12 Days in Costa Rica: Waterfalls, Wildlife, and Pura Vida Adventures

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Costa Rica offers a rich mix of adventure, nature, and culture that makes it a perfect destination for both the adventurous and the laid back traveler. Renting a car and driving through some of the country’s most stunning landscapes gave me a chance to experience volcano hikes, waterfall swims, wildlife tours, and coastal relaxation. This journey took us from the volcanic heart of La Fortuna to the misty cloud forests of Monteverde, ending with a few laid-back days on the Pacific coast in Tamarindo. Here’s how those days unfolded and what made each stop unforgettable.

Arriving in Liberia and Heading to La Fortuna

We choose to fly into Liberia instead of San Jose for several reasons. The first was simply proximity to the spots we wanted to visit. While San Jose is more central in the country, most of the locations we wanted to visit were on the northern part. The second reason was simply the size of the town. Liberia is much smaller and easier to navigate than a large city like San Jose. Now, this did mean that we missed out on some of the history and architecture that San Jose has to offer but that was a tradeoff we were willing to make. We rented a car right away so that we could explore at our leisure but there are a few important things to keep in mind when renting a car in Costa Rica. 1) Insurance is mandatory! Basic liability insurance - known locally as "Seguro Obligatorio de Automóviles" (SOA) - is required. You must use the insurance and having insurance through a credit card, for example won't be sufficient. 2) Be prepared for lots of potholes and single lane bridges. The roads here are rough and often narrow.

The drive to La Fortuna took about two and a half hours through lush countryside and small towns, setting the tone for the natural beauty ahead. La Fortuna is famous for the Arenal Volcano, a nearly perfect cone that dominates the skyline. We spent several days here, making the most of the outdoor activities and local tours. Below are some of my favorite actives from our time in La Fortuna.

Hiking Arenal Volcano

We arrived in La Fortuna too early to check into our hotel, The Royal Corin, so we dropped off our bags and laced up our hiking boots to do some exploring. We opted to hike the Arenal 1968 Los Patos Trail. This 5km (roughly 3 miles) trail takes you through lush forest, past serene lakes, and up to breathtaking 360° viewpoints of Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and the lava flow. By the time we finished the hike, we were ready for some food! Luckily, there is a restaurant with a view of the volcano at the end (it's almost like they know you'll be tired and hungry!). We ordered some food and a few drinks and relaxed post hiking, soaking up the views.

Swimming in La Fortuna Waterfall

The next day started early with a trip to the La Fortuna Waterfall. My goal was to be able to get there before the tour groups started to arrive. I am sure glad we did! The waterfall drops about 70 meters into a natural pool surrounded by tropical forest. The path down to the base involves a steep staircase of about 500 steps, but the swim in the clear, refreshing water was worth every step. We first spent some time swimming in the water at the base of the falls before going downriver where the water was calmer. The thing that surprised me the most was how many fish there were. It almost made me wish I had brought my snorkel gear with me! This place was so beautiful that I could have stayed there forever but eventually the crowds started to arrive and we decided it was time to move on.

Sloth Tour Experience

Costa Rica is known for its wildlife, and I couldn’t miss going on a sloth tour! Guided by local experts, I learned about these slow-moving creatures and saw them up close in their natural habitat. The tour was both educational and fun, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in the region. There are two types of sloths that call Costa Rica home - the Brown-throated Three-toed and Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth. We were lucky to spot both types of sloths on this tour as well as a toucan! I was so glad we took a guided tour for this. Their ability to spot them up in the trees was truly impressive. I never would have spotted them on my own. Of course, it also helps that the guides from other tours help each other out and alert other groups when a sloth is spotted. At the end of the journey we had some coffee and fresh fruit at a beautiful nature preserve we were spotted a beautiful Motmot.

Mistico Hanging Bridges

This was one of my favorite things that we did in Costa Rica! The Mistico Hanging Bridges offers 3.2 km (about 2 miles) of trail over 10 regular bridges and 6 hanging bridges. The trek itself was fairly easy and didn't have a lot of elevation gain. Being able to cross the hanging bridges and see the jungle from above was such a unique experience and I loved every minute of it. It was also the place where caught my first glimpse of a monkey in the wild - I think it was a spider monkey but it was moving pretty fast among the trees so it was hard to be sure. Seeing a monkey in the wild was something I've wanted to see ever since I was little! We also saw plenty of other insects and frogs along the way.

Coffee and Chocolate Tour

After the bridges, we headed to a coffee and chocolate tour at North Fields Cafe. Costa Rica’s coffee is world-renowned, and this tour showed me the process from bean to cup. I also got to taste fresh chocolate made from local cacao. The tour combined history, agriculture, and delicious samples, making it a perfect cultural break from the outdoor adventures.

