Plan Your Costa Rica Trip: Routes, Tips, and Itineraries

Do you have 7, 10, or 14 days in Costa Rica to play with? This Costa Rica trip itinerary guide lays it all out. Welcome to Costa Rica.

With our itineraries, you’ll visit volcanoes, rainforests, beaches, and national parks full of wildlife. Each itinerary comes with a simple day-by-day plan, great activity picks, and zero stress about how to get around. Everything you need for your trip is right here, just follow the route and enjoy the ride.

Best Places to Include in Your Costa Rica Itinerary

San José

Costa Rica’s capital has great food, history, and culture. Stop by Barrio Escalante, the National Theater, or Mercado Central for the first or last day.

Read 1-Day San Jose Itinerary

Manuel Antonio

A mix of beaches, jungle, and wildlife. Spot sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park, then relax at the main playa. This is Pura Vida for you.

Read Manuel Antonio Itinerary

La Fortuna

Famous for Arenal Volcano, hot springs, and waterfalls, La Fortuna is an amazing place. Go ziplining, hiking, or enjoy the thermal pools.

Read La Fortuna Itinerary

Monteverde

With its cloud forests, hanging bridges, and coffee farms, Monteverde is perfect for nature lovers. Spot wildlife or go ziplining through the trees.

Read Monteverde Itinerary

Santa Teresa

A laid-back surf town with golden beaches and epic sunsets. You can go surfing, doing yoga, or exploring Montezuma Waterfalls, it’s pure paradise.

Read Santa Teresa Itinerary

Uvita

Known for Whale’s Tail Beach, waterfalls, and quiet beaches. A top spot for whale watching, snorkeling, and jungle hikes.

Read Uvita Itinerary

Costa Rica Sample Itinerary for 7, 10, and 14 Days

Not sure how long to spend in Costa Rica? While the full 2-week Costa Rica travel itinerary below covers everything in detail, here’s a quick 7-day and 10-day sample to help you plan a shorter trip.

Those will hit the highlights, no matter how long you stay. You can see the volcanoes, enjoy numerous rainforests, work on your tan at beautiful beaches and see wildlife without rushing around for time.

If you have more time, the 14-day itinerary gives you the full experience. Pick what fits your schedule, and let’s get started!

Costa Rica 7-Day Itinerary

Read the full 7-day Costa Rica itinerary.

Day 1: San José
Day 2-4: La Fortuna
Day 5-6: Manuel Antonio
Day 7: Return to San José

Costa Rica 10-Day Itinerary

Read the full 10-day Costa Rica itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in San José
Day 2-4: La Fortuna
Day 5-6: Monteverde
Day 7-8: Manuel Antonio
Day 9: Return to San José
Day 10: Fly home

2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary

Read the full 2-week Costa Rica itinerary.

Day 1: San José (Arrival)
Day 2, 3, & 4: La Fortuna
Day 5 & 6: Monteverde
Day 7, 8, & 9: Santa Teresa
Day 10 & 11: Manuel Antonio
Day 12 & 13: Uvita
Day 14: San José (Departure)

Start Planning Your Trip Now

Ready to plan your Costa Rica trip without the stress? Whether you’re traveling for one week or two, this section helps you pull everything together, with hotels, day tours, and travel insurance.

Find a Place to Stay

Jungle lodges, beachfront resorts, or simple hostels. There are options for every budget, and you’ll find them all here below.

View Hotels in Costa Rica Here

Book the Best Day Tours

Make planning easy with a day tour. Volcano or waterfall hikes, night tours, which are all organized for you.

View Tours in Costa Rica Here

Travel Insurance

Costa Rica is safe, but stuff happens. Travel insurance covers delays, accidents, and lost gear while away from home.

Get Travel Insurance Now

Learn More About Costa Rica

Want to get to know Costa Rica a little better before your trip? This section is where you’ll find our latest blog posts, with travel tips and easy guides to help you plan smarter.

From how to get around to where to stay and what to see, we cover it all in plain, everyday language. Browse below and learn more about Costa Rica.

FAQ for a Costa Rica Trip Itinerary

Here are some local tips and essentials you should know when visiting Costa Rica. All in all, it’s easy to travel around, but these are small details that not everyone thinks about, and we’re confident they will help you in one way or another.

Costa Rica’s currency is the colón (CRC), but US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. Businesses often list prices in both, but change is given in colones at poor rates. ATMs dispense both currencies. Cash is best for buses, small shops, and markets, so do keep small bills in both currencies.

Credit cards work in most places but may have foreign transaction fees. For better exchange rates, withdraw colones from ATMs or exchange small amounts at banks instead of relying on shops or hotels.

For one week, stick to 2-3 places like La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. Ten days allows more flexibility, like adding Uvita or Tortuguero. Two weeks lets you explore both coasts.

Travel between destinations takes time, so don’t try to do too much. If you like slow travel or plan on surfing, wildlife watching, or hiking, you could stay a month and not run out of things to do. Less than a week? Stick to two or three spots.

Yes, Costa Rica is safe, but petty theft is common. Watch your bags in San José, on buses, and at markets. Don’t leave valuables unattended at the beach or in rental cars. Stick to Uber or official taxis.

Avoid walking alone at night in isolated areas. Most tourist towns are safe, but use common sense. If you rent a car, park in secure areas and don’t leave luggage inside. Violent crime is rare, but scams and opportunistic theft happen, so keep that in mind.

Costa Rica is pricier than other Latin American countries. Hostels cost $15–$25, mid-range hotels $50–$150, and luxury resorts $200+. Meals at local sodas are $5–$10, while tourist restaurants are $15–$30.

National park fees range from $10–$20, and adventure tours like zip-lining or rafting cost $50–$100+. Buses are cheap (a few dollars per ride), but shuttles and rental cars do add up. Stick to local food, buses, and free activities to save money.

Buy a Kolbi, Claro, or Movistar SIM at the airport, convenience stores, or phone shops. It costs $2–$5, and $10–$15 in data lasts a week for regular use. Coverage is decent in most areas but weak in remote places like Monteverde.

WhatsApp is the main communication app, and Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and restaurants. If staying short-term, free Wi-Fi might be enough. Airport SIMs are overpriced, and we recommend buying one in town instead.

Dry season (Dec–April) has sunny weather on the Pacific coast but is peak season with higher prices. Rainy season (May–Nov) is cheaper, with greener landscapes and fewer crowds, though some roads get muddy.

The Caribbean coast has a different pattern—September and October are driest. For whale watching, go from August to October or January to March. If you want fewer crowds but decent weather, May, June, and November are good shoulder months.

About Us

We help you plan the perfect Costa Rica trip itinerary with easy, customizable options.

No matter how long you spend in Costa Rica, we guarantee that you’ll see gorgeous waterfalls, volcanoes, and hidden gems, because no Costa Rica trip would be complete without those.

Just focus on enjoying the adventure!