Pura vida! In one week, you can experience Costa Rica's incredible diversity – from an active volcano and misty cloud forests to sun-soaked Pacific beaches. This 7-day itinerary hits the highlights (Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio) with a mix of adventure, wildlife, and relaxation. We've also sprinkled in some hidden gems and practical tips on transportation, budget vs. luxury, and more to help you make the most of your trip.
Day 1: Arrival in San José – Onward to Arenal Volcano
Morning/Afternoon:
Land in San José (SJO) as early as possible to maximize your day. After customs, pick up your rental car or hop on a shuttle and head straight to La Fortuna, the gateway town for Arenal Volcano National Park (about 3 hours' drive). The winding road offers scenic mountain views – a taste of the lush landscape to come.
Evening – Hot Springs Relaxation:
Arrive in La Fortuna by late afternoon. Take it easy after the journey: check into your hotel and then soak in Arenal's famous natural hot springs. There are options for every budget. You can even find a free hot spring river spot just outside town (where locals relax in warm stream waters), or opt for a day pass at a resort hot springs like Tabacón or Baldi for more amenities. Either way, soaking in therapeutic hot water surrounded by jungle is heaven after a long flight. As you unwind, if the clouds part, you might catch a glimpse of Arenal Volcano's perfect cone silhouetted against the evening sky.
Day 2: Arenal – Hiking & Waterfall Adventure
Morning – Arenal National Park:
Start your day with a hike in Arenal Volcano National Park. The trails here are relatively easy and lead you through secondary rainforest and across old lava flows from past eruptions. Take the Las Coladas trail for great views of Arenal and a close look at stark black lava rocks from the 1992 eruption. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife – you might spot a toucan in the trees or hear howler monkeys booming in the distance. Standing on the lava field, with the volcano looming, gives you a sense of Arenal's power (even though it's been resting since 2010).
Afternoon – La Fortuna Waterfall:
Cool off at La Fortuna Waterfall, a 70-meter cascade tucked in the jungle outside town. It's about 500 steps down to the base – a steep but well-built staircase. At the bottom, a refreshing turquoise pool and river await. Jump in for a swim (or just wade at the edges, as the current near the falls is strong). The waterfall's spray and the surrounding green canyon make it feel like a hidden grotto. After the hefty climb back up, treat yourself to a cold coconut or a fresh mango smoothie at the entrance's café. Back in La Fortuna town, you can find lunch at a local soda – a typical casado (plate with rice, beans, salad, and meat or fish) costs just a few dollars and is super filling.
Evening – Nature by Night:
This evening, consider a night safari at a small reserve like Ecocentro Danaus or a guided night walk at your hotel's property. When darkness falls, Arenal's forests come alive with creatures: red-eyed tree frogs on leaves, cicadas and crickets chirping, and perhaps an eyelash viper coiled on a branch. A guide's flashlight will help you spot these nocturnal critters. If you're more in the mood to relax, head into La Fortuna for a low-key evening – maybe hit the craft brewery for a flight of local beers or enjoy live music at a reggae bar. Tomorrow's another adventure!
Day 3: Arenal to Monteverde – Cloud Forest Bound
Morning – Adventure in Arenal:
Use the morning for one more Arenal adventure before you hit the road. Thrill-seekers can go zip-lining through the canopy at one of the adventure parks (soar like Superman over the treetops), or go canyoning by rappelling down tropical waterfalls – an adrenaline rush with stunning scenery. If you prefer something calmer, revisit the rainforest from a new angle at Mistico Hanging Bridges Park, where a series of suspension bridges allow you to walk through the canopy and spot wildlife from above. You might see bats snoozing under a branch or a family of coatis crossing your path. By late morning, you've gotten your fill of Arenal's excitement.
Afternoon – Road to Monteverde:
Around midday, depart La Fortuna for the journey to Monteverde. Driving directly, it's about 3.5 hours. The route around Lake Arenal is scenic – watch for the charming German-influenced town of Nuevo Arenal (perhaps stop for strudel or just a lake view). As you turn onto the Monteverde road, prepare for a steep climb. The final 20 km are on an unpaved, bumpy road that one traveler described as "horrible" without a 4x4. Take it slow and enjoy the views of green hills and farms. By mid/late afternoon you'll reach Monteverde, a cloud forest haven at around 1,300 m (4,500 ft). The air is cooler (you might even need a light jacket) and often carries a mist.
