Costa Rica rewards curiosity. A peaceful nation with no standing army since 1949, it safeguards over a quarter of its land as national parks and reserves. That protection nurtures astonishing biodiversity—roughly 5% of Earth’s species live here—making the country a dream for jungle hikes, wildlife watching, and volcano views.

Thanksgiving week marks the start of the Pacific coast’s dry season, with sunnier skies in Guanacaste and lingering afternoon showers possible around Arenal. It’s a great window for hiking, boating, and snorkeling while rivers still run high for rafting. Book early: accommodations and tours fill up quickly for the holiday week.

Expect hearty “casados” (rice, beans, plantains, salad, and a protein), ultra-fresh fruit, and some of the best coffee you’ll taste. The colón is the local currency, but dollars are widely accepted. Shared shuttles, group tours, and “sodas” (local diners) keep this itinerary aligned with your budget, while still delivering maximum adventure.

La Fortuna (Arenal)

La Fortuna sits in the shadow of the perfectly conical Arenal Volcano. You’ll weave across jungle hanging bridges, descend to the thunder of La Fortuna Waterfall, and end days in naturally heated hot springs. It’s Costa Rica’s adventure capital for a reason.

Top highlights include Mistico Hanging Bridges, the lava flows on Arenal’s 1968 Trail, and the Balsa River for family-friendly white-water rafting. Evenings can be mellow—think hot springs and hearty food—or as spirited as you like with craft beers and live music in town.

• Where to stay (value-friendly): Search La Fortuna stays on Hotels.com or browse cabins and casitas on VRBO. Look near La Fortuna Centro for walkability or along the road toward the volcano for views.
• How to get here: Fly into SJO (San José). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From SJO to La Fortuna is ~3–3.5 hours by shared shuttle (~$55–70 pp), 4.5–5.5 hours by bus (~$6–9), or ~3 hours by rental car, weather permitting.

Food & drink picks: Start at Red Frog Coffee Roasters for pour-overs and gallo pinto. For lunch, Soda La Hormiga or Soda Viquez serve excellent casados for under $10. Dinner at Tierra Mía (Costa Rican plates with a modern twist) or Nene’s (great steaks and fresh fish). Craving variety? Chifa La Familia Feliz does tasty Chinese-Peruvian stir-fries. Save room for a classic tres leches or passionfruit mousse from a local bakery.

Day 1 — Arrival and First Taste of the Jungle

Morning: Fly into San José (SJO). Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com to compare Thanksgiving-week fares; nonstop options from major US hubs often run 5–7 hours.

Afternoon: Shared shuttle or private transfer to La Fortuna (~3–3.5 hours). Check in, stretch your legs around Parque Central, and pick up supplies (water, snacks, reef-safe sunscreen).

Evening: Easy dinner at Soda Viquez or Tierra Mía. If you want a gentle start, grab a budget-friendly soak at Los Laureles Hot Springs or relax at your hotel.

Day 2 — Hanging Bridges, Waterfall, Volcano Hike, and Hot Springs

Morning: Fuel up at Red Frog Coffee. Then take the classic Arenal highlights circuit that bundles hanging bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, and a volcano hike.

Afternoon: Continue to the Arenal 1968 lava trail for views of the volcano and Lake Arenal, watching for toucans and coatis along the way.

Evening: Soak in hot springs after a big day.

Recommended tour: Volcano Hike, Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges and Hot Springs

Day 3 — White‑Water Rafting, Coffee & Chocolate, Night Walk

Morning: Hit the Balsa River for class II–III rapids—splashy, scenic, and great for first-timers. Expect about 2.5 hours on the water plus transport.

Afternoon: Dry off and taste the source: a hands-on coffee and chocolate experience near Arenal, with farm-to-cup brewing and cacao nibs you’ll grind yourself.

Evening: After dinner at Nene’s, join a guided night walk to see red‑eyed tree frogs, kinkajous, and bioluminescent fungi. Bring a light rain jacket and closed shoes.

• Balsa River White Water Rafting class 2/3 in Costa Rica

  

• North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour

  

• Night Walk Around The Arenal Volcano

  

Playa Flamingo (Guanacaste)

On the sun‑splashed Pacific, Playa Flamingo is all golden sand, calm bays, and a sleek new marina. It’s a perfect base for snorkeling catamarans, day trips to Rio Celeste or Rincón de la Vieja, and easy nightlife in nearby Tamarindo.

Think mornings on Playa Conchal’s crushed‑shell shore, afternoons sailing with sea turtles and dolphins, and warm, breeze‑cooled nights with live music. Thanksgiving week here is reliably sunny—pack reef‑safe sunscreen and a hat.

