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Costa Rica is an adventure traveler’s dream. For those visiting for the first time, planning a trip to Costa Rica can be daunting, especially if you’re trying to put together a 7-day itinerary. This Costa Rica Travel Guide for first-time visitors provides information about accommodations, excursions/activities, and spa services that will make for easier planning. If you’re looking for information on how to plan a Costa Rica an itinerary for 7 days you’ve come to the right place!

When airfare deals drop

As soon as the Delta Airline airfare deal dropped, I was on it. I play “no games” when it comes to airfare deals.  I keep a list of places I want to visit…a “travel bucket list,” and Costa Rica was on it.  When this deal came through, I didn’t do a whole lot of back and forth about it. I knew my next trip, regardless of destination, would be a solo trip so I didn’t have to check with anyone else.  I just jumped on the deal with a quickness!

The trip was a couple of months out and I thought I could take my time deciding where I wanted to stay and what I wanted to do.  It quickly became clear that I would need every bit of that time because planning for Costa Rica was challenging. 

I wanted to see as much of the country as I could and, although the country is not considered to be very large, I found out that traveling from city to city can be time-consuming and costly depending on the mode of transportation (rental car, public transportation, or private car) you choose. 

Between that and choosing among the numerous options for accommodations and activities, I was scratching my head trying to decide.  Often I would just take a few notes and come back to it later. 

So it’s important to know that you can become quickly overwhelmed in planning your itinerary for Costa Rica.  

The planning process

 I was due to fly into the Juan Santamaria airport in San Jose (SJO) which is one of the two international (the other airport is Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia–LIR) airports in Costa Rica, which needed to be taken into consideration as well.  After much research, I came to the realization that with the amount of time that I would be in Costa Rica, I would not be able to see the whole country the way I wanted to.  I had to decide what regions I would focus on because doing it all would be impossible, even with 10 days. 

Costa Rica can be classified into 5 regions:  

• Caribbean Coast—borders on Panama.  Tortuguero National Park where turtles come ashore to nest is a favorite.  Afro-Caribbean culture.
• Northern Region—home to popular tourist spots like Arenal Volcano, hot springs and waterfalls.  
• Guanacaste & The North Pacific—tropical paradise with white sand beaches.
• The Central Pacific—coastal resort towns, surfing
• San Jose & Central Valley—the interior portion of the country with the capital being San Jose.  This region is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes.  Where most of Costa Ricans live. Plenty to see and do.

For this trip, I decided to focus my time in the Central Valley, Northern, and Central Pacific regions.  Once I made those choices were made the rest of the planning process was a breeze. 

I was able to come up with an itinerary that was jam-packed and allowed me to experience the best that Costa Rica had to offer and cover a good portion of the country, as well.

And because I’m your girl and I’ve already done all the leg work, here is your “planning a trip to Costa Rica guide book” that will give you the most bang for your buck:

1. Arrange Airport Transfers

Arrange airport transfers ahead of time—when I stepped out onto the sidewalk of the (SJO) airport the humidity was on 1000% and it was an absolute madhouse.  I mean people were EVERYWHERE!  It was then and there that I knew I made the right decision to secure my transportation to the hotel ahead of time.  DO YOURSELF A FAVOR!  Have your ride waiting for you. 

My driver was waiting for me with a sign with my name on it.  He steered me out of the crowd to a waiting car and we were off.  Easy peasy!  I contacted my hotel ahead of time to arrange for the pickup.  It was $35 USD.  Well worth the money. Subsequent transportation can be arranged at the hotel as well.

2. Hotel Hop

Hotel Hopping provides a fuller experience–— With Costa Rica’s well-developed tourism infrastructure, you’ll find all types of accommodations with varying price points.  From hostels and bed & breakfasts to jungle/nature lodges, boutique hotels, and resort spas, places to stay run the gamut. It was difficult to decide on just one.  After I made the decision about which regions to explore, it seemed like a no brainer to hotel hop. What better way to sample a few different accommodation options.  The Hotel Presidente’, Heliconias Nature Lodge, and Xandari Resort & Spa were my choices.

Hotel Presidente’

Nestled amidst a gritty contemporary urban landscape this hotel is an oasis.  The complimentary breakfast was probably one of the best I’ve experienced in a long time with good selections at the hot bar, Wi-Fi, and a well-equipped gym with a view are among its amenities.  Coffee, tea, and water were available in the lobby.  Great first stop in Costa Rica after landing at the (SJO) airport.

