can you tour costa rica on your own

Costa Rica Guide

Travel information and maps, on your own, how to plan a trip to costa rica on your own.

The easiest way to travel independently in Costa Rica is to pick a beach resort, go there and relax.  Second easiest is to rent an SUV, grab a guidebook and wing it, finding places to stay as you go.

If you’re not comfortable with that much flexibility, already have destinations in mind or have limited time you’ll want to create and reserve a workable itinerary to follow.

There are a few general suggestions below.

Don’t Try to Do Too Much

Two destinations in a week, three in ten days and four in two weeks is a reasonable target.

Find Destinations/Regions First, Figure out Transportation Second & Pick Hotels Last

Don’t sweat the details until you have an overall plan.

Making and confirming reservations can be time consuming and often they are non-refundable or include penalties so changing your mind can be expensive.

Once you have an idea of where you want to go start figuring out how to get there.  Sometimes it’s a simple matter of renting an SUV and driving from place to place, but there are also destinations that can’t be reached by road or simply take too long.

The main reason we suggest planning transportation before reserving hotels is that you may discover you’re trying to do too much and it’s a lot easier to adjust if you don’t have a bunch of reservations.

Transportation on Your Own

If you have a lot of time (at least three weeks) that gives you a lot of flexibility to just wing it, take public buses and find a place to stay when you arrive.

If you’re planning a shorter trip we’d suggest that you rent an SUV because public buses can consume a lot of travel time.

There are also private transportation companies that run shuttles between tourist destinations.  There’s no company that serves all of Costa Rica so it’s quite a bit easier to work with your hotel or a travel service than trying to reserve, pay for and confirm these private shuttles on your own.  The price is usually the same or sometimes even lower.

If You’re Winging it be Flexible and Carry Mad Money

We’ve spent months on the road without a single reservation getting around by public bus, bicycle and rental SUV.  It can be a blast and outside the weeks around Christmas, New Years and Easter you’ll rarely have trouble finding a place to stay (in high season you may not get your first choice but there will be something).

The most important advice we can give for winging it is to take advantage of the flexibility you have. If some place is great stay an extra few nights, if it’s not move on.

It helps tremendously to have a bit of mad money to move up a class or two in lodging occasionally so you don’t miss out on an area just because all the mid-priced lodges are full or to treat yourself to a little luxury if you start to run out of steam.

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Home » Central America » Costa Rica » The ULTIMATE Guide to Solo Travel in Costa Rica | Destinations & Tips for 2024

The ULTIMATE Guide to Solo Travel in Costa Rica | Destinations & Tips for 2024

With cascading waterfalls, luxurious yet affordable hostels, golden sand beaches, and a thriving population of some of the world’s most exciting wildlife, Costa Rica is an adventure-packed destination not to be missed.

The Central American country straddles the subcontinent with the Pacific Ocean to its west and the Caribbean to its east. Its geographical location makes it one of the most biodiverse places in the world, scattered with unique flora and endangered animals.

There truly is something for every type of solo traveler in Costa Rica.  A coast lined with tropical beaches and shimmering clear water, impressive jungles packed with wildlife, and cities with more culture and history than you can absorb.

Traveling alone is one of the most liberating and best self-learning experiences you will ever experience. Put yourself outside of your comfort zone and explore this magnificently diverse country.

If you want to embrace the Costa Rican national motto of ‘Pura Vida,’ translated to ‘Pure Life’ – this is your chance. In this article, you’ll find the top places to visit alone, the resources you need, and things to do when traveling to Costa Rica.

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5 Things to Do in Costa Rica When Traveling Solo

5 best solo destinations in costa rica, the best travel apps for solo travel in costa rica, safety tips for solo travelers in costa rica, tips for solo traveling in costa rica, how to meet people when solo traveling in costa rica, final thoughts on solo travel in costa rica.

Costa Rica is a country of activity and adventure. Chances are your reason for visiting is to explore some of the fantastic national parks, exquisite coastlines, and dramatic inland jungles the country has to offer. Here is our pick of the top five things to do in this incredible Central American country:

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1. Join a Whitewater Rafting Trip on the Pacuare River

Doable with a day trip or a multiple-day activity, rafting down the Pacuare River is an adrenaline-pumping activity like no other. The river gorge is surrounded by steep lush walls, offering the perfect combination of natural wilderness beauty and excitement. Organized tours depart from multiple locations and are a great adventure to meet other active travelers.

2. Enjoy the Surfer, Yogi Lifestyle in Santa Teresa

Surfing and yoga retreats in Costa Rica go hand in hand with one another. This is the idyllic location to practice your poses and learn to surf while living the quintessential ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle.

A salty seaside town that rolls into the Pacific Ocean, Santa Teresa is the heart and soul of the Costa Rican beach experience. With six miles of beaches offering waves from beginner to advanced surfing conditions, this activity is the crowning jewel of Santa Teresa. 

3. Trek Through Rainforests to Arenal Volcano

Arenal Volcano is one of Central America’s coolest volcanoes , rising 5,436 feet above sea level and towering over the jungle around it. A long time ago, the not dormant volcano would erupt a handful of times every day, changing the landscape as it did so.

Hiking through the surrounding rainforests is an incredible way to explore the verdant jungles of Costa Rica. Visit the crashing waterfall at La Fortuna, raft along the Penas Blancas River, or explore the Venado Caves.

4. Snorkel along the Caribbean Coastline at Cahuita National Park

On Costa Rica’s tropical Caribbean coastline, Cahuita National Park is a preserve that protects one of the country’s most attractive coral reefs. As you submerge yourself in the crystal clear water, a new world will be revealed. Corals, crustaceans, and multicolored sea life are everywhere.

One of the best things about this park is that it is surrounded by a coastal jungle, which can be explored on foot. Perfect for both hikers and snorkelers, this park shows off some of the most impressive natural treasures for Costa Rica solo travelers .

5. Experience Nature at its Finest at the Tortuguero National Park

Located in a remote and isolated part of the Caribbean coastline in the north of the country is Tortuguero National Park. It draws thousands of visitors annually to admire its incredible population of leatherback, hawksbill, and green sea turtles. 

The park is the perfect destination for a slow-paced Costa Rican solo travel adventure. Relax and watch as some of the country’s most precious wildlife go about their daily activities. Join a group hike, a canoe tour or explore the park at your own pace for a snippet into Costa Rica’s impressive biodiverse landscape.

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Choosing only a few top places to visit in a country as diverse and exciting as Costa Rica is no easy task. However, there are definitely a few cities and towns that are specifically suitable for solo travelers, especially solo female travelers in Costa Rica.

Below are five of the most solo travel-friendly destinations to add to your Costa Rican itinerary :

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is one of Costa Rica’s most welcoming Caribbean seaside towns. Dotted with colorful cantinas, bars, and eateries with an oura of reggaeton in the air, what was once a local fishing village is now a buzzing town of surfers and yoga experts.

The town is home to a legendary barreling wave that breaks over a reef at Salsa Brava, as well as a famous beach break at Playa Cocles. Great for regular surfers, this unlikely Caribbean coastline provides reliable swell when the Pacific fails to.

The town is also known for being the perfect place to venture into the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. This lush landscape is home to an exciting variety of fauna and flora. Slithering snakes, squeaking parakeets, and even a few elusive jaguars lurk in the jungle. Here, you can visit the Jaguar Rescue Center and learn how this species is protected in Costa Rica.

Set just on the edge of town between the beach and the jungle, La Ruka Hostel is one of Puerto Viejo’s most loved hostels.

If I had to attribute Costa Rica’s eco-tourism to one location in the country, Monteverde would be it. 

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is relatively small, yet large enough to offer tons of activities for hikers and wildlife fans. It’s one of the most biodiverse jungles in the world! Follow a range of trails and cross a suspension bridge that carves its way through a canopy of dense tropical foliage for an epic time.

Suitable for solo travelers in Costa Rica, the region has accommodations ranging from high-end eco-hotels to sustainable hostels and timber cabanas. Santa Elena is the hub for budget travelers, with the most affordable places to stay found here. From here, you can also join in on a bunch of adrenaline-pumping activities, day trips, and tours ranging from whitewater rafting to horseback riding.

If you’re looking for a social place to rest your head, you’ll meet great new friends at the buzzing bar at Monteverde Backpackers . I had a great time at this hostel and the staff were some of the nicest folks ever!

Chances are you’ll arrive in San Jose as your first destination in Costa Rica. Most visitors choose not to stay here long, but the capital sure has its assets worth checking out.

Avenida Central is the heart and soul of the capital. The long street passes through the central part of the city, connecting many of the most desirable neighborhoods. 

While in the area, visit the Central Market (which is especially vibrant on Saturday mornings) along with the Cultural Plaza.

San Jose is packed with exciting restaurants, shops, historic sites, and attractions. All of which will give you a good idea of Costa Rican culture, cuisine, and tradition. There are also many affordable ways to explore the city, with plenty of budget accommodations and street food vendors serving up a local feast.

Set in the heart of San Jose, Capital Hostel de Ciudad embraces diversity and offers comfortable rooms that create a space for relaxation and socialization.

Santa Teresa

Costa Rica’s premier beach town, Santa Teresa, has recently become one of the trendiest towns to visit as a solo female traveler in Costa Rica. The remote town seems a world away from the bright lights and bustling traffic of the city. It’s set against a jungle backdrop along the Pacific coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Although remote, it certainly isn’t boring. There’s a buzzing nightlife scene, trendy restaurants and bars, and regularly-hosted beach parties. All of which are brought about by the growing population of digital nomads and young travelers. 

The highlight of this town is that it boasts some of Costa Rica’s best beaches , which are palm-tree lined and great for surfing. Visiting the town to learn to surf is a great idea, with waves suitable for everyone from beginner to advanced surfers. Some of the area’s top beaches include Playa Hermosa, Playa Santa Teresa, and Playa Carmen.

While the beaches are the central meeting place, the town also offers a laid-back atmosphere. It’s packed with new restaurants and bars, street food vendors, and sociable hostels. The Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is the perfect day activity for those looking to hike through the Costa Rican outback.

The perfect spot for an aspiring surfer, Zeneidas Surf Garden in Santa Teresa features an indoor/outdoor living space surrounded by a tropical garden.

Surrounded by rocky headlands, Tamarindo Beach is a long stretch of beach recently famed as one of Costa Rica’s most famous beach towns. Founded as a surfing haven in the ’70s, the town has only recently blossomed into the trendy surf town that it is today.

Suitable for all budgets, you’ll find everything from fancy hotels to low-cost surf hostels, surf camps, and homestays in this small town. 

Surfing is the most popular activity in town, with endless waves for beginners to practice on. When you aren’t hitting the waves, Marino Las Baulas National Park offers a wealth of natural biodiversity. Oh, and it’s home to thousands of leatherback sea turtles during the breeding months of October and March.

One of the most unique places to stay while traveling solo in Costa Rica’s Tamarindo is Pipe House Playa Grande . It’s a hostel with private eco-rooms, a full kitchen, a BBQ area, and separate men’s and women’s bathrooms.

Having some of these great travel apps will make your solo traveling a hell of a lot easier.

• Hostelworld – for booking hostels, backpackers, and homestays
• Booking.com – for booking hotels and guesthouses 
• Airbnb – for booking self-catering vacation rentals
• Couchsurfer – great for budget travel but not recommended for solo females
• Viator and Get Your Guide – the top tour booking apps
• Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble – great for meeting other singles or solo travelers in your vicinity
• Expedia – an all-rounder platform for booking flights, accommodations, and tours
• Uber and Lyft – to get from A to B safely
• Moovit – to plan out routes on local buses and transport networks
• Waze and CR Maps – to help you safely navigate and plan your route around the country
• WhatsApp – the leading social networking application used by most locals in Costa Rica 
• Windy, Magic Seaweed, and Wunderground – the most trusted weather reports
• Holafly  – An e-SIM application that allows you to download a data-only SIM card without installing a physical card

It is also a good idea to join local Facebook ex-pat groups designed for foreign travelers and ex-pats in Costa Rica. These groups often post events and social gatherings where you can make new friends.

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Like any solo adventure, protecting yourself from danger is never 100% possible. The best we can do is stay aware of our surroundings and use common sense to ensure we don’t put ourselves in any undesirable situations. 

Trust your instincts – they’re usually correct. When something feels ‘off,’ there is usually a reason why! 

Party responsibly, and don’t leave your drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers. Especially as a solo female traveler in Costa Rica , make sure you don’t get too intoxicated after dark when there is no one to look after you.

Read reviews of tours and accommodations. Other travelers’ experiences are the best way to get a good idea of a location and if it’s worth the expense and the journey.

When traveling from location to location, keep your valuables on your person. Take special care of your passport, phone, and any cash. On that note, while you will need cash to purchase things from informal sellers, try not to carry too much cash during the day. 

As a solo female, you must take extra precautions after the sun goes down. Avoid certain areas, including the beach, at night time.

• Stay in a hostel ! Budget accommodation is of high quality here, and you could easily afford a private suite within a low budget. Hostels are among the best places to make new friends and meet other travelers. Casa Aura Beachfront Premium Hostel in Tamarindo is as close to a luxury hotel as you will get from a backpacker’s. For a more social experience, Poshtel Arenal is La Fortuna’s premier party hostel.
• Plan a few booked adventures , tours, and activities throughout your stay. Walking tours are a great way to learn a bit of history and meet others at the same time. Visiting national parks with a tour group is an excellent idea for a solo traveler in Costa Rica.
• Keep some flexibility in your schedule . While following an itinerary is a good idea, try booking refundable tours that don’t require an upfront payment. This makes it possible to chop and change your plans according to who you meet along your journey. Chances are you will want to extend your time in one place or entirely miss out on another after chatting to other travelers.
• Always plan your own itinerary . Template itineraries and advice from others are excellent sources of inspiration. Still, you should always do your own research and figure out which places and activities most attract you personally. It’s YOUR Costa Rican Adventure ! Traveling solo is one of the few times in life when you can be totally selfish and do as you please.
• Download an AirSim or purchase a prepaid local SIM card on arrival. Having an internet connection and a local phone number will allow you to change bookings and plans.
• Download all the necessary applications that you might need during your adventure. These include booking platforms to make it easier to communicate with accommodation and tour companies. Translation apps, airline apps, and local transport apps are all great.
• Do your research. Like many places, some parts of Costa Rica are less safe to explore than others. You should be able to figure out which neighborhoods are good places to stay in Costa Rica and which aren’t.
• Share your travel plans with someone back home as a safety measure. Also with a new friend that you trust in the country (such as someone staying at your hostel). One of my best Costa Rica solo travel tips; I always like to share my phone’s location with friends and family, just in case.
• Pack light . Costa Rica is stacked with things to do and places to visit. You’ll need to take a fair share of busses, taxis, and planes to get around. It is always much easier to navigate with minimal luggage. Conveniently, the tropical weather requires minimal clothing, so you shouldn’t have an issue fitting things into a small bag.
• Get good travel insurance . Costa Rica is generally safe , but traveling without insurance is never a good idea.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

• Stay in hostels: Occupied by budget travelers from across the globe, hostels offer an exciting social atmosphere that makes it easy to meet people and make new friends. Especially when sharing a dorm room, friendships grow fast in hostels. Most of the top hostels in Costa Rica also have communal areas and even bars.
• Attend cultural events and social gatherings: Hostels in Costa Rica often organize regular events and activities, including hikes, boat trips, walking tours, and even pub crawls. Here you can experience a location, all while meeting new friends. 
• Download some dating applications: Even if finding a date while traveling solo in Costa Rica isn’t a priority, these applications can be used to meet friends. Browse through a plethora of different locals and tourists in your area and make plans to meet up with new friends in safe spaces.
• Join Facebook groups and follow local Instagram pages: Most cities and towns in Costa Rica have social media groups that post regular activities, pop-ups, and events. Ranging from weekly markets to cooking courses and everything in between. Other visitors or ex-pats typically attend these activities, making this a great way to meet people in Costa Rica.
• Join in on some group tours: As mentioned, group tours are an exceptional way to meet like-minded travelers. Most of whom will likely have similar interests to your own. 
• Sign up for exercise classes or short-term memberships: If you intend on spending more than one week in a location, exercise classes and weekly membership packages are great. You can stay fit while meeting others. 
• Smile and be friendly to others: Make yourself available and approachable to others. Sometimes, it takes some effort and energy to be social and friendly with complete strangers.

Tumbling waterfalls, dense jungles, pristine beaches, and colorful underwater playgrounds are just a taste of what Costa Rica has to offer. It’s home to some of the world’s most well-known national parks (a staggering 29 in total). It also has the highest percentage of protected land of any country in the world.

The Central American country stretches across the Caribbean and Pacific coastline and has a thriving culture blending indigenous heritage with Spanish colonial influence. The result is a nation of laid-back, relaxed, and friendly locals who are always glad to welcome you into their beautiful country. 

The combination of culture, natural beauty, and welcoming locals make it the perfect location for solo travel in Costa Rica . Costa Rica is a haven that deserves a place at the top of all solo travelers’ bucket lists. Whether you’re looking to explore the jungles, marvel at some of the world’s most endangered species, or take in the vibrant culture of the capital city.

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Costa Rica: The pros and cons of a guided tour vs a self-organised trip

Not sure if a guided tour is for you? Here’s the pros and cons and more tips on exploring Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is one of the most talked about destinations for 2022. This might be because it reopened its borders in mid 2020 and has stayed open since. So, compared to lots of other countries, you can be fairly sure your trip will go ahead.

Once you’re in Costa Rica, Covid doesn’t have much impact on travel. Masks are required indoors, but restrictions aren’t policed like they are in Europe and the USA. So you can get on with living the ‘pura vida.’

You’ll hear this phrase everywhere you go in Costa Rica. But ‘pura vida’ is more than a greeting. Taking it easy and making the most of life are the national mindset. Given how we’ve all had to live for the last two years, it’s no wonder we’re craving this relaxed way of life.

But what’s the best way to get the most out of Costa Rica? With rainforests, volcanoes, party towns, beaches, extreme adventure, retreats and incredible wildlife, there’s a lot to choose from.

This means it can be difficult to know where to start when planning a trip. This leads many to opt for a guided tour, especially if it’s your first time in Costa Rica. But for those who have the time to research and plan, and aren’t limited on holiday length, meandering at your own pace might be a better option.

Here we explore what you can expect from a guided tour or going it alone.

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Costa Rica’s travel restrictions

Travellers from all over the world are welcome in Costa Rica, provided they are fully-vaccinated. There’s no time limit on being boosted yet; you simply have to have been double-jabbed with an approved vaccine 14 days prior to your trip. Children under 18 do not have to be vaccinated.

In fact, unvaccinated adults can travel to Costa Rica too, but you’ll have to buy travel insurance to cover Covid expenses and accommodation costs for the duration of your stay.

All travellers must also complete an epidemiological information form to get a Health Pass - you’ll need the QR code from this to get through the airport and begin your adventure.

What to expect on a guided tour of Costa Rica

Costa Rica has so many beautiful spots that it can be overwhelming to narrow it down. Do you head to the Pacific or the Caribbean coast? How will you get around? What if you drive all morning only to find the hike you had planned is rained off? Joining a guided tour means someone else worries about all of this for you. Granted, they can’t control the weather. But they’ll have the experience and contacts to make sure you still have a great day.

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Who is a guided tour suited to and how can you choose the right one?

Guided tours might conjure up images of pensioners dawdling around an overrun tourist attraction. But trust me, tours have moved on from bus trips of the 1980s. They now cater to lots of different demographics and you can choose from action-packed or slower paced itineraries.

Do some research, be clear on what type of holiday you want and you’ll find a trip with like-minded people. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and address any doubts with tour companies - most have online chats so it’s quick and easy to get answers. Read on for a few recommended tours to get you started.

Joining a tour is ideal if you have limited time off work or other responsibilities to get home for. Trips are carefully planned to make the most of every day and ensure easy journeys between stops. For instance, travelling early or late in the day so you can make the most of the sunshine and daylight.

What are the roads like in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica’s roads are one of the best reasons to take a guided tour. Considering tourism is the country’s second biggest source of income, the roads aren’t brilliant. Around San Jose, the capital, it’s paved highways. But further afield many roads are unpaved and very dusty. If you’re not used to a bumpy ride, journeys can feel very long.

Tours have drivers who know the best routes to take and, maybe most importantly, you’ll be in a safe vehicle that’s designed for these roads - you need a 4x4 to make sure you don’t feel every bump and pothole.

Get off the beaten track to discover the real Costa Rica

As Costa Rica has had a developed tourism industry for decades, it can sometimes feel like its culture and uniqueness have been lost amongst the resorts and restaurants.

So a tour is a good way to get beneath the surface and visit lesser-known parts. Established tour companies will have connections with local communities that you might not be able to visit by yourself.

You’re also more likely to be a responsible tourist, as your tour leader can brief you on local customs and rules that it’s respectful to observe.

Travelling solo to Costa Rica? Find your tribe on a group tour

A tour is perfect if you’re a solo traveller. You’re given a readymade set of travel companions and guaranteed company for meals, an aspect of solo travel that many dread. But don’t worry, there’ll be free time in the itinerary so you can have your own space when you need it.

Ready to book? We’ve picked Costa Rica’s best guided tours

All prices exclude flights

G Adventures’ Ocean Waves & Sunsets is a small group tour designed for ‘young, budget-minded travellers.’ It costs €467 which includes all accommodation (staying in basic hotels or hostels) and transport, with lots of optional extras.

Intrepid’s brand new Premium Costa Rica trip (9 days, from £2,550/€3,065) includes everything the country is known for. You’ll take in wildlife as you explore the Cano Negro Wetlands and Manuel Antonio National Park with guides. You’ll visit a farm project focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices while preserving ancient traditions. Plus, the chance to get beneath the surface of San Jose on a city tour with the tour leader.

Black Tomato’s Pacuare to Papagayo: A Luxury Conservation Adventure in Costa Rica (£6,750/€8,112) takes you from the Pacuare River to Arenal to the Miravalles Volcano Region to Papagayo, with a focus on adventure, sustainability, conservation, and uncompromising luxury. Experiences include hiking to the Nairi Awari Indigenous Territory high in the Talamanca Mountains to learn about the Cabécar culture and hear cosmovision and visiting Proyecto Asis, an important animal rescue centre that specialises in sloth conservation.

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How to organise the best trip to Costa Rica

Plan when to go carefully

Lots of travellers land in San Jose, hire a car and hit the open road for destinations unknown. This is a great plan - except in high season.

From early December to late January, tens of thousands of tourists flock to Costa Rica, especially from the US where the most visitors hail from. Consequently, accommodation, car hire and restaurants get booked up months in advance. This will vary depending on where in the country you go, of course. But if you want to visit the popular beach towns and areas around the national parks, make your bookings at least two months in advance.

If you want to drive yourself but have the itinerary planned for you, consider a self-guided holiday like this 17-night trip with award-winning operator Pura Aventura .

Relax and enjoy the ride by hiring a driver

As most of us drive ourselves around at home, hiring a driver when on holiday feels like a real luxury. As mentioned above, Costa Rica’s roads aren’t always easy to drive on. So being driven by a local also means you won’t have to be jolted out of holiday mode by tricky interchanges or an unreliable sat nav.

A driver in Costa Rica will be cheaper than in Europe or the US. Additionally, most drivers will give you a discount if you do more than one journey with them. So work out which stops you’ll need to travel between and work out a deal with them.

