Costa Rica has become a go-to destination for many people looking to relax or even have some adventure. Costa Rica has nothing but unique experiences! It’s filled with indescribable landscapes and magical scenery. Their jaw-dropping waterfalls, incredible beaches, and breathtaking rainforests are just some of the amazing things Costa Rica has to offer. Not to mention the rich culture and generous hospitality. The people are so positive, humble, and genuine which reflects their Pura Vida lifestyle. I now understand why so many people visit Costa Rica and never leave. Costa Rica has an overwhelming amount of things to offer! When you visit Costa Rica you have to try their local coffee, delicious authentic food, zipline, relax in the hot springs but most importantly enjoy the gorgeous nature Costa Rica has to offer. They also have multiple national parks that you don’t want to miss where you can spot incredible animals like sloths, monkeys, and birds. I can’t recommend Costa Rica enough if you’re looking for a memorable experience. Below I’m going to tell you everything you need to know before visiting Costa Rica including our Itinerary with the best time to visit, where you should go, what activities are worth doing, how to get around the country, and more!
Information About Costa Rica
What does Pura Vida mean?
Pura Vida is more than just a phrase. It is a way of life for them. It’s like their religion! Pura Vida translates to “pure life” or “simple life” which sums up how genuine the locals are. Pura Vida is how they greet you and say bye, how they say thank you, awesome or everything’s cool. Pura Vida to them means being grateful for what they have and living a positive lifestyle. To live a life that’s pure is a pure life! When someone says Pura Vida to you, make sure to say it back!
What does Tico mean in Costa Rica?
Tico is an idiomatic term used for a local of Costa Rica. You will often hear the word Tico referring to a native.
Is Costa Rica Safe?
Yes, Costa Rica is safe and tourist-friendly. In fact, it is the safest country in Central America. Their Pura Vida lifestyle radiates!
What is the currency in Costa Rica?
The currency in Costa Rica is Colon (CRC). The 2023 conversion rate is 100 CRC = $0.0017 USD
What is the best Transportation in Costa Rica?
The best way to get around Costa Rica is by renting a car. If you’re up for the challenge of driving around in the mountains and seeing the surreal scenery, then it’s the most cost-effective option. I would recommend getting a 4×4 car due to some bumpy terrain and steep roads. There are also private drivers who can drive you to your desired location for about $100 one way.
What is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The best time to visit Costa Rica is in its dry season between December and April when the weather is best! However, December through April is their high season meaning that parks will be a lot more crowded and there will be a lot of tourists. I went in the first week of December which is the start of their high season. I didn’t experience an overload of tourists as I’m sure the rest of their high season is. A local told me that another great time to visit Costa Rica is after Easter in April when the costs go down a bit. The rainy season in Costa Rica is in the months of May through November.
Our 7-Day Itinerary in Costa Rica
Going to Costa Rica for 7 days was the best decision! My husband and I were able to see and do so much! We left fulfilled with the amount we were able to experience in a country with so much to see. On our 7-day trip, we stayed in two different towns. The first 4 days were spent in Jaco which is an hour and 40 minutes away from San Jose. We landed in San Jose and were then picked up by the rental car company we were renting from. If you are visiting Costa Rica I strongly recommend Paradise Car Rental. They are the nicest people and very attentive. We reached out to them through Whats app and were immediately helped. Not only was the customer service amazing, but they also gave us recommendations and made sure we were safe and comfortable throughout our stay. They rented us a portable wifi gadget which was super helpful throughout the trip to make sure we always had signal and a functioning GPS. The signal there isn’t the best so having wifi is the only way to communicate with others. They also added a phone holder for the car to make following a GPS easier.
Tip: Apple Maps doesn’t work in Costa Rica so Waze is going to be the best GPS option for you.
