One-Week Trips to Costa Rica
Here, at Costa Rican Vacations, we create more week-long vacation itineraries for our clients than anything else. Most of our clients are from North America, and a seven-night trip is just about all the time they have. Our European clients tend to travel for a little longer, but then the journey is that much further. From the United States and Canada, a week is a nice amount of time to experience Costa Rica, especially for first-time visitors.
Crafting a one-week itinerary in Costa Rica involves strategic choices, especially when you're aiming to strike a balance between adventure and relaxation. Keep things uncomplicated, and you'll get the most out of your time. If you've got seven days, two destinations are perfect, whether you're a nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a tropical escape. A two-destination, week-long trip can encompass all aspects to help you explore the best parts of Costa Rica.
On this page, we'll dive into the basics of a Costa Rica seven-day itinerary. Most likely, you're craving a mix of adventure, nature, and beach time, and that's all possible in a week. We hope this page will give you a realistic idea of what to expect when spending seven days here.
Travel Tips for Your Seven-Day Itinerary to Costa Rica
Before we start on an itinerary, though, we'll look at some logistics. For a start, did you know that Costa Rica has two international airports you can fly into/out of? This is important, as the international airport you use determines where you'll visit, particularly when it comes to your second destination.
The two airports are Juan Santamaria (SJO) in the Central Valley, just outside the capital of San José. This is the larger and busier airport, Costa Rica's main gateway, and receives more flights and airlines from more destinations around the world, including Europe. The second airport is Guanacaste (LIR), in Liberia in the north of the country.
Which airport you choose depends on what you're looking for out of your week in Costa Rica. If you seek time at a beach resort, then Guanacaste Airport (LIR) is your best bet. This airport is close to most of these types of hotels, including all-inclusive resorts. But if you seek more nature and adventure, flying in and out of San José (SJO) could be better. Your Travel Consultant can talk you through all this.
Whether you fly into SJO or LIR, a typical seven-day Costa Rica itinerary will split your time between the rainforest (usually around the Arenal Volcano) for nature and adventure, and then the beach. Think three nights in one and four nights in the other. It's certainly possible to spend a week in one destination, but in our professional opinion, visiting two destinations as outlined on this page offers you the best experience.
A two-destination vacation obviously brings up some other logistical questions, like getting around, travel times, and so on. Travel is easy in Costa Rica, with options ranging from public transportation, private or semi-private transportation, renting a car, or taking internal flights. All our itineraries include either private transfers, car rental, or internal flights. Speak to your travel consultant about what works best for you. You can also refer to our general Costa Rica travel FAQ page for more info.
Planning a Seven-Day Costa Rica Itinerary
Now let's get into a typical seven-day itinerary for Costa Rica travel to give you an idea of what to expect. Note that these are just suggestions, and with the help of your travel consultant, we can craft itineraries for you outside of these main ideas. Personalizing your trip is the most important step in making this your dream vacation.
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Arenal Volcano
Whether you arrive at the LIR or SJO International Airport, we recommend starting your journey in the La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano region for an adrenaline-packed experience. We call this area the Adventure Capital of Central America, and it offers a range of activities like rafting, zip-lining, hiking, rainforests, and more. Whether you're a solo traveler, part of a group, or a family, this area is a must-visit, especially for first-timers.
From both airports, this area is about three to three-and-a-half hours away. We would pick you up from either airport and transfer you in private luxury with an English-speaking driver and get you to your first hotel in the Arenal Volcano area. Many hotels here feature their own thermal hot springs and volcano views. Upon arrival, you check in and relax for the remainder of the day before your adventures begin tomorrow!
Day 2: Full Day of Adventures in Arenal
Today, we would recommend something quite light to ease you into your Costa Rican adventure. Perhaps some sort of combo tour involving an Arenal Volcano or rainforest hike, combined with zip lining or something along those lines. Speak to your Travel Consultant about the myriad of options available—remember, you're in the Adventure Capital of the country!
Tours generally work like this: you would be picked up from and dropped off at your hotel. Sometimes they include lunch, sometimes not—it depends on the length of the tour.
After your tour, the afternoon is yours. This will be time spent poolside or—if your hotel has volcanic springs—lazing in thermal baths. You can also use the time to check out the town of La Fortuna with its shops and restaurants, or even sign up for a nighttime guided rainforest walk before turning in for the night.
Day 3: Nature Exploration in Arenal
Today is another adventure and another chance to enjoy a rainforest activity. Like yesterday, we'll pick you up from your hotel to enjoy some waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, river tubing, caving, horseback riding, or anything else that might appeal to you. This is your last day in Arenal, so make the most of it.
Again, after your adventure, the rest of the day is yours to explore or relax. Don't forget to ask us for restaurant recommendations if you're planning on eating out away from your hotel on your last night here!
