The Ultimate 5-Day Costa Rica Itinerary Filled with Hot Springs, Dreamy Beaches, and Volcanoes!
Costa Rica is a beautiful country offering countless adventures from ziplining across volcanoes to relaxing in natural hot springs to swimming in beaches with the bluest waters. We recently took a family trip there with my husbands parents and siblings and it was a great destination to reunite and explore together!
If you’re considering a trip to Costa Rica, keep reading for adventure and dining ideas!
Day 1: Arrival and Arenal
Stay: Airbnb in La Fortuna
This was a family trip for us, so we booked a pretty big Airbnb for our party of 7. There are some pretty good Airbnb options in the La Fortuna area that offer some cool amenities. Our Airbnb had a nice patio area with a small pool, grill, and outdoor dining table!
Midday: Quick Lunch in San Jose and A Long Drive to La Fortuna
Begin your Costa Rican journey by flying to the San Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Before embarking on the 3-hour drive to La Fortuna, grab a bite to eat at a local café or restaurant near the airport to fuel up for the trip.
Evening: Settling In and Dinner at a Soda
After settling into the Airbnb, it’s time to head out to explore the local food scene. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture is by enjoying dinner at a local soda—small, family-owned eateries offering traditional dishes at affordable prices.
Day 2: Brunch, Rope Swinging, and Waterfall Hiking
Morning: The Best Mango Smoothies and Pinto Beans for Breakfast
Your second day begins with brunch at a local soda, where you can enjoy fresh mango smoothies and gallo pinto, Costa Rica’s classic breakfast of rice and pinto beans. Costa Ricans love this dish for its simplicity and heartiness—it’s a staple you’ll find throughout the country, served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Midday: Rope Swinging and an Immersive Nature Hike
After breakfast, make your way to El Salto, a natural swimming hole known for its rope swing that drops you into the refreshing water. It’s a fun spot to relax and cool off.
From there, head to El Bosque de Tío Víctor, a local hiking trails with beautiful waterfalls. The trails are not too difficult and offer incredible views, so be sure to bring your camera for some memorable shots. The sounds of rushing water and wildlife make for a peaceful afternoon.
Evening: Tasty Fish Dinner and Walking Around City Center
Wrap up your day with a delicious dinner at Tiquicia Restaurant restaurant offering fresh, local seafood. Try the catch of the day—grilled or cooked in a traditional Costa Rican style—and enjoy a meal that reflects the flavors of the nearby coast. We also ordered a pork dish that was flavorful but a little dry.
Day 3: Coffee, Ziplining, and Hot Springs
Morning: A Sweet Start to the Day
Start your third day with breakfast and coffee at Chocolate Fusion, a trendy café in downtown La Fortuna. This cafe offers a variety of flavored chocolates and truffles.
Midday: Ziplining down the Arenal Volcano
Then, prepare for some excitement with ziplining near Arenal Volcano. The ziplining adventure will take you through the jungle canopy, offering breathtaking views of the volcano and surrounding forests. It’s an exhilarating way to experience Costa Rica’s natural beauty from a new perspective.
Evening: Relaxing at the Hot Springs and Grilling for Dinner
After ziplining, head to the hot springs near The Tabacón Resort. While there are paid resorts offering hot spring experiences, you can also find free natural springs where you can soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters under the trees. It’s a peaceful, rejuvenating way to end your day.
Back at the Airbnb, we enjoyed a casual evening grilling and dining with our family! It’s the perfect way reminisce on the first few days of the trip!
Day 4: Drive to the Beach and Explore Manuel Antonio
Stay: Airbnb in Quepos
Similar to our Airbnb in La Fortuna, the Quepos Airbnb also had some pretty cool amenities. This one has large shared outdoor amenity space, with a pool, outdoor eating area, a grill, and some swinging seats! One morning we saw a sloth in the trees off the outdoor patio area!
Morning: A Scenic Drive to the Beach Town Quepos
On your final day, drive to the coastal town of Quepos, which serves as the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park. The drive will take your whole morning (about 5 hours), but once you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with stunning beaches and tropical wildlife.
Our first stop in Quepos was at Luna Llena Collectiv Art Cafe Boutique which is a cute clothing boutique that also has a coffee shop in it! We order a big coffee and a refreshing acai bowl with delicious toppings!
Midday: An Afternoon Adventure at Manuel Antonio National Park
Spend the afternoon exploring the park, which offers a mix of hiking trails and pristine beaches. Keep an eye out for the park’s famous residents—monkeys, sloths, and colorful birds.
Whether you’re hiking through the jungle or swimming in the crystal-clear water, Manuel Antonio offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
Evening: Papa Johns for the Win
After a day of hiking, swimming, and wildlife spotting, wind down by walking around Quepos’s downtown area. It started to rain pretty hard this evening so we picked up some Papa Johns pizza and took it back to the Airbnb to eat at the outdoor covered canopy area. The dreary weather made it the perfect atmosphere for a cozy family movie night!
Day 5: A Day in San Juan or an Extra Day at the Beach
Option 1: A Touristy Day in Costa Rica’s Capital
Personally, we had done enough relaxing and wildlife adventuring in the first four days of the trip so we opted to spend our last day in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city.
Morning: Costa Rican Chocolate Tasting and Coffee
Our first stop after arriving in San Jose was La Casa del Cacao. Located in a cute atrium style space, we were able to taste some the local chocolate and buy some for friends and family to share as gifts! Next door to the chocolate shop is a little coffee shop called La Mancha. Take the opportunity to sit in the atrium and fuel up with some coffee and chocolates.
Midday: Walking Around the Central Market and Tasty Pizza
Keep exploring the capital, which is best done on foot. Walk by popular buildings like the National Theater, the Jade Museum, and the Children’s Museum. Also, spend some time in the San Jose Central Market where you can buy fresh produce, meat, and more!
For lunch, grab some pizza at the lively food hall Amor de Barrio.
Evening: Time to Catch Our Flights Home
After a day of exploring the capital, it was time to fly out of SJO and head home!
Option 2: An Extra Day Relaxing at the Beach
If you haven’t gotten your fill of beach and wildlife time yet, opt to spend an extra day in Quepos or head to Jacos for more beach time!
Conclusion
Costa Rica is great destination for nature lovers! We enjoyed our trip and thought there were plenty of opportunities to explore the natural areas such as the springs, volcanoes, and beaches. That being said, if you are not that big of an outdoors traveler and prefer to travel for cuisine, I don’t think Costa Rica would be a good choice for you. Hopefully this information is helpful and provides some ideas if you are thinking about visiting soon though!
FAQs
- What is the best time of year to visit Costa Rica? The dry season (December to April) offers sunny weather and is ideal for travel. The rainy season (May to November) has fewer tourists and more wildlife, but expect afternoon showers. We visited in May and it rained later in the day almost everyday.
- What currency is used in Costa Rica, and can I use U.S. dollars? The local currency is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), but U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.
- Is Costa Rica a safe country for tourists? Yes, Costa Rica is generally safe. However, be cautious of petty crime like pickpocketing in busy areas and keep your belongings secure.
- What are the must-see attractions in Costa Rica? Top attractions include Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Tortuguero National Park, and Corcovado National Park.
- What should I pack for a trip to Costa Rica? Pack light, breathable clothing, a rain jacket, hiking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and swimwear.
