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Poster: Costa Rica in 7 days

Costa Rica in 7 days

Arenal's volcano and hot springs, Monteverde's cloud forest, Manuel Antonio's beach

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Hike the 1968 lava trails, soak in Ecotermales hot pools, spot quetzals in Monteverde, then finish with sloths and surf at Manuel Antonio. A steady mix of volcano, cloud forest and coast.

🌋 Volcano🦜 Wildlife♨ Hot springs☕ Coffee🏖 Beaches

Day 1 is on us

7 days · 29 stops

What it's like in DecemberDecember highs near 25.7°C (78°F), lows around 20.6°C (69°F). Expect about 30 rainy days, so pack a light rain jacket and plan outdoor walks for mornings.

Day 1 · Free

Arrival and first look at Arenal

6 h 55 min

Transfer in, casado lunch, then volcano views at sunset.

10:00 AM · 3 h 20 min

Transfer from SJO to La Fortuna

About 3 hours by shuttle or rental car

Soda VíquezPhoto: Scott Partin / Google

2:00 PM · 1 h

Soda Víquez

Restaurant

Classic casado with fresh fruit juice, walk-in only

4.7(3,388)Google$
2 min
Parque de La FortunaPhoto: Karla Anderson / Google

4:00 PM · 1 h

Parque de La Fortuna

Park

Arenal Volcano rises right behind the town square

4.7(4,177)Googlefree
3 min
Don RufinoPhoto: Don Rufino / Google

7:00 PM · 1 h 30 min

Don Rufino

Fine dining restaurant

Coffee-crusted tenderloin and craft cocktails; book ahead in December

4.6(1,972)Google$$$
Day 1 in Google Maps
Map of 7 days: Arenal lava, cloud forest zip lines and Pacific beaches: Day 1, Soda Víquez, Parque de La Fortuna, Don Rufino

The rest of the plan

25 stops

Day 2

Waterfall, lava trails and hot springs

4 stops · La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano

Day 3

Hanging bridges and night wildlife

4 stops · La Fortuna and Arenal

Day 4

Across Lake Arenal to the clouds

4 stops · Lake Arenal and Santa Elena

Day 5

Cloud forest, canopy and coffee

5 stops · Santa Elena and Cañitas

Day 6

Down to the Pacific coast

4 stops · Tárcoles and Manuel Antonio

Day 7

Manuel Antonio park and the drive out

4 stops · Manuel Antonio National Park

Get all 7 days

Everything below Day 1, plus offline maps and free updates until you go.

  • 7-day plan: Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio
  • Transfers and driving times
  • Park tickets and closed days
  • Offline maps in the app
Get the plan · $5

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Guides for this trip

More trips like this

More in Costa Rica
Soda Víquez
Photo: Scott Partin / Google
Soda Víquez
Photo: Renzo dW / Google
Soda Víquez
Photo: Elizabeth Phillips / Google
Soda Víquez
Photo: Christopher Ryan Poll / Google
Soda Víquez
Photo: Sujan Karki / Google

Soda Víquez

Restaurant
4.7(3,388)Google La Fortuna 1 h

Classic casado with fresh fruit juice, walk-in only

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: Order a fresco natural with your casado.

Hours

  • Every day: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Contact and location

75 metros sur del parque de, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, 21007, Costa Rica

Parque de La Fortuna
Photo: Karla Anderson / Google
Parque de La Fortuna
Photo: Isabel Cordero / Google
Parque de La Fortuna
Photo: Nic Xenophontos / Google
Parque de La Fortuna
Photo: barry bissell / Google
Parque de La Fortuna
Photo: Joshua Williams / Google

Parque de La Fortuna

Park
4.7(4,177)Google La Fortuna 1 h

Arenal Volcano rises right behind the town square

Sally's tips

  • Hidden Gem: Clouds often lift near sunset, so keep your camera ready.

Hours

  • Every day: Open 24 hours

Contact and location

F9C3+MWH, C. 470, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, 21007, Costa Rica

Don Rufino
Photo: Don Rufino / Google
Don Rufino
Photo: Michael Noonan / Google
Don Rufino
Photo: Don Rufino / Google
Don Rufino
Photo: Ella KapulJenkins / Google
Don Rufino
Photo: Michael Noonan / Google

Don Rufino

Fine dining restaurant
4.6(1,972)Google La Fortuna 1 h 30 min

Coffee-crusted tenderloin and craft cocktails; book ahead in December

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: Reserve a few days ahead in peak season.

Hours

  • Every day: 12:00 – 9:30 PM

Contact and location

142 94, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

A gift

7-day Costa Rica plan

7 days · La Fortuna & Monteverde & Manuel Antonio

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  • 7-day plan: Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio
  • Transfers and driving times
  • Park tickets and closed days
  • Offline maps in the app
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$5One-time · 7-day refund
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