1
Pura Vida! I absolutely love visiting Costa Rica. I’ve had the pleasure of exploring this amazing country twice now, and I’m always amazed by its blend of adventure and nature. But today, my friend Anthony Cieniewicz is taking the reins to share his ideal itinerary for a week in Costa Rica, highlighting all the best spots for a perfect blend of surfing, rainforests, and hidden waterfalls.
Costa Rica Trip Overview
Here’s what my one-week itinerary looks like at a high level:
- Fly into Liberia International Airport to stay along the coast of Tamarindo (3 Days)
- Surfing and Beaches
- Travel to Arenal National Rainforest (La Fortuna) (2 Days)
- Volcanos, Hot Springs, and Rainforest
- Travel to Bajos Del Toro (1 Day)
- Off the beaten path waterfalls and Eco Resort
- Fly out of San Jose
- Located 1 hour from San Jose
Why Visit Costa Rica?
Although Costa Rica is slightly smaller than West Virginia, very few places in the world offer the variety of nature and adventure that Costa Rica does. Since it is a Central American country you can travel from America by flight in roughly four to five hours.
The country relies on tourism so you can expect to be welcomed with open arms by the 5 million locals and most areas speak English as a second language. You will be delighted to hear that Costa Rica was ranked 32nd safest out of 162 countries, making it one of the top places to live and visit in Central America.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
Costa Rica has amazing climate year round however it is a rainforest so there will be seasons of unusually high rain (100 inches a year) you will want to be mindful of. The following two seasons should be kept in mind:
Dry Season: December to April
- This is the best time for beach lovers and outdoor adventurers. Expect sunny days and minimal rain, perfect for exploring the coasts and national parks.
Rainy Season: May to November
- Known as the “green season,” the rain brings lush landscapes and fewer tourists. Ideal for budget travelers and those interested in rainforests and waterfalls. Just be prepared for afternoon downpours, especially in September and October.
Things To Pack for Costa Rica
Here’s a snapshot of some personal must-haves when visiting CR:
- Rain Jacket
- You never know when it will rain in Costa Rica
- Bathing Suit
- Plenty of beaches, waterfalls, and hot springs to swim in
- Hiking Shoes
- A pair you are not afraid to get muddy
- Bug Spray
- A DEET spray is best for long lasting times
- Itch Cream
- You will get bit so give yourself something to soothe the pain
- Passport
- Make sure it is not close to expiring
- Hammock
- To hang between the trees on the beach or in the rainforest
- My personal favorite is Wise Owl as you can easily sling it up and it fits 1-2 people depending on the model.
Recommended Accommodations
1. Tamarindo: Ocho Artisan Bungalows
- Price: ~$300 a night
- You will be able to stay in your own private bungalow with air conditioning, kitchen and multiple beds. The resort is situated right on the beach and includes a pool that you can see the ocean from as well as a bar and restaurant. I recommend going to the bar during happy Hour where you will be able to drink with live music and watch people stumble on the beach after taking a sunset booze cruise a The staff are some of the friendliest people who will offer you a welcome drink upon arrival.
2. Arenal Volcano Rainforest: Arenal Springs Resort
- Price: ~$200 a night
- This scenic hotel is located at the base of the Arenal Volcano which has been dormant since 2010. You will be able to take advantage of the various natural hot springs, restaurants and spas on site. This includes free breakfast and yoga classes. My favorite thing about this resort is whenever you called them they would pick you up in a golf cart to bring you to the pools or main lobby. The swim up bar also served tropical drinks and food while you soak in the benefits of the hot springs. Normally you have to pay an entrance fee to enter hot springs in the area.
3. Bajos Del Toro: El Silencio Lodge & Spa
- Price: ~$400 a night
- This eco-friendly resort has it all in the middle of some of the country’s most amazing waterfalls. El Silencio was a majestic stay after a long trip. Being eco friendly they have a farm to table restaurant which is sourced from with trout from their pond, produce from their greenhouse, and poultry from their chicken coop. All this is accessible by bike offered complimentary by their staff. You can even see three secluded waterfalls without ever leaving the resort as they are a 1 mile hike away. There are also plenty of other onsite activities for a fee (roughly $50) such as local rum tasting and horseback riding. Last but not least each villa has its own outdoor hot tub. Although on the more expensive side you will not be disappointed in a splurge at this resort.
Transportation in Costa Rica
Costa Rican roads are notorious for being long and windy along the country’s impressive geographical features. If you would like to rent and drive a car it is entirely doable as they follow the same rules as America. You will want to ensure you are careful and have a solid cell phone service for GPS.
I opted for private drivers for most of the trip as I was able to plan the pick up times to be more accommodating to my multi city traveling. These make the most sense when splitting with other people on your trip and typically cost $100-200 between the destinations on this itinerary.
