Costa Rica: Arenal and Manuel Antonio

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

1. Day 1

   San José to La Fortuna

   1. 10:00

      Drive or shuttle from San José to La Fortuna

      Getting around

      About three hours through coffee country and over the mountains to the northern plains.

   2. 12:30

      Lunch: a casado on the way

      Food & drink

      Rice, beans, salad, plantain and a choice of meat or fish; the everyday Costa Rican plate.

   3. 15:00

      Stay in La Fortuna

      Stay

      The town at the foot of Arenal, base for three nights.

   4. 18:00

      Hot springs

      Activity

      Rivers heated by the volcano run through the area; an evening soak is easy with kids.

2. Day 2

   Volcano and waterfall

   1. 08:00

      Arenal Volcano National Park

      Activity

      Trails cross old lava flows and forest with clear views of the cone in the morning.

   2. 11:30

      La Fortuna Waterfall

      Activity

      Around 500 steps down to a 70 m fall and a pool you can swim in; the climb back is the hard part.

   3. 13:30

      Lunch in La Fortuna

      Food & drink

      Fresh fruit drinks and a casado in town.

   4. 15:30

      Hanging bridges

      Activity

      Walk through the forest canopy on suspended bridges, looking for birds and monkeys.

   5. 18:30

      Guided night walk

      Activity

      Red-eyed tree frogs, sleeping birds and insects you would never spot by day.

3. Day 3

   Lake Arenal and wildlife

   1. 07:00

      Sloth and birdwatching walk

      Activity

      With a guide and a scope, mornings are best for sloths, toucans and motmots.

   2. 10:30

      Lake Arenal and the dam

      Activity

      The country’s largest lake, with the volcano standing over the water.

   3. 13:00

      Lunch by the lake

      Food & drink

      Grilled tilapia or a casado with the volcano in view.

   4. 15:00

      Swim and rest

      Activity

      A free afternoon after early starts; kids will want the pool.

4. Day 4

   To the Pacific

   1. 07:30

      Drive to Manuel Antonio

      Getting around

      About five hours down to the coast and south along the Pacific highway; shuttles also run this route.

   2. 11:00

      Crocodiles at the Tárcoles River bridge

      Activity

      Large crocodiles bask on the banks below the bridge; a short leg stretch on the way.

   3. 12:30

      Lunch: ceviche on the coast

      Food & drink

      Fresh fish cured in lime with onion and cilantro.

   4. 15:00

      Stay in Manuel Antonio

      Stay

      Hillside lodging between Quepos and the park, base for two nights.

   5. 17:00

      Sunset at Playa Espadilla

      Activity

      The long public beach just outside the park.

5. Day 5

   Manuel Antonio National Park

   1. 07:00

      Manuel Antonio National Park with a guide

      Activity

      Go at opening; a guide with a scope finds sloths, monkeys and lizards you would walk past.

   2. 10:00

      Playa Manuel Antonio

      Activity

      A calm, sheltered beach inside the park, good for swimming with kids.

   3. 13:30

      Lunch: fish tacos or a casado

      Food & drink

      Casual spots along the road just outside the park.

   4. 16:00

      Playa Biesanz

      Activity

      A small cove down a short trail, with calm water for snorkeling.

   5. 19:00

      Seafood dinner in Quepos

      Food & drink

      The fishing town and marina below the hills.

6. Day 6

   Mangroves and back

   1. 07:30

      Breakfast: gallo pinto

      Food & drink

      Rice and beans with eggs, plantain and natilla, the national breakfast.

   2. 08:30

      Isla Damas mangroves by boat

      Activity

      A calm boat ride through the mangrove channels, with herons, crabs and monkeys.

   3. 12:00

      Drive back to San José

      Getting around

      About three and a half hours on the coastal highway and Route 27.

   4. 17:00

      Fly out or stay near the airport

      Getting around

      Many international flights leave in the morning, so a night near the airport is often easier.