Picture this: one morning you're soaking in volcanic hot springs with Arenal rising above the rainforest, and a few days later you're watching a sloth inch along a branch above a white sand beach. That's Costa Rica. It packs volcanoes, cloud forest, jungle canals and two coastlines into a country smaller than West Virginia, so the hardest part is choosing. The trick is matching your bases to your days: one base for five days, two for seven, three for ten.
These three Costa Rica itineraries come straight from trips we plan for our clients, with the same routes, pacing and drive times. Borrow them as they are, or use them as a jumping-off point. Either way, you'll probably be dreaming up trip number two before you're home.
Costa Rica itineraries at a glance
| Trip length | Route | Best for | Sample trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | One base: Arenal (volcano, hot springs and rainforest) or Nosara (Pacific beaches and surf) | A first taste of Costa Rica, a long weekend, a quick escape | Built to order |
| 7 days | 3 nights in Arenal, 3 nights in Manuel Antonio | Couples, honeymoons, first-time visitors | Luxe Volcano & Coast |
| 10 days | Tortuguero, Arenal and Nosara | Families, groups, travelers who want variety | Sloths, Surf & Hot Springs |
5 days in Costa Rica: one base
Five days in Costa Rica? Absolutely, as long as you pick one base and let the adventures come to you. Most transfers here take three hours or more, so one well-chosen spot means more time on the trails and in the water. Our two favorite bases for a short trip are Arenal for rainforest and volcano, and Nosara for the Pacific coast.
Option 1: Arenal, volcano and hot springs (4 nights)
Arenal packs more into one place than almost anywhere in the country: a near-perfect volcano cone, hanging bridges, waterfalls, zip lines and natural hot springs, all within half an hour of your lodge. It's our favorite short-stay base for first-timers.
Day 1: Into the rainforest. Land in San José and meet your private driver for the scenic ride to Arenal, about three hours through coffee country and cloud forest. Check into your rainforest retreat and toast your first night with volcano views.
Day 2: Hanging bridges & hot springs. Walk treetop-height hanging bridges with your naturalist guide, watching for toucans, sloths and howler monkeys. Spend the evening soaking in Tabacón's volcanic hot springs, with warm pools and waterfalls all around you. Dinner by the river? Yes, please.
Day 3: Río Celeste. Head about an hour and a half north to Tenorio Volcano National Park and hike to Río Celeste, a river so impossibly turquoise it looks painted. Keep your camera handy for the waterfall.
Day 4: Choose your thrill. Zip line through the canopy, rappel down rainforest waterfalls, or keep it gentle with a kayak on Lake Arenal. After dark, join a guide on a night walk to look for red-eyed tree frogs and kinkajous.
Day 5: Farewell to Arenal. One last breakfast with the volcano, then a private transfer back to San José or Liberia for your flight home.
Insider's tip: Arenal is beautiful year-round, and the green season (May to November) brings lush forest, quieter trails and lower rates. Mornings are usually the clearest time to see the volcano.
Option 2: Nosara, beach and surf (4 nights)
If sand between your toes is the priority, fly into Liberia and head straight to Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula. It's a laid-back surf and yoga town with long, wild beaches and protected forest right behind the sand.
Day 1: Welcome to Nosara. Land in Liberia and meet your private driver for the trip to Nosara, about two hours. Check into your ocean-view suite above Playa Guiones and settle in for your first Pacific sunset.
Day 2: Forest trails & a lazy afternoon. Join a guided hike through a nearby wildlife refuge, listening for howler monkeys and watching for tropical birds. Then the rest of the day is yours.
Day 3: Catch a wave. Take a surf lesson on Playa Guiones, one of the most beginner-friendly breaks in the country. After dark, paddle a kayak on a bioluminescent tour and watch the water glow with every stroke, when conditions allow.
Day 4: A beach day, your way. Yoga, a massage, tide pools or a hammock with a good book. The perfect place to do anything, or nothing at all.
Day 5: Farewell to the Pacific. One last oceanside breakfast, then back to Liberia for your flight home.
