I recently spent some time in Costa Rica, and it was an adventure lover’s paradise. This beautiful country has so much diversity. From the beautiful sunsets over crashing waves on the Pacific Coast, the lush and moody jungle surrounding the Arenal Volcano, to the Caribbean Coast lined with towering palm trees, there’s something here for everyone. In this blog post, I’m sharing all of the details from 7 days in Costa Rica including everything you need to know to plan your own trip! You can find information about where to stay, what to do, a packing guide, location map, a 7-day itinerary, and more!
This post is full of information to make your trip to Costa Rica as seamless as possible. Feel free to use the drop-down table of contents below to jump to the section you’re most interested in!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Basics for Planning Your Trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is located in Central America and boasts an incredible amount of biodiversity, home to over half a million species of flora and fauna. Imagine exploring lush rainforests full of chattering monkeys, sleepy sloths, and exotic birds then traveling to the coast to experience beautiful beaches dotted with towering palms sure to take your breath away. The country’s volcanic landscape boasts steaming hot springs and thundering waterfalls. The locals live with a friendly and contagious “pura vida” spirit which will leave you missing this country when you make your way back home.
How to Get to Costa Rica
There are two major airports to fly into when you visit. The San Jose International Airport is centrallly located and the largest of the two. It will likely have more flights in and out, so if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, this is likely the airport for you. Additionally, if you’re planning to visit Uvita at the start of the trip, San Jose will be much closer to fly into.
The Liberia International Airport is located in the northwest portion of the country near the Pacific Ocean. It is much closer to the Fortuna area, so if this is where you will be starting your trip, it is worth flying into Liberia if you can. This airport is smaller and newly renovated, so prices tend to be higher.
Tips for Flying with Points + Miles
My favorite, and by far the cheapest way to fly with a partner, is booking through Southwest. It’s not the most glamorous airline, but it’s reliable with great customer service and perks! As for anywhere that Southwest flies, we booked flights using Rapid Rewards points for my ticket then added my husband for free using my companion pass. All that we needed to pay was fees! Fees for domestic one-way flights within the USA are only $5.60 per person. Given that Costa Rica is international, the fees ended up being $25 from Birmingham, AL to San Jose and $65 from San Jose back to Birmingham. So in total, we paid $90 per person for round trip flights!
When to Visit
I don’t feel like there is a particularly BAD time to visit Costa Rica. It’s warm year-round! However, there are distinct dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, which runs from December through April, is generally considered the peak tourist season. It’s sunnier with less rain during dry season making it an ideal time for outdoor activities like hiking, wildlife viewing, and beach going. It’s also typically more expensive to travel during this time since there’s more demand.
The rainy season, from May through November, of course brings more rain but with it comes lush landscapes and fewer crowds. While some travelers may be deterred by the increased rainfall, this can be an excellent time to experience Costa Rica. Plus, you will have the opportunity to spot migrating whales off the Pacific coast.
I recommend visiting in shoulder season (late April – early May or late November to early December) to avoid crowds. Our trip was in late April, and we were able to enjoy popular areas in the mornings without massive crowds.
How Long to Spend in Costa Rica
Of course, you could explore this country for months without running out of things to do. I totally get it.. that’s just not realistic for most of us. Two weeks would be ideal if you could swing it, but we spent 7 days here and were able to see a ton! Our seven nights were split between three locations (only because we really wanted to see both coasts). If you’re looking for a little more relaxation time, I would recommend choosing two locations for a week long trip (see our 7-day itinerary further down in the post).
Getting Around Costa Rica
While there are some public transportation options and tours you could book, I recommend getting a rental car. It’s difficult to get around efficiently without one, and it gives you the freedom to explore early without the crowds.
The car rental itself is cheap. We rented through Budget at the San Jose airport, and the price to rent an SUV for 7 days was around $145. The insurance and deposit is where they get you. Essentially, if you decline their insurance, you’re required to put down a $3,000 deposit (hold on your credit card) that will be returned to you once you return the car in proper condition. If you do take their insurance (options from $200-$600 depending on the coverage), your deposit drops down to $1,500 which is still kind of insane.
We chose to go with the middle of the line insurance option that covered the full vehicle just in case of an accident, and all together we ended up paying $600 for a 7-day car rental which is pretty comparable to the US. Our $1,500 card hold was released once we returned the car, and all was well. It’s frustrating for sure, but it helps to know all of this in advance (there were lots of very mad customers at the desk after being told this). All in all, I still think it’s very much worth it to have the freedom to explore in your own vehicle throughout the trip.