After we picked up our rental car we started our hour and forty-five-minute drive to Jaco where we then spent 4 days and 3 nights. On our way to Jaco, we stopped at the crocodile bridge in Tarcoles. It’s a nice stop midway through the drive to grab a refreshing drink, and food and walk around the local vendors. You can’t miss the crocodiles under the bridge! You will see people on the bridge looking over so you’ll know when you’re there.
Below is the ultimate travel guide and the best things to do in Costa Rica for seven days.
Our 4 -day Itinerary in Jaco, Costa Rica
Day 1:
8:00 am-11 am: Land In San Jose, Costa Rica, and drive to Jaco. Don’t forget to stop at the crocodile bridge and grab a refreshing drink with a view!
11:00 am -3:00 pm: Make sure to enjoy the scenery and stop to take pictures with the Jaco sign. The check-in to our Airbnb was later in the day so we drove to Playa Hermosa which is a gorgeous beach in Jaco. The color of the sand and the sound of the heavy waves were just so therapeutic! In Jaco, you have to be careful about the strong current and big waves. On some beaches, it is prohibited to swim so keep that in mind when considering Jaco, Costa Rica. Jaco is a surf town that held the World Surfing Games in 2016 (that explains the big waves and restrictions in entering the water). Then later we had lunch at a local bar in downtown Jaco where we watched the World Cup game of Costa Rica vs Croatia. There are also plenty of shops to buy souvenirs and beautiful Costa Rican artisanal. Once we finished lunch, we checked into our Airbnb! The Airbnb was designed beautifully with a lot of modern and natural elements. We felt extremely comfortable staying there. The owners would cook us breakfast every day and give a handful of recommendations on activities.
4:00 pm -8:00 pm: Once we checked into our Airbnb we freshened up since we had been traveling all morning. We then headed out for cocktails and watched the sunset at a restaurant called Vida Hermosa. They have delicious appetizers and cocktails to start the night off! After the sun had gone down we went to Shokunin for some yummy sushi! Thursday is 2 for 1 (;
Day 2:
7:00 am -12:00 pm: We started off the second day super early! We woke up around 5:45 am to get ready for the day and eat breakfast before we headed out to the Manuel Antonio national park. Manuel Antonio is located in Quepos which is an hour south of Jaco. You cannot miss Manuel Antonio’s lush jungle and white sand beaches. Along your hike to the beach, you will spot wild sloths, snakes, frogs, monkeys, and other wildlife. You can hire a tour guide to walk you along the hike and explain to you the history and information about the wildlife. Before you get to the beach there is a cafe where you can purchase refreshing drinks and pastries. You are not allowed to eat throughout the hike because the animals will make their way toward you. They almost snatched our food!
If you’re planning to go to Manuel Antonio National Park, use this link to book your tour!
More Activities around Manuel Antonio:
Rainmaker Park Bridge & Waterfall Tour
Rainmaker Conservation Park Night Tour
Important items to take on your hike:
1. Swimsuit
2. Go Pro
3. Adventure Backpack
4. Sneakers
5. Change of clothes
6. Water Shoes
7. Water Bottle
8. Athletic Clothing
9. Sunscreen
12:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Once we soaked up all the sun and blue water, we were ready to head back home. We began our hike back to the starting point where our car was and began the drive back home. Midway through the drive we stopped for lunch at a restaurant called El Avion. I had the most delicious Salmon bowl with a breathtaking view! I was in awe of what I was seeing. I didn’t think it could get better than this … but it did.
3:30 pm – 7:00 pm: Once we finished lunch we continued our drive back to the Airbnb to freshen up and head back out to see the sunset and have dinner. What I didn’t know is that I was going to get engaged at the most beautiful villa in Costa Rica. The pictures say a million words without saying anything at all. The location was Villa Caletas and they had a restaurant called Anfiteatro Bar Restaurant. I definitely recommend this place for drinks, dinner, and a view! The sunset is just amazing.