Liberia airport also offers shuttles to Tamarindo that you can find here on their official website.
Here’s how I got around from place to place:
- Liberia airport -> Tamarindo: Private driver 1 hour for ~$80
- Message Johnny on WhatsApp +50685931361
- Tamarindo -> Arenal
- Message Johnny on WhatsApp +50685931361 4 hour drive ~$200
- Arenal -> Bajos del Toro
- Arenal Springs Resort organized transportation for around $100 which took 2 hours
- Bajos del Toro -> San Jose Airport
- Bajos del Toro has a private driver for ~$100 which will take around 1 hour to the airport
For travel within the cities you can take Ubers in most places for a fraction of the price compared to America.
Coolest Activities & Things To Do
Here are some of the top experiences in each of the destinations in this Costa Rica itinerary.
Location #1: Tamarindo
Tamarindo is one of the most popular destinations in Latin America for tourists due to its great climate and multitude of beaches. The strip hosts plenty of restaurants, bars, hotels and even a casino. The real selling point though is the miles of beach with calm waves perfect for learning to surf, making it one of the top places to live and visit in Costa Rica.
Surfing
Due to the warm water and easy rolling waves (1-2 feet) you will see many people out on the water learning to surf. I recommend renting a large board right away so you can begin to get some reps in on the beach. Surfing is a lifelong skill to master however with these waves and a large board you will be able to get up and hang ten on some rollers.
You should rent a rash guard, an athletic shirt that prevents chafing on your chest. Otherwise you will quickly develop a rash that will make it painful to surf. There are plenty of surf shacks that you can rent for about $20-$30 a day. The one that I used is Iguana Surf. They will also offer lessons which are recommended for your first day out on the water.
If you are already an advanced surfer you can head over to Witch’s Rock for some larger waves that you will need a boat to ferry you out to.
Turtle Hatching
Just north of Tamarindo there is a beach called Las Baulas National Marine Park. This beach is popular from November to April where leatherback turtles will come every year to lay their eggs. These turtles are massive, clocking in at 500-1500 pounds.
Sunsets
Having the beach lookout towards the west makes for some scenic sunsets. You will not be the only person on the beach as you unwind to see the sun set over the horizon. This is a beautiful view that is worth bringing a blanket and a drink to watch it from the beach. There will be many street vendors and restaurants offering items for purchase.
The Deck
If you would prefer to view the sunset from an elevated level then The Deck restaurant is the spot to hit. This restaurant/bar has an outdoor patio that overlooks the whole coast line. The food is your classic American bar food but the views are unbeatable. They also will occasionally have live music and an outdoor projector.
Other Unique Spots in Tamarindo
- Playa Grande (40 mins away)
- Playa Avellana (40 mins away)
Location #2: Arenal National Rainforest (La Fortuna)
After soaking up the sun at Tamarindo you can head inland to the rainforest. The climate is dramatically different with temperatures dropping 10 to 20 degrees and rain being a common occurrence. We are in the rainforest afterall. In Arenal you will be able to pick your poison between adventure or relaxation.
La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the main attractions in Arenal and one of the stunning places in Costa Rica. It is a well developed biological reserve created in 1969 to help fund the development within the La Fortuna community through tourism revenue. The waterfall is accessible via 500 steps which will take 10 minutes to descend to the base of the 70 meter high waterfall.
Once at the base you can swim near the falls with a lifeguard on duty. The water will be cold as it is fed from a nearby mountain range. Entry to the waterfall and the orchid gardens will cost $18 per person. Bring some water, a bathing suit and a snack to eat while down there.
Arenal Volcano
The Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of all attractions in the area. A once dormant volcano that first erupted in 1968 and claimed the lives of 87 people. It remained active until 2010 making it the 10th longest active volcano in the world. There are plenty of hikes that you can do up to Arenal Volcano, such as the 1968 trail, but I would recommend spending your time completing the other activities that will have the volcano viewable from a distance. The Arenal Springs Resort has some of the best views of it right from your hotel room.
Hanging Bridges
The hanging bridges are an eco sanctuary set up by the family that previously owned the land and wanted to share it with the world. For an entrance fee of about $25 you will be able to explore the landscape and traverse over 20 suspended hanging bridges. There are humming bird sanctuaries and majestic vantage points throughout the 2 hour long trail. Keep an eye out for wildlife and you may come across some leaf cutter ants recreating a scene from a bugs life.
Get a Massage
After a long day of adventuring and hiking you may want to unwind. Many of the hotels in the area will offer massages that you can book an appointment for that will run you around $100-200 per hour. My recommendation is to support some of the local small businesses in the town and receive a massage from them at a fraction of the price. Bamboo Massages in downtown La Fortuna will cost only $65 for 75 minutes and you will be welcomed into a calming resort style outdoor massage pavilion. The masseuses there will be sure to tend to your weak and sore points.
