With a combination of rugged jungles, active volcanoes, and world-class beaches, Costa Rica offers some of the best natural vistas and experiences in the world, neatly compacted into a single country. Since more than a fourth of Costa Rica is protected as national parks, a wide range of animals and plants may thrive there, making it an excellent destination for ecotourism. Use this Costa Rica 7 day itinerary, and you can see all of Costa Rica’s major attractions in a week.
How To Get Around In Costa Rica
Before we dive into the Costa Rica 7 day itinerary, its important to learn about travel. The simplest way to travel in Costa Rica is to use a shared shuttle or a private transfer given the difficulties of driving. These services can pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to your next location, so you can let someone else tackle the driving. Should you do decide to drive, a 4WD is highly advised. Highways in urban regions (and the near vicinity) contain clear Spanish signs and are primarily paved with painted lines. You will encounter potholes and dirt roads as you go through rural regions, so watch out for them. Costa Rica boasts an efficient system of low-cost flights linking important sites that are suitable for off-the-beaten-path destinations or to save time.
The Costa Rica 7 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Explore San José
San José, the capital of Costa Rica, is where you will most likely fly into from your location as you begin your Costa Rica 7 day itinerary. Juan Santamaría International Airport (airport code SJO) is the main airport in San José and is served by many US-based airlines. Arrange for a local agent to meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.
There are several areas to explore in San José, based on your interests.
- Discover the historic neighborhood of Barrio Amón, where mansions built by coffee growers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries can be found. This is a well-liked neighborhood for admiring the art-deco manses and painted tropical Victorian buildings since many of the area’s ancient buildings have been transformed into hotels, restaurants, and galleries.
- Explore the city’s biggest market, Mercado Central, which is home to more than 200 stores, food booths, and sodas (traditional eateries). Casado is a classic meal of rice, beans, and pork that is typically served with tortillas.
- Visit the lavish Teatro Nacional, a late 19th-century Neo-Classical structure that provides free hourly guided tours. To attend dance, music, and theater acts, you may also check their website.
- For the kids in your family, visit the Museo de los Niños, a children’s museum. It has more than 40 rooms with interactive exhibits on subjects like the human body and space exploration. Alternately, visit the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden, which is tucked away in the heart of San José’s lush botanical garden. Children will enjoy learning more about various kinds and viewing the butterflies in their natural environment.
Day 2: Visit Arenal Volcano National Park
For day 2 of this Costa Rica 7 day itinerary, after breakfast, heads towards La Fortuna, a 3 hour drive from San José, which serves as a launching point for adventures into the Arenal Volcano National Park. The cone-shaped Arenal rises over the San Carlos Plains to the north of the Tilaran Mountains. You’ll have the remainder of the day to explore on your own after checking into your hotel.
Kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal (optional) offers breathtaking views of the volcano’s top if you want to get up close and personal. Alternately, choose a zip lining tour through the forest canopy to see the majestic Arenal Volcano, Fortuna and Pino Blanco Waterfalls, and cross canyons.
You can unwind tonight by taking a dip in the mineral-rich waters of the region’s well-known hot springs, which have been utilized as therapeutic baths for more than 200 years. There are 12 swimmable hot springs in the region, so choose one that works for you (reservations recommended). You can also have a traditional dinner adjacent to the hot springs before calling it a night.
Day 3: Head to Monteverde
You will head to Monteverde this morning, which is referred to as Costa Rica’s “Green Lung” because of its extensive biodiversity, and is one of the highlights of this Costa Rica 7 day itinerary. Monteverde, which is situated in the country’s mountainous northwest, is renowned for housing several animal species on its 26,000 acres of Cloud Forest Reserve.
Walks above the forest canopy are made possible by suspension bridges, and there are several possibilities to see the colorfully plumed resplendent quetzal. The reserve’s well-marked trails wind through unusual wildlife and vegetation, including the planet’s largest collection of orchid species, 500, with new varieties being discovered on a regular basis.
