Costa Rica Culinary, Nature & Beaches Tour - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Explore the Costa Rican Capital

Welcome to the land of pura vida! After arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Get settled, then stretch your legs with a self-guided stroll around the city. Start at the Mercado Central, the largest market in the city, with over 200 shops, food stalls, and sodas (traditional restaurants). It's the perfect spot to grab a flavorful and inexpensive lunch of casado, a traditional dish of rice, beans, and meat, served with tortillas.

Then, it's a short walk to Parque Central, a small plaza always bustling with activity. Pass various outdoor sculptures as you walk through the park toward Catedral Metropolitana and continue down Avenida Central until you reach the 19th-century Teatro Nacional. You might also like to pop into the Museo del Oro Precolumbino to view the most extensive Pre-Columbian gold collection in Latin America, or the nearby Museo del Jade, home to the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian jade artifacts.

Day 2: Transfer to La Fortuna, Interactive Chocolate Workshop

Meet your driver this morning and hit the road for the three-hour journey northwest toward the misty highlands and cloud forests around La Fortuna. This small town sits at the base of Arenal, an active volcano whose iconic cone is perpetually snorting great plumes of white smoke. Though highly active, the town is safe from Arenal's fury, and it's precisely this geothermal activity that fuels the area's famous hot springs. Get settled at your hotel, then head straight to these steaming, mineral-rich waters to unwind and refresh after the drive.

Later this afternoon, venture out again for an introduction to the origin, history, and production of one of Costa Rica's most famous exports: chocolate. You'll get to participate in the cacao harvest, see how the drying and grinding of the seed produces creamy cocoa butter, and learn about chocolate's cultural and economic importance in ancient Mesoamerican societies. You'll also help to prepare a traditional Costa Rican drink that dates back centuries, and end on a sweet note with a tasting of handmade chocolates. 

Day 3: La Fortuna Waterfall Hike, Local Cooking Class & Dinner

Grab your hiking shoes and your swimsuit for this morning's expedition to La Fortuna Waterfall, a 210-foot (64 m) cascade in lush primary rainforest just 15 minutes outside of town. When you arrive, you'll descend some 500 steps to the bottom of the falls, where you can sit back and enjoy the romantic scenery or take a dip in the turquoise lagoon at the base of the falls. 

Make sure to save some room at lunch—later this afternoon, it's time for a delicious (and hands-on) introduction to Costa Rican cuisine. Start with a stroll through the vegetable gardens to learn about the ingredients and crops used in local fare, then meet your friendly chef, mix a tropical cocktail, and start cooking. You'll help prepare traditional dishes and perfect your tortilla-making skills while you hear the stories and history behind the regional cuisine. End by sitting down with your fellow cooks for a relaxed dinner of the dishes you created (accompanied by some delicious extras from the chef). 

Day 4: Morning Coffee Farm Tour, Nocturnal Nature Walk

Your exploration of Costa Rican farming and food continues today with an illuminating visit to a small, family-owned farm, where you'll see the sustainable, eco-friendly methods used to produce 100% organic coffee. Your naturalist guide will lead you through the fields as they explain how coffee cherries are cultivated, then you'll roll up your sleeves and participate in every step of the process, from harvesting to roasting and grinding. The experience ends with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a light snack.

The rest of the day is yours to spend as you like. You could set off on a self-guided hike into the surrounding Arenal Volcano National Park, or ascend to the cloud forest canopy for an afternoon traversing ziplines and hanging bridges as you spot playful monkeys and colorful birds. Just make sure you save enough energy for this evening's activity: an after-dark nature walk at a local reserve. Follow a gentle trail into the biodiverse rainforest, and spy nocturnal animals like sloths, bats, and frogs as an experienced naturalist provides insight into all you'll see (and hear) in the dark. 

Day 5: Transfer to the Gulf of Papagayo, Afternoon Beach Time

Road trip time! Pack your bags and join your driver this morning for the 3.5-hour journey west toward the coast, passing the volcanic mountain ranges, flatlands, and villages of Guanacaste along the way. Stop for a bite and enjoy traditional foods, fresh local fruits, or perhaps a batido (fresh fruit smoothie) en route, then sit back and enjoy the views as the arid plains and tropical dry forests slowly give way to the azure seas of the Gulf of Papagayo, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

Once you arrive, spend the rest of the afternoon making the most of the area's sandy beaches and clear waters. You could stake out a stretch of sand on a postcard beach like Playa Panama or Playa Hermosa, or get more active with a sea kayaking and snorkeling tour that takes you on a 20-minute paddle offshore to Isla Capitán, home to a thriving coral reef and plenty of exotic fish. 

Day 6: Wetlands & Rum Tasting Experience, Sunset Catamaran Cruise & Barbecue 

Today's itinerary is entirely up to you. If you're keen to venture inland, join a guided excursion to the private waterways of Hacienda El Viejo, located about an hour east of the coast. Here you can cruise along the biodiverse wetlands of the Río Tempisque, where there's a great chance of spotting endemic wildlife (including crocs). Afterward, you'll stop by the family-operated estate's distillery to learn about the rum production process, from sugar cane juice extraction to distillation to aging. The fun ends with a cocktail made with aged Sabandí rum as you lunch on traditional, home-cooked fare. 

If endless beach time is the goal, spend the morning hopping between some of the region's loveliest stretches of sand, including lesser-visited spots like Playa Ocotal. This black-sand beach is perfect for travelers looking to ditch the crowds and experience a more local vibe. With clear blue waters and two rocky reefs on either side of the beach, it's also an ideal spot for snorkeling. At low tide, you can even explore the reefs from above by walking along the neighboring rocks.

As evening falls, you'll celebrate the final evening of your trip in style as you step aboard a catamaran and set off along Costa Rica's lush Gold Coast. Pass pristine bays, white-sand beaches, and tropical jungles (and keep an eye out for dolphins, sea turtles, and breaching whales along the way). The crew will serve tropical drinks as you make your way to a tranquil bay for swimming and snorkeling, and a barbecue meal with Costa Rican dishes will be served onboard before you sail back to the starting point.

Day 7: Transfer to Liberia, Depart

It's time to say adiós to Costa Rica! After breakfast, you'll meet your driver for the three-hour journey to Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste's capital city for your return flight home. Safe travels!

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