Costa Rica is small in size but vast in biodiversity—home to roughly 5% of the world’s species. Since abolishing its army in 1948, the country has invested in education and conservation, giving travelers protected rainforests, national parks, and a culture that truly lives its motto: “pura vida.”

In one week, you can sip high-altitude coffee in San José’s historic neighborhoods and, in a few hours, stand beneath the green cone of Arenal Volcano. Expect toucans at breakfast, hot springs after sunset, and plates of casado, gallo pinto, and ceviche that taste like sunshine and sea.

Practical notes: dry season typically runs December–April; May–November brings afternoon showers and emerald hills. The colón is the currency, but USD is widely accepted. Roads are paved but winding; drive by daylight and allow extra time. Wildlife is wild—admire from a respectful distance, and pack good footwear, a light rain jacket, and reef-safe sunscreen.

San José

San José, the bustling capital, layers neoclassical theaters, Art Deco storefronts, and colorful markets with a lively café and craft beer scene. It’s the best place to taste Costa Rican coffee culture at the source and brush up on history before heading to the jungles.

Top sights include the Teatro Nacional, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, and the Mercado Central—a maze of spice-scented stalls, soda counters, and ice cream legends. Nearby Barrio Amón and Barrio Escalante are where locals linger over brunch, natural wine, and live music.

Where to stay (San José):

• Hotel Grano de Oro — A restored Victorian mansion with leafy courtyards and a destination restaurant; serene yet central.
• Selina San José — Trendy hub in Barrio Otoya with coworking and frequent events; great for social travelers.
• Hilton Garden Inn San José La Sabana — Modern rooms overlooking the national stadium; easy Uber/taxi access across the city.
• Browse apartments and homes on VRBO San José or check deals on Hotels.com San José.

How to get here: Fly into SJO (Juan Santamaría International). Compare fares and routes on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Taxis and rideshares take ~25–35 minutes to central neighborhoods, depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival in San José

Afternoon: Land at SJO and settle into your hotel. Shake off the flight with a leg-stretch along La Sabana Park or a short stroll through historic Barrio Amón to admire turn-of-the-century wood-and-adobe houses framed by mango trees.

Evening: For a quintessential first taste, book a table at Silvestre (inventive tasting menus reinterpreting Costa Rican staples) or dine family-style at La Criollita for hearty casados and olla de carne. Nightcap with a Costa Rican craft beer at Wilk Craft Beer or Stiefel Pub; ask for a local IPA or a cacao-tinged stout.

Day 2: Markets, museums, and a taste of the city

Morning: Start at Caféoteca or Franco for specialty pour-overs and gallo pinto. Dive into the Mercado Central for fresh-squeezed jugos, empanadas, and a scoop of the famous sorbetera ice cream at Helados de Sorbetera de Lolo Mora (a cinnamon-vanilla recipe cherished for over a century). If you’re a history buff, pair this with the Gold or Jade Museum—compact, illuminating, and air-conditioned.

Afternoon: Join this small-group tasting walk—coffee, chocolate, and city stories in one delicious loop: San Jose City Tour Food Tasting - Coffee and Chocolate.

Evening: Head to Barrio Escalante, a leafy dining district. Try Apotecario for craft cocktails with local botanicals; then choose dinner at Sikwa (indigenous-inspired recipes, when open—call ahead), Il Padrino (wood-fired pizza), or Al Mercat (farm-to-table plates). Finish with chocolate tres leches at a neighborhood bakery.

La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano)

La Fortuna sits at the foot of the perfectly conical Arenal Volcano—one of Costa Rica’s most iconic views. This is adventure central: suspension bridges in the canopy, canyoning, rafting, wildlife night walks, and blissed-out evenings in mineral hot springs.

Beyond the postcard waterfall and lava fields, the town hums with cozy cafés, chocolate shops, and sodas serving hearty, home-style fare. Keep an eye out for sloths in roadside guarumo trees and listen for the rush of oropendolas as the day cools.

Where to stay (La Fortuna): Browse cabins with volcano views, jungle bungalows, and boutique hotels via VRBO La Fortuna and Hotels.com La Fortuna. Popular areas include hot-springs corridors west of town and quiet roads toward El Castillo for lake views.

Getting from San José to La Fortuna: Morning departure recommended. By road, it’s ~3–3.5 hours via Route 702 (allow 4–5 hours in rain). Shared shuttles run ~$55–65 per person; private transfers ~$170–220 per vehicle; public bus via Ciudad Quesada is ~$6–10 and 4.5–5.5 hours. There are no regular trains or scheduled commercial flights to La Fortuna; plan on a road transfer. For international or onward flights, compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 3: San José to La Fortuna + hot springs and a rainforest night walk

Morning: Depart San José after breakfast for La Fortuna. Stop in Zarcero to stretch your legs in the whimsical topiary gardens if you’re self-driving. Aim to arrive by early afternoon.