Hotel Presidente’ a boutique hotel located in central San Jose is a short twenty-minute ride from the airport. Once you’ve booked you can contact the hotel to arrange for airport transportation by shuttle for $35 USD.  

I’m a sucker for a well-designed modern lobby so when I walked in I knew I had made the right choice.  I was warmly greeted by the staff and check-in was quick and efficient.

The hotel room was sparse but comfy. So I didn’t mind. It’s always great to come back from a long day of sightseeing to a space that’s this inviting.  Located right in the center of San Jose you get a good feel for how those living in the city go about their daily lives.

Heliconias Nature Lodge

With transportation arranged by the hotel, my next stop after a 3-hour ride was the Heliconias Nature Lodge in the La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano National Park area.  A world of difference.  That 3-hour ride transported me from city views and close-by “everything” to jungle trails, rustic cabins and the only store about a quarter-mile walk away. 

As much as San Jose is noisy, Heliconias Nature Lodge is quiet…except for the sounds of nature. Make no mistake about it, you are in the jungle. With the glass walls and hammocks, this is an oasis. I stayed 3 nights here in the Standard Bungalow.  This is a family-run place and they go out of their way to accommodate their guests.  You’ll be treated like family, for sure!  I know I was. 

They offer birdwatching tours and night-walk tours right on the property.  The only thing I didn’t love is the on-site restaurant.  The options/selections were limited, but the food was decent.  Even though they offered free breakfast, I certainly enjoyed the food better in San Jose.

Tip: The property is large so if you don’t feel like walking back to your bungalow after a long day out and about stop by the reception desk to get a golf-cart ride.

This is not a luxury spot by any means so keep your expectations in check. A peaceful retreat, yes! Luxury, no!  One of the things I appreciated most about my stay here was the customer service. There was a major storm during my stay, and knowing that I was a solo traveler, they came to my bungalow to check on me because there are NO phones in the room. I appreciated that.

Xandari Resort & Spa

My final stop on the hotel hop parade was this gem, Xandari Resort & Spa located in Alajuela. This was by far my favorite.  The deco and artwork are what sets this place apart from the others, but they pale in comparison to the spectacular views from just about anywhere on the property. The food was so fresh and delicious with the vegetables, fruits, greens, herbs, and spices being grown right there on the property. 

Once the staff found out about my craving for mango, every night they had a plate of freshly sliced mango ready and garnished to perfection covered in saran wrap witing on me after dinner.  Customer service was top notch. 

Now anywhere I stay I’m looking for the spa services.  The spa has 5 huts, each with its own open-air jacuzzi and spectacular views of their own. I had the aromatic flower-filled open-air jacuzzi massage package in one of those huts that still brings a smile to my face today.  Check them out here.

Hotel hopping definitely provides a broader experience when visiting Costa Rica. Why only stay in one type of accommodation when you can sample a few!

3. Do Something Adventurous

Costa Rica is an adventurers’ paradise. I mean you can’t come to Costa Rica and not get the old heart pumping and the adrenaline rushing.  Right???!!! There’s no better place than Costa Rica if you’re looking to step outside of your comfort zone. No matter your risk level there is an activity for you. There is literally an adventurous activity for everyone.

Some activities to add to your 7-day itinerary

Horseback Riding

The Manuel Antonio rainforest is where you can saddle up and ride on horseback to the Tacori Waterfall with Rancho Tipico Don Juan. You’ll even get a nice meal at the end of your trek.

However, if you’re looking for something a little further from the beaten path, try the Barking Horse Farm where intermediate to expert riders are treated to long-distance rides.

Snorkeling

The best time of year for snorkeling is December through April and late June and July for water conditions. The Marino Ballena National Park is a great spot located along the South Pacific Coast. You can also get to do some whale and dolphin watching here.

Canyoning

What could be more exciting than repelling down a waterfall? Costa Rica is the premier locale for canyoning. The Arenal Volcano area offers canyoning tours which include hikes, hanging bridges, and possible monkey sightings. That coupled with repelling down a waterfall, certainly fits the adventure bill.

Zip-Lining

I choose zip-lining for my adventure. It’s been a line item on my bucket list for the longest. Read all about my zip line experience in Costa Rica.

