Costa Rica — Pura Vida

Confirmation: UBHUSK. Arrive late evening. Take Uber/taxi to hotel — do not drive at night.

Confirm 4WD/AWD vehicle — essential for Monteverde mountain roads.
📱 Show Enterprise mobile pass at the counter — have it pulled up on your phone before you reach the desk.
🛡️ Bring proof of insurance coverage — if your credit card or personal auto policy covers rental cars abroad, have the documentation ready to decline Enterprise's CDW and save the upsell cost.

275m north of Central Park, Alajuela. Confirmation: 5742724027. Use Waze to navigate.

Leave Alajuela by 7am — ~1 hr drive to arrive at 8am when gates open. Best chance of clear skies before clouds build. One of the world's largest active craters. ~1.5 hrs. Buy tickets in advance: sinac.go.cr (~$18/person). Bring passport.

Hidden gem on Route 702 in Ángeles Sur — artisan coffee, homemade cheese, fresh pastries, jams and local snacks. Family-run, quick 15-20 min stop. Great for grabbing road snacks. Open 7am daily. Phone: +506 8577 1271.

~3 hrs via Rte 142. Use Waze. Arrive by 2pm for check-in.

Confirmation: HMBACZZ2WK · Check-in after 2pm · Checkout Mon Mar 30 by 11am · Calle 468, La Fortuna
🗺️ Directions: From La Fortuna Park, drive 400m on street 468 → take entrance on the right side next to the ARENAL ROOMS SIGN
🔑 Gate code: 5090# · Masterlock: 3802 · Studio #11
Host Erick: +506 8891 0778  ·  📋 Full Check-in Guide

~15 min drive from Airbnb. 500+ steps down to a stunning swimming hole. Bring water shoes — rocks are slippery. ~$18/person. Open 7am–5pm. No booking needed.

Lively atmosphere, best ceviche in town, tomahawk steak with tableside fire show. Arrive early — popular, often a wait. No reservation needed.

Meet at office 9:15am sharp — ~5 min drive from Airbnb. Class II & III for 2. Order: O-QX7JA5E. Total: $146.90 paid. Contact: arenalrafting@gmail.com. ~3 hrs on the river.

Beloved local treehouse restaurant. Classic Costa Rican food. Owner points out sloths with a flashlight. Cash preferred.

You have a private outdoor jacuzzi at the studio. Perfect recovery after rafting before dinner.

Best steakhouse in La Fortuna. Order the parrillada (mixed grill). RESERVATION REQUIRED. Phone: +506 2100 8916.

~25 min drive from Airbnb. ~$26/person. Open 8am–5pm. Grab trail map & free walking sticks at entrance. All three trails (🔴 Red, 🟡 Yellow, 🟢 Green) start from the same point — no need to decide upfront.

Recommended: Full Circuit (~3–3.5 hrs)
1. Walk ~150m from car park on gravel path — volcano views start immediately
2. ~650m in: First Viewpoint of Arenal & Lake Arenal — enjoy early before clouds build
3. Brief flat section, then gentle descent ~500m to the trail junction
4. At the junction → go RIGHT onto the Yellow (Bosque) trail into the rainforest
5. Yellow trail through lush jungle — passes Los Patos Lake (formed in the 1968 eruption). Wildlife: birds, butterflies, leaf-cutter ants. Very few other hikers here
6. Yellow trail rejoins Red trail near the summit — follow signs up through lava fields
7. Lava Flow Summit / Main Observation Platform — best 360° views of volcano + Lake Arenal. Take your time here
8. Descend via the Red (Colada) trail — open lava fields all the way back to entrance. Grippy rock even when wet
9. Finish at Lava '68 Café for lunch with the best volcano views in the area

⚠️ Don't touch plants with bare hands — snakes hide in vegetation. Bring water & rain jacket. Clouds build fast — summit early.

ATV tour through the lava fields and jungle on-site after the hike. Guides spot sloths and howler monkeys. Great combo with the hike — same park, no driving needed.

Best foodie spot in La Fortuna. Legendary ceviche, fresh fish casado. Reservation recommended.

~25 min drive from La Fortuna town. Reservation: LOEIZMB. 2 adults. Total: $300 USD (day pass only — meal package removed, confirmed by Melisa). Bring credit card used for booking — must present at check-in. Natural volcanic river, lush rainforest, many hidden pools, free valet. Open until 10pm — stay as long as you like or leave early for dinner. Phone: +506 2519-1999. No outside food or drinks.

