The Ultimate 7-day Costa Rica Itinerary
For many reasons, Costa Rica is one of my absolute FAVORITE travel destinations. Is it the rustic jungle waterfall hikes? Sloth sightings? Luxury hotels sitting on black sand beaches? Adventurous activities like zip-lining and white water rafting? Maybe it’s just that “Pura Vida” lifestyle.
While Costa Rica has a well-established tourism industry, it still has many hidden gems away from the crowds. This country offers something for *every* type of traveler! It’s phenomenal for solo female travelers and families alike. And one of the best parts? It’s less than a 3-hour flight from Miami!
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Costa Rica multiple times as a solo traveler, so it seems fitting to share some of my favorite spots around the country with this Ultimate 7-day Itinerary to Costa Rica!
Check out the Ultimate 7-day Costa Rica Itinerary, perfect for solo female travelers!
PSA: I’m hosting a group retreat to Costa Rica in May 2024! Skip the research and travel with me!
Costa Rica Itinerary Highlights:
Nosara
Monteverde
Arenal
Manuel Antonio
To optimize your time in Costa Rica and see as MUCH as possible, this itinerary contemplates flying into Liberia (LIR) international airport and flying out of San Jose (SJO) international airport. You can mix and match stops based on your specific travel plans and how much time you have in Costa Rica!
It’s fun to road trip around the country and see various ecosystems and topography. But, a word to the wise, this country is *known* for terrible roads, so make sure to rent an SUV or a car with all-wheel drive while in Costa Rica!
If you’re a solo traveler in Costa Rica and concerned about driving the roads alone, check out shared shuttle and bus options in Costa Rica — that’s how I got around during my most recent solo trip!
Nosara, Costa Rica
The Nomadic Hotel, Nosara, Costa Rica
Day 1-2: Nosara
One of my favorite little beach towns in the entire WORLD, Nosara, Costa Rica, is a mecca for yoga and surf enthusiasts. This place embodies Costa Rica’s famous “Pura Vida” lifestyle. Full disclaimer — while this itinerary only contemplates two days in Nosara, you’re going to want to extend your time!!
Nosara is a tourist town, but it still flies under the radar for most international visitors. There are also many expats living in Nosara, so it has a young and global vibe. If you’ve been to Bali, it reminds me a lot of Canggu!
I’d imagine that Nosara is what the busy touristy town of Tamarindo, Costa Rica felt like 20 years ago. Part of why Nosara is a hidden gem is that, until recently, none of the roads around the town were paved! Even now, small dirt paths through the jungle connect the beach to local (delicious!) restaurants and luxe hotels.
If you need a true retreat from the daily grind, this is the place to go!
Top Things to See and Do in Nosara:
Surf Playa Guiones! This beach is known as a “swell magnet.” It’s particularly fantastic for beginners and intermediates because the waves are mild and consistent, but experts seem to flock there too! Because Nosara is a surf town, there are *loads* of affordable surf shops and stands to book last-minute lessons or rent a board.
I loved taking surf lessons with Nosara CR Surf School, but there are many resorts in the area that also offer surf lessons. If you’re interested in REALLY progressing, why not stay at one of the many surf camps in the area? I’ve had Surf Simply on my bucket list for quite some time!!
Find some zen with a yoga class! Since Nosara is primarily a surf and yoga town, there are also TONS of yoga classes, private yoga instructors, and yoga retreats. If you’re interested in individual classes, I’d check out the beautiful, Nalu Nosara, which offers a variety of fitness classes. Looking for a multi-day, comprehensive yoga experience? Check out the Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, which offers multiple types of daily practices so that you can bounce from one class to the next!
Hike to the beautifully untouched Malanoche Waterfall. This place is such a hidden gem that it’s tough to find unless you’re hiking with someone who has been before!!
Relax during a spa appointment. I love the Swedish massage at The Gilded Iguana to heal post-surf, sore muscles!
SO MANY great accommodations in Nosara to choose from! Seriously — I’ve stayed at local Airbnb’s in Nosara, I’ve stayed at budget hostels, and I’ve stayed at luxury resorts. And I’ve enjoyed them all for different reasons! I’d highly recommend checking out the Instagrammable Nomadic Hotel, which pairs its chic boho vibes with free (yummy!) breakfast and a central pool! Other hotel options I suggest? The Harmony Hotel for low-key luxury, Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort for yoga enthusiasts, Selina for trendy backpackers, and The Gilded Iguana for a little bit of everything!
Monteverde Zip Line Canopy Tour
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Day 3-4: Monteverde
Next stop… Monteverde! While it’s a rough and rocky uphill drive, Monteverde is a MUST-SEE while in Costa Rica!
This area was founded in the 1950s by a group of American Quakers! Monteverde is an ideal place to immerse yourself in the heart of the lush Costa Rican jungle, try some adventurous activities, and see unique wildlife.
Because Monteverde is in the rainforest, you should expect some rain here, even during Costa Rica’s “dry” season from December through April.
One of my favorite things I’ve done in Costa Rica was zip line through Monteverde; this is NOT your standard American zip line! The main town of Santa Elena, Costa Rica has just enough to feed and house you without feeling *overly* touristy (ahem, looking at you, Jaco!).
