Day 1: Arrive in Costa Rica & Drive to Manuel Antonio

Welcome to Costa Rica! After landing at San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) no later than mid-day, pick up your rental car and begin the 3-hour drive to Quepos/Manuel Antonio. This stretch of road is a great introduction to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.

Stop 1: Make a quick stop at the famous Crocodile Bridge over the Tárcoles River to see massive American crocodiles basking below.

Stop 2: Pull off for a quick photo at the colorful JACO town sign along the highway and try to spot the Scarlet Macaws flying between the trees—especially in the late morning or mid-afternoon.

Arrive in Quepos and check in to your hotel or vacation rental. (Need help choosing a place to stay? Check out our lodging recommendations here)

Evening: Head to the Marina Pez Vela for a scenic dinner and sunset views. We recommend The Runaway Grill. Walk along the waterfront and watch for iguanas and shorebirds.

Day 2: Explore Manuel Antonio National Park

Spend today exploring one of Costa Rica’s most beloved parks: Manuel Antonio National Park. It’s the smallest national park in Costa Rica, but it packs in an incredible amount of wildlife.

Start your morning with a guided nature walk— a must if you want to see the most wildlife. A knowledgeable local guide can help you spot three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchins, raccoon-like coatis, basilisk lizards, and colorful birds you might otherwise miss.

After your tour, spend some time on your own hiking one of the park’s scenic trails, relaxing on the pristine beaches, or swimming in the clear Pacific waters. Be sure to pack a swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, and plenty of water. Here’s my complete guide to Manuel Antonio.

Kari’s Travel Tip: The Park is closed on Tuesdays. And you must purchase your admission tickets in advance – learn more about that here.

Day 3: Whale & Dolphin Watching in Uvita

Today, drive about an hour south to Uvita, home to Marino Ballena National Park—one of the best places to see migrating humpback whales, especially from July to October and December to March.

Take a whale watching tour for the chance to see these majestic creatures breach and play in the warm coastal waters. You might also spot dolphins, sea turtles, and flocks of frigatebirds overhead. We saw brown-footed boobies on our tour!

Most tours also include a scenic ride along the famous Whale Tail Beach, and some include snorkeling or swimming if the currents are safe.

After your tour, grab lunch in Uvita or Dominical. We spent a full day in Dominical walking the beach and looking for birds, and I found lots of herons and gulls where the Río Barú flows into the Pacific. Enter “Hona Beach Hotel” into Google Maps, then walk over to the river delta.

Day 4: Birding in Carara National Park & Tárcoles River

Today is for serious bird lovers. About 90 minutes north of Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Carara National Park sits in the transition zone between dry and wet forest, which makes it an excellent place for birding.

Carara is especially known for its large population of scarlet macaws, which nest in the park’s ancient trees. You might also spot manakins, motmots, trogons, and even the elusive rufous-tailed jacamar. And keep looking up — monkeys often swing through the tree canopy overhead.

Hire a specialized birding guide to help you spot Scarlet Macaws, Royal Flycatchers, Motmots, and Trogons.

Kari’s Travel Tip: Pack a spotting scope or strong binoculars for this stop.

The nearby Tárcoles River is also excellent for birding, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. We saw scarlet macaws, kingfishers, herons, and sandpipers in the area.

Day 5: Free Day or Choose One of These Wildlife Alternatives

Use today to customize your trip with one of these excellent nature-based experiences:

HACIENDA BARU + ALTURAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

This is a great combo for seeing rescued animals and hiking forest trails with coastal views. Both are near Dominical, just south of Quepos (close to whale watching from Day 3).

Hacienda Barú is much quieter than the big national park, but incredibly rewarding for bird lovers. With more than 350 bird species across 330 hectares of protected land, it’s a great choice if you want a slower pace. You can hike on your own, hire a local guide, or climb the canopy tower for treetop views.

Then head to the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary a rescue and rehab center for injured or orphaned wildlife. They offer guided tours three times a day from Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays)

RAINMAKER CONSERVATION PROJECT

Less crowded than the national park, this reserve just north of Quepos features hanging bridges, waterfalls, and peaceful rainforest trails. A tour at Rainmaker Park includes suspension bridges, a waterfall swimming hole, a wood-fired Costa Rican lunch, and quiet jungle walks.

