7-Day Costa Rica Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Costa Rica itineraries

Compiled by

SteffCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Costa Rica, incl. Monteverde and La Fortuna

  Three diverse destinations showcase Costa Rica's variety: San Jose's urban hub, Monteverde's cloud forests, and La Fortuna's volcanic landscapes. Highlights include Life Monteverde farm visit, optional Santa Elena Cloud Forest walks, and adventure activities near Arenal Volcano.

  

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  • Day 1

    San José

    Book a morning or early afternoon flight to avoid San José's heavy evening traffic. Getting from the airport is simple with Uber, which works better than local taxis. Get settled at your downtown hotel and join the evening welcome meeting to meet other travelers in your group.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Monteverde Cloud Forest

    The trip to Monteverde takes 3-4 hours on mountain roads. If you get motion sickness, bring medication. A recent visitor shared: "The cloud forest walk and coffee farm tour were highlights - having a local guide explain the delicate ecosystem made all the difference." Start with a visit to a sustainable coffee plantation to see how Costa Rica's famous coffee is made. Book the guided night walk ($50) to see wildlife like kinkajous and sleeping toucans. The next day, hit the hanging bridges first thing before other visitors arrive. Remember to wear shoes with good grip since the paths can get slippery.

    
  • Days 4-5

    La Fortuna/Arenal

    Getting to La Fortuna involves a short van ride and boat transfer with great views. You'll spend two days here near Arenal Volcano doing adventure activities. Look into the Adrenaline Bundle ($149) which includes both canyoneering and zip-lining at a better price than booking them separately. Want to try hot springs without paying resort prices? Ask around about the free river hot springs. Just remember water shoes for the slippery rocks. One traveler noted: "The whitewater rafting near La Fortuna was incredible - Class III rapids with plenty of wildlife spotting between the action."

    
  • Days 6-7

    San José & Departure

    Take the afternoon bus back to San José (3 hours) to avoid morning fog around Arenal. Pick a hotel near Central Market so you can easily shop for souvenirs and find local restaurants. Visit the market before 10 AM to beat the crowds. Plan to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport at least 3 hours before your flight due to unpredictable morning traffic. You can check out whenever works best for your flight schedule.

    

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• 7 Days in Costa Rica, incl. San Jose and Arenal

  Natural wonders await across San Jose, Arenal Volcano, and Monteverde Cloud Forest. The week features Pacuare River rafting, Paradise Hot Springs, hanging bridges walks, and zip-lining. Nights are spent at Country Inn San Jose, Arenal Montechiari, and Monteverde Country Lodge.

  

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  • Day 1

    San Jose Arrival

    A driver will meet you at San Jose International Airport for the quick 15-minute trip to your hotel. Spend your evening exploring downtown San Jose, the cultural center of Costa Rica. One traveler shared: "The central avenue is perfect for interacting with locals and getting a feel for Costa Rican daily life." Book a late afternoon flight to avoid the busy rush hour traffic from the airport.

    
  • Day 2

    Pacuare River Rafting to Arenal

    Leave early at 6 AM for a 3-hour drive to Siquirres through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Start your day with traditional "Gallo Pinto" breakfast before hitting the Class III-IV rapids on the Pacuare River. You'll tackle the challenging Upper and Lower Huacas rapids. Pack quick-dry clothes and secure water shoes. The day ends with a 2.5-hour drive to Arenal Volcano. A recent visitor noted: "The rafting was perfectly balanced between exciting rapids and calm stretches to catch your breath."

    
  • Day 3

    Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs

    Take the morning to explore La Fortuna town at your own pace. Join an afternoon guided walk in Arenal Volcano National Park on mostly flat trails that can get slippery in wet weather. Your guide will point out wildlife like toucans and coati. Finish your day relaxing in the volcanic hot springs. Visit before 4 PM or after 6 PM to avoid peak crowds.

    
  • Day 4

    Arenal to Monteverde

    Take the scenic taxi-boat-taxi route across Lake Arenal in the morning. The full journey takes about 3 hours with a 30-minute boat ride where you might spot ospreys and kingfishers. In the afternoon, ride horses through a working coffee plantation into the cloud forest. The horses are gentle but expect some steep terrain. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are essential.

    
  • Day 5

    Monteverde Adventures

    Begin with a guided walk across hanging bridges in the cloud forest canopy. The trail has some steep parts but moves at an easy pace. After lunch, experience the famous zipline course with cables stretching up to 1km. One traveler advised: "The Tarzan swing at the end is a must-do but prepare yourself mentally - it's quite the adrenaline rush!" Bring warm layers since Monteverde stays cool and wet throughout the year.

    
  • Day 6

    Monteverde to San Jose

    Head back to San Jose on a 4-hour mountain drive. Bring motion sickness pills if you need them. Your afternoon is free to visit the National Museum or Gold Museum downtown. Stay near the airport since most international flights leave early morning.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Quick 15-minute drive to the airport. Remember you need to arrive 3 hours before international flights.

    

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• 7 Days in Costa Rica, incl. San Jose and Arenal

  Cultural San Jose, wildlife-rich Monteverde Cloud Forest, and volcanic Arenal National Park form a perfect triangle. The week includes 9 meals, luxury coach transport, and guided activities for approx. $240 per day.

  

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  • Day 1

    San Jose

    Start your journey in Costa Rica's capital. Visit the historic Barrio Amon area with its beautiful colonial mansions. For dinner, go to Barrio Escalante where local restaurants start buzzing around 6 PM. A previous visitor shared: "Everything was wonderfully organized from the moment we landed in San Jose. Our guide's knowledge of the city really helped us get oriented that first evening."

    
  • Day 2

    San Jose to Monteverde

    Take a morning city tour before driving to Sarchí (1 hour away), known for its local crafts and artisans. Buy souvenirs here since prices are lower than in tourist spots. The 3-hour drive to Monteverde goes through the Tilaran Mountains. If you get motion sickness take medicine before the trip and try to sit up front.

    
  • Day 3

    Monteverde Cloud Forest

    Get to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve early when visibility is best. The morning fog usually lifts by 9 AM letting you spot more wildlife. The trails can be slippery so wear good shoes with grip. Watch for quetzals near the wild avocado trees. In the afternoon you can visit local plantations to learn about Costa Rican farming. Bring a light rain jacket since afternoon showers happen even in dry season.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Arenal Volcano Area

    It takes about 3 hours to reach Arenal. This area offers both volcanic features and wildlife watching opportunities. Take the lava trails at Mirador 1968 where you'll find fewer people than in the national park. Visit the hanging bridges first thing to avoid crowds and heat. One traveler noted: "The sky walk through the jungle canopy was incredible - we spotted three different species of toucans and even a sloth with her baby."

    
  • Day 6

    Peñas Blancas River Safari

    The morning river float lasts 2 hours and gives you great chances to see wildlife. Wear clothes that dry quickly and bring binoculars. Spend the afternoon visiting local families to experience the culture. End your day relaxing in the hot springs which feel great after all the hiking.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to San Jose

    Plan for a 3.5-hour drive back to San Jose airport. Book flights after 2 PM since morning traffic can add an extra hour to your trip. Remember the airport is in Alajuela about 30 minutes from downtown San Jose.

    

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