Manuel Antonio & Monteverde 🐒
"Where the rainforest meets the sea in a biodiverse paradise."
Costa Rica perfectly blends world-class beaches with lush cloud forests. You can spend three days surfing and spotting monkeys in Manuel Antonio before heading to the mountains of Monteverde for zip-lining and hanging bridges.
Experience the ultimate Costa Rican contrast: the sun-drenched tropical shores of Manuel Antonio followed by the misty, ethereal biodiversity of the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Arrival in Tropical Paradise
Morning — Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and take a private shuttle to Manuel Antonio. Settle into your hotel overlooking the Pacific coast.
Afternoon — Head to Playa Espadilla, the main public beach, for a swim and to watch the surfers. Grab a fresh pipa fria (coconut water) from a beach vendor.
Evening — Enjoy sunset drinks at El Avion, a restaurant built around a converted Fairchild C-123 cargo plane, followed by fresh seafood dinner.
💡 Book your Manuel Antonio National Park entry tickets weeks in advance online; they sell out fast!
Day 2 · Wildlife and Hidden Coves
Morning — Early entry to Manuel Antonio National Park. Hire a certified naturalist guide at the gate to spot sloths, toucans, and three species of monkeys.
Afternoon — Relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, a stunning white-sand crescent within the park. Hike the Cathedral Point trail for panoramic coastal views.
Evening — Dine at Falafel Bar in town for a casual, high-quality local favorite, then take a guided night walk to spot red-eyed tree frogs.
💡 Watch your bags on the beach; the capuchin monkeys are expert thieves!
Day 3 · Mangroves and Marine Life
Morning — Catamaran snorkeling tour from Quepos. Sail along the coastline, enjoy a grilled lunch on board, and swim in the Biesanz Bay.
Afternoon — Visit the Damas Island Estuary for a boat or kayak tour through the mangroves to see silky anteaters and crocodiles.
Evening — Visit Marina Pez Vela in neighboring Quepos for a sunset dinner and a stroll along the docks.
💡 Look for humpback whales if traveling between August and October.
Day 4 · From Coast to Cloud Forest
Morning — Enjoy a final morning beach walk before departing the coast for the winding roads up into the Tilarán Mountain Range.
Afternoon — Arrive in Santa Elena/Monteverde. Visit the Monteverde Orchid Garden to see hundreds of species, including the world's smallest orchids.
Evening — Warm up with a bowl of traditional Sopa de Quelites and craft beer at Monteverde Beer House.
💡 The temperature drops significantly in the mountains; bring a light rain shell and a fleece.
Day 5 · Walking Among the Clouds
Morning — Guided hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Look for the elusive Resplendent Quetzal and the Golden Toad's former habitat.
Afternoon — Spend the afternoon at Selvatura Park walking across the iconic hanging bridges high above the forest canopy.
Evening — Dinner at Tree House Restaurant, where the dining room is built into a massive Ficus tree.
💡 The cloud forest is damp and misty; high-performance gear is better than cotton.
Day 6 · Ziplines and Coffee Beans
Morning — Adrenaline-pumping zipline tour (some of the longest in the country) including the famous "Superman" flight and Tarzan swing.
Afternoon — Take a coffee and chocolate tour at Don Juan or El Trapiche to learn about Costa Rica’s "Golden Bean" and see a traditional sugar mill.
Evening — Experience the Curi-Cancha Reserve Night Tour to see sleeping birds, tarantulas, and nocturnal mammals like kinkajous.
💡 Buy some local coffee beans to take home today—they are fresher here than at the airport.
Day 7 · Mountain Farewells
Morning — Final breakfast in the mountains. Start the 4.5-hour descent back toward the Central Valley and San Jose.
Afternoon — Stop at the Tarcoles Bridge to see the "Crocodile Bridge" from above before arriving at SJO for your evening flight home.
Evening — N/A - Evening Departure.
💡 If you have extra time, stop at the Sarchi Artisan village for hand-painted oxcarts.