Costa Rica 7 days itinerary

Travel to Costa Rica and you’ll quickly see why it’s one of the most popular countries to visit in Central America. The country’s dramatic volcanoes, wildlife-filled national parks, and wild Pacific beaches are reason enough to go. You can spend your days hiking through rainforest trails or unwinding by the ocean. Even though 7 days isn’t extremely long, there’s plenty to do. Use my Costa Rica itinerary for 7 days as inspiration for your own travel to Costa Rica and make the most of your time in this remarkable country.

7 days in Costa Rica overview

Seven days in Costa Rica isn’t a lot, but it’s enough to experience some of the country’s top highlights. To make the most of your trip, renting a car is highly recommended—while public transportation is available, it’s not the fastest option.

If your trip planning to Costa Rica includes multiple destinations, having your own vehicle will give you the flexibility to explore at your own pace and reach more remote spots without long bus rides.

Breakdown of this one-week Costa Rica itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrive in San José, explore vibrant city sights
• Day 2: Travel to Manuel Antonio, relax on arrival
• Day 3: Manuel Antonio National Park, wildlife and beaches
• Day 4: Leisure day in Manuel Antonio, optional activities
• Day 5: Journey to Monteverde, cloud forest adventure
• Day 6: Explore Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, hot springs
• Day 7: Continue Arenal Volcano area, nature hikes

Is 7 days enough?

A week in Costa Rica gives you enough time to explore a couple of regions at a more comfortable pace. You can pair the Monteverde Cloud Forest with some time on the Pacific coast. It's a perfect amount of time if you want nature, wildlife, and downtime without too much rushing around. Here's what your Costa Rica trip could include, depending on your timeframe:

*Indicative price per person for a fully arranged tailor-made trip.

Day 1: San José

You most likely arrive in San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Although the city has gone through a positive change recently, it’s not the reason you’re here. Especially if you have only 1 week in Costa Rica.

Things to do in San José

After you settle in, explore Barrio Amón, known for its historical buildings and street art. In the evening, enjoy some local food or head to Escalante for some of the city's best nightlife and dining. If you don't know where to start, Plaza de la Cultura is the cultural and physical center of the city. This is where a lot of sights are located, but you can also find of plenty of tour operators here.

Editor's tip: Really want to go to the beach? There are some good beaches "close" to San José.

Where to stay in San José

San José has many options for accommodation, and there’s no need to book ahead unless you want to stay at a specific hotel. Barrio Escalante and Downtown are considered the two best areas to stay in San José.

• Barrio Amón: Known for its elegant colonial houses and boutique hotels, this historic neighborhood is ideal if you want character and charm close to downtown museums and restaurants.
• Barrio Escalante: A trendy area filled with cafés, craft beer bars, and some of San José’s best restaurants. Great for food lovers and travelers who enjoy a lively, walkable neighborhood vibe.
• Downtown (El Centro): Best for convenience and easy access to major landmarks like the National Theatre and Mercado Central. You’ll find everything from upscale hotels to affordable hostels here

Day 2: Travel from San José to Manuel Antonio

Driving time: around 2.5 hours

On the second day of this Costa Rica itinerary of 7 days, you’ll leave San José behind and make your way to one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica. 

Things to do in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio National Park has some of the country's best beaches, and it’s the perfect place to really start your trip. It is one of the most biodiverse national parks in the world. If you want to see monkeys, sloths, or macaws in their natural habitat or relax on the country's most beautiful beaches, this is definitely a must-visit destination.

It's a rather short drive, so if you have spare time, consider a stop at Jaco Beach or Playa Hermosa. Two of the finest beaches in the area.

Where to stay in Manuel Antonio

Book your accommodation and tours (especially wildlife tours) in advance in the high season (December to April) to ensure availability.

• Manuel Antonio Hills: The most popular area to stay, with hotels and villas perched above the coast. You’ll get panoramic ocean views, quick access to the national park, and plenty of restaurants nearby.
• Manuel Antonio Village (Quepos Road): Lined with small hotels, cafés, and tour offices, this area is convenient and lively. It’s a great mid-range choice between the beaches and Quepos town.
• Quepos: A more affordable base about ten minutes from the park. It’s a local town with markets, a marina, and easy bus or taxi connections to the beaches.

