Costa Rica literally translates to “Rich Coast”, and that it is. Costa Rica has so much to offer that it’s difficult to narrow down which parts of this incredible country you want to experience first. You could easily spend months exploring Costa Rica from corner to corner, but if you are limited on time, I put together the best itinerary that gives you a little bit of Costa Ricas highlights from cloud forests, to rainforests, to volcanos, to waterfalls, to beaches, and more!

Fly into SJO

Fly into the capital, San Jose, and pick up a rental car before continuing your journey. Renting a car is hands down the best option as far as transportation goes. It’s simply the most practical way to explore the country. If you want to, spend the morning in San Jose wandering around since this is your only chance on this itenirary. Don’t spend too much time, though, as it is a 3 hour drive to our next destination–La Fortuna.

3 Nights in La Fortuna

La Fortuna is where all the action is at! Originally called “El Burío”, La Fortuna got its name change when it was fortunately spared by the Arenal Volcano eruption in 1968. The area is known for its outdoor activities, natural beauty, and mineral hot springs.

Where to stay:

Noah’s Forest by Tifakara

You can see my entire review on Noah’s Forest by Tifakara here.

What to do:

Tabacon Hot Springs (4-6 hours)

You can get a day pass to any of the many hot springs in the area, but I recommend going for the best one in town, Tabacon Hot Springs. As Costa Rica’s most extensive network of naturally flowing thermal mineral springs, Tabacon is worth every penny at $81 for a day pass or $149 for a day pass with lunch or dinner included.

There are 18 different pools to keep you relaxed and entertained for hours on end. When I went with my then boyfriend, we did the day pass with dinner option and it was incredible. I could have spent days at the hot springs. It’s great to get there in the afternoon and continue into the night so you get to experience the transition when everything lights up. The best part is that Tabacon is open until 10pm! Many of the activities in La Fortuna are daylight dependant, so it’s nice to have the flexibility of doing this one at the end of the day too.

Rio Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park (all day)

Just an hour and a half outside of La Fortuna is Rio Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park. This famous waterfall and sky blue river have been accused of being dyed due to how vibrant its color is. The actual science behind this rare phenomenon is called “mie scattering”, an optical illusion caused by the scattering of sunlight off the suspended aluminosilicate in the river causing it to appear the bright sky blue shade we see.

Costa Rica is petitioning for it to become a world wonder, and I can see why. The hike through the Tenorio Volcano National Park to Rio Celeste is a wonderful way to spend a day taking in sights you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

La Fortuna Waterfall (3 hours)

One of the most visited and famous waterfalls in all of Costa Rica is La Fortuna Waterfall! Though it’s just 5km outside of town, don’t make the mistake of showing up late to La Fortuna Waterfall and have to come back the next day like I did. It closes at 5pm with last entry at 4pm, so be sure to arrive by 2pm to not feel rushed.

To witness with stunning 246ft high waterfall, you’ll need to go down (then back up again) 530 stairs. It’s a short hike, but those stairs are brutal. Once at the waterfall, you’ll want to spend as much time as you can enjoying the view. If you’re brave, you can go into the water, but it’s pretty darn cold. I went it in because nothing can keep me from a waterfall, but my normally adventurous boyfriend at the time refused to take the polar plunge. With entry at $18 for adults, it is one of the cheaper activities in La Fortuna.

White Water Rafting + Waterfall Rappelling (All Day)

Hands down, my favorite thing I did in La Fortuna was rappelling down waterfalls in the jungle. Thanks to a combo package from Maquique Adventure Tours, we were able to experience class III white water rafting down the Balsa River and Rappelling down waterfalls and ziplining in the jungle for just $155 per person. I fell in love with rappelling in Moab, Utah and jumped at the chance to do it again in Costa Rica.

The tour starts at 7AM and ends at 2PM and will keep your adrenaline up all day long. The tour guides at Maquique were awesome and took so many photos of us being badasses in the jungle. It was one of the best experiences not only in Costa Rica, but of all time. 5 stars, 10/10 recommend!

Guided Arenal hike (3 hours)

I was against paying more money for yet another tour at first, but my boyfriend at the time convinced me it would be nice to have a guided hike of the Arenal Volcano. I’m glad he did because it was very informative. The best part is that during the hike, our guide would find wildlife and point it out. We saw toucans, wild turkeys, cows, lizards, ants, and so much more that I would have probably missed if it weren’t for his keen eye. At $80 per person, it’s pricey, but worth the invaluable information. You can always do one of the Arenal hikes by yourself if you want the views without the information and save some money though.

Night Walk (1.5 to 3 hours)

A night walk is the best way to spot Costa Rica’s nocturnal wildlife, especially if you are on the hunt for the iconic red-eyed tree frog! We got a free night walk included with our hotel stay, but normal prices range between $40 and $65 per person. A guide will provide you with flashlights and help you discover frogs, snakes, owls, and more. Well worth it to see so many vibrant frogs in their natural habitat!

