Costa Rica Adventure!

This itinerary takes you to two of the most popular provinces in Costa Rica: 1) Guanacaste - a tropical paradise with a pristine shoreline in the northwest, and 2) Alajuela - a lush region with many waterfalls, rainforests and opportunities to hike in north-central Costa Rica.

Leading you around northern Costa Rica, this itinerary will provide you plenty of opportunities to see Costa Rica’s gorgeous landscapes, get up close to the wildlife, stay active, and be adventurous.

La Fortuna

• Morning - Hike La Fortuna Waterfall

• Afternoon - Visit Arenal Observatory Lodge

• Evening - Tabacon Hot Springs

Getting There

If you’re staying in the La Fortuna, you’re already very close to all the activities. Total drive time to do all the top La Fortuna activities will be ~1 hour.

Hike La Fortuna Waterfall

• Time: 9:00 to 11:30am (open everyday from 7:30am to 4:00pm)

• Time Needed: 2.5 hours

• Cost: $18 entrance fee (cash and credit card payment options)

• Google Maps Address: C8RM+R2 La Fortuna, Alajuela Province, San Carlos, Costa Rica. The address was a little hard to find. If you have trouble, ask a local.

• Parking: There is a parking lot with free parking.

• Details: A 200-ft waterfall that emerges from a thick jungle before plummeting into an emeral green pool below, the La Fortuna waterfall, meaning “the fortune” in Spanish, is one of the most visited waterfalls in all of Costa Rica.

  The hike is ~0.6 miles with 500 steps and 183 ft elevation - it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to hike. It’s a great workout and the waterfall is an amazing reward! You climb down first - so save some energy for the trip back up.

  Bring a swimsuit and some snacks because there is an excellent area to swim and enjoy the waterfall’s mist at the bottom!

• Gift Shop: The gift shop has a ton of fun items - stop by! I got my favorite Costa Rica souvenir there, a shirt that has a cute little sloth on it.

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa

• Time: 12:30 to 3:30pm (open everyday from 7 to 9pm)

• Time Needed: 2-4 hours! You could spend all day here so decide ahead of time what you want to do here to gauge time.

• Cost: Entrance pass is $12 per person and included access to everything except the pool and jacuzzi. Payment can be made at the moment of arrival at the front gate.

• Ahead Of Time: Before heading out to see the volcano you can look at the volcano “Live Cam” to check visibility.

• Details: The Arenal Observatory Lodge is perfectly positioned between the massive Arenal Volcano and the deep blue Lake Arenal. Resting on a ridge amid tall pine trees and luxuriant rainforest, Arenal Observatory Lodge is the only hotel that is located inside the Arenal Volcano National Park.

  At the observatory, you can find a ton of activities to keep you busy:

  • 7 miles of well-maintained hiking

  • Horseback riding

  • Mountain biking

  • Bird-watching (there’s also a ton of wildlife to see, from monkeys and anteaters, to raccoons, deer, and more than 500 species of birds)

  • Visit “The Nest” observation tower. Placed in the center of the rainforest, you ascend 146 stairs to the top where you’ll have a 360 degree panoramic view of Arenal volcano, Arenal Lake, Cerro Chato, and Tilaran Mountain Range.

• Crossfit Challenge Circuit: For the active vacationers, the lodge offers a multisport, outdoor trail running circuit. The 5-mile course is the first of its kind in Costa Rica and goes through a variety of habitats so you can enjoy nature while getting a workout. Learn more here.

• Optional Dinner: If you end loving the observatory area, stay for dinner! The on-site restaurant El Jilguero has a great view of volcano (open from 6 to 8:30pm).

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

• Time: 6 to 10pm (If you follow this itinerary’s schedule, you’d want to get a night pass, which provides access from 6 to 10pm . However, there’s also full day passes, as well as a morning pass.)

• Time Needed: 3-4 hours. If you’re in need of relaxation after a long trip to Costa Rica, you can easily spend all day relaxing here

• Cost: $75 / adult or $30 / child for a night pass

• Details: After a long day of hiking and exploring, relax in beautiful hot springs. The Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa is a luxury hotel nestled in the rainforest with Costa Rica’s largest network of naturally flowing thermal mineral springs. The hot springs are beautiful.

  There is also an amazing (but somewhat pricey) restaurant on-site where you can enjoy dinner!