You will leave La Fortuna after breakfast and go to Monteverde. You will board a boat to travel over the calm waters of Lake Arenal instead of taking the time-consuming drive around the lake. There will be plenty of opportunities to see native species including herons and anhingas during your 1.5-hour boat cruise.
You will spend the afternoon in the cloud forest after checking in at your hotel. Here, you can choose from a variety of activities, including ziplining for the more adventurous and sky tram rides for a bird’s-eye view. 100% Aventura Adventure Park comes highly recommended for the best ziplining experience. Take a walk along suspension bridges for close encounters with rare bird species and wildlife.
In the evening, head to the the nearby quaint Quaker-influenced village of Santa Elena, that’s widely known for its excellent cheese and coffee.
Day 4: Explore Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
A unique tropical environment and one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is the perfect place to start your day. Trek through acres of untouched woods to see a diverse range of endangered species, such as sloths, monkeys, amphibians, three-wattled bellbirds, and quetzal birds. Make sure to pack a thin extra layer, as the daily high temperature is typically in the mid-60s (F). The forest experiences frequent rain showers and can get quite wet, especially in summer, so don’t forget to carry rain gear and hiking equipment with you.
Continue exploring the park by engaging in birdwatching or hiking. Do plan to visit the local coffee, chocolate and sugarcane plantations, or stop by the beautiful Butterfly Gardens or Orchid Garden.
Day 5 & 6: Discover Manuel Antonio
As you head towards the second half of this Costa Rica 7 day itinerary, start day 5 with a 3.5 hour drive to Manuel Antonio National Park, located on the Pacific Coast. After checking in to the hotel, head to one of the park’s four beautiful beaches, considered to be amongst the best in all of Costa Rica. Spend as much time as you need relaxing and enjoying the sights at the beach, you are on vacation! There are several locations along the beaches where snorkeling is possible.
In the evening, head to the town of Quepos to enjoy fresh seafood and cocktails, while watching the sunset.
On day 6, your exploration of Manuel Antonio National Park continues. Choose from one or more of the park’s many clearly marked trails to hike, and you will be able to see capuchin monkeys, sloths, and more than 200 different kinds of birds up close. The park is not a very big one, so don’t rush and enjoy the hikes at your own pace.
There are several other activities to choose from nearby in Quepos such as diving, whale watching, whitewater rafting, fishing and sailing, so plan your day to suit your taste.
Head back to Quepos to continue your exploration of their finger-licking traditional dishes at dinner.
Day 7: Visit Damas Island Estuary
On the last day of the Costa Rica 7 day itinerary, you will explore the Damas Island Estuary and the mangrove ecology from the comfort of a boat! Thousands of fish and crustaceans are raised by the mangroves’ underwater root system, which also supports hundreds of rare species of animals, birds, and reptiles. As you explore this intriguing tidal world, you’ll wind your way through the natural tunnels and passages made by the river’s ebb and flow. These are half-day tours and advance reservations are required since they are extremely popular. Don’t forget to carry a jacket or sweater, sunscreen and bug spray!
Diverse marine animals are drawn to the mangroves’ special environment, which is characterized by shifting sediment and saltwater. You may see oysters, sponges, gorgeous stingrays, young black-tipped sharks, and huge schools of fish amid the mangrove roots if you look down as you cruise. The attractive white-faced capuchin monkeys love to explore, so don’t be shocked if they get on board!
It’s now time to head back to San José, to wrap up the Costa Rica 7 day itinerary, which is a 3 hour drive from Quepos. Plan your last day in Costa Rica depending on your flight schedule.
The Costa Rica 7 Day Itinerary Map
Plan Your 7 Day Costa Rica Vacation
Now that you have a detailed Costa Rica 7 day itinerary, visit the land of volcanoes, beaches and forests on your next vacation to Costa Rica! If you are still pondering it, read our take on the best time to visit Costa Rica, before you make your decision. Email us if you need us to put together a custom itinerary for you, and we would love to help!