One Week In Costa Rica Tour by Intrepid Travel

8 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 35 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

San Jose, Costa Rica

Ends

San Jose, Costa Rica

Highlights

Explore Cahuita National Park on a hike through the lush vegetation and coastal beaches (where you can take a dip) and look out for the abundant wildlife on the land and in the sky.

Take part in a Caribbean cooking class in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and sit down for lunch with the locals – a blend of African, Indigenous and Spanish flavours mixed with coconut milk, spices, fruits, curry and seafood.

Enjoy plenty of free time to choose your own adventure – maybe hike through the lush forest of La Fortuna, go wildlife spotting near Arenal Volcano or explore Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve looking out for sloths.

Kick back on the Caribbean coast in Puerto Viejo, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs – the perfect spot for some swimming, snorkelling or relaxing under the shade of palm trees.

Start and end your trip in San Jose, the urban centre of Costa Rica, to balance out the outdoor adventure with some nightlife, bar hopping, markets and museums.

Itinerary

Ever wondered what it’s like to truly immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s wild side? The "One Week in Costa Rica" adventure trip is tailored for young adults, solo travelers, and nature lovers looking for an energetic yet relaxed getaway. Over eight days, this guided small group journey begins and ends in San Jose, taking you through Monteverde, La Fortuna, Cahuita National Park, and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

Kick off your trip in San Jose, where vibrant markets and spontaneous art fairs set the mood. Venture into Monteverde’s Cloud Forest for wildlife spotting—keep your eyes peeled for sloths and the elusive quetzal. In La Fortuna, shadowed by the majestic Arenal Volcano, enjoy the freedom to chase waterfalls or unwind in natural hot springs.

Continue your tour package with a hike and swim in Cahuita National Park before reaching the Caribbean coast at Puerto Viejo. Here, you’ll have the chance to spot a kaleidoscope of wildlife and even take a cooking class to master local flavors.

With expert local leadership, like-minded companions, and a perfectly balanced itinerary, the unique selling point of this trip is its mix of adventure, wildlife, and local culture. Whether relaxing on the beach or exploring the jungle, this Costa Rica tour is the ultimate weeklong escape for youthful spirits and curious travelers.

day 1 - San Jose

Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose, home to a lively cultural atmosphere and heaps to do. If you arrive early (it’s recommended that you stay an extra few days), maybe explore the markets – you might even be lucky enough to see a spontaneous art fair! If history is your thing, maybe head to the Gold Museum to see the collection of Indigenous gold art. Perhaps visit Arte Contemporaneo if you’re an art lover or get your first taste of the rich coffee that Costa Rica is known for in a nearby coffee shop. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel. After, maybe head out to a local restaurant or the Central Market where you can pick up some fresh seafood.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Monteverde

Take an early public bus to Monteverde this morning – this area was initially used as an environmentally conscious agricultural community and has now been transformed into the internationally recognised Cloud Forest Reserve. Make the most of your free time in lush Monteverde, maybe exploring the cloud forest at night with a local guide or heading out on a zip lining adventure. There are also several local communities that operate co-ops here, which are well worth the visit. Maybe walk through the canopy on suspension bridges or watch butterflies in the Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm. If food and coffee are more your thing, maybe head out on a chocolate and coffee tour.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 3 - La Fortuna

If you're an early bird, maybe head out on a nature hike and look out for hummingbirds, sloths and the infamous (and seldom seen) quetzal birds. Today you’ll drive to Lake Arenal and take a boat to La Fortuna – a small but vibrant town with abundant hot springs and natural pools. Sitting under the shadow of a towering volcano, this spot is the perfect place to relax, explore or get active. Tonight, maybe grab dinner with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant and try some sopa negra (black bean soup) or pozole (a stew made from pork, hominy, cilantro, bell peppers and achiote).

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 4 - La Fortuna

Enjoy a free day to explore La Fortuna today. Maybe you’d like to take a day trip out of town and go white water rafting. Costa Rica is renowned for its natural beauty, so an adrenaline-filled adventure on the action-packed rivers is highly recommended. Alternatively, stay in La Fortuna and head out on a hike through the lush surrounding forest or go stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal to enjoy the incredible backdrop of Arenal Volcano from a new perspective. If you’re an animal lover, look out for coatimundis, racoons and toucans across the water on a boat tour of Cano Negro Reserve. Soaking in the local thermal hot springs is a popular activity here – these natural springs are fed by the volcano that overlooks the city and are the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 5 - Cahuita National Park - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

This morning, leave the volcano behind and take a private transfer to Cahuita National Park, where you’ll explore the lush landscape on a 2-hour hike with your leader. You’ll also visit the beach here, where you can cool off with an ocean swim or go wildlife spotting, looking out for paca, iguanas, giant blue crabs, racoons, opossums, porcupines and the capuchin monkey. This is a great day for photos, so keep your camera or phone on you! Carry on to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, where you’ll spend the night. On the Caribbean seaside, you can spend tonight hopping to different reggae bars and watching the sunset on the palm-fringed beaches.

included:Cahuita National Park - Entrance, Cahuita National Park - Hike

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 6 - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Explore the area on a bike ride along the palm-fringed coastal road, stopping at various beaches and inlets as you make your way south. Visit Punta Uva Beach, where you can find a little hidden cave with a gorgeous view. This afternoon, you can opt to head to Manzanillo for an immersive forest therapy session, where you'll learn about sustainable eating practices and the medicinal uses of local plants with a guided tour through the gardens. Learn more about local Afro-Caribbean culture, taste breadfruit and take a brief Spanish lesson. Finish your day by watching a Caribbean cooking demonstration. Experience a melting pot of culinary traditions using a mix of spices and fruits influenced by local Indigenous, African and Spanish cuisines. Then, return to Puerto Viejo for the evening to hit the bars with your fellow travellers for a drink.

included:Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Coastal Bicycle ride, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Caribbean Cooking Demonstration

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Dinner

day 7 - San Jose

Journey back to San Jose and explore the historic buildings and artisan markets on an orientation walk with your leader. When you're done with the morning adventure, the afternoon is all yours. You can go café-hopping, hit up some local bars or just wander around soaking in the local scene. Tonight, maybe get your fellow travellers together for a final group dinner to say your goodbyes, and after that, dive into the vibrant nightlife scene to wrap up this epic journey on a high note.

included:San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 8 - San Jose

After breakfast, there are no activities planned and your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to explore San Jose in more depth, why not book an Urban Adventures tour like the San Jose Bites & Sights tour. Unmask the beauty and culture of contemporary Costa Rican life on this San Jose walking tour that takes you through the busy streets, bustling markets and tranquil parks. If you want to spend more time in San Jose, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Meals

1 Dinner

Transport

Shared Vehicle, Private Vehicle, Public Bus, Boat, Taxi

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Cahuita National Park - EntranceCahuita National Park - HikePuerto Viejo de Talamanca - Coastal Bicycle ridePuerto Viejo de Talamanca - Caribbean Cooking DemonstrationSan Jose - Leader-led orientation walk

What's Excluded

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