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Things to do in Costa Rica:
1. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park:
- Hours: Open Daily, 6:00am – 4:00pm
- Cost: $26.00 per person without a guide
- Total time: roughly 1.5 – 2 hours
- Website: https://www.misticopark.com/
(Guided Night Tours available, see below). Booked directly through park at gate. Walk
through the Costa Rican jungle over 16 bridges with view of the Arenal Volcano.
2. Don Juan Coffee & Chocolate Tour:
- Hours: Open Daily, 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Cost: $45.00 per person
- Total time: 2 hours
- Website: https://donjuantours.com/monteverde-chocolate-coffee-tours/coffee-
chocolate-sugarcane-tour/
Toured a plantation & made/tasted various chocolates and coffee.
3. Tabacon Hot Springs:
- Hours: Open Daily, 10:00am – 10:00pm
- Cost: $85.00 per person (includes a 3-course lunch or dinner!)
- Total Time: Up to you!
- Website: https://www.tabacon.com/the-thermal-experience/
Booked through Airbnb host: Check-in with a day pass to this luxurious spa. There is
plenty of room to spread out and soak in the many thermal pools. There are restrooms,
lockers, towel service & a swim-up bar. If you buy the day pass + a meal, lunch or dinner
is included (your choice).
4. Manuel Antonio Animal Park
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 7:00am- 4:00pm, Closed Monday
- Cost: $18.00 per person (See notes below regarding private guide)
- Total time: With a guide roughly 2-3 hours
- Website: https://manuelantoniopark.com/
The private tour guide was $20 per person extra but is worth it! They have telescopes to spot creatures and have knowledge on the country and wildlife. We would not have seen 90% of the wildlife we saw without our guide! NOTE: there is a private beach in the park, so wear your swimsuit! They have washing stations & showers/restrooms as well as a restaurant in the park. NO SNACKS/FOOD can be brought in besides water. They WILL check your back prior to entering.
5. Hike the 1968 Lava Trail & View of Arenal Volcano
- Hours: Open Daily 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Cost: $15 per person
- Total time: (Depends on which hike, roughly 1-3 hours)
- Website: http://arenal1968.com/en/
Booked through airbnb host. Option of 2 hikes, one shorter trail just over 2 miles and the
longer trail is roughly 3 miles long on top of lava eruption. There is a lagoon on the hike as
well as 360 degree views of the Arenal Volcano and the Arenal Lake. There are
restrooms/showers on site. There is a restaurant but due to COVID was not open.
6. La Fortuna Waterfall
- Hours: 8:00am – 4:00pm
- Cost: $18.00 per person
- Total time: Up to you!
- Website: https://www.cataratalafortuna.com/
Paid directly at the front gates. Hike 500 steps down to a gorgeous waterfall!
7. 10 Hidden Waterfalls Tour:
- Hours: Tour times M-S 12:00pm – 3:30pm, Sundays 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Cost: $88.00 per person
- Total time: 3.5 hours
- Website: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/411310
Hike + swimming in waterfalls with private tour guide.
Tasted local fruit and beverage (coco frio); ate a local meal at La Casita del Sabor (one of
the best meals we ate!)
Wilson’s Tips for Costa Rica:
1. Rent a car (But be sure you have your international driver’s license)
2. Eat local at “Sodas”
3. Explore local adventures (El Salto Rope Swing, Seafood at Beatriz Beach & local art like
our Tiki Tico)
4. Don’t spend all your time in one place, explore inland and the coast.
5. Check with your accommodations prior to booking experiences as sometimes they can
offer discounts versus booking straight through the experiences’ website.
Bonus things to do:
1. Sloth Tour
- Hours: Open daily, 7:00am – 4:00pm
- Cost: $45.00 per person
- Total time: 1.5 hours
- Website: https://www.slothwatchingtrail.com/
Hike with a guide through the Costa Rican jungle on a 2-mile trail to search for sloths. The
guides are knowledgeable and offer view through a telescope to point out various wildlife
and of course, sloths!
2. Mistico Hanging Bridges Night Tour:
- Hours: Night Tours are offered at 4pm or 6pm
- Cost: $45.00 per person
- Total time: 2.5 hours
- Website: https://www.misticopark.com/tours/mistico-night-walk
Booked directly at park gate. Walk through .5 miles of the jungle at night solely by
flashlight with a guide! Spot wildlife and many creatures of the night that are not seen in
the daytime hours.
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Thanks for watching!
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- Women’s Lightweight Rain Jacket: https://amzn.to/43oaJbW
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