Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary Road Tripping Costa Rica
Costa Rica had been on my vision board for two years for future travel. And after the transformative year of 2020, I got to check off one of my top bucket list travel locations! The stars aligned after getting free airfare and some time off to explore a part of the world I had only dreamed of before. And y'all... Costa Rica is better than a dream. I wanna share this 7 day itinerary road tripping Costa Rica just like I did. It is the the ultimate trip for romantic couples or a group of friends, and I wouldn't have changed a thing! So let's get to planning your next dream trip...
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Entry Requirements
In the post pandemic world, we first have to check countries entry requirements from a health standpoint. Most countries around the world are open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign tourists. However, some countries have vaccine stipulations or alternative entry requirements for travel insurance or quarantine. For Costa Rica, the requirements have recently changed.
Starting April 1st, 2021, all restrictions on rules during the pandemic have been dropped. There are no mask or vaccine requirements. Nor are there any visa requirements. I still recommend getting travel insurance in case of sickness or other emergencies. Offers that peace of mind in case of travel issues. Click here for my favorite company to get travel insurance from, Travel Insurance Master. If you wanna read any other info on entry requirements, click here!
When to Go
We visited the first week of November. Technically, we were there during their rainy season which is typically May-mid November. But there are so many microclimates and towards the both tail ends of the season, they still have pockets of sunny days. And I would say it was half sunny and half rainy. We experienced tropical thunderstorms, foggy drives through the mountains, misty rain, big ol fat rain, and everything in between. And to be honest, I think it only added to the experience. It is the rainforest after all! Make sure to pack a poncho and good pair of shoes though!
DAY 1: Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary Road Tripping Costa Rica
Land in SJO and head to Arenal Volcano
OK! So, you land... The SJO immigration/customs process took about an hour and it was super easy to get the shuttle to the rental car lot. I booked a car with my Southwest Rapid Rewards card who has a bunch of deals and includes a certain level of rental car insurance as a reward of the card, as well as earning points with their partners. Get more info on the card here! The drive is less than 3 hours to the Arenal Area.
We plugged into my portable wifi and put our hotel in Waze. YES! They have Waze. And BETTER roads than the USA. The road that leads from the airport to La Fortuna is two lanes up through the mountains so expect a windy trip. It was so fun to go through the little mountain side towns. Make sure to have the gas filled up when you head out of SJO! Morgo INSIDER TIP: They pump gas for you! Ask for "lleno de" (which means "full of") and then the type of gas you want to get a full tank. If you ever need a Spanish translator to come with you on your trips, take me lol!
Checking into Lost Iguana Resort
Part of the fun is researching where to stay! I knew I wanted to have a volcano view and resort type amenities! I chose Lost Iguana Resort and Spa for the volcano views from the balconies, complimentary breakfast, and heated pool. The 600 square foot luxury suite we lucked out on even had an outdoor jacuzzi bath tub on the balcony! And y'all. This place is the shit. Between our daily complimentary morning breakfast of huevos rancheros to our evening happy hour tequilas in the pool, everything was perfect about this resort. Check out some photos I snagged around the place.
Not only are the rooms and pools amazing. They have their own set of hiking trails criss crossing a stream coming down the mountain. We saw beautiful trees and a pava bird, aka big ass turkey vulture mothafucka. I do not like birds so this one was a wild adventure for me lol. For the icing on the cake, the night before we left for the beach, we got a massage by candlelight while it thunder stormed in the middle of the jungle. ULTIMATE RELAXATION. So much so that I had to suck the spit back up from the drool dripping from my upside down ass.
Some other spots I researched and would stay at in the area include: Nayara Tented Camp ($$$), Tabacon Resort and Spa ($$$), or a local Airbnb. I super enjoyed the hotel experience on this trip though. It's just worth it to have the staff there to control the wildlife and provide that top notch, private experience.
DAY 2: Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary Road Tripping Costa Rica
La Fortuna Waterfall
We had zero plans so after breakfast and headed to hike at La Fortuna waterfall. Located just 15 minutes drive from the hotel, this part of the Arenal Volcano National Park is a protected wildlife area. You are greeted by a security guard asking you to mask up and wash your hands. You then purchase tickets for a day pass of the area. It was $37 USD (25,748.08 Colones). You are then given a wristband and you enter into the gift shop/restroom area.
There is an overlook leading to the trailhead that peaks over the top of the waterfall. FUN FACT: Waterfall in Spanish is called a “catarata” (my new fav Spanish word). The trail down to the waterfall is 500 concrete steps, with benches looming with the impending doom that you will have to walk all the way back up those mofos. Roaring as you cross a couple suspension bridges, La Fortuna waterfall plummets 200 meters into an amaze blue water pool. We stripped down and jumped in…
AND ITS FREEZING. But yolo right?! We stuck around and eventually got used to the cold water in the leading river. There are other trails and parts of the river to explore including a sand beach, orchid trails, and a small bar at the top to reward yourself for the swim and hike back up the steep trail.