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
There are multiple areas to explore throughout Costa Rica, and there’s just no way to see it all in one week. I do believe that if you split your time between 2-3 of the locations below (depending on the pace and style of your travel) you’ll experience a great variety of what Costa Rica has to offer!
Uvita
Uvita is a small coastal town on the southern Pacific Coast. It’s famous for the “Whale’s Tail” which is created by converging sandbars that extend around a mile out into the ocean forming what looks like the tail of a whale from above. The town itself is cute with multiple shops and yummy restaurants. Within a short drive, you can visit pristine beaches and otherworldly waterfalls.
I chose to stay at Marala Hotel in Esterillos, a little north of Uvita, to make the drive to La Fortuna a little shorter for the third day of our trip. They offer complimentary breakfast, a nice pool, and the staff is super friendly!
La Fortuna
The town is nestled in the lush landscapes off the country’s northwest region. The town’s focal point is the Arenal Volcano that dominates the skyline if you’re fortunate enough to see her. This area is rich with wildlife, hot springs, and waterfalls. It’s an absolute non-negotiable when planning a trip to Costa Rica! You have to explore this place.
We stayed at the Casa Luna Hotel & Spa and would highly recommend it! It’s better than the photos you see online, has a view of the volcano, and is affordably priced. There’s a pool and six hot tubs on property! It offers a complimentary breakfast as well.
Manzanillo
Manzanillo is a little town located in Limón south of Puerto Viejo on the southern Caribbean coast. Its coast is dotted with beautiful palms and blue water. Here you can find the National Wildlife Refuge Gandoca, host of some of the most pristine beaches and an abundance of wildlife. This is where we saw a sloth! This entire area, from Limón to the National Refuge in Manzanillo, has multiple beaches (including a black sand beach) perfect for beach hopping. There’s also multiple restaurants and smoothie shacks directly on the beach. It’s the perfect coastal location.
We stayed at Exôtico Beach Hotel and would stay there again! They have a beautiful pool, the rooms are cute and comfy, and the breakfast is free! The property is walking distance to the north end of the Manzanillo Beach which feels very private! They have bikes for rent for $10/day as well.
Things to Know Before Your Trip
- The currency in Costa Rica is colones. Credit card and even USD were widely accepted, though. It’s good to have some colones on you because the farther you venture out, the less likely you’ll be able to pay with card or USD. We personally only needed to use cash twice, once at a toll booth and once at a fruit stand.
- You can find the current exchange rate here!
- Apple Maps is not the move in Costa Rica. I absolutely recommend Google Maps or Waze! They are much more accurate in this country. We were warned about this when we picked up the rental car.
- Gas stations are full service, so don’t try to get out and pump your own gas. Just say “full super,” and they’ll fill up the tank and wipe your windshield for you!
- A local restaurant is called a “soda.” You will see signs for them everywhere. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly meal, stop at one of these! You have to try the traditional dish called a “Casado.”
- Costa Rica is not cheap like you hear. You can minimize costs by stopping at a “super” or supermarket to pick up food to cook at your accommodation or by eating at sodas.
- It takes much longer to drive between places than you think! The roads are often winding and rough. We ended up driving behind slow trucks for miles because there’s not a lot of places to pass. Just embrace the pure vida spirit and take your time, but pad your itinerary some when driving long distances.
- You need to book popular things in advance such as entrance fees to waterfalls and day passes to resorts. Things book up well in advance if you’re visiting in dry season.
- The locals are so kind. Brush up on your Spanish! A lot of people, especially in touristy areas, speak English, but I’m sure it’s much appreciated if you can say “hello” and “thank you” to them in their language!
- Pack some insect repellant (especially if the mosquitos love you like they do me).
Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica
There’s so many beautiful places to explore, but I’ve created a Google Map of my recommendations below! Each of the places are detailed throughout the rest of this post as well. Feel free to save the map for planning your trip!
What to Do Near Uvita
Marino Ballena National Park (Whale’s Tail)
There are four different entrances to the park: Uvita, Colonia, Ballena, and Piñuela. The Uvita (the area we visited) and Colonia sectors are the most popular and are open from 7AM to 6PM. The entrance fee is $6 for adults. Children under the age of 12 and senior citizen (65+) can enter for free.
If you’re visiting the Uvita sector, I recommend parking in the very last parking area on the right of the street as you pull up to the entrance of the park. You can see it in the photo above on the left as we were leaving! It’s covered parking, and it costs around $5 USD.
If you are interested in walking out on the whale’s tail, make sure to check the tide chart and visit at low tide. I recommend getting to the park early as this is a very popular area to visit. It’s also worth noting that you can only see the shape of the tail from above. If you’re planning to fly a drone here, make sure to check the rules and regulations of the national park to make sure it’s permitted! I chose not to fly here.