Good drivers stay in business because clients recommend them to friends. We found our driver, Jimmy Leiton, through word-of-mouth and we weren’t disappointed. He arrived to pick us up on time, explained what we were seeing along the way and his prices were reasonable. He can be contacted via Whatsapp on (506) 8540 1780.

Spend your holiday budget as you like

Going it alone is suited to any budget. You can splash the cash or stick to cheaper guesthouses. Locally-run accommodation is the best bet for keeping it cheap, though check if the room has air conditioning and a private bathroom as these don’t always come as standard.

Easy come, easy go

One of the big pluses of not being with a group is that you don’t have to compromise on your route. If you love a beach you’ve stopped at for lunch, you can book a room nearby and soak it up for a few days. Equally, if you find somewhere you’ve landed isn’t quite what you were hoping for, you can easily move on.

Get friendly with the locals

Costa Rica has a lot of gems that you’ll want to visit on your trip. The most well-known national parks and other attractions are well signposted so easy to reach by car, or ATV quad bike in some cases. But less-visited spots aren’t always easy to find. Replace the need for a tour guide by chatting to locals. Most will be happy to help with directions and flattered that you want to explore their area.

A little Spanish goes a long way

If you’re planning to rely on locals for directions or recommendations, it’s only fair that you try and communicate in their language. So learn the phrases you’re likely to need in advance of your trip. This can also save you money - you’ll find it easier to negotiate if you can do it in Spanish.

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A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Costa Rica

There is something very special about solo travel in Costa Rica . If you’ve never embarked on an adventure alone, then this destination in Central America offers the opportunity to reconnect with yourself in magnificent wilderness, meet travelers in the many excellent hostels and step outside your comfort zone with the retreats on offer. Want to know more? Here’s a guide to traveling alone in Costa Rica.

If you’d like a solo experience but in the company of kindred spirits who you are as passionate about travel as you are, join our action-packed nine-day adventure through Costa Rica – led our Local Insider to ensure the most authentic experience.

Best towns for solo travelers in Costa Rica

While there is really no part of Costa Rica that is inadvisable to visit, there are some towns especially suited for solo travelers. Unless you are specifically seeking solitude (which is also amazing sometimes), you will most likely want to be somewhere where there is the opportunity to meet other travelers, try a variety of foods, have nightlife options and be within close proximity to different types of activities. Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Puerto Viejo, Nosara, and La Fortuna are all very solo traveler-friendly destinations.

How to get around as a solo traveler in Costa Rica

During your solo expedition, it is likely that you will want to move around a bit. Private transportation can get pricey if you are the only one paying for it, but fortunately there are some reasonable and easy transportation options available here. Nature Air and Sansa are Costa Rican airline companies that fly small planes to dozens of small airports around the country. This is probably one of the easiest ways to jump from place to place without wasting time and money. There are also shuttle companies, such as Grayline and Interbus that offer transportation all over the country.

Hostels for solo travelers in Costa Rica

There are plenty of cool hostels in Costa Rica . They’re a great way to meet fellow travelers and often come at budget-friendly prices. But staying in one necessarily mean you’ll have to share a room and bathroom with guests you’ve never met. There are several high-quality hostels in Costa Rica where you have the option of a private room for an affordable price.

What to do on your own in Costa Rica

Traveling solo in Costa Rica doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do everything alone. There are plenty of activities where you can meet and share your experiences with others. If you want to take a tour, just let the tour operator know that you are traveling solo and ask if there are any groups to join. Take a surfing lesson, go on a sunset sailing excursion, sign-up for a yoga class, or join a guided nature tour. The beauty of traveling alone is that you get to do whatever you want and not worry about anyone else.

Solo female travel in Costa Rica

Traveling alone in Central America is a brave endeavor – particularly if you are a first-time solo female traveler. However, Costa Rica is renowned for its outstanding tourism infrastructure – and this makes it a very safe place for solo female travelers. You can easily join day trips and activities as a solo traveler, without worrying about feeling vulnerable. English is widely spoken, not just among other travelers but locals too.

More experienced solo female travelers might want to avoid typically busy spots like Tamarindo, Jaco and – if you’re not interested in surfing – Puerto Viejo. Instead, consider a stay in the Monteverde Cloud Forest for the chance to see two-toed sloths stealthily hanging in the trees. Or venture east to the Caribbean coast – Tortuguero National Park , in Limón Province, is a major nesting site for green turtles, and a thirving wetland sanctuary for wildlife like jaguars, tapirs and white-faced capuchin monkeys.

Best retreats for solo travelers in Costa Rica

There are many different retreats taking place throughout the year in Costa Rica. Spend a week doing yoga, surfing, paddleboarding, detoxing, or learning how to live in an environmentally sustainable way. Everything will be set up for you (accommodation, transportation, food, classes and activities) and you will be surrounded by like-minded individuals from around the world.

Best schools for solo travelers in Costa Rica

If you don’t fancy a full-on retreat, there are several great Spanish schools on the coast and in the Central Valley in Costa Rica. There are programs that are as short as a few days and as long as several months. Joining a Spanish language program is a wonderful way to spend a portion of your day learning Spanish and the rest of your day exploring and participating in activities of your choice. Spanish schools are also a great place to meet other travelers. There is often the option to stay at the Spanish school, which is similar to staying at a hostel. Wayra Spanish Institute, Coastal Spanish Institute, Nosara Spanish Institute, Monteverde Institute and Academia Tica Spanish School are all fantastic choices.

Feeling inspired? Solo travel doesn’t have to be solitary the whole time. Join our thrilling nine-day adventure through Costa Rica to experience this amazing country in a small-group of like-minded travellers, led by our Local Insider.

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Our immersive trips , led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

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The Best Self-Drive Tours and Itineraries for Costa Rica

Self-drive tours in Costa Rica offer independent travelers the opportunity to explore the country at their own pace and on their own schedule. These tours typically include a rental car and a pre-planned itinerary, which can include stops at popular tourist destinations such as national parks, beaches, and wildlife reserves.

This type of travel is a great option for those who want to experience the natural beauty of Costa Rica in a more authentic and independent way, and for those who want to avoid the crowds of organized group tours.

However, it is important to note that driving in Costa Rica can be challenging due to the country’s winding roads and heavy traffic, so it is recommended that only experienced drivers take on a self-drive tour.

These 3 road trips are for the more adventurous types who are looking to see Costa Rica on their own but at the same time with a basic itinerary to follow. You can use my suggestions to get an idea of some of the areas in Costa Rica you would like to get to by car and the hotels you would like to stay in.

Ready to see where road ahead leads to? Lets go!

1. The Rain Forest and Volcano Road Trip

Day 1 – arrive.

Get your airfare to San Jose and stay your first night in San Jose. I would recommend some place towards the airport as San Jose traffic horrible and there really is no reason to go to San Jose, as a tourist.  So take hotel shuttle to the Best Western Irazu or if you want to stay close to downtown look at the Hotel Grano de Oro .

Day 2 – Arenal Volcano

When you rent your 4×4 car , before arriving,  then will ask you where you are going to pick it up. Tell them the hotel in San Jose and the time and it will be there, this morning delivered to the hotel. Get that and start up your GPS , (which  you can rent from the car rental agency) use Waze , or your phone and go to Volcan Arenal, one of the most active volcanos in the world.

In route you will pass through Zarcero, famous for the sculpted bushes surrounding its picturesque church.

Option: Going a few miles out of your way you can also visit Sarchí, home of Costa Rica’s traditional brightly painted ox carts and a great stop for buying beautiful items made of Costa Rican hardwoods.

Once here I would tell you stay at either Tabacon or if you have some bucks (but well worth every buck) at the Springs Hotel

Day 3 – Monteverde

Get up, eat some Gallo Pinto (my favorite breakfast), and then look around Arenal some more and  then start up your GPS again and get on your way to Monteverde.

With the driving options, go with the the scenic drive which will take you around Lake Arenal and through lush rolling hills until you get to Monteverde .

While in Monteverde explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (get a guide)   or one of the other private reserves, or take a horseback ride to a 200 ft waterfall. There are a lot of options here but you could stay at the Monteverde Lodge which is a little outside of the center or the Hotel Belmar which has been there forever!

Day 4 – Departure

OK now you need to make your way back home. On your way back home or before you move on to your next destination – Explore the main community of the area, Santa Elena.

You may just want to take advantage of banks and supermarkets or visit the local cheese factory, women’s cooperative (CASEM) or one of the many art and craft galleries to purchase some souvenirs or gifts for the folks back home. Local coffee, wood sculptures, embroidered clothing, and paintings by resident artists are just some of the offerings available.

2. The Eco Drive Road Trip

Costa Rica is one of the smallest countries in the world and still has 5% of the total of the world’s biodiversity. Evidence of this is that you can find in this green and friendly country 12 different types of forest, most of them still pristine.

With this itinerary you will experience the unspoiled beaches on the South Pacific, the most amazing Cloud forest with lots of Quetzals and finally the rainforest near one of the most actives volcanoes and still little known in Costa Rica.

One important thing is that you can experience all this and still be away from crowds!

Day 1: San Jose

As I mentioned in the previous tour, get your airfare to San Jose and stay your first night in San Jose. I would recommend some place towards the airport as San Jose traffic horrible and there really is no reason to go to San Jose, in my opinion.

So take hotel shuttle to the Best Western Irazu or if you want to stay closer to downtown or a something more “local” look at the Hotel Grano de Oro . If you decide to stay downtown and if you have the time, check out the jade museum and the Teatro Nacional.

Day 2 – 4:  Domincal and Uvita

As I mentioned in the first and shorter itinerary above, while you are renting your 4×4 car , let them know where you decided to stay so they can deliver in the morning.

Then take off to Uvita and making a stop at Dominical beach. Uvita is one of the prettiest beaches on the South Pacific Coast with lots of nature and wildlife.  While you are way there you will pass over Cerro de la Muerte one of the highest and coolest mountains in Costa Rica and again try to make a stop at Domincal,

Once there you’ll get to experience some of the rural Costa Rica culture and beautiful vistas, you can also check out the the areas of primary tropical rainforest and unspoiled coast, all made possible at La Cusinga .

While there you can do hiking in the private reserve or any of the one day tours available in this location such as Corcovado National Park, Cano Island, whale and dolphins watching tour, waterfalls, snorkeling and much more .

Day 5 – 6: Savegre Cloud Forest

After breakfast with the sounds of nature start your drive to Savegre Cloud Forest. You will drive back part way back on the road that you took when coming from San Jose.

Get ready for a change of temperature, you are now heading to one of the coolest areas in our tropical country ( you probably will want to pack a sweater or light jacket). The cloud forest in this area is one of the most pristine in Costa Rica and it is easy to find a lot of different bird species plus lots of beautiful tropical flowers.

I would suggest you stay at the hotel Savegre   has a natural reserve made up of 400 hectares of forest (about 1,000 acres), 80% of which is virgin, while the remainder is newer growth, including reforestation programs using native species – especially laurels.

The area is frequently visited by eco-tourists from around the world who come to enjoy the large diversity of plant life, including oak and laurel trees, orchids and bromelias.  This animal life includes more than 170 species of birds – including the magnificent Quetzal – as well as numerous mammals, amphibians, and insects.

Day 7 – 8: Turrialba

On the morning of the 7th day ( sounds biblical), you will leave the Cloud forest and take the road in direction of Turrialba, towards the last destination of your vacation.

This small country side town has a lot to offer. You should look into staying at the Wagelia Espino Blanco, one of the nicest sustainable hotels in this country. This hotel also has a private reserve that contains an important variety of animals such as; vipers, pavas, small raccoons, armadillos, tepezcuites, as well as a great variety of butterflies and birds.

Its name comes from a tree characteristic of the area, the Espino Blanco (White Thorn), which is in the process of disappearance. In the reserve there are many tree species that really must be seen to be believed.

While there. look into doing a day tour to Guayabo National Monument. It is believed that the site was inhabited from 1500 BC until about 1400 AD, and though very little has been excavated, you can see parts of roadways, aqueducts, pools, tombs and the foundations of homes. You can also do white water rafting tours or see the Turrialba Volcano, so there is a lot to do here, you just need to decide whats best for you.

Day 9:  San Jose

Its time to drive back to San Jose and back to the Irazu Hotel or Grano de Oro. Arrange to have the car picked up at the hotel as it just makes it easier and less stressful than doing it on the day you leave as most o the car rental companies are not at the airport and you will have to drop off there and then take a shuttle to the airport.

More hassle than its worth and the hotel can arrange for a shuttle to take you the airport. Take that shuttle to the airport and be sure to check in 3 hours before your flight

3. The Basic Fly and Drive Road Trip

With this road trip itinerary although its more budget and by that I mean I am recommending more moderate hotels and renting a more moderately priced car , but still a 4×4,  you still visit a great variety of what Costa Rica has to offer in some of the most beautiful and peaceful places on earth.

Day 1:  San Jose

Get your airfare into San Jose and get the free shuttle to the Adventure Inn   located just 10 minutes away from San Jose downtown. If you arrive early enough take a taxi, uber or ask the hotel about getting you to downtown  San Jose where you should visit the Teatro Nacional and the Gold and Jade Museums.

Day 2: Tortuguero

On the second day you will visit one of the most exciting areas in Costa Rica, the Tortuguero National Park and look into staying at the Mawamba Lodge. Your road trip will start when you return as you will need to take a domestic flight into this area as there aren’t any roads but the lodge should be able to set this up for you.

Tortuguero is the most important area in the Western Caribbean for the nesting grounds of the green sea turtle (Chelonia Midas), which can be seen from July to October.

This region abounds with rich flora and fauna. Its several waterways allow all kinds of life to grow and develop in a Primary and Secondary Tropical Rain Forest.

Orchids, birds, monkeys, crocodiles, sloths , toucans and many other species, can be seen all over the area. A great way to spend time in the Costa Rica forest! Return to Adventure Inn for second night.

Day 3 – 5: Arenal 

Early in the morning get your 4×4 rental delivered to your hotel. The car rental companies will do this for free and its alot easier then going to one of their offices.  Make sure you check over the car for any scratches or dents before signing. You may also want to check out my post on car rental insurance .

Once you get the car, get out the GPS, if you don’t have one you can get one on Amazon ,  or use Waze and then take off for the beautiful three hour drive to Arenal Volcano.

Once you get there you can relax as no more driving is required. You will just spend the day the next 2 days exploring Arenal and the waterfalls around the area. If you are really motivated you can check out the tour to cano negro.  Try staying the Arenal Volcano Inn,   and after checking inn take the hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall or just explore this beautiful area.

Day 5 – 7:  Manuel Antonio Beach

Off to the beach and to one of the best in Costa Rica. Drive down the Pacific Coast to the old fishing village Quepos and next to the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park.  There is plenty to do in this area such as rafting, horseback riding and some world class fishing.

You should also take a walk through  Manuel Antonio and rest for a while on its beautiful beach. Also since you the car take a drive down to Dominical.

Although its mostly famous for the surfing, its a great way to spend a half a day. There are plenty of places to stay here are there are hotels up and down the hill that separates Quepos and Manuel Antonio, for budget hotels you should check out either the Mono Azul or the La Foresta Nature Resort

Day 8 – 9: San Jose

Drive back to San Jose and head back to the Adventure Inn where you will spend your last night. I would recommend that you have the car company come pick up the car at the Inn and so its one less thing to be concerned about on the day you are leaving.

Since the Inn has a shuttle to the airport there really is no reason not too and you also save a day on the rental car price.  Make sure on the day you leave you get to the airport about 3 hours ahead of time.

You can modify these 3 road trip itineraries for a Airbnb or other hotels that might fit your travel style better and of course you can consider staying longer or shorter time at any of these places depending on what you want to see and do. 

10 Days DIY Costa Rica Road Trip Itinerary

Costa Rica has been on my bucket list forever and I really want to do a adventure trip to this beautiful country. So much so, that I designed a full 10 days DIY Costa Rica road trip itinerary for myself – In hopes that I will make it there someday (Hey, you never know – its a small world after all!)

Quick Book Guide to Costa Rica

Need to head to Costa Rica on an unplanned impromptu trip? Well then here’s a quick guide to the must-do’s and best stays to book on short notice.

Must Try Tours in Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Meals Tortuga Island Tour with Costa Cat

Unique & Experiential Hotels in Costa Rica

Los Lagos Spa & Thermal Resort Experience Maquenque Ecolodge Sueños del Bosque Lodge

Edit – Hell yeah I DID make it there just before the pandemic. It is SO cool to look back and see how much you have achieved and how far you have come with regard to your travel goals. 

Costa Rica is the perfect getaway for naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts.  It is blessed with beaches , islands, mountains, meadows. rainforests and even mesmerizing cloud forests.

The best way to explore is by hiring a 4×4 vehicle in Costa Rica and designing your own custom itinerary. Just pick the spots you would want to visit the most, check routes and embark on your Costa Rica road trip 10 days. Stop where you want, explore what you desire, stay where you like and steer yourself in whatever direction you want.

Complete Costa Rica Itinerary 10 Days

Are you looking for the best 10 days Costa Rica itinerary? Then follow this perfect DIY trip plan.

Day 1- Arenal and La Fortuna

Day 1 of your 10 day Costa Rica itinerary starts in La Fortuna.

Start the day with a trip to Arenal, the live erupting volcano and view the magnificent wonder and its soothing mineral waters pools. Once you have relaxed in the naturally heated hot springs and Jacuzzis close to the volcano, explore the picturesque town of La Fortuna that is just about 4 miles from the Arenal Volcano.

Watch the majestic volcano looming over this peaceful town. These are one of the most famous areas in Costa Rica and guaranteed to give an unforgettable experience.

Plus if you are into birding then definitely opt for a guided bird watching walk in Bogarin trail . This should be a part of your Costa Rica travel itinerary 10 days and will have to be pre-planned accordingly. 

Day 2: Hike in Arenal National Park

Drive to the Arenal National Park that covers about 30,000 acres but has easy-to-navigate trails through the forest and lava fields. The families with children enjoy the flat trails especially .

You can take the Los Heliconias trail to get fabulous views of the volcano. Depending on how far you would like to go, you can easily spend the whole day here. There is a wealth of geologic and biological diversity and complexity in the area because of the active and incredible Arenal Volcano.

Day 3 – Hanging bridges and hot springs

There are 16 hanging bridges in Arenal of varying lengths, and they take you higher in the rainforest canopy, and you can enjoy a spectacular view of the wildlife and bird watching.

Edit – I was lucky enough to visit the Mistico Arenal hanging bridges park and it was a spendid adventure. Click here to read all about it . 

After your walks, relax in the famous Arenal hot springs. Get ready for a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon as you walk on those bridges and enjoy breathtaking views.

Day 4 – Tenorio Volcano National Park

Make an early start today in your Costa Rica self drive itinerary, and reach Tenorio Volcano National Park to enjoy breathtaking views of the bright blue Rio Celeste river.

Hike up to indulge in one of the most magical experiences of the 60 ft waterfall roaring and crashing into clear turquoise waters. Rio Celeste is surely the highlight of visiting Tenorio, however, you can even go to Lago Danta, pay a visit to the volcano and check out the hanging bridges.

Day 5 – Head for the Best of the Pacific along Costa Rica

Drive through the old Spanish route of 1606 towards the Pacific Coast and it will take you 10 hours. You can start early and reach there in time to enjoy the jungle boat tour on the Tarcoles River.

Enjoy the experience of watching different species of birds and enter the world of crocodiles. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the Punta Leona Beach with the deep blue waters of the Pacific along the pristine white sand beaches.

Day 6 – Quepos

Head for Quepos in your car and get ready to enjoy once in a lifetime experience in Manuel Antonio National Park . Quepos is a nice city and offers a wide array of services. Explore marlin fishing, during the months of December to April.

There are many other activities accessible such as the tours through the Damas Estuary and Butterfly Botanical Gardens.

Day 7 – Manuel Antonio National Park

Next day,  head to Manuel Antonio, which is known for its rich forests and is home to several endangered species of Costa Rica. Don’t be deceived by its small size as it is regarded as one of the best parks for its variety of flora and fauna. It boasts of four of the best beaches in the country – Manuel Antonio, Escondito, Espadilla Sur and Playita .

The Manual Antonio beach made it to my list of favorite beach destinations in the world .

Day 8 – Uvita

On the seventh day, you can move to Uvita, which is more peaceful and a lovely beach destination . Top attractions include Uvita waterfall and the beach.

It is a perfect spot for adrenaline junkies with plenty of options from kayaking, rappelling, kitesurfing, canoeing and the likes.

Day 9 – Monteverde Cloud forest

Today is the time to make your way towards the warmer Pacific coast in your private 4×4 vehicle and hit the Pan American Highway along the Northern Pacific Coast. This forest is part of all the best road trips in Costa Rica. 

It will be a long drive so brace yourself for the 250 km ride. It is an amazing experience to see those thick clouds hovering around the upper canopy of the forest.

The moisture from the clouds helps to thrive the great diversity of forests that is home to lichens, orchids and bromeliads as well as a large number of endemic species.

You can take long hikes through the reserves and the interior of jungles to spot the abundance of animals and birds that have made these forests their adobe.

Day 10 – Back to San Jose

San Jose is a great place to start and end your Costa Rica roadtrip. 

This was just a ball park itinerary for my future visit to Costa Rica but be sure to design your itinerary well so as to make the most out of your trip.

Jam pack your trip with the top places on your list and experience the wonderful sights and the extraordinary environment of Costa Rica. Your 10 days in Costa Rica will surely motivate you to plan another trip to this amazing destination .

Costa Rica Car Rental Advice

Renting a jeep in Costa Rica is super easy as it is a big destination for adrenaline junkies . There are plenty of advantages of having your own wheels. You can easily explore the lesser-visited places and enjoy the freedom to make any changes to your plans or itinerary. Plus prior booking will ensure your roadtrip Costa Rica will be hassle free. 

Booking your 4×4 rental in Costa Rica is simple as all you need to do is enter your pick up/drop off dates, times and locations along with the vehicle type. 

Be sure to read the various car rental Costa Rica reviews before choosing which provider/site to go with for your road trip Costa Rica. I would suggest that you opt for a trusted provider like – Nomad America for your 4×4 rentals in Costa Rica.

Depending on your trip and route, you can choose the kind of car you want. Consider renting a four-wheel drive vehicle if planning to explore rural roads, coastal areas or if driving in the mountains. You can see Costa Rica on map to gauge terrain and driving routes and lengths to make an informed decision.

There are options of both compact and full-size SUV available with the car rental companies.

Nomad America cars come fully equipped with camps, rooftop showers, WiFi and even cooking equipment, which can make your road trip the ultimate camping adventure.

FAQ’s

How many days in costa rica is enough.

Well personally I could've spent a month in Costa Rica but realistically speaking 7 to 15 days is a bare minimum.

Do I need a 4x4 to drive in Costa Rica?

Not necessarily but also depends on your route and terrain (As per itinerary).

Which are the best Months to Visit Costa Rica?

Dec to April are generally dry months but I visited in November which is best for national parks since they are quieter and greener.

Do you Need a Car in Costa Rica?

Well its ideal and comfortable if you want to avoid long bus rides. However, it is not necessary.

Disclaimer – This post is written in collaboration with Nomad America. The Costa Rica road trip planning and destination ideas are, however, my own. Full disclosure policy here . 

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7 thoughts on “10 days diy costa rica road trip itinerary”.

Awesome article Jo. This has been on my bucketlist for awhile. 🙂

We did almost exactly the same route a few years back. I hope the road to Monteverde has improved, it was torture back in the day!

This all sounds great. I’m hoping to go to Costa Rica some time soon, so am pinning this for future reference. I would love to visit Monteverde Cloud forest.