Heads up: both options focus on one side of Costa Rica. If you want rainforest and beach in the same trip, jump to the 7-day itinerary below.
7 days in Costa Rica: Arenal and Manuel Antonio
Seven days is our sweet spot for a first trip to Costa Rica. Three nights near Arenal Volcano, three on the Pacific coast in Manuel Antonio, and one scenic transfer in between. You'll get volcano views, rainforest adventure and hot springs, then beaches, mangroves and some of the best wildlife spotting in the country. This route follows our Luxe Volcano & Coast itinerary, from $6,075 per person.
Day 1: Welcome to Arenal. Touch down in San José and meet your private driver for the journey to Arenal. Check into your luxurious tent with jungle views and a private plunge pool, then spend the afternoon swimming or watching for your first toucan.
Day 2: Zip lines & the jungle after dark. Glide high above Arenal's rainforest canopy on a zip line adventure. After dark, head out with your private guide in search of tree frogs, kinkajous and other night-time wildlife.
Day 3: Rappel rainforest waterfalls. Descend mossy cliffs beside rushing waterfalls with your guides, then spend the afternoon in your plunge pool or wandering your retreat's suspension bridges.
Day 4: The Pacific coast is calling. Travel privately to Manuel Antonio, about four and a half hours, or hop on a short domestic flight. Check into your suite above the Pacific and spend the afternoon on the beach.
Day 5: Mangroves & a sunset sail. Paddle mangrove waterways with your naturalist guide, watching for birds, monkeys and reptiles. Later, board a private catamaran for a sunset cruise, with a chance to see bioluminescence after dark when conditions allow.
Day 6: Monkeys, sloths & beautiful beaches. Explore Manuel Antonio National Park with your private naturalist guide, then spend the afternoon on the park's white sand beaches, where the jungle runs right down to the water.
Day 7: Farewell to the Pacific. A final oceanside breakfast, then your private driver takes you back to San José for your flight home.
Want to mix it up? Three of our favorite variations:
Trade Manuel Antonio for the Nicoya Peninsula: Jungle & Beach Retreat pairs Arenal and Río Celeste with a beachfront villa in Santa Teresa, plus an ATV ride to jungle waterfalls and hidden beaches near Montezuma. Nine days, from $5,775 per person.
Go Caribbean: Costa Rica's Hidden Caribbean swaps the Pacific for the jungle canals of Tortuguero and the laid-back beaches around Puerto Viejo, with cacao tasting, Cahuita's reefs and a whitewater finale on the Pacuare River. Nine days, from $3,000 per person.
Go all out: Rainforest Romance starts in the misty cloud forest of Bajos del Toro, continues to Arenal, and ends with a private plunge pool and a private catamaran in Las Catalinas. Nine days, from $9,500 per person.
10 days in Costa Rica: three regions, one trip
Ten days lets you see three very different sides of Costa Rica: the jungle canals of Tortuguero on the Caribbean side, the volcano and hot springs of Arenal, and the surf beaches of Nosara on the Pacific. Three nights in each place keeps the pace easy, even with kids in tow. This route follows our Sloths, Surf & Hot Springs itinerary, built for families, from $2,500 per person.
Day 1: Welcome to San José. Check into a restored Victorian mansion in the capital and unwind in the rooftop hot tub after your flight.
Day 2: Where the road ends & the rivers begin. Travel to La Pavona, then continue by boat through rainforest-lined waterways to your family cabin in Tortuguero. All meals are included at the lodge.
Day 3: Wildlife on the canals. Rise early for a guided canal safari, looking for monkeys, toucans, caimans and sloths. During nesting season, an evening turtle tour offers the chance to watch sea turtles on the beach.
Day 4: To Arenal. Travel by boat and private transfer to your hillside bungalow with sweeping volcano views. Keep an eye out for sloths on the lodge's nature trail.
Day 5: Hanging bridges & hot springs. Walk Arenal's hanging bridges with your guide, then soak in natural thermal pools, with dinner included.
Day 6: Choose your family adventure. Kayak on Lake Arenal, visit a wildlife rescue center, or spend a lazy afternoon by the pool.
Day 7: The Pacific beaches are calling. Fly west to Nosara and check into your family suite above Playa Pelada, with sandcastles and tide pools a short walk away.
Day 8: Catch a wave together. Take a family surf lesson on Playa Guiones, with instructors who match the session to everyone's experience.
Day 9: Beach play & forest trails. Beachfront yoga, a wander through the lodge's nature reserve, or an afternoon at the pool. Later, explore Nosara's cafés and restaurants.
Day 10: A private beach bonfire. As the sun dips low, gather around your own beach bonfire for roasted marshmallows under the stars.
Day 11: Pura vida, Costa Rica. One final breakfast overlooking the ocean, then your private driver takes you to Liberia for your flight home.
Two more ways to spend ten days or more:
Adventure all the way: Adventure & Adrenaline links Monteverde's cloud forest, Arenal and Manuel Antonio, with zip lines, waterfall rappelling, whitewater on the Pacuare River and snorkeling at Caño Island. Eleven days, from $5,125 per person.
Go deep into the wild: Pacuare to Osa starts at a riverside rainforest lodge, continues to Manuel Antonio, and finishes on the remote Osa Peninsula, with a treetop dinner in the canopy. Twelve days, from $10,625 per person.
How to choose your trip length
- 5 days: a long weekend, or a week off with travel days on either end. Pick one base, Arenal for rainforest or Nosara for beach, and let the day trips come to you.
- 7 days: your first trip, and you want both rainforest and beach. It's the length most of our honeymooners choose.
- 10 days: you're traveling as a family or a group, or you'd like time to linger. Three bases, three nights each, is our favorite rhythm.
Whichever you choose, give each region at least two nights, three if you can. Looking for hotel ideas? See our guide to where to stay in Costa Rica. Planning a honeymoon? Our Costa Rica honeymoon guide has routes, timing and our favorite romantic hotels.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Costa Rica?
Seven days is perfect for most first trips: one base in the rainforest near Arenal and one on the Pacific coast. Five days works with a single base, and ten lets you add a third region, such as Tortuguero, Monteverde or the Nicoya Peninsula.
What's the best time of year to visit Costa Rica?
December through April is the dry season on the Pacific side, with the most sunshine for beach time. The green season, May through November, brings lush landscapes, fewer crowds and better rates, with sunny mornings and afternoon showers on most days. The Caribbean coast follows its own pattern, and September and October are often lovely there. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Costa Rica has all the details.
How many nights should you spend in each region?
Three nights is the sweet spot, with two as the minimum. Most transfers between regions take three to five hours, so give yourself enough time on the trails and the beach to make each move worth it.
Can you combine Arenal and Manuel Antonio in one trip?
Absolutely! Arenal and Manuel Antonio is one of our most popular combinations. A private transfer takes about four and a half hours, or a short domestic flight gets you to the coast in under an hour.
How much does a Costa Rica itinerary cost?
Our sample Costa Rica itineraries run from $2,500 per person for eleven days with the family to $10,625 per person for twelve days of remote rainforest luxury. International flights aren't included.
Can you plan our Costa Rica trip for us?
We'd love to! It all starts with a free call. Tell us when you're thinking of going, who's coming along and what gets you excited, and we'll talk through which regions fit, how many nights to spend in each and the best time of year for your dates. You'll come away with a clear picture of your trip, plus a few ideas you hadn't thought of yet. Book your free call.
About the author
Adrienne Aragon is the founder of Osaviva Travel. She first arrived in Costa Rica in 2005 and worked at lodges on the Osa Peninsula before designing trips across the region. She is a Costa Rica and Mexico Specialist through Travel Agent Academy and a Certified Belize Specialist through the Belize Tourism Board, and she plans custom honeymoons, family trips and group journeys across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Plan your Costa Rica itinerary
These routes are just the beginning. Book a free call and we'll talk through your dates, your travel style and the best route for you, with answers to all those "is it worth it?" questions along the way. Or browse our Costa Rica trips for more inspiration. Pura vida, and see you in Costa Rica!