Day 3:
7:00 am – 1:00 pm: We started the third day super early again! We love to wake up early on vacation and enjoy every minute of it. No matter where you go, there is always so much to see. Today we went on a Waterfall tour which was one of the most incredible experiences. We got lucky to be the only ones who had booked for 7:00 am so we got a private tour. This experience provided the true meaning of ‘Pura Vida’. This guided trip takes you to the rainforest in the hills above the Pacific Ocean to a majestic setting of pure Costa Rican beauty. The tour guide picks you up and takes you to their base camp where they have an authentic Costa Rican breakfast prepared for you. Gallo pinto is made of rice and beans, eggs, and tortilla paired with a cup of coffee.
After fueling up with an authentic Costa Rican meal you drive up the mountain in a 4×4 safari vehicle to get to the private reserve. The guide stops along the way to point out animals, plants, insects, and of course the incredible view of the ocean and countryside. We ate termites (they have a lot of protein) which tasted like a toothpick! We also ate a handful of plants, flowers, and bugs that the jungle has to offer. The tour guide was such a kind person. I would recommend this tour to anyone!
If you are planning to go to Jaco, use this link to book your guided waterfall tour!
After a short downhill hike, you start the adventure through the river where there are multiple interactive waterfalls and natural pools that you can also jump into! Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture this amazing experience with a change of clothes and a dry bag.
More adventures in Jaco, Costa Rica:
Jaco Beach: ATV your with waterfall stop
Jaco Beach: 2-Hour Chocolate Experience and Plantation Tour
Jaco Beach: Pacific Aerial Tram at Rainforest Adventures
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: After an exhilarating adventure a meal was much needed! We spent the rest of the afternoon eating, relaxing at the beach, and enjoying the sun. After, we freshened up and relaxed before we left again for dinner and the nightlife in downtown Jaco. In Downtown Jaco, you will find a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops to walk along.
Day 4:
6:00 am – 1 pm: On day four we headed out to our next destination in Costa Rica which was La Fortuna! La Fortuna is a small town in Costa Rica known for the Arenal Volcano with hot springs, and awesome adventures surrounding it. Our drive was supposed to be only 3 hours but it ended up being 5 hours because we got lost and went a longer route which ended up being the scenic route through the mountains. It was quite scary because of the altitude and road conditions, that’s why I recommend renting a 4×4 car but it was worth it! We got to see so much more of Costa Rica than we anticipated. We found a soda (a local Costa Rican restaurant) called Cafe & Macadamia with a gorgeous view of lake Arenal.
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm: We took advantage of the day and continued to explore! We went to the Arenal hanging bridges in La Fortuna which was the most epic experience! I can’t stress that enough. You walk through the jungle, surrounded by pure bliss. It’s nothing like your everyday scenery. You see birds, sloths, and monkeys in their natural habitat while crossing high and low bridges. I am terrified of heights so It wasn’t easy for me but I got through all 20 of them! On your hike, you will see the Arenal Volcano from different angles. You CANNOT miss this activity.
Before you go to the Arenal hanging bridges, book your guided tour here!
Guided tours in La Fortuna:
La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges & Arenal Volcano with Lunch
From La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges, Waterfall, & Volcano Tour
Arenal: Hanging Bridges Walking Tour
Our 4-day Itinerary in La Fortuna
Day 5: In La Fortuna, there are plenty of hot springs where you can pay for just the day pass. However, there are also free hot springs that the public can access which was the first thing we did on Day 5.
10:00 am – 11:30 am: The free hot springs in La Fortuna are located near the Tabacon hot springs. If you just put that on your GPS or in the Uber app it will take you right where you need to be. You’ll know you’re there once you see all the cars parked on the side of the road. These natural hot springs were awesome! The water is so warm it feels like you’re in a relaxing bathtub. The water comes from the Arenal Volcano, getting heated on the way down. It was an awesome experience! I recommend going in the morning so there aren’t so many people.
