Costa Rica

When the $300 Flight Deal Drops: A Week of Pura Vida in Costa Rica

There is going to be a day when your friend calls you, breathless, to tell you that round-trip flights to Costa Rica are suddenly less than $300. When that phone rings, I need you to listen to me very carefully: It is very important that you book those flights.

Don't overthink it. Don't check your calendar. Just hit "confirm." That spontaneity is exactly how I ended up spending a week in March 2021 chasing waterfalls in La Fortuna and sunsets in Tamarindo.

If you’re ready to say yes to the adventure, here is exactly how to spend a perfect (and occasionally unpredictable) week in paradise.

The Essentials

When: March (Dry season—perfect weather!)

Where: La Fortuna (Jungle/Volcano) & Tamarindo (Beach/Party)

Packing: One bag only. Seriously. You need a swimsuit, some hiking clothes, and that’s it.

The "Must-Eats":

Fried Rice in Bagaces: A roadside gem you’ll hit on the drive in.
Volcanic Rock Steak: Cooking your own steak on a hot stone is a La Fortuna rite of passage.
Patacones on the Beach: Fried plantains taste better with sand between your toes.
Food Truck Parks: Open-air dining is the vibe.

The "Must-Dos":

Soak in the Tabacon Hot Springs.
Walk the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges.
Brave the cold water at La Fortuna Waterfall.
Get a $30 beach massage and rent a surfboard.
End every day with a campfire on the beach.

The Itinerary

Day 1: The Drive to the Jungle

Fly into Liberia (LIR). It’s much closer to the good stuff than San José. We picked up a rental car—a tiny model I’d never heard of with absolutely zero A/C in the backseat—and pointed it toward La Fortuna.

The Road Trip:

Stop in Bagaces for lunch (get the fried rice). As you drive, keep your phone ready; the views are insane. But a word of warning: Do not take the "shortcut" unless you are ready for serious off-roading. Stick to the pavement! Also, keep your eyes peeled for animals that look suspiciously like lemurs (they are likely coatis, and they are everywhere).

As you get closer, you’ll see the Arenal Volcano rising over the lake. It is a showstopper. We checked into the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort, had a killer dinner, and went straight for the thermal pools. There is nothing like soaking in a hot spring after dark with a drink from the swim-up bar, making new friends in the steam.

Day 2: Bridges, Falls, and Speed Bumps

We started the morning at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. It’s a 3km trail with 16 bridges (6 of them are suspension bridges hanging high in the canopy). Look up—you will see monkeys swinging through the trees.

Next up: La Fortuna Waterfall. I promise you, the 500+ stairs down are worth it. Standing at the bottom looking up at 250 feet of water crashing into the pool is humbling. If you are like me and have a compulsion to swim in every body of water you see, jump in—but be warned, it is chilly!

In the afternoon, we began the drive to Tamarindo. Keep your eyes on the road; the speed bumps in the towns along the way are aggressive!

Day 3: Tamarindo Vibes

Wake up to the sound of the ocean. Tamarindo is a charming, bustling beach town. We wound our way through the farmers market, grabbed refreshing acai bowls, and soaked up the atmosphere. It’s a melting pot of locals and a surprising number of expats.

Dinner was seafood served under twinkling lights strung through the trees. Afterward, we did as the locals do: got in line at the convenience store to grab a nightcap, then headed to the beach to sit around a bonfire with our new friends.

Day 4: The "Yes" Day

This is your free day. Do anything you want.

Surf: Rent a board right on the sand.
Relax: We found one-hour massages for $30.
Sail: Book a catamaran tour and go swim at a private beach.
Shop: Check out the local boutiques for handmade swimsuits.
Eat: There are two amazing open-air food truck parks. The food is mouth-watering.

For a late-night snack, we found a local grilling meat over a tire rim. It was delicious. As always, the day ended in the sand, watching the sunset and counting stars.

Day 5: The Plot Twist (Bonus Day!)

Traveling in 2021 meant navigating changing rules. We found out we needed a COVID test within 24 hours of returning to the States, so we got "stuck."

We scrambled to find a clinic, stopped at a local coffee roaster to refuel, and had to check out of our hotel. We moved into a hostel a block away and… honestly? It was great. We enjoyed an unexpected extra day in paradise.