Sarah's Costa Rica Adventure: Day-by-Day

I’ve just finished travelling Costa Rica on Gap 360’s 14-day Costa Rica Adventure and it was packed with so many bucket list moments. We’re talking about spotting adorable sloths, ziplining through Monteverde Cloud Forest, surfing the waves at Santa Teresa and so much more! Each day was a new adventure filled with the perfect mix of adrenaline and nature. 

Let me break down the trip for you day-by-day:

Day 1: San José 😃🛬

Highlight: Meeting New Friends

Today was arrival day! After landing at San José airport, I checked into the hotel and met the 11 strangers I’d spend the next 14 days with. Plus, our awesome group leader, Maikol - who had the best restaurant recommendations. After a meal at the local Mexican, we soon realised we were all there for the same reasons - relaxing beaches, lush jungles, incredible wildlife and adrenaline-pumping activities - and were ready to take on our Costa Rica Adventure together!

Day 2: Puerto Viejo 🌴🦥

Highlight: Gorgeous Beaches, Sloths & Howler Monkeys

On day 2, we embarked on our journey to Puerto Viejo, a charming town nestled on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. It was here that we began to embrace the Costa Rican saying "pura vida” - meaning a pure life. The town’s laid-back vibe felt like absolute bliss. Of course, we headed straight to the beach, and what a paradise it was! Whether you wanted to relax on the soft sands, snorkel around a shipwreck, or admire the local wildlife, this beach seriously had it all. We spotted playful howler monkeys and snoozing sloths high up in the palm trees. It was only day 2, and already I was crossing off these incredible animals from my Costa Rica bucket list!

Day 3: Punta Uva, Puerto Viejo 🏝️🌊

Highlight: More Beach Time & Bike Riding

Today, we chose to rent bikes and cycled 40 minutes up the coast to Punta Uva beach. The ride was absolutely worth it for the sugary white sands, perfect palm trees, and massive waves we had a lot of fun in. We spent the entire day swimming, relaxing, and indulging in delicious quesadillas for lunch. It was a perfect beach day from start to finish.

Day 4: Cahuita National Park, Puerto Viejo 🐒🍍

Highlight: Pineapple & Wildlife

‘Pineapple?’ you ask, let me explain… After an hour of hiking through Cahuita National Park, spotting adorable monkeys, cheeky raccoons and more snoozing sloths, we took a pit stop by the beach for a snack. You guessed it, pineapple! 🍍 Believe me when I say it’s the sweetest, juiciest pineapple I’ve ever had. You simply can’t visit Costa Rica and not become totally obsessed with it. So Piña Coladas were on the menu for the rest of the trip. And, of course, marvelling at the wildlife was pretty incredible too!

Day 5: Homestay, Coope San Juan 🏡🦋

Highlight: Homestay Dinner

Today, we arrived in the rural village of Coope San Juan near San Carlos, where we had the most wholesome experience of our trip - the homestay! Here we were welcomed by our ‘new mums’. My host, Joseline, instantly made me feel at home. We spent the afternoon around the kitchen table, playing Uno Flip (the savage version of Uno) with her son. At one point, a gorgeous blue morpho butterfly fluttered into the house, while we were playing. This was another animal I could tick off my list!

Later, we ventured into the rainforest on a ‘survival guide’ hike before sitting down to enjoy a traditional Costa Rican meal called Casado which was a combination of all the delicious foods our ‘new mums’ had spent the day prepping. It had so much flavour!

Day 6: La Fortuna 🌋🦜

Highlight: Arenal Hanging Bridges

Our ‘new mum’ Joseline had prepared a traditional Costa Rican breakfast for us this morning including Gallo Pinto (traditional flavoured rice and beans), caramelised plantains, scrambled egg, cheese, chorizo and a fresh glass of homemade star fruit juice. Plus, locally grown watermelon, papaya and pineapple (my new favourite 🤤)

As we waved goodbye to our homestay mums, I was filled with excitement as we travelled to our next destination - La Fortuna! For me, this was when the adventure kicked in. I’ve been dreaming about the lush rainforests, impressive volcanoes and hanging bridges since the day I booked my trip.

First thing first, we arrived at the activities centre which runs all the optional activities we could do such as canyoning, white water rafting, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking on Arenal Lake, and so many more! In the afternoon, I opted to visit Arenal’s Hanging Bridges. Our friendly group leader, Maikol, kindly let us borrow his precious binoculars so we could spot all the incredible wildlife along the way including howler monkeys, spider monkeys, snakes and exotic birds. It was such a fun afternoon exploring our way through the rainforest.

