7 Days in Costa Rica - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Costa Rica's Natural Wonders 

Discover Costa Rica's spectacular natural landscapes on this exciting week-long itinerary around the country's volcanoes, hot springs, cloud forests, and idyllic beaches.

Welcome to Costa Rica! Your adventure begins in La Fortuna, where you'll base yourself while exploring Arenal Volcano, hiking through a sloth habitat, and soaking in the Tabacon Hot Springs. Before moving on to Monteverde, you'll taste Costa Rican coffee at a popular plantation, followed by a nighttime rainforest walk to spot nocturnal animals.

Continue to Manuel Antonio National Park, your third and final destination on the itinerary. Enjoy some free time to hike or relax on the beach before going on a guided tour of the national park with an expert guide on day six. Spot monkeys in the wild and stop at one of the country's most beautiful beaches before heading back to San José, where the trip ends. Learn more

Find out more about the Top Nature Experiences in Costa Rica.

Itinerary #2: Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast: Tortuguero & Puerto Viejo

Explore Costa Rica's beautiful Caribbean coastline on this well-rounded seven-day trip that leads you from Tortuguero National Park to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a base for snorkeling and hiking in Cahuita National Park.

Perfect for travelers looking to hike and observe wildlife, this itinerary starts and ends in San José and includes many of the Caribbean coast's best destinations, including a famous sea turtle nesting site. Begin the journey in Tortuguero National Park, exploring the coastline on a boat tour, before the itinerary leads you to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

From Puerto Viejo, you'll explore Cahuita National Park. Compared to the Pacific coast, which many other itineraries focus on, the Caribbean side tends to be less crowded, with more cultural diversity. From nature treks to pristine beaches to snorkeling excursions, this itinerary offers something for everyone who wants to experience splendid scenery with a laid-back feel. Learn more

Read this Ultimate Guide to Tortuguero National Park for more ideas and inspiration.

Itinerary #3: Costa Rica's Whitewater, Beaches & Volcanoes

Designed for adventurous travelers, this action-packed seven-day itinerary around Costa Rica features whitewater rafting, volcano hikes, sea kayaking, a sunset cruise, and more.

This fun itinerary highlights Costa Rica's incredible natural scenery through a thrilling series of adventurous activities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, and more. Starting in the nation's capital, you'll make your way to rivers, jungles, waterfalls, and cone-shaped volcanoes. Go rafting in the Arenal region, then hike around the famous volcano.

The trip continues on the Pacific Coast with time to relax on the white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. Spend a day sea kayaking and snorkeling offshore, spotting colorful fish and marine life. Then finish the adventure with a sunset catamaran cruise with incredible views over land and water. Learn more

Looking for a place to stay near the national park? Check out these articles on the region's best boutique hotels and best family-friendly hotels.

Itinerary #4: Costa Rica Culinary Tour

Eat and drink your way through Costa Rica on this week-long adventure of the country's culinary hot spots. In addition to visiting a coffee farm, learning how chocolate is made, and taking a cooking class, you'll visit jungles, volcanoes, and beaches. 

On this food-themed tour, you'll start in the capital city. Explore food stalls at San José's Mercado Central, then continue to La Fortuna, where you'll have the chance to participate in chocolate making—cacao is one of Costa Rica's most important exports—and go for a dip in natural hot springs. You'll also hike to waterfalls and learn how to make traditional dishes during a hands-on cooking class.

Tour a local coffee farm to learn about the industry before traveling to the Gulf of Papagayo. Experience the region's incredible natural surroundings, exploring jungles and beaches, then taking a full day to relax on the sand and enjoy a sunset sailing trip before the trip comes to an end. Learn more

Find out more about the Top Cultural Experiences in Costa Rica.

Itinerary #5: Wildlife Luxury Adventure in Arenal & the Osa Peninsula

Get off the beaten path on this week-long luxury trip around the Osa Peninsula, where you'll go whale-watching and explore Corcovado National Park on a guided hike. Finish the adventure in Arenal with visits to a sloth habitat and a wildlife rehabilitation center.

After a day exploring San José, you'll travel to the Osa Peninsula and go on a sunset birdwatching tour around Drake Bay. The Osa Peninsula is one of the most biodiverse areas on earth. Over half of all animal species in Costa Rica exist here, making this tour one of the best for unique flora and fauna.

Next, discover Corcovado National Park on a guided hike. The park has preserved one of the country's few remaining lowland rainforests, and the peninsula's remote location on the southern Pacific Coast makes Osa a lost world perfect for exploration from the jungle to the sea. Spot whales and dolphins on a boat tour, then finish the trip in the Arenal region with a visit to a sloth habitat. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Costa Rica Cycling Adventure

Pedal from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Coast on this epic seven-day adventure that leads you past Costa Rica's farms, banana plantations, and sugar cane fields. Stop to explore jungle rivers, an active volcano, and the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park.

Begin in the capital city of San José. You'll be outfitted with cycling equipment and take off pedaling from Playa Bonita to Siquirres, where you'll spend the night. Continue through the Costa Rican countryside to Turrialba, keeping an eye out for puffs of smoke rising out of the active Turrialba Volcano.

Ride through one of Costa Rica's most important coffee-growing regions—the Orosi Valley—on day four. Day five brings a steep uphill mountain climb followed by a downhill ride to the charming town of Santa Maria de Dota. After an unforgettable cross-country bike ride, celebrate your achievement on the beaches of the storied Manuel Antonio National Park. Learn more

Discover more about the country's best active experiences by reading this article.

More Great Costa Rica Itineraries