Itinerary Overview

D1 San José → D2–D3 Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna → D4–D5 Monteverde Cloud Forest → D6 Manuel Antonio National Park → D7 Return to San José for departure. Renting a 4×4 vehicle or using shuttle services is recommended, as the roads are mainly mountainous.

D1 Arrival in San José

• Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), then head to downtown San José or stay in Alajuela.
• In the afternoon, visit the National Theatre, Central Market, and the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.
• In the evening, try a local coffee and gallo pinto at the Central Market, then rest early to adjust to the altitude.

D2–D3 Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna

• In the morning, drive to La Fortuna (approximately 3 hours), with views of coffee plantations and volcanic landscapes along the way.
• In the afternoon, hike the lava trails in Arenal Volcano National Park, then relax in the hot springs in the evening while viewing the volcano silhouette.
• The next day, experience canopy walkways, jungle ziplining, or visit La Fortuna Waterfall. You can also join a wildlife night tour to spot sloths and frogs.

D4–D5 Monteverde Cloud Forest

• In the morning, travel to Monteverde via Lake Arenal, with an optional boat ride across the lake to save time on mountain roads.
• In the afternoon, explore the cloud forest reserve and walk across suspension bridges to look for hummingbirds and resplendent quetzals.
• The next day, join a guided tour of a coffee plantation or chocolate workshop to learn about the process from planting to roasting.

D6 Manuel Antonio National Park

Descend to the Pacific coast in the early morning to reach Manuel Antonio, a drive of about 4 hours. In the afternoon, enter the national park and walk the trails to see white-faced capuchin monkeys, sloths, and iguanas, then enjoy the white-sand beach. In the evening, explore the town’s sunset views and night market.

D7 Return to San José & Departure

Spend the morning relaxing on the beach or joining a nearby snorkeling trip. In the afternoon, return to San José (approximately 3 hours), with a possible stop at the Crocodile Bridge to see crocodiles. In the evening, head to the airport for departure.

Tips

• It’s advisable to book national parks and hot springs online in advance, as they often fill up during peak season.
• The mountain roads have many curves and frequent fog—avoid driving at night if you’re renting a car.
• If you have extra time, consider extending your trip to 10 days and adding stops like Tortuguero for sea turtles or Corcovado Rainforest.