.
I recommend sturdy shoes/sandals and swimwear, there are wonderful places to swim. The walk through the park is 8 km long, so bring plenty of water and a snack, there is nothing to buy here. ATTENTION - do not take out a snack or anything else to eat near the monkeys at the end of the road! They will steal everything from you. We don't want to feed wild animals.
At the entrance you can pay a voluntary entrance fee (in cash).
Playa Cocles is a large beach near Puerto Viejo. It's a social hub where you can find volleyball courts, surf schools, beach bars, restaurants, and plenty of cafes. You definitely won't be bored here. They also host karaoke nights where you can end your day.
surfing - (instructor William is great and has surfboards between the slackline and volleyball)
karaoke - (you'll definitely hear it, the bar is located at the end of the beach towards Puerto Viejo)
Beach cafe with amazing coffee.
On the fifth day, you'll watch the last sunrise over the Caribbean Sea before heading inland to Costa Rica. You'll drive through beautiful nature, make a few stops, and once you arrive in La Fortuna, you'll be surrounded by incredible hills and volcanoes. You'll spend another 3 days here. After arriving, take a walk through the town, you can go to a bistro with a beautiful view and end the day in the town of La Fortuna with a view of the active Arenal volcano.
In the morning, watch the sunrise at Chiquita Beach, which is perfect for sunrises, and then head inland towards La Fortuna. Stop at a few beautiful places along the way.
Park anywhere in the side streets.
Not included in the price.
You can stop at Frogs Heaven along the way. The owner is a very nice man who has turned an agricultural field back into a forest and created such conditions there that many wild animals stay with him. Different types of frogs, bats, snakes, basilisks and lizards. More information, reviews and location here.
La Fortuna is a picturesque town located in the heart of Costa Rica, right by the Arenal Volcano. This is where our accommodation will be. The place is famous for its hot springs, where you can relax and enjoy the view of the impressive volcano. The surrounding area boasts beautiful nature with many hiking trails, La Fortuna waterfall, and the Arenal Volcano National Park.
American bistro with excellent food (I recommend the burrito and peanut shake) and a wonderful view. Worth a visit.
On the sixth day, you'll take a full-day trip to Río Celeste. It's an incredible place, and you'll enjoy it to the fullest. In the morning, you'll go to the meeting point to meet your guide. There, you'll take a dip at the magical Llanos de Cortez waterfall, then visit an ecological farm with sloths and frogs, walk through a beautiful park to the Rio Celeste waterfall, and have a real Costa Rican lunch. In the evening, you can relax in the thermal river or go out for fun in La Fortuna.
Rio Celeste is a river located in Costa Rica, within the Tenorio National Park. Its most amazing feature is its azure blue color, which beautifully contrasts with the lush green rainforest it flows through. The water's color is created when one river flows out of the rainforest and mixes with another river that flows out of a volcano. Chemistry and a bit of magic combined with the science of light refraction cause this amazing color!
In the morning, you will go to the meeting point where you will meet your guide, who will guide you through the whole day. There, you will swim in the magical Llanos de Cortez waterfall, then visit an ecological farm with sloths and frogs, walk through a beautiful park to the famous Rio Celeste waterfall. You will see lots of wildlife and have a real Costa Rican lunch. All this is included in the price of the trip, and I've only described it briefly.
I recommend booking the trip here. If you would like a different or shorter version, take a look on the internet, there are plenty of options.
Here you can enjoy real relaxation. This thermal river is free and absolutely magical, you will meet many locals here. This place really has its own charm. You can park somewhere along the road and walk to the bridge, go down there and sit in the river wherever there is space. I recommend going further upstream. The water is even warmer there.
If you would like to use a larger thermal swimming pool, I recommend making a reservation well in advance.
On the seventh day, you'll embark on a chocolate farm tour, learning about its origins, the chocolate-making process, and indulging in exquisite authentic Costa Rican chocolate. Afterwards, you'll explore the Arenal natural reserve, traversing its entirety. You'll explore the treetops, be mesmerized by the Danta waterfall, walk across hanging bridges, and enjoy a typical (and incredibly delicious!) Costa Rican lunch.
Everyone must love this chocolate experience! You will have the honor of seeing experts who will bring us closer to the entire chocolate production process, from picking the fruit to filling the chocolate molds, and they will also teach us a lot of things. During the two hours, you will have a chocolate-making lesson, walk around the organic farm, and taste traditional chocolate drinks, sugar cane juice (pressed by you), and chocolate candies (created by you).
You will spend the rest of the day in the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails nature reserve. You have a full-day admission without a guide, so you can arrange the program according to your preferences. Explore the entire national park with magnificent views of the Arenal volcano and lake, go up to the “The Nest” observation tower and explore the rainforest canopy, watch birds of all colors and sizes, visit the Danta waterfall and the hanging bridges.
And of course, a Costa Rican lunch at the restaurant “El Jilguero” is a must (main course, dessert, natural juice and coffee). All this is included in the price and much more. I recommend going for food as soon as you arrive.
On the eighth day, you'll set off early in the morning on a journey around the beautiful Arenal Lake to Santa Elena, where you'll embark on a breathtaking walk through the Monteverde cloud forest.
The breathtaking reserve, named after the nearby town of Monteverde and established in 1972, consists of over 10,500 hectares. The reserve is made up of 6 ecological zones, 90% of which are virgin forests.
A place full of hummingbirds? No, it's not just a dream, it's a reality! Dozens of hummingbirds flying right around your head. You definitely shouldn't miss this place!
You can also make a short stop at this interesting tree. A beautiful bridge has been conjured from its roots.
Amazing place where you can try different types of coffee for free and buy various souvenirs. Definitely worth a visit.
On the ninth morning, you'll head towards the well-known city of Quepos, where an unforgettable adventure awaits. Ever flown through a rainforest? No? Well, today you will! Get ready for an incredible experience on a zip line.
The adventure trip includes the most impressive and longest Zip Line in Central America, 14 tree platforms, 5 suspension bridges, 3 nature walks, 1 double rappel, and 10 double-anchored Zip Lines with a total length of over 3.6 km. I'm already looking forward to it for you. What about you? In addition, after the ride, you will enjoy a Costa Rican lunch, and perhaps local hummingbirds and butterflies will fly in to greet you.
Playa La Macha is a beautiful beach. White sand, peace, gentle waves, cliffs, palm trees and jungle as far as the eye can see. If you don't want waves, this place is perfect for you.
On the tenth day, you'll go to the amazing Manuel Antonio National Park. You'll spend the rest of the day relaxing on the most beautiful Pacific beaches.