Want your trip to feel effortless? Our local travel experts can craft itineraries to suit your style.

Day 3: Manuel Antonio

You can never have enough time in Manuel Antonio. This is a typical destination where you plan 2 or 3 days but end up staying for a week or longer. It’s the perfect blend of beaches and rainforest, making it a top highlight of any Costa Rica rainforest tour and one of the main reasons to visit this incredible destination. Relaxing on the beach, kayaking, wildlife tours or horseback riding. There's enough to keep you entertained.

This national park protects 12 islands that are a great shelter for many types of marine birds. But the reason most travelers are drawn to this place is the beaches. The best ones:

• Espadilla Sur
• Manuel Antonio
• Puerto Escondido

Things to do in Manuel Antonio

You might want to take it slow on your first day, but if you have enough energy, make sure to hike through this stunning national park (some of the best hikes of Costa Rica).

Hiking

Manuel Antonio National Park consists largely of a green rainforest. Here, you can not only admire beautiful trees, plants, and flowers, but with a bit of luck, you will also encounter several exotic animals.

That is why it is such a popular place to go hiking. There are several hiking trails throughout the park that you can follow. You can also join one of the many Manuel Antonio tours.

Go to Damas Island

A 30-minute boat ride from Quepos, you will find the beautiful Damas Island. The surf here is great, but the main attractions are the mangrove swamps. The animals that live here include boas, caimans, various types of birds, and, in rare cases, the anteater.

Day 4: Manuel Antonio

The early birds can set their alarm for 5 am to see the wonderful sunrise. After that, enjoy a good breakfast to start your second day.

Editor's tip: If you are not sure about one week in Costa Rica, check out our article about how many days you need in Costa Rica.

Things to do in Manuel Antonio on your second day

On your second day in Manuel Antonio, spend some time relaxing on the beach to recharge your batteries for the rest of this Costa Rica itinerary.

Relax on one of the beaches

Manuel Antonio National Park not only has a rainforest but also several beautiful beaches. The white sandy beaches are all beautifully white and lie along clear blue water.

There are four beaches in the national park that are said to be the most beautiful in all of Costa Rica. These are:

• Playa Manuel Antonio (the main beach, a 30-minute walk from the park entrance)
• Playa Espadilla Sur
• Escondido
• Playita

Spot whales

If you are here at the right time of year (November to February and July or August), you have the chance to see humpback whales and pilot whales.

 Uvita is considered the best place to spot whales in Costa Rica. Another popular tour is a sunset sail. The sky turns pink and orange, and you'll have an outstanding view. Definitely recommended!

Day 5: Travel from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde

Driving time: around 4 to 5 hours

Early in the morning, leave Manuel Antonio and set course to Monteverde Cloud Forest in Santa Elena. The drive from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde takes approximately 4-5 hours by car or shuttle, with scenic mountain roads along the way.

 For a more unique experience, you can take a shuttle to Lake Arenal, followed by a boat transfer across the lake, and then a shuttle to Monteverde. This route provides great views of the lake and Arenal Volcano and takes roughly 5-6 hours.

Things to do in Monteverde

The reason to travel to Monteverde is, of course, the cloud forests themselves and the world-famous hanging bridge (Monteverde Bridge). Open your Instagram and search for Monteverde Cloud Forest, and I’m sure you’ll see hundreds of selfies on that bridge.

But this park is more than just the bridges (there are more). There are different hikes you can do. The shortest one is Sendero Bosque Nuboso (Cloud Forest Trail). Ideal if you don’t have so much time. Other hikes:

• El Camino (The Road): 1.24 miles (2 kilometers)
• Sendero Pantanoso (Swamp Trail): 0.93 miles (1.5 kilometers)
• Sendero El Río (River Trail): 1.18 miles (1.9 kilometers)

Editor's tip: To be completely honest, this is a bit of a rushed day because you only have half a day. If you don’t want to rush, delete Monteverde from your Costa Rica itinerary for 7 days and travel straight to La Fortuna. Make sure to read all about how to get around in Costa Rica.

