Costa Rica Wildlife
Rainforest canopy, volcanoes, sloths, and Pacific sunsets.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
San José
Arrive in San José, settle into hotel
San José centre
Explore the National Museum of Costa Rica
National Museum
Lunch at Mercado Central (casado típico)
Mercado Central
Walk through Barrio Escalante (craft coffee scene)
Barrio Escalante
Visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Gold Museum
Dinner at Al Mercat (farm-to-table)
Barrio Escalante
Day 2
Arenal
Drive to Arenal Volcano area (3 hrs)
La Fortuna
Arenal Volcano National Park — lava trails hike
Arenal Volcano National Park
Lunch at Don Rufino (local favourite)
Don Rufino
La Fortuna Waterfall hike (500 steps down)
La Fortuna Waterfall
Tabacón Hot Springs soak with volcano views
Tabacón Hot Springs
Dinner at Tabacón resort restaurant
Tabacón
Day 3
Arenal
Birdwatching walk (toucans, motmots)
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Hanging bridges walk through the canopy
Arenal Hanging Bridges
White water rafting on the Pacuare River
Pacuare River
Riverside lunch after rafting
Pacuare River
Chocolate tour at a local cacao farm
La Fortuna
Dinner in La Fortuna town
La Fortuna
Day 4
Monteverde
Scenic drive to Monteverde via Lake Arenal
Lake Arenal
Arrive in Monteverde cloud forest
Monteverde
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve guided walk
Cloud Forest Reserve
Lunch at Celajes restaurant
Celajes
Ziplining through the cloud forest canopy
Selvatura Park
Hummingbird gallery and butterfly garden
Hummingbird Gallery
Night walk (spot frogs, snakes, sloths)
Monteverde
Day 5
Manuel Antonio
Drive to Manuel Antonio (4 hrs via coast)
Manuel Antonio
Arrive, settle into beachfront lodge
Manuel Antonio
Lunch at El Avión (converted aircraft restaurant)
El Avión
Swim and relax at Playa Espadilla beach
Playa Espadilla
Sunset cruise with dolphin watching
Manuel Antonio coast
Dinner at Emilio's Café
Emilio's Café
Day 6
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park — guided wildlife tour
Manuel Antonio National Park
Spot monkeys, sloths, and toucans on the trails
Manuel Antonio trails
Swim at the park's pristine white sand beach
Playa Manuel Antonio
Lunch at Ronny's Place (ocean-view)
Ronny's Place
Stand-up paddleboard or kayak in the bay
Manuel Antonio
Farewell dinner at Café Milagro
Café Milagro
Day 7
San José
Drive back to San José (3 hrs)
San José
Last-minute souvenir shopping at Avenida Central
Avenida Central
Farewell casado lunch at Soda Tapia
Soda Tapia
Transfer to Juan Santamaría Airport
SJO Airport
Where to stay
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Things to do
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