This exceptional park is home to a fascinating mix of rainforest, pristine beaches, and coral reefs, creating a sanctuary of natural beauty. The beaches, considered some of the most picturesque in Costa Rica, are lined with dense green forests and offer excellent snorkeling opportunities in crystal-clear waters. Although Manuel Antonio is the smallest national park in the country, it boasts a unique blend of stunning scenery and vibrant wildlife.
Definitely visit this beach. It's absolutely amazing. Animals all around you and a perfect ocean without waves, so you can have a great swim. There are toilets and refreshments near the beach.
Manuel Antonio Beach, located right next to the national park, is in my opinion the best beach where you can spend the whole day! And the sunset? Incredible!
You will spend the morning enjoying the last moments by the Pacific Ocean, and in the afternoon you will slowly move to San José. On the way, you will stop at the famous bridge with crocodiles. After arriving in San José, you will check in, and the next day is just the journey home.
If you are traveling on Sunday or Friday, allow sufficient time for arrival. All Costa Ricans are going home or from home to the sea, so be prepared for long and endless queues to catch your plane.
This Manuel Antonio beach is so amazing, I think you'll spend your last moment by the Pacific Ocean here.
The Crocodile Bridge is an interesting stop that will brighten up your journey to San José.
Your last day is here, time to fly home. You've fully enjoyed Costa Rica and can now head back. Costa Rica is an incredible country and I look forward to you exploring it in all its glory.
On the last day, you'll return the car to the rental location, they'll take you to the airport, and you'll fly home.
You'll see that whether you're an experienced traveler who has seen many countries and traveled a lot, or a beginner who wants to travel, you'll fall in love with Costa Rica either way. It's a beautiful nature with amazing animals. I'm already looking forward to you discovering and traveling.✅
Do you love traveling and exploring new countries? Experience an adventure in Costa Rica, full of unforgettable experiences! On the east coast, soak up the relaxed reggae atmosphere of the Caribbean, stroll along the most beautiful beaches, and explore the local coastal national parks. The interior will then captivate you with all shades of green. You will get to know the very diverse fauna and flora of the tropical rainforest. On the Pacific coast, visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park and watch breathtaking sunsets that will leave you speechless. Adventure lovers will surely be thrilled by the zip line through the jungle. And that's just a short description of everything you'll experience!
Experience the Costa Rican PURA VIDA "pure life" for yourself!
Arrival in Costa Rica, car pickup, and transfer to accommodation in the capital city of San José. Don't forget that you need to be at the airport at least 2 hours before departure.
Before your flight, carefully check the dimensions of your baggage. Most airlines check if your baggage exceeds the allowed dimensions. Remember that you cannot take any liquids (only small amounts up to 100 ml), sharp objects, and pressurized sprays (e.g., deodorant) on board the aircraft. If you have these items, put them in your checked baggage, which will be in the hold.
I recommend going through all the airport checks and not lingering anywhere, get to your gate, and then you will have time before departure. But don't forget that you need to be at the gate approximately 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
The flight to Costa Rica involves one transfer, but don't worry, the transfer is completely fine. Usually, the second gate you will go to is next to the one where you arrive.
If you are flying through Canada or the USA, remember to make sure you have purchased an ETA/ESTA (visa) - it is also necessary for a transfer.
After landing in Costa Rica, go get your luggage, buy a SIM card (important for internet access, the best operators are Kolbi, Liberty, Claro) and then pick up your car, and off you go to your accommodation.
Strava
The accommodation will mostly have a kitchenette, so you can buy fresh ingredients at local markets and cook. You can also go to so-called "Sodas" (smaller restaurants), which are usually owned by locals and therefore only have local dishes and are not as expensive as normal restaurants. However, normal European-style restaurants are not that expensive either, so you can also eat there.
At the rental agency "EC rent a car" we rent out the most cars. Make sure you have the right EC rent a car agency.
Once you have your suitcase and a purchased SIM card, exit the airport hall and there will be a lot of people standing there. Look for the man with the sign "EC rent a car". He will then take you to the rental office by car, you will sort out the car papers and he will hand you your car.
After taking over, don't forget to take a picture of the car from each side. If it's dark, just take a picture of the car tomorrow morning.
Early in the morning you will depart from San José to the Caribbean side of the country to Puerta Vieja. You will visit a park and see your first sloths, "swim" on the beautiful Caribbean beaches, and stroll through the town. You will also have the opportunity to visit Costa Rican restaurants, cafes, karaoke bars and a yoga studio with a beautiful view, or anything else.
Leave for Puerto Viejo early in the morning so you have the whole day to explore everything this picturesque town has to offer.
On the way, stop at the beautiful Parque Balvanero Vargas in Limon. Here you'll find your first sloths! This park is their home, so you're sure to spot at least one. If you have trouble finding them, a local will surely help you.
Here you can take a break and enjoy, for example, amazing iced coffee or any real Costa Rican coffee.
Puerto Viejo is a friendly town on the Caribbean coast. A relaxed atmosphere of reggae music and Jamaican colors breathes down on us. You can visit, for example, Luna May - a clothing shop whose designs are based on photos of local people or nature.
You will be in the area for 3 days, so you will have plenty of time to explore the town and its surroundings.
Beach restaurant with a beautiful view and good food🍕
You can find traditional Costa Rican dishes in the photos🤤
Optional (not included in the price) - Yoga studio (from easier slow classes to more demanding ones, they have a really wide selection) plus it's a beautiful place on a hill with a view, also suitable just for brunch.
After a long day in the car, you can relax on this beach a short distance from the accommodation. But BEWARE! Definitely don't go too far and don't swim! You will see for yourself that this beach (and most beaches in Costa Rica) has an extremely strong current and it's no joke. So be careful. On the way to the beach, you can see various types of monkeys in the treetops.
Park anywhere in the side streets.
Today you'll visit a wonderful rescue station for injured and orphaned animals. You'll then go for a walk through another breathtaking National Park called Manzanillo. Expect rainforest, mangrove swamps, and beautiful ocean views with swimming. In the afternoon, you'll spend time on a secluded beach known for its white sand, crystal-clear water, palm trees, and surrounding vibrant jungle.
The Jaguar Rescue Center is a temporary or permanent home for sick, injured, and orphaned animals. It focuses on monkeys, sloths, other mammals, birds, and reptiles. It provides veterinary services, round-the-clock care, and comfort to animals that would otherwise be unable to survive in the rainforest or the waters of the Caribbean. Here you will see animals that you will then try to spot in the wild. You will learn a few interesting facts about them and support these darlings who cannot be in the wild. Book your admission in advance here.