Where to stay in Monteverde

Your best option to stay is the village of Santa Elena. It’s all set up for travelers, with enough accommodation and restaurants to spend your evening. Make sure to book ahead in high season.

• Santa Elena: The main hub of Monteverde, filled with cafés, restaurants, and affordable lodges. It’s a convenient base if you want easy access to shops, tour offices, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
• Monteverde Cloud Forest area: A quieter, more scenic area surrounded by lush forest and wildlife. Perfect if you prefer peaceful lodges with hiking trails and birdwatching right outside your door.

Day 6: Monteverde to Arenal Volcano (La Fortuna)

Driving time: around 3 to 4 hours

Get up early and travel from Santa Elena to La Fortuna to explore the mesmerizing Arenal volcano area. The journey takes about 3-4 hours. A popular option is the 'jeep-boat-jeep' route, which involves a scenic drive to Lake Arenal, followed by a boat transfer across the lake, and another drive to La Fortuna. This cuts down on driving time and offers spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

The Arenal Volcano is one of the country’s most active volcanoes and a regular stop on almost every 7 days in Costa Rica itinerary. Its symmetrical cone rises to a height of 1 mile (1,633 meters), making it a popular destination for hikers and climbers. Until 2010, the volcano was known for its spectacular lava displays. Lava flows (no longer visible), gas explosions, and ashfall were daily occurrences. 

The volcano is now thankfully quiet, and despite the lack of lava visibility, Arenal Volcano and the surrounding park are an ideal destination for a Costa Rica adventure tour.

Things to do in La Fortuna

Take it slow on your first day here. Depending on the time you arrive, you can explore the city of La Fortuna. Don’t expect Paris-like atmosphere, but it’s nice to walk around.

La Fortuna waterfall

If you have some time (and energy), visit the La Fortuna waterfall, 3.73 miles (6 km) from the city, and one of the best waterfalls of Costa Rica. To reach this waterfall, you have to make a steep descent of more than 200 steps. This takes about 20 minutes, unless there is a large group of tourists in front of you 🙂 The view below is stunningly beautiful, and you certainly won't get bored on the way because during your descent you already have a beautiful view of the waterfall.

Where to stay in La Fortuna

Your best option is to find accommodation in or around La Fortuna. There are plenty of options to choose from, but book ahead, even in low or shoulder season. If you want to enjoy the beauty of the area, I suggest staying around the volcano and not in La Fortuna.

• Central La Fortuna: Best for budget travelers and those who want to be close to restaurants, shops, and tour offices. It’s walkable, convenient, and a good base for exploring the area without a car.
• Surrounding countryside: Ideal if you have your own transport or are joining organized tours. This area is home to scenic lodges with hot springs, jungle views, and quiet settings just a short drive from town.

Day 7: Arenal Volcano

After a good impression of the Arenal volcano on your first day, make the best out of your second day by getting up early and enjoying a good cup of Costa Rican coffee (or tea).

Things to do around Arenal

Visiting Arenal is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica, especially for adventure seekers.

Go hiking

Hiking through the Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the best ways to discover this special and biodiverse region of Costa Rica. You can take guided walks, but it is also easy to do it yourself.

The benefit of a guide is that they can tell you more about the area. In the park, you will find many hiking trails and 15 bridges that connect a rainforest circuit of 1.86 miles (3 km). You can explore on your own or join a guided tour.

Editor's tip: Don't forget to walk to a 'mirador'. This is a viewpoint with beautiful views of the Arenal volcano and the lake.

Chill in a hot spring

You can't visit this area without visiting the natural hot springs of Arenal. Most of these natural thermal pools are located in resorts and hotels, although you don’t necessarily have to stay at one of the resorts to access the pools. You can also purchase a day pass.

If you’ve spent the day hiking through the national park, it’s nice to relax in the warm, mineral-rich waters of a hot spring. There are even spas in Arenal National Park where you can spend a few hours being pampered to truly unwind.

Looking for a trip made for you? Our Costa Rica travel experts design itineraries from start to finish.