Costa Rica Adventure

Your 3-Day Arenal Volcano Experience
Pittsburgh → San José → La Fortuna
✈️ May 14-17, 2026 | 5 Adults | American Airlines

Your Flight Details

American Airlines with connections - all set!

🛫 OUTBOUND | Thursday, May 14, 2026

PIT
Pittsburgh
6:35 AM
✈️
CLT
Charlotte
8:15 AM
✈️
SJO
San José
11:25 AM
Confirmation
LLVMFO
Flight Numbers
AA 376 → AA 1209
Travel Time
~7 hours total
Layover
55 min in Charlotte

🛬 RETURN | Sunday, May 17, 2026

SJO
San José
6:30 AM
✈️
MIA
Miami
11:32 AM
Flight
AA 498
Class
Economy (B)
Note
Early departure - 5 AM hotel checkout
⚠️ Important
Leave La Fortuna by 3:30 AM latest

🏡 Confirmed: Brisas del Volcán BnB

May 14-16, 2026 | Total: $406 | Confirmation: 5848335844

✅ From Fortuna Airport (FON) - Perfect location for 5 adults!

🏨 Suggested for Sunday Night Return

Hotel Presidente (San José downtown) - Book 2-3 rooms for the group. Walking distance to markets, confirmed halal restaurants, and 20 minutes from SJO airport. Book rooms for Saturday night May 16-17 to make your 6:30 AM flight manageable.

Activities & Booking Links

Direct links to book your Costa Rica adventures

🌊 Waterfalls & Swimming

Natural pools, cascades, and swimming spots around Arenal. La Fortuna Waterfall is a must-do!

La Fortuna Waterfall Info & Directions Tabacón Hot Springs Resort Baldi Hot Springs Eco Termal Hot Springs

⚡ Adventure Sports

Waterfall rappelling, zip-lining, and extreme adventures. Pure Trek Canyoning for your Saturday morning!

Pure Trek Waterfall Rappelling Sky Adventures Zip Line & Tram Desafio Adventure Company Red Lava Rafting Tours

🐸 Wildlife & Nature Tours

Hanging bridges, night tours, and wildlife spotting. Don't miss the famous red-eyed tree frogs!

Mistico Hanging Bridges Park Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Bogarin Trail Wildlife Watching Night Wildlife Tours

🌋 Volcano Experiences

Get close to Arenal Volcano with hiking trails, viewpoints, and volcanic experiences. Saturday afternoon volcano activity!

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Volcano Trails Arenal National Park Hiking Cerro Chato Volcano Hike Volcano Viewpoints & Photography

🥘 Halal-Friendly Dining

Confirmed halal restaurants and safe dining options for your group in La Fortuna and San José.

The Open Kitchen (La Fortuna) - Halal Options Don Rufino - Seafood Restaurant Sahara Persian Restaurant (San José) Walmart Costa Rica - Groceries

🚗 Transportation & Car Rental

Car rental options and transportation services. You'll need a 7-8 seater for 5 adults plus luggage.

Budget Car Rental Costa Rica Hertz Costa Rica Avis Costa Rica Solid Car Rental (Local Option)

Your 3-Day Plan

Optimized for May weather and your confirmed flights

📅 Thursday, May 14 - Arrival Day

6:35 AM - Depart Pittsburgh (AA 376)
11:25 AM - Land San José (local time)
1:00 PM - Pick up minivan, drive to La Fortuna (2.5-3 hrs)
4:30 PM - Check into Brisas del Volcán BnB
7:00 PM - Dinner at The Open Kitchen (halal anchor meal)

📅 Friday, May 15 - Waterfall & Bridges

8:30 AM - La Fortuna Waterfall (avoid tour buses)
11:00 AM - Return to town, lunch break
1:00 PM - Mistico Hanging Bridges guided tour
4:00 PM - Hot springs (Tabacón or Baldi)
Evening - Dinner, early rest for Saturday adventure

📅 Saturday, May 16 - Adventure Day

8:00 AM - WATERFALL RAPPELLING! (Pure Trek)
1:00 PM - Lunch & rest break
3:00 PM - Arenal Volcano hiking & viewpoints
6:30 PM - NIGHT WILDLIFE TOUR (the highlight!)
Late - Pack & prep for early Sunday departure

📅 Sunday, May 17 - Departure

3:30 AM - Leave La Fortuna (CRITICAL TIMING!)
6:00-6:15 AM - Arrive SJO airport
6:30 AM - Flight AA 498 to Miami
Option - Book Hotel Presidente Saturday night to make this easier

Essential Logistics

Driving tips, weather prep, and safety notes

🚗 Driving in Costa Rica

NEVER drive at night - no streetlights, curves, animals on roads
Use Waze, not Google Maps (local roads & police updates)
Rental van/minivan needed for 5 adults + luggage
Gas stations are full-service - tip 500 colones (~$1)
Speed limits enforced by radar - carry passport always
Never leave valuables in car, especially at trailheads

🌧️ May Weather Strategy

Morning clear (8 AM-1 PM) → afternoon showers
Schedule outdoor activities before 2 PM
Pack: rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, water shoes
Volcano best visible at sunrise & late morning
Hot springs perfect for rainy afternoons
Temps: 70-88°F day, 65-72°F night

🥘 Halal Dining Strategy

The Open Kitchen (La Fortuna) - shawarma, falafel, hummus
Sahara Persian (San José) - confirmed halal restaurant
Seafood focus: Don Rufino, Lava Lounge for fresh fish
Gallo pinto - national dish, 100% halal (rice & beans)
Default to vegetarian/seafood at all other restaurants
Stock up at Walmart near SJO airport for hotel snacks

💰 Budget Breakdown (Per Person)

La Fortuna Waterfall: $18
Mistico Bridges (guided): $75
Waterfall rappelling: $100-120
Hot springs day pass: $48-85
Volcano hiking: $40-60
Night wildlife tour: $40
Total activities: $321-398/person
For 5 adults: $1,605-1,990 total

Quick Reference Card

Essential info at your fingertips

📋 Pre-Trip Checklist

✅ Book Mistico Hanging Bridges guided tour
✅ Book Pure Trek Canyoning waterfall rappelling
✅ Reserve Hotel Presidente for Sat night in San José
✅ Rent 7-8 seater minivan for 5 adults
✅ Download Waze app and Costa Rica eSIM
✅ Notify credit card companies of travel

🚨 Emergency Contacts

Costa Rica Emergency: 911
US Embassy San José: +506-2519-2000
Tourist Police: 2570-2020
Brisas del Volcán BnB: Conf #5848335844
Keep rental car emergency number handy
Save hotel contacts in phone

🔑 Non-Negotiables

NEVER drive at night - plan every day around this
DON'T skip the night wildlife tour - it's the highlight
DON'T assume any meat is halal outside named restaurants
DO leave La Fortuna by 3:30 AM Sunday for flight
DO pack rain gear - May is start of green season
DO bring water shoes for waterfall activities

📱 Key Bookings

Mistico Bridges: misticoarenal.com
Pure Trek: puretrekcostarica.com
The Open Kitchen: Downtown La Fortuna
Hotel Presidente: San José downtown
Rental Cars: Need 7-8 seater
Night Tour: Book via hotel

Ready for Your Costa Rica Adventure!

Remember: This is your weekend to experience Pura Vida! Stay flexible, embrace the rain, and enjoy every volcano view. Waterfall rappelling at 8 AM Saturday will be EPIC! ¡Buen viaje!