Lunch at Bongos
Instead of eating at the park, we decided to head back closer to town and stopped at a little roadside restaurant that was named Bongos. We ordered choriqueso and some red snapper from the Lake Arenal nearby. They brew and bottle their own beer there and it was DELISH. Our server was so fun to chat with. He taught us about the area and why they call Costa Rican people "Ticos". With full bellies, we headed back to the hotel from here, enjoyed the pool happy hour of course and then headed back to chill for the night with to go fajitas from the restaurant.
DAY 3: Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary Road Tripping Costa Rica
Day at Tabacon Hot Springs
I mentioned that I have had a place on my travel vision board for like 2 years. This is that spot. Tabacon Resort and Spa is home to natural hot springs heated by the local Arenal Volcano. LIKE OMG Y'ALL! I cannot rave about this place enough! They have perfectly curated the river to run through their pools (some man made and some natural to the river that flows through the area). 10/10 an unforgettable experience! I'll always remember this place.
We got a day pass which included lunch so we spent from around 11 am to sunset exploring all the different pools and enjoying the swim up bar. The passes start at $70 and various types of experiences. Click here to see the different pass options. They also have a full on hotel attached so if you want unlimited access to these hot springs, then stay on the property! It's just a little too expensive for my current income but would love to stay here someday!
TRAVEL TIP: If the day passes are too boujee for your budget, check out Free Hot Springs. Running down from the same river that runs through Tabacon are these hot springs. It is essentially the run off from the resort but it's still clean and a local fav! Just park on the side of the road near the Tabacon entrance and the parking attendants will be able to show you the trail head.
DAY 4: Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary Road Tripping Costa Rica
Hike the Arenal 1968 Lava Field
Huevos Racharos breakky... CHECK. We felt like getting out and about to see the volcano a little bit more since it was the first SUPER sunny day and we could finally see the top of the volcano!
Click here to see where it is on the map! The area is protected by Arenal Volcano National Park staff that lead tours through the area. Tickets to gain access to the lava trails from an ACTUAL volcanic eruption are $17 USD per person. There are two trails: one that takes a little over 1 hour and a longer hike that wraps around Los Patos lake that is 3 hours. And this is actually the only access to the highest point to the top of the volcano without a guide. It was panoramic views for days from both the trail and the cafeteria at the end of the hike. Click here to get tickets ahead of time or buy them at the entrance.
Coffee Tour at Local Farm
We chose the North Fields Cafe farm in La Fortuna. Our guide, David took us through the process of how Costa Rica gets us our premium coffee we have in the USA. I didn't even get any photos of the coffee cause it was so good. Not only was there coffee, there was cacao. Thats right baby, chocolate! We got to see where it grew, what it tasted like raw, different mixings during the chocolate making process and... SUGAR CANE. Even got some sugar cane moonshine. We learned some shit and ate some delish treats. 10/10 recommend David and The North Fields farm family. It was $80 for about a 2 1/2 hours experience one on one with a local.
We ended the day with massages back at the hotel. Their spa was under construction so we were set up on a balcony in the middle of the jungle. AND it thunder stormed the entire time so basically it was heaven. I was a useless noodle afterwards and hit the sheets early. Only after a glass of wine and steam of course!
Day 5: Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary Road Tripping Costa Rica
The next morning, we hit our last morning at the Blue Hibiscus and headed to the BEACH! My favorite place in the world. There are loads of beaches both on the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico sides of Costa Rica. I chose Manuel Antonio Beach for the unique fact that it is actually inside a national park filled with sloths. EFFFF yeah dude... sloths. And we saw one snuggled up in a palm tree. You have to come! Heres what we did in the area during the last leg of our 7 Day Itinerary to Road Trip Costa Rica.
Drive to Manuel Antonio Beach
The drive is about 5 1/2 hours through the mountains and towns leading to the coast. There are loads of options to pull off for food, gas, etc. But make sure to fill up before leaving town to make sure you are set just in case. When getting near Manuel Antonio, the nearest town area is Quepos. Thats where you'll find a marina, supermarkets, and the COVID testing center you'll need to visit for a test before heading home. Make sure to note where it is and then head to the hotel!
Check into the Airplane Hotel
The AIRPLANE HOTEL, aka Costa Verde Hotel. From the town of Quepos, drive around 15 minutes up into the hillside overlooking the beaches below. You'll see the Avion Bar on the right and know that you're gonna see the sign on the right in a few switchbacks. We stayed in the Cockpit Cottage, one of their vintage airplanes mounted in the jungle. Our cottage was had one king bed, kitchenette, an OUTDOOR shower/bath, and a patio overlooking the beach! Just take a look at these pics…
Some of my favorite things about the hotel were the adult only pool, sunrise showers listening to the monkeys wake up, and watching all the other wildlife bounce through the trees. We saw toucans, baby monkeys, lizards, and all sorts of other birds. There are also other plane rooms on the property as well as two other pools, a restaurant opening soon, and hiking trails through the jungle. It was truly a bucket list hotel. Click here to see the listing. Peep the bigger 737 Fuselodge room below... like damn.