Monteverde is definitely worth the trek up into the mountains!
Top Things to See and Do in Monteverde:
Fly through the jungle on the Monteverde Zip Line Canopy Tour run by 100% Aventura! This tour was such a highlight of my last trip to Costa Rica; I HIGHLY recommend it!! But, you should know that this zip line tour is for TRUE thrill-seekers. It boasts:
The *longest* zip line in Costa Rica — it’s almost a MILE long without anything beneath you!
Two superman zip lines — these have a special harness that holds your feet so that you’re catapulting headfirst through the air like superman himself!
The famous Tarzan swing zip line — this is a ~150-ft free-fall drop-off of a platform (it felt like an introduction to bungee jumping!) before the rope catches tight and swings back and forth like Tarzan! You can easily opt-out of this one if you’re not up for it!!
Hike the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Explore the Costa Rica jungle on foot with mini waterfalls, red hanging bridges, and if you’re lucky, some local wildlife (birds, sloths, etc.)! Interestingly, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve also sits along the continental divide, which spans from Canada down to Argentina!
Check out the Monteverde Butterfly Garden. See dozens of species of butterflies, as well as various local insects like leaf bugs, stick bugs, scorpions, etc. Candidly, I skipped this popular spot because I'm terrified of the multiple spiders and tarantulas on display!
There are TONS of hotel options in Monteverde. For a backpacker hostel option, check out Selina, a trendy and FUN hostel chain located in major cities throughout Costa Rica, as well as much of central and South America! For a mid-tier option, I’d recommend El Establo Mountain Hotel, where I stayed — you get central and clean accommodations, plus a lovely pool! I’ve also heard fantastic things about Hotel Senda Monteverde if you’re seeking something more upscale!! Lastly, if you can book in advance, I’d HIGHLY recommend snagging one of the many Monteverde treehouse Airbnb’s in the area!
Day 5-6: Arenal (La Fortuna)
Like Monteverde, Arenal is a hub for adventurous activity in Costa Rica, and the main town nearby is called La Fortuna. The GEM of this area is the Arenal Volcano, and the natural hot springs formed after its 1968 eruption. Whether you’re into hiking, white water rafting, zip-lining, canyoning, or just soaking in a natural hot springs spa, there’s something for everyone in the jungles of Arenal. Similar to Monteverde, the roads to Arenal can be a bit treacherous, so take your time driving!
Top Things to See and Do in Arenal (La Fortuna):
Relax in one of the natural hot springs spas! There are a whopping 12 hot springs in La Fortuna, each of which caters to a different desire for budget and VIBE. Some hot springs are luxurious and quiet spa-like retreats, while others are social environments with swim-up bars. Some cost hundreds of dollars for a day pass, while others are inexpensive and draw nearby school kids. I’m not going to dive into each one here, but I would recommend researching these before your visit and deciding which may be right for you! A few I’d recommend checking out are Tabacon, EcoTermales, and Baldi! We’ll be staying at the luxurious 5-star Tabacon resort with unbelievable thermal hot springs onsite during The Soloist Retreat to Costa Rica this May!
Visit Arenal Volcano National Park. Trek through sugarcane and rainforest trails, across hanging bridges, and see postcard-worthy views of the Arenal volcano! You’ll also see cooled lava flows from the last eruption in 2010! While the volcano isn’t dormant, it’s considered safe to explore at a distance.
Hike to La Fortuna River Waterfall. Descend MANY paved steps to this popular waterfall and refresh with a dip in the swimming hole!
If you missed your chance to walk across hanging bridges or zip line through the canopy in Monteverde, Arenal has you covered! There are various tour operators to guide you through the hanging bridges at Mistico Park, as well as through Arenal zip-line courses! You can also try other adventurous activities in La Fortuna, including but not limited to white water rafting and canyoning!
Where to stay in La Fortuna? Check out Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa or The Springs Resort & Spa (where you can combine your lodging with a hot spring soak!), or if you’re seeking a budget-friendly option, I’d again recommend the local Selina! The Selina properties have hostel-style bunk rooms, as well as private rooms with ensuite bathrooms for those who want a bit more privacy!
Day 7: Manuel Antonio
Have a day to spare before flying out of San Jose (SJO) international airport? If you’re hoping to see a sloth, Manuel Antonio National Park is a necessary stop! This park is exciting because, in addition to offering various hiking trails through the jungle, it also has an absolutely *stunning* beach!
I recommend paying the extra cost for a Manuel Antonio tour guide expertly trained in spotting all of the critters hiding in the trees. You can easily book a guide when you buy entrance tickets on the day of your visit. I would’ve NEVER noticed the sleeping sloth in the picture above (in real life, they’re smaller than I expected!), and our guide also pointed out some unique birds and crazy colored tropical frogs!!
Make sure to pack a picnic for the park so that you can fully enjoy the beach after your wildlife adventure! Because it’s part of National Park, the white sand beach at Manuel Antonio is perfectly preserved, and the water is crystal-clear!!
This place is the perfect place to spend a half-day and an ideal way to end your 7-day Costa Rica itinerary!
Interested in joining my next Retreat to Costa Rica in May 2024? Contact me for availability!
