8 Days in Costa Rica

Day 1: Arrive and head on to Arenal to settle in

Fly into San Jose airport. I strongly recommend working with a travel company to have all your tours and transfers established. My recommendation is Costa Rican Treasures. It can be a bit daunting to figure this out all on your own and the roads are not the best. So many people underestimate how much time is needed to get to one area from another. From SJU to Arenal is about a 3-hour drive. My suggestion is to stay at Arenal Springs Hotel located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. They offer many tours and it is a great launching point for tons of wildlife and nature tours. Make sure to explore this lovely resort.

Day 2: Sloth Tour

Today is all about nature and wildlife. Grab a quick breakfast and head out on tour. This tour will bring you up close and personal with some of Costa Rica’s most-adorable, furry critters as they simply hang out among the treetops near the Arenal Volcano. The sloth lives in the rainforests and is one of the national symbols. This tour is easy going, with a drive around Arenal volcano. Your guide will point out both the 2-toes and 3-toed sloths. Usually you see so much more, like monkeys, iguanas and even poison dart frogs.

Once back at the hotel, relax at their wonderful onsite restaurant and later enjoy the natural hot springs.

Day 3: Long day of touring and exploring

Today is an early start as we try to fit in a lot. I personally think this combo tour is the way to go, but there are several other options available if you do not feel this adventuresome. There are also several more active tours if that is what you are looking for. Grab an early breakfast, some snack bars and your rain pancho. Its a full day of adventure! On this tour, you will visit the Fortuna Waterfall, the Arenal Volcano National Park and the amazing Mistico Hanging Bridges.

Start with a 2 mile hike through solidified volcanic lava to reach the lookout, the closest you can get to the volcano. Here is a great view of Arenal Lagoon and rainforest. Once finished here, you will move on to see the beautiful 230ft tall Fortuna Waterfall. You can jump in for a refreshing swim or just enjoy the beauty and photographic moments.

You have now worked up an appetite, and the tour will break for a local lunch. After lunch, off you go to the mesmerizing Mistico Hanging Bridges. This is a 2 mile hike throughout the rainforest, traversing bridges high above the treetops. You will cross 15 hanging and stationary bridges while being surrounded by unbelievable wildlife and plantlife.

Day 4: Going to new Heights

Today is your last adventure day exploring the amazing wildlife and rainforests of the Arenal Region. This tour will take you to the Sky Tram & Walk tour. The tram will take you up to the highest mountain in Arenal. While ascending, you will also be able to admire distinctive flora and fauna that might be only spotted from above. With this tour, you will also enjoy the adventure traversing a combination of suspension bridges and trails with heights that exceed the treetops. You will truly discover the beauty of Costa Rica from all perspectives. In the Sky Tram area, there are other activities you can signup for if you desire.

Day 5: Departure from Arenal and off to the beaches of Manual Antonio

This is a relaxing drive with a lot to see. Be prepared, this is about a 5 hour drive. Again, see why you should have a driver? Jaco is about 1/2 way, and the driver will stop for you to take a lunch break. In Manual Antonio, my recommendation is to stay at La Mariposa Hotel. Perched on a hill, it has breathtaking views and almost daily visits by the local monkeys.

Day 6: Discover Manual Antonio

At Manual Antonio you have a few options. There are many guided day and night tours and your hotel or tour operator can help with this. We took both a day and night tour. Here, you do not have to work with a tour operator if you do not want. The trails are all well marked and there is a ton of wildlife to see. If you choose to go this on your own, there is a hotel shuttle that will get you to and from Manual Antonio. The night before, make sure to be signed up for the shuttle as well as understanding the time schedule of service.

Manuel Antonio Park Guided Tour contains a charming combination of rainforest, beaches, and coral reefs. These beaches are the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forests. The forest is home to 2 and 3-toed sloths, toucans, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys, and tons of colorful little crabs. The trail that winds around Punta Catedral offers some spectacular views.

Day 7: Manual Antonio Catamaran

You are surrounded by beautiful water and beaches, so you need to enjoy it! We took a guided catamaran and snorkeling tour. Cruise the open sea looking for spotted dolphins, turtles, rays and even humpback whales. After touring the ragged coastline, the catamaran will stop in a protected area for snorkeling. The tour will provide your snorkeling equipment, juices, fruit and lunch. After this tour, return to the hotel.

We tried to maximize our time on a limited 8 day schedule. So, upon return to the hotel, we quickly changed clothes and started towards our airport hotel for departure tomorrow.

But, there is still so much to see! We arranged a driver to take us to the airport hotel, and they made a stop at the Tarcoles river so we could take the boat tour to see the native crocodiles. This really shouldn't be missed. If you have more time, you can make this a stop on the way TO Manual Antonio as well.

It is nearing dinner time by the time we are close to the airport, so I suggest stopping to eat at El Jardin Restaurant, very close to the Hilton Garden City Mall Hotel. We stayed one night in this hotel (about 15 minutes to the airport) and then used the shuttle in the morning to get to the airport. Breakfast is included.

Day 8: Departure

Alas, time to depart. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then shuttle to SJU Airport for your journey home. Lots of fond memories and hopefully, a desire to return.

TIPS

• Most restaurants have included tip in the bill, so double check this
• Tipping standards for drivers, tours and guides is 15%
• You will not need an invertor or convertor plug, outlets accepts USA standards
• This is rainforest, pack a light raincoat as well as DEET wipes for mosquitos
• Costa Ricans speak English
• Wear closed toe shoes for hiking and sky trams. If they are easily washable and dry quick, that is a bonus
• Working with a tour company is highly recommended as the infrastructure is not what you expect. This way you will get to where you need to go safely.