In the afternoon, a visit to the beautiful National Coastal Park awaits you. The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife haven located in one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica. This reserve is very important from an ecological point of view, as it contains the only intact mangrove swamp in the Atlantic and the primary lowland small rainforest located here is the only one of its kind in the region. The reserve also cares for the only natural mangrove oyster beds located along the coastal cliffs.
Observe the treetops and listen to the sounds of nature, you can see toucans, monkeys, or very rare green parrots and many other animals.
I recommend sturdy shoes/sandals, a hat and definitely swimwear, there are wonderful places to swim here. Bring plenty of water and a snack, there is nothing to buy here.
You can pay a voluntary entrance fee at the entrance (in cash).
Due to its remoteness, this beach has preserved its natural beauty and is synonymous with soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and numerous palm trees providing shade. The surrounding jungle is teeming with life, so we can encounter monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other exotic birds right on the beach or in its immediate vicinity. Similarly, the rich underwater life invites scuba diving. You can also rent a kayak on the beach and explore the coast, take a walk, or simply relax by the water.
For me, Punta Uva beach is the most beautiful on the Caribbean coast (allow plenty of time).
On the fourth day, you'll explore one of Costa Rica's most beautiful National Coastal Parks, Cahuita, where you'll be greeted by lots of animals at the end. You can spend the rest of the day on Cocles beach. You can play volleyball, take a surf lesson, and hit a karaoke bar in the evening. If you prefer a more relaxed time, you can return to Punta Uva beach.
Cahuita National Park is one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. Here you can observe a large number of animals in the wild and at the same time swim on some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. You will spend a lot of time here and enjoy a beautiful walk through the park.
The national park protects not only a vast marine area (224 km2) and one of the few preserved Costa Rican coral reefs (6 km2), but also the mainland part of the park (10.7 km2), which protects mangrove forests and tropical rainforest.
I recommend sturdy shoes/sandals and swimwear, there are wonderful places to swim. The walk through the park is 8 km long, so bring plenty of water and a snack, there is nothing to buy here. ATTENTION - do not take out a snack or anything else to eat near the monkeys at the end of the road! They will steal everything from you. We don't want to feed wild animals.
At the entrance you can pay a voluntary entrance fee (in cash).
Playa Cocles is a large beach near Puerto Viejo. It's a social hub where you can find volleyball courts, surf schools, beach bars, restaurants, and plenty of cafes. You definitely won't be bored here. They also host karaoke nights where you can end your day.
surfing - (instructor William is great and has surfboards between the slackline and volleyball)
karaoke - (you'll definitely hear it, the bar is located at the end of the beach towards Puerto Viejo)
Beach cafe with amazing coffee.
On the fifth day, you'll watch the last sunrise over the Caribbean Sea before heading inland to Costa Rica. You'll drive through beautiful nature, make a few stops, and once you arrive in La Fortuna, you'll be surrounded by incredible hills and volcanoes. You'll spend another 3 days here. After arriving, take a walk through the town, you can go to a bistro with a beautiful view and end the day in the town of La Fortuna with a view of the active Arenal volcano.
In the morning, watch the sunrise at Chiquita Beach, which is perfect for sunrises, and then head inland towards La Fortuna. Stop at a few beautiful places along the way.
Park anywhere in the side streets.
Not included in the price.
You can stop at Frogs Heaven along the way. The owner is a very nice man who has turned an agricultural field back into a forest and created such conditions there that many wild animals stay with him. Different types of frogs, bats, snakes, basilisks and lizards. More information, reviews and location here.
La Fortuna is a picturesque town located in the heart of Costa Rica, right by the Arenal Volcano. This is where our accommodation will be. The place is famous for its hot springs, where you can relax and enjoy the view of the impressive volcano. The surrounding area boasts beautiful nature with many hiking trails, La Fortuna waterfall, and the Arenal Volcano National Park.
American bistro with excellent food (I recommend the burrito and peanut shake) and a wonderful view. Worth a visit.
On the sixth day, you'll take a full-day trip to Río Celeste. It's an incredible place, and you'll enjoy it to the fullest. In the morning, you'll go to the meeting point to meet your guide. There, you'll take a dip at the magical Llanos de Cortez waterfall, then visit an ecological farm with sloths and frogs, walk through a beautiful park to the Rio Celeste waterfall, and have a real Costa Rican lunch. In the evening, you can relax in the thermal river or go out for fun in La Fortuna.
Rio Celeste is a river located in Costa Rica, within the Tenorio National Park. Its most amazing feature is its azure blue color, which beautifully contrasts with the lush green rainforest it flows through. The water's color is created when one river flows out of the rainforest and mixes with another river that flows out of a volcano. Chemistry and a bit of magic combined with the science of light refraction cause this amazing color!
In the morning, you will go to the meeting point where you will meet your guide, who will guide you through the whole day. There, you will swim in the magical Llanos de Cortez waterfall, then visit an ecological farm with sloths and frogs, walk through a beautiful park to the famous Rio Celeste waterfall. You will see lots of wildlife and have a real Costa Rican lunch. All this is included in the price of the trip, and I've only described it briefly.
I recommend booking the trip here. If you would like a different or shorter version, take a look on the internet, there are plenty of options.
Here you can enjoy real relaxation. This thermal river is free and absolutely magical, you will meet many locals here. This place really has its own charm. You can park somewhere along the road and walk to the bridge, go down there and sit in the river wherever there is space. I recommend going further upstream. The water is even warmer there.
If you would like to use a larger thermal swimming pool, I recommend making a reservation well in advance.
On the seventh day, you'll embark on a chocolate farm tour, learning about its origins, the chocolate-making process, and indulging in exquisite authentic Costa Rican chocolate. Afterwards, you'll explore the Arenal natural reserve, traversing its entirety. You'll explore the treetops, be mesmerized by the Danta waterfall, walk across hanging bridges, and enjoy a typical (and incredibly delicious!) Costa Rican lunch.
Everyone must love this chocolate experience! You will have the honor of seeing experts who will bring us closer to the entire chocolate production process, from picking the fruit to filling the chocolate molds, and they will also teach us a lot of things. During the two hours, you will have a chocolate-making lesson, walk around the organic farm, and taste traditional chocolate drinks, sugar cane juice (pressed by you), and chocolate candies (created by you).
You will spend the rest of the day in the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails nature reserve. You have a full-day admission without a guide, so you can arrange the program according to your preferences. Explore the entire national park with magnificent views of the Arenal volcano and lake, go up to the “The Nest” observation tower and explore the rainforest canopy, watch birds of all colors and sizes, visit the Danta waterfall and the hanging bridges.
And of course, a Costa Rican lunch at the restaurant “El Jilguero” is a must (main course, dessert, natural juice and coffee). All this is included in the price and much more. I recommend going for food as soon as you arrive.