On The Way to Monteverde:

From La Fortuna, pack up your rental car and hit the road towards Monteverde. It’s another 3 hour drive, so try to leave before nightfall since the second part of the roadtrip is pretty rough road with more potholes than I have ever experienced and probaly ever will. About an hour in, there is a perfect little place for a pit stop that you cannot miss!

Café & Macadamia

As you drive along Lake Arenal to get to Monteverde, you have to stop at Café & Macadamia. A local told us it’s a must see and we’re glad he told us about it. Just look at the photos! The floors are lined with macadamia shells. I desperately crave to this day their macadamia coffee. The only thing that beats their coffee is the view from the restaurant—from the patio you can watch cows grazing in front of the mirror like reflection of Lake Arenal with while clouds billowing in the distant skyline. It’s freaking magical. The café offers food options too and souvenirs. It’s the most perfect pit stop.

Monteverde (3 nights)

Monteverde is where you’ll find Costa Rica’s famous cloud forests. Located in the Puntarenes province of Costa Rica high above sea level, you’ll find an otherworldly landscape tucked in the mountains where the sky and earth frequently meet. It’s a very bumpy ride on the second half of the journey from La Fortuna to Monteverde that will have you feeling like you’re on the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland for two hours as you traverse the potholed dirt roads up the mountain. The hot weather of La Fortuna fades away in exchange for cooler, humid mountain air.

Where to Stay:

Hidden Canopy Treehouse

This is your chance to stay in an actual tree house and live out your Tarzan fantasy! There are several cool options to choose from like Hidden Canopy Treehouses. They tend to book up pretty quick and can be pricey.

The Rainbow Valley Lodge

If you are like me and plan trips last minute (I’ll never learn, lol). Then you can stay at the next best thing in Monteverde– The Rainbow Valley Lodge. This hotel has the most incredible views ever! Read my full review here

What to do:

Hanging Bridges (Half a day)

Definitely a bucket list item right here. When in Monteverde, you absolutely have to do the hanging bridges. There are several parks that have hanging bridges, all with different features and stuff to offer. We went with the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges for $39 per person. For that price you get access to the park and all six of their bridges.

You can opt for a guided tour, but I think that’s unnecessary. I found the freedom to roam around and take things at my own pace preferable. The bridges are very secure and well maintained, but if you have trouble with heights, it might be best not to look down. We went early in the day during the green season on a weekday and rarely encountered anyone else in the park.

Cloud Forests

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve (Half a day)

I’ve never encountered anyplace on earth like the Cloud Forest Biological Preserve in Monteverde. This lush rainforest is engulfed by clouds. If you take the trail to the top of the hill you stand above the clouds. When in the thick of it, you feel like you’re in Jurassic Park and a dinosaur could pop out at any moment. There is present day wildlife that is abundant though! Our path was crossed by several cute Costa Rican creatures including Coatimundis. We even encountered monkeys right before the entrance. Pro tip: Whenever you see humans standing and staring up, stop what you’re doing and join them. It’s always worth it, trust me.

Be sure to check out the hummingbird café just outside the Preserve too to watch hummingbirds of every color of the rainbow come to feed. Out of all the animals I’ve come across in Costa Rica, none were as entertaining, beautiful, and completely terrifying as the hummingbirds. They are not afraid of you and will wiz past your face with less than an inch to spare with their dagger-like beaks.

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Half Day)

Did you know there are actually three cloud forest reserves in Monteverde? Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the lesser visited ones and great if you want privacy and serenity. When we went, we ran into maybe 4 other people the entire time. It costs only $16 to enter and explore 7.5 miles of well maintained trails.

Although it didn’t rain at the Monteverde Could Forest Preserve the previous day, we got caught in probably the most rain we encountered the entire trip at Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve; so be sure to pack your raincoats and waterproof covers for your backpacks! It was a fun hike in the rain and a cool experience.

Extremo Canopy Zipline (Half Day)

You haven’t ziplined until you ziplined in Costa Rica! Extremo Canopy Zipline lives up to its name with 11 cables, 1 tarzan swing, 1 rappel, and 2 superman ziplines! All the ziplines were a-m-a-z-i-n-g but the best have to be the tarzan swing and the aerial superman zipline. The tarzan swing is like a bungee jump without the spring back. The aerial superman is almost self explanatory—you fly like superman or a bird completely horizontal through the sky for 3,380 ft. It gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “Bird’s eye view”.   

Where to eat:

The Tree House Restaurant

Ever dine in a treehouse? You have to check this one off your bucket list. This multilevel restaurant is intertwined in a tree that lights up at night. A fun concept with great food and drinks! On a personal side note: I got upset for the dumbest reason ever here… because the portions were too big. So if you are hungry and think this place is all looks and no substance, you’d be wrong.

