We set out on our next adventure in March 2024. To escape the snow and cold during the winter season in Colorado, we fly to different beach destinations each year. Our most frequent vacation destination has been Puerto Rico, where we frequently visit family and enjoy the warm weather. We changed destinations this year and visited Costa Rica instead. Since Costa Rica has been on our bucket list for a while, we decided to spend nine days there. We were lucky to know someone who lives there who provided us with an itinerary of things to do and places to visit. We thought we’d share it with you.
Day 1
Our flight landed late in San Jose, so we rented a car and spent the night at the AC Marriot Hotel near the airport. We booked a second night in San Jose in advance because we knew we had to return to the city for our flight home.
Day 2
From San Jose, we drove 3 hours to Arenal, our first stop. As soon as we arrived, we checked into our hotel, La Mansion Inn. A subtropical garden and lush subtropical nature surround our villa which also featured breathtaking views of Arenal Lake. The rustic decor and balcony overlooking the lake were amazing. As soon as we had settled in, we hurried to the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges before they closed for the day. As far as my top attraction is concerned, I would have to say that was it.
At first, I was terrified, as I’m afraid of heights, but after crossing the second of many bridges, I began to feel more at ease. Despite not seeing exotic birds or monkeys, the experience was thrilling and memorable. At dinner, we tried some local cuisine at a local restaurant in the nearby town of Fortuna. Pollo fortuneno and chifrijo were recommended by our server, and they were delicious! The night ended with a bottle of wine on our balcony as we enjoyed the blanket of stars above. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
Day 3
After enjoying a Costa Rican breakfast at the villa, we headed to the Arenal Observatory to see the Arenal Volcano. This volcano is dormant and covered in dense vegetation. Depending on where you are in the park, you will see different views. A park observation tower called “The Nest” offers stunning 360 degree views. From the tower, you can see the volcano and its surrounding area. La Fortuna Waterfall was our next stop after lunch at the observatory lodge.
La Fortuna Waterfall lies at the base of a tropical rainforest in a biological reserve. Its mountains and Fortuna River are a source of water. There is the option of swimming in the clear waters below, but we didn’t take advantage of it. My only complaint was the 500 steps down and up. I’ve never worked out so hard!
The evening ended with a local dinner and a soak in the thermal waters at Baldi Hot Springs Resort. Water from these springs is heated by volcanic activity underground. You can use the pool, locker room, and towels for a fee. When we drove from the villa to Fortuna, we stopped at several natural thermal water spots, but parking was a problem. I think it would be a lot of fun, though. The warm waters at the resort helped relieve my aching feet and muscles after the waterfall stairs. We enjoyed cocktails at the pool bar before returning to our villa.
Day 4
After breakfast, we checked out of the villa and drove approximately 1.5 hours to the Malaku Chocolate Tours in Alajuela. Due to poor planning on our part, the facility was closed for the day and tours were only by appointment. On this tour, you can experience delicious chocolate treats while learning about its history.
We stopped at a local market before driving two hours to Guanacaste, our next destination. The plan was to spend two days at two of the most popular beaches in the area.
Villas Kalei was our accommodation at this stop. You must drive on an unpaved road to reach this villa. Upon opening the gate, however, you will discover a place with a truly unique style. As I checked in, I chatted with Marcos and Jeisha, who are Puerto Ricans like me. Sharing stories about the island was nostalgic. Villas Kalei features spacious rooms with rustic decor, an outdoor shower, and a private lounge area. This property has a shared outdoor kitchen, a pool, and hammocks where you can see the stars at night. Spider monkeys are also visible swinging from trees.
Playa Grande was within walking distance, so we spent the afternoon there. For dinner, we went to Onda Playa Grande, a craft brewery where surfers unwind after a long day of surfing. There aren’t enough positive things to say about the villa and its location.
Day 5
We spent the entire day at the beach. We arrived at Tamarindo beach early and rented beach chairs and umbrellas, which I highly recommend. The ocean waters were crystal clear and warm. It’s always relaxing to listen to ocean waves, so that’s what we did. We walked over to the beach bar for lunch where we ordered Chifrijo and a new dish called Casado. Both were delicious.
Having enjoyed a day at the beach, and a quick dinner at the brewery (we liked that place a lot), we enjoyed the evening by the hotel pool, where to our surprise, we observed spider monkeys swinging from the trees above. It was the perfect night.
Day 6
On day six, we were scheduled to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, 3.5 hours from Guanacaste. I recommend purchasing a day pass in advance, since purchasing on-site won’t guarantee entry. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket as some areas may be cold. Monteverde is one of the world’s most unique and vibrant ecosystems. The forest’s well-maintained trails provide a pleasant way to explore the reserve. We enjoyed bird watching and spotted monkeys and sloths from a distance. For nature lovers, this is a must-see destination.
We drove 30 minutes to Puntarenas after our hike in the reserve and stayed at Hotel Cayuga. A boat ride to Isla Tortuga was the destination for day seven. That night, we watched a cruise ship dock while enjoying dinner and cocktails on the street across from the peer.
Day 7
In order to get to Isla Tortuga, we made reservations with Bay Island Cruises in advance. There was a buffet lunch on the island and non-alcoholic drinks and fresh fruit on the boat ride. Onboard, there was a full bar where alcoholic drinks could be purchased. I appreciated the courteousness, friendliness, and level of information provided by the staff. Though you can see marine life in clear waters ahead, we weren’t so lucky.
Shaded beach chairs were provided for our tour group. There are souvenir shops and local crafts shops on the island, as well as a tiki bar. There are no restaurants or hotels on the island.
During the day, we relaxed and enjoyed the sunshine, the pristine white sand beach, and the turquoise waters. This was truly a stunning tropical experience. Afterwards, we swam in the hotel pool and called it a night. The next day we would travel back to San Jose to visit a friend and do some sightseeing.
Day 8
It took about 1:30 to drive from Puntarenas to San Jose. After checking in at the AC Marriott Hotel, we headed to the hotel plaza for breakfast. A craft festival was taking place over the weekend, so we checked out the local craftsmen’s booths after breakfast. Next, we drove to the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose, a beautiful historic site we didn’t want to miss. Before heading downtown San Jose to the Cathedral, we stopped at the animal refuge since we hadn’t seen sloths on the outdoor excursions. Injured animals that can’t survive in the wild are housed in this facility. Finally, we got to see sloths up close.
Next, we visited the Costa Rican National Museum and the Jade Museum. Great spots for history buffs. Our lunch stop was the Mercado Municipal de Alajuela, a popular venue for purchasing fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables. There are also many vendors selling traditional crafts, souvenirs, and apparel. At one of the popular lunch stalls, we enjoyed traditional Costa Rican tamales and empanadas.
After lunch, we still had half a day left, so we walked around the plaza, stumbling upon the annual Transitarte festival. As part of this event, the main streets are closed to feature a parade, shops, food trucks, art exhibitions, and more. We enjoyed the multicultural parade featuring folkloric performances. Music, dance, and colorful costumes were used to display each country’s culture. Our dinner was at the Mirador Tiquicia Restaurant. An excellent place to eat local food and enjoy breathtaking views of the Central Valley.
Day 9
On day 9 we returned home feeling relaxed and grateful for the time we spent there. Our trip provided us with opportunities to explore culture, nature, history, and beach life. If you are looking for a moderate to high-intensity adventure, I highly recommend this trip.
