Our 7 Day Costa Rica Itinerary
Family Adventure
Day 1: San Jose to Arenal
Travel Time: 2-3 hours
Scenery: The drive takes you through 3 diverse regions. Coffee Plantations, Cloud Forest and Rain Forest.
Highlights: The green and lush Cloud Forest area of Monteverde was incredible. The kids got a kick out of driving in and above the clouds.
Special Stop: Kids loved stopping at the Fortuna Town Square (very unique) and buying Copos (shaved Ice). They give you 3 options, syrup only, syrup with condensced milk and syryp and cream.
Day 2: Hanging Bridges Hike
Elli Travell is a Westchester based Travel Agecny working with clients in Larchmont, Rye, Scarsdale, Bronxivlle, Pelhalm, Mamaroneck and Greenwich. WMauie are a Virtuoso Travel Agency offering bespoke amenities to over 1200 hotels
Activity: Hanging Bridges Nature Hike. A 5-6 KM walk through the rainforest. 7 Hanging Bridges connecting various ridges. 2 1/2 Hour Tour
Highlights: Watching Spider Monkeys eat guavas and carry their young. A hummingbird’s nest, looked like it was made of shredded cotton. Witnessing Thousands of ants carrying leaves, food and branches up an “Ant Highway”. A sleeping owl perched high in the trees.
Dinner: Nene’s in Fortuna. We shared very good steaks, ceviche (made w/ ginger ale), rice & beans, plantains and shrimp. Food was excellent but pricey….
Day 3: Zip Line, Water Fall, Tarzan Swing
Activities: Zip Line, Hike to Fortuna Falls, “El Salto” del Rio Fortuna and the “Chuyin” of the Tabacon River
Highlights: Gliding at 50mph & 1000 feet above the valley with views of the lake and volcano. Finding a hidden Tarzan swing and jumping from a cliff into a river pool. Relaxing at the thermal River.
Tip: The Arenal Area is blessed with several hot springs but the thermal river running from the volcano is unique and free. Have a taxi drive wait for you at the entrance & enjoy the river with locals and tourists alike.
Day 4: Rafting Rio Sarapiquin
Travel Time: There are several rafting opportunities in Arenal but a 90 minute drive brings you to the 3 & 4 rated rapids of Sarapiqui River.
Highlights: “Surfing” the river (see video). Navigating challenging rapids with the family. Howler Monkeys and Osprey’s…. Tarzan swing and cliff jumping into the river.
Lunch: Stopping at El Robles Soda for a typical meal (“Casada”) of rice & beans, salads, sweet plantains and meat/chicken/fish. Tasty and wonderful….
Special Stop: We stopped at a pork butcher that sold “Chicharones”, Fried Pork drizzled with fresh lime. An Imperial Beer was the perfect match…
Day 5: Arenal to Papagayo
Travel Time: 2.5-3 hours.
Scenery: Wonderful drive along the Arenal Lake. Once you pass the continental divide the land becomes increasingly dry as lush greens turn into shades of yellow and brown. Three volcanos come into view
Highlights: A stop at a macadamia farm with scenic views of the Arenal Volcano. Wonderful Roasted Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Banana/Nut Muffins. Toucans eating from a Papaya tree….
Interesting: Close to 70% of the country’s energy needs are generated by the Arenal Lake. Close to 90% of energy is Green.
Day 6: Surfing & Beach Tour
Travel Time from Papagayo: 60 to 90 minutes
Activities: Surfing lessons in Tamarindoo Beach with Banana Surf Shop and a drive to Brasilto and Flamengo
Highlights: 2 hours of Surf Instruction from 2 great guides (Jonathan and Evi). We were able to ride the waves after their patient guidance and expertise.
Special Tour: With miles of coastline, Costa Rica boasts wonderful black sand beaches. We took a special tour of the area and discovered their beauty
Day 7 Relaxing by the Pool
Hotels Visited:
Nayara: Wonderful Hotel with beautiful views of the volcano. As a Virtuoso Agency, our clients, at no extra cost, receive complimentary breakfast for 2, a resort credit and upgrades, if available, upon arrival.
Andaz Pagagayo: Up on a hill with 5 pools, 3 great restaurants and wonderful rooms. As a Virtuoso Agency, our clients, at no extra cost, receive complimentary breakfast for 2, a resort credit and upgrades, if available, upon arrival.
Four Seasons Papagayo: 3 Pools, 2 beaches, wonderful service. As a Four Seasons Preferred Agency, our clients, at no extra cost, receive breakfast for 2, a resort credit, upgrade upon arrival, if available.