On the eighth day, you'll set off early in the morning on a journey around the beautiful Arenal Lake to Santa Elena, where you'll embark on a breathtaking walk through the Monteverde cloud forest.
The breathtaking reserve, named after the nearby town of Monteverde and established in 1972, consists of over 10,500 hectares. The reserve is made up of 6 ecological zones, 90% of which are virgin forests.
A place full of hummingbirds? No, it's not just a dream, it's a reality! Dozens of hummingbirds flying right around your head. You definitely shouldn't miss this place!
You can also make a short stop at this interesting tree. A beautiful bridge has been conjured from its roots.
Amazing place where you can try different types of coffee for free and buy various souvenirs. Definitely worth a visit.
On the ninth morning, you'll head towards the well-known city of Quepos, where an unforgettable adventure awaits. Ever flown through a rainforest? No? Well, today you will! Get ready for an incredible experience on a zip line.
The adventure trip includes the most impressive and longest Zip Line in Central America, 14 tree platforms, 5 suspension bridges, 3 nature walks, 1 double rappel, and 10 double-anchored Zip Lines with a total length of over 3.6 km. I'm already looking forward to it for you. What about you? In addition, after the ride, you will enjoy a Costa Rican lunch, and perhaps local hummingbirds and butterflies will fly in to greet you.
Playa La Macha is a beautiful beach. White sand, peace, gentle waves, cliffs, palm trees and jungle as far as the eye can see. If you don't want waves, this place is perfect for you.
On the tenth day, you'll go to the amazing Manuel Antonio National Park. You'll spend the rest of the day relaxing on the most beautiful Pacific beaches.
This exceptional park is home to a fascinating mix of rainforest, pristine beaches, and coral reefs, creating a sanctuary of natural beauty. The beaches, considered some of the most picturesque in Costa Rica, are lined with dense green forests and offer excellent snorkeling opportunities in crystal-clear waters. Although Manuel Antonio is the smallest national park in the country, it boasts a unique blend of stunning scenery and vibrant wildlife.
Definitely visit this beach. It's absolutely amazing. Animals all around you and a perfect ocean without waves, so you can have a great swim. There are toilets and refreshments near the beach.
Manuel Antonio Beach, located right next to the national park, is in my opinion the best beach where you can spend the whole day! And the sunset? Incredible!
You will spend the morning enjoying the last moments by the Pacific Ocean, and in the afternoon you will slowly move to San José. On the way, you will stop at the famous bridge with crocodiles. After arriving in San José, you will check in, and the next day is just the journey home.
If you are traveling on Sunday or Friday, allow sufficient time for arrival. All Costa Ricans are going home or from home to the sea, so be prepared for long and endless queues to catch your plane.
This Manuel Antonio beach is so amazing, I think you'll spend your last moment by the Pacific Ocean here.
The Crocodile Bridge is an interesting stop that will brighten up your journey to San José.
Your last day is here, time to fly home. You've fully enjoyed Costa Rica and can now head back. Costa Rica is an incredible country and I look forward to you exploring it in all its glory.
On the last day, you'll return the car to the rental location, they'll take you to the airport, and you'll fly home.
You'll see that whether you're an experienced traveler who has seen many countries and traveled a lot, or a beginner who wants to travel, you'll fall in love with Costa Rica either way. It's a beautiful nature with amazing animals. I'm already looking forward to you discovering and traveling.✅
itinerary by Veronika Zapletalova
Do you love traveling and exploring new countries? Experience an adventure in Costa Rica, full of unforgettable experiences! On the east coast, soak up the relaxed reggae atmosphere of the Caribbean, stroll along the most beautiful beaches, and explore the local coastal national parks. The interior will then captivate you with all shades of green. You will get to know the very diverse fauna and flora of the tropical rainforest. On the Pacific coast, visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park and watch breathtaking sunsets that will leave you speechless. Adventure lovers will surely be thrilled by the zip line through the jungle. And that's just a short description of everything you'll experience!
Experience the Costa Rican PURA VIDA "pure life" for yourself!
Arrival in Costa Rica, car pickup, and transfer to accommodation in the capital city of San José. Don't forget that you need to be at the airport at least 2 hours before departure.
Before your flight, carefully check the dimensions of your baggage. Most airlines check if your baggage exceeds the allowed dimensions. Remember that you cannot take any liquids (only small amounts up to 100 ml), sharp objects, and pressurized sprays (e.g., deodorant) on board the aircraft. If you have these items, put them in your checked baggage, which will be in the hold.
I recommend going through all the airport checks and not lingering anywhere, get to your gate, and then you will have time before departure. But don't forget that you need to be at the gate approximately 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
The flight to Costa Rica involves one transfer, but don't worry, the transfer is completely fine. Usually, the second gate you will go to is next to the one where you arrive.
If you are flying through Canada or the USA, remember to make sure you have purchased an ETA/ESTA (visa) - it is also necessary for a transfer.
After landing in Costa Rica, go get your luggage, buy a SIM card (important for internet access, the best operators are Kolbi, Liberty, Claro) and then pick up your car, and off you go to your accommodation.
Strava
The accommodation will mostly have a kitchenette, so you can buy fresh ingredients at local markets and cook. You can also go to so-called "Sodas" (smaller restaurants), which are usually owned by locals and therefore only have local dishes and are not as expensive as normal restaurants. However, normal European-style restaurants are not that expensive either, so you can also eat there.
At the rental agency "EC rent a car" we rent out the most cars. Make sure you have the right EC rent a car agency.
Once you have your suitcase and a purchased SIM card, exit the airport hall and there will be a lot of people standing there. Look for the man with the sign "EC rent a car". He will then take you to the rental office by car, you will sort out the car papers and he will hand you your car.
After taking over, don't forget to take a picture of the car from each side. If it's dark, just take a picture of the car tomorrow morning.
Early in the morning you will depart from San José to the Caribbean side of the country to Puerta Vieja. You will visit a park and see your first sloths, "swim" on the beautiful Caribbean beaches, and stroll through the town. You will also have the opportunity to visit Costa Rican restaurants, cafes, karaoke bars and a yoga studio with a beautiful view, or anything else.
Leave for Puerto Viejo early in the morning so you have the whole day to explore everything this picturesque town has to offer.
On the way, stop at the beautiful Parque Balvanero Vargas in Limon. Here you'll find your first sloths! This park is their home, so you're sure to spot at least one. If you have trouble finding them, a local will surely help you.
Here you can take a break and enjoy, for example, amazing iced coffee or any real Costa Rican coffee.
Puerto Viejo is a friendly town on the Caribbean coast. A relaxed atmosphere of reggae music and Jamaican colors breathes down on us. You can visit, for example, Luna May - a clothing shop whose designs are based on photos of local people or nature.
