Costa Rica Travel: Sample Plan
7 Days Exploring Costa Rica's Great Outdoors with All Five Senses
7 days
$1,926〜 /per person (based on double occupancy)
-
Price
What's Included- Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Tours and activities listed in the itinerary (with guide)
- Admission fees for national parks and conservation centers
- Private vehicles, boats, and other transportation
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Price
What's not included- International flight tickets and taxes
- Other personal expenses such as travel insurance and souvenirs
- Tips
Recommended travel points
Costa Rica, a treasure trove of biodiversity.
With this plan, you can fully experience Costa Rica’s rich nature with all five senses.
Your first stop, Tortuguero National Park, features a unique ecosystem of waterways and tropical rainforest, accessible only by boat—a special geographical setting that stirs the spirit of adventure.
Waking up in a lodge surrounded by rainforest and gliding across tranquil waters on a jungle boat tour, you’ll feel the presence of wildlife up close—a true moment of oneness with nature.
In Fortuna, you can relax your body and mind in the hot spring river while gazing at the majestic Arenal Volcano.
The warmth of the luxury resort Tabacón Hot Springs gently soothes away travel fatigue, offering a luxurious moment to feel the blessings of nature on your skin.
In the Sarapiquí Nature Reserve, you’ll walk through the forest with a guide and encounter a vibrant array of creatures, including red-eyed tree frogs, poison dart frogs, and hummingbirds.
In addition to daytime walks, the night tour lets you experience a different side of the forest, revealing the profound depths of nature.
And in Costa Rica, you must not forget the resplendent quetzal.
With emerald-green feathers, a deep crimson chest, and long, graceful tail feathers, its appearance is like a jewel soaring through the sky.
Visit the quetzal’s habitat, learn about its habits and environment, and take your time searching for this magnificent bird.
By immersing yourself in Costa Rica’s great outdoors, you’ll find your own senses sharpened—a journey that will leave a lasting impression on your heart.
Even after returning home, you’ll find yourself recalling the scent of the rainforest, the sight of the animals, and the smiles of the people—memories of a truly enriching time.
Itinerary details
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Day 1
San Jose
Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, the capital of Costa Rica.
Meet with the Japanese-speaking staff and head to your hotel.
Breakfast: × Lunch: × Dinner: ×
Accommodation: Radisson San Jose or a hotel of similar class -
Day 2
San José → Tortuguero
Meet your guide early in the morning.
Transfer to Tortuguero by shared bus and boat (via Caño Blanco or Pavón).
Upon arrival at the lodge, lunch will be served.
In the afternoon, visit Tortuguero Village.
From July to October, optional sea turtle nesting tours are available.
Breakfast: 〇 Lunch: 〇 Dinner: 〇
Accommodation: Mawamba Lodge or a hotel of equivalent class -
Day 3
Tortuguero → Fortuna
Early morning jungle boat tour in Tortuguero National Park.
As you glide along the quiet waterways, you can closely observe birds flitting between the trees, monkeys moving from branch to branch, and mammals and reptiles lurking along the banks.
After the tour, enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Afterwards, transfer to Fortuna by boat and bus.
After leaving your luggage at the hotel, head to Tabacón Hot Springs.
Soothe your fatigue in the hot spring river.
After your bath, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Breakfast: 〇 Lunch: 〇 Dinner: 〇
Accommodation: San Bosco Inn or a hotel of equivalent class -
Day 4
La Fortuna → Sarapiki
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Sarapiquí Nature Reserve.
Upon arrival, take a guided walk through the nature reserve.
After lunch, take a guided walk through the nature reserve.
You can enjoy nature observation while searching for vividly colored frogs such as the Red-eyed Tree Frog and Poison Dart Frog, beautiful wild birds like hummingbirds, and the globally rare Honduran White Bat.
We also offer an easy chocolate-making experience using cacao grown within the reserve.
After having lunch at the dining hall within the reserve, you will transfer to your hotel.
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon at your own pace.
Optional night tours are available, where you can enjoy observing nocturnal animals such as kinkajous and scorpions.
Breakfast: 〇 Lunch: 〇 Dinner: 〇
Accommodation: Selva Verde Lodge or a hotel of equivalent class -
Day 5
Sarapiqui → San Jose
Breakfast at the hotel.
An optional early morning birdwatching tour is available, where you can observe colorful and beautiful birds.
Transfer to a wildlife rescue center near San José.
While observing rescued animals, you will learn about wildlife conservation efforts in Costa Rica.
Afterwards, transfer to your hotel in San José.
The afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure in San José.
Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Radisson San Jose or a hotel of similar class -
Day 6
San José → San Gerardo de Dota → San José
Meet your driver early in the morning and transfer to San Gerardo de Dota.
Join a day trip to observe quetzals.
Let's search for the quetzal, known as the most beautiful bird in the world.
After breakfast at a restaurant frequented by wild birds, return to San José.
Afterwards, you are free to spend your time as you wish in San José.
An optional coffee plantation tour near San José is available. You can learn about the process of cultivating, harvesting, and roasting world-famous Costa Rican coffee, and enjoy a fragrant cup.
Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Radisson San Jose or a hotel of similar class -
Day 7
San Jose
Breakfast at the hotel.
You will be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule.
thank you for your hard work!
Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: ×
Costa Rica travel chat representative
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Yuuta Yamazoe
Travel agency license Confirmed Service area Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil place of residence Costa Rica Languages Spoken Japanese, English, Spanish, Portuguese I've loved nature and wildlife since I was a child, and that passion eventually led me to work in the tourism industry in Costa Rica, Central America. My specialty is nature and animals, but I also have a deep appreciation for the culture and history of Latin America, and I hope to share those aspects with you as well. Since information about Latin America can be hard to come by and planning a trip can be challenging, I strive to provide as much detailed information as possible to help you create a journey that will become a lifelong memory. During the tours, even in the sometimes inconvenient environments of Latin America, I will do my utmost to assist you so that you can enjoy a safe, secure, and comfortable trip. -
Kase Castle
Travel agency license Confirmed Service area Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru place of residence Japan Languages Spoken Japanese, Spanish, English I first visited Costa Rica in 1995 and have been operating a travel business primarily in the Latin American region since 2003. I have visited over 60 countries, mainly in Central and South America, through tourism for Japanese people and overseas photography coordination. Although I relocated my base to Japan in March 2020, I continue to guide Japanese customers to places not typically visited on regular tours, such as the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, primarily for wildlife observation and remote tours.
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