This sounds like a great itinerary. I was just there a couple of weeks ago – in La Fortuna and San Jose. We rented a car from San Jose to drive out to La Fortuna as it would have been a lot more difficult to go by bus (although not impossible). La Fortuna was great with the views of the volcano and jungles.

That’s quite the itinerary! I would definitely be into hiking in Arenal National Park.

I’ve been wanting to visit Costa Rica and this seems like fun itinerary especially the Monteverde Cloud Forest trip!

would have been amazing to know how long the drive time was to each place!

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Wild Junket

One Week in Costa Rica: My Itinerary & Guide 2024

Last Updated on May 13, 2024

Is one week in Costa Rica enough? I’m sharing my detailed Costa Rica itinerary for those who love nature, wildlife and beaches.

Costa Rica is a country that truly has it all: lush rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, unique wildlife (think howler monkeys and sloths), and some of world’s most protected national parks. The Central American nation is literally covered in wild jungles that are so well preserved — it’s definitely one of the few countries in the world that has gotten tourism right.

On our recent trip to Costa Rica, we were blown away by the biodiversity and environmental consciousness across the country. Costa Rica has gone to great lengths to protect its national parks and wildlife reserves. Despite receiving around 1.7 million tourists each year, the country has done such a great job in ensuring that tourism here is sustainable and beneficial to local communities.

For those who are planning a trip to this beautiful country, here is my detailed Costa Rica itinerary with some of the best things to do in Costa Rica in one week.

Table of Contents

Travel Insurance for Costa Rica

When to travel costa rica, by transfers, travel costa rica independently or guided tour, where to stay in san jose, enjoy a costa rican casado, hike up volcano arenal, where to stay in la fortuna, take a canopy tour, walk the bogarin trail, soak in a hot spring, wander around in santa elena, go on a walk in the cloud forest, where to stay in monteverde, walk the hanging bridges, take a night walk, surf and turf on tamarindo beach, where to stay in tamarindo, *alternative: drive to manuel antonio national park, wildlife and zipline at diamante, sail into the sunset, enjoy your one-week costa rica trip, one week in costa rica itinerary.

Whether you are traveling Costa Rica for one week or a year, I always recommend having travel insurance. It will cover any incident you may have while traveling, including loss of luggage, flight cancellation or accidents. 

Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan , which covers COVID-19 as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.

The best time to travel Costa Rica is during the dry season: from mid-December to April . This period promises plenty of sunshine and little rain.

We visited Costa Rica in April and we had excellent weather throughout our trip. That said, the dry season is also the most popular (and expensive) time to visit. If you don’t mind getting a little wet, visit between May and November when prices are lower and there are less crowds. During June and July, rain showers pause briefly, and Costa Rica’s forests burst with green foliage. 

Keep in mind that the weather varies by region. In the thick forests of the Caribbean Sea coast and northern regions, expect high humidity and temperatures ranging between the 70s and high 80s year-round. 

How to Get Around Costa Rica

Renting a car is easily the best way to travel around Costa Rica. Having your own wheels lets you travel independently, at your own pace.

However, roads in Costa Rica are in terrible conditions and many are unpaved . We actually wrecked a wheel while driving to Monteverde and had to change the tyre in the forest. Also be aware that there  are plenty of police checks along the way — we heard that the fine for speeding is US$600, so make sure you stay within the speed limit. 

We booked our car rental on Discover Car Hire and paid around US$160 for one week of rental and a baby seat. The car hire company had excellent services and provided transfers in/out to the airport. Our car was a Suzuki Celerio, a very small compact car. We definitely recommend renting a 4WD instead.

Book your Car Rental!

Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica. San Jose is the hub for virtually all bus services in the country. Some routes are so popular that it’s wise to book your bus tickets to ensure availability.

Bus schedules change with impressive frequency, so be sure to check in advance.  The main operator is  I nterbus , with comprehensive routes across the country. The similar but slightly more expensive Gray Line  runs direct services between many tourist spots. For example, Grayline and  Interbus  offer shared shuttles from San Jose Airport to Tamarindo for around $50.

If you prefer not to drive or take public transport, it is possible to book shuttles or transfers on GetYourGuide. These door-to-door transfers will pick you up from your hotel and drop you at your next hotel.

For example, this adventure transfer from Arenal to Monteverde will bring you on on a boat and van and provide interesting information along the way. If you’re traveling as a family or in a big group, this private transfer from San Jose to Arenal would be comfortable and convenient.

Unlike other parts of Central America, Costa Rica is relatively safe and easy to travel around on your own. We traveled independently with our 4-year-old daughter and didn’t face any difficulty or challenges. It’s incredibly easy to travel Costa Rica with kids and highly recommend it for outdoor-loving family travelers.

What I recommend is traveling on your own and booking day tours especially if you’re not renting a car. Naturalist guides are trained to spot animals and will be able to point them out fast. Here’s a  great wildlife day tour we took in Arenal !

If you’re not confident traveling Costa Rica independently, check out this 9-day Costa Rica adventure tour that’ll bring you to all the areas I mentioned. T his 12-day Hidden Costa Rica trip brings you off the beaten path and on an exciting trek. G Adventures is a Canadian adventure tour operator I’ve worked with many times and can highly recommend!

One-Week Costa Rica Itinerary

Itinerary day 1: explore san jose.

Your journey will most likely begin in San Jose, as the international airport is the main gateway into the country. Most people head straight for the mountains or coast as the city itself doesn’t have many interesting attractions. We chose to stay near the airport and relax by the pool at our hotel. Read more on where to stay in Costa Rica !

If you do have the time and want to explore the capital city, I recommend heading to the Museo del Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum).  Home to more than 1,600 artifacts of  Pre-Columbian gold  from 500 A.D., this museum’s impressive collection is well worth a visit.

It is located under the Plaza de la Cultura, which is home to two other currency-related museums, the National Coin Museum, which has a collection dating back to 1236, and the “Casa de Moneda” that shows the history of minting in Costa Rica.

Luxury:  Hotel Presidente San Jose City Center

Housed in a colorful and eclectic building, this modern hotel stands right in the heart of San Jose, steps from the National Theater and Plaza de la Cultura. It’s the perfect choice for those who want to explore San Jose and be right in the action. You’re literally surrounded by restaurants and shops. Check the latest rates here.

Midrange: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

Located near the airport, this hotel is a great option for those who are flying in late and just want to stay somewhere comfortable without spending too much. The hotel has an excellent pool and spacious, comfortable rooms great for families. Definitely great value for money! Check the latest rates here.

Budget: Hostel Urbano

A funky and tastefully-designed option for budget travelers and great place to meet other travelers. The modern hostel is big and spacious, with lots of lounging space to socialise. It’s located on a hilltop with nice views of the city but just a 15-minute walk from the National museum. Check the latest rates here.

Itinerary Day 2: Volcano Adventures

Next morning, drive out to Arenal Volcano bright and early to avoid the traffic. It’s a three-hour drive and it is considered one of the best road trips in Costa Rica. 

Towering at 1,670m high, the peak of Arenal Volcano is easily one of the most impressive sights of the whole country. It’s also the most popular and expensive area in Costa Rica and can get quite crowded. 

Base yourself in La Fortuna, the main town in the Arenal area backdropped by the volcano. There are plenty of shops, supermarkets and restaurants here. 

You’ll probably arrive at lunch time, so head straight to Tiquicia Restaurant for the best c asado in town. Casado is a typical Central American dish of rice with meat, stewed beans (frijoles), salad and deep-fried plantain. Costa Ricans really take pride in them and Tiquicia is said to have the best casado in town — we can attest to that!

There’s no shortage of adventurous things to do in Arenal, from canyoning to ziplining and whitewater rafting. But the first thing I recommend doing is a hike in the national park to see the lava rocks and trails from the big eruption.

There is also a nice viewpoint where you can see both the volcano and lake. Entrance for the national park is $15 for adults. I recommend booking a guided hike to learn more about the flora and fauna of the area.

We booked this 4-hour interpretive hike that included a stop at a hot spring bath, and really enjoyed it.

Luxury: The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal

The Springs Resort is possibly the most famous hotel in the Arenal area and one of the best places to stay in Costa Rica . It’s an iconic landmark and an established property with its own private hot springs and stunning, unobstructed view of the volcano. You’ll get free access to the hot springs, which on its own already costs close to $100. Check the latest rates here.

Midrange: Arenal Observatory Lodge  

The only hotel actually in the national park with the closet view of the volcano.  Surrounded by 860 private acres of tropical rainforest, the hotel features an on-site bird sanctuary that has around 500 different species of birds. The lodge also has an on-site lake, a swimming pool, a sun terrace and games room. Check the latest rates here.

Budget: Arenal Backpackers Resort 

Located close to the town of La Fortuna, this backpackers resort is fun, spacious and comfortable. There’s a large swimming pool and hammocks everywhere, plus stylish tents with beds that are comfortable and affordable for budget travelers. Food is excellent, plus you get unobstructed views of the volcano from the resort. Check the latest rates here.

Itinerary Day 3: Waterfalls & Hot Springs

The next day, sign up for a zipline tour with Sky Adventures . It’s the adventure park with the best reviews and reputation. (We went to the Sky Adventures in Monteverde but not the one in Arenal.) You’ll be soaring over the tree canopy at 600 feet high, so expect spectacular views of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano. 

This combination package (zipline, sky tram and sky walk) costs $120 for adults and $60 for kids.

If you really want to see sloths in La Fortuna, you have to walk the  Bogarin Trail . It’s right in La Fortuna and an easy walk for all ages to see sloths and birds. The trail used to be all farmland many years ago. When the owner first started restoring the forest, he said there was one sloth. Now there are over 25 and is one of the best places in La Fortuna to see sloths.

After a busy and active day, it’s time to relax and wind down at one of the many hot springs dotted around La Fortuna. Many hotels and resorts have their own hot springs with day passes available. Day passes are quite expensive though, priced around $50-100 per adult and $30-50 for kids.

Some of the most well known ones are  the Springs ,  Tabacon , and  Baldi . You can also combine a hot spring visit with a Maleku indigenous experience — check details here !

Itinerary Day 4: Into the Cloud Forests

Plan an early start once again for the bumpy drive to Monteverde. Even though it looks very close to Arenal on the map, it’s a three-hour drive on steep and unpaved roads.

We highly recommend driving this route only if you have a 4WD (we rented a compact car, and totally regretted that). Our car made it to Monteverde but we wrecked one of the wheels.

If you prefer not to drive, book a transfer from Arenal to Monteverde for $50.

Base yourself in the town of Santa Elena, the only hub in Monteverde. You should be able to arrive here by noon. The town has plenty of charming cafes and vegan restaurants.

I recommend eating at Taco Taco , an authentic Mexican place that serves refreshing drinks and some of the best burritos I’ve ever had. There are also quite a few stores and souvenir shops in town, in case you need to stock up on your supplies.

After lunch, it’s time to explore the cloud forests that has made this place famous. The tropical cloud forests are some of the most spectacular places in the world.

As these forests sit from 1500 meters and more above sea level, the vegetation is completely different as the rainforests you’ll find elsewhere in the country.

There are actually three cloud forest reserves in Monteverde:  Monteverde ,  Santa Elena  and  Children’s Eternal Rain Forest . The most popular one is Monteverde, but we chose to go to Santa Elena Reserve .

It’s less crowded, higher in elevation, more mossy and cloudy. We didn’t see a single soul during our walk and we had the sensation of walking through a fairytale! Entrance fee for Santa Elena reserve is $16 for adults and $7 for kids.

Luxury:  Hotel Aguti Lodge & Reserve

Located right inside a private reserve, this stylish yet rustic hotel is a magical place poised on a hilltop overlooking the clouds forests. There are hiking trails all around the reserve where you’ll find animals like howler monkeys, aguti and the resplendent quetzal. You’ll be able to experience sleeping in the jungle without sacrificing comfort. Check the latest rates here.

Midrange: Monteverde Country Lodge

Located close to the cloud forest of Monteverde, this eco-friendly hotel offers rustic wooden cabin-style rooms surrounded by lush gardens. Guests of Monteverde Country Lodge enjoy free access to facilities at Hotel Poco a Poco, including an indoor pool, gym, hot tub and kids’ club. It’s a great choice for families who want to experience staying in the jungle. Check the latest rates here.

Budget: Casa Campo Verde

We stayed at this family-run lodge just a 10-minute drive from the centre of Santa Elena town. It’s great value for money, plus the view of the cloud forest from the second-floor guest room is fantastic. If you like local comfort food, you’ll love the breakfast and dinner here. Check the latest rates here.

Itinerary Day 5: Go Above the Canopy

It’s time for some more adventure! Start your day with a walk on the hanging bridges of the cloud forest or just hop onto a sky tram with Sky Adventures Monteverde . They have the highest and longest ziplines and hanging bridges. 

The hanging bridges range up to 800 feet long and 2400 feet in altitude. This is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica with kids  since the hanging bridges aren’t too long and give kids the chance to see wildlife easily.

A walk on the bridges, along with ziplining and sky tram, costs US$120 per adult and $60 for kids.

 Book Your Tickets here!

If you want to see wildlife, be sure to sign up for a nocturnal hike in the private Curi Cancha Reserve . The hike runs everyday from 5.30 to 7.30pm for $20 per person. Curi Cancha Reserve is said to be the best place to see wildlife in Monteverde. It’s always best to go wildlife watching with a guide as he/she has been trained to spot animals.

Our guide David was knowledgable, fun and excellent in spotting wildlife. He also carried a huge telescope that allowed us to see small insects or illusive birds clearly. Thanks to him, we spotted a giant tarantula, a Lora viper, a rare orange-bellied trogon bird, and a stunning jewel beetle.

Itinerary Day 6: Hit the Beach

After a few active days, you deserve a break on the beach! Drive west to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica (3 hours).

Tamarindo is probably the most famous beach in Costa Rica and it’s easy to see why once you’re here. It’s home to some of the best swells in the world and the beach is lined with cool bars and restaurants. But it’s called “Tamagringo” for a reason: the beach can get very crowded at peak season. There are plenty of beaches that are much quieter and calmer south of Tamarindo. 

We stayed near Playa Lagartillo , just 30 minutes away. It was absolutely wild and rugged, with very few people even on a public holiday. The nearby Playa Negra was also perfect for those who want some privacy.

Book your surfing lesson here or simply rent a board from the surf shops in Tamarindo and brave the waves. A board rental costs around $20 for 24 hours and surf lessons cost around $50 for 2 hours. Iguana Surf  has the best reviews on TripAdvisor.

Luxury: Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort

Located right on the Tamarindo Beach, this four-star resort is a big property with three swimming pools and a range of restaurants. It’s got an excellent location on the beach and steps from shops and restaurants in Tamarindo. This is a great option for those who like to be in the action and still have direct access to the beach. Check the latest rates here.

Midrange: Drift Away Eco Lodge

Drift Away feels like an oasis in the midst of a jungle, with an empty and rugged beach steps away and Tamarindo a 20-minute drive away. We love the eco-friendly ethos of the lodge, which features locally-sourced furniture and natural products in their toiletries.  Read my full review of Drift Away!

Budget: Tee-K Lodge

An excellent value for money, this budget lodge is brand new, beautiful and well-priced, though it’s quite a distance from the beach. It’s suitable for couples or families who have their own car. Rooms are stylish and spacious, with gorgeous earth-colored furnishing. Check the latest rates here.

Alternatively, those who haven’t had enough of wildlife might prefer heading to Manuel Antonio National Park instead of Tamarindo. This national park south of San Jose is where the rainforest meets the ocean, and where many of the country’s unique animals live.

If you really want to see a sloth in Costa Rica, this is one of the best places to see them. You can easily hike the national park in one day. There are several trails that lead to beaches and viewpoints and along the way, you can run into monkeys, frogs, snakes, deer and more.

Though wildlife is everywhere in the park, I recommend hiring a guide if you’d like to learn more about the flora and fauna in the area.

Itinerary Day 7: Sunset Sailing

Make full use of your last day in Costa Rica by rising early and driving out to Diamante Eco Adventure Park (an hour drive). This is a great spot for those who want to do more ziplining and canopy tours.

We came here because we really wanted to see a sloth and still hadn’t found one. The adventure park is home to the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica. Besides three beautiful sloths, there are also lots of toucans, butterflies and jaguars who have been rescued and rehabilitated here.

Book Your Tickets here!

To finish off your one-week Costa Rica trip with a bang, book a sunset sailing trip to experience the bay on a catamaran. On the way, you might have the chance to see dolphins, turtles or even whales during the right time of the year.

The catamaran will also make a snorkeling stop at a tranquil bay. Sunsets at Tamarindo are world famous, so you won’t want to miss this! 

I hope that my one-week Costa Rica itinerary will help you plan your own adventure. If you have more than one week, I’d recommend adding these to your itinerary: Manuel Antonio National Park, Tortuguero, and Puerto Viejo.

Let me know if you have any questions on Costa Rica in the comments field below. Here are more articles on Costa Rica and the surrounding countries:

• Costa Rica with Kids
• 18 Cool Things to Do in Monteverde, Costa Rica
• Where to Stay in Costa Rica
• Best Things to Do in Costa Rica for Outdoor Lovers
• Panama with Kids
• Sailing San Blas Islands in Panama
• My 1-Week Belize Itinerary

Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. She is a book author and Lonely Planet guidebook writer. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Follow her travels on her Facebook and Instagram .

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The Comments

If you really want to see wildlife go south to the Osa also much more affordable.

hi Tristan, yes we really wanted to go to Osa but we only had one week and there wasn’t enough time to get there! Definitely want to return to Costa Rica in future!

Costa Rica and all of the wildlife sounds awesome!! This trip sounds like a blast!

Love this post. Super helpful. Could you please tell how much did this trip cost you and what year did you actually go there? Is it a good idea to go during the Christmas?

hi Fifo, thanks for the comment! We went on the trip in April 2019, just last year. Let me break down the rough cost: we spent around $700 on accommodation, $200 per person on food, $350 on car rental and gas, and $200 per person on activities (cloud forest walk, visit of adventure park etc.). It would definitely be busier and more expensive at Christmas time but if that’s the only time you have to go, then by all means. :) Enjoy your trip and let me know if you have any other questions!

Hello Nellie, did you flight back home from San Jose?

hi Alla, we flew back from San Jose to Panama City and then home (Amsterdam) from there.

How long was the drive back to San Jose? Would you want to plan to stay the night before in San Jose?

hi Andres, it’s around a 5-hour drive from Tamarindo to San Jose. Yes I definitely recommend staying the night before in San Jose. We stayed near the airport – there are quite a few affordable options (in my recommendations above). Hope this helps!

Hi Nellie! Wonderful itinerary. My husband and I are planning a trip to Costa Rica with our 4 year old son later this year. What were your daughters favorite activities while you were there? Was she able to do any of the ziplining?

hi Shayla, thanks for dropping by! My daughter’s favorite activities were probably the night hikes and wildlife centers we visited. She absolutely loved the nocturnal walk we did in Curi Cancha reserve (Monteverde) where the guide pointed out cool animals like tarantula, jewel beetle, and rare insects. She was too small to zipline but she could go on the hanging bridges, and she liked that. She also thought the Diamante Eco Adventure Park was absolutely cool! Have you seen my post about traveling Costa Rica with kids ?

Jessica Horvat

Hi there! taking this trip exactly but a little worried about long driving times. My kids are older an may not do so well on the bumpy roads from La Arenal to Monteverde. any thoughts?

hi Jessica, thanks for stopping by! The drive from Arenal to Monteverde is around 3 hours and the road isn’t that bumpy. Perhaps you can take regular stops or let them use their devices? This itinerary isn’t too packed, but if you’re worried about long driving times then maybe you can focus just on one or two areas in Costa Rica.

Hello! I loved your article and all of your suggestions for activities and places to stay! Can I ask about your car rental experience with Discover Car Hire? Did the cost of your car include all of the mandatory car insurance? I have heard some horror stories of being stuck with lots of fees for mandatory car insurance and was wondering if that was the case with Discover?

hi Emily, thanks for dropping by! We always book through Discover Cars, but it’s a car rental search engine (much like Skyscanner but for cars). So basically it depends on which car hire company you choose. We usually get the liability coverage and that’s the basic insurance plan. I don’t recall being charged excessively in Costa Rica. But we did get a flat tire in Monteverde, but Alberto swapped it out for the extra tire and we weren’t charged anything extra. Hope this helps!

Bridget Michelle

Hey I loved your post! We are planning a trip for a week in March. Would say 4,500 for the three of us would be a good goal? Also I have a 13 year old daughter and suggestions as to what a teen would like to see and do?

hi Bridget, yes I think that’s more than enough for the three of you. Most of the attractions in Costa Rica are in nature. Perhaps your 13 year old would like the adventure parks, hanging treetop walks, and ziplining? There are many of those all over the country.

Hi, I would like to book the volcano hike tour as well, we have 3 & 5YO. The booking said age under 5 is not allowed. My 3YO is used to hiking, but usually just half a day hike. How intense these activities are? Did your 4YO handled it well? Thanks.

hi, my kid handled it well and the hike wasn’t too long. That said, it’s better to check directly with the tour operator to see if they’ll take your 3-year-old. Otherwise, you could consider booking a private tour?

Karen Rodriguez

Hi, loved your article and excursion. Our first trip to CR. We want to book a trip in mid April 2022 and have only 8 days, so it’s a choice between Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio or simply Oso peninsula. My 13 year old daughter would do best where there are guides and enticements to get out and explore. What do you recommend? Thank you.

I will be solo traveling to Costa Rica for a week during February so this itinerary will be very useful! Could you give me an estimate on how much I would be spending to do most of these activities? FYI I would be staying at hostels bc its cheaper and so I can meet fellow solo travelers.

Thanks in advance!

Thanks so much for this post – this is the perfect itinerary and so helpful

William Maxwell

My sixteen year old just told me that the trip I planned using this site was the best. Woo hoo!

Aww thanks so much! Glad your kid enjoyed the trip!

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Do-it-yourself versus a Tour Company - Costa Rica Forum

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It is pretty easy to plan things on your own here, tourism infrastructure is pretty solid. It is also good to shop around and see who is offering what. I travel both ways, sometimes I use an agent to plan a portion or all of a trip, sometimes I do it all on my own, for me it all depends on the situation. For do it yourself you are already in the right place, just start researching and ask questions here in the forum if you get stuck. There are lots of regular forum posters that have a ton of knowledge collectively. If you use a company there are a few I like including Caravan tours. here is my short list that covers about all types of travel.

Horizontes – http://www.horizontes.com/ - Very green company, offers packages, involved with community programs, good company & good folks

Crreferals – http://www.crreferrals.com/ - Good for custom planning, has packages, involved with animal rescue, good company & good folks

Actuar - http://www.actuarcostarica.com/app/cms/www/index.php Off the beaten path rural tourism, involved with community programs, good company, good folks.

Caravan – http://www.caravan.com/ - Does group travel packages with tours up to 30 or more. Excellent reputation and well respected. Awesome at what they do.

There is no wrong way to travel, so long as you get out the door and do it.

As a plan-it-myself guy my advice is D-I-Y ! Gather info on this forum, put together an initial itinerary, tweak it again with the helpful members of this forum, and book lodges and rest directly with providors. Planning a trip is half the fun, it will save you some money, and to my experiences is absolutely safe.

BTW, we have used Caravan... not in CR though... and they were quite good.

Happy planning.

Thank you so much for the advice! I am gathering both brochures and guidebooks soon, and will definitely be looking into all you have shared.