You will be in the area for 3 days, so you will have plenty of time to explore the town and its surroundings.
Beach restaurant with a beautiful view and good food🍕
You can find traditional Costa Rican dishes in the photos🤤
Optional (not included in the price) - Yoga studio (from easier slow classes to more demanding ones, they have a really wide selection) plus it's a beautiful place on a hill with a view, also suitable just for brunch.
After a long day in the car, you can relax on this beach a short distance from the accommodation. But BEWARE! Definitely don't go too far and don't swim! You will see for yourself that this beach (and most beaches in Costa Rica) has an extremely strong current and it's no joke. So be careful. On the way to the beach, you can see various types of monkeys in the treetops.
Park anywhere in the side streets.
Today you'll visit a wonderful rescue station for injured and orphaned animals. You'll then go for a walk through another breathtaking National Park called Manzanillo. Expect rainforest, mangrove swamps, and beautiful ocean views with swimming. In the afternoon, you'll spend time on a secluded beach known for its white sand, crystal-clear water, palm trees, and surrounding vibrant jungle.
The Jaguar Rescue Center is a temporary or permanent home for sick, injured, and orphaned animals. It focuses on monkeys, sloths, other mammals, birds, and reptiles. It provides veterinary services, round-the-clock care, and comfort to animals that would otherwise be unable to survive in the rainforest or the waters of the Caribbean. Here you will see animals that you will then try to spot in the wild. You will learn a few interesting facts about them and support these darlings who cannot be in the wild. Book your admission in advance here.
In the afternoon, a visit to the beautiful National Coastal Park awaits you. The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife haven located in one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica. This reserve is very important from an ecological point of view, as it contains the only intact mangrove swamp in the Atlantic and the primary lowland small rainforest located here is the only one of its kind in the region. The reserve also cares for the only natural mangrove oyster beds located along the coastal cliffs.
Observe the treetops and listen to the sounds of nature, you can see toucans, monkeys, or very rare green parrots and many other animals.
I recommend sturdy shoes/sandals, a hat and definitely swimwear, there are wonderful places to swim here. Bring plenty of water and a snack, there is nothing to buy here.
You can pay a voluntary entrance fee at the entrance (in cash).
Due to its remoteness, this beach has preserved its natural beauty and is synonymous with soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and numerous palm trees providing shade. The surrounding jungle is teeming with life, so we can encounter monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other exotic birds right on the beach or in its immediate vicinity. Similarly, the rich underwater life invites scuba diving. You can also rent a kayak on the beach and explore the coast, take a walk, or simply relax by the water.
For me, Punta Uva beach is the most beautiful on the Caribbean coast (allow plenty of time).
On the fourth day, you'll explore one of Costa Rica's most beautiful National Coastal Parks, Cahuita, where you'll be greeted by lots of animals at the end. You can spend the rest of the day on Cocles beach. You can play volleyball, take a surf lesson, and hit a karaoke bar in the evening. If you prefer a more relaxed time, you can return to Punta Uva beach.
Cahuita National Park is one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. Here you can observe a large number of animals in the wild and at the same time swim on some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. You will spend a lot of time here and enjoy a beautiful walk through the park.
The national park protects not only a vast marine area (224 km2) and one of the few preserved Costa Rican coral reefs (6 km2), but also the mainland part of the park (10.7 km2), which protects mangrove forests and tropical rainforest.
I recommend sturdy shoes/sandals and swimwear, there are wonderful places to swim. The walk through the park is 8 km long, so bring plenty of water and a snack, there is nothing to buy here. ATTENTION - do not take out a snack or anything else to eat near the monkeys at the end of the road! They will steal everything from you. We don't want to feed wild animals.
At the entrance you can pay a voluntary entrance fee (in cash).
Playa Cocles is a large beach near Puerto Viejo. It's a social hub where you can find volleyball courts, surf schools, beach bars, restaurants, and plenty of cafes. You definitely won't be bored here. They also host karaoke nights where you can end your day.
surfing - (instructor William is great and has surfboards between the slackline and volleyball)
karaoke - (you'll definitely hear it, the bar is located at the end of the beach towards Puerto Viejo)
Beach cafe with amazing coffee.
On the fifth day, you'll watch the last sunrise over the Caribbean Sea before heading inland to Costa Rica. You'll drive through beautiful nature, make a few stops, and once you arrive in La Fortuna, you'll be surrounded by incredible hills and volcanoes. You'll spend another 3 days here. After arriving, take a walk through the town, you can go to a bistro with a beautiful view and end the day in the town of La Fortuna with a view of the active Arenal volcano.
In the morning, watch the sunrise at Chiquita Beach, which is perfect for sunrises, and then head inland towards La Fortuna. Stop at a few beautiful places along the way.
Park anywhere in the side streets.
Not included in the price.
You can stop at Frogs Heaven along the way. The owner is a very nice man who has turned an agricultural field back into a forest and created such conditions there that many wild animals stay with him. Different types of frogs, bats, snakes, basilisks and lizards. More information, reviews and location here.
La Fortuna is a picturesque town located in the heart of Costa Rica, right by the Arenal Volcano. This is where our accommodation will be. The place is famous for its hot springs, where you can relax and enjoy the view of the impressive volcano. The surrounding area boasts beautiful nature with many hiking trails, La Fortuna waterfall, and the Arenal Volcano National Park.
American bistro with excellent food (I recommend the burrito and peanut shake) and a wonderful view. Worth a visit.
On the sixth day, you'll take a full-day trip to Río Celeste. It's an incredible place, and you'll enjoy it to the fullest. In the morning, you'll go to the meeting point to meet your guide. There, you'll take a dip at the magical Llanos de Cortez waterfall, then visit an ecological farm with sloths and frogs, walk through a beautiful park to the Rio Celeste waterfall, and have a real Costa Rican lunch. In the evening, you can relax in the thermal river or go out for fun in La Fortuna.
Rio Celeste is a river located in Costa Rica, within the Tenorio National Park. Its most amazing feature is its azure blue color, which beautifully contrasts with the lush green rainforest it flows through. The water's color is created when one river flows out of the rainforest and mixes with another river that flows out of a volcano. Chemistry and a bit of magic combined with the science of light refraction cause this amazing color!
In the morning, you will go to the meeting point where you will meet your guide, who will guide you through the whole day. There, you will swim in the magical Llanos de Cortez waterfall, then visit an ecological farm with sloths and frogs, walk through a beautiful park to the famous Rio Celeste waterfall. You will see lots of wildlife and have a real Costa Rican lunch. All this is included in the price of the trip, and I've only described it briefly.
I recommend booking the trip here. If you would like a different or shorter version, take a look on the internet, there are plenty of options.
