Arrive, then spend the afternoon hiking Arenal Volcano National Park ($78) along the 1968 lava trail. In the evening, unwind in the hot springs — the classic first-day combo.
Morning at the La Fortuna Waterfall ($75), then choose your adventure: hanging bridges, white-water rafting, or a sloth tour. Short on time? The One Day Highlights COMBO ($198) bundles the top three.
Use your third day for a full-day trip: Río Celeste ($130) is the favorite, or Caño Negro for wildlife and Venado Caves for something different.
With extra time, add a coffee & chocolate tour, a safari float, or simply relax. If you're touring the whole country, this is where you'd transfer to Monteverde or the beach — see our 7-day Costa Rica itinerary.
Skip the logistics with a multi-day package — we handle hotels, transport and tours so you just show up. Or tell us your dates and we'll build a custom trip.
Three full days is ideal. Two days covers Arenal Volcano, a waterfall and hot springs; a third day adds a day trip such as Río Celeste.
One day lets you see only one or two highlights and feels rushed. If you truly have one day, book a combo tour that bundles the volcano, waterfall and hot springs.
Most travelers spend 2-3 days in La Fortuna and 1-2 days in Monteverde, then continue to the coast. See our La Fortuna vs Monteverde guide.
Choosing the best time to travel to Costa Rica is the most important decision to ensure the success of your adventure according to your goals. Unlike other destinations, the "best time" here isn't universal; instead, it depends directly on what you want to do, see, and spend....
A romantic Costa Rica honeymoon itinerary pairing Arenal's hot springs with a Pacific beach, with day-by-day ideas and tips from a local operator.
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