8-day itinerary
Costa Rica is considered one of the most welcoming countries in Central America for 2slgbtqia+ travelers. Here are some helpful tips whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple or in a group.
day 1
arrive in san josé
San José is a welcoming city for all travelers, with plenty to keep you busy from day till night. Browse around shops, admire the architecture of Teatro Nacional Costa Rica and peer inside the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Come nightfall, you’ll have your pick of trendy fusion restaurants while in downtown San José, followed by an evening out in a laid-back lounge or lively nightclub.
teatro nacional de costa rica
pre-columbian gold museum
dining and nightlife
days 2-3
tortuguero national park
Unleash your inner adventurer at Tortuguero National Park. A guided canal tour shows off the variety of monkeys and colorful tropical birds that reside here. Visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy Tortuguero Visitor Center for its important perspectives on these local creatures. Then take a break and soak up the sunset at the beach.
tortuguero national park
Visit Sea Turtle Conservancy
sunset at the beach
days 4-5
explore manuel antonio national park
Arrive in Quepos, the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Central Pacific coast. Manuel Antonio is known for its friendly vibes. When you’re not relaxing on the beach, surfing the legendary waves, or spotting wild monkeys and sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park, there’s lots of culture to explore. Hang out in casual beach bars and delicious seafood restaurants, and pop into galleries filled with artwork inspired by the beautiful surroundings.
exploring quepos
manuel antonio national park
beach day at manuel beach
days 6-7
monteverde cloud forest reserve
Shrouded in a mist that is true to its name, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is an eco-wonderland. Explore from the clouds on a network of zip lines, suspension bridges and hiking trails. Bird-watching is a natural pastime here, especially for those seeking a glimpse of the famed resplendent quetzal. After dark, you can take a nocturnal walk to see what wildlife awakens. Pair these adventures with a visit to nearby plantations cultivating coffee, cacao and sugarcane.
hiking and zip lining at Monteverde
nocturnal wildlife walk
exploring plantations
day 8
return to san josé
Head back to San José to catch your departing flight and start planning your next trip to Costa Rica.
depart san josé
