Costa Rica, the “rich coast,” truly lives up to its name! From lush rainforests and towering volcanoes to pristine beaches and friendly faces, our honeymoon in Costa Rica was the perfect blend of nature, relaxation, and adventure. Every moment felt like a dream come true, and each new day brought us closer to the heart of this magical country.
In this blog, we’ll take you through our day-by-day experiences during our unforgettable honeymoon in Costa Rica. From vibrant wildlife encounters to serene beachside moments, each day was packed with incredible adventures and unforgettable memories. We want to share how our days were filled with so many wonderful things, so you can get a true sense of what it’s like to explore this amazing destination and all it has to offer.
Day 1: Arrival in San José – Starting Our Journey
When we finally touched down in the vibrant capital, San José we were so eager to get the trip started. There’s something about arriving in a new country that feels so exciting, and Costa Rica’s warm air and welcoming vibe immediately swept us up. We navigated the airport pretty easily and found our way to our shuttle. We unfortunately arrived right during rush hour, so the drive to our hotel took quite a while.
Once we arrived, we settled in just in time for dinner and then the evening’s welcome briefing. (We did a guided tour for this trip). We ended the night meeting some new people who were part of our tour group, and also knowing the real fun was about to begin.
Day 2: Sarchi, Coffee Plantations, and Local Culture
Day two was a perfect introduction to Costa Rican culture. We kicked off with a tour around San José’s main attractions, including Plaza de La Cultura and the National Theater. But the real charm came when we hit the road toward the artisan village of Sarchi. The colors of the handcrafted goods were so vibrant—it’s no wonder Costa Rica is known for its art. At the oxcart factory, we learned that these elaborately painted carts were once essential for transporting coffee beans, making them a proud symbol of the country.
After shopping for souvenirs and soaking in the village’s artistic energy, we made our way to a local coffee plantation. As coffee lovers, we were in heaven. We learned about Costa Rica’s volcanic soil and how it creates the perfect conditions for growing rich, flavorful coffee. Of course, we couldn’t resist sampling some of the freshly brewed goodness! They also showed us the traditional method of making coffee in Costa Rica.
Our guide shared a fun local custom too—apparently, in Costa Rica, it’s common to serve a snack alongside your coffee, like a pastry or a bread item. He jokingly mentioned that if you don’t offer a snack with your coffee, it could be seen as a sign of being stingy! HA!
Day 3: Sloths, Volcanic Hot Springs, and Pure Magic
We had an early start, but it was worth it. Our day took us to the charming town of Zarcero, where we found the most whimsical topiary gardens surrounding a Moorish-style church. It was like stepping into a fairy tale. While we were wandering around, we decided to go into a market and buy some snacks and found some amazing guava cookies!
Next on our stops was Sloth Park. These creatures are every bit as adorable as they are slow! It was such a treat to see them hanging out in the wild, doing their thing.
Later, we drove through lush landscapes, catching glimpses of the majestic Arenal Volcano. We got super lucky and it was fully visible! Next stop was our visit to the volcanic hot springs. Soaking in the warm mineral waters with the volcano towering in the background was nothing short of magical—it’s hard to imagine a more romantic way to relax.
Day 4: Hanging Bridges, Cloud Forests, and the Pacific Coast
Day four was all about adventure. The Hanging Bridges Park was a literal high point of the trip. Walking through the rainforest canopy, crossing suspension bridges, and trying to spot wildlife made it feel like we were in another world. We saw toucans, lizards, a blue poisonous frog, a tarantula, a yellow viper, and a variety of different birds. As we continued our journey through Costa Rica’s cloud forests, the air was thick with mist, and the surroundings had a magical feel. Next on our list was a drive through Guanacaste province that brought us to the sun-soaked Nicoya Peninsula, where we were greeted by the Pacific Ocean and our all inclusive beach resort for the next three days.
Day 5: Scarlet Macaws, Wildlife Hikes, and Nature’s Wonders
Our guide, Jose, was a wealth of knowledge and truly made the experience unforgettable. He wasn’t just a tour guide—he was a storyteller who shared everything he knew about Costa Rica’s history, culture, and way of life. We learned so much from him about the country’s rich biodiversity, local customs, and the incredible efforts being made to protect wildlife.
We spent some of the afternoon on a wildlife walk through the lush jungle, spotting everything from howler monkeys to colorful tropical birds. There was also a bird sanctuary there that helps rehabilitate these amazing birds back into the wild, as well as several other breeds of parrots they had there. There were so many red macaws flying around it was truly amazing watching them.
One of the most memorable moments was when Jose, with his thoughtful touch, surprised us by arranging a romantic dinner for two at a speciality restaurant at our resort. It was an intimate and magical evening and a perfect way to celebrate our honeymoon. Later, The other fun thing was seeing all of the iguanas roaming around the resort grounds. Some of them were really huge too! Costa Rica’s biodiversity really blew us away—it’s a nature lover’s dream!
Day 6: The Beauty of Playa Tambor
Day six was a gift of leisure. The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the world’s Blue Zones, known for its residents’ long, healthy lives, and we could definitely see why. The tranquility of Playa Tambor, combined with the area’s pristine beauty, made for a perfect day of relaxation. We spent hours strolling along the beach, dipping our toes in the warm Pacific waters, and I indulged in a massage at the spa.
Day 7: Gulf of Nicoya, Tarcoles River, and Wildlife Wonders
Our last adventure day took us on a ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya, where we enjoyed the beautiful views us as we made our way to the mainland. After lunch, we boarded a boat for a river cruise through the Tarcoles River’s mangrove forests. The wildlife here was incredible—we saw turtles, a spoonbill bird, iguanas, a variety of other birds, and even giant crocodiles, all within arm’s reach!
After our tour we stopped at a shopping center where we could buy souvenirs and we made sure to bring home some coffee and a new coffee cup to drink it from, plus some more snacks, and since we collect magnets wherever we go, we had to get one of those too.
Day 8: The End of an Unforgettable Honeymoon in Costa Rica
As we boarded our early morning flight back home, we couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible journey we’d just experienced. Costa Rica’s beauty, from its exotic wildlife to its serene beaches and welcoming people, will stay with us forever. Our honeymoon was everything we dreamed of and more—a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and connection with nature. Costa Rica truly has a way of getting into your heart and making you want to go back for another visit. It was definitely an unforgettable honeymoon in Costa Rica, and we are so glad we chose this destination.
Dreaming of Costa Rica?
If Costa Rica is on your bucket list, or if this trip sounds as amazing to you as it was to us, we’d love to help you make it a reality. Costa Rica offers an experience like no other. We loved it so much that we’re already dreaming of going back, and we’re here to help you plan your perfect adventure. Reach out to us today, and let’s start planning your unforgettable trip to Costa Rica!