The park isn’t just the whale’s tail! The beaches are beautiful. We spent some time walking the beaches and enjoying the sun! Don’t forget the sunscreen and a hat.. it can get very warm! The park has bathrooms and outdoor shower facilities as well.
Nauyaca Waterfall
Wow, what a dream this place is.. It’s around 45 minutes to 1 hour from Uvita along a bumpy, winding road depending on the area you’re staying but absolutely worth the trip. Just give yourself extra time to make the trip!
There is an entry fee for the waterfall, and there’s two companies that provide access to visitors (one from each side of the waterfall). We booked with Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park. There are two options when you book: two-way transfer by truck or walk there (45 mins) and ride the truck back. If you choose to walk one way, it’s mostly downhill but was very hot and not covered (also not spectacular views along the way) but was a little cheaper at $28 per person. If you take the transfer both ways, it’s $38 per ticket, and we found this to be worth the extra cash. From the drop off point, it’s only around a 10-15 minute walk down to the falls!
Visit the Surfer Town of Dominical
This is a cute little beach town near Uvita. It has lots of shops and restaurants, but I recommend eating at Fuego Brewing! In no way am I a foodie. I would honestly be fine eating sandwiches and snacks every day if that meant I could adventure more, haha. We did slow down this trip, though, and ate some amazing food. This restaurant was a recommendation from a local at our hotel, and it did not disappoint. The poke bowl was phenomenal, and the margaritas were.. well, Fuego!!
What to Do Near La Fortuna
Fortuna Waterfall
This place is unbelievable. It’s a powerful waterfall that is an impressive 230 feet tall with a refreshing pool at the bottom where you can enjoy a swim. There are around 530 steps to get down to the waterfall, all well built with plenty of places to stop and rest on your way up if needed. Go early! We were waiting in the parking lot when they opened and had this place to ourselves for around 30 minutes.. then the tour busses started to arrive. I’ll say it again, go early!
The cost to enter is $18 per person, and you can book your tickets ahead of time here! We saw children making their way down as we were leaving, so I believe this would be a family appropriate adventure as well!
Rio Celeste Waterfall
Yes, the water is really that blue! This waterfall is at the end of a 2-mile hike in the Tenorio Volcano National Park. This is a place you can’t miss when you visit Costa Rica. The park operates on a timed entry system, so in order to do the hike, you must have reserved your ticket in advance online and arrive during the 40 minute window you selected.
Entry starts at 8AM, and I definitely recommend you try to snag that first time slot for an early start before the crowds show up. There are absolutely no drones allowed, and they will search your bag before you enter. You can park right at the entrance or across the street at the restaurant! Both places charge $4 and require cash.
There are lots of stairs down to the waterfall but nothing too challenging. Unfortunately, you cannot swim here. The water is this blue due to mixing of minerals in the water which makes it unsafe to swim.
Don’t just stop after seeing the waterfall though. Before you reach the stairs down to the waterfall on your way in, you will have passed a sign pointing right to an additional trail. Hike this after visiting the waterfall! You can see a boiling pot, where the water mixes and changes from clear to blue, and cross multiple bridges! Make sure to snag some fresh mango or pineapple at the fruit stand on your way out!
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges
This is a very popular thing to do when visiting La Fortuna. We opted not to do it based on time constraints and the fact that we had heard it was extremely touristy. I’ve read it’s beautiful though, so feel free to check it out here!
Hike Arenal 1968 Trail
This is another activity we didn’t have time to do but would have added it to the itinerary if we had been in the area longer!
Visit a Hot Springs Resort
There are two resorts I would recommend looking into: Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and The Springs Resort & Spa. Both places allow you to buy a day pass to enjoy the facilities, but of course it’s free to guests staying at the resorts. Tabacon did not have day passes available when I looked, so make sure to get your passes in advance if you plan to visit! I’ve heard it’s beautiful.
We visited The Springs Resort & Spa after the La Fortuna Waterfall and spent the rest of the day there! There’s numerous hot springs at different temperatures to relax in. There’s a bar in the main pool with an insane view of the Arenal Volcano where you can enjoy lunch. They also have Club Rio which offers rock climbing, white water rafting, and is home to the incredible hot spring you see above. The river runs right below, so you can enjoy the hot springs then cold plunge in the river. It’s incredible. Tickets are $105 per person but give you access to the property for two days in a row. You can book your day pass here!
Explore the Town of La Fortuna
Each night, we went out for dinner and walked around the town some. I’ll leave a list of the restaurants we ate at and loved below!
