Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in San José
Morning Arrival at Juan Santamaría Airport
Land at Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela. Pick up your rental car (4x4 recommended) and drive to downtown San José. Check into your hotel in the Escalante district, the city's liveliest neighbourhood.
Afternoon Stroll through Escalante district
Explore Barrio Escalante, San José's gastronomic district. Streets lined with street art, specialty coffee shops and fusion restaurants. Stop by Mercado Central to taste gallo pinto and tico empanadas.
Evening Gastronomic dinner at Sikwa
Dinner at Sikwa restaurant, which reimagines ancestral indigenous Costa Rican cuisine with local ingredients and modern techniques. Intimate setting, tasting menu and cocktails made from tropical plants.
Day 2 Volcán Poás & coffee trail
Morning Volcán Poás — emerald crater
Early morning drive to Volcán Poás National Park (2,708 m). The main crater holds a spectacular emerald-green acid lake, one of the world's largest. Short trails through the surrounding cloud forest.
Afternoon Doka Estate coffee plantation
Guided tour of Doka Estate, one of the country's oldest coffee plantations, on the fertile slopes of Volcán Poás. Discover the full bean-to-cup process: harvesting, drying, roasting. Tasting of high-altitude coffees.
Evening Settle in Alajuela & Tico dinner
Stay overnight in Alajuela to shorten tomorrow's drive to La Fortuna. Dinner at a soda (typical family-run restaurant): full casado with rice, black beans, fried plantain, salad and choice of meat.
Day 3 Drive to La Fortuna & hot springs
Morning Scenic drive to La Fortuna
Cross the Central Valley towards La Fortuna (2.5h). Drive through mountains, pineapple plantations and rural villages. Arrive with a breathtaking view of Volcán Arenal's perfect cone. Check into your hotel.
Afternoon La Fortuna Waterfall
Descend the 500 steps leading to La Fortuna Waterfall (70 m high). Swim in the natural turquoise pool at the base of the falls, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. One of Costa Rica's most iconic sites.
Evening Tabacón hot springs
Relaxing evening at Tabacón Hot Springs, naturally heated by Arenal's volcanic activity. Pools at various temperatures (25-40°C) winding through a tropical garden. The night-time setting with dim lighting is magical.
Day 4 Arenal — hanging bridges & secret waterfalls
Morning Mistico Hanging Bridges
3 km hike along the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, at the canopy level of the rainforest. 16 bridges including 6 suspended above the canopy (up to 60 m high). Spot toucans, howler monkeys and sloths in the early morning.
Afternoon Volcán Arenal trail & lava flows
Hike through Volcán Arenal National Park on trails crossing the 1968 and 1992 lava flows. Vegetation slowly reclaims the basalt rock. Panoramic views of Lake Arenal and the volcano (1,633 m).
Evening Dinner at Don Rufino
Dinner at Don Rufino, one of La Fortuna's finest restaurants. Contemporary Costa Rican cuisine with volcano views from the terrace. Speciality: grilled lomito (beef tenderloin) with local spices and homemade chimichurri.
Day 5 Drive to Monteverde — cloud forest
Morning Cross Lake Arenal towards Monteverde
Scenic drive along Lake Arenal (3h). Landscapes shift from humid rainforest to the windy hills of the Tilarán mountain range. Stop at the Arenal Dam viewpoint. Gradual ascent towards the Monteverde Reserve.
Afternoon Santa Elena Reserve — cloud forest
First immersion in the cloud forest at the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Less crowded than the Monteverde reserve, it offers 12 km of trails in a unique ecosystem where trees are draped in moss, orchids and ferns.
Evening Night walk in the cloud forest
Guided night walk (2h) to observe wildlife that awakens at dusk: red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, kinkajous, tarantulas and bioluminescent insects. A unique sensory experience in the forest darkness.
Day 6 Canopy & Monteverde biodiversity
Morning Zip-lining through the canopy — Selvatura Park
Zip-line adventure at Selvatura Park: 13 cables, the longest spanning 1 km, soaring over the cloud forest canopy at over 100 m height. Extraordinary aerial views of the valley and distant volcanoes. Adrenaline guaranteed.
Afternoon Monteverde Biological Reserve
Explore the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Over 2,500 plant species, 400 bird species and 100 mammal species. Sendero Bosque Nuboso trail (2 km) for total immersion in this UNESCO-listed ecosystem.
Evening Farm-to-table dinner at Restaurante Celajes
Dinner at Celajes, Hotel Belmar's restaurant, with panoramic views of the Gulf of Nicoya valley. Farm-to-table cuisine with ingredients from the hotel's organic farm. Menu changes daily based on the harvest.
Day 7 Descent to the Pacific coast — Manuel Antonio
Morning Drive Monteverde → Manuel Antonio
Long drive (4.5h) from the misty heights of Monteverde down to Manuel Antonio's tropical beaches. Spectacular descent from the mountain range to the Pacific coast. Cross through Puntarenas and oil palm plantations.
Afternoon Espadilla Sur Beach — first Pacific swim
Relaxing afternoon on Playa Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio's main beach. Warm water year-round, white sand bordered by tropical forest. Watch capuchin monkeys come down to steal beachgoers' snacks.
Evening Sunset & dinner at El Patio de Café Milagro
Sunset cocktails from Café Milagro's terrace, overlooking the forest and ocean. Seafood dinner: dorado ceviche, grilled ahi tuna, plancha octopus. Relaxed atmosphere with local musicians on some evenings.
Day 8 Manuel Antonio National Park — jungle & beaches
Morning Manuel Antonio National Park — trails & wildlife
Enter at opening time to Costa Rica's most-visited national park. Trails through primary forest: capuchin monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, iguanas, toucans. The guide spots camouflaged animals with a spotting scope.