⭐4.9 — ~15 min drive from Tabacón back toward La Fortuna. Open until 10:30pm. Peruvian-Costa Rican fusion — grilled octopus, fresh snapper, tomahawk steak. Head here whenever you're ready to leave the hot springs. Phone: +506 8945 4848.

Pack night before. Checkout by 11am. Drive takes 3.5–4.5 hrs. 4WD essential for final stretch into Santa Elena.

~140km / 3.5–4.5 hrs. Use Waze, drive slowly on mountain sections. Aim to arrive by 3pm for check-in.

⚠️ GPS Shortcut Warning: Waze may suggest a shortcut around Tilarán near Lake Arenal — it's a steep dirt road that saves almost no time. Ignore it and stay on Route 142 the entire way.
⚠️ Monteverde final stretch: No painted lines, no guard rails, no rumble strips on the mountain road up to Santa Elena. Drive slowly. Never attempt at night.
⚠️ Landslides: After rain, small landslides can occasionally block the road around Lake Arenal. Check conditions before leaving.

Perfect midway stop on the Lake Arenal shore — stunning lake views, macadamia coffee, banana coconut cake, tropical smoothies and light food. Well-signed along the road, you can't miss it. ~30-45 min stop. Open 8am–5pm Mon–Fri, until 7pm weekends.

Valle Bonito, Monteverde. Confirmation: HM8Y8BNFND. Check-in after 3pm. Checkout Thu Apr 2 by 11am. Host Andrea: +506 8323 1477. Self check-in with keypad — code will appear in Airbnb app ~48hrs before arrival (around Mar 28).

Thousands of live butterflies in enclosed habitats — beautiful and easy after a drive day. Guided tour included (~1.5 hrs). ~$20/person. No booking needed. ⚠️ Opens 9am–3pm so go right after check-in — it'll be tight. Phone: +506 2645 5512.

Wander the main strip — artisan shops, local bakeries, coffee stands. Pick up provisions for the apartment.

Iconic restaurant built around a living giant tree. Live music most evenings. Great cocktails and fajitas. Central Santa Elena — no reservation needed, arrive early.

Guide: Sergio · +506 8433 8252 · Meet at Stella's Bakery, CASEM Coop, Monteverde — a beloved local café open from 6:30am — ~5 min drive to Curi Cancha from here. Best chance of spotting the resplendent quetzal — early morning only. $125/person includes park entry. Bring binoculars.

Right next to Curi Cancha — perfect back-to-back morning. Misty cloud forest, well-maintained trails, incredible biodiversity. Book a guide for the best wildlife spotting. ~$20-25/person entry. Buy tickets in advance — sells out.

The Jungle Monteverde does an excellent breakfast with great views. Relax and refuel after the big wildlife morning.

Best tour in Monteverde — coffee, chocolate and sugar cane with interactive tastings, generous samples, moonshine. ~2–2.5 hrs. Great gift shop. Book in advance. Phone: +506 8359 7017.

Hidden hilltop family restaurant with breathtaking sunset views. Best meal in Monteverde. Tuna tartare and short ribs exceptional. RESERVATION REQUIRED. Phone: +506 6205 2222.

After yesterday's big wildlife day, take it easy. Coffee at the apartment, wander Santa Elena.

Reservation: 235634. 2 adults. Total: $343.75 paid. Includes: Canopy zip-lines + Hanging Bridges + Sloth Sanctuary. ~15 min drive from Apartamento Lantana. No transport provided — driving yourselves. ~3-4 hrs total. Phone: +506 4001-5899 · info@selvatura.com. Cancellation: 48hrs+ = full refund, 24-48hrs = 50%, under 24hrs = no refund.

Casual, well-priced, excellent Mahi Mahi. Early dinner before the night walk. Central Santa Elena. Phone: +506 2645 7755.

8:00–10:00pm · Guide and operator TBD. Tarantulas, pit vipers, glass frogs, sleeping toucans, sloths. The cloud forest at night is magical.

The Jungle Monteverde is great for breakfast. Pack the night before for a smooth departure.

~3.5–4 hrs via Rte 1 south and Route 34 coastal road. Road improves significantly once descending from Monteverde. Use Waze. Check in after 3pm at Tico Tico Studio.

