option 6 of 10 — for the adventurous us
Costa Rica
Arenal Volcano & Manuel Antonio
Rainforests, hot springs, and 'pura vida' for a whole week.
Estimated Cost
$3,400 – $4,100
Length
7 Days / 6 Nights
Getting There
~7 hrs from Minneapolis (MSP → SJO, 1 stop)
Best Time to Go
December – April
The Trip
Half the week in the rainforest under the Arenal volcano — ziplines, hanging bridges, and volcanic hot springs — then over to the Pacific coast at Manuel Antonio, where the jungle runs straight into the ocean and monkeys steal the show.
The Real Budget
For both of us, flights from Minneapolis included. Prices are realistic planning estimates — exact fares move with the season.
| Item | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip flights | MSP → San José, 2 travelers | $1,040 |
| Lodging | 3 nights Arenal eco-lodge + 3 nights ocean-view hotel (~$150/night) | $900 |
| 4x4 rental car & gas | 6 days, full insurance included | $450 |
| Food & drinks | Sodas (local spots), fresh fruit, 2 splurge dinners (~$90/day) | $630 |
| Hot springs evening | Tabacón / EcoTermales entry for two | $90 |
| Zipline canopy tour | 12 cables over the rainforest, for two | $130 |
| Hanging bridges & volcano hike | Canopy bridge park entry + trail access | $60 |
| Manuel Antonio National Park | Entry + naturalist guide for two | $100 |
| Sunset catamaran cruise | Snorkeling, dinner & drinks included | $180 |
| Souvenirs & wiggle room | Coffee to bring home, mostly | $150 |
| Estimated total for two | $3,730 | |
| Comfortably under our $5,000 budget — $1,270 of breathing room for spontaneous ice cream. | ||
Where We'd Stay
Real places, checked against the budget — tap any of them to look around.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Lodge inside the national park
The only lodge inside the park — volcano views from bed and 11 km of private trails.
Visit their site ↗Manuel Antonio
Si Como No Resort
Rainforest resort with ocean views
Treehouse-feel resort between the jungle and the Pacific, near the national park gate.
Visit their site ↗Our Week, Day by Day
Day 1Land in paradise, drive to the volcano
Morning flight to San José, pick up the 4x4, and take the scenic drive to La Fortuna with a lunch stop overlooking Lake Arenal. First glimpse of the volcano from our room.
Moment of the day: The volcano appearing around the last bend
Day 2Hanging bridges & hot springs
Morning walk across hanging bridges suspended high in the rainforest canopy, then an evening soaking in volcanic hot springs with a swim-up bar.
Moment of the day: Hot springs under the stars
Day 3Zipline day
Twelve cables through and above the jungle canopy — including one nearly half a mile long. Afternoon reward: chocolate and coffee tasting at a local finca.
Moment of the day: Screaming (happily) over the treetops
Day 4Over the mountains to the Pacific
Scenic half-day drive from the rainforest to the coast. Arrive in Manuel Antonio for a sunset swim and dinner overlooking the ocean.
Moment of the day: First Pacific sunset of the trip
Day 5Monkeys, sloths & secret beaches
Guided morning in Manuel Antonio National Park spotting sloths, toucans, and capuchin monkeys, ending at a postcard-perfect cove for an afternoon swim.
Moment of the day: A sloth. Finally. In real life.
Day 6Catamaran sunset cruise
Slow morning by the pool, then an afternoon catamaran sail along the coast — snorkeling stop, dolphins if we're lucky, and dinner on board as the sun drops.
Moment of the day: Dancing on a boat deck at sunset
Day 7Pura vida, then home
Sunrise beach walk, one last plate of gallo pinto, and the drive back to San José for the afternoon flight home.
Moment of the day: Deciding which room gets the hammock
is it this one?
Compare them all, or peek at the next option.
Destination photography via Wikimedia Commons — photo credits.