Here you can enjoy real relaxation. This thermal river is free and absolutely magical, you will meet many locals here. This place really has its own charm. You can park somewhere along the road and walk to the bridge, go down there and sit in the river wherever there is space. I recommend going further upstream. The water is even warmer there.
If you would like to use a larger thermal swimming pool, I recommend making a reservation well in advance.
On the seventh day, you'll embark on a chocolate farm tour, learning about its origins, the chocolate-making process, and indulging in exquisite authentic Costa Rican chocolate. Afterwards, you'll explore the Arenal natural reserve, traversing its entirety. You'll explore the treetops, be mesmerized by the Danta waterfall, walk across hanging bridges, and enjoy a typical (and incredibly delicious!) Costa Rican lunch.
Everyone must love this chocolate experience! You will have the honor of seeing experts who will bring us closer to the entire chocolate production process, from picking the fruit to filling the chocolate molds, and they will also teach us a lot of things. During the two hours, you will have a chocolate-making lesson, walk around the organic farm, and taste traditional chocolate drinks, sugar cane juice (pressed by you), and chocolate candies (created by you).
You will spend the rest of the day in the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails nature reserve. You have a full-day admission without a guide, so you can arrange the program according to your preferences. Explore the entire national park with magnificent views of the Arenal volcano and lake, go up to the “The Nest” observation tower and explore the rainforest canopy, watch birds of all colors and sizes, visit the Danta waterfall and the hanging bridges.
And of course, a Costa Rican lunch at the restaurant “El Jilguero” is a must (main course, dessert, natural juice and coffee). All this is included in the price and much more. I recommend going for food as soon as you arrive.
On the eighth day, you'll set off early in the morning on a journey around the beautiful Arenal Lake to Santa Elena, where you'll embark on a breathtaking walk through the Monteverde cloud forest.
The breathtaking reserve, named after the nearby town of Monteverde and established in 1972, consists of over 10,500 hectares. The reserve is made up of 6 ecological zones, 90% of which are virgin forests.
A place full of hummingbirds? No, it's not just a dream, it's a reality! Dozens of hummingbirds flying right around your head. You definitely shouldn't miss this place!
You can also make a short stop at this interesting tree. A beautiful bridge has been conjured from its roots.
Amazing place where you can try different types of coffee for free and buy various souvenirs. Definitely worth a visit.
On the ninth morning, you'll head towards the well-known city of Quepos, where an unforgettable adventure awaits. Ever flown through a rainforest? No? Well, today you will! Get ready for an incredible experience on a zip line.
The adventure trip includes the most impressive and longest Zip Line in Central America, 14 tree platforms, 5 suspension bridges, 3 nature walks, 1 double rappel, and 10 double-anchored Zip Lines with a total length of over 3.6 km. I'm already looking forward to it for you. What about you? In addition, after the ride, you will enjoy a Costa Rican lunch, and perhaps local hummingbirds and butterflies will fly in to greet you.
Playa La Macha is a beautiful beach. White sand, peace, gentle waves, cliffs, palm trees and jungle as far as the eye can see. If you don't want waves, this place is perfect for you.
On the tenth day, you'll go to the amazing Manuel Antonio National Park. You'll spend the rest of the day relaxing on the most beautiful Pacific beaches.
This exceptional park is home to a fascinating mix of rainforest, pristine beaches, and coral reefs, creating a sanctuary of natural beauty. The beaches, considered some of the most picturesque in Costa Rica, are lined with dense green forests and offer excellent snorkeling opportunities in crystal-clear waters. Although Manuel Antonio is the smallest national park in the country, it boasts a unique blend of stunning scenery and vibrant wildlife.
Definitely visit this beach. It's absolutely amazing. Animals all around you and a perfect ocean without waves, so you can have a great swim. There are toilets and refreshments near the beach.
Manuel Antonio Beach, located right next to the national park, is in my opinion the best beach where you can spend the whole day! And the sunset? Incredible!
You will spend the morning enjoying the last moments by the Pacific Ocean, and in the afternoon you will slowly move to San José. On the way, you will stop at the famous bridge with crocodiles. After arriving in San José, you will check in, and the next day is just the journey home.
If you are traveling on Sunday or Friday, allow sufficient time for arrival. All Costa Ricans are going home or from home to the sea, so be prepared for long and endless queues to catch your plane.
This Manuel Antonio beach is so amazing, I think you'll spend your last moment by the Pacific Ocean here.
The Crocodile Bridge is an interesting stop that will brighten up your journey to San José.
Your last day is here, time to fly home. You've fully enjoyed Costa Rica and can now head back. Costa Rica is an incredible country and I look forward to you exploring it in all its glory.
On the last day, you'll return the car to the rental location, they'll take you to the airport, and you'll fly home.
You'll see that whether you're an experienced traveler who has seen many countries and traveled a lot, or a beginner who wants to travel, you'll fall in love with Costa Rica either way. It's a beautiful nature with amazing animals. I'm already looking forward to you discovering and traveling.✅
Do you love traveling and exploring new countries? Experience an adventure in Costa Rica, full of unforgettable experiences! On the east coast, soak up the relaxed reggae atmosphere of the Caribbean, stroll along the most beautiful beaches, and explore the local coastal national parks. The interior will then captivate you with all shades of green. You will get to know the very diverse fauna and flora of the tropical rainforest. On the Pacific coast, visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park and watch breathtaking sunsets that will leave you speechless. Adventure lovers will surely be thrilled by the zip line through the jungle. And that's just a short description of everything you'll experience!
Experience the Costa Rican PURA VIDA "pure life" for yourself!
Arrival in Costa Rica, car pickup, and transfer to accommodation in the capital city of San José. Don't forget that you need to be at the airport at least 2 hours before departure.
Before your flight, carefully check the dimensions of your baggage. Most airlines check if your baggage exceeds the allowed dimensions. Remember that you cannot take any liquids (only small amounts up to 100 ml), sharp objects, and pressurized sprays (e.g., deodorant) on board the aircraft. If you have these items, put them in your checked baggage, which will be in the hold.
I recommend going through all the airport checks and not lingering anywhere, get to your gate, and then you will have time before departure. But don't forget that you need to be at the gate approximately 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
The flight to Costa Rica involves one transfer, but don't worry, the transfer is completely fine. Usually, the second gate you will go to is next to the one where you arrive.
If you are flying through Canada or the USA, remember to make sure you have purchased an ETA/ESTA (visa) - it is also necessary for a transfer.
After landing in Costa Rica, go get your luggage, buy a SIM card (important for internet access, the best operators are Kolbi, Liberty, Claro) and then pick up your car, and off you go to your accommodation.
