Romantic Off-the-Beaten-Path Road Trip Through Costa Rica - 7 Days

Highlights

• See monkeys, tree frogs, and other exotic animals in the rainforests of Sarapiquí 
• Sit down for lunch at local farms and haciendas, followed by tasty chocolate tours
• Ride down the rivers of Rincón de la Vieja and soak in natural hot springs

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Barrio Amón Neighborhood Tour & Gold Museum

Welcome to Costa Rica! Consistently ranked as one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world by major publications, this Central American nation offers immense biodiversity and romantic tropical beauty. You and your partner will arrive in the capital of San José, and a driver will pick you up at the terminal for the ride into the city and your hotel. Then, you'll have time to take a guided tour of some of the most remarkable and fascinating spots in this intriguing metropolis.

Specifically, you'll visit Barrio Amón. This chic neighborhood's roots go back to the days of Costa Rica's wealthy coffee estates, as it's home to cafetalero (coffee grower) mansions built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of this area's historic buildings have been converted into hotels, restaurants, and galleries, making Amón a popular bohemian district. During the two-hour tour, you'll have ample opportunities to pop in at cafés and sample this country's justifiably famous coffee.

Later, you'll visit other iconic landmarks in the historic center. This includes the Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral), whose interior combines Greek Orthodox, neoclassical, and Baroque styles with wood carvings and stained-glass windows. Then, you'll stop in at the Museo del Oro Precolumbino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum), one of the finest museums in the country. It holds an extensive collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts, some of which date all the way back to 500 CE. 

Day 2: Drive to Sarapiquí, Rainforest Nature Hike

Rise and shine! This morning, you'll pick up your rental car and hit the road north of San José for two hours to Sarapiquí. This region stretches from the central volcanic mountain range across the vast northern plains to Nicaragua and is studded with national parks. The Río Sarapiquí, popular with kayakers and rafters, snakes through the landscape, which is carpeted in premontane rainforest and plantations where locals grow everything from bananas to coffee and cacao. Upon arrival, you'll check into a peaceful ecolodge sitting on its own rainforest reserve.

From there, you'll transfer to La Selva Biological Station. Run by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), this research station comprises 3,953 acres (1,600 ha) of pristine rainforest home to thousands of species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. A resident naturalist guide will lead you on a two-hour walk through this biodiverse wonderland, offering insight into the area's natural history and pointing out exotic animals ranging from monkeys and sloths to parrots and woodpeckers.

The magic of the rainforest doesn't end with the nature hike in La Selva because, after the nature hike, you'll meet Joseph. No, this isn't another local guide—rather, it's a ficus (strangler fig) tree residing in the primary forest near the famous Arenal volcano. Joseph is hundreds of years old and has a hollow core that you'll climb up through to rappel down the outside. Afterward, you'll return to your jungle lodge.

Day 3: Local Farm Tour & Lunch, Chocolate Tour

You're in for a treat, as this morning, you'll visit Finca Sura, a working farm run by the local Gomez Arce family. When you arrive, your friendly hosts will welcome you in and lead you on a tour of the property. During a stroll around the fields, you'll learn about cultivating regional crops like pineapple and other seasonal fruits. The family has worked this land for generations and emphasizes conservation, ensuring their plantation coexists in harmony with the surrounding rainforest and its wildlife. At the end of the tour, everyone will sit down for a farm-fresh lunch.

Be sure to save room because, after the meal, you're off on a brief nature hike to an old cacao (cocoa) plantation. This fruit has a long and storied history in this part of the world, dating to the days of the ancient Mesoamericans. A guide will lead you on a tour through a forest filled with cacao trees, where you'll learn the secrets to turning the beans of this tropical fruit into decadent chocolate. You'll see the harvesting and production process firsthand, followed by a tasting of real organic rainforest chocolate.

Day 4: Drive to Rincón de la Vieja, Hot Springs & Mud Baths

After an early breakfast, you'll hit the road again on a scenic four-hour drive northwest into the Guanacaste region. Another of Costa Rica's famously diverse areas, it's topography includes everything from tropical dry forest and unspoiled coastline to volcanoes and verdant rainforests. Your destination is one of the most gorgeous locales of all, Rincón de la Vieja, a national park whose namesake is an active volcano. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hacienda-style hotel near the park limits.

No doubt you'll be tired after the long drive. So, after lunch, you'll visit the Río Negro Hot Springs. Here, 10 pools of varying temperatures are heated by the volcano and surrounded by waterfalls and lush jungle. After a nice long soak in the springs, you can coat your body in nutrient-rich volcanic mud, washing it away in the cool waters of the Río Negro. If you like, you can alternate dips in the springs and river—nature's version of hot/cold contrast therapy! Afterward, you'll return to your hotel and relax until it's time for a romantic dinner.

Day 5: Rincón de la Vieja Hike, Tubing the Río Negro

Lace up your hiking boots because you're off on a half-day hike in the unspoiled forests of Rincón de la Vieja. This self-guided adventure begins with your transfer to the trailhead at Las Pailas. This loop trail is just 2.5 miles long (3.5 km) but offers spectacular views of Rincón de la Vieja, the largest volcano in Guanacaste province. The name Las Pailas translates to "The Cauldrons," which is apt considering the trail abounds with geothermal activity, like fumaroles and bubbling mud pits. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like armadillos, howler monkeys, and coatis along the way.

After the hike, the outdoor adventures continue as you ride a horse from your hacienda down to the banks of the Río Negro. There, you'll hop in an inner tube for a fun trip down this waterway. Over a couple of hours, you'll travel 3 miles (5 km) down crystalline waters, splashing around Class II and III rapids. There are also plenty of tranquil pools where you can slow down and appreciate the gorgeous rainforest scenery around you.

Day 6: Rincón de la Vieja Outdoor Adventures

Make your last full day in Costa Rica one for the books as you enjoy a suite of outdoor adventures. Perhaps start with a thrilling canopy tour and abseiling (rappelling) down waterfalls in the canyons of Río Blanco. Then, if you like, opt for another fun tubing ride down the river—or soar over the treetops on a zipline. Then, you can hop in the saddle and embark on a leisurely horseback ride through the forest. Unwind later in volcano-heated thermal waters, followed by a rejuvenating mud bath.

Day 7: Drive to Liberia, Depart

Your romantic escape draws to a close today—but the good thing is you've packed enough adventures over the last week to leave plenty of lasting memories. After one more leisurely breakfast at your hotel in Rincón de la Vieja, you'll make the 1.5-hour drive inland to the airport in the city of Liberia, where your flight home awaits. Happy travels!

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