Day 7: Rainforest, La Fortuna 🧗🐸

Highlight: Canyoning & Hot Springs

Canyoning was a true bucket list experience! Rappelling down waterfalls, plunging into pools, and trekking through lush scenery felt almost surreal. This was part of the adrenaline bundle which you can add onto your trip. It also included ziplining which we did later on in Monteverde. Afterwards, we hiked around the base of Arenal Volcano, where we were lucky enough to spot a tiny red-eyed tree frog! The world’s most photogenic frog (seriously, it’s that cute!) and an iconic resident of the Costa Rican rainforest. As the sun set, we relaxed in natural volcanic hot springs, where our group leader, Maikol, lit candles around us and poured a celebratory drink of a Costa Rican liqueur. The entire day was so wholesome.

Day 8: Monteverde ☕️🌱

Highlight: Coffee Plantation Tour & Night Safari Walk

Day 8 started with a scenic boat ride across Lake Arenal before we made our way high up into the mountains to Monteverde. We were travelling during the Euros 2024 final, so we made a quick stop at a sports bar to catch the first half of the England vs. Spain football match before heading to the Monteverde Coffee Plantation tour. Despite it being the Euro's final, I couldn’t miss this activity - it was included in our trip and Costa Rica is known for its strong coffee! Even though I’m not a big fan of caffeine, I really enjoyed the experience.

Just as it was about to get dark, we put on our hiking boots, grabbed our head torches and journeyed into the rainforest on a guided night safari walk. Many of Costa Rica’s incredible animals are nocturnal, so it was our best chance to see them! Along the way, we spotted scorpions, snakes, frogs, toucans, motmots, and even a coati hiding in the trees!

Day 9: Rainforest, Monteverde 🐴🌳

Highlight: Ziplining & Horseback Riding

Today started with a 7am ziplining adventure. We went soaring through Monteverde Cloud Forest like Superman! It was so much fun and another bucket list moment I could tick off. Later, I went horseback riding through Monteverde, which was one of the optional activities. My horse was called Caramellow. Cute name, right? Afterwards, we got to press and try locally grown sugarcane. It was an unexpected but tasty treat! As if the day couldn’t get any better, we saw the most beautiful sunset over Monteverde before rejoining the group for another delicious dinner.

Day 10: Santa Teresa 🐢🌞

Highlight: Sea Turtle & Beautiful Sunset

On day 10, we said goodbye to Monteverde and journeyed to Santa Teresa, catching a 1 hour ferry which I spotted a sea turtle from! When we arrived, we went to a local hotel with an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Admiring the gorgeous sunset with a piña colada in hand seriously felt like bliss.

Day 11: Santa Teresa 🏄🌴

Highlight: Surfing Lesson

What better place for my first-ever surf lesson? Santa Teresa is one of the best surf spots in Costa Rica so I couldn’t miss out on ticking it off my bucket list. We started on the sand, beside the many crabs, learning how to paddle and jump into our surf positions. Then we went into the water and put our new skills to the test! After a couple of attempts, I was surfing the waves! 😲

Afterwards, we spent most of our time either at the beach or at Eat Street - a local courtyard with a selection of bars and restaurants. If you’re going to Santa Teresa you have to add it to your list! You’ll most likely spend your breakfast, lunch and dinner here every day like we did. The French toast and burritos were so mouth-wateringly good! 

Day 12: Isla Tortuga, Santa Teresa 🤿🏝️

Highlight: Karaoke

This trip was seriously filled with firsts! On day 12, I experienced snorkelling for the first time during our Isla Tortuga day trip. I was amazed by how close the vibrant blue and yellow fish were swimming around us. Afterwards, we chilled at the front of the boat, soaking up the last rays of sun before heading to another of Costa Rica’s lush beaches. On the boat ride back, we were lucky enough to spot dolphins! It was the perfect end to the day, before a night of karaoke!

Day 13 & 14: San José 🌮👋

Highlight: Farewell Dinner

On day 13 we travelled back to San Jose for one last night with the group. After the most amazing adventure, it was time to reminisce and say ‘see you soon’ before flying home on day 14 with new memories, new friends and a tonne of pictures!
 

Take it from me, it was such an incredible way to discover Costa Rica! Every day really did bring a new adventure. Experience your own Costa Rica Adventure and book today 👈

Still want to hear more about the trip? Meet one of the group leaders, Maikol, and learn about this incredible destination that should be at the top of your bucket list! ⬇️