Best 16-day Costa Rica trips and itineraries

Select Month

start planning

Over sixteen days in Costa Rica, you can choose between several clear trip styles without rushing. Some itineraries focus on wildlife and waterways in Tortuguero, combined with volcano viewing and hot springs around La Fortuna and Arenal. Others put more time into higher-elevation cloud forest in Monteverde, pairing canopy trails and hanging bridges with guided night walks.

If you prefer the coast, you can structure your route around the Pacific, using Guanacaste as a base for sailing, surfing, and quieter beach time, with shorter stops in San José for culture and logistics. You can also balance active days with slower pacing, adding extra nights in one or two key locations instead of moving every couple of days.

Each Costa Rica trip on this page is created by on-the-ground Costa Rica travel experts, not pulled from a brochure. These itineraries are examples you can customize, adjusting routes, pace, and budget to build a trip that fits how you like to travel.

Other durations: 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 12 days