I'd like to 2nd what everyone else has been saying. Admittedly, I'm strongly biased towards "DIY" travel myself. However, having also been to about 30 countries myself, I can tell you that if you're going to plan your own trip anywhere, CR is probably one of the best/easiest places in the world to do it. Add to that the fact that you yourselves already lean towards that means of planning and it really becomes a no-brainer. Well not quite. I should say that deciding to put it together yourself is the easy part. Actually planning it is a bit more difficult but not because of any dearth of information like you might have for other places so much as the incredible wealth of options and information. One way to help you narrow in on where to look was suggested by another poster - to use those package tour brochures as a guide to where to start and what are the highlights. I've used that method myself on occasion. I think you'll find if you try to duplicate their tour exactly that you could actually do it for less independently. But even more importantly that allows you greater flexibility to tailor your trip to exactly your preference. Don't like their hotel choices? Switch it to your own. Not so interested in all their activities or want to add one of your own? No problem.

Thank you so much!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Costa Rica Guided Tours: Are They Necessary, Valuable, And/Or Worthwhile?

Home » What To Do In Costa Rica » Costa Rica Guided Tours: Are They Necessary, Valuable, And/Or Worthwhile?

Last updated on September 11th, 2023 at 07:50 am GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)

Written by Nikki Solano

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Costa Rica guided tours: Is having a tour guide necessary?

Costa rica guided tours: is having a tour guide valuable, to explore costa rica the safest way possible, to learn about nature, not just see it, to encounter more wildlife or engage in higher-quality bird-watching, to entertain kids (and adults who bore quickly), to support locals and the costa rican economy, costa rica guided tours: is having a tour guide worthwhile.

If you’re wondering whether you need to have a tour guide to participate in a particular Costa Rica tour, please see our related blog post Self-Guided Adventures: 20 Things To Do In Costa Rica Without A Guide . The article outlines which Costa Rica tours and activities require the use of a tour guide, which do not, and which let travelers decide whether they want to have one, essentially answering the question “Is having a tour guide necessary in Costa Rica?

Deciding whether or not you should have a tour guide (for those tours and activities that don’t require one)⁠ is a completely different⁠ and traditionally more difficult task. It asks you to determine a tour guide’s value, and subsequently evaluate whether that value is worth the cost of the tour guide’s services. Fortunately, our article below, which I wrote together with Ricky (a former tour guide) so it would reflect both tour guide and tour participant perspectives, takes the headache out of this job. It highlights the top reasons to use a tour guide in Costa Rica, helping you identify situations in which Costa Rica guided tours should be favored over Costa Rica unguided tours.

In a nutshell, yes, Costa Rica guided tours have the potential to be highly valuable. If your goals in the country are to lounge around a resort, sprawl out on a beach, swim at a waterfall that isn’t difficult to access, stroll around towns, and/or shop, you’ll likely discover that having a tour guide for these activities provides little value. But if you’re here to experience any or all of Costa Rica’s top draws—the birds and other wildlife; the rainforest, cloud forest, mangroves, and other ecosystems; the plants, flowers, trees, and other flora; the adventure tours and nature-oriented activities; or the history, art, or culture—having a tour guide can significantly heighten these experiences.

It stands to reason that if any of the aforementioned draws are of particular interest to you, they’re also reasons to explore Costa Rica alongside a tour guide. Because we’ve worked with travelers since the mid-2000s, and have heard countless reasons for going with (and deciding against) Costa Rica guided tours, we thought it would be beneficial to compile and explore the top reasons why you should choose guided tours in Costa Rica. For this list, continue reading below.

Top reasons to use a tour guide in Costa Rica

It’s tough to encapsulate the value that a good tour guide can bring to a tour experience. It’s equally difficult to account for all of the ways that a tour guide can create such value. One important way that a tour guide can provide value is through foresight and protection; good tour guides are familiar with the territory they explore, and are experts at assessing and reading their surroundings, helping them recognize when danger is imminent. More specifically, they may be privy to the following (if applicable):

• Which sections of nature trails are known to present particular hazards, such as steep inclines or declines, slippery spots, fallen tree branches, or holes
• Which nature trails may be closed for construction, for inspection, or due to a dangerous occurrence
• Where dangerous wildlife (e.g., poisonous snakes, spiders, frogs) commonly resides along or near particular nature trails

Ricky—a Costa Rican version of Bear Grylls, having grown up in the mountains across a river from remote Indigenous territory—has this je ne sais quoi that’s shared among top tour guides. He calls it instinct. In practice, it translates to safer travel experiences , as I’ve learned, time and time again. At the particular call of a bird, Ricky knew a snake was present before it exited brush a few feet ahead of us and crossed our path. He also helped me avoid a nasty skin burn by directing me away from an area where an árbol de manzanillo (a harmful tree) was present. On other occasions, tour guides helped Ricky and I avoid bad situations, like the time we were nearly stung by Africanized bees (dubbed “killer bees”). Unless you’ve traveled extensively and have developed a similar instinct for danger on your own, a tour guide can help you explore Costa Rica safely.

As touched on above, tour guides are equipped to bring a ton of value to tour experiences, the most obvious value being an abundance of knowledge. Although several tour guides receive formal education through the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), almost all acquire knowledge out in the field—in the forest or on the water, among the wildlife or marine life. Some dedicate hours, months, and years of their lives to learning about Costa Rica so they can pass that information on to visitors. I cannot tell you how many nights Ricky spent listening to birdsongs online to train his ear to recognize calls in the wild, or how many wildlife books and documentaries he studied to prepare his eye to identify species when they make quick, spontaneous appearances. As is the case for most tour guides, his spotting and listening skills are razor sharp, but most impressive is the level at which he understands the natural world, and how deeply he appreciates it. This kind of passion isn’t easy to come by, but in Costa Rica, it flows throughout a network of hard-working tour guides.

Without a tour guide, you’ll likely miss most of what makes Costa Rica’s natural world so wonderful. Here are a few quick, random examples of the kind of knowledge you stand to gain by opting for Costa Rica guided tours:

• Cecropia trees: Thousands of visitors walk past Costa Rica’s numerous cecropia trees every day with no concept of their worth. A tour guide can teach you how colonies of Azteca ants defend this notable tree, which provides the favorite leaf of sloths, as well as fruits for toucans and other tropical birds. You can also learn how Indigenous groups use hollow versions of the cecropia tree as pipes for carrying water.
• Leaf-cutter ants: Leaf-cutter ants are, most surprisingly, one of my favorite contributors to Costa Rica’s bountiful biodiversity. Without a tour guide, you’ll simply see them crossing trails and marching up tree trunks. But with the help of a tour guide, you can learn where these fantastic little beasts are diligently headed and how they work together to farm fungi, forming an ingenious symbiotic relationship with the spore-producing organism.
• Ficus trees: Most interesting to learn is how these trees grow and kill (other trees, not people). 😉 Tour guides can explain how birds consume figs from this tree and excrete their seeds someplace in the same tree or in a different ficus tree. From there, roots begin to grow, wrapping their way around the tree on their journey to the ground. As the roots gain strength and widen, they strangle the host tree inside, earning them their nickname, the “Strangler Fig.” Eventually, the host tree dies and rots, sometimes leaving behind a hollowed-out version of the new tree that can be toured or even climbed.
• Red-capped manakins and white-collared manakins: With the help of a tour guide, you can see rare red-capped manakins—hilariously nicknamed the Michael Jackson bird—”moonwalk” along tree branches, or hear white-collared manakins, which are easier to spot, make their distinct sound. Without a tour guide, you wouldn’t know that the red-capped manakin can dance, or that the strange, loud, finger-snapping-like sound that you hear in the forest is created by a small bird.
• Bromeliads: You don’t need a tour guide to marvel at beautiful bromeliads. But with the assistance of one, you may get to see frogspawn (the eggs of frogs) hiding in the crevice between the leaves, or a bird drinking pooled water from the same spot, especially during the dry season when rainfall amounts are lower. Are you aware that bromeliads are part of the pineapple family, and that some of the traditionally ornamental plants have fruit? There’s so much more to these brightly colored plants than meets the eye!
• Mangrove ecosystems and walking palms: Mangroves are neat to see but they’re way cooler if you understand how they work. Without spoiling too much of the surprise, I’ll simply say that they’re an incredible filter (“the earth’s liver”) and that their ability to function relies greatly on—wait for it—a tiny crab. Who knew? People who took the guided mangrove tour, that’s who. Walking palms, which can often be seen in mangroves, among other ecosystems in Costa Rica, also have an interesting story. The roots begin partway up the tree and reach down toward the ground. The roots love sunlight, and continue to sprout in the direction where they can find it, essentially moving the palm tree toward the light, giving the impression that it’s walking.

It goes without saying that Costa Rica is lovely to look at. But if you want to get to know Costa Rica, and not just see it, a tour guide can introduce you to what others miss.

In keeping with the theme above, tour guides can help you spot birds and other wildlife that you’d likely miss without their help.

I’m not going to suggest that you need a tour guide to see wildlife in Costa Rica, because you don’t. Wildlife is all around, and you’ll probably see some of it regardless of the tours and activities you participate in and whether or not you choose to do them with a guide. But it is true that you’ll see more birds and wildlife if you choose to explore Costa Rica with a guide than if you opt to explore Costa Rica on your own.

Here’s an analogy to help illustrate this fact. Pretend you’re in Los Angeles and your goal is to see a celebrity. You could roam around the city by yourself, hoping to bump into one, or you could sign up for a movie studio tour, attend a taping of a television show, or climb aboard one of those celebrity homes bus tours. Despite being touristy, the latter options are more likely to get you what you want, and save you time in the process. The same principal applies to wildlife-spotting in Costa Rica. You can certainly spot birds and animals on your own, but you can save yourself time and see more creatures overall if you go with a guided tour option.

Tour guides that specialize in nature tours tend to also specialize in wildlife-spotting tours because nature and wildlife go hand in hand. This means that the more time a tour guide has spent in nature, the more they likely know about wildlife, including where and when to find it. Although wildlife-spotting can never be fully guaranteed, it’s amazing how many wildlife sightings can be predicted when you understand the routines and common behaviors of animals. For this reason, knowledgeable tour guides who operate tours on the same nature trails day after day know, with a fair amount of certainty, where sightings are most likely to occur. Sloths, for example, tend to stick to the same region, so a sloth sighting in a particular tree on a Monday often translates to sloth sightings for tour groups over the remainder of the week. In addition, amicable tour guides will often communicate with one another (sometimes through the cellphone app WhatsApp) while tours are being performed so they can share information about recent sightings. This means that if a tour group up ahead of you on a nature trail just saw a tapir, and that group’s guide told your group’s guide where the tapir went, you’ll have a better chance of seeing the tapir.

The degree to which tour guides have bettered our travel experience in Costa Rica is immeasurable, as is the number of times we’ve seen wildlife in Costa Rica. Of the many incredible experiences we’ve had while participating in Costa Rica guided tours (thanks to tour guides informing us where to look and when), these are a few of our favorites:

• We laid eyes on a jungle cat in the wild
• We watched a tapir care for, and later sleep beside, its young
• We saw humpback whales breaching
• We examined the vibrant colors of a red-eyed tree frog at close range
• We saw an arboreal sloth perform the rare act of moving around the forest floor
• We listened to tens of scarlet macaws and parrots harmonize in a tree
• We witnessed a fer de lance (terciopelo) attack a frog
• We watched great green macaws eat almonds
• We spied on a strawberry poison dart frog hanging out in a heliconia
• We spotted a green, palm-striped pit viper sleeping in a hole in a tree
• We watched a pair of crested guans roam around the forest
• We watched a king vulture feast on its prey
• We spotted an owl snoozing in the daytime
• We watched a common basilisk run across water
• We saw two long-tailed quetzals flying together in front of a nest

Just as incalculable is the extent to which tour guides understand (and love to talk about) fauna in Costa Rica. Here’s a sample of the types of wildlife-related details your tour guide might cover, depending on their level of knowledge on the subject and the type of tour performed:

• Ways to identify species and tell them apart from species with a similar appearance
• Information regarding typical behaviors, habitats, prey, and life cycles
• Roles within the ecosystem
• Information regarding the protection, proliferation, and/or reproduction of a species

A quick note about spotting birds in Costa Rica: Seeing birds in Costa Rica is easy. At the risk of being curt, all you need to do is go outside or look out your accommodation’s window and you’ll find some. Spotting a specific bird species (especially a rare bird species), birds in or around their nests, or birds performing unique behaviors or mating rituals is much more difficult. For these purposes, tour guides are almost always required, and it’s often best to request one with bird-watching experience, ideally one that specializes in bird-watching tours. They’re more likely to know where certain bird species have nests or like to hang out, when they’re most active during the day (or in some cases, during the night), whether they can be seen in Costa Rica at the moment (if they’re migratory), and how to recognize their song.

If your purpose of coming to Costa Rica is to see wildlife and/or birds, a tour guide’s keen eyes, familiarity with the area, knowledge, honed skills, and connections with other tour guides can help you find what you’re looking for.

If you’re interested in seeing wildlife, don’t miss our related blog post, which showcases some of the wildlife species we’ve encountered and photographed in Costa Rica: Costa Rica Wildlife Photography

Although tour guides aren’t clowns, some have personalities that are thoroughly entertaining. (I’m looking at you, Pacuare River Rafting Tour crew.) Even those who have quiet personalities tend to enliven tour experiences with facts, anecdotes, and other forms of information. They are partly working for tips, after all. If you’ll be traveling to Costa Rica with children, or if you’re an adult that tends to bore quickly, guided tours can help keep group members engaged and enjoyment levels high.

Depending on your perspective, without a tour guide to point out cool and unique things during a tour, you may find places in Costa Rica to be unimpressive or not worth your time. I might too, if I journeyed direct from the entrance to the exit of a place, missing most of what is fascinating in between. Fortunately, a tour guide can help prevent tour or activity disappointment by captivating and maintaining your attention.

Surely you’re not headed to Costa Rica solely to support the economy. But if you have a philanthropic mindset, it might please you to know that when you take Costa Rica guided tours, you’re financially supporting tour guides. In most cases, tour guides reside in the community where the guided tour takes place (or nearby), so the employment opportunity also allows them to stay close to their family. Some tour guides aren’t employed by tour companies, but rather they work as freelance tour guides. Usually in these cases, opportunities for work aren’t consistent, which means it can be extra difficult for tour guides to make a living. For most, the money earned from guiding tours is their only source of income. If you can afford to participate in guided tours in Costa Rica, doing so can provide much-needed employment opportunities, helping not only the tour guide and their family but the nation’s economy overall.

The answer to this question depends entirely on you. We’ve spent the majority of this article arguing that tour guides provide a ton of value —they can help keep you safe, teach you all about Costa Rica, increase your chances of seeing birds and other wildlife, provide entertainment, and even contribute to the nation’s economy— but whether or not tour guides are worth having boils down to the amount of money you’re willing to spend on tour guides, and whether that amount is more or less than the cost of their services.

To determine this, you’ll need to assign a dollar figure to the quality of the guided tour experience. I know, this is difficult to do without knowing in advance the quantity and quality of information that you’ll get from the tour guide. But do your best to form an estimate. Are all of the benefits that a tour guide can provide worth $50 to you? How about $100? More than $250? Less than $10? Once you know how much you’re willing to pay for the advantages of having a tour guide, you can compare that amount to the cost of having one. For example, if you’re trying to decide between an unguided cloud forest reserve tour, which costs $30, and a guided cloud forest reserve tour, which costs $70, the tour guide here is essentially costing you $40, so if the dollar value you assigned to having a tour guide was more than $40, it would be best to go with the guided tour option. If the dollar value you assigned to having a tour guide was less than $40, then self-guided exploration is the better choice.

Remember, the quality of your Costa Rica vacation depends on the quality of the experiences you have here, and as our article above outlines, the quality of an experience is largely determined by whether or not it is led by a tour guide. A Costa Rica vacation in an ideal world—without time and money constraints—would be full of guided tours. Understanding that you may not have the funds or the time to participate in all of the guided tours that interest you, or to afford a tour guide at all in some cases, the wisest course of action is to incorporate tour guides into your Costa Rica travel experience whenever and wherever you can.

To help make guided tours in Costa Rica more affordable, our sister site, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., provides discounts for Costa Rica day tours: Click here to view Pura Vida! eh? Inc.’s discounts for Costa Rica guided tours

QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: Have you participated in a guided tour in Costa Rica? What did you learn?

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The comment section of this article has moved! If you have a question or comment about our article above or Costa Rica travel in general, please post it in our Questions and Answers Forum on DIY Costa Rica , our sister website, where you can also access our private Costa Rica recommendations, our Costa Rica Destination Tool, and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map. See you there, amigos! 🙂

We did lots of guided tours! Hanging bridges bird walk, horseback riding, safari float. Every one of them was absolutely worth it and an awesome experience!

Hi momsasaurus!

It’s great to hear from you again! Can’t wait to help set you up with some other great guided tours once you make it back to Costa Rica with the kids. 🙂

So true! I’ve been living in Costa Rica for four months now, and there is nothing like a guided tour to help you catch the bounty of wildlife and beautiful flowers that surround you!

Hey lybsta!

It’s great to hear from someone else who lives in Costa Rica and agrees: guided tours are invaluable! 🙂

We did one guided trip per day during our week long stay in gorgeous Costa Rica in Spring of 2007. So much amazing animal and plant life up close and personal with incredible guides who pointed out the hidden world as well as the in-your-face attractions. Can’t wait to return!

Hi sapipes!

Thanks so much for the comment and for letting us experience a part of your trip with you! I love your quote about the “hidden world” versus the “in-your-face attractions.” I think that sums up the best of both worlds that Costa Rica has to offer. 🙂

I absolutely agree! I’m an experienced wildlife photographer and I would have missed 3/4 of what I saw in Corcovado National Park without the guide there to point out items of interest. Best value for the money I spent in Costa Rica!

Hi Rob Jones!

Thanks so much for this great feedback! We completely agree: experiencing places like Corcovado (and several other national parks) isn’t the same without a local guide. I love this quote: “best value for the money I spent in Costa Rica.” I’m glad to hear it! 🙂

Hoping to visit CR in spring 2015 and am busy planning itineraries. Local tour guides not only serve to enhance your experience but also promote local economies and eco tourism. I love the frog picture from Arenal too!

Hi traveljody!

That’s amazing to hear! Costa Rica would love to have you. 🙂 And, we 100% agree: supporting local guides and economies is a great way to travel!

Reblogged this on Holiday Rent Club .

Thanks so much for the re-blog, Holiday Rent Club! 🙂

I can say that a Local Person that is focus on Customer Service would be a lot of help for showing places you wouldn´t get to know without him/her guidance. I don´t like to do too much planning for traveling that´s why I get help.

We agree 100%. There’s nothing better than a local guide who is focused on customer service and can help you discover the unfamiliar. Thanks for sharing your opinion on our blog! 🙂

planning to visit CR in upcoming season,thanks for sharing nice blog,

Thanks so much for the compliment, traveldoozy! Wishing you a wonderful trip! 🙂

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Sadly, ai-generated costa rica blogs and guides are taking over the internet. thank you for choosing our authentic website and resources over others, for trusting our firsthand experience, and for preferring our human-backed recommendations 😀 other ways we are unique:.

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We hope you enjoy your visit to our junk-free blog as much as your time in Costa Rica. 😊

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The Ultimate one week Costa Rica Itinerary (in 7 Days)

There is a popular saying in Costa Rica, Pura Vida which translates to “pure life” or “simple life.” While Costa Rica does emanate an essence of purity in its well-preserved ecological setting, there is nothing simple about it — especially when it comes to planning a one week Costa Rica itinerary. From rainforests to beaches, and everything in between, Costa Rica’s geographical biodiversity can be attributed to the varied ecosystems within the country. Nestled between both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, Costa Rica is home to tropical, deciduous, mangrove, and cloud forests. With so much to offer, it can be challenging to decide which parts of the country to visit. This Costa Rica itinerary will ensure that you see the essential areas of Costa Rica in just 7 days, with your time split between the rainforest and coastal region.

1 Night San Jose – Ultimate One Week Costa Rica Itinerary

San Jose is the major city and most developed area of Costa Rica. It is worth checking out for a day or two if you have the time, but absolutely not a necessity.

On day 1 of your trip, fly into San Jose airport, rent a car, and check in to your hotel. After a long day of traveling and an early morning ahead, you will probably just be using your hotel to sleep, so no need to excessively splurge here. the Sheraton or the more affordable  Aloft are two great options to spend the night. Get a good night’s rest and plan to leave San Jose the following morning at 6:00 am. This is also a good time to acquainted with Costa Rica’s best export, strong local coffee.

If you arrive in San Jose in the early morning or afternoon, you can skip the night in San Jose and drive straight to La Fortuna.

3 nights Arenal Volcano / La Fortuna

Depart 6:00 am from your hotel in San Jose to begin the 3-hour journey to La Fortuna. There will be a little bit of early morning rush hour traffic as you leave the city, but the rest of the trip should be smooth sailing. If you prefer to sleep in a little and leave a bit later, the hour between 9:00 – 10:00 am is also an acceptable time to leave.

Costa Rica is mapped via the Waze app, so make sure you have it downloaded on your phone. Costa Rica does not use traditionally numbered addresses, but rather names to indicate places so make sure you have the proper destination name to navigate to your hotel. Unlike some other parts of the country, the highway and roads from San Jose to La Fortuna are paved and well-maintained, so there is no need to worry about that. There are however, several one-lane highways, so being stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle or one that is completely stuck will probably be your only concern. That said, the drive through the lush mountainous terrain is very beautiful, and was personally reminiscent of the Road to Hana in Maui.

Your time in La Fortuna will be both relaxing and adventurous. Among the most popular things to do in La Fortuna are hot springs, zip lining, hiking, horseback riding, ATVing, butterfly gardens, and other nature parks and conservatories. Depending on your personal pace and preference, choose between 1 – 2 adventure activities per day. The following were my favorites:

Arenal Mundo Aventura Canopy Tour

The best zip lining in the Arenal area. There are MANY tour operators that offer zip lining, so it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Luckily I did plenty of research to take the guesswork out for you. Why is Arenal Mundo Aventura the best? For one, it is the only zip line that goes over the La Fortuna waterfall. It also has the longest zip line in the area, and 2nd longest in all of Costa Rica. There are two options for zip-lining tours at this park. You can either choose a 3-hour tour which includes 12 zip lines (~$60.00 USD) or the “AMA Extreme” 2-hour tour which includes 7 zip lines (~$50.00 USD). I chose the 2-hour tour because you still get to ride their longest zip line and over the waterfall. I was glad that I did because upon arriving, I learned that the 2-hour tour is called “extreme” because you skip the first 4 “practice” zip lines.

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

The Mistico reserve sits upon 600 acres of protected tropical forest. The 1.9 mile nature trail through the forest offers multiple hanging bridges with gorgeous views of the Arenal volcano. You can choose to either walk the trail with a guide or as a self-guided tour. I chose to go without, but the benefit of having a guide is that they are able to point out the wildlife you otherwise might miss while walking through the forest. The entrance to the park is $26.00 USD. Don’t forget to wear close-toed shoes!

Arenal Volcano National Park

The Arenal Volcano National Park offers multiple trails of varying lengths to hike around the base of the volcano, through lava fields, and to scenic lookout points. There are both guided or self-guided options and entrance to the park is $15.00 (USD).