Day 4: Transfer to the Beach
Following your dose of thrill in the rainforests of Arenal, it's time to choose between the Central Pacific (Jacó, Esterillos, Manuel Antonio) or Guanacaste (Tamarindo, Coco, etc) for your beach retreat. For smooth logistics, if you fly in and out of San José (SJO), opt for the Central Pacific. If Guanacaste (LIR) is your airport, then head to the Northern Pacific. Journey time from Arenal to the Central Pacific takes around four to five hours and to the Northern Pacific, three hours.
Why do we advocate for Arenal before the beach, by the way? Because most folks prefer to wind down toward the end of their vacation. Sure, you can flip the order, but if you've ever immersed your sunburnt body into super-hot volcanic thermal springs, you'd understand the appeal of doing that first! Consider it a pro tip—beach vibes are best as a grand finale.
On a transfer day, it’s time to check out of your hotel and head to pastures new to rest and relax. Usually, it’s better to have more time at the beach than in the rainforest, to slow down and unwind, but if you're more activity-minded we can easily swap this around.
How you get from Arenal to the beach depends on your preferences. Our itineraries include private transfers, semi-private transfers, car rental, or internal flights. If you're driving yourself, we recommend starting early enough in the day to reach your destination before it gets dark. If you're using our transfer services, we'll generally pick you up mid-morning to give you time to enjoy breakfast and check out without a rush. We also try to coincide your arrival at the next hotel after their check-in time, which is generally in the afternoon. During the journey, your guide will show you various sights on routes and you can stop for lunch somewhere if you want.
You'll arrive at your beach resort or hotel early or mid-afternoon, check in, and relax for the rest of the day. Maybe just hang out poolside or take a walk along the sands if you're close enough. Entirely up to you!
In a nutshell, for a fulfilling week in Costa Rica with easy travel transitions, mull over the options above. Sticking to one place is an option, but two make it easier to check off everything on your adventure list.
Day 5: A Day to Yourself by the Sea
Whether you're in a large resort or all-inclusive hotel on the beach in Guanacaste or a boutique hotel in a community like Tamarindo or, further south in Jacó or Manuel Antonio, we recommend just relaxing today. You've had organized tours and transfers since you arrived, so take some time out. You can do something if you want—explore Manuel Antonio National Park, take some surf lessons, kayak through mangroves, or more. But relaxing and enjoying the beach or pool, without any eye on the clock, is also a wonderful activity in itself.
If you're in an exploratory mood, consider checking out your local community. Tamarindo, Flamingo, Jacó, Manuel Antonio, and other places all have great vibes and plenty of restaurants and shops to enjoy. Find a place to enjoy some happy hour cocktails as the tropical sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
Day 6: Time to Hit the Beach
Another day in paradise and maybe you're ready for a tour today! Nothing heavy, though. Perhaps your family wants some surf lessons or maybe you feel like some inshore or offshore fishing. Could be you're traveling during whale watching or turtle nesting season and want to experience some nature. Or do you snorkel or want to scuba dive? If you're a diver, day 5 or day 6 are the best days to do it, because you need to have a couple days between submersion and your flight home.
Other options include sunset sailing tours, hiking tours, mangrove tours, and ocean kayaking. Whatever you want to do, it'll be like in Arenal—we'll pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, and afterward the day is all yours to relax.
Day 7: Soak in the Sunshine
This is the last day of your week in Costa Rica. How do you want to spend it? You can do something—any tour you didn't do yesterday is available today. Or you can do nothing except relax and enjoy the beach. Maybe you want to stroll into town for a last meal at that amazing restaurant you found. Or perhaps you want to go dancing or check out some live music on your last night. Entirely up to you!
Day 8: Traveling Back Home
All good things come to an end, and this is the end of your seven-night Costa Rican vacation. You've managed to pack in a great mixture of adventure and relaxation, and experienced rainforests, volcanoes, and tropical beaches.
If you're staying in Guanacaste, you'll fly out of LIR Airport. The great thing is, this airport is nearby, anywhere from 20 minutes to around an hour away. If you have a rental car, you have time to get to the airport and drop it off before flying home. Or, if you're using private transfers, we'll pick you up at an ideal time to get you to LIR for your check-in time.
Travelers using SJO Airport are most likely in the Central Pacific. The journey time is a little longer here, from around 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours. The premise is the same, though. You'll check out of your hotel and get to the airport in time to check-in. That goes for whether we're transferring you or you're driving yourself.
If you are driving yourself, we recommend choosing a departure flight that leaves late enough in the day (anytime after 11:00 AM) to avoid traveling in the dark.
Customize Your Seven-Day Trip to Costa Rica Today!
The vacation plan outlined above is just a rough idea, based on the typical vacation of this length that we put together for our clients. But we should repeat that everything is customizable and nothing is set in stone. Talk to our Travel Consultants about your plans and let us help you create the best week ever for you, your family, or your friends!