✅ Tárcoles Bridge (Route 34): Both lanes fully open March 28–April 5 (Semana Santa) — your drive on Apr 2 falls inside this window, so no delays expected during the day. However, nighttime closures (9pm–5am) are possible on select nights — leave Monteverde before noon and arrive before dark.
⚠️ No stopping on Tárcoles Bridge — crocodile viewing prohibited during construction. You'll pass over it but keep moving.
⚠️ San José rush hour: If route goes through San José, avoid the city between 4:30–6:30pm. Take Highway 27 directly.

618, 1.5km from Quepos, in front of Hotel Mono Azul. Confirmation: HM5D5ETCPY. Checkout Sat Apr 4 by 11am. Host: +1 813-777-6466.

~5 min drive from Tico Tico Studio. Quiet locals' beach. Calm water, monkeys and sloths in nearby trees. Rent chairs, kayaks and snorkel gear on the beach.

~10 min drive from Tico Tico Studio. Peruvian fusion with ocean views. Tuna, octopus, and ceviche outstanding. Rooftop terrace. Book the 5:15pm slot for sunset. Phone: +506 8520 7510.

~5 min drive from Tico Tico Studio. Reservation: BC0955 (SINAC). 2 adults — Ken & Kate. Total: $36.16 paid. ⚠️ Both must bring photo ID to enter. Book guide Edwin on arrival (Manuel Antonio Nature Tours: +506 8888 6684). No food allowed inside. Monkeys will steal bags on the beach.

Finish the guided section and relax on the park beach. Second beach (further trail) is less crowded. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.

Best upscale dinner in Manuel Antonio. Ocean views, lobster risotto, seafood trio. Resident two-toed sloth on the terrace. Reservation recommended. Phone: +506 8805 1313.

Checkout by 11am. Could do a quick self-guided park visit Saturday morning if you haven't had enough.

~3 hrs via Hwy 34 and Hwy 27. Return Enterprise rental car by 11pm. Fill tank before drop-off. Confirm return location with Enterprise.

⚠️ Tárcoles Bridge (Route 34): Apr 4 is still within the Holy Week open window (Mar 28–Apr 5) so both lanes should be open. Leave Manuel Antonio by noon to arrive well before evening.
⚠️ San José rush hour: Arrive before 4pm or after 7pm to avoid heavy city traffic. Take Highway 27 directly to avoid downtown.

Reservation: YHCRB1A. Total: $224.36 (paid, non-refundable). Phone: +506 2255 3322. Luggage storage after checkout confirmed in reservation remarks — perfect for Sunday.

Must be returned by 11pm. Fill tank beforehand. One block from Hampton by Hilton — easy drop-off.

Best restaurants and nightlife in San José. Uber from Hotel Grano de Oro ~15 min. Great final evening out.

Checkout by 12pm. Hotel confirmed luggage storage for the day — drop bags at front desk and explore freely.

~10 min Uber from Hotel Grano de Oro. Best museum in San José — five floors of stunning pre-Columbian jade and pottery artifacts. One of the world's most important jade collections. ~2 hrs. ~$16/person. Opens 8am. 10 min Uber from hotel.

5 min walk from Jade Museum. Guided tour led by actors in 1800s costume — genuinely memorable. Spectacular gilded architecture. ~30-45 min. Has a great café inside for coffee. Book English tour in advance.

Underground museum beneath Plaza de la Cultura — right next to the National Theater. Incredible gold artifacts from pre-Columbian Costa Rica. ~1 hr. ~$12/person. Optional if time allows.

5 min walk from Gold Museum. Comprehensive overview of Costa Rican history from pre-Columbian to modern day — well explained in English and Spanish. Beautiful butterfly garden on site. Not crowded. Open Sat 8:30am–4:30pm. ~$9/person.

All four museums are within walking distance of each other. Don't try to do all of them — pick 2-3 that appeal most. Grab lunch at a local soda or the National Theater café between visits.

San José's best fine dining — creative Costa Rican tasting menu using local ingredients. 8-course option available. Classy and intimate atmosphere. Dinner service 6–9:45pm. Take Uber — neighborhood is not ideal for walking at night. Reservation required. Phone: +506 2221 2465.

Collect bags from hotel, then head to airport. ~15-20 min Uber from Hotel Grano de Oro to SJO. Allow 2.5 hrs before midnight flight for check-in and security.

Confirmation: UBHUSK. Pura Vida!