Other Picturesque Spots Around Arenal Volcano

If you have extra time or want to try to explore some additional places around lake Arenal, here are some other areas with incredible views:

• Los Lagos Hotel. This hotel has a ton of fun activities close by and an excellent view of the Arenal Volcano. The view is from the northeast of the volcano.

• Lost Iguana Resort. This is a premiere, upscale retreat nestled gently in the jungle overlooking the Arenal Volcano. The view is from the northeast of the volcano (the lake side) and includes good visibility. of the lake.

Rio Celeste

• Morning - Hike to Rio Celeste Waterfall

• Afternoon - Go Tubing down the river!

Getting There

Where To Stay In Rio Celeste: I recommend staying at the Río Celeste Hideaway Hotel, a small resort-style and ecologically-conscious hotel that provides a truly unique experience. I did not stay here but it looked beautiful (and I wish I had’ve had the opportunity to stay there). This beautiful hotel in Costa Rica is located just an hour’s drive from the Arenal Volcano area and 90 minutes from the Liberia International airport (LIR). It’s right next to the Tenorio Volcano National Park, where the amazing Rio Celeste gains its sky-blue color and close to the Miravalles Volcano. They offer spacious comfort, a wonderful restaurant and amenities, surrounded by a natural paradise. Be prepared to experience a lush tropical rainforest and spot exotic animals during your stay!

Hike Rio Celeste Waterfall

• Time: 8:45 to 12:00pm (open from 8:00am to 4:00pm, last entry is at 2:00pm)

• Time Needed: 3 hours

• Cost: $12 entrance fee (credit cards only). It’s first come, first serve to get your tickets and they have a limited number of visitors per day.

• Google Maps Address: Parqueo del Parque Nacional Tenorio

• Before You Go: Check the Tenorio Volcano National Park FB Page to see current conditions. Depending on the recent weather, the water may be more or less blue.

• Parking: There is a parking lot that costs around 2,000 colones per car.

• Details:

  • The 3.7 mile hike is not too difficult, though there will be some stairs and (if it has rained) some slippery areas.

  • One of the best things about this hike is the color of the waterfall, which is a majestic blue on most days. The locals say Rio Celeste got its stunning color when God dipped his brush in the river as he was painting the sky. Scientifically, the color comes from when two separate clear water rivers meet and a certain type of mineral coated in silicon, oxygen, and aluminum remains suspended the river. On the hike you can actually go to the spot where these two rivers meet and see the water change colors.

  • It can get muddy on the trail if it’s raining or has rained recently! Bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. A poncho or waterproof gear is also not a bad idea for this area.

  • Swimming is prohibited inside the national park. However, there is a free public entrance by the bridge ~.6 miles past the park entrance where you can sit in the river (Google Maps: “Rio Celeste Free Pool”).

  • There are a ton of photo ops on this hike: the main waterfall, the blue lagoon, and the hanging bridge were my three favorite spots.

• Gift Shop: The gift shop has a ton of fun Rio Celeste items - stop by! On most days, vendors are right outside selling deliciously-cooked meat right off the grill, which is a perfect post-hike meal. We had grilled chicken with pineapples and mushrooms.

Tubing Through The Rainforest

• Time: 12:30 to 3:30pm (departure times: 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm)

• Time Needed: 2-3 hours. The actual excursion is around 1.5 hours.

• Location: Katira, Rio Celeste. 20 minutes from Tenorio National Park

• Tour Cost: $50/person

• Ahead Of Time: Make sure to book your tubing excursion ahead of time to ensure availability.

• Details: Rio Celeste Aventuras offers affordable Aquatic Tubing Tours near Rio Celeste.

  • Their tour consists of a 3km float through Rio Celeste waters for 90 minutes on average, though actual time depends on the current.

  • You will get to enjoy unique landscapes, bird watching, and pleasant navigation, as well as some moments of action in the river rapids.

First Day in Guanacaste

• Morning - Drive to Guanacaste Region (Playa Flamingo)

• Afternoon / Evening - Explore Las Catalinas & Enjoy Sunset

Getting There

Today is a travel day: you’'ll move from the more interior and rainy Alajuela region to the sunny, coastal Guanacaste province.

Be aware that driving in Costa Rica can be more challenging than in the U.S. I recommend doing long drives during daylight hours. Many roads are not paved with big pot holes, large puddles, and no street lights, which makes driving after dark unsafe, especially in areas with less populated roads and sporadic cell service.

