How long to spend in Costa Rica?
The answer to how many days to spend in Costa Rica depends on how much there is to see and how relaxed your trip will be. With at least 7 days, you can enjoy a solid mix of beaches, rainforests, and wildlife — perfect for a Costa Rica rainforest tour — though it’s not enough time to see everything this amazing country has to offer.
Costa Rica is about the size of West Virginia or Wales, but traveling across it takes time. Expect long bus rides, rental car journeys, or domestic flights to cover the distances.
To see the best of Costa Rica in a more relaxed pace, a 10 day Costa Rica itinerary is ideal. This lets you explore both coasts, visit Arenal Volcano, and trek through Monteverde Cloud Forest. With 2 weeks in Costa Rica, you can hit most highlights and even consider adding nearby Panama or Nicaragua.
If you’re coming from the US, a 5-day Costa Rica trip is doable but rushed. From Europe or the UK? Skip the quick visit - Costa Rica deserves more time.
What’s the best way to plan a Costa Rica itinerary?
How to plan a trip to Costa Rica? You don’t need to have everything locked in right away, but it's a good idea to create a “wish list” of places you want to see and get a sense of how far apart they are early on. Start by picking a couple of “must-haves,” then, as you go, we can fill in the days in between.
Factor in travel time
Getting around Costa Rica’s hotspots can take longer than you'd think, especially with the mountains and unpredictable road conditions. Public buses are affordable but infrequent, and they might take twice as long as driving.
Shared shuttle vans are a good option for door-to-door service, connecting major tourist spots for $50-70 per ride. If you’re aiming for destinations like Tortuguero or the Osa Peninsula, domestic flights with Sansa or Costa Rica Green Airways can save a lot of time. Just book in advance—these flights are limited, especially in high season.
If planning these kinds of details gives you a headache, another option is to hire a travel guide, like our Costa Rica travel experts, to help create your dream itinerary for you.
Can I drive in Costa Rica?
Renting a car in Costa Rica gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, especially if you want to visit some less-traveled spots. Keep in mind, though, the roads can be tricky, with unmarked routes, aggressive driving, and lots of potholes. A 4WD vehicle is a must for places like beach towns and cloud forest areas, especially during the rainy season when river crossings are common. GPS won’t always help in remote areas, so it’s smart to download offline maps. Also, be prepared for a mandatory daily insurance fee of $15-25, regardless of your credit card coverage.
Book essentials first
Getting to Costa Rica is pretty easy. From the U.S., there are direct flights to San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) from major cities like Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York. Airlines like American Airlines, Delta, United, Alaska, JetBlue, and Southwest have regular routes to Costa Rica.
From Europe, you can fly direct from Amsterdam to San José with KLM, or from Madrid with Iberia or Air Europa.
A Costa Rica travel tip: during high season (December to April), it’s best to book accommodations 3 to 4 months in advance for popular spots like Manuel Antonio, Arenal, and Tamarindo. If you’re visiting less crowded areas, booking 1 to 2 months ahead should be enough.
Some smaller or boutique accommodations may not list online, so it’s worth reaching out directly via email or phone to check availability and possibly get a better rate. If you’re planning a longer stay, especially during the green season (May to November), some properties may offer discounts for extended bookings.