ESQUIPULAS RAINFOREST BIRDING TOUR

This is my favorite place to go birding near Manuel Antonio! About 45 minutes northeast of Quepos, the Esquipulas Rainforest feels like one of the region’s best-kept secrets for bird lovers.

We visited twice and saw a rainbow of species — honeycreepers, tanagers, woodpeckers, euphonias, and even the rare violet-headed hummingbird. You can hike the trails or simply relax at the observation deck while colorful birds flock to the fruit feeders.

SAIL & SNORKEL CRUISE

See the coastline from a different perspective, with chances to spot dolphins and sea turtles while enjoying a relaxing sail. This sailing tour includes snorkeling at Playa Biesanz, an onboard meal, and an open bar.

Beautiful, relaxing, and maybe a little indulgent, it’s a lovely way to wrap up your time in Manuel Antonio.

Kari’s Travel Tip: If you choose the afternoon tour, you can enjoy the sunset too.

Day 7: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve + Hummingbird Garden

Start your day early with a visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic nature destinations.

This Reserve is known for its misty trails, epiphytes, and Resplendent Quetzals. A guided tour is highly recommended if you want to maximize spotting rare birds and mammals. The highly rated Discover the Magic of the Cloud Forest Tour includes Entrance to the Reserve and transportation from local hotels.

Important: If you book a guided tour other than the one above, double-check whether the entrance fee or transportation is included. It often is not included. If it is not, the Reserve requires advance entrance reservations due to daily visitor limits, so book a few days ahead.

After your tour, walk next door to the Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery. This free garden is full of colorful hummingbirds like the violet sabrewing, purple-throated mountain-gem, and green-crowned brilliant. The feeders are buzzing all day, and it’s a fantastic place for photos.

Kari’s Travel Tip: Support the cafe or gift shop while you’re there.

Day 8: Full Day at Finca Ecologica San Luis + Sunset Overlook

After breakfast at Stella’s Cafe, drive about 25 minutes southeast to Finca Ecologica San Luis Reserve for a full day of birding and nature immersion.

This is my favorite place to bird in all of Monteverde. We liked it so much that we went twice — once on our own and once with a local birding guide named Dulce Wilson. You can contact her on WhatsApp at +506 8739 4345 to check availability.

This private reserve has miles of trails and several covered viewing platforms with feeding stations that attract a wide variety of birds. I especially liked the covered platforms because they kept us dry, even when it rained.

Birds we saw here include the Keel-billed Toucan, Motmots, tons of Tanagers and Flycatchers, Squirrel Cuckoos, woodpeckers and several birds of prey. There’s also an on-site restaurant with traditional Costa Rican meals and great pizza.

Kari’s Travel Tip: The final few miles of road are very bumpy. If you don’t have a 4×4, just go slowly over the ruts.

Wrap up your day with sunset views near the Ona Cafe along Ruta 620 between Monteverde and Santa Elena. Here there is a picturesque overlook where hundreds of people gather every evening to watch the sunset.

Kari’s Travel Tip: Come early to get a spot and walk if you can – there is almost no parking available here.

Day 9: Curi-Cancha Reserve + Monteverde Art House

Spend the morning at Curi-Cancha Reserve, a hotspot for resplendent quetzals and more than 200 other bird species. Book a guided tour in advance to secure your time slot.

Be sure to stop at the “Million Dollar Tree,” a wild avocado tree known for attracting quetzals.

In the afternoon, head to the Monteverde Art House to explore its forest trails and local artwork. The mistletoe tree across the street is often full of small forest birds.

Day 10: Optional Activity + Drive to La Fortuna

Use your last morning in Monteverde for a lighter activity:

• Visit Stella’s Cafe for breakfast and birdwatching
• Wander the Cerro Plano neighborhood, known for fabulous birding from the street (it’s where we stayed for our two weeks in Monteverde!)
• Take a guided tour at the Monteverde Butterfly Garden and see the royal blue Morph butterfly in motion. See if you can get one to land on your hand – Bill tried for almost an hour!