That being said, driving in the daytime is super do-able and has excellent views of the Costa Rican terrain! Going from the interior to the coast is so much fun because you can really see the change between the rainforest (and oftentimes “rain”) and the much drier and sunnier coast.

Drive To The Coast

• Time: 10:00am to 1pm

• Time Needed: 2.5 to 3 hours

• Google Maps Address: Las Catalinas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Set your location here but enjoy the ride - make stops as places along the road call out to you. Here’s a guide to getting to Las Catalinas.

• Details: Don’t be surprised if you see wildlife along the way. As we were driving to the coast, we came upon a “Lemur Traffic Jam”, wherein we got up-close-and-personal with 15+ lemurs running around our car.

Las Catalinas

• Time: 2 to 9pm (open everyday from 7 to 9pm)

• Time Needed: 3-4 hours! You could spend all day here so decide ahead of time what you want to do here to gauge time.

• Cost: Free entrance! Parking typically costs $5 to park in their dedicated nearby lot. Note that activities here will be on the expensive side.

• Details: Las Catalinas is a new beach town with the purpose to create a way of life that is healthy, sustainable, fulfilling, and fun. The area consists of houses, shops, restaurants, small hotels and inns, plazas, parks, and recreational facilities.

  One one side, the town is embraced by over 1,000 acres of tropical dry forest, with spectacular hills and valleys that afford extensive hiking and biking. On the other, two of the finest beaches in Costa Rica offer great swimming, stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking, boogie-boarding, and snorkeling.

  Walking around, you can find a ton of activities to keep you busy (book guided activities ahead of time)

  • Just walking around this incredible European-esque town is an activity all in itself. In fact, that’s all we did for hours.

  • Go on a sunset sailing trip to a secluded beach

  • Try scuba diving with a marine specialist

  • Discover ocean-to-table artisanal fishing

  • Step out onto the beach for a true beach barbeque - a delicious dinner prepared over an open fire

  • Enjoy a surfing lesson!

  • Wander down to the beach to watch sunset.

  • Swing on comfortable hammock chairs in a quaint pavilion overlooking the ocean. We found these right after sunset and swung around laughing and enjoying the breeze while the remaining sunlight disappeared.

• Optional Dinner: There are three on-site restaurants and you really can’t go wrong (though dining here is not for the low-budget travelers).

  • Limonada, a fun and casual eatery on the sand

  • Ponciana, a stylish and approachable restaurant with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine

  • La Taqueria, a family-oriented Beach Club that offers light meals in the restaurant and bites by the pool

Pit Stop Recommendation

Right before reaching Las Catalinas, (about 5 minutes South by car) you’ll drive past Sugar Beach, which is a favorite beach amongst locals. It tends to be a quiet beach with nice waves for swimming and boogie boarding.

Playa Flamingo

• Morning - Yoga & Beach Walk

• Afternoon - Sunset Sailing & Snorkeling Tour

• Dinner - Angela’s

Getting There

Where To Stay: Now that you’re staying somewhere near the Playa Flamingo area, everything is relatively close! Getting around on a golf cart or rental car should be relatively easy.

I do recommend some form of cart/car because though everything may look walkable on the map, there aren’t a ton of sidewalks, it gets hot, and the best walks are on the beaches themselves, not the roads.

Morning Yoga

• Time: 8:15 to 9:30pm (daily classes at 8:30am along with occasional 10am, 12pm, and 4pm classes. See schedule here.)

• Time Needed: 1 hour 15 min (arrive 15 minutes early)

• Cost: $17 per person for one class

• Location: Costa Rica Yoga Center (at the Costa Rica Sailing Center)
  15 M Sur de Hotel Bahia del Sol, Provincia de Guanacaste, Surfside, 50304, Costa Rica

• Parking: There should be parking easily available around the building.

• Details: Class rates are inclusive of the yoga mat and other props!

Sunset Snorkeling & Sailing Tour with Panache Sailing

• Time: 1:30pm to 6:30pm (Arrive around 1:30, actual cruise time is 2 to 6pm)

• Time Needed: 5 hours. The actual excursion is around 4 hours.

• Location: 2019 Panache Sailing, Main Road Flamingo beach – Playa Potrero Surfside, Guanacaste, 50304, Costa Rica, CR.