Hot Springs and Where to Stay in La Fortuna

If it is within your budget, absolutely stay at Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort . At the very least, you will want to purchase a day pass  to use their hot springs, which are the most impressive in the area. Many hotels in Arenal have hot springs on their premises, but Tabacon offers a more superior and luxury experience. Even if your hotel has hot springs, consider purchasing a half-day morning pass with lunch included.

Other excellent luxury hotels in the area are Nayara and The Springs . Baldi is a good option for more affordable luxury, and Los Lagos or Volcano Lodge are nice, affordable resorts.

Best Restaurants in La Fortuna:

The center of La Fortuna has many cafes and restaurants. Two that I recommend are Rainforest Cafe (not the chain) and Tierra Mia.

2 nights Manuel Antonio

On day 5 of your trip, make the pleasant 4-and-a-half-hour drive to Manuel Antonio. If you’d like to break up the commute, the city of Jaco about an hour before Manuel Antonio is a quaint beach town and a good place to stop for lunch. My recommendation is a build-your-own tacos and burritos called Taco Joint.

What to do in Manuel Antonio

The main attraction in Manuel Antonio is Manuel Antonio National Park . The park is also one of the most popular sites in all of Costa Rica and the biggest driver of tourism in the country. Within the park are nature trails through the tropical jungle, where sloth, monkey, and other animal sightings are plenty. Inside the park are also three pristine beaches, the best in Manuel Antonio.

Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park

The park opens at 7:00 am (closed on Mondays) and is $16.00 (USD) for entrance. You will want to arrive as soon as they open because they only allow 800 people per day. I highly recommend hiring a guide to take you through the park. Aside from being extremely informative about all the species that live within the forest, it is also extremely hard to spot the animals on your own because they are camouflaged or high up in the canopy trees. With a guide, you will be able to observe the animals through a telescope for the best viewing.

You can negotiate a guide outside of the park but you run the risk of them not being certified. I recommend arranging a tour through the hotel which includes transportation both ways, a tour guide, and snacks and water. Doing it this way will also guarantee entrance and you’ll be able to cut the very long line in. The price for the tour through the hotel is ~$50.00 per person. If you go on your own, after paying for transportation and/or parking, the entrance fee, and the park guide, you will end up paying around the same amount, so it’s better to go on an organized tour and not have to worry about anything at all.

What to Bring to Manuel Antonio National Park:

You will want to pack a camera, bug spray, sunscreen, and whatever you need to hit the beach after the tour (bathing suit, towel, etc.) There is no food or water for purchase inside the park, so if you want to spend the day at the beach you might also want to pack a lunch or some snacks (but no chips of any kind allowed inside.)

Best beaches in Manuel Antonio

As mentioned, the best beaches are inside the Manuel Antonio National Park, especially beach number 3, which is #15 on the list of best beaches in the world . Across the street from the park is another good beach called “Manuel Antonio Beach.” This beach offers water activities such as jet-skiing, parasailing, and surf lessons, and also has food and drinks for sale. Lastly, Biesanz beach is another favorite of mine for its calm waters. You can also rent snorkel gear, boogie boards, and purchase snacks and drinks at Biesanz.

Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio

For a beautiful, exclusive, adults-only eco-luxury seaside hotel, definitely check out Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel and Spa . You can read my full review here.

Best Restaurants in Manuel Antonio

The Issimo restaurant is one of the best gourmet fine dining in all of Manuel Antonio. For a more casual option, Agua Azul is also great. If you’d like to experience a more authentic meal and setting, head down to the next town over of Quepos and stop at Marisqueria Velamar Restaurante or Sopa Sanchez for authentic and fresh ceviche and seafood.

1 Night San Jose

Even if you did not spend the first night in San Jose, returning to the city the day before your flight is a good idea, especially if taking an early flight. Traffic and road conditions can be unpredictable, so it’s best not to take any chances. More on driving in Costa Rica here.

The drive back to San Jose from Manuel Antonio takes about 2 and a half hours. Leaving before 1:00PM is most ideal to avoid traffic. San Jose is a city known for amazing gastronomy, so here is your last chance to fit one more amazing meal before you end your trip. I recommend eating at La Davina Comida for an excellent and beautiful Peruvian-fusion restaurant.

Frequently Asked Costa Rica Travel Questions

When is the best time to visit costa rica.

Costa Rica has two seasons: wet season, from May – November, and dry season, from December – April. Though beautiful, green, and lush, traveling to Costa Rica during the wet season is not preferred because the rain can be quite unforgiving and impede on plans. That said, hotel and tour prices are significantly lower. If you don’t mind a bit of rain, a good time to visit and take advantage of low-season pricing is late November, just before the start of high season, or just after in late April. Even when traveling during the dry season there is not a promise of perfect sunshine, as tropical storms often pass through the forest and remain for days at a time. All in all, Costa Rica is beautiful year-round, but there are good times to visit Costa Rica and not as good times . 

How Much Does Costa Rica Cost?

Hotels: Prices within the tourism industry of Costa Rica fluctuate greatly between low and high seasons. 3 & 4-star accommodations can be found under $100 (USD) a night during the low season and can surge to over $300 during the high season. Meanwhile, luxury 5-star resorts such as Tabacon remain above $300-$500+ year-round.

Car rental: car rental for a week costs around $300 with National for a standard economy car without insurance and $480 with insurance. Add $100 for gas. Renting an SUV with four-wheel drive is preferred but not necessary if you’re only sticking to the above routes. It’s always best to reserve the cheapest car beforehand and then try to swing a free upgrade once you get to the rental site.

Activities: most tour activities such as zip-lining, ATVing, etc. cost between $40 – $80 per person, depending on the length of activity with prices fluctuating during high/low season. Many national parks and conservation centers also require entrance fees, which can range between $15 – $25 a person.

Meals: Where you will save is on food. A good lunch in La Fortuna can cost between $10 – $15 per person and it is not uncommon to find an excellent dinner under $30. However, prices for food and activities are higher in the beach city of Manuel Antonio. Most hotels in both Arenal/La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio include complimentary breakfast buffets.

The total cost of the trip including all activities, meals, luxury accommodations, and flights without any reward/travel points cost around $1500.00-$2000.00 USD a person during high season, based on double occupancy. This same trip can easily be done for half the cost during low season or by booking budget-friendly accommodations, and/or using points for hotels and flights.

How many days in Costa Rica is good for a vacation?

Anywhere from one week to 10 days is great, and two weeks if you like slow travel. My personal opinion when traveling to Costa Rica you should spend time both in the rain forest and on the beach, and for that you would need a minimum of 7 days as seen in this itinerary. An extra day or two on both sides wouldn’t hurt either!

As a final note, I chose to spend 3 nights in Arenal/La Fortuna and 2 in Manuel Antonio because the beach is not a rare occurrence for me whereas the jungle is. If you are craving more time at the beach and less in the jungle and volcanic hot springs, then you can easily swap one more night in Manuel Antonio for one less in La Fortuna. Keep in mind this itinerary can also be easily stretched to a Costa Rica itinerary 10 days or even two weeks, which will give you more time to explore these regions and the surrounding.

Whatever you decide, hopefully this guide has helped you plan the perfect one week Costa Rica itinerary for jungles, beaches, volcanos, and eco-luxury tourism.

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Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. for more information, please see my disclosures  page., share this:, 19 thoughts on “ the ultimate one week costa rica itinerary (in 7 days) ”.

Great wildlife sightings! I was in Nicaragua over the Christmas break and while I did see some monkeys, it was nothing like what you were able to see in Costa Rica!

Wildlife everywhere! Especially at Manuel Antonio National Park. I was in heaven!

I have always wanted to go to Costa Rica because of the turtles but this guide just makes me want to go period! Thanks providing such an in-depth guide. I’m bookmarking it for when I finally make the trip.

You will love it!

This is such an awesome itinerary! Costa Rica looks beautiful. I’ve never been, but I’m looking forward to visiting sometime after we get moved back to that side of the world!

It’s a must!

Costa Rica looks so gorgeous, your photos are so pretty! great guide!

This a great detailed itinerary to explore Costa Rica for first timers. Great tips as well and pricing helps to plan the budget well. Thanks.

Amazing post with tons of useful information Hoping to visit early next year! Thanks for sharing ♥️

Costa Rica is on my wishlist so thank you so much for all the good information. Your pictures are amazing too.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Wow, your wildlife photos are amazing! And the activities sound like so much fun – I’ve always wanted to do a zip wire! Definitely got Costa Rica on my travel list now. 🙂

Thank you! Manuel Antonio National Park is amazing for photographing wildlife!

What a great post with some much useful information! I really would like to visit Cosa Rica one day, so your information comes in handy! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Thank you for reading 🙂

Thanks for putting all the work into planning a hopeful vacation 2021. You pinpointed exactly everything I’m hoping to see and do.

I’m happy to hear it! Costa Rica is a wonderful destination and I know you will have a great time. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can help with. 😊

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Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Costa Rica

Find the right fully guided tour for you in Costa Rica. There are 123 trips to choose from, that range from 3 days in length, up to 16 days. The month with the most departures is November, making it the most popular time to visit Costa Rica.

123 Fully Guided tour packages in Costa Rica with 1,610 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Costa Rica Quest

The tour and our tour guide as a whole was great! However, the choice of hotels were not the best. That would be the only thing I would change.

• Hiking & Trekking

Classic Costa Rica

Marvin our tour leader was outstanding. He did his very best to meet everyone's needs and provide as much information as possible about Costa Rica and our tour details. The accomodations in some places however were not up to standard especially the bathrooms.

Costa Rica Adventure

If you ever doubt about doing a group travel, please please please go on a trip with TruTravels and especially Lau!!! She was amazing person with such a kind heart. She did everything she could to make everyone feel at home and the vibe in our tourgroup was so amazing because of it! She is truly a superwoman who can do everything and she made the trip go very smoothly. I would 11/10 recommand going somewhere with her!

Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets

Tolle Reise, toller Guide. Hätte nicht besser sein können.

Costa Rica Experience

Trip was simply Excellent trip with an amazing guide “Imalay”. Her knowledge and respect about culture and biodiversity is outstanding. Her care and attention to all our needs is beyond anyone expectations. I had a blast!

Natural Highlights of Costa Rica National Geographic Journeys

Great trip to experience the highlights of Costa Rica. The G Adventures tour was action packed with many optional activiities to choose from. Our guides were very knowledgeable. The accommodations were nice and the food was delicious.

Costa Rica's Natural Wonders

Juan Carlos was amazing. Such a great trip!

Explore Costa Rica National Geographic Journeys

Brilliant experience, knowledgeable and skilled guide, upper level accomodation

Discover Costa Rica

Well organized and comprehensive tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, especially the birds. He spotted things which we would never have done and was able to identify them with ease.

Costa Rica Wildlife Tour

Tour leader and driver were an excellent team providing good opportunities to discover Costa Rica. Communication of essential facts was good, communication of facts on wildlife, socio- economic, history, geography, politics and culture were excellent. Accommodation and transport exceeded expectations

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Costa Rica: San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park & Monteverde - 8 days

Eine wunderschöne Tour wo man wirklich die schönsten Ecken von Costa Rica erleben kann. Unser Guide Manfred in Tortuguero war der Wahnsinn! Der beste Guide ever!

Picturesque Solo Costa Rica Tour

It was a good solo travel trip. BUT plan ahead. INDUS drops you off at hotel and then you are on your own in SAN Jose. We did get a map museums were closed on MOnday. research things to do, It can be extremely helpful to start researching your destination before you travel. Find out information about the city you are traveling to along with the area you will be staying in, so you can discover which stores and restaurants will be close by, get to know your way around the neighborhood, and familiarize yourself with attractions you want to see. Your journey will go smoother if you come prepared with ideas — and it will be a fascinating experience to see them come to life! The shuttle drivers were usually on time. Sunday was a busy travel day from Manuel Antonio hotel Tabula tree back to SAN JOSE PARK INN so beware of that. bus driver was late due to traffic almost an hour.

Highlights of Costa Rica

This tour covered every zone of the Costa Rican biome, from the cloud forest to the rain forest to the sea. It included a rich variety of vegetation and wildlife, plus volcanoes, hot springs, as well as some interesting people at their work. It was a good balance of vigorous activity and relaxation. Without question, the greatest asset of this abundant tour was our Explore! guide, Juan Carlos. While a master at spotting wildlife, his encyclopedic knowledge of biology, geology, history, and culture made this trip a wide-ranging educational voyage. That said, his knowledge was exceeded only by his enthusiasm and cheerful good humor. He made the whole experience upbeat and lighthearted. I’d recommend this tour to anyone and hope they had him for their guide.

Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes (8 Days, Departure Transfer Manuel Antonio To San Jose)

I believe that the guide makes the experience, and our guide, German Rojas, was SUPERB!!!! From his leadership, knowledge, crowd-handling abilities to his grace and humor, he is an all-around 5-star guide! Don't lose him! I loved the itinerary, especially the wildlife watching opportunities. I personally would like maybe a little less time at Arenal volcano, with more time at either Tortuguero or Manuel Antonio, but I would definitely recommend this itinerary to friends and family!

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Costa Rica Adventure (Guanacaste Extension, 9 Days)

Costa Rica tour saver was really good! Make sure you get the transfer from airport San Jose, as I didn't get it and had to pay a stupid taxi fare to get to hotel. Otherwise hotels were all good, itinerary was good and varied, lots of animals to see. I did the beach extension and relaxed. Food was all great too. I'd recommend.

What people love about Fully Guided Tours in Costa Rica

Overall the tour was good. The CEO Katherine was wonderful. People in our group are very friendly. What we liked most was the beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park, Also the guided walking tour at the park to explore a variety of amazing wildlife was Great. Hot Springs in La Fortuna and Horseback riding in Monteverde were enjoyable, The amenities in the hotels could be better.

Great itinerary! We saw so much and experienced so much.

I thoroughly enjoyed my recent vacation The amazing accommodations, delectable cuisine, seamless transportation, would not have been achievable without the guidance of our exceptional tour guide, Lau. Without the support of TruTravel and Lau, the extensive exploration and diverse experiences within the ten-day duration would have been unattainable for me in Costa Rica.   Thanks to the meticulous planning and personal touch provided by TruTravel and the charismatic presence of Lau, I was able to explore diverse regions of this beautiful country and create memories that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. Lau played a pivotal role in enhancing the overall quality of the journey. She was a perfect blend of enjoyment and knowledge, demonstrating both care and entertainment throughout the trip. She had insightful recommendations for culinary delights and engaging activities.  It is a rare find to come across someone who can effortlessly blend professionalism with genuine care and charisma. This balance contributed significantly to the success of the journey. Lau was able to provide help dependent that was specifically tailored to each person within the group, going above and beyond to make sure we were all satisfied and taken care of. She was also able to provide various information on questions that were presented and we can see just how much she cared about the people she was with.   Lau’s influence transformed this vacation into a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience.

Regions in Costa Rica

• Monteverde (29)
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• Costa Rica Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
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Travel on your own.

A Little More Info

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single travelers staying in a room by themselves will be charged this additional single supplement fee, as all of our regular prices are otherwise based on double occupancy.

SINGLE SHARE OPTIONS (if available) If you are traveling alone and wish to share a room, we will make every effort to find you a roommate of the same gender, in which case you will not have to pay the single supplement fee. The single supplement will be charged until we are able to confirm a roommate for you. If we are able to match you with a roommate, the single supplement will be refunded. In the event that we cannot find a share for you, you will be required to pay the single supplement fee.

New: Click the Singles Find a Share' icon below or check our " Community " page to connect with other single travelers looking to share.

Choose from any destination in the country and we can put your trip together for you for less cost than you can on your own, including accommodations, activities, and transportation.

An important nesting habit for sea turtles, Tortuguero also features a series of canals which protect a wide variety of wildlife. Enjoy wildlife float trips on the canals and nighttime turtle tours on the beach during nesting season.

Selva Bananito

Located next to an 840 hectare forest reserve, this unique resort has it all, from mountain biking to canopy tours, horseback riding, waterfalls, and easy access to most Caribbean coast attractions including Tortuguero, Cahuita, and the Pacuare and Reventazon Rivers.

Pacuare River

Multi-day paddling option on Costa Rica's most popular whitewater river. Paddle into a remote riverside lodge, stay overnight and paddle out the next day.

Reventazon River

Another popular whitewater river offering challenging class III and IV rapids.

Sarapiqui River

A lush rainforest river with excellent whitewater and flatwater segments, bisecting La Selva Biological Preserve. A perfect combo to paddle and hike.

Arenal Volcano

Hot Springs Horseback Riding Whitewater Rafting Flatwater Wildlife Float Trips

Monteverde Cloudforest

Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve Butterfly Garden Orchid Garden Canopy Tours - bridges or zip lines Finca Ecologica Children's Eternal Rainforest Galeria Ecstacia

Manuel Antonio National Park

Beaches, Swimming, Beachcombing, Sunbathing and Relaxing Hiking & Wildlife Viewing World-Class Sportfishing Snorkeling Mangrove Kayaking Outstanding Dining and Nightlife Costa Rica's Most Popular Vacation Destination

Puerto Jimenez/Golfito Bay

Remote "Frontier Town" feel Beaches, Swimming, Beachcombing, Sunbathing and Relaxing Hiking & Wildlife Viewing World-Class Sportfishing Mangrove Kayaking with Dolphins Snorkeling at Night in the Bioluminescence.

Corcovado National Park

Costa Rica's most remote and bio-diverse national park is your best chance of seeing tapir, wild cats, scarlet macaws, all 4 species of Costa Rican monkeys, and many rare and endangered animals endemic to the area. Hiking Wildlife Viewing Beaches Waterfalls World-Class Lodges

Costa Rica Lodging

Our Ultimate Wildlife itinerary specializes in small, one-of-a-kind rainforest and jungle lodges, many of which have been featured on the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and in top travel magazines such as Travel & Leisure and Conde Naste Traveler. Great care has gone into our selection of lodging partners, with particular emphasis on lodges that offer outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. These breathtaking lodges offer all the comforts of home, including hot & cold water, flush toilets, tastefully decorated beds (often orthopedic with Guatemalan fabrics), and delicious home cooked meals, sometimes extravagant, always healthy, and catering to special dietary needs.

PUERTO JIMENEZ

Agua Dulce Lodge

Agua Ducle Beach Resort is the newest and most exciting property on the Osa Peninsula with all the amenities you would expect. Located just 10 minutes from Puerto Jimenez on a scluded beach. Walk for miles along the beach, go for an adventure hike to Corcovado National Park, or have a dolphin and snorkeling adventure! The resort also offers a huge pool with swim up bar if you prefer a more relaxed experience.

Cabinas Jimenez (Alternate Lodge)

Located directly on the Gulfo Dulce (the "Sweet Gulf") on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Each Cabina features air-conditioning, fans, private bathrooms, wi-fi, mini-fridge, and coffee maker. All the rooms are uniquely decorated with local artwork. As a Guest, you have free use of Kayaks & Bikes, or you can just relax poolside and enjoy the scenery.

Las Islas Lodge (Alternate Lodge)

This delightful and authentic Costa Rican family-owned lodge is the newest lodge in Puerto Jimenez. Wildlife is abundant with various species of monkeys, Iguanas, Scarlet Macaws, Toucans, and other exotic birds. Puerto Jimenez is the last "frontier town" before venturing deep into Corcovado National Park, and Las Islas makes it feel just like home!

Bungalows Malu (Alternate Lodge)

Located in Cahuita, Bungalow Malú Lodge is a rustic hotel facing the sea with a swimming pool, restaurant, WiFi, TV, and A/C surrounded by flora and fauna and just 1.5km from Cahuita National Park.

El Encanto (Alternate Lodge)

Located in Cahuita, a few meters from the Caribbean beaches and five minutes from Cahuita National Park, El Encanto offers an intimate setting from which to begin your Costa Rican adventure!

All rooms offer a wardrobe with safe, screens in the windows, desk, bathroom with hot water, terrace with armchairs, and seiling fans. You can choose if you want a double bed, two double beds, or a double and a single bed.

Hotel La Diosa is a wonderful place to stay in Cahuita. They have 10 cabins designed in Caribbean style and painted in vibrant colors. A beautiful beach awaits just a few steps from the hotel. A swimming pool surrounded by coconut palm trees also provides a place in which to relax.

Suizo Loco Lodge (Alternate Lodge)

Enjoy the swiss quality under the caribbean sun in a charming eco-friendly boutique hotel! The hotel offers a sense of peace and security on a small piece of land where you are lulled by the music of nature. The place is green year round, ideal for nature lovers.

Magellan Inn (Alternate Lodge)

Magellan Inn is a unique boutique hotel in a magical jungle setting. It offers comfort, elegance & tranquility with a tropical paradise just outside your door. 

Hotel Los Lagos

Located in the Arenal region, this is an exclusive resort with its own 13 platform Canopy Tour, private hot springs, and a spectacular observation point on the property. You can enjoy five different pools of natural hot water and regular pools tucked away in their own enclaves. The views offered here are complimented by stunning grounds and great attention to detail throughout. Los Lagos received a Trip Adviser Certificate of Excellence in 2012.

Hotel Lomas del Volcan (Alternate Lodge)

Located on the slopes of Arenal Volcano, this farm turned eco-hotel offers design inspired by traditional local architecture, luxury bungalows, restaurant, pool, and jacuzzi. Driven by values of teamwork, respect, honesty, and passion to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Hotel Lavas Tacotal (Alternate Lodge)

Hotel Lavas Tacotal has one of the most privileged views of the magnificent Arenal Volcano. This property has a restaurant and bar, spa, and swimming pool. Each room has A/C, TV, telephones, safety deposit boxes, coffee makers, and patios.

Arenal Springs (Alternate Lodge)

Each distinctive Junior Suite comes with direct views to the beautiful Arenal Volcano. Each room is surrounded by exotic gardens, and beautiful flowers, where Costa Rica's native species of birds and animals are readily seen.

Arenal Paraiso (Alternate Lodge)

Hotel Arenal Paraiso offers spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano. The accommodations are surrounded by lush tropical gardens and walking paths, and guests will enjoy using the hotel’s swimming pools and hot springs.

Adventure Inn

This is a family-friendly hotel with bilingual babysitters, family rooms with 3 Queen beds, as well as a romantic couple’s destination with in-room Jacuzzi tubs and King beds. Family-owned and operated, it is located beside the quiet and safe neighborhood of Ciudad Cariari, only a five minute walk from the National Convention Center, and a ten minute drive from the SJO airport.

Hotel Buena Vista

A lovely boutique resort located 15 minutes from the San Jose International Airport. Set in lush mountains, with incredible views of the Poas, Barva and Irazú volcanoes, the Central Valley, tropical forests and coffee plantations, you’ll feel like your Ultimate Wildlife EcoTour has already begun with birdwatching right from your window or balcony!

Trapp Family Lodge Alajuela

The Trapp Family Country Inn is located only 1 mile from Juan Santamaria International Airport. They offer comfortable accommodations along with genuine family service in a peaceful atmosphere. This colonial style hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens with centenary fig trees. From the private balcony of your room, in the terrace or by the pool, you will enjoy nature and relax with the musical sound of the birds. A true oasis in the middle of the city.

Xandari Resort & Spa is a fabulous upgrade option ~ a tropical paradise of 24 individually designed villas nestled on a 40 acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica just 20 minutes from the San Jose International Airport. An ideal option for those who dream of a luxury spa day to start or end their tour, and for botanical enthusiasts. Stroll through botanic gardens interspersed with sculptures, hike over 4 kilometers of private scenic trails to intimate river vistas and dramatic waterfalls, or visit the orchid house and greenhouse.