• Where to stay: For deals, browse Hotels.com or VRBO around Flamingo, Potrero, and Brasilito. For a beachfront resort splurge, consider Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo (often good value if booked early).
• How to get here from La Fortuna: Morning shared shuttle ~3.5–4.5 hours (~$60–75 pp), or private transfer (~$210–260 total). The drive around Lake Arenal is gorgeous. If you’re flying home from Liberia (LIR), Flamingo is ~1–1.25 hours away.

Food & drink picks: Breakfast at Surf Box (power bowls, great coffee) or Numu Café in Brasilito. Beachfront lunches at Coco Loco (ceviche, coconut shrimp) or The Shack in Brasilito (burgers, tacos, cold smoothies). For dinner, head to Potrero’s Las Brisas (fresh fish, local vibe) or hop to Tamarindo for Pangas Beach Club (on-the-sand grill), Patagonia (Argentinian steaks), or Green Papaya (tacos, swings for seats). Live music is common at Crazy Monkey Bar and Sharky’s in Tamarindo—lineups vary weekly.

Day 4 — Travel to the Coast and Sunset on Flamingo

Morning: Depart La Fortuna by shared shuttle to Playa Flamingo (~3.5–4.5 hours). Budget tip: shared shuttles are cheaper than private; buses are possible but add connections and time.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress at Playa Flamingo or walk the 20–25 minutes along Brasilito to Playa Conchal’s glassy water. Snorkel from shore near the rocky points on calmer days.

Evening: Dinner at Coco Loco on the beach; watch the sky go from tangerine to indigo. If you want live music, taxi to Tamarindo for a set at Crazy Monkey Bar (often salsa or cover bands).

Day 5 — Snorkel & Sail Catamaran

Morning: Slow start with breakfast at Surf Box. Pick up reef‑safe sunscreen and a lightweight rash guard for snorkeling.

Afternoon: Board a half‑day catamaran from Playa Flamingo. You’ll sail to a sheltered cove for snorkeling—look for pufferfish, sergeant majors, and, if you’re lucky, sea turtles—then glide back under a fiery Pacific sunset with lunch and open bar included.

Evening: Shower and head to Potrero’s Las Brisas for casual seafood, or Tamarindo’s Pangas for a toes‑in‑the‑sand meal.

Recommended tour: Sunset Catamaran in Playa Flamingo

Day 6 — Rio Celeste Hike, Sloths, and Waterfalls (Day Trip)

Morning: Early pickup for Tenorio Volcano National Park. Hike the rainforest trail to the impossibly blue Rio Celeste—its color comes from suspended minerals scattering light at a confluence called Teñideros.

Afternoon: Cool off at Llanos de Cortés Waterfall and visit a sloth sanctuary to learn about rescue and rehabilitation. Expect a full day with transport and lunch.

Evening: Back in Flamingo, grab a relaxed dinner at The Shack or a beachfront nightcap.

Recommended tour: Rio Celeste Hiking, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour

Alternative (more adrenaline): From Flamingo/Liberia, the Guachipelin Adventure Volcano Zipline Horseback River Tubing Combo packs ziplines, a canyon tubing run, and hot springs into one big day near Rincón de la Vieja.

Day 7 — Beach Morning and Departure

Morning: Sunrise walk on Flamingo or Conchal, then a leisurely breakfast. Rent a kayak or SUP in calm conditions for one last paddle.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to Liberia Airport (LIR) ~1–1.25 hours. Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re flying from SJO instead, leave 5–6 hours for the drive plus a buffer for holiday traffic.

Evening: Homebound with sand still on your sandals and Arenal’s silhouette in your camera roll.

Budget tips for this itinerary:

• Mix free/low-cost activities (self-guided hikes, beaches, sunset viewpoints) with 2–3 key tours (rafting, Arenal highlights, catamaran).
• Eat lunches at “sodas” (local diners) where generous plates are $7–12; save dinners for one or two special nights out.
• Shared shuttles are the sweet spot between cost and convenience. If renting a car, factor in mandatory insurance; compact automatics can run ~$60–90/day around Thanksgiving.

Optional add-ons near Arenal (if you want even more action):

• Arenal 12 Zipline Cables Experience Fly over La Fortuna Waterfall

  

• Arenal Volcano Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling

  

This 7‑day Costa Rica plan blends Arenal’s rainforest and hot springs with Guanacaste’s sunny beaches and snorkeling—ideal for Thanksgiving travelers seeking hiking, boating, and warm weather. With smart budget choices and a few standout tours, you’ll get maximum adventure without overspending.