11:30 am – 5:30 pm: Next we went to the Baldi Hot Springs Hotel & Spa where we paid $40 for the day pass. You can also pay $20 for an all-you-can-eat buffet while in the resort. We wanted to experience both the free and the paid hot springs and honestly, they were both amazing! I can’t choose my favorite between them. What I can say is that at the free hot springs, there is no food or drinks nearby. There isn’t much else to do other than sit in the hot spring. At the Baldi Hot springs, there are plenty of different things to do like water slides, spas, bars, music, etc. The Baldi hot springs have the purest and most healing water in the world! There are also cold pools that are so refreshing once you get overheated from the hot springs. We went back and forth between the temperatures which really relaxed our muscles. We spent the rest of our day there enjoying the resort and relaxing until dinner time.
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm: For dinner, we went to a restaurant called Pollo Fortunero. They had the most delicious cocktails and food. The vibe was very boho. The design of the restaurant was very unique and different from the area. I recommend everything on their menu! Especially the wings.
Day 6:
8:30 am – 11:30 am: On day 6 we went to the La Fortuna Waterfall which was just breathtaking! It’s about $18 to enter per person. You then proceed to walk down 530 stairs to get to the waterfall. You basically walk through a paved jungle to get there. Make sure to enjoy every second of it because it is gorgeous! I recommend going in the morning to avoid crowds and staying as long as you like as there is no time limit. Being present with the waterfall really gave me the time and space to sit there peacefully and just reflect. You do not need to pay a tour guide to go here! Save yourself money and do this activity at your own convenience.
If you are interested in a guided tour, I reccommend using this link!
Adventures in La Fortuna:
La Fortuna Guided Waterfall Hike
La Fortuna Rainforest Chocolate Tour
La Fortuna Arenal horseback riding to La Fortuna Waterfall
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: After the waterfall, we went back into town to buy souvenirs, walk around and grab some lunch before our next activity!
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Remember how I previously said The Baldi resort had a spa? Well, I treated my husband and me to a couples massage to end the trip on a great note. We love getting massages and pampering ourselves when we get the chance because it’s not very often that we can. I know it’s not in everyone’s budget but it was cheaper than most similar services in the U.S. and it was worth it for us considering we were experiencing the largest hot spring in the world! The massage came with a complimentary wine glass and a complimentary pass to the private hot springs in the spa. The massage was amazing! They used lemongrass essential oils which are my favorite! It was super relaxing considering our bodies were so exhausted from all the hiking we were doing throughout the trip. After our massages, we enjoyed our complimentary gifts until we headed back to the Airbnb to get ready for dinner.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: We actually went to Pollo Fortunero again because it was the best food we had found in La Fortuna. The prices were reasonable and the quality of the food left you so satisfied. It was our last night in La Fortuna so we had some delicious cocktails and cheered on the best trip ever!
Day 7:
8:00 am – 1:00 pm: On our last day we woke up early and checked out of the Airbnb. We headed back to San Jose where we had to catch our flight back home. It’s about a 3-hour drive to San Jose from La Fortuna but on our way back we stopped at the Hacienda Alsatian Starbucks Coffee Farm which is Starbucks’ first and only coffee farm. We ordered the most delicious coffee and food and we enjoyed the breathtaking view of the valley and waterfall. There is a coffee tour that you can take where they will show you their coffee process. You can also taste a variety of coffees! The view of the coffee farm was so surreal. All the scenery in Costa Rica is out of this world! This is definitely a must-do activity when in Costa Rica. I recommend this activity on your way back into the city from La Fortuna.
1:30 pm – Flight Home: For the rest of the day we explored San Jose which is the capital of Costa Rica.
Would I recommend traveling to Costa Rica?
I would 100% recommend visiting Costa Rica. They are known for having both pacific and Caribbean beaches as well as their biodiversity and volcanoes. My 7-day trip to Costa Rica was filled with so many surreal moments, laughter, beauty, and overall a unique experience.