Trapp Family Lodge Monteverde (Alternate Lodge)

The closest lodge to the Monteverde Reserve, Trapp is built in a classic mountain lodge style, with rich hardwoods and magnificent cloudforest views. Inside, you'll feel like you're in the Swiss Alps, as its mountain decor and spacious suites showcase one of the newest lodges in Monteverde. Owned and operated by Costa Ricans, you can't get any closer to the cloudforest reserve than this acclaimed lodge. Recent Wild Planet trips were delighted by a nesting pair of Resplendent Quetzals only 50 meters from our panoramic windows!

Hotel Montana

Located on a ridge with spectacular views of the Gulf of Nicoya, this recently remodeled mountain lodge features spacious, comfortable rooms, many with jacuzzi tubs. Behind the lodge is a pond that attracts bellbirds and many of Monteverde's most famous animals and birds -- a wildlife lover's delight!

MANUEL ANTONIO

Villas Nicolas (Alternate Lodge)

Ideally situated in a quiet, secluded area of Manuel Antonio, Villa Nicolas's comfortable rooms are surrounded by tropical gardens and visited by pleasant ocean breezes. A pool, outdoor bar and restaurant give this a relaxed ocean villa vibe.

Parador Resort & Spa (Alternate Lodge)

Parador Resort & Spa is built high above the sweeping Pacific coastline on 12 acres of wildlife-rich tropical rainforest. The epitome of responsible luxury, Parador has earned multiple awards including Costa Rica’s Leading Resort 2011 (World Travel Awards), the 5-Leaf Sustainability Award issued by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) and, most recently, the prestigious Platinum Level “Leader in Sustainable Tourism” Adrian Award from HSMAI and National Geo Traveler.

The resort features well-appointed rooms, several restaurants featuring diverse menus, multiple bars and lounges, a world-class spa, a tennis court, three ocean-view pools.

Blue Mirador (formerly Oceans Two)

Located on a sloped mountainside, this hotel offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, surrounding jungle, and Manuel Antonio National Park–all from the rooftop pools, terraces, and restaurants. In-room services include A/C, WiFi, TV, safe, mini-fridge, coffee makers, hairdryers.  If this hotel is used on your tour, it can be added as a post-trip extension with a private transfer fee back to San Jose for your return flight.

Ecotica (Alternate Lodge)

Nestled amidst tropical jungle, and lush gardens, Ecotica is a place where nature fills your senses with a vast array of biodiversity–from flora and fauna to monkeys, sloths, butterflies, scarlet macaws, toucans and more–allowing you to experience Costa Rica’s exotic wildlife without ever having to leave the property! Located at the top of the hill of Manuel Antonio, this resort offers amazing views, and easy access to some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. If this hotel is used on your tour, it can be added as a post-trip extension with a private transfer fee back to San Jose for your return flight.

Hotel Vista Ballena (Alternate Lodge)

Vista Ballena Hotel is an exceptionally charming tropical boutique hotel situated high on a forested mountainside over the coastal plains of Uvita, Costa Rica. Ensconced in a verdant rainforest teeming with wildlife, your mind, body and soul will delight in both the deep relaxation and stimulating experiences you can enjoy here as you expand your personal horizons.

Cuna del Angel

Cuna del Angel (Angel's cradle) Hotel is an exclusive and cozy boutique hotel amidst an exuberant tropical forest in Costa Rica, in the heart of the Earth's most ecologically diverse area. Built in Colonial and Native Costa Rican style; Cuna del Angel is a celebration of Costa Rica's unique cultural heritages, where the best of both worlds meet, keeping the glamor and elegance of a modern world while evoking the spiritual world of the indigenous cultures that inhabited this small yet rich country.

Cuna's Deluxe Rooms are richly decorated with Colonial and Asian details, each with either an ocean or jungle view from their terraces or balconies. Modern commodities include: A/C and two ceiling fans, Cable TV, WiFi access, Mini bar, safe, Coffee Maker, Private Bathroom with bathtub/shower and hairdryer, alarm clock, telephone. Deluxe Rooms have one queen size bed or two beds (queen + full size) upon request. These rooms are located in front of the infinity edge swimming pool.

Luna Lodge (Alternative Lodge / Upgrade)

Travel & Leisure Magazine named Luna Lodge one of the "Top 25 Eco-lodges in the World." We can't say enough about this world-class eco-lodge. The incredibly remote location, 4-star service, attention to beauty and aesthetics, breathtaking open-air yoga structure, massage, and even after-dinner salsa dancing are why Luna generates regular rave reviews by the likes of Conde Nast and the Discovery Channel. But nothing can describe the tangible feeling of peace you will notice immediately upon arrival, and will linger long after you depart.

Laguna Vista Villas

Overlooking Playa Carate and a freshwater lagoon, LagunaVista lodge is a gateway to Corcovado National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places on our planet and a popular area for eco-tourists. LaguaVista's Mediterranean style villas are solar powered and eco-friendly, providing conscientious accommodations in a luxury setting. From your villa deck, take in the panoramic views of the rainforest, lagoon, beach, ocean and sky.

La Quinta de Sarapiqui

La Quinta is an eco-lodge nationally certified by the Costa Rican Tourists Board with its Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST). La Quinta has 5 Leaves level, being 5 Leaves the maximum qualification. The CST is a comprehensive program that categorizes and certifies each tourism company to the degree they comply with the model of sustainable tourism.La Quinta strives to have little, to no negative impact on its immediate environment. Every effort is taken to co-exist harmoniously with our surroundings. Our ten acres are composed of regenerating agriculture, a reforested area with native trees, an old-growth forest on the riverside and tropical gardens.We will always treat our environment with the utmost care and responsibility, and would greatly appreciate your help in upholding these practices while you are here. Please consider this your home, and your family, during your visit, and help protect what we have held sacred for so many years. We hope you enjoy the natural beauty of this place as so other guests have done before you.

Costa Rica Activities

At a glance.

As wildlife travel experts, one of our greatest advantages are some of the specially arranged activities we've created just for wildlife lovers. These exclusive, wildlife-focused activities - and our top guides - are the reasons why you maximize your chances of seeing more volume of wildlife and more rare and endangered species when you travel with Wild Planet Adventures than with any other travel company.

Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Birdwatching

Cloudforest canopy tour.

• Whitewater and Flatwater River Running
• Volcano & Hot Springs
• Beaches/Ocean

Sea-Kayaking in Golfito Bay

• Snorkeling at Night in the Bioluminescence

Exclusive Wildlife Activities

Sarapiqui River Rafting

Choose from rafts or inflatable kayaks for both whitewater and flat-water segments. More boats spread out along a wider stretch the river exposes us to more wildlife habitat, which means we see more wildlife! And in the flat-water sections we can stop, get out of our rafts and observe wildlife for a more intimate experience of the rainforest and wildlife than any other conventional tour.

Snorkeling at Night in Bioluminescence

This is one of the most magical experiences on our tour. The water is alive with bright blue sparkles of bioluminescent plankton, and every movement you make leaves a trail of sparkles in the water. We'll snorkel in a shallow, protected area right off the beach. We'll start off wading where we can stand, and then the more adventurous can wander a little farther offshore.

Other Activities

Our hiking philosophy is simple: "The slower you go, the more wildlife you see." Most of our hikes last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours and the pace is a relaxed meander. with frequent stops to observe nature and wildlife. We may even spend intimate time with a troop of wild monkeys, especially if we observe exciting behaviors such as teaching a newborn to walk, a conflict involving an alpha male, or anything else that has what we call a high "wow" factor.

The bio-diversity and exuberance of life in the cloudforest is a result of clouds drifting in and dripping constant moisture on the dense canopy tops. A series of suspended bridges and platforms offers an unforgettable glimpse of life high amongst the canopy and the transcendent sensation of walking amongst the clouds.

Volcano & Hotspring

Enjoy soaking in a spectacular hot springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano, with spectacular views of the volcano, right from our lodge!

Enjoy sunset kayaking with dolphins on the tranquil waters of Golfito Bay.

Costa Rica Wildlife

Prolific sightings.

Wild Planet's wildlife eco-tours are designed for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Our "Ultimate Wildlife" eco-adventures are specially designed for maximum wildlife viewing. We take care to seek out wildlife that is rare, off the beaten path, and in greater numbers than you will see on conventional tours. Our expert naturalist guides will educate you in the field so your experience is intimate and unparalleled. Still, wildlife viewing can unpredictable and requires patience and sensory awareness. A partial list of some of the animals you are likely to see is below.

Primates : Howler Monkeys, White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys Other Mammals : Three-Toed Sloth, Two-Toed Sloth, Coatimundi, Bats Reptiles & Insects : Crocodiles, Caiman, Blue Morpho Butterflies, Basilisk (Jesus Christ Lizards), Poison Arrow Frogs Birds : 600 species including Parrots, Trogons, Mot-Mots, Tanagers, Montezuma's Oropendolas, Hawks, Squirrel Cuckoos, Owls, Herons, Kingfishers, 60 species of Hummingbirds and much more.

Likely Sightings

Primates : Squirrel Monkeys Other Mammals : Tamandua (Anteater), Kinkajou, Agouti, Dolphins, Tayra, Peccaries (collared & white-liped) Reptiles, Amphibians & Insects : Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, Walking Sticks, Eyelash Pitviper, Fer-de-lance, Leaf-Cutter Ants Birds : Resplendent Quetzals, Scarlet Macaws, Lovely Cotingas, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Green Honeycreepers, Roseate Spoonbill, Woodstorks, Crested Caracara, Purple Gallinule, Northern Jacanas, Great Curassow

Rare or Endangered Possible Sightings

Other Mammals : Jaguar & other cats, Tapir, Porcupine, Silky Anteater, Grey Fox, Olingo, Paca, Grison Reptiles : Caiman, Fleishman's Glass Frogs (see-through), Leatherback Turtles, Green Turtles, Hercules Beetles Birds : Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Harpy Eagle, Great Green Macaw, King Vulture, White Hawk, Great Potoo, Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher, Royal Flycatcher, and many more

Costa Rica Guides

Josh Cohen Wild Planet's Director

Josh personally hand-crafts all of Wild Planet's itineraries to reflect his own love of wildlife and the transformational power of nature. The Costa Rica Ultimate Wildlife itineraries remain his favorite after guiding them for nearly a decade. A dedicated wildlife enthusiast and conservationist, his keen eyes and love of nature still make him Wild Planet's most requested guide.

Rayner Araya

Rayner Araya Biologist & Naturalist Guide

I grew up in the forest where I spent my time exploring and discovering nature, playing with poison dart frogs, ants, butterflies, beetles and many other jewels, soon I became fascinated about natural history and science. Since very early in life I Knew I wanted to spend my time doing something that involved nature. I think I was very lucky because I happened to be in one of the hotspots for biodiversity and international conservation efforts, this combined with the educated and friendly Costa Rican people make a suitable destination for travelers from all over the world. As a Naturalist Guide I get to share my passion for wildlife and conservation and I get to explore many different ecosystems constantly in my trips. I went to school for Tourism and Biology, I think this makes a great combination to work in the always growing tourism industry. Before working as a Naturalist Guide I worked for OTS, a worldwide known organization dedicated to Tropical Biology Research which is featured in Wild Planet Adventures' Ultimate Wildlife eco-tour. It was here that I met Josh Cohen and began guiding for Wild Planet Adventures.

I love traveling and travelers, I truly believe that by traveling and being exposed to different cultures, languages and life styles we become more tolerant, we learn to accept our differences and that can only make the world a better place!

Koky Porras

Koky Porras Legendary Master Naturalist

Koky's amazing ability to accurately call birds to him has made him the "guide of choice" for scientists researching Monteverde's famous quetzals and bellbirds. Koky has also helped to train many of Monteverde's world-class guides. The cloudforest where Koky has lived his whole life is widely known as the hardest place to guide in all of Costa Rica. Here it requires extremely sharp eyes to spot wildlife because the foliage is more dense than anywhere else in the country. In addition, many species have slight differences in their appearance with as little as 150 meters of elevation change, so it requires an enormous amount of experience to identify birds and wildlife instantaneously. Koky's fascination with the symbiotic relationships in nature is as contagious as his love of laughter.

Costa Rica FAQ

Costa rica facts for visitors.

Climate/Best Time to Go:

Costa Rica boasts 12 climatic zones, surprising travelers with a wide variety of temperature and rainfall conditions year-round. In general, temperatures in the lowlands range from the low 70's to the high 80's, cooler at elevation. The temperature on top of the continental divide can vary from the mid 50's to low 80's in Monteverde to the 30's on Chirripo, with enveloping clouds drifting over the mountains and bringing mist and occasional rain. December through May is the dry season in most places except the Caribbean coast, which is dryer January through March, but has no real dry season. The "green season" begins very slowly in June and tapers off in July for about 3 weeks which native Costa Ricans call "Little Summer". So don't let rain scare you away from the rainforest! Even in the green season there is plenty of sunshine and great weather for your vacation. Best time to go: late December through early August

Government:

A stable democracy for more than 100 years, Costa Rica is a peaceful nation in the midst of a region that has been troubled by turmoil for centuries. Costa Rica also has the highest standard of living of any Central American country, including literacy rates, medical standards and facilities are all quite high. Costa Ricans are extremely proud that they do not have an army.

Costa Rica lies on the southern part of Central America, bordered on the south by Panama and on the North by Nicaragua. It's land mass is referred to as an isthmus, which is bordered by the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and contains the mountains of the continental divide.

Approximately 51,100 square mile--about half the size of the state of Kentucky. Only 120 km wide in some points, Costa Rica would be easy to traverse were it not for the extreme variation in ecosystems and the continental divide. Over 27% of the country's 12 distinct ecological zones are in protected areas.

Population:

The population of Costa Rica is approximately 5 million, mostly of Spanish descent. Costa Rican people call themselves "ticos" (male) or "ticas" (female.) They are extremely friendly, polite, well educated, and enthusiastic about their country. Costa Rica is home to a large international community as well.

Spanish is the official language and is spoken, thankfully, at a speed that is much easier to understand than many other countries. English is widely understood, especially in tourist areas, hotels, lodges and restaurants.

Entry Requirements:

A passport and return ticket is required to enter Costa Rica. No visas are required for citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Japan and many others.

US residents are permitted a $400 per person (or $1,100 per family) duty-free tax exemption upon returning to the US

Departure Tax:

Approximately US $17.50

Local currency is the Colon. One US dollar is worth approximately 375 Colon. US dollars are accepted in many places in Costa Rica. Credit Cards/Travelers Checks: Nearly all hotels, restaurants and shops in the major towns and tourist areas take all major credit cards. Street vendors and smaller establishments in remote areas may accept only cash or travelers checks. Its important to keep travelers checks in a waterproof pouch, as they are considered void if they get wet.

Telecommunications:

All telecommunications services (direct dial phones, fax, telex, cable) are available; but calls from Costa Rica are much higher than an equivalent call to Costa Rica. The country code for Costa Rica is (506) Remote jungle lodges usually have short wave radio communications linked to cellular service.

Costa Rica is in the Central Standard Time zone, and does not utilize daylight saving time. There is very little seasonal variation between dawn and dusk due to the proximity to the equator, dawn is usually 6:00 am and dusk 6:00 pm.

Sales Taxes:

Costa Rica has high taxes, roughly 15% sales tax and there may be 15% service charge in many hotels and restaurants.

Tipping is voluntary; tips of 15% are acceptable; more if the service is exceptionally good. Some hotels and restaurants add a 15 percent service.

While the water is said to be safe in most of Costa Rica, we recommend bottled water in most places. Do not eat fruit you have not pealed yourself, stay away from leafy vegetables like lettuce, and avoid ice cubes. These are common causes of amebic dysentery and giardia, both of which are unpleasant enough to be worth avoiding at all costs.

This Trip's Exclusive Wildlife Features:

• Unparalleled Wildlife Viewing - It's normal for us to see 10-25 sloths and 5-15 troops of monkeys, plus rare wildlife - in one hike on our second day!
• Remote & Less-Traveled Destinations - For the widest variety of wildlife experiences and best chance for up-close encounters, without crowds.
• Interact with Animals, Wildlife Experts & Scientific Researchers - Special Sloth Rescue Program and La Selva Biological Preserve.
• Special Wildlife Activities - Night hikes for nocturnal animals, sea-kayaking with dolphins, snorkeling at night in the bioluminescence and more.
• Special Arrangements for Exclusive Access

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Costa Rica Travel Tips: 10 Easy Answers to Your FAQ's

I s Costa Rica on your travel bucket list? If yes, you may appreciate answers to a few questions as you plan and prepare for your trip.

Knowing the best Costa Rica travel tips prior to setting out on your adventure will help to ease your mind, guide your excursion planning, and streamline your travel packing.

US News ranks Costa Rica #10 on the best countries for adventure.

Costa Rica Travel Tips and Answers to Your FAQ's

As Chris and I planned our adventure to Costa Rica, we scoured the internet (as usual) to discover the best tips and advice on where to stay and what to do.

Because we were attending a work event for part of the time, we looked particularly for things to do in Guanacaste Costa Rica. Our location was narrowed down for us from the start and we began formulating our Costa Rica packing list.

Costa Rica is a large and fairly diverse country with beaches, rain forests, mountains and volcanoes. It is a nature-lover's paradise. Choosing your region will depend on what kind of vacation you wish to enjoy. There are a variety of opportunities to hike, zipline, kayak, surf, etc. Alternately, if your ideal vacation is a relaxing day at the beach, Costa Rica has you covered there as well.

You can also choose to stay on the Caribbean side of the country or the Pacific Ocean side.

As first-time travelers to Costa Rica, here are some FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) we wondered about; general things to know before you go as well as interesting tidbits of information.

Click to check out Beach Gear on Amazon

1. Is Costa Rica Safe?

As with any other destination that you choose to visit, being a conscientious tourist is essential in Costa Rica as well.

• Be Confident
• Create Travel Habits
• Do Your Research - When you fly to a destination, know how much it should cost to take a taxi from the airport to your accommodations. Determine the best place to rent a car, the safest plazas, and the most reputable tour companies.
• Follow Your Intuition - If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it or leave. This is wise advice whether you are on your own or with a group.
• Stick to Public Places - You may have more flexibility with this during the daylight hours, but even then you need to use common sense. When it is dark, you should be extra cautious.
• Leave Your Valuables at Home - Don’t flash expensive jewelry, purses, or clothing. Again, try to blend in.

As the sun sets around 6 pm most every night in Costa Rica, it does get dark early. Chris and I heeded the advice to stay in populated areas along the beach.

* These tips are not a guarantee of safety. Bad things sometimes do happen. Be situationally aware and use common sense. You want your travel to be fun and memorable.

2. When is the Best Time to Go To Costa Rica?

First off, Costa Rica has two tropical season: dry season and green season . Dry season (also known as high season ) is from December to April . During these months, many tourists flock to Costa Rica to enjoy the tropical weather. Green season aka the rainy season is from May to November .

Chris and I visited at the beginning of the rainy season. We did not experience any rain; in fact, the weather was unseasonably hot. Many of the locals that we talked with were anxious for some cooler weather and rain.

We did not experience heavy rain nor mud, but if you travel to Costa Rica during the rainy season months, you will want to be prepared for the weather and driving conditions. It is always a good idea to bring your rain gear with you, even if the skies start out blue in the morning.

As far as the best time to go to Costa Rica, (whenever you can get away!) I would think the shoulder season would be ideal: April to May and November and December.

3. Should I Rent a Car in Costa Rica?

With our experience in choosing things to do in Guanacaste Costa Rica with excursions to Tamarindo, Playa del Coco, Plaga Langosta, Playa Hermosa, Rincon de la Vieja National Park, and the Papagayo Peninsula, I would definitely recommend renting a car.

Rental Cars

You will understand the necessity for a car once you reach Costa Rica and see how far apart some attractions and beaches are. You may find that the typical time from one destination to another is 30 minutes (as the crow flies) , but with roads, speed limits, and traffic, it can take you two hours to reach your destination. And there may not be any reliable public transportation available.

Plus, if you choose to visit an attraction and want to arrive before the tourists do, having a car is the only way to do it.

Rental Car Insurance: You will sign a number of papers and waivers when getting your rental car with options to accept or to decline rental car insurance. YOU ARE REQUIRED BY COSTA RICAN LAW TO ACCEPT THE MINIMUM RENTAL CAR COMPANY'S COLLISION DAMAGE WAIVER AND THIRD-PARTY INSURANCE . This is regardless of the coverage you receive through your own credit card. You may, however, be given the option of different levels of coverage.

Chris and I opted for the minimum coverage . We had our rental car for one week, and the extra insurance added on approximately $150 to the total cost. If you aren't expecting this cost and haven't budgeted for it, you will definitely be surprised.

Type of car: Manual-transmission vehicles are the standard. An automatic may be available, but you will need to request one in advance and they will most likely cost more to rent.

Is a 4x4 rental in Costa Rica a good thing? Yes. Yes. Yes.

Chris and I did not have a 4x4 and found that even getting up the hill to our vacation rental was a challenge in our low end car. Going back for another visit, we would definitely get a 4x4.

We also traveled over some very bumpy and questionable "roads". A 4x4 would have been so much nicer.

How to Get Around Costa Rica Without a Rental Car

Trains and Buses:  Due to the 1991 earthquake in Costa Rica, the country is working on rebuilding its train infrastructure. Buses are your best bet for public transportation. For non-stop service opt for "directo" buses . For cheaper, more adventurous service, opt for "colectivos" with stops everywhere along the route (even if it's not officially a stop).

Taxis:  Taxis can be a budget-friendly means of transportation. Note that the official taxis of Costa Rica are red with a yellow triangle on the car doors. A taxi from the airport is orange and are the only cabs allowed to offer transport from the airport.

Private Car or Shuttle: You can pre-book private car services or shuttles online. If you are picking up a rental car from the airport, you will take a shuttle to the rental car's off-site location which is between 5 to 10 minutes from the airport.

Rideshare:  Uber has been operating in Costa Rica for years. Some say it operates illegally. You'll find though that it is limited to major cities and tourist hotspots. You won't want to rely on it for remote destinations or during peak times.

Drivers who approach you on the street with a car that doesn't have the yellow triangle on the door are most likely locals looking to make money using their personal cars. Enter at your own risk.

4. What are Some Basic Spanish Words and Phrases that Would be Good to Know?

Beyond the bikini, sunscreen, and sunglasses on your Costa Rica packing list, it is a good idea to have a few words and phrases ready to go when you visit.

• Hello - Hola
• Goodbye - Adiós
• Please - Por favor
• Thanks - Gracias
• You're welcome - Con Mucho Gusto
• Good morning - Buenos días
• Good evening - Buenas noches
• How are you? - Cómo estás?
• Pure Life - Pura Vida

You will hear PURA VIDA often as it r epresents Costa Rica's relaxed attitude towards life . It can be used to say "hello", "goodbye", "everything is okay", and to brush off negativity. As a way of life and an attitude, saying it can help you fit in with the locals.

5. Can I Visit Costa Rica on a Budget and Should I Carry Cash?

Depending on your travel style, you can find budget-friendly accommodations and things to do in Guanacaste Costa Rica and throughout the entire country. If you are looking for upscale, you can find that as well.

If you compare Costa Rica to other countries in Central America, it is typically more expensive as it is more developed and has a thriving tourist population.

If you compare Costa Rica to other destinations around the world, such as the United States, Australia or Europe, Costa Rica can be more affordable to visit. The airfare in getting to Costa Rica will require a big chunk of your budget after you pin down the best time to go to Costa Rica.