Night Walk and Authentic Costa Rican Dinner

We ended the day with a tour of a local estate for a night walk. Here our guide helped us search for red-eyed tree frogs and other critters that come out at night. What a great way to experience the jungle after dark. After the walk, we were served dinner by the family that owns the estate. It was easily one of my favorite dinners in Costa Rica! It also happened to be my birthday dinner. I loved getting to have such a unique Costa Rican birthday!

Exploring Monteverde’s Cloud Forest

From La Fortuna, we drove to Monteverde, a town famous for its cloud forest reserve. The drive took about three hours and passed through winding mountain roads with spectacular views. This drive really gave us a chance to experience the authentic Costa Rican countryside.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve

Upon arriving in Monteverde, the first thing we did was head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve. This is a must-visit for nature lovers. The trails lead through dense, moss-covered trees and offer chances to see rare birds like the resplendent quetzal. The cool, misty air and rich biodiversity made hiking here a peaceful and inspiring experience. There are a few different hiking trails to choose from and they do connect to allow you to hike as little or as much as you'd like. We decided to hike the Continental Divide Trail which offers the Preserve’s most immersive cloud forest experience. The highlight of this hike was easily spotting Capuchin Monkey's in the trees. Unlike in La Fortuna, we had a great view of them here. I was so excited I might have teared up a little. This was truly a bucket list moment for me!

Treetop Dining Experience

Monteverde provides a variety of unique dining options. I chose to indulge in a treetop dining experience that paired excellent cuisine with sweeping views of the forest canopy. We savored a 9-course meal at the San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience where we had a private glass room with views of the town and the forest as they guided us on a culinary journey through Costa Rica!

Ziplining Adventure

For me, the biggest draw for Costa Rica was ziplining above the canopy. That is something I'd wanted to do ever since I was a teen. The zipline courses here are some of the best in Costa Rica, with long cables that let you soar over the treetops. While there are a few locations to choose from, we opted for the Selvatura Park. This park offers 13 ziplines (including one that is a km long) and a Tarzan swing. The feeling of flying through mist and greenery was exhilarating and gave me a new perspective on the forest below. We purchased the whole day package here to be able to also visit the hanging bridges (I loved seeing how the cloud forest differed from the rain forest of La Fortuna from this vantage point), the sloth habitat, butterfly garden, and snake and reptile exhibit.

Relaxing and Exploring Tamarindo on the Coast

After the mountains and forests, we headed to the Pacific coast to Tamarindo, a beach town known for its surf, sunsets, and vibrant atmosphere. The drive from Monteverde took about 3 and a half hours, descending from the mountains to the coast.

Beach Time at Playa Langosta, Playa Tamarindo, and Playa Conchal

Tamarindo’s beaches are perfect for relaxing or trying surfing. Our hotel, Cala Luna Boutique Hotel, was situated less than a block from Playa Langosta so we would frequently make our way over here to watch the waves crash and catch as many sunsets as possible. It was much hotter here than I expected so between that and all the hiking and exploring we had done so far on the trip, we opted for a lot more relaxation on this leg of the trip.

While I didn't try my hand at surfing on this trip, I did enjoy watching them out there on the water. Playa Tamarindo is a popular spot for this. We spent some time here watching the surfers and trying out some of the local restaurants.

Even though this part of the coast isn't great for snorkeling, we did take our gear to the much calmer, Playa Conchal just a short drive away. This beach was fairly secluded and the calm waters and white sandy beaches made for the perfect place to swim and relax!

Tamarindo Estuary Wildlife Tour

This was our final activity in Costa Rica, a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable journey filled with vibrant landscapes and rich biodiversity. We took a boat tour up the Tamarindo Estuary to look for wildlife. The estuary is a vital habitat for numerous species, and it did not disappoint! We spotted plenty of birds, a few monkeys, a racoon, and crocodiles. Our guide shared fascinating insights about the behavior and ecology of these creatures, further enriching our understanding of the delicate balance that exists within this ecosystem. Overall, our boat tour through the Tamarindo Estuary was not just an exciting wildlife adventure; it was also a poignant reminder of the natural wonders that Costa Rica has to offer.

Final Thoughts on my Time in Costa Rica

Costa Rica left me with far more than photos and memories—it reshaped the way I travel. From misty cloud forests and untamed beaches to warm smiles and the steady rhythm of pura vida, every moment felt like a reminder to slow down and truly experience the world around me. This trip was equal parts adventure and reflection, and it’s a place I know I’ll carry with me long after unpacking my bags. If Costa Rica is on your list, let this be your sign to go—come curious, leave changed, and don’t be surprised if a piece of your heart stays behind.