Costa Rica almost makes traveling too easy. You’re never far from a hiking trail through the rainforest or around a towering volcano. If you overdo things, it’s a short drive to a wellness retreat or a hot springs resort. And when it comes to spotting wildlife, there’s no need to trek to a national park. This is a place where the animals come to you. If the branch of a tree starts to shake, you’re probably about to watch a troupe of monkeys swing by. And I haven’t even mentioned the food, which features lots of local produce and freshly caught fish.
This itinerary packs a lot into five days, always leaving time for stops at sodas (the local word for mom-and-pop eateries) for the most authentic cuisine. Plus every pick has been vetted by Tripadvisor reviewers, so you can spend less time researching and more time enjoying those “pura vida” vibes.
DAY ONE
MORNING: Enjoy a soda for breakfast
Though most international flights touch down in San José, Costa Rica’s lively capital city, many visitors use it as a pit stop on their way to the beach or the rainforest. But it’s worth spending your first day in this super-walkable spot, taking in the excellent museums, shady parks, and up-and-coming food scene.
Start your day off at Mercado Central, a maze-like market packed with fruits and vegetables, spices and herbal remedies, fireworks and statues of the Virgin Mary. If you’re hungry (or in need of a caffeine fix), book it to Soda Tala in the market’s northeast corner. In Costa Rica, a soda is a mom-and-pop eatery serving traditional dishes. Soda Tala is a great place to try gallo pinto, a popular breakfast of rice and beans, diced onions and peppers, and cilantro. What makes this version special is the addition of an egg cake.
After winding your way through the market, pick up a souvenir (or two) or some coffee to take home. If you aren’t too full from breakfast, stop by La Sorbetera de Lolo Mora on the way out. It’s been serving just one flavor of ice cream—vanilla with cinnamon and cloves—since 1901. (Yes, it’s that good.)
AFTERNOON: Explore San José’s trendiest neighborhood
You’re a 10-minute walk from ornate Teatro Nacional, one of the city’s most famous buildings. If you have time, duck inside to see the lobby’s marble columns and glittery chandeliers. The hour-long tours include enthusiastic guides in period costumes who act out the history of the theater.
From there, walk or hail a taxi rojo (red taxi) to Barrio Escalante, a happening neighborhood just east of downtown. Stop for lunch at Arbol de Seda, a cheerful eatery specializing in vegetarian dishes from around the globe. Even meat-eaters will enjoy the plant-based restaurant’s burgers made from portobello mushrooms.
Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling around the street. Drop into Holalola for whimsical Costa Rican prints, Pollen Keepers for local honey, and Denki Records for vintage vinyl. If you need a break, grab a coffee at Franco or a craft beer at Costa Rica Beer Factory. Or rest your legs and people-watch in Parque Francia.
EVENING: Traditional dishes with a twist
Stick around Barrio Escalante for happy hour. A few blocks from Parque Francia you’ll find Apotecario, a buzzy bar with more than just good vibes. The bartenders serve creative beers, classic cocktails, and house-brewed kombucha.
Next, take a cab to Barrio Amón, where you’ll find one of the city’s most elegant eateries. In a handsome house built more than a century ago, Silvestre lets you indulge in refined versions of regional dishes like shrimp with homemade coconut milk or charcoal-grilled lamb tenderloin with roasted Swiss chard. Can’t decide? Opt for the eight-course tasting menu—Tripadvisor reviewers call it an unforgettable experience.
SAN JOSÉ AREA TOUR OPTIONS
- If you only have one day in the capital, this semi-private San José City Tour is a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. It includes lunch and transportation and hits the Teatro Nacional and all the other top attractions.
- If navigating Mercado Central on your own feels overwhelming, sign up for the Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour. You’ll sample tamales, empanadas, and agua de sapo (a drink made with limes, ginger, and plenty of unrefined sugar).
- Get a taste of the local nightlife with a three-hour Downtown San José Bar Crawl. The tour meanders through Barrio La California, stopping at a variety of watering holes along the way. It’s especially great for solo travelers.
DAY TWO
MORNING: Circling Costa Rica’s quiet giant
Get an early start so that you can make it to Arenal Volcano National Park by late morning (it’s about a 3 1/2-hour drive from downtown San José). Once Costa Rica’s most active volcano, Volcán Arenal has been quiet since 2010, making your chances of seeing lava or even smoke pretty slim. But this cinder cone is still an impressive sight.