• Tour Cost: $85/person (or $65/child)

• Ahead Of Time: Make sure to book your snorkeling excursion ahead of time to ensure availability.

• Details: Panache Sailing is an incredible company staffed by funny and kind locals.

  • Enjoy an afternoon of sailing on one of their luxury catamarans.

  • Their is an open bar throughout the cruise, as well as an exceptional buffet of snacks that is prepared by the onboard chef.

  • Halfway through the journey, enjoy a guided snorkeling tour and other water activities in a private inlet.

  • They have the best timing to catch the sunset in a picturesque spot!

Dinner at Angelina’s

• Time: 7:00 to 9:00pm (Live music from ~7 to 9pm on Wednesdays & Fridays)

• Time Needed: 2 hours

• Location: Second Floor of La Plaza Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste Costa Rica

• Food Cost: $$

• Ahead Of Time: Make a reservation ahead of time if you plan to come on one of the nights they have live music as the restaurant fills up with people. You can also request a great view if you reserve ahead of time. We were able to sit right in from of the very talented singer - and had a view looking out over the balcony too!

• Details: Affectionately named after owner and Executive Chef Joseph Mucaria’s beloved grandmother, Angelina’s is a unique, open-air restaurant located on the second floor of the Centro Commercial in beautiful Playa Flamingo.

  • The menu is globally inspired and focuses on fresh-made pastas and pizzas, a homage to Angelina’s rich, Italian heritage.

  • The ingredients are locally sourced and high quality, including artisan cheeses and meats from nearby farms, as well as hand-selected catches of the day right off the boat.

Alternate Snorkeling Option: Day Snorkel Trip with Pacific Coast Dive Center

• Time: 7:30am to 1:00pm (Live music from ~7 to 9pm on Wednesdays & Fridays)

• Time Needed: 2 hours

• Location: Second Floor of La Plaza Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste Costa Rica

• Tour Cost: $75 / person + 13% VAT tax (all snorkeling equipment is included as well as guides and refreshments)

• Details:

  • We did both a day snorkel adventure and a sunset sail/snorkel adventure. If I had to choose just one, I would go with the sunset Catamaran snorkel/sail adventure. However, the day snorkel was also very fun if that works with your schedule bettter!

  • You will meet at the Pacific Coast Dive Cneter at 7.30 a.m. for paperwork and equipment fitting. Once you’re out on the water, you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel at a couple of different sites at the Catalina Islands. Each water session is around 40mins in length. Groups enter the water after finding the most suitable place to get in and follow the rock formations along looking for sharks, rays, angelfish, butterfly fish, varied species of pufferfish and schools of jacks and grunts. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see one of the beautiful sea-stars too.

  • Personally, we found the visibility of the water to be quite bad in Costa Rica. To be fair, they were dealing with red tide at the time we were there, which is when large concentrations of certain types of algae build up in the water. Ask locals about the visibility of the water before you go if you are really hoping to see things. Visibility aside, swimming around the islands in and of itself is super fun too though!

Guancaste Region

• Breakfast - A’lo Nico

• Afternoon - Choose Your Adventure: ATV or Jet Ski

• Evening - Sunset Horse Ride @ The Beach

Getting There

This is a fun day in and around Playa Flamingo! A golf cart or car is recommended.

Breakfast at A’lo Nico

• Time: 9 to 10 am (open from 8:00am to 3:00pm everyday except Sunday)

• Time Needed: 1 hour

• Cost: $

• Address: 400m sur del Banco de Costa Rica, contiguo al depósito de maderas. Flamingo, Guanacaste. 50308

• Parking: There is a parking lot for easy parking!

• Details:

  • A’lo Nico is a laid-back café that’s perfect for breakfast or lunch. The owner is French and adds a spin to many of the classics.

  • Their specialty appears to be sandwiches and breakfast items.

  • The outdoor seating is colorful, bright, and leaves you feeling positive.

Choose Your Adventure: Jet Ski or ATV

• Time: Afternoon

• Time Needed: 2-3 hours. Time varies by excursion.

• Location: Near Playa Flamingo

• Tour Cost: Varies (typically around $80 to $115 per person)

• Ahead Of Time: Make sure to book your excursion ahead of time to ensure availability.

• Details: Some of the most popular adventures near Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica include jet skiing and ATVs. There are also tours that combine both.