After checking in, we headed down and parked on the beach to wander around until sunset. At the bottom of the hill towards the national park, you'll be greeted by loads of locals waving you into their parking areas. Each one charges something different but it's usually around 4,000-6,000 colones. Which is like $6-10 for the whole day. It's a fair price if you park and make an evening out of it.
We got drinks at a restaurant that lined the beach called Marlin's and watched the sunset while the surf shops packed up shop and headed home for the evening. We headed to snag some pizza from El Wagon, this CUTE little outdoor restaurant that served wood fired za. There were loads of people there so we got carry out but it was poppin'. Theres a train car, bottle lined walls, and floor tiles in the design of different animals. The pizza was also fire.
Day 6: Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary Road Tripping Costa Rica
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
The amazing beach you see in the picture above is a two sided beach that jets out into a rocky mountain peninsula. To gain access to this beach, you must hike in through the national park. We bought our tickets online here. Make sure to purchase the tourist ticket and not the local resident tickets. The park is open everyday but Tuesdays from 7am-4pm. On their website, they note that there are locals outside the park that will approach you in attempt to sell you a guided tour. But these are not official guides of the park. Tickets and guided tours can only be purchased online. And to park, snag some private lots for around 4,000-6,000 for the day.
You will see sloths, monkeys, lizards, pizotes (cute little raccoon monkeys), and all sorts of other wildlife as you hike to the beach. There are guided tours set up with telescopes looking for creatures up in the trees all over the place. We were lucky enough to be able to see an iguana up close by a group who called us over. I can see how a guided tour would be super cool if you wanna see the animals. But they're everywhere. I got so close to wild monkeys and one even showed its teeth at me. We dipped and chose to stay away from the wildlife lol.
The ocean was pretty warm and made for a perfect swim. The beaches are amazingly soft with little hermit crabs up near the tree line. We spent about 2 hours here and then hiked the trail up to the end of the peninsula when it started to rain. There are other beaches and trails to check out in the park so go explore!
Grab some seafood from El Avion Restaurant and Bar
After cleaning up from the beach back at the hotel, we headed up the hill to grab some fresh grub. We had heard about a plane bar, El Avion, up the road when checking into the airplane hotel. So obviously we had to check it out. Grab a table overlooking the beach or at the bar inside an old WWII American war plane. There's a cool story behind why this is here in Costa Rica on the back of the menu that just made my history nerd heart scream! The food and drinks weren't as good as the ambiance but it's definitely a spot to put on your list!
Day 7: Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary Road Tripping Costa Rica
Breakfast at El Patio de Cafe Milagro
With morning tummies rumbling, we headed for some fresh roasted coffee and breakfast at the local favorite, El Patio de Cafe Milagro. There is indoor and outdoor seating. The patio was covered and dry so it was a great way to start off the rainy morning.
Relax at the Resort
Our last day in Costa Rica was SUPER lazy. It had thunder stormed all night and the rain continued into the morning. We took naps, long jungle showers, and watched the monkeys from the back patio. When there would be a break in the rain, we hiked around the grounds of Costa Verde Hotel. There are other rooms in airplane including a larger suite and one that is more nestled into the jungle. There are a total of 3 pools; one being an adult only pool (YEET). Unfortunately, they aren't heated but the adult only pool has a BALLER patio overlooking the beach. They were renovating a restaurant on the grounds opening soon.
TRAVEL TIP: Remember to check into your flight since this is the last day of your trip! For re-entry into the USA, you'll have to have a negative COVID test no more than 72 hours before arrival no matter your vaccination status. There is an urgent care COVID testing center down in the litte town of Quepos. They are only open in the mornings so make sure to get down there early. They email you your results at like 10 pm same day. Click here for more info on USA reentry requirements.
Return to NASHVILLE
The drive back to the airport the next morning was super easy. It was around 3 hours to get back to SJO from Manuel Antonio. We spent the rest of the day traveling and were happy to head back home. We talked about how this country surprised us. It was LUSH and refreshing to be around some of the most biodiverse parts of the world. We left feeling refreshed and excited to return to check more off the travel bucket list. Here are some other things to do on your trip that we didn't get to this time:
Mistico Hanging Bridges, ATV Tour
Ride horses on the Beach
Whale Tour
And there you have it my friends. Our ultimate 7 Day itinerary road tripping Costa Rica! Have the best time when you decide to go and while planning your trip. Check me out on Instagram and TikTok for more travel recommendations and follow along on my journey through my bucket list! I hope I inspire you to do the same! And click here to be taken to other inspiring international locations!