Budget Friendly Costa Rica Travel Tips :

• Stay in a hostel or find a low cost vacation rental
• Eat and drink as the locals do
• Take the bus
• Some activities such as swimming and surfing are free—even if you have to rent a board for minimal cost
• Find hiking trails and parks that are free
• Take a coffee or chocolate tour. Even better, volunteer on the farm to learn more about the process
• Hike to a waterfall

Many of the places you stay, pre-booked attractions, and some restaurants will accept credit cards. It is a good idea, however, to exchange money for colones to be able to pay for those extras and local eateries that don't take credit cards.

6. Can you Drink the Water in Costa Rica?

Yes. But...if you are concerned, you can always purchase bottled water or add a portable water purifier to your Costa Rica packing list.

In our experience, the water at our vacation rental was fine to drink from the tap, though we preferred the taste of the water once it was filtered.

At Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, we were fine to drink the water from the tap.

7. What is the Flight Time to Costa Rica from...?

Direct flights from a variety of cities in the US to the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) also known as the Guanacaste Airport in Liberia are ( these are just a sampling ):

• Boston - 7 hours
• Denver - 5.5 hours
• Houston - 3.5 hours
• Los Angeles - 5 hours 40 minutes
• Miami - 3 hours

If you are flying to the capital city of San Jose (SJO ), you can additionally find direct flights from these and many other US cities as well as from Canada and some international locations:

• Toronto - 5 hours 10 minutes
• Calgary - 6.5 hours
• Montreal - 5 hours 40 minutes
• Amsterdam - 11 hours
• London - 12.5 hours
• Paris - 11 hours 15 minutes
• Madrid - 11 hours 10 minutes

8. What Should I Add to My Costa Rica Packing List?

One thing you don’t always think about is the need for  bug spray in paradise . It is a must for your tropical vacation packing list and one of the very handy Costa Rica travel tips.

I am a magnet for bites at home while my husband rarely gets bitten. After reading the recommendations from other travelers to bring bug spray, I did a little research and found the  BUGGINS Original Gnat & Mosquito Insect Repellent  with a light vanilla, mint and rose scent. I didn’t mind the smell at all.

Some  tropical locations  have mosquitoes and no-see-ums. Having been bitten by both, I prefer not to give those nasty bugs a chance.

You may also find your Costa Rica packing list requirements are the same as a beach packing list with a few additional items if you plan to hike or if you are visiting in the rainy season.

9. Do you Tip in Costa Rica?

Tipping is not mandatory in Costa Rica. You will find that many establishments already include a 10% tip or service charge. However (there is always a however), if you feel as though your guide, driver, hotel maid service, or excursion host has given you great service, tips are always appreciated.

The standard amount to tip in Costa Rica is 10%; you can give either Costa Rican colones or US dollars.

10. What are the Best Things to do In Guanacaste Costa Rica?

If you have narrowed down your travel destination and are looking for things to do in the Guanacaste Costa Rica region, you will find there are beautiful beaches, plenty of national parks, hikes, and waterfalls. If adventure is your thing, Costa Rica has you covered!

• Chris and I enjoyed a sunset cruise on the New Marlin. We saw a pod of dolphins as we sailed to our bay. The cruise offered an open bar, lunch, snorkeling time, and a great view of the sunset before bringing us back to Playa del Coco.
• Spend time relaxing at the beach . Some awesome beaches include Playa Hermosa, Playa del Coco, Tamarindo Beach, and Playa Langosta.
• Enjoy a guided tour through the rainforest with Sensoria for one day, guided tours to waterfalls and thermal pools in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Tour includes lunch and expert knowledge of the rainforest (maybe even a few snake sightings. Yikes!)
• Ziplining (Canopy Tour) and an animal sanctuary at Diamante Adventure Park
• A private vacation rental with views of the Pacific Ocean.

Costa Rica map of the Guanacaste Region courtesy of Google

More Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current time in costa rica.

Costa Rica does not follow Daylight Saving Time. From March to November, the current time in Costa Rica is the same as Mountain Daylight Time in the United States. For Chris and I, there was no time change at all . Yay for no jet lag! From mid-March to mid-November, the current time in Costa Rica would be the same as Central Time in the United States.

What is the national currency of Costa Rica?

The national currency in Costa Rica is colones.  You may be able to pay for accommodation and tours in USD and with your credit card, but having local currency on hand to pay at local eateries and such may be required.

1 USD = roughly 600 colones

Do you need an adapter in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, the standard voltage is 120 V and the frequency is 60 Hz. If you are coming from the US, Canada and most South American countries, you can use your appliances in Costa Rica. If you are traveling from the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia where the standard voltage is in the range of 220 - 240 V, you will need a voltage converter in Costa Rica. 

What are the 7 countries of Central America?

Central America  usually consists of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

What is a "soda" in Costa Rica?

A soda in Costa Rica is a small eatery, much like a mom and pop restaurant. It typically offers open air seating and traditional Costa Rican food. One of the best Costa Rica travel tips is to eat at a soda; it is an awesome way to immerse yourself in the culture (and save a little money!)

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Have I convinced you that you need to consider a trip to Costa Rica? Chris and I were pleasantly surprised with the landscape, the beaches, and the friendliness of the people.

Whether you are traveling as a couple, with the whole family, with friends, or for work, I think you'll agree that Costa Rica makes the perfect vacation destination. And you might also agree, that now is the best time to go to Costa Rica.

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10 of the best places to visit in Costa Rica

Stunning beaches, lush rainforests and incredible wildlife make this central american nation the perfect getaway for thrill-seekers and sun-seekers alike.

I ’ll never forget the first time I woke up in a Costa Rican cloud forest. Put it this way: I didn’t need an alarm clock — the sunrise symphony of hoots, whistles, barks, toots, trills, buzzes and howls did the job. It was like getting out of bed with a backing track provided by a David Attenborough documentary. I’ve been hooked on Costa Rica ever since.

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The great pleasure of travelling here is the opportunity to encounter the menagerie of macaws, toucans, turtles, sloths, hummingbirds, tree frogs, resplendent quetzals and many other creatures that call this Central American country home. I’ve explored many of the country’s national parks over the past decade: from cruising past caimans and turtles in Tortuguero to watching whales on the Osa Peninsula. It’s made me realise that Costa Rica is truly one of the world’s great wildlife-watching destinations.

But while nature is the main draw, there’s more to explore in Costa Rica if you’re feeling adventurous. With two coastlines — one Caribbean, one Pacific — it’s a great destination for some beach time too. Surfing is hugely popular, and there are lots of laid-back beach towns where you can while away a few days — or weeks. The buzzy capital of San José is worth taking time to explore, as are the coffee plantations of the central valley, and the jungly, volcanic regions around Arenal and Poás. And if you can, make time for a homestay with a local family: it’s the best way to really understand what makes this nation tick. These are the best places to visit in Costa Rica.

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If you only have….

One week Begin in San José, with side trips to Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Volcán Arenal, plus the central coffee area

Two weeks Head to the Caribbean Coast for some beach time, followed by jungle treks and river safaris in Parque Nacional Tortuguero

Three weeks Venture south to the Osa Peninsula to escape the crowds and experience Costa Rica’s most pristine ecosystems

A tight budget Costa Rica’s rattly old public buses travel everywhere and are very cheap — but do note that journey times are long and you’ll get to know your neighbours extremely well

1. Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

At 680 hectares, this may be Costa Rica ’s most diminutive national park, but it’s worth recommending given its proximity to San José, making it handy for wildlife watchers with limited time. Encompassing a varied terrain of beaches, jungle and craggy coastline, it offers a good chance of seeing many of Costa Rica’s signature species — including toucans, sloths and capuchin monkeys. Arrive early to avoid the crowds, or buy your tickets the day before.

Make it happen

Just outside the park, Hotel Vela is a friendly, 21-room hotel with cheery murals of flamingos and waves and a pleasant, palm-shaded pool. Larger rooms have kitchenettes

Destination Services Costa Rica’s great-value eight-day tour follows a classic Costa Rican loop, visiting San José, Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio

2. Volcán Arenal

Dominated by the brooding cone of its eponymous volcano, this verdantly forested national park feels like a set from Jurassic Park. The volcano burst unexpectedly into explosive life in 1968, and carried on spewing out smoke, lava and ash until 2010, when it unexpectedly fell silent again — for now. With nine miles of signed paths winding amongst the old lava flows, it’s perfect for a hike: keep your eyes peeled for sloths, howler monkeys and white-faced capuchins as you trek the trails. It’s three hours northwest from San José.

Chic timber bungalows, geothermally heated hot tubs and majestic views of the Arenal volcano make Amor Arenal an indulgent spoil

Explore’s nine-day trip visits two volcanoes — Arenal and Poas — plus a visit to a local family and trekking in the Monteverde Cloud Forest

3. Parque Nacional Tortuguero

Cruising the waterways of this coastal park feels like a lost-world adventure. Tangled jungle cloaks the river banks right down to the water’s edge, and at dawn or dusk, guided boat safaris go in search of wildlife, from caimans to macaws and night herons. The most memorable experience here is the spectacle of sea turtles laying their eggs on Tortuguero’s inky-black beaches, and you can do your bit to counter egg-poachers by joining a torch-lit night patrol. Tortuguero is on the northeast coast, about 75 miles from San José.

Tortuga (Tortoise) Lodge is a hacienda-style hotel with views of the river from the balcony, and its own private nature reserve to explore

Indus Travel’s ten-day loop heads up to Tortuguero after a couple of days in San José, then circles back via volcanoes, cloud forest and tropical beaches

4. Osa Peninsula

Well off the beaten track, this southern peninsula is the place for a properly wild experience. Much of Osa remains pristine, from steamy jungle to the mountain peak of Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest summit — a once-in-a-lifetime hike. It’s also adventure central: dive with sea turtles and manta rays in Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño, watch whales in Bahia Drake (Drake Bay) or head out on multi-day wildlife-watching expedition in Osa’s fabulous, wildlife-rich Parque Nacional Corcovado, one of the country’s last remaining lowland rainforests and a refuge for the critically endangered Baird’s tapir.

Costa Rica’s original eco-lodge, Lapa Ríos, sits on the tip of the Osa peninsula, with luxurious stilt bungalows rising out of primary rainforest

Exodus’ 15-day epic hits ventures to the edge of the Oia Peninsula for hiking in Piedras Blancas National Park and the Savegre Cloud Forest

5. Golfo Dulce

Snaking between the Osa Peninsula and the mainland, the remote Golfo Dulce gulf is one of Costa Rica’s premier locations for whale watching. Several types of cetaceans can often be spotted here, including bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, orcas, false killer whales, and humpbacks. These creatures migrate here in the summer to calf, attracted by the warm waters and plentiful food supply. July to September is peak whale-watching time.

Cielo (Sky) Lodge lives up to its name. Its bungalows perch above the forest and are linked by rope bridges, offering fabulous views out to the coast

Adventure travel specialist Yellowwood Adventures has a ten-day trip with stops at Drake Bay and Marino Ballena National Park, plus side-trips to Corcovado and Cano Island

• Best hotels in Costa Rica • Best things to do in Central America

6. The Caribbean Coast

Balmy, laid-back and dotted with surf towns, Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is the place to go to spend a few lazy days on the sand. There are scores of beaches to discover here — some busy and well-known, others secret and secluded — but all ideal for topping up your tan or catching a wave. The surf haven towns of Cahuita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Manzanillo make fun bases.

Outside Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Banana Azul offers cabins, villas and sumptuous suites (as well as a fab treetop hideaway) and a lovely tropical garden — and it’s steps from Playa Negra

Surf’s up: Bamba Travel’s 14-day tour includes stops on both the Caribbean and the Pacific Coast for surf lessons and beach yoga.

7. The Orosi Valley

Costa Rica’s rich soil and tropical climate are ideal for coffee growing. This central valley southeast of San José is home to some of Costa Rica’s top coffee plantations, including Finca Cristina, an all-organic farm that’s been in business since 1977. The farm produces around 15 tons of coffee every year: you can take a two-hour tour, learn about the cultivation and roasting process, and of course taste the goods. It makes a good day-trip from San José.

Rio Perlas is a hillside resort in the Orosi Valley near Cartago. It has a good choice of suites and cabins, and geothermally heated pools to relax in

Visit the Orosi Valley, Irazu volcano and San José City on Destiny Travel Costa Rica’s good-value five-day tour

8. Nicoya Peninsula

Four hours due west of San José, Nicoya is Costa Rica in a nutshell. There are beaches galore — from famous Playa Grande to little-known Playas San Miguel & Coyote. There are also boho surf towns like Montezuma, Santa Teresa and Nosara. And there’s adventure aplenty, whether it’s snorkelling with leatherback turtles in Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste, spelunking in the limestone caves of Parque Nacional Barra Honda or spotting monkeys amongst the mangroves of Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú.

Casa Chameleon offers glamorous villas with private plunge pools overlooking Nicoya’s idyllic Guanacaste coast

Nicoya’s beaches, forests and coastline are the focus of G Adventures’ 11-day Epic Costa Rica tour, plus stops in La Fortuna and Monteverde en route

9. Rio Pacuare

Pick up a paddle and prepare for an adrenaline rush as rafting the Pacuare River is a heart-in-the-mouth, seat-of-the-pants experience. Ranked among the world’s great white-water destinations, the Pacuare plunges through narrow, jungle-cloaked canyons, offering terrifying swells and surges that will leave you soaked to the skin but smiling ear to ear. Expeditions head out from Turrialba to different sections of the river depending on the season. June to October is the best time of year, although the river is highest (and therefore at its wildest) from October to December.

Adrenaline ahoy: G Adventures’ 13-day trip takes in rafting on the Pacuare, trekking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking and zip-lining

The wildlife lodge of Rancho Naturalista is famous for birdwatching: you can watch hummingbirds buzzing past while you breakfast on the balcony

adventurehotelsofcostarica.com/hotel/rancho-naturalista

10. Cloud forests

Costa Rica’s “cloud forests” are unique, precious habitats. Mountainous and drenched in mist (hence the name and the greenness), they harbour an astonishing array of biodiversity, from towering ferns to colourful bromeliads, buzzing hummingbirds to noisy toucans. The most famous cloud forest reserve is Monteverde, where Quaker settlers arrived in the 1950s, and were enlightened enough to protect the area from exploitation. It now forms part of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. At an altitude of 1,500m (4921ft), it contains an amazing 50 per cent of Costa Rica’s total biodiversity — including 3,200 species of plant, 425 birds, 120 mammals and 101 reptiles. Guided walks explore the forest, with the highlight a creepy-crawly-filled night walk. Three hours west of San José, it makes a good combo with the Arenal volcano.

Intrepid Travel has a ten-day, family-orientated trip that features cooking lessons with a local farming family, guided wildlife walks in Monteverde, volcano hikes in Arenal and even more wildlife in Manuel Antonio

The reserve’s own La Casona Lodge is a simple, hostel-style affair, but you’re free to explore the forest, and proceeds support conservation work

cloudforestmonteverde.com/lodging

• Best Costa Rica tours for a spectacular getaway • Best hotels in Guatemala

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Costa Rica - build your own excursion

The Costa Rica excursion are exclusively for our guests who stay in our condos  in beautiful Grecia (located in Costa Rica's Central Valley, about 45 minutes from the airport at San Jose), nestled in the mountains with a view of Poas Volcano . Enjoy relaxing in this fine location with breath-taking views of the central valley below and WI-FI internet access.

You get to determine everything about your stay! The possibilities are endless! Ideas for optional excursions are listed below.

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THREE fully furnished luxury condos. Large penthouse and two smaller walk out level units.

Enjoy comfort and relaxation with a 2 or 3 bedroom condo (the penthouse has 3 bedrooms, other condos have 2). Each condo also has two full bathrooms, sofa, full kitchen with refrigerator, oven, microwave, four stove electric cooktop, utensils, dining table with chairs. These condos offer stunning panoramic views of the Central Valley, mountains, and San Jose 40 miles away. Each unit has a private balcony too! Parking is available on site and the property is gated .

Optional excursion ideas

Zarcero church and topiaries

Grecia and Surrounding Areas

This excursion takes you to several areas in and around Grecia for an overview of the area. You will visit the city of Grecia itself, as well as Sarchi, Zarcero, and Naranjo (though not necessarily in this order).

Zarcero is known for it's unusually sculpted topiaries. There is also a lovely church at the town's square. You can also buy some of the most delicious cheese here, called Queso Palmito; the Queso Palmito you find in grocery stores throughout Costa Rica will not taste the same as the original variety in Zarcero.

Sarchi is famous for it's painted oxcarts. Sarchi is a quaint little artists' town where one can find a variety of unique souvenirs for low prices. You can visit several shops and perhaps even an artist's studio (with better prices than the shops).

On this journey, you will also be able to explore the town square of Grecia, including the unique metal church shipped here by mistake in the 1950's from Belgium (or so the rumor goes)! If you happen to be in town on a Friday or Saturday, be sure to stop by the weekend feria , or farmer's market. You can buy a myriad of different fruits and vegetables directly from the farms at amazing prices. This is an unforgettable experience!

Naranjo has a charming town square. If you are a coffee lover, be sure to request a stop at the main shop in town to pick up some delicious Naranjo coffee at rock bottom prices.  Coffee plantation tours are also available in the area if you are interested.

Oxcart in Sarchi

Irazu Volcano and a crater lake

Irazu Volcano & Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles

Irazu is one of the highest altitude volcanoes in Costa Rica at 11,260 feet (3,432 meters), and it is a beautiful 2 hour drive to get there. Cross through San Jose and other areas of the central valley before slowly and steadily climbing in altitude to get there. More often than not at Irazu, you will have lovely views of the crater lakes if you take a moderately easy walk. Feel like you're in another world!

On the way back toward the Central Valley, take in the spectacular mountain views along the way down. You will likely want to stop in a couple of places to really enjoy the views.

After touring this lovely volcanic area, make a stop in the city of Cartago for lunch and to see the amazing  Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles church.

This lovely church dates from the 1630's and holds an important religious relic: La Negrita (the Black Virgin), which is a small black statue of the Virgin Mary. This relic was found by a young girl in the location where the church now stands. As the story goes, the girl tried to bring the statue home, but each time, it disappeared and went back to this location. She told her local priest about the statue and occurrences. It was decided to build this church to house this statue. Since the church was erected, many people from Costa Rica and beyond make a yearly pilgrimage to this church every August 2nd, the anniversary of the discovery of this miraculous statue.

Famous church of Cartago

Suspension bridge

La Fortuna, Hot Springs, Suspension Bridges

On this excursion, you will drive several hours to the city of La Fortuna, where you will get your first amazing glimpse of Arenal Volcano. Take break to enjoy the town square and explore the church in this quaint town.   Drive for about 20 minutes and see Arenal from multiple vantage points as you slowly get closer to this massive volcano. As you approach the park with suspension bridges, you will also see Lake Arenal, which was created when a dam was built on the river flowing through this area. On the suspension bridge tour, you will cross 16 bridges, some of which are short and not very high, and others which are true suspension bridges, leave you towering many stories above the forest canopy; all bridges are constructed with galvanized steel and aluminum. Though they sway, they are very safe, secure, and offer stunning views. This tour generally takes 2-3 hours; be sure to go slowly enough to enjoy all the scenery, and you will have a very good chance of glimpsing interesting animal species as well. Most of the walk is easy though there are a few brief hill climbs that can be a bit more tiring.   After the nice hike, you will have time to relax at one of the nearby hot springs, which are heated naturally by Arenal Volcano. The hot springs that you will visit are actually shaped a lot like traditional swimming pools, with each one heated to a different temperature. There is a perfect pool for everyone (including a couple that are not heated by the volcano and are cool like typical swimming pools). Most hot springs have a terrific view of the volcano. After relaxing for some time, you will depart for Grecia, and make it back in time for dinner.

Volcanically heated hot springs

Crocodiles in the Tarcoles River

Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio National Park, 1+ days

Visit Manuel Antonio National Park! Along the way, you will see gorgeous coastline and will have several opportunities to stop and take photographs. If the crocodiles are particularly playful, you will have an opportunity to see them en route as you drive over the Tarcoles River.

Once at Manuel Antonio, you will be able to spend a few hours at the beautiful beaches there, and optionally hike through the park on one of the designated trails, or take a fully guided tour. You can spend several hours here, enjoying the beaches and trails at your own pace.

On the way back to Grecia, stop at the beach in Jaco (with any luck, you will catch a gorgeous sunset) and enjoy dinner at one of many   soda  restaurants (where "soda" means a restaurant that serves typical Costa Rican food). There are also a few US chain restaurants along the main route, plus some excellent places to enjoy ice cream! Because there is so much to see and do on this day tour, it is often recommended to break this tour into 2 or more days so that you can see more at a slower pace.

Beach at Manuel Antonio National Park

Sloth Sanctuary and Puerto Viejo, 2+ day tour

The journey today will take you to the Caribbean coastal port town of Limon. The Sloth Sanctuary is located about 30 minutes beyond Limon, almost on the coast. The goal of the sanctuary is to rehabilitate injured and orphaned sloths, and return as many as possible to the wild. Those that cannot return to the wild have a permanent home at the sanctuary. Included in the admission price, you will enjoy a canoe ride along the river and have the opportunity to see amazing wildlife, and will also have the opportunity to photograph and pet some of the adult and baby sloths currently in residence.

After enjoying the sanctuary, you can explore the beach at Puerto Viejo, and this is where we recommend spending the night as there are many hotels, restaurants, and a nice shopping district. Here, you will enjoy the sounds of the Caribbean, as this is one of the places that has been settled by people from nearby Caribbean islands.

On the following day, before heading back to Grecia, you have the opportunity to take an optional excursion in the area, including snorkel dives, a partial day trip to Panama, and more, depending on conditions. 

One of the beaches at Puerto Viejo

Tempermental Poas Volcano

Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, more

Start the day with a drive to lovely Poas Volcano. While Poas itself is only about 7 miles "as the bird flies" from your accommodations, it takes approximately 45 minutes to drive there by car. You will see gorgeous mountain scenery on the way up to the crater. At the crater, you will be able to see the central lake which has other- worldly blue water. Afer marveling at this view, be sure to hike another 10 minutes up the path to the second crater lake (called Botos), which is at a slightly higher altitude. Even on days when the main Poas crater is foggy, the Botos crater lake is usually clear.   Once finished, you will drive to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. The gardens have lush landscaping and also are home to many of the species that are native to Costa Rica. Most of the animals that live here would not be able to thrive successfully in the wild. Many of them are also relatively elusive in the wild. They also have an educational butterfly house where you can see the full lifecycle of several species of butterflies that are found throughout Costa Rica. Don't be surprised if one lands on you! After enjoying the animals and landscaping, hike to three of the lovely waterfalls that are on premise. There is minor stair climbing involved but the overall walk is not too difficult for the average traveler.   ** Depending on your adventure level, you may or may not want to include a third stop. If you do, the final stop of the day will take you to Catarata del Toro, a beautiful waterfall in a secluded setting. The hike to and from the waterfall requires climbing down, then up, over 350 stairs. The climb is worthwhile so long as you enjoy climbing. It is on private property and you'll also see a lot of hummingbirds on site.

Waterfall at La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Home » Destinations » 4 BEST Hanging Bridges in Monteverde + How to Visit Them!

4 BEST Hanging Bridges in Monteverde + How to Visit Them!

By Author Costa Rica Travel Life

Posted on Last updated: March 17, 2024

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The Monteverde region has some of the best things to do in Costa Rica and top among them is experiencing the incredible hanging bridges. Getting the chance to be completely surrounded by the rainforest here is awe-inspiring.