If you’re up for a short hike, the two main trails (Las Coladas and El Ceibo) running through the center of the park create an easy loop through the lava fields around old-growth forests. At the intersection, climb up a steep-ish set of stairs for an incredible view of the volcano and Lake Arenal.
You can also opt to hike along a peninsula jutting into the lake, though the view of the volcano isn’t quite as good. But the short-and sweet paved trail is great if you’re traveling with kids. You’re almost guaranteed to see monkeys and other wildlife.
ARENAL AREA TOUR OPTIONS
- Experience the park from a different angle with the Extreme 7 Zipline Adventure. Along the way you’ll take in views of both Volcán Arenal and the lesser-known Cerro Chato volcano, as well as the Pino Blanco and La Fortuna waterfalls.
- Prefer your thrills a little closer to the ground? Hop on this two-hour Arenal Volcano ATV Experience instead. Don’t worry, you’ll still get some Instagram-worthy shots of the Arenal Volcano.
- Sloths are pretty much impossible to spot on your own, so if they’re high on your must-see list you’ll want to hire a guide. The Costa Rica Sloth Tour is led by trained naturalists who know exactly where to take you.
AFTERNOON: Local favorites, from casado to cacao
Head to the nearby town of La Fortuna for lunch. Just south of downtown you’ll find Tiquicia, a popular soda serving everything from ceviche (fish or shrimp “cooked” in lime juice) to casado (a traditional lunch of rice and beans served with chicken, beef, or pork). The open-air dining room is a great place to escape the heat of the day.
But save room for dessert, because the two-hour Don Olivo Chocolate Tour is next on the agenda. The family that has run this farm for the last century is quite liberal with the free samples of everything grown here. You’ll learn all about the history of cacao, a product that has sustained many cultures in South and Central America, along with coffee, sugarcane, and other crops.
EVENING: Check out the scene in La Fortuna
Cap off your first day around Lake Arenal at Don Rufino, where the lively indoor-outdoor bar is a prime spot for people-watching. When you’re ready for a meal, grab a table in the handsome dining room and order something from the grill, whether it’s shrimp with garlic butter or a sizzling ribeye steak from a local farm. Don’t skip dessert (the chocolate mousse gets raves from Tripadvisor user
DAY THREE
MORNING: Soaring above the rainforest
It’s worth setting an alarm so that you have Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park all to yourself. This series of suspension bridges hangs high above the floor of the rainforest, giving you incredible views of Volcán Arenal and several waterfalls along the way. And did we mention wildlife? You’ll see everything from howler monkeys to eyelash vipers. You can walk the bridges by yourself (make a reservation ahead of time), but you’ll definitely see more of the animals hidden in the branches if you book a guided tour.
MISTICO ARENAL HANGING BRIDGES AREA TOUR OPTIONS
- Sometimes it’s impossible to see creatures scurrying through the rainforest without a little help. On the Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Guided Tour, your naturalist guide will point out hard-to-spot animals while explaining the area’s incredible ecosystem.
- Did somebody say toucans? You don’t have to be a birder to enjoy this Arenal Birdwatching Tour, which takes you on trails where you’re likely to train your binoculars on keel-billed toucans, black-mandibled toucans, and spectacular collared aracaris.
- Following a trail through a family-owned nature preserve, the 90-minute Arenal Volcano Horseback Riding Adventure has great views of the countryside as it drops down to the banks of Lake Arenal.
AFTERNOON: Soak in a bubbling hot spring
Instead of heading all the way back to La Fortuna for lunch, stop along the way at El Novillo del Arenal. A favorite with Tripadvisor reviewers, this open-air eatery has unobstructed views of Volcán Arenal. The steaks are well worth the trip, but the burgers aren’t bad, either.
One of the best reasons to come to Arenal is the chance to soak in the hot springs at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. There are lots of similar facilities in the area, but the beautifully landscaped Tabacón gets a “Best of the Best” rating from Tripadvisor. A day pass gives you access to the pools and waterfalls, as well as the swim-up bar. Be sure to book ahead of time, as the place tends to sell out.
EVENING: Exploring the rainforest after dark
Can’t decide what kind of food you’re in the mood for? Head to Mercadito Arenal, a food-court-style eatery where the offerings range from burgers to pizza to sushi. To wash it all down, order a Black Zombie cocktail at the Voodoo Bar.
La Fortuna doesn’t have much going on at night—unless you head back to the rainforest. This 2 1/2-hour Night Walk Around the Arenal Volcano lets you see all the creatures that stay hidden during the day. Our favorite after-dark sighting was the kinkajou, a saucer-eye mammal related to the raccoon.