Afternoon: Check in and unwind in thermal waters. For a lively scene, Tabacón offers meandering river pools and swim-up bars; for a quieter soak, try EcoTermales or Paradise Hot Springs. Order a guanábana smoothie poolside.

Evening: Meet nocturnal Costa Rica on a guided night hike near the volcano: Night Walk Around Arenal Volcano.

Afterward, dine at Nene’s (grilled snapper with garlic butter) or La Parrilla de María Bonita (charcoal steaks and chimichurri). For dessert, pop into Chocolate Fusion for truffles infused with local fruits.

Day 4: The Arenal “greatest hits” in one day

Spend a full day ticking off the region’s signature trio—hanging bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, and an Arenal lava-fields hike—capped with hot springs. This well-paced tour handles the logistics and guides the wildlife spotting: Volcano Hike, Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges and Hot Springs.

Hungry after the soak? Book Don Rufino for refined Costa Rican plates (octopus with yuca purée; slow-braised short rib) or try Tierra Mía for excellent Peruvian ceviche and lomo saltado.

Day 5: Whitewater thrills + a laid-back afternoon

Morning: Paddle the Balsa River, perfect for first-timers and families with its fun class II–III rapids and jungle scenery: Balsa River White Water Rafting class 2/3 in Costa Rica.

Afternoon: Refuel with a casado at Soda Víquez (ask for passionfruit fresco). Stroll the central park, then grab a specialty brew at My Coffee La Fortuna or Red Frog Coffee Roasters. If you want more adrenaline, consider afternoon ziplining with sweeping volcano views.

Evening: Sunset tapas and a maracuyá sour at Lava Lounge. For dinner, Chifa La Familia Feliz serves hearty Peruvian-Chinese favorites—arroz chaufa and tallarín saltado hit the spot after a big day.

Day 6: Coffee and chocolate origins + waterfall time

Morning: Learn how beans and cacao become your daily cup and favorite dessert on this family-run experience near Arenal: North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour.

Afternoon: Hike down to La Fortuna Waterfall (take your time on the stairs; water shoes help on the rocks). Picnic by the river, then browse local artisan stands back in town for wood-carved toucans and coffee soaps.

Evening: One last soak at a hot springs of your choice. Celebrate with a wood-fired pizza and local craft lager at Que Rico Arenal, or go all in on steak and grilled veggies at La Fortuna Pub for a casual vibe.

Day 7: Return to San José and depart

Morning: Drive or shuttle back to San José (plan ~3–4 hours; add buffer for traffic and weather). If time allows, stop at a roadside stand for fresh palmito cheese and sweet plantain chips.

Afternoon: Grab a quick lunch near La Sabana—try Soda Tapia for old-school Costa Rican diner classics—then head to SJO for your flight. Compare last-minute options or manage your booking on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional day trips from San José (if you extend): For a crater’s-edge view and lush gardens, consider this popular circuit: Full Day Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Coffee Plantation Experience.

Where to eat and drink (quick hit list):

• San José breakfast/coffee: Caféoteca (single-origin pours), Franco (creative brunch), Soda Tala (classic gallo pinto).
• San José lunch: Mercado Central counters such as La Sorbetera and soda stalls; Nuestra Tierra for chifrijo and chorreadas.
• San José dinner: Silvestre (tasting menu), Al Mercat (farm-to-table), Tin Jo (pan-Asian stalwart), Tiquicia in Aserrí for mirador views and folkloric vibes.
• La Fortuna coffee/sweets: My Coffee La Fortuna, Red Frog Coffee Roasters, Chocolate Fusion.
• La Fortuna lunch: Soda Víquez (casados), Pollo Fortuñeno (rotisserie), Organico Fortuna (bowls and smoothies).
• La Fortuna dinner: Don Rufino (refined), Nene’s (seafood grills), Tierra Mía (Peruvian), La Parrilla de María Bonita (steakhouse).

Good to know: Tips are appreciated but often included as a 10% service charge on bills. Tap water is generally safe in cities; ask locally in rural areas. Wildlife viewing is best at dawn and dusk; pack binoculars.

Activities you might also like around Arenal:

• La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano Combo Tour

  

• Arenal 12 Zipline Cables Experience Fly over La Fortuna Waterfall

  

• Arenal Volcano Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling

  

In a single week you’ll sip world-class coffee, wander historic streets, hike beneath an active volcano, plunge into jade pools, and float in steamy hot springs under a chorus of tree frogs. Costa Rica rewards curiosity—every turn of the road brings a new fragrance, a new birdcall, a new taste of pura vida.