Most of the wildlife that draws you to Costa Rica hangs out in the treetops and can easily be missed when doing regular hikes. Exploring the jungle canopy among some of the most beautiful nature reserves in the country allows for a unique opportunity to closely observe birds, sloths, monkeys, and other tropical animals.

If you are planning the perfect trip to Costa Rica , you may be wondering what the best hanging bridges in Monteverde are. There are 4 hanging bridge experiences to choose from in Monteverde. Each has its own unique take on this jungle experience.

We’ll dive into what each hanging bridge experience offers so you can better plan your trip. 

If you are afraid of heights, the bridges can be a bit scary but are well worth the experience. All these tour companies are reputable businesses that prioritize customer safety. You can feel safe and comfortable when walking the hanging bridges in Monteverde.

So let’s get right to it!

What hanging bridges are there in Monteverde?

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There are four hanging bridge companies/experiences in Monteverde:

Selvatura Adventure Park is famous for the immense scenery seen from its hanging bridges. Its location is the highest in the area and features the best views. There are 1.9 miles (3 km) of trails with 8 hanging bridges spanning over the untouched cloud forests. This may not be the best experience for young children, or those with disabilities, as the trail can get steep and the altitude can affect you during the hike.

Sky Adventures has 6 hanging bridges featured in a two-loop circuit. Here you will find the longest hanging bridge in Costa Rica at 774 feet (236 meters). The bridges have been designed to fit into nature while disturbing it as little as possible. There is also a restaurant where you can take a break from the sights to enjoy a nice hot meal.

If you want to combine adrenaline-inducing adventure with a tour through the jungle, 100% Aventura Adventure Park is a great choice. If you’re looking to see wildlife more than scenery this is the place to be, especially if you take a night tour. The forest here has been reforested in some areas and serves as a ‘highway’ for wildlife to walk among the area. There are 8 hanging bridges along a 1.9 mile (3 km) hiking trail.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve features only a single hanging bridge, but many hiking trails throughout the park. Even though this is the smallest adventure park in the area, it’s the most famous due to being featured in a CNN article naming it one of the most beautiful places on Earth. 

Where are the hanging bridges in Monteverde?

The most common starting point to have easy access to the Monteverde hanging bridges is from the town of Santa Elena . While this town is often referred to as Monteverde, that’s just the name of the overall region.

Selvatura Park is located northeast of Santa Elena , about an 18-minute drive from town.

A slightly shorter drive, Sky Adventures Monteverde Park is located only 12 minutes from Santa Elena . It’s also on the way to Selvatura Park, so you could easily visit both on the same day. If you do feel like walking, plan for about an hour from town.

Located along Highway 619 you will find 100% Aventura. Driving will take around 15 minutes from Santa Elena. Walking here is possible and takes about an hour.

In the opposite direction of the other hanging bridges, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is located south of Santa Elena . The drive is about 15 minutes to this natural wonderland. 

Related Read : After checking out the hanging bridges, make sure to stop in for a meal at one of the top restaurants in Monteverde !

What does it cost to visit Monteverde hanging bridges?

All of the hanging bridges in Monteverde are paid experiences. Each park has a different cost associated with the activities. Some entrance fees will only get you into the park while others include guided tours of the area. 

Selvatura Park costs $43 USD for adults, $39 USD for those under 18, and $30 USD for children aged 4-12 with kids under 4 being free.

Entrance fees do not include a guide and will allow you free exploration of the 1.9-mile (3 km) trails. Touring the park takes about an hour and a half. If you’d prefer to hire a guide to tour you through the park, you can take a guided tour for $61 USD for adults and $43 USD for kids. 

Adults can enjoy a self-guided tour through Sky Walk Monteverde for $38.42 USD. Children aged 5-12 cost $27.12 USD. Students with ID get a discounted rate.

Entrance fees do not include a guide but if you want an English or Spanish speaking one they cost $49 USD for adults and $34 USD for kids (5-12 years old). Guides are great because they can point out all of the wildlife and tell you about the area while you walk over the bridges.

Entrance fees to 100% Adventura Adventure Park are $45 USD for those aged 12 and over. Kids between 4-12 have a discounted rate of $30 USD. If you are a Costa Rican resident, this price drops to $25 USD.

The price of admission includes a naturalist guide to tour you through the park. 

The entrance fee to walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is $25 USD for adults and $12 USD for children. Parking is an additional $5 USD. This entrance fee allows access to the one suspension bridge in the park, as well as all the surrounding trails in the area. You can purchase your tickets online ahead of time, or at the ticket offices on-site. Entrance fees do not include a guide.

Related Read : Exploring Costa Rica on a budget? Check out all the free and cheap things to do in Jaco !

Do you need a guide to visit the Monteverde hanging bridges? 

100% Adventura is the only hanging bridge where tour ticket includes a tour guide who will take you through the park. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve do not include a guide and allow you to tour the park at your own pace. Sky Adventures and Selvatura Park do not include a guide but there is the option to add one on to your admission tickets.

We really recommend booking a guide, even if it isn’t required – especially if it’s your first visit. We found the guides to be SO knowledgeable about the areas we were exploring.

They know where the animals hide and our guides helped point out so many animals we would have easily missed. We had guides shine flashlights in holes to point out spiders, teach us about the different tropical birds of Costa Rica , or point out a family of monkeys swinging in the trees.

The best part was our guide showing us a camouflaged sloth sleeping in the trees. The sloth was so green with algae that we would have easily missed it if we were on our own!

You can tour the hanging bridges in Selvatura Park without a guide. Some of the areas get really steep, so if you need to stop to take breaks, you may be more comfortable going at your own pace. There are benches throughout the park to rest at. 

If you’d like to book a guided tour through the park, this Adventure Canopy Tour is a great option. The tour costs $133 USD and includes a guide through the hanging bridges and the chance to zipline down the 12-zipline course. It also includes my favorite activity in the park: the Tarzan Swing!  

If you are looking for more adventure, this full-experience Selvatura Adventure Park combo tour will give you a taste of everything the park offers. For $165.39 USD you will start with a guided tour through the hanging bridges, zipline through the treetops, and visit the hummingbird and butterfly garden. It includes a tasty lunch at the restaurant that serves up delicious traditional Costa Rican cuisine . 

The Sky Walk Monteverde can be a self-guided or guided tour experience. Entrance fees include do not include a guide so you can go self-guided or add on a guide to your reservation who will take you through the park. Tours depart at 8 am, 9 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. Tours are about 2 hours long and are led by a knowledgeable guide who will point out wildlife and plants along the route.

There are specific tours, like this guided tour of the Sky Walk , that include transportation, which is really handy. The 2.5-hour tour is $76 USD and along with a guide to show you the sights, you’ll also have a ride from wherever you’re staying in Santa Elena. 

Combo tours are also available if you want to experience even more in the park. We loved this Sky Walk, tram, and zipline combo tour that includes transportation. For $148 USD, the tour includes the hanging bridges and a gondola ride through the park. The gondola will take you to the peak and then you will zipline through the jungle. 

The $45 USD price of admission to Aventura includes a guide to take you through the park. The guided tour through the park will take you about 2 hours to complete. Aventura is about adventure as much as natural beauty, and a lot of what they offer is in their ziplining and rope courses.

If you’re wanting adventure, this $56.50 USD Aventura combo tour is a great option! It includes transportation from Santa Elena and is packed with adventure activities. You will be playing in the treetops doing the Tarzan swing, rope courses, ziplining, and an ATV ride. 

You do not require a guide to walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This reserve includes one hanging bridge and a series of hiking trails in the area. However, if you really want to take advantage of all there is to see here, we recommend taking a tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest .

If you’d like a guided tour through the Cloud Forest , for $35 USD you’ll have a local guide explain the area and point out wildlife. You’ll also get a special spotting scope to look for birds like the stunning resplendent quetzal, plus you’ll get to see the beautiful hummingbird gardens. This tour doesn’t include transportation or the entrance fee to the park. 

If going out after dark sounds like a fun adventure, this night walk guided tour offers the chance to see a LOT of wildlife. About 80 percent of the animals in the forest here are nocturnal, so you’ll have a better chance of seeing everything from tarantulas – eek! – to armadillos and two-toed sloths. The tour is only $42 USD and includes transportation from your hotel, plus, it’s also one of the best night tours in Monteverde !

Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:

• Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
• Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
• Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
• Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
• Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.

Check out the Viator website here ! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here .

What to Expect From the Monteverde Hanging Bridges Experiences

If you’re looking for some of the best things to do in Monteverde , you’ve come to the right place! We love that there are 4 different parks with hanging bridges all located within a short distance of the town and each other. You’ll be able to choose the park that excites you the most or visit them all!  

Selvatura Park has 8 hanging bridges scattered over 1.9 miles (3 km) of hiking trails. You’ll be walking through a green, mossy dirt path. The Selvatura hanging bridges range from 187 feet (57 meters) to 515 feet (157 meters) long and are between 55 to 111 feet (17 to 34 meters) tall. 

You should plan to spend around 2 hours here to fully experience these hanging bridges. Keep your eyes peeled as you have a chance to see howler monkeys. As you’re walking over the hanging bridges you’ll be able to see the endless green jungle and crystal clear streams running under your feet.

If you’re an animal lover, this park is definitely for you! They have special butterfly, hummingbird, reptile, and amphibian exhibits that will allow you to get up close experiences. There is also a sloth sanctuary with rescued sloths you can tour through. If you are more of a thrill seeker, the park has some of the best ziplines in Monteverde as well. 

Sky Walk by Sky Adventures is one of the best hanging bridges in the area. There are a total of 6 bridges that are between 49 to 164 feet (15 to 50 meters) off the ground and 157 to 774 feet (47 to 236 meters) long. You’ll be walking along bridges that are secure but have walkways that you can see through – revealing just how high you actually are above the ground. 

Tours are offered at 8 am, 9 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. Be sure to get here early as check-in is 15 minutes before your tour’s start time.

There are two different hiking loops you can choose from. The shorter of the two loops is perfect for those with mobility limitations. This loop takes you past bridges 3 to 6 only and takes about an hour and a half to do. 

If you have the physical ability, I highly recommend doing the full 1.5-mile (2.4-km) loop. It will take you about 2 hours to do the large loop and is much less crowded than the shorter loop. This means you have a better chance of spotting wildlife.

Sky Adventures also offers tours that include ziplining, a gondola ride on the Sky Tram, Arboreal tree climbing, and a Herpetarium (amphibian and reptile sanctuary).

Below are the details of each bridge at Sky Adventures:

100% Aventura is a great option for those looking to combine adrenaline activities with their hanging bridge experience. If you want a day of adventure, 100% Aventura is just that and an ideal choice for families with teenagers. This is also one of the best parks for seeing animals on the hanging bridges. 

Entry to the park includes a guided tour with an expert guide that can point out animals you may miss on your own. Walking the 1.9 mile (3 km) hiking trail takes about 2 hours and you’ll pass over 8 hanging bridges. Some bridges will have trees so close you can nearly reach out and touch them. You’ll feel fully immersed in this jungle, making animal and bird watching so fun!

The forest surrounding Aventura is a reforested area meaning the trees are much younger than others in the area. This new life attracts a lot of animals and acts as a ‘highway’ for wildlife. While the forest views may not be as dramatic, the wildlife is sure to please. 

In addition to the hanging bridges, Aventura offers a Zipline Canopy Tour – one of the top-rated zipline tours in all of Costa Rica ! You need to be over 10 years old for this one. Taking about 3 hours, it includes 9 ziplines, 2 superman ziplines, a hammock bridge, a rappel, and the Tarzan swing. The tour costs $56.50 USD. 

Cloud forests are some of the rarest in the world, only making up 1% of global woodland areas. This is because they can only form in certain areas where there are perfect conditions. Costa Rica just so happens to be in this goldilocks zone and has some of the most beautiful in the world.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve looks like a scene out of the Lord of the Rings movies. It feels as if you’re walking through a cloud while you’re hiking over the hanging bridge!

Because of the weather conditions needed for this forest, you should come prepared to get rained on. Having a waterproof backpack and poncho is essential!  

Looking down from this hanging bridge in Monteverde you’ll be able to see more than 2,500 species of plants, around 100 types of mammals, 400 bird species, and 120 kinds of reptiles and amphibians. Just keep in mind that all of these animals have perfected their camouflage and can be hard to spot without a tour guide.

One thing to note is that there is only one hanging bridge in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This experience is more about hiking and taking in the beauty of the cloud forest as opposed to walking across multiple hanging bridges (like the others are.)

What hours are the hanging bridges open? 

The Monteverde hanging bridges all have an early start opening between 7 to 8 am. We recommend going early to beat the heat and the crowds, and see the most animals. Some hanging bridges have night walk options as well. These were my favorite! The wildlife in the area comes alive at night time. 

Selvatura Park is open between 7 am to 4 pm daily with new entries only allowed in the park until 2:30 pm. If you book a guided tour, the tour times are 7:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm daily. 

The Sky Adventures Sky Walk in Monteverde is a guided experience. The park is open between 8 am and 5 pm daily. Tour times are 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. Tours are between 1.5-2 hours long. 

100% Aventura is open between 7 am and 4 pm with tours taking about 2 hours. Tours to explore the 8 bridges leave at 8 am, 11 am, and 2 pm. 

The Cloud Forest Reserve is open between 7 am to 4 pm. You are able to freely wander through the park during these times without the help of a guide. If you are wanting a unique experience, we recommend booking a night walk tour for $42 USD. This tour starts after hours at 6 pm and will allow you the best chance to see wildlife. 

The hanging bridges in Monteverde are a great outdoor activity for the whole family. The animals in the park and the natural ecosystem around you make for a great activity for kids. The bridges are all safe and should be treated as an outdoor nature walking experience. Having some physical fitness is ideal as it’s a lot of walking!

One of the best parks for families to visit is Sky Adventure’s Sky Walk hanging bridges. This park has two different loops to choose from depending on the distance you want to travel. The smaller loop still takes you across 4 hanging bridges and is more easily tolerated by kids. Taking just over an hour, the short loop will give you a great experience exploring the forest canopy.

Selvatura Park is a great option for families with older children. While the trails through the hanging bridges require a good amount of physical ability, the park offers a ton of activities your family will love. The butterfly garden and reptile and amphibian exhibit are great for families with young kids. This park also offers guided tours through its sloth sanctuary, a safe haven for rescued sloths. 

Related Read : If you’re traveling to Costa Rica as a family, make sure to check out our top safety tips before you go.

What other activities are available at the hanging bridges? 

We really enjoyed the Selvatura Park Extreme Adventure Canopy Tour . You’ll be able to skip the lineup on this guided tour that includes 3 hours of flying through the air on the 12 zip lines.

The Selvatura Park Gold Package is a 2.5-hour adventure that will have you flying down ziplines from the 18 platforms amongst the canopy of the forest. It costs $133 USD and you’ll also get a different perspective on the forest as you walk over all the hanging bridges. We like that they’ll even pick you up from some hotels in Santa Elena.

If you’re looking to keep your feet on the ground but still want to experience the wildlife in Monteverde, we recommend the Herpetarium Tour . In this 1 hour guided tour you can see up to 40 species of snakes, lizards, turtles , toads, and poisonous frogs. The best part is that it only costs $21 USD.

Another fun activity at Selvatura Park is the Butterfly Garden Tour . For around $22 USD children and adults alike will love learning about the lifecycle of butterflies and even be able to watch caterpillars turn into butterflies. 

For more adventure and thrill seekers, the Selvatura Park Canopy Tour will get you excited. This 2.5-hour guided tour costs $88 USD and will have you playing on one of the biggest zipline courses in Costa Rica. Be sure to stop and enjoy the scenery between the zip lines and platforms which end with the Tarzan Swing.

One of the best ways to experience the cloud forest is soaring through it on a zipline. This 3-hour Monteverde Cloud Forest Zipline Tour will have you zooming across the forest to combine adventure and sightseeing in one for $88 USD!

If you’re looking to experience more than the hanging bridges and want to enjoy a nice lunch, this Selvatura Park Eco Adventure Tour is a great option. For $108 USD, you’ll get to walk the hanging bridges along with touring the butterfly and hummingbird gardens. This is a busy tour, so it’s great that they have a tasty authentic Costa Rican lunch included.

One of the more action-packed tours is this Full Monteverde Cloud Forest Experience . It will get you walking over the hanging bridges, flying through the zip line course, and watching the butterflies and hummingbirds. All of this, and lunch, are included for $165 USD.

One of our favorite hanging bridges in Monteverde is the Sky Walk at Sky Adventures. You can do the top three things at the park with this Sky Adventure tour . It includes hanging bridges, ziplines, and a gondola ride on the Sky Tram.

The Sky Tram offers some of the best views! Depending on the weather, you’ll be able to see the Miravelles and Orosi volcanoes and all the way to the Guanacaste plain. The tour is $148 USD and includes transportation.

The 100% Adventure Park Combo tour costs $56.50 USD and is jam-packed full of activities! It includes entry to the hanging bridges as well as access to the 10 zip lines, the Superman ride, the Mega Tarzan Swing, and a ride on an ATV. All that and hotel transportation for only $56.50 USD.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers a variety of different tours. Our favorite tour is the $42 USD Night Walk which starts at 6 pm and includes a flashlight and transportation from your hotel.

For a bite to eat, stop at Raices Restaurant for some authentic Costa Rican food. There is also a souvenir shop to pop into that features work from local Costa Rican artisans that you can purchase.

If you fall in love with the area, there are plenty of places to stay nearby (keep reading for our top picks!) so you can visit the reserve more than once.

When you’re planning what time of year to visit Costa Rica , you’ll have to plan for the rainy season. Between May and November, there’s a good amount of rainfall, especially in the forested areas where the hanging bridges are.

The hanging bridges are built for these conditions, though, and are still safe to explore, even in the rain. 

During the rainy season, you will often have dry mornings with rainy afternoons. I actually loved visiting the forest in the rain – it made the forest feel so alive and in its element. As soon as I accepted that I was going to get wet, I fully embraced it and didn’t even notice. 

If you visit during the rainy season, be sure to pack accordingly. You will need to have a waterproof backpack and good hiking shoes that have grip as the trails get muddy! While a rain jacket is important, having a poncho is really the best option for a top layer. Bringing along a dry change of clothes to leave in the car is also really helpful. 

Be sure to bring insect repellent too. The rainy season means a lot of mosquitos! 

Related Read: Another great rainy day activity is to take the Don Juan Coffee Tour in Monteverde . All the paths on the coffee farm are paved, so you won’t get muddy!

Yes! The Monteverde hanging bridges are home to a healthy and diverse ecosystem. You can expect to see many different kinds of wildlife while you walk along them. Even though nothing is guaranteed, there is a high chance you’ll see animals and birds throughout the park.

Wildlife you should keep your eyes open for range from monkeys, lizards, snakes, and even porcupines and deer. In fact, this is one of the last areas where you can see jaguars, ocelots, oncillas, pumas, margays, and jaguars in the same place.

All of the parks allow you to book your hanging bridge experience in advance. We booked our trips in advance online, and I am glad we did!

While you can buy your tickets at the entrance gate at Selvatura Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, buying beforehand is preferred. 

Sky Adventures does accommodate last-minute entrances at the door if space allows but it is a risk. If you want to ensure a spot, we recommend booking in advance. 100% Aventura should be booked in advance as well.

There are so many combo tours available, these are easily among the best tours in Costa Rica to choose from! Our favorites are:

100% Aventura Park Combo tour includes 3 hours of fun for $56.50 USD. You’ll zipline, rappel, ride an ATV, cross the hanging bridges and ride the Mega Tarzan Swing and the Superman zipline.

The Hanging Bridges Sky Tram, Sky Trek Combo tour at Sky Adventures is one of our favorites. The gondola ride on the Sky Tram was one of the highlights of our visit! You will then fly down the Sky Trek zipline course and have a guided tour through the hanging bridges. This tour costs $148 USD and includes transportation.

At Selvatura Park, the Full Monteverde Cloud Forest Experience is a great combo tour. For $165 USD you will get access to the hanging bridges and zipline course. It also included my favorite activity: eating! The lunch included was delicious and made it so I wasn’t hangry while walking through the park. 

While exploring the bridges suspended over the jungle is definitely a must-do, don’t forget to see the rest of this area. There are so many fun activities in Monteverde , that you could spend your entire vacation here! These are just a few of our favorites:

• Night walk – There are some animals you can only see at night! Guided Night Walks in Monteverde are a great way to (safely!) explore the jungle after dark. This night tour is a small group of up to 8 and you’ll have a naturalist guide to help you spot all the nocturnal creatures. It’s also super affordable at only $33 USD including round-trip transport.
• Go bungee jumping  – Bungee jumping is one of the fun Monteverde attractions you have to try … if you’re brave enough!  The Extreme Bungee Jumping in Monteverde Tour  has a daring jump from over 460 feet (140 meters). That’s the highest in Costa Rica and all of Central America! 
• Drink amazing coffee – There are some fantastic coffee tours in Monteverde if you fancy seeing where all this delicious Costa Rican coffee gets its start. The one that tops our list is the Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate, and Sugar Cane Tour . Not only do you get to see the whole bean-to-cup experience, but the tastings are out of this world good!
• Horseback riding  – This is a great way to give your feet a break and explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest!  This Monteverde Cloud Forest horseback riding tour  lets you cover a lot of ground as you trek through farmland and the surrounding landscape in Monteverde. Keep an eye out for toucans, parrots, monkeys, and other critters as you experience the rural side of Costa Rica, far from any crowds or traffic. 

Where to Stay in Monteverde to visit the Hanging Bridges

With the hanging bridges in Monteverde earning a spot on your bucket list, now all you need is a great place to stay. Monteverde may be a small tourist town, but there are a surprisingly large number of great hotels in all budget ranges.

If you’re a budget traveler or backpacker, there are lots of nice hostels in Monteverde. If you like modern features and outstanding facilities,  Selina Monteverde  is the best option. The hostel is beautiful, has great reviews, and lots of activities including yoga.

The only downside is Selina is a high-end backpacker hostel. Prices begin at $97 USD for a one-night stay. You can book Selina  on Booking.com , or Hostelworld .

For those well past their backpacking days who can spend a little more, I love  Camino Verde B&B Monteverde Costa Rica . This boutique hotel has beautiful rooms, deck with magnificent views, and includes breakfast. It’s a comfortable hotel that comes at a great price.

Rates begin at $176 USD/night. You can check availability and book a room on Booking.com .

If you’re a luxury traveler I highly suggest choosing what we call a “destination hotel”. These hotels are an attraction in themselves because of the unique experience they offer. In Monteverde one of the best is  Chira Glamping Monteverde   which offers luxury camping with the option to have your own private hottub surrounded by nature.

The view from the property is incredible! Rates begin at $375 USD/night. You can check availability and book a spot online  on Booking.com .

Getting Around Costa Rica

How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level. 

Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.

One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.

Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.

Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.

You can  browse cars on Discover Cars here .

If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica , or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.

Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)

To get the best price, use the website  Bookaway . They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway! 

You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.

Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!  

The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!

It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.

Monteverde was one of our favorite areas in Costa Rica to explore. After visiting all 4 of these spots with hanging bridges, I can confidently say that no matter which you choose you will have a great time! I hope we’ve helped you decide which Monteverde hanging bridge to visit on your next trip. 

Thanks for stopping by – come back after your trip and swap stories with us! Before you head out to make your own memories in Costa Rica, make sure to check out our other in-depth guides including:

BEST beaches in Costa Rica that you’ll love

3 Best Coffee Tours in Monteverde

Ultimate guide to Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and fun things to do

Fun things to do in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica