Perfect Costa Rica 7 Day Itinerary: What to See and Do
One Week is Costa Rica is all you need to learn the true meaning of “Pura Vida”. Pura Vida is a common saying in Costa Rica that translates to “pure life” but means many things including: life is good, I am happy, and no problem.
Costa Rica is a wonderful, tropical oasis in Central America. It is the land of lush forests, active adventures, blue waters, and the friendliest locals.
Follow this Costa Rica 7 day itinerary to prioritize where to visit, where to stay and the activities you cannot miss.
This one week itinerary will bring you to Manuel Antonio, a beautiful beachy national park and La Fortuna, a lush town at the base of the Arenal volcano.
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7 Days Costa Rica Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in San Jose and Drive to Manuel Antonio
Morning:
- Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose.
Afternoon:
- Drive from San Jose to Manuel Antonio (approximately 3.5 to 4 hours).
- Check in to your accommodation in Manuel Antonio.
Evening:
- Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Manuel Antonio.
- Take a stroll along the beach or relax at your accommodation.
Day 2: Manuel Antonio
Morning:
- Explore Manuel Antonio National Park: Take a guided hike to spot wildlife and enjoy the natural beauty.
Afternoon:
- Relax on the beach, swim, or participate in water sports like snorkeling or kayaking.
- Enjoy a packed lunch in the park or dine at a nearby restaurant.
Evening:
- Explore the town of Quepos for dining and entertainment.
Day 3: Manuel Antonio
Morning:
- Take a leisurely morning walk along the beach to enjoy the sunrise.
- Spend time at your resort by the pool, while enjoying the sounds of the ocean
Afternoon:
- Visit the local markets or take a cooking class to learn about Costa Rican cuisine.
Evening:
- Have dinner at a different restaurant to try more local dishes.
- Take a night tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 4: Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna
Morning:
- Check out of your Manuel Antonio accommodation.
- Begin your drive to La Fortuna (approximately 4-5 hours).
Afternoon:
- Stop in the town of Jaco to visit the crocodile bridge for views of giant 6+ foot crocs.
- Visit a local soda (small restaurant) for a traditional Costa Rican lunch.
Evening:
- Relax in the natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano or at your hotel.
- Enjoy a dinner at your accommodation or in the town of La Fortuna.
Day 5: La Fortuna and Arenal
Morning:
- Visit La Fortuna Waterfall for a refreshing dip, first thing ebfore the crowds get big for the day.
Afternoon:
- Take a ziplining tour at the Arenal volcano
Evening:
- Relax in the hot springs once more or have a spa treatment at your hotel.
- Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6: La Fortuna
Morning:
- Take a horseback riding tour of the jungle and visit a local family’s farm
Afternoon:
- Explore the town of La Fortuna, visit the local shops, or try some local coffee.
Evening:
- Enjoy your final dinner in La Fortuna
- Relax in the hot springs at your resort
Day 7: La Fortuna to San Jose
Morning:
- Check out of your La Fortuna accommodation.
- Begin your drive back to San Jose (approximately 3.5 to 4 hours).
Afternoon:
- Depending on your arrival time in San Jose, you may have some free time to explore the city, shop for souvenirs, or head directly to the airport to fly home.
What to Do in Manuel Antonio National Park
The first must-see location on during your one week in Costa Rica is Manuel Antonio National Park. Located on the west coast of the country, Manuel Antonio boasts beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife.
Manuel Antonio National Park in the place in Costa Rica to see wildlife. Since you only have one full day in the National Park, be sure to take advantage of a day and night tour to see all the animals.
Manuel Antonio Day Tour
The #1 thing to do in Manuel Antonio National Park is a guided day tour.
Once you enter the park, proceed on a guided tour of the park to seek out the animals. The park has comprehensive walkways and bridges which makes it easy to navigate in a simple pair of sneakers.
Note: do not pack any snacks, they are not allowed in the park for the safety of the animals.
Keep your eyes peeled to spot wildlife tucked into the tress. Although the guides are experts, they will not be able to spot everything so you will need to help identify the animals.
Some animals common in Manuel Antonio are birds, monkeys, frogs, snakes and the most popular- sloths.
After wandering the park and seeing the abundant flora and fauna, you will be led to a private beach to conclude the tour.
Utilize the changing rooms to put on your swimsuit then spend the afternoon at your leisure experiencing the beach.
Manuel Antonio Night Tour
Many animals in Manuel Antonio are nocturnal. To see the full extent of animals, embark on a night tour to round out your day in the National Park.
Expect to see frogs, snakes, small mammals, and other nocturnal animals.
Another fun aspect of the night tour is being surrounded by the sounds of the jungle. You will hear waves crashing, animals communicating and the beautiful sound of silence.
Where to Stay Near Manuel Antonio
Since Manuel Antonio itself is a national park, you will stay in the neighboring town of Quepos that has many resorts and restaurants.
The following options are both great properties based on different budget levels.
Mid-Range Option: La Mariposa
Hotel Mariposa is a stunning property located on the jagged cliffs just outside of Manuel Antonio National Park. All rooms have panoramic views of the ocean. The pool is a great place to relax after a long day of exploring.
Luxury Option: Los Altos Resort
For those looking to splurge a bit more, Los Altos brings luxury and high-end service to Manuel Antonio. The higher price point will reward you with more exclusive amenities including secluded beach access, an infinity pool, luxury spa and multiple restaurants.
The spacious rooms offer space for families or couples looking to spread out. The suites at Los Altos resort include multiple bedrooms, a full kitchen, living space and balcony.
What to do in La Fortuna
The other must-see destination during your one week in Costa Rica is the Arenal Volcano located in the town of La Fortuna.
La Fortuna is the adventure capital of Costa Rica. Mix high-adrenaline activities with time in the hot springs for a perfectly balanced trip.
Costa Rica ATV Tour
One of my favorite things I did in Costa Rica was an ATV adventure tour.
Follow your guide through jungle paths to a local farm and house. Partake in a farm tour to meet the animals then have a homemade snack by a local family.
Connecting with locals was my favorite part of the trip.
After snacking, continue your ATV, winding through empty river basins and trails. Plan to get muddy on this trip and plan your outfit accordingly.
I wore leggings, a dry fit top, a windbreaker jacket, and hiking shoes.
Tip: If at any point on your trip, you see a full view of Arenal, stop and take photos. This iconic view is rare due to weather systems that surround the volcano’s peak.
La Fortuna Horseback Riding
This La Fortuna horseback riding tour will guide you through the rainforest to the famous La Fortuna waterfall.
The guides are patient and helpful which makes this a great tour for beginners and experienced riders. Another advantage of this tour is the cultural immersion as guides will discuss the indigenous people and customs.
Water Activities in La Fortuna
In the afternoon, get out on the water for either a river float or raft depending on your adventure level. This safari float is a great option to see local wildlife and interact with a local family.
Float down the river, seeing sloths, monkeys, birds, and caiman along the way. End the tour at a local farm for a snack and discussion.
If you are in the mood for more adrenaline, join this whitewater rafting tour. Navigate class II and III rapids through the rainforest, stopping for secluded swims along the way.
La Fortuna Ziplining Day
Saving the best for last, spend your final day ziplining at the base of Arenal. You cannot spend one week in Costa Rica without ziplining at least once. Ziplining is the best way to get up close and personal with the Costa Rican rainforest.
Spend the day at Sky Adventures Park. First, enjoy the nature walk and canopy tour. Learn about the rainforest, climb across suspension bridges and soak in the natural beauty of Arenal.
Next, set out on the ziplining course where you ride a gondola up the mountain then take a series of ziplines down.
While the first zipline will be scary, they become less scary and more exciting as you go.
Remember to look around at the views from the zipline. It can be easy to get caught up in being scared but the views cannot be beat.
Where to Stay in La Fortuna
La Fortuna is a town surrounding the base of Arenal volcano. The town is known for outdoor adventure and hot springs.
Any hotel you choose to stay in should offer both of those things. Below are two options I have personally stayed in and loved.
Mid-Range Option- Hotel Los Lagos
Hotel Los Lagos is a large property with some of the highest rated hot springs in the area. The rooms are independent buildings with comfortable furnishings. Since the property is so large, a constant shuttle service will transport guests to different amenities.
The main draw for Hotel Los Lagos is the hot spring pools. There are eleven pools all at different temperatures ranging from a refreshing pool temperature to hot tub warmth. There are in-water bars with delicious drinks to enjoy in the water.
The on-site restaurant offers delicious grilled dinner options and a complimentary breakfast. If you visit for dinner, I recommend trying the meat sampler which features grilled meat, fish and vegetables with local dipping sauces. The breakfast buffet is fresh and has a variety of options.
Luxury Option- The Springs Resort and Spa
The Springs Resort and Spa in La Fortuna is one of the best resorts I have stayed in anywhere in the world. I chose to stay at this hotel after seeing it featured on Keeping up with the Kardashians and the Bachelor (I am only slightly ashamed to admit this).
I tried and loved were a tube float of the river, a horseback ride through the jungle, atv ride to a local farm and a visit to the hotel’s animal sanctuary.
Other Highlights of Costa Rica
If you have more time in Costa Rica, look to visit these other two popular areas:
1. Tamarindo– Coastal beach town with high-end and all-inclusive resorts. While this area is known by the locals as “tama-gringo,” it is a beautiful place to relax.
Spend a few days by the pool and beach kicking back with a pina colada.
2. Puerto Viejo– the “Caribbean side” of Costa Rica. This side of Costa Rica has a unique culture with different food and culture compared to the rest of Costa Rica.
Enjoy the aqua-blue waters of the Caribbean and explore the charming towns.
Getting to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is easily accessible from the west-coast of the United States, taking only 6 hours direct from LAX.
Costa Rica has two major airports: San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR).
San Jose is the biggest city in Costa Rica and in the center of the country. Liberia is a bit smaller but a great destination if you plan to visit the north-west coast.
For the purposes of this one week in Costa Rica itinerary, plan to fly in and out of San Jose to take advantage of the central location.
Getting Around Costa Rica
Rental Car – Renting cars in Costa Rica is simple and like renting cars in other countries. Renting a car will give you the freedom to travel throughout the country on your own timeline and take stops on demand.
The only downside to renting a car can be navigating some of the windy mountain roads.
We drove in the mountains toward La Fortuna in the rainy dark and it was a stressful but do-able drive. If you are a confident driver, you should have no problems.
Hired Driver – The most expensive but least stressful option. Drivers can be hired to drive you between all the major destinations in Costa Rica.
Once in a destination, you can hire Ubers and taxis to get around. I recommend this option for those who would prefer to avoid the stress of driving or bussing.
Public Transportation – Public Transportation is not very comprehensive or reliable in Costa Rica.
I would only recommend choosing this option if you have a very tight budget. Follow this guide for how to navigate busses in Costa Rica to learn more.
When to Visit Costa Rica
Costa Rica has two seasons: wet season and dry season. Wet seasons occurs from May to November and Dry season occurs from December to April.
The high season in Costa Rica is dry season due to the less bugs, more sunshine and warmer temperatures. This will lead to higher prices and crowded destinations.
While wet season is considered low season, it is a great time to visit. Some benefits include lower prices, less crowds and time off school for North America summer break. While it will rain most days, the showers will pass in around one hour and the rest of the day will be nice.
Summary of this 7 Day Costa Rica Itinerary
After you complete your trip, you will understand that one week in Costa Rica will not be enough to see it all, but you will be left with a heart full of Pura Vida.
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