Costa Rica 1 Week Itinerary Guide

Day 1: San Jose

• Go on a guided walking tour around Downtown San Jose
• La Salle Natural Science Museum
• Barhop the city’s funky microbreweries starting in the Barrio Escalante neighbourhood

Where to stay: Stay within walking distance of the San Jose city center in the Hotel Presidente, or enjoy central La Sabana Park in Parque del Lago Boutique Hotel, with a restaurant, bar and buffet breakfast.

Transportation: We recommending arranging a car hire at the airport for easy travel around San Jose. After the 15-minute drive from the airport to central San Jose, leave the rental car at your hotel and get around on foot. Public transportation and taxis are also available.

Days 2–4: La Fortuna and Arenal National Park

It’s a 3.5-hour drive from San Jose to the town of La Fortuna, your base for the next 2 days.

• Arenal Volcano National Park and Lake Arenal
• Walk across bridges suspended in the rainforest canopy in the Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
• Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
• Follow Las Coladas Trail to the crater of the dormant Cerro Chato Volcano and its crater lake
• Buy a pass to visit the natural hot springs at Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa

Where to stay: For a convenient location for your daytrips, book a room at Casa Luna Hotel & Spa with a Costa Rica package deals. Or, experience boutique luxury at Nayara Gardens, where you’ll have your own villa.

Days 5–7: Potrero

From Arenal National Park, it’s just over a 3-hour drive to Potrero, a small town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast where you’ll be based for the last 2 days of your Costa Rica vacation.

• Enjoy a sunset catamaran tour with snorkeling and kayaking
• Playa Potrero, Playa Penca and Playa Flamingo
• Rincon de la Vieja National Park or Santa Rosa National Park, both within a 2-hour drive
• Tamarindo, a popular surfing town about 40 minutes south of Portero

Where to stay: We recommend Bahia de Sol Beach Front Boutique Hotel, which has a full-service spa, or stay in a private villa at family-friendly Villas Estival, where there is a kids’ pool and playground.