Afternoon Playa Manuel Antonio — the park's hidden beach
Swim at Playa Manuel Antonio, only accessible from within the national park. Small white-sand cove framed by jungle, calm and crystal-clear waters. Snorkelling around the rocks with tropical fish and rays.
Evening Cocktails & tapas at Ronny's Place
Evening at Ronny's Place, a hilltop bar-restaurant with Manuel Antonio's finest panoramic view. Open terrace with 180° views of the Pacific Ocean and islets. Seafood tapas and tropical cocktails at sunset.
Day 9 Wild beaches & mangrove kayaking
Morning Kayaking through Isla Damas mangroves
Sea kayaking excursion through the Isla Damas mangroves (3h). Paddle between the aerial roots of mangrove trees, spot squirrel monkeys, caimans, herons and kingfishers. Protected ecosystem of exceptional richness.
Afternoon Playa Biesanz — hidden cove
Walk down to Playa Biesanz, a small secret beach accessed via a forest trail (15-minute walk). Protected cove ideal for snorkelling in calm waters. Much less crowded than Manuel Antonio's other beaches.
Evening Seafood dinner at Quepos Marina
Head down to Quepos Marina for an ultra-fresh seafood dinner. Marina restaurants serve the day's catch straight from the boats: tuna, dorado, marlin, giant shrimp. Views of the boats and illuminated harbour.
Day 10 Drive to Uvita — wild South Pacific coast
Morning Coastal drive to Dominical & Uvita
Coastal drive south (1.5h) along the Pacific. Stop in Dominical, a legendary surf village. Coffee on the beach watching the powerful waves. Continue to Uvita and check into an ecolodge in the middle of the forest.
Afternoon Marino Ballena National Park — whale tail
Visit Marino Ballena National Park, famous for its whale-tail-shaped tombolo visible at low tide. Deserted golden sand beaches, coral reefs and calm waters. Swim and explore the tombolo — a surreal landscape.
Evening Dinner in Uvita — local vibe
Dinner at Sabor Español or Roadshack Deli, popular Uvita restaurants. Relaxed atmosphere, feet in the sand or garden terrace. Fusion cuisine with Costa Rican and international touches. Quiet evening in this corner still untouched by mass tourism.
Day 11 Whale watching & snorkelling at Caño Island
Morning Boat trip — humpback whales
Boat excursion (3h) off Uvita to spot humpback whales, migrating from Antarctica in January. Watch breaches, tail slaps and often calves accompanying their mothers. Spotted dolphins are a frequent bonus.
Afternoon Snorkelling at Isla del Caño
Combined excursion to Isla del Caño (biological reserve), one of Costa Rica's best snorkelling spots. Crystal-clear waters with turtles, manta rays, white-tip reef sharks, coral and schools of colourful fish. A protected site of rare underwater beauty.
Evening Relaxing evening at the ecolodge
Return to the ecolodge for a restful evening after the day at sea. Dinner served on the terrace with forest views. Sounds of the tropical jungle at dusk: toucans, frogs and cicadas. Hammock and starry sky far from any light pollution.
Day 12 Cross to the Caribbean coast — Puerto Viejo
Morning Cross-country drive Pacific → Caribbean
Long drive (5.5h) crossing the country from west to east, from the Pacific to the Caribbean. Pass through San José then descend towards Limón through the Reventazón Valley and banana plantations. Radical change of landscape and culture.
Afternoon Discover Puerto Viejo & Playa Cocles
Settle into Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a Caribbean village of colourful houses and reggae vibes. Cycle to Playa Cocles, a beautiful golden sand beach lined with coconut palms. First swim in the turquoise Caribbean waters.
Evening Caribbean dinner at Stashu's con Fusion
Dinner at Stashu's con Fusion, a Puerto Viejo culinary institution. Caribbean fusion cuisine: jerk fish, coconut milk curry shrimp, caramelised plantain. Tropical atmosphere with open garden terrace and dim lighting.
Day 13 Cahuita National Park & Caribbean chill
Morning Cahuita National Park — coastal trail
Morning hike on Cahuita National Park's coastal trail (8 km one way). Flat trail between jungle and deserted beaches along the Caribbean Sea. Spot howler monkeys, sloths, snakes and coral reefs visible from the beach.
Afternoon Playa Punta Uva — Caribbean paradise
Lazy afternoon on Playa Punta Uva, regularly voted Costa Rica's most beautiful beach. Shallow turquoise water, white sand, coconut palms leaning over the water. Exceptional snorkelling spot around the rocky point.
Evening Reggae night & rice and beans in Puerto Viejo
Last Caribbean evening in Puerto Viejo. Rice and beans dinner (rice and beans cooked in coconut milk — the Caribbean version of gallo pinto) with jerk fish and patacones. Live reggae music at one of the village bars.
Day 14 Final moments & return to San José
Morning Cahuita sloth sanctuary
Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center, a rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured wild animals. Observe sloths, orphaned monkeys, snakes, poison dart frogs and tropical birds. Guides explain the story of each rescued animal.
Afternoon Drive back to San José
Drive back to San José (4.5h) via Limón and the Braulio Carrillo mountain pass. Cross through Braulio Carrillo National Park — dense forest and mountain-top fog. Return the rental car and do last-minute souvenir and coffee shopping.
Evening Departure from Juan Santamaría Airport
Transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport for the return flight. End of a 14-day adventure through Costa Rica's volcanoes, cloud forests, Pacific beaches and Caribbean coasts. Pura Vida!