Hot Springs
Being near Arenal Volcano results in significant geothermal activity which creates natural hot springs in the surrounding area. If this is a high priority bucket list item for you I would recommend planning to book your accommodations at a resort that has hot springs on site. The most popular hot springs are at Baldi Hot Springs Resort. A daily entry into these springs for non guests will run $50-100. At the recommended hotel option, Arenal Springs Resort, they have a multitude of hot spring pools at varying temperatures. The hot springs even feed into the swim up bar so you will be able to soak into the magical healing properties of the springs even as you sip a drink.
Arenal Spring Resort Activities
If you end up staying at the recommended hotel option be sure to check out the daily activities offered on site. On certain mornings they will offer a morning yoga class led by an instructor on one of their outdoor deck pavilions. It is an incredibly relaxing experience that puts you in the right mindset to take in the nature that will surround you. Afterwards, we were able to take advantage of the free continental breakfast which included many local cuisines. This can save you some money on your trip and get you up early so you can take full advantage of the activities Arenal has to offer.
Other Arenal Spots
- Tabacon Hot Springs (By the resorts in Palma)
- Soda Viquez (In La Fortuna 10 mins from Resorts)
- Soda = Local Costa Rican Restaurant, Family owned affordable meals
- Arenal Lake (1hr from resorts)
Location #3: Bajos del Toro
Bajos del Toro is a quaint town nestled just an hour north of San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city. This area is known for its beautiful waterfalls (one of them being the largest in Costa Rica). If you are coming to Bajos del Toro I do recommend splurgin on the El Silencio Hotel ($400 – $500 a night per villa). This hotel positions itself as an eco resort with the facilities being layered into the rainforest. The trails will be muddy as you trek to the waterfalls but combined with the luxurious El Silencio Hotel you will have the perfect yin and yang in Bajos del Toro.
El Silencio Hotel
El Silencio Hotel is a luxury eco resort located within a 500 acre cloud forest. The amenities and service are truly world class. The resort has 20-30 standalone suites and villas each coming with its own private outdoor hot tub. The rooms can fit 3 people starting at $420 a night.
On the resort grounds you will find a beautiful farm to table restaurant sourced with produce from their greenhouse, poultry and eggs from their chicken coop, and fresh trout from the pond and stream. The resort will cater to your needs to personalize each experience offering nice touches such as a welcome drink and a tree to plant on the grounds.
The on site activities are numerous and include the following:
- 3 waterfalls on the resort that are reachable in a 2 mile hike
- Horseback riding through the cloud forest ($50 a person)
- Local rum tasting ($50 a person)
- Yoga and Spa Facilities
- Bike trails
- Fishing along the stream whatever you catch is cooked at the restaurant ($50 a person)
- Hummingbird garden
- Transportation to local waterfalls
Waterfalls (Catara del Toro and Blue Falls)
Both waterfalls are located in the same area 20 minutes away from the resort and could be completed in one day
Catara del Toro
One of the largest waterfalls in Costa Rica. You will come in at the top of it then travel down the trail and stairs to the base of the waterfall. No swimming is allowed but you will get some mist on you from the falls. The scenery and local fauna is quite unique to this location as well. There are plenty of other trails and a cafe that can be explored as well. The price for Catarata Del Toro is $14 per adult. You can get a combo pack with Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls for $25.
Blue Falls
Blue falls is a gem in Costa Rica that has multiple world class waterfalls. This trail will be a little more off the beaten path and require some hiking through mud and steep inclines. I believe the extra effort and seclusion makes for a more unique experience. You will be paired up with a guide once you reach the area where the paths fork off. This guide is very helpful in showing you the best way to traverse through the forest and across waterways.
I recommend doing blue falls – “Light Path” which will be the 2-3 hour path where you will hit Las Gemlas, Blue Rapids, Blue Pool, Tepezquintle and La Celestial. The unique thing about most of these waterways is the blue color to the water. The reason it comes through as such a beautiful blue color is due to the high content of aluminum sulfate in the water which causes the water to reflect more of a tropical blue color.
Other Bajos del Toro Spots:
- La Paz Waterfall (1hr 15 mins)
- Tesoro Escondido Waterfall (10 mins)
- Parque Nacional Volcan Poas (2 hours)
Recap: My One Week Costa Rica Itinerary
As you can see from the attractions above, Costa Rica is a perfect trip for someone looking to adventure and soak in the nature of this beautiful country. In this trip you will experience three multiple natural wonders from the beach to the volcanos to the rainforest and the waterfalls. I encourage you to observe the animals and organisms at every stop along the way. If you meet the locals with kindness and respect they will reciprocate ten fold.
One last thing to remember is “Pura Vida” which is the costa rica motto for “Pure or Simple life” it means to spend the time with the people and places you love and to take life more slowly and enjoy it.