Santa Teresa & Montezuma (3 Nights)

The Bohemian beach town of Santa Teresa is filled with gorgeous beaches, charming cafes, surf shops, and happens to be where top supermodel Gisele Bündchen has a summer home. Montezuma has a similar vibe, but is much quieter than its neighbor Santa Teresa. Montezuma also has better beaches, with calmer water. Just a 40 minute drive separates the two, so it’s easy to go back and forth for the day with a rental car to explore or to go out to eat. There are many options for beach towns on the Pacific coast, but if you want a chiller, more authentic vibe than the tourist-popular Tamarindo or Jaco, then Santa Teresa and Montezuma is the place for you.

Where to stay:

Feugo Lodge in Santa Teresa

This cute little boutique resort is walking distance to many shops, restaurants, and the beach in Santa Teresa. There’s a pool, open air yoga studio, and restaurant on property. It’s everything you’d want in a boho beach town boutique hotel, including affordable! I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking:

What to do:

Isla Tortuga Snorkeling Day Trip (All Day)

Although the beaches of Santa Teresa are incredible, nothing compares to the breath-taking beauty of Isla Tortuga. Book an all day excursion from Santa Teresa to Isla Tortuga for a snorkeling and beach adventure. You’ll stop halfway to the island to snorkel by reefs and maybe even spot a migrating humpback whale or two like I did (depending on the season of course). You’ll then continue to the island where you’ll have lunch and can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach sipping on coco locos or try a banana boat ride.

Montezuma Falls hike (3 hours)

This hike is not long at all, but it sure is an adventure! Right next to town, this hike will take you through river crossings to a majestic waterfall, so be sure to bring water shoes. There are segments where you need the assistance of ropes to get you to where you are going too. It’s the most fun hike I personally did in Costa Rica!

Montezuma Beach (As long as you want)

Montezuma Beach is one of the beautiful beaches you’ll find in the area. There are plenty to choose from, and I actually recommend a day of “beach hopping” to check them all out. Montezuma Beach is still one of my favorites for its white sand beaches.

All of the beaches in the area were relatively empty and lack lifeguards. There was a “secret” beach my then boyfriend and I came across while driving around our first day and, despite our efforts, could not find it again two days later. It was a beach straight out of a postcard, yet we were the only humans on it. Not sure if it was due to the offseason, or if the beaches are just that unpopulated, but it was a cool experience having a private beach on several occasions while beach hopping in the area.

We did encounter one beach that had a very clear checkered pattern in the waves (which means riptide!) so always be careful when swimming no matter where you go, but especially when there aren’t many people around and no lifeguards on duty.

ASVO turtle hatchery (1-2 hours)

Right on Montezuma Beach is the ASVO turtle hatchery where you can see turtle nests filled with eggs. I, sadly, went in the wrong time of year to see them hatch and make their way to the ocean. If you visit at the right time, it’s a great way to witness the conservation efforts and see baby turtles close up!

Where to eat:

Indigena Café

This cool outdoor café in the middle of the jungle is worth the half an hour drive from Montezuma for a cup of traditional hot chocolate and desert. The owner made the entire hut by hand and now uses his café to source and process cacao from local farmers and educate patrons about the chocolate making process. It’s a very cool and memorable experience!

Sano Banano Restaurant

Make sure you sit in their secret garden area out back. The only thing better than the environment is the food and the only thing better than the food is their drinks! Seriously, I had the best cocktail ever here and I’ve desperately tried to recreate it at home without success. If you go there, do yourself a favor and order the hibiscus cocktail with a black pepper rim. You’re welcome.

Drive Back to SJO

The morning of your 10th and final day is going to be an early one, unfortunately, as you need to make the 5 hour trek back to SJO. The fun isn’t over just yet as you get to experience the fun of taking a ferry for an hour as part of the final leg of your adventure. Be sure to plan for an extra hour in San Jose before going to the airport to give you enough time to get gas and wash the rental car before you return it (trust me, it will need a good washing after 10 days of muddy roads).

Also, if you didn’t have a chance to get any souvenirs, SJO actually is one of the best airports I’ve flown through, as far as souvenir shopping goes! There is a massive gift shop with a wide selection of gifts. It’s convient if you forgot to get a gift for someone or if your luggage was already at it’s weight limit.

There are so many activites and hikes in each area that you can do instead of the listed ones too! This is the itinerary I did while in Costa Rica and found it to be the best for my travel style, and was ultimately very happy with how my trip turned out.

As you can tell, I planned the trip to go from highest activitely levels and slowly progress to more chill, relaxing days. You can always do the reserve if you want, which might be a good idea if you are coming right off a tiresome job and need some R&R before heading into the adventure portion of your trip. In the end, no matter what you do or where you go in Costa Rica, you are going to have the time of your life! Pura Vida!