Then begin the 3.5 to 4 hour drive to La Fortuna, passing Lake Arenal and some beautiful volcanic scenery along the way. If the volcano is visible, be sure to stop for photos. The first part of the drive can be rough and bumpy, but the second half is smooth and paved.

Once you arrive in La Fortuna, check into your hotel and rest up for the final four days of your trip. Here are our recommendations for the best places to stay in La Fortuna, organized by different budget levels.

For dinner, we recommend Tiquicia Restaurante, a soda with a nice atmosphere and good food. Our meal took quite a while to arrive, but once it did, it was very good.

Day 11 – Explore the Arenal Observatory Lodge

Start your time in La Fortuna with one of the best nature experiences in the region: the Arenal Observatory Lodge. Even if you are not staying overnight, a Day Pass gives you access to scenic trails, the stunning Observation Deck, and “The Nest” — an elevated birdwatching tower that puts you eye-level with the canopy.

Expect to see toucans, tanagers, and hummingbirds galore.

Our biggest surprise was the Great Curassow — this large, chicken-like bird has the most fascinating feather patterns and quickly became one of my favorite sightings here.

The lodge also has a full-service restaurant and several kilometers of well-maintained trails, including ones that lead to waterfalls and suspension bridges.

If you’re a birder, this place is an absolute must. Even if you’re not, the scenery and volcano views alone make it unforgettable.

Day 12 – Caño Negro Wildlife Boat Tour

Today, head north to Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge for a peaceful but wildlife-rich boat tour. This 2.5-hour cruise on the Río Frío is one of the best ways to spot birds, reptiles, and mammals in their natural habitat. On our visit, we saw kingfishers, egrets, monkeys, tons of iguanas, and even a caiman sunning itself along the riverbank.

This is a great choice if you want a low-effort, high-reward wildlife day. The knowledgeable guides and included lunch make it an easy and enjoyable full-day outing, so just remember to bring your camera.

For dinner, check out Travesía Restaurant in downtown La Fortuna. It’s very popular, so reservations are strongly recommended.

Day 13 – Birding at Mistico Hanging Bridges

Wrap up your time in La Fortuna with an early morning 6:00 AM guided birding tour at Mistico Hanging Bridges Park. A naturalist guide will lead you across suspension bridges and forest trails, helping you spot everything from motmots and trogons to tiny grassquits and colorful woodpeckers.

Early morning is the best time for bird activity, and this misty rainforest setting feels both peaceful and exciting. It’s a lovely way to reflect on the biodiversity you’ve seen throughout your trip.

If you have extra time this afternoon, here are a few more nature-based options:

• Bogarin Trail Sloth Tour – A relaxing walk with a guide who knows where the sloths hang out. Right in downtown La Fortuna!

• Tabacon Hot Springs – You can’t come to Arenal and not spend some time soaking in the hot springs, heated by the volcano. Tabacon is one of the most popular and often sells out in advance.

• Horseback Ride Around Arenal – See the volcano from a new perspective as you ride horseback through the lava fields.

• Cooking Class at El Fogón de Chela – Learn to cook Costa Rican favorites in a farm setting. We had so much fun with this one. You get to pick vegetables from the garden, then help prepare the meal. Ask for the hibiscus wine — it was delicious!

Day 14 – La Paz Waterfall Gardens + Return to San José

Leave La Fortuna early in the morning and plan to spend 4–5 hours exploring the La Paz Waterfall Gardens on your way back to San José. This beautiful nature park has five waterfalls, lush rainforest trails, and a wide range of animal exhibits.

You’ll also find a bird aviary, hummingbird garden, butterfly observatory, jungle cat sanctuary, and exhibits with monkeys, snakes, and frogs. The paved, well-marked trails make it easy to explore at your own pace.

Don’t miss the jungle cats or the magnificent waterfall views at the end of the trail. Here’s my guide to La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

La Paz makes a fantastic finale to your Costa Rica adventure.