  • One the most popular tour companies is Flamingo Adventures, which offers a variety of tours here.

Horseback Riding Tour

• Time: Evening

• Time Needed: 2.5 hours

• Location: Playa Conchal

• Tour Cost: $50/person

• Ahead Of Time: Make sure to book your excursion ahead of time to ensure availability.

• Details: Enjoy the Costa Rica sunset via horseback through another Flamingo Adventures tour.

  • Enjoy two and a half hours of riding horses on beaches and trails along Playa Conchal, considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The horses are well cared for and trained to allow even the most novice rider a safe, comfortable ride. On this tour, your guide will point out flora and fauna native to the area. You might also see iguanas, monkeys, special birdlife and more.

  • On the horseback tours in Flamingo Beach you will also have the opportunity to gallop at certain points and the guides are always happy to stop and take pictures for you and of you. Why go horseback riding? Because you can see the world from a whole new perspective almost as if you were six feet taller.

Guanacaste Beaches

• 8:00am to 9:00am | Breakfast - Surf Box

• 9:30am to 12:30pm | Morning - Playa Tamarindo & Playa Grande

• 1:00pm to 1:45pm | Lunch - Patagonia

• 2:00pm to 6:30pm | Afternoon - Playa Conchal & Playa Flamingo

• 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Dinner - Coco Loco

Getting There

Where To Stay: Now that you’re staying somewhere near the Playa Flamingo area, everything is relatively close! Getting around on a golf cart or rental car should be relatively easy.

This day has quite a bit of hopping around. Be prepared to pay a few dollars in parking wherever you go - you can probably find free parking somewhere in each place but it’s more convenient to pay (and support) the locals who take on parking duties at each of the beaches. Also, driving is it’s own little activity - bumping the stereo, enjoying the breeze, and admiring the scenery was half the fun of this day so don’t be deterred by the back-and-forths.

Breakfast @ Surf Box

• Time: 8:00 to 9:00am (Open from 8am to 3pm everyday.)

• Cost: $

• Location: 25 Meters south of the Banco Nacional, Provincia de Guanacaste, Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica

• Parking: There should be parking easily available around the building.

• Details: The Surf Box is an amazing restaurant with shaded outdoor seating and cozy indoor seating. Perfect breakfast and lunch spot with lots of healthy options.

Beach Hop Adventure

• Time: 9am to 5pm

• Time Needed: As much time as you would like! We spent about an hour at each beach, then did a 30-minute walk around each little beach town.

• Location: Various Beaches

• Cost: Budget around $10-20 for parking.

• Details: Beach hopping is so much fun! The cool thing about beach hopping in this area of Costa RIca is that every beach really has something unique to offer. See my recommendations for each beach below.

Lunch at Patagonia Del Mar

• Time: 1:00 to 2:00pm (Open from 7am to 10pm each day)

• Time Needed: 1 hour

• Location: 100 mts norte puente, Provincia de Guanacaste, Brasilito, 50303, Costa Rica. A quick drive away from Playa Conchal, I recommend lunch here before or after Playa Conchal.

• Food Cost: $$

• Details: Patagonia Del Mar is a delicious restaurant that serves fresh seafood in a variety of ways, from grilled catches of the day to Asian-fusion inspired entrees.

Dinner at Coco Loco

• Time: 7:00 to 8:00pm (Open from 11am to 9pm each day)

• Time Needed: 1 hour

• Location: 200 m Flamingo Beach Resort al sur, frente la playa. Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Located right at the end of Playa Flamingo, I recommend putting your name on the Coco Loco list about an hour before you plan to eat. Then enjoy sunset on the beach while you wait.

• Food Cost: $$

• Details: Coco Loco offers an unforgettable dining experience with a unique menu that draws from a French culinary base while using fresh Costa Rican ingredients.

  • Find the restaurant directly on fabulous Flamingo Beach, the jewel of Guanacaste's gold cost in Costa Rica.

  • The restaurant prides itself on being a very clean and affordable operation with a serious commitment to being environmental friendly. Virtually everything they serve, from appetizers, to main courses to famous cocktails offer a unique experience, served to you with your feet in the white sand of Playa Flamingo.

  • Coco Loco is well known for their sunset cocktail hour when visitors and locals alike gather to enjoy the stunning nightly sunsets while sipping on the signature Coco Loco cocktail or your favorite libation.