Strava
The accommodation will mostly have a kitchenette, so you can buy fresh ingredients at local markets and cook. You can also go to so-called "Sodas" (smaller restaurants), which are usually owned by locals and therefore only have local dishes and are not as expensive as normal restaurants. However, normal European-style restaurants are not that expensive either, so you can also eat there.
At the rental agency "EC rent a car" we rent out the most cars. Make sure you have the right EC rent a car agency.
Once you have your suitcase and a purchased SIM card, exit the airport hall and there will be a lot of people standing there. Look for the man with the sign "EC rent a car". He will then take you to the rental office by car, you will sort out the car papers and he will hand you your car.
After taking over, don't forget to take a picture of the car from each side. If it's dark, just take a picture of the car tomorrow morning.
Early in the morning you will depart from San José to the Caribbean side of the country to Puerta Vieja. You will visit a park and see your first sloths, "swim" on the beautiful Caribbean beaches, and stroll through the town. You will also have the opportunity to visit Costa Rican restaurants, cafes, karaoke bars and a yoga studio with a beautiful view, or anything else.
Leave for Puerto Viejo early in the morning so you have the whole day to explore everything this picturesque town has to offer.
On the way, stop at the beautiful Parque Balvanero Vargas in Limon. Here you'll find your first sloths! This park is their home, so you're sure to spot at least one. If you have trouble finding them, a local will surely help you.
Here you can take a break and enjoy, for example, amazing iced coffee or any real Costa Rican coffee.
Puerto Viejo is a friendly town on the Caribbean coast. A relaxed atmosphere of reggae music and Jamaican colors breathes down on us. You can visit, for example, Luna May - a clothing shop whose designs are based on photos of local people or nature.
You will be in the area for 3 days, so you will have plenty of time to explore the town and its surroundings.
Beach restaurant with a beautiful view and good food🍕
You can find traditional Costa Rican dishes in the photos🤤
Optional (not included in the price) - Yoga studio (from easier slow classes to more demanding ones, they have a really wide selection) plus it's a beautiful place on a hill with a view, also suitable just for brunch.
After a long day in the car, you can relax on this beach a short distance from the accommodation. But BEWARE! Definitely don't go too far and don't swim! You will see for yourself that this beach (and most beaches in Costa Rica) has an extremely strong current and it's no joke. So be careful. On the way to the beach, you can see various types of monkeys in the treetops.
Park anywhere in the side streets.
Today you'll visit a wonderful rescue station for injured and orphaned animals. You'll then go for a walk through another breathtaking National Park called Manzanillo. Expect rainforest, mangrove swamps, and beautiful ocean views with swimming. In the afternoon, you'll spend time on a secluded beach known for its white sand, crystal-clear water, palm trees, and surrounding vibrant jungle.
The Jaguar Rescue Center is a temporary or permanent home for sick, injured, and orphaned animals. It focuses on monkeys, sloths, other mammals, birds, and reptiles. It provides veterinary services, round-the-clock care, and comfort to animals that would otherwise be unable to survive in the rainforest or the waters of the Caribbean. Here you will see animals that you will then try to spot in the wild. You will learn a few interesting facts about them and support these darlings who cannot be in the wild. Book your admission in advance here.
In the afternoon, a visit to the beautiful National Coastal Park awaits you. The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife haven located in one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica. This reserve is very important from an ecological point of view, as it contains the only intact mangrove swamp in the Atlantic and the primary lowland small rainforest located here is the only one of its kind in the region. The reserve also cares for the only natural mangrove oyster beds located along the coastal cliffs.
Observe the treetops and listen to the sounds of nature, you can see toucans, monkeys, or very rare green parrots and many other animals.
I recommend sturdy shoes/sandals, a hat and definitely swimwear, there are wonderful places to swim here. Bring plenty of water and a snack, there is nothing to buy here.
You can pay a voluntary entrance fee at the entrance (in cash).
Due to its remoteness, this beach has preserved its natural beauty and is synonymous with soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and numerous palm trees providing shade. The surrounding jungle is teeming with life, so we can encounter monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other exotic birds right on the beach or in its immediate vicinity. Similarly, the rich underwater life invites scuba diving. You can also rent a kayak on the beach and explore the coast, take a walk, or simply relax by the water.
For me, Punta Uva beach is the most beautiful on the Caribbean coast (allow plenty of time).
On the fourth day, you'll explore one of Costa Rica's most beautiful National Coastal Parks, Cahuita, where you'll be greeted by lots of animals at the end. You can spend the rest of the day on Cocles beach. You can play volleyball, take a surf lesson, and hit a karaoke bar in the evening. If you prefer a more relaxed time, you can return to Punta Uva beach.
Cahuita National Park is one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. Here you can observe a large number of animals in the wild and at the same time swim on some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. You will spend a lot of time here and enjoy a beautiful walk through the park.
The national park protects not only a vast marine area (224 km2) and one of the few preserved Costa Rican coral reefs (6 km2), but also the mainland part of the park (10.7 km2), which protects mangrove forests and tropical rainforest.
I recommend sturdy shoes/sandals and swimwear, there are wonderful places to swim. The walk through the park is 8 km long, so bring plenty of water and a snack, there is nothing to buy here. ATTENTION - do not take out a snack or anything else to eat near the monkeys at the end of the road! They will steal everything from you. We don't want to feed wild animals.
At the entrance you can pay a voluntary entrance fee (in cash).
Playa Cocles is a large beach near Puerto Viejo. It's a social hub where you can find volleyball courts, surf schools, beach bars, restaurants, and plenty of cafes. You definitely won't be bored here. They also host karaoke nights where you can end your day.
surfing - (instructor William is great and has surfboards between the slackline and volleyball)
karaoke - (you'll definitely hear it, the bar is located at the end of the beach towards Puerto Viejo)
Beach cafe with amazing coffee.
On the fifth day, you'll watch the last sunrise over the Caribbean Sea before heading inland to Costa Rica. You'll drive through beautiful nature, make a few stops, and once you arrive in La Fortuna, you'll be surrounded by incredible hills and volcanoes. You'll spend another 3 days here. After arriving, take a walk through the town, you can go to a bistro with a beautiful view and end the day in the town of La Fortuna with a view of the active Arenal volcano.
In the morning, watch the sunrise at Chiquita Beach, which is perfect for sunrises, and then head inland towards La Fortuna. Stop at a few beautiful places along the way.
Park anywhere in the side streets.
Not included in the price.
You can stop at Frogs Heaven along the way. The owner is a very nice man who has turned an agricultural field back into a forest and created such conditions there that many wild animals stay with him. Different types of frogs, bats, snakes, basilisks and lizards. More information, reviews and location here.