Evening – Night Walk:
Monteverde is famous for its guided night hikes, and this is a perfect way to meet its nocturnal residents. After dinner, join a small group with a naturalist guide in a private reserve. With flashlights off, you'll stand in darkness listening to the forest chorus – croaking frogs, hooting owls, insects humming. Then the guide's light will reveal marvels: a green viper coiled on a branch, a sleepy sloth high in a tree, or a translucent glass frog on a leaf. It's a wholly different world than the daytime cloud forest. If walking at night isn't your thing, spend the evening in Santa Elena (Monteverde's little town) sipping hot chocolate made from local cacao and resting up for tomorrow.
Day 4: Monteverde Cloud Forest – Hanging Bridges & Zip-Lines
Morning – Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve:
Get up early to make the most of Monteverde's wonders. By 7 am, head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the best places to experience an authentic cloud forest. Walking the well-marked trails, you'll be surrounded by dripping moss, giant fern trees, and bromeliads clinging to branches. The air is cool, damp, and pure. Monteverde is a bird-watcher's paradise – listen for the resounding "bonk" of the three-wattled bellbird or watch for a flash of iridescent green that might be a resplendent quetzal (especially common Feb–April when they're mating). Even if you're not a birder, the sheer biodiversity here is impressive. A short path leads to a suspended bridge that puts you literally in the clouds over the canopy – on misty mornings you'll feel like you're in a dream.
Midday – Local Culture:
Take a break from trekking and experience Monteverde's human side. This area was settled by Quakers in the 1950s, and they brought their dairy farming know-how. You can pop into the Monteverde Cheese Factory for a sample of Gouda or ice cream, or visit a family-run coffee farm to learn how coffee is grown in these highlands. Many tour outfits offer a combined coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane tour where you can ride an ox-cart, grind sugar cane, and sip fresh coffee – a fun and tasty cultural experience.
Afternoon – Sky Adventures:
You can't leave Monteverde without flying through the cloud forest – on a zip-line, of course! Companies like Selvatura or Sky Trek have canopy tours that send you zooming along multiple cables high above the forest floor. It's an adrenaline rush like no other (Selvatura's longest line is over a kilometer!). As you glide, you might even be level with clumps of clouds – talk about cloud surfing. Not into zip-lines? An alternative is Selvatura's hanging bridges hike, a gentle walk across 8 long suspension bridges that give you time to soak in the views at a slower pace. By around 4 pm, most tours wind down. Grab an early dinner in town – perhaps a bowl of olla de carne (hearty beef and vegetable stew) or pizza at the famous Tree House Restaurant (built around a giant ficus tree) – because tomorrow you trade mountains for the beach.
Day 5: To the Beach – Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Morning – Down from the Highlands:
Bid farewell to the cool cloud forest and make the drive down to the Pacific coast. The road from Monteverde to the main highway is still bumpy, but soon enough you'll be cruising on Route 1 and then the coastal Route 34 (Costanera Sur). The full drive to Manuel Antonio (near Quepos) takes around 4–5 hours. Midway, stretch your legs at the Tarcoles River bridge – peer over the edge to spot huge crocodiles basking in the muddy river below! It's a brief but thrilling stop (dozens of crocs sometimes gather there). Continue through palm oil plantations and little towns until you reach the Manuel Antonio area in the afternoon.
Afternoon – Arrive in Manuel Antonio:
Check into your accommodations in or around Manuel Antonio. Many hotels are perched on the jungle-covered hills with stunning ocean views (and frequently visited by capuchin monkeys and iguanas!). After getting settled, head down to Playa Espadilla (the main public beach) for a relaxing beach afternoon. The sand is golden and soft, and the Pacific water is warm. You can rent a surfboard or boogie board, or just splash in the waves. As the sun starts to set, the sky ignites in oranges and pinks – sunsets on this coast are spectacular. You might see locals and visitors alike applauding the sunset's beauty. In the evening, enjoy fresh seafood at a local restaurant – perhaps mahi-mahi tacos or a casado with garlic shrimp. The vibe here is lively yet laid-back; you'll feel the pura vida in the air.
