Eddie Christian
This trip is the best that lovers of nature can do in Costa Rica in 6 days. The most splendid thing is the jungle and nature and that is precisely what the trip is focused on.
It is essential to rent a car (not included in the itinerary) to take this tour, a 4x4 car recommended or prepared for dirt roads.
San José, Costa Rica
San José, Costa Rica
Most international flights arrive at the Juan Santamaría International Airport, which is 18 kilometers from the city of Costa Rica. San José is not a city that stands out for its touristic attractions. So I highly recommend going directly from the airport to Arenal (which is our first destination). Furthermore, the airport is closer to Arenal than the city of San José. This will save us 1 hour to get in and one hour to get out of the city.
The road from the San José airport to Arenal is of 120 kilometers. It takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.
Arenal is one of the most attractive tourist places in Costa Rica. The city was built on the slopes of the Arenal Volcano. The volcano can be seen from almost everywhere. Due to the volcanic energy that surrounds the volcano, the area is full of hot springs where you can relax deeply after your flight and a long road.
The main idea of this day is to relax and enjoy the natural thermal waters that come off the volcano in one of the hotels with thermal pools. If you are lucky and the sky is clear you will likely see the volcano while taking your relaxing shower in the hot springs. In past times the volcano was more active and the lava could be seen with a bright red color that contrasted with the darkness of the night.
The recommended hotels in Arenal on this itinerary were selected because they have hot springs pools. Many hotels without hot springs pools sell tours to hotels with hot spring pools that cost between $ 25 and $ 40 per person. Therefore, although the price of accommodation might be higher, you will save on activities and you will stay in a nicer hotel.
Also in a hotel with these characteristics you can enjoy the hot springs from your arrival and at the time you like.
Apart from enjoying the Hot Springs in Arenal you can do different activities related to the nature of the place. This day I recommend that you do two of the following activities or at least one.
Hike in the Hanging Bridges of Místico Park (https://www.misticopark.com/) - In this park you can enjoy nature and see animals such as snakes, monkeys, arachnids and different types of birds. The park offers several types of activities, so I recommend you to take a look at their website. The place is impressive and the visit is well worth it.
The entrance to the park without guide costs around 26 usd per person and with guide 42 usd. If you decide to visit without a guide, be careful not to disturb the animals. The advantage of going with a guide is that they have a very trained eye to see animals. The advantage of going without a guide is that you can make the visit more calmly and at your own pace.
The park offers a night tour experience to watch the animals. If you are brave this experience is highly recommended.
There are several companies that offer this expedition. Honestly for me it was the activity that I liked the least because the volcano can be seen from many points quite well. The hike does not bring you too close to the volcano and does not require much effort.
La Fortuna Waterfall (https://www.cataratalafortuna.com/) - During the visit to the Fortuna Waterfall you take a walk though the jungle to arrive to the waterfall. In the park there are activities such as horseback riding and zip lines. I personally think that the best way to visit this park is to walk on your own. I recommend you to check their website in advance to prepare your visit.
Today we are going to move from Arenal to Monteverde. It is the only activity that I have proposed this day. However, depending on your energy you can do one additional activity before moving to Monteverde in Arenal early in the morning. Or visit one of the adventure parks (Extremo Park or SkyAdventures) proposed on the next day upon arrival to Monteverde in the afternoon.
The important thing is that you make the transfer from Arenal to Monteverde with daylight for safety. Plan your times and activities in advance.
I recommend making the transfer in the morning after breakfast. The transfer to Monteverde is 109 kilometers that are covered in approximately 2.5 hours of walking. The reason the journey takes so long is because the road has many curves, it is not in very good condition and there are parts of dirt. Keep your eyes open on the road as you might see an exotic animal on the road.
Visit the Curi-Cancha Natural Reserve early in the morning (https://reservacuricancha.com/). Curi-Cancha is one of the most virgin and amazing nature reserves of Costa Rica, a paradise for lovers of bird watching. The approximate price of admission to the park is 20 usd. If you want to do the visit with a shared guide you have to add 25 usd per person. If you want a private guide the add 40 usd per person.
For this expedition it is very important that you book your visit in advance with a professional local guide. They carry binoculars that will help you see the birds and all the animals in the reserve.
The great star is the Quetzal, known as the most beautiful bird on earth, if you are lucky you will see the most beautiful bird in the wild flying and singing through the treetops.
Truly a spectacular visit!
The return to San José is on a route of approximately 140 kilometers that can be traveled in 2.5 hours. The intention of returning to San José is because most of the flights the next day back to your city of origin leave in the morning and you have to be 3 hours before your flight at the airport.
I recommend going back in the afternoon after lunch. In the morning enjoy the hotel facilities or do some other activity in the parks mentioned the day before.
Also, if you prefer tranquility, you can optionally take a coffee tour in Monteverde (https://cafedemonteverde.com/).
The chosen hotel in San José will be near the airport, not in the city. Remember that the road from the city of San José to the airport is long and has a lot of traffic.
I hope you enjoyed your trip to Costa Rica. Now is the time to return home. Remember that you have to be three hours before your flight at the San José airport to take an international flight.