La Fortuna is a picturesque town located in the heart of Costa Rica, right by the Arenal Volcano. This is where our accommodation will be. The place is famous for its hot springs, where you can relax and enjoy the view of the impressive volcano. The surrounding area boasts beautiful nature with many hiking trails, La Fortuna waterfall, and the Arenal Volcano National Park.
American bistro with excellent food (I recommend the burrito and peanut shake) and a wonderful view. Worth a visit.
On the sixth day, you'll take a full-day trip to Río Celeste. It's an incredible place, and you'll enjoy it to the fullest. In the morning, you'll go to the meeting point to meet your guide. There, you'll take a dip at the magical Llanos de Cortez waterfall, then visit an ecological farm with sloths and frogs, walk through a beautiful park to the Rio Celeste waterfall, and have a real Costa Rican lunch. In the evening, you can relax in the thermal river or go out for fun in La Fortuna.
Rio Celeste is a river located in Costa Rica, within the Tenorio National Park. Its most amazing feature is its azure blue color, which beautifully contrasts with the lush green rainforest it flows through. The water's color is created when one river flows out of the rainforest and mixes with another river that flows out of a volcano. Chemistry and a bit of magic combined with the science of light refraction cause this amazing color!
In the morning, you will go to the meeting point where you will meet your guide, who will guide you through the whole day. There, you will swim in the magical Llanos de Cortez waterfall, then visit an ecological farm with sloths and frogs, walk through a beautiful park to the famous Rio Celeste waterfall. You will see lots of wildlife and have a real Costa Rican lunch. All this is included in the price of the trip, and I've only described it briefly.
I recommend booking the trip here. If you would like a different or shorter version, take a look on the internet, there are plenty of options.
Here you can enjoy real relaxation. This thermal river is free and absolutely magical, you will meet many locals here. This place really has its own charm. You can park somewhere along the road and walk to the bridge, go down there and sit in the river wherever there is space. I recommend going further upstream. The water is even warmer there.
If you would like to use a larger thermal swimming pool, I recommend making a reservation well in advance.
On the seventh day, you'll embark on a chocolate farm tour, learning about its origins, the chocolate-making process, and indulging in exquisite authentic Costa Rican chocolate. Afterwards, you'll explore the Arenal natural reserve, traversing its entirety. You'll explore the treetops, be mesmerized by the Danta waterfall, walk across hanging bridges, and enjoy a typical (and incredibly delicious!) Costa Rican lunch.
Everyone must love this chocolate experience! You will have the honor of seeing experts who will bring us closer to the entire chocolate production process, from picking the fruit to filling the chocolate molds, and they will also teach us a lot of things. During the two hours, you will have a chocolate-making lesson, walk around the organic farm, and taste traditional chocolate drinks, sugar cane juice (pressed by you), and chocolate candies (created by you).
You will spend the rest of the day in the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails nature reserve. You have a full-day admission without a guide, so you can arrange the program according to your preferences. Explore the entire national park with magnificent views of the Arenal volcano and lake, go up to the “The Nest” observation tower and explore the rainforest canopy, watch birds of all colors and sizes, visit the Danta waterfall and the hanging bridges.
And of course, a Costa Rican lunch at the restaurant “El Jilguero” is a must (main course, dessert, natural juice and coffee). All this is included in the price and much more. I recommend going for food as soon as you arrive.
On the eighth day, you'll set off early in the morning on a journey around the beautiful Arenal Lake to Santa Elena, where you'll embark on a breathtaking walk through the Monteverde cloud forest.
The breathtaking reserve, named after the nearby town of Monteverde and established in 1972, consists of over 10,500 hectares. The reserve is made up of 6 ecological zones, 90% of which are virgin forests.
A place full of hummingbirds? No, it's not just a dream, it's a reality! Dozens of hummingbirds flying right around your head. You definitely shouldn't miss this place!
You can also make a short stop at this interesting tree. A beautiful bridge has been conjured from its roots.
Amazing place where you can try different types of coffee for free and buy various souvenirs. Definitely worth a visit.
On the ninth morning, you'll head towards the well-known city of Quepos, where an unforgettable adventure awaits. Ever flown through a rainforest? No? Well, today you will! Get ready for an incredible experience on a zip line.
The adventure trip includes the most impressive and longest Zip Line in Central America, 14 tree platforms, 5 suspension bridges, 3 nature walks, 1 double rappel, and 10 double-anchored Zip Lines with a total length of over 3.6 km. I'm already looking forward to it for you. What about you? In addition, after the ride, you will enjoy a Costa Rican lunch, and perhaps local hummingbirds and butterflies will fly in to greet you.
Playa La Macha is a beautiful beach. White sand, peace, gentle waves, cliffs, palm trees and jungle as far as the eye can see. If you don't want waves, this place is perfect for you.
On the tenth day, you'll go to the amazing Manuel Antonio National Park. You'll spend the rest of the day relaxing on the most beautiful Pacific beaches.
This exceptional park is home to a fascinating mix of rainforest, pristine beaches, and coral reefs, creating a sanctuary of natural beauty. The beaches, considered some of the most picturesque in Costa Rica, are lined with dense green forests and offer excellent snorkeling opportunities in crystal-clear waters. Although Manuel Antonio is the smallest national park in the country, it boasts a unique blend of stunning scenery and vibrant wildlife.
Definitely visit this beach. It's absolutely amazing. Animals all around you and a perfect ocean without waves, so you can have a great swim. There are toilets and refreshments near the beach.
Manuel Antonio Beach, located right next to the national park, is in my opinion the best beach where you can spend the whole day! And the sunset? Incredible!
You will spend the morning enjoying the last moments by the Pacific Ocean, and in the afternoon you will slowly move to San José. On the way, you will stop at the famous bridge with crocodiles. After arriving in San José, you will check in, and the next day is just the journey home.
If you are traveling on Sunday or Friday, allow sufficient time for arrival. All Costa Ricans are going home or from home to the sea, so be prepared for long and endless queues to catch your plane.
This Manuel Antonio beach is so amazing, I think you'll spend your last moment by the Pacific Ocean here.
The Crocodile Bridge is an interesting stop that will brighten up your journey to San José.
Your last day is here, time to fly home. You've fully enjoyed Costa Rica and can now head back. Costa Rica is an incredible country and I look forward to you exploring it in all its glory.
On the last day, you'll return the car to the rental location, they'll take you to the airport, and you'll fly home.
You'll see that whether you're an experienced traveler who has seen many countries and traveled a lot, or a beginner who wants to travel, you'll fall in love with Costa Rica either way. It's a beautiful nature with amazing animals. I'm already looking forward to you discovering and traveling.✅