White Water Rafting

If you think barrelling down rapids, navigating turns, and stomach-churning drops might be your thing, then try white water rafting. The La Fortuna area offers a variety of excursions. Depending on your level of expertise, there are numerous rivers and classes of rapids to choose from.

4. Visit the Tabacon Thermal Resort

After all the hiking, hanging bridges, and adventurous activities, there’s no better way to end your time in Costa Rica than at the Tabacon Thermal Resort. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t love what amounts to a giant outdoor hot tub oasis.

I have two words for you…DAY PASS

You don’t have to be an overnight guest to use the springs. Listen to me…save your coins and get a day pass.  Make sure to reserve your day pass ahead of time as the available spots fill up quickly.  You have the option of a full day pass which includes lunch AND dinner or day pass which includes either lunch OR dinner.  I did the Spa Day Package which included a $100 spa credit valid towards any treatment at The Spa Tabacon and lunch which costs $160 USD.

Thermal Springs

 This rainforest reserve has the largest network of naturally flowing thermal mineral springs.  Five main springs which push out thousands of gallons of water a minute.  Now I gotta tell you…I like my water hell hot.  My shower at home is set to “fire and brimstone”.  So when I say these hot springs were hot, BELIEVE ME!  I sat in these pockets of nirvana…pretty much ALL DAY!

The Spa Experience

I choose an outdoor cabana massage because…why not, which was heavenly. At times, getting a massage is a crapshoot depending on the masseuse. I lucked out this time. The slight breeze, jungle noise audio on repeat, aromatherapy, and the slow and steady deep kneading of tight muscles lead to me slipping into a near coma-like condition. My sweet masseuse pretended not to notice when I wiped the saliva from the side of my mouth when she woke me up. Do yourself a favor…get a massage!

5. Engage with the Locals

To really experience the best that Costa Rica has to offer, you must engage with the locals. I often find that traveling solo puts you in the best position to do this. Every encounter with the locals, known as Ticos, was so endearing.  From eating (rice and beans) with locals at a crowded local spot in San Jose to chopping it up outside of a small convenience store after getting caught in the rain just outside of La Fortuna, each encounter was an opportunity to learn more about the culture. 

Practice your Spanish!  My Spanish is elementary at best and we had some good laughs at my attempts.  

Costa Rica Packing Essentials

There are some things that you just shouldn’t go to Costa Rica without:

• Sunscreen – Depending on when you visit, that Costa Rica sun is HOT. But don’t let the overcast sky fool you either. Protection from UV radiation is the goal. You will need sunscreen with a minimum of 15 SPF and should you should apply it often.

• Insect Protection – You want to protect yourself against two things: ticks and mosquitos. DEET (20% or more) is the active ingredient you want in an insect repellent. Use it every time you step outside.

• Water Shoes – YOU NEED WATER SHOES! Trust me. Don’t go to Costa Rica without them. Hiking by waterfalls and walking on slippery trails can lead to a nasty fall. Protect yourself. Why not try a hiking shoe and water-shoe all in one. I love my Keens’, they’re not the cutest shoes in the world but they sure are comfortable. Perfect for the terrain in Costa Rica.

• Rain Poncho – This water-resistant poncho kept me from getting drenched more than a few times during my stay in Costa Rica. I chose to go during the rainy season, so afternoon downpours were a regular occurrence. All I had to do was whip out my handy dandy poncho which comes with its own pouch. Very cute and super portable.

• Water-resistant daypack – This is what I used for my daily activities. It’s lightweight and water-resistant. I just threw my sunscreen, phone, camera, rain poncho in it and I was ready to go, with plenty of room to spare. One of the features I like the best is that it can be folded down into itself to form a pouch.

• Waterproof phone case – If you’re like me, you’ll want to take plenty of pictures while at the beach, thermal spa, or waterfalls. Protect your phone.

• Pee Funnel – Ladies, this is a must-have while you’re out hiking and nature calls. See what I did there?

In Summary…

Planning a trip to Costa Rica can be overwhelming…but it doesn’t have to be. Use this Costa Rica Travel Guide to plan your 7-day itinerary and you’ll be set to go. From Hotel Hopping to taking a dip in the Thermal Hot Springs you can’t go wrong…your adventure awaits!

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