Costa Rica: One Week of Adventure
A 10-day journey through Costa Rica’s most breathtaking landscapes, from the mystical cloud forests of Arenal to the lush rainforests of Manuel Antonio.
Play in Arenal's Wonderland
Swim along the shores of Uvita
Help a local dog/cat rescue sanctuary
Discover the wildlife of Manuel Antonio
Unveiling Costa Rica's Splendor
It was winter in Chicago. We were over the bleak, cold, gray weather. Time for an invigorating soul revamp in Costa Rica. Our plans were very last minute. We found a pet sitter, packed our bags with swimsuits, sunblock and flipflops and fled for the vibrant ecosystems and stunning vistas of Costa Rica.
Our 10-day adventure offered a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, starting in La Fortuna and ending at Manuel Antonio. I’d been to Costa Rica a few times during my jaunt through Central America in 2015, but one can always have more sun and fun, right?
Our Day-by-Day Itinerary
Costa Rican Adventure
Day 1: Arrived in San José and drove to La Fortuna. Got lost in the middle of the night … in the middle of the rainforest … in the middle of a thunderstorm … but eventually found our way to our sweet, eco-friendly cabanas perched on a hill over La Fortuna.
Day 2: Wake to stunning views of banana trees, sunshine and the looming Mount Arenal. After breakfast, we set off to explore (after spending quality time with the property’s cute dog, of course). We spend an entire day at Mistico Park, enjoying the canopy walk and riding horses. It rained a bit but our horses didn’t mind.
Day 3: Another perfect day in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Arrived at Sky Adventure for a few hours of zip lining through the Costa Rican forest canopy, followed by beers in town and some souvenir shopping.
Day 4: Started the morning with perhaps our trip’s most rewarding experience: visiting a local animal shelter. We dropped off dog food, paper towels, bleach and other supplies at Costa Rica Dog Rescue – more information below on this wonderful organization and information on how you can help! After, we found a perfect kayaking spot on Lake Arenal, followed by a relaxing evening at the Eco termales Fortuna.
Day 5: Left the cloud forests and drove down to the bustling little village of Uvita to soak up some ocean vistas. Took a very slow drive, stopping at little communities along the way. Actually, one can’t drive too fast along the highways anyway, but we enjoyed the “slow journey.” Found a darling beachfront spot for a late lunch and cocktails before checking in to our AirBnB.
Day 6: Began the day with a river safari on the Savegre River. Spotted lots of monkeys, alligators and more. A boat ride through the Sierpe mangrove swamps is a popular way to experience the unique ecosystem and spot wildlife. It was a different experience and offered some insight into additional species that one usually doesn’t encounter in the other national parks.
Day 7: Enjoyed an ATV adventure with Jungle ATV. My ATV actually broke within the first hour, but it still a fun day spent exploring the jungle trails and visiting a local coffee plantation.
Day 8: An easy morning, followed by another horseback riding adventure.
Day 9: Drove to Manuel Antonio Park – stayed at the adults-only Manuel Antonio Park House. This was a true “in the jungle” experience. We had squirrel monkeys jumping on the roof and swinging on the nearby branches. We also saw a multitude of birds, most of whom I cannot name! The hosts are welcoming and friendly, like staying with a long-lost relative.
Day 10: Spent the day at Manuel Antonio. Trekked through lush rainforest trails, encountered exotic wildlife like sloths, monkeys and toucans, and walked along white-sand beaches framed by turquoise waters. A nature lover’s paradise and a highlight of any Costa Rica itinerary!
Day 11: Took a very small plane to San Jose and on to Chicago.
Our Favorite Costa Rican Adventures
Animal Viewing Manuel Antonio
Discover the magic of Manuel Antonio, where lush rainforest meets white-sand beaches and wildlife roams freely in one of Costa Rica’s most stunning national parks.
Zip Lining with Sky Adventures
Soar through the treetops on a thrilling zip line adventure in Costa Rica, surrounded by lush rainforest and stunning mountain views.
Mistico Park Experiences
Walk among the treetops at Mistico Park in La Fortuna, where hanging bridges reveal breathtaking views of the rainforest and Arenal Volcano. (plus horseback riding!)
Savegre River Safari
Glide through pristine jungle waters, spot vibrant birds, monkeys and alligators.
Helping Costa Rica’s Stray Animals – A BIG Crisis, but you can help.
Beyond Costa Rica’s postcard-perfect scenery lies a growing issue that animal lovers and travelers alike can’t ignore: the country’s stray dog crisis. From bustling city streets to quiet rural villages, stray dogs are a common sight in Costa Rica. Some are friendly and sociable, but many show signs of neglect, malnutrition or injury. How did this problem become so widespread in a country often praised for its environmental and ethical values? The crisis is largely due to a combination of economic limitations, lack of infrastructure, inconsistent education and systemic neglect. Long-term solutions require education, widespread sterilization campaigns and stronger animal welfare enforcement — efforts that are ongoing but still face significant challenges. Once on the streets, these animals breed, compounding the problem. Also, the cultural attitude towards “pets” is also blurred, with dogs being seen more as property or working animals rather than family members. It’s common for dogs to roam freely, even if they have owners. Many NGOs and rescue groups are working on spay/neuter campaigns, adoption programs and education, but the problem remains large-scale. Animal shelters and rescues in Costa Rica (all of Central America) are overwhelmed and underfunded. Many rely on donations and volunteers and cannot take in all the animals in need. Therefore, if you visit Costa Rica, I urge you (beg you) to help in any way possible. Bring supplies to a local shelter (just Google for one near you), volunteer for a day or give a monetary gift. You can even be a doggy escort by helping to transport dogs to the United States. It’s very easy to help if you’re willing and love animals.Here are some great animal rescues in Costa Rica:
Being a Doggie Escort:
Being a “doggie escort” (or “flight escort for dogs”) refers to a volunteer or traveler who helps transport rescue dogs from one country to another — most commonly from places with stray dog overpopulation (like Costa Rica, Mexico or the Caribbean) to countries where they are more likely to be adopted (such as the U.S., Canada or parts of Europe).
What Does a Doggie Escort Do?
When someone travels internationally (often by plane), they agree to add a rescued dog to their airline reservation as accompanied cargo or excess baggage. The rescue organization covers all costs and handles the paperwork — the escort just needs to check the dog in at the airport and ensure it gets on the flight. At the arrival airport, someone from the partner rescue group or the new adoptive family picks up the dogWhy Are Doggie Escorts Needed?
- Commercial animal transport is expensive and limited.
- Many airlines won’t fly animals without a human passenger attached to the ticket.
- Shelters in some countries are overwhelmed.
- Escorts make transport cheaper and easier.
- When dogs fly as “accompanied pets,” it’s significantly more affordable for the rescue group.
What’s Required of the Escort?
- Be flying on a participating airline (e.g., United, Lufthansa, American).
- Agree to carry a dog as excess baggage or in the cargo hold.
- Coordinate with the rescue group ahead of time.
- Meet the rescue group at the departure and arrival airports.
- No costs, quarantine, or legal risks are involved — all documents and fees are handled by the rescue.
Why People Do It
- It saves lives. Literally.
- It’s zero cost to you, and minimal effort.
- You get to help a dog find a forever home — and maybe even meet the new family at the airport.
- If you live in Los Angeles, Seattle, or Minneapolis and are traveling to Costa Rica, please contact this organization to be a doggy escort! They always need help transporting dogs for adoption, whether in-cabin or checking the crate in the hold below the plane.