Day 6: Manuel Antonio National Park – Monkeys, Sloths & Sea
Morning – Manuel Antonio National Park:
Rise early to beat the crowds and heat at Manuel Antonio National Park (closed Tuesdays, entry is limited so go at opening). Within minutes of walking into the humid forest, you're likely to encounter wildlife: inquisitive white-faced capuchin monkeys swinging through the branches, a slow-moving three-toed sloth lounging high in a cecropia tree, and bright orange-and-purple land crabs scuttling across the trail. A guide can help spot camouflaged critters (they often have telescopes to show you a sleeping frog or a distant sloth). Hike the easy trails like the Sloth Path or Cathedral Point – each offers jungle scenes and viewpoints over turquoise bays. By late morning, you'll be ready for a swim. Luckily, Manuel Antonio has beautiful beaches inside the park. Playa Manuel Antonio is a gorgeous cove with calm water and powdery white sand. Cool off in the gentle waves – just watch your bags as the resident raccoons and monkeys are crafty thieves when you're not looking!
Afternoon – Beach Time & Water Sports:
After a picnic or a lunch break outside the park, spend the afternoon enjoying the sun and sea. You can rent a kayak or join a guided sea kayaking tour around the rocky islets just offshore – sometimes dolphins pop up alongside you. Or try surfing; the beach just north of the park is great for beginners with gentle waves and surf schools ready to teach. If you'd rather relax, lay out a blanket under the shade of an almond tree and indulge in a snooze or some people-watching. Vendors wander by with cold pipa (coconut water) and snow cones topped with condensed milk – perfect treats for a hot afternoon. This is pura vida at its finest: warm ocean, jungle at your back, and nothing urgent to do but enjoy.
Evening – Final Night Fiesta:
As this is your last night, celebrate a week well spent. Head to a restaurant with a view – El Avión is a popular one built around an old C-123 cargo plane, and its hilltop location offers great sunset panoramas. Enjoy a tropical cocktail (guaro sour, anyone?) and fresh ceviche as the daylight fades. After dinner, you could check out the nightlife in Quepos town – maybe dance to reggae or Latin tunes at a local bar – or simply relax at your hotel listening to the nighttime sounds of the rainforest. Reflect on the incredible journey from volcano to cloud forest to ocean.
Day 7: Adiós Costa Rica (Departure & Extra Options)
If your flight is today, it's time to say adiós. From Manuel Antonio, it's about 3 hours' drive back to San José (budget a bit more if it's a weekday morning due to traffic). Many shuttles depart at dawn to get travelers to SJO by late morning. On your way, you might already be sorting through photos of sloths and sunsets, reliving the memories.
Optional Add-on:
If you have an extra day or two, consider visiting Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean side for a totally different ecosystem – serene canals, dense jungle, and if it's nesting season, the unforgettable sight of sea turtles laying eggs on the beach at night. It's a world away from the rest of your trip (you reach it by boat or small plane), but highly rewarding for wildlife lovers. Another off-beat gem is Bajos del Toro, a quiet cloud forest region north of San José boasting one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country (the 90-meter Catarata del Toro) and very few tourists. These add-ons can make a great "next time in Costa Rica" list if you can't fit them in now.
Budget vs. Luxury:
Costa Rica can suit all travelers. On a budget, use public buses (cheap and fairly reliable) or shared shuttles instead of private transfers, eat at sodas (local eateries where $5–8 buys a full meal), and stay in hostels or simple cabins. Entrance fees to national parks add up, but many sights (like most beaches and some waterfalls) are free. Conversely, if you're looking for comfort, you can hire private drivers or take quick domestic flights to save time, and you'll find plenty of luxury eco-lodges (especially in Arenal and Manuel Antonio) where you can soak in a private hot tub in the jungle or have gourmet farm-to-table meals. Whether you camp in a rainforest or stay in a five-star resort, the wildlife and scenery remain equally spectacular.
After seven days of cloud forests, volcano springs, and Pacific sunsets, you've sampled the best of Costa Rica's pura vida lifestyle. You've trekked through rainforests, watched monkeys play above, and felt the spray of waterfall on your face. As you head home, carry a bit of that pura vida spirit with you – and know that Costa Rica will welcome you back con los brazos abiertos (with open arms) whenever you're ready for more. Pura vida!