- Organico Fortuna: everything looked so good. We ended up with smoothies as appetizers then I had the Happiness Bowl, and Will ate the Mahi tacos. Highly recommend!
- Chante Verde: this is a restaurant with a really cool vibe. We enjoyed it a lot! Did not need reservations although some tables had been reserved.
- Eat at a Soda! There’s lots of them in town. Pick one and order a Casado!
What to Do Near Manzanillo
It’s time to make your way over to the Caribbean coast (my favorite of the two I think)! Our time here was spent relaxing at the pool, beach hopping, and enjoying the wildlife!
Go Beach Hopping
Playa Negra: this is one of the first beaches you will see when you arrive in the area. It’s a black sand beach right off of the road!
Punta Uva: This is a popular beach (often difficult to find parking mid-day) with lots of space to spread out and enjoy the sun. It is also home to the popular “sideways palm tree” you may have seen photos of. We were here for approximately two minutes mid-day and decided to explore other places given how crowded it was. I’m sure it’s best in the morning and near sunset when it is less crowded.
Playa Cocles: We loved this area. There’s lots of cute little shops and restaurants where the tables are on the beach! There’s areas with smoothie stands and volleyball, even some beach “gyms.” It’s a really cute area to go for dinner. We ate at Sushi Wave twice!
Playa Manzanillo: This was the beach within walking distance from our hotel. We went out for sunset each night just a little north of here, and it was quiet with stunning sunsets. There’s also a cool shipwreck you can explore.
Refugio Nacional Gondoca in Manzanillo: The beaches in this National Refuge were my favorite of the entire trip. We biked here from our hotel and explored one morning. Entry is free but they do request donations, and the refuge closes at 3PM! Look around for wildlife; we saw a sloth hanging out in a tree just outside the entrance!
Itinerary for 7 Days in Costa Rica
This itinerary is for the adventurers who want to see both coasts and the La Fortuna area! It’s a quicker-paced trip, so I will include an option to explore the Caribbean coast and Fortuna below for a slower, more relaxing option if that’s what you’re after!
Details for each of these locations can be found higher up in this blog post!
Day One: Fly into San Jose Airport and pick up the rental car. Make the long drive (4-5 hours) to Uvita and relax at your hotel pool. Enjoy dinner then catch a sunset. Get some shut eye to prepare for an early start the next morning!
Day Two: Get up early and make your way to Nauyaca Waterfall. Enjoy the falls and a swim before the crowds arrive! Then go check out Marino Ballena National Park for some beach time. Grab a late lunch at Fuego then head back to the hotel for a free afternoon to relax at the pool.
Day Three: Get up and enjoy some breakfast! You can’t skip coffee in Costa Rica, it’s just too good. Our hotel had a great complimentary breakfast which was easy! Make the drive (4ish hours) to La Fortuna and check into your accommodation. Enjoy a free afternoon at the pool, soaking in hot springs, or exploring the town. Grab dinner at Chante Verde.
Day Four: Get up early to visit the Rio Celeste Waterfall! This would be a great day to check out the Mistico Hanging Bridges or to hike near the Arenal Volcano in the afternoon. It was raining on this day of our trip, so we relaxed in the hot tubs at our hotel, and it was just what we needed. Head into town for dinner at Organico Fortuna.
Day Five: First thing in the morning, make your way to the Fortuna Waterfall. Try to be there when they open to enjoy a swim at the base of the thundering falls before the tour busses arrive. Relax at a hot springs resort for the rest of the day. I recommend Hot Springs Resort or Tabacon Hot Springs! Eat dinner at a Soda back in Fortuna.
Day Six: It’s time to drive to the Caribbean coast! Get an early start, so you can enjoy the area in the afternoon. Once you arrive, check into your hotel, grab some food, and relax by the pool or the beach! Drive up to Playa Cocles to grab dinner at Sushi Wave. I recommend the Poke Bowl!
Day Seven: Enjoy some breakfast, rent a bike, and go beach hopping! You can spent the whole day exploring the area and enjoying what each little beach town has to offer. Don’t miss the Gondoca National Refuge in Manzanillo, which is home to my favorite beaches of the trip. Walk (or drive depending on where you’re staying) out to Manzanillo beach to enjoy your last sunset in Costa Rica. I recommend walking a little north on the beach for a little peace and quiet. We drove to the airport the next morning to fly back home!
Alternative for a Slower-Paced Trip
Day 1-4: Explore the La Fortuna Area. Some additional things you could do is to visit a coffee farm or check out the free hot springs in the area! This also gives you more time for relaxing at your resort/hotel pool.
Day 5-7: Enjoy the Caribbean coast. Take your time exploring all of the beaches and looking for wildlife!
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