Two Weeks in Costa Rica

Juan Santamaria (SJO) is the larger and busier airport, serving as Costa Rica's main gateway with extensive global connections, including Europe. On the other hand, Guanacaste Airport (LIR) is closer to most beaches, making it ideal for those seeking a beach-focused experience, including all-inclusive resorts. If nature and adventure are more your focus, flying in and out of San José (SJO) might be preferable.

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is the main gateway to Costa Rica, boasting a vast network of international connections, including direct flights from Europe. Guanacaste Airport (LIR) caters to those seeking a beach-centric vacation. Situated near some of Costa Rica's most pristine beaches, LIR provides convenient access to most of Costa Rica's beach all-inclusive resorts.

Planning a two-week vacation involves thinking about logistics like transportation between destinations and travel times. In Costa Rica, you have different travel choices, such as public transportation, private or semi-private transportation, car rental, or internal flights. Talk to your Travel Consultant or check our Costa Rica Travel FAQ page for more details based on your preferences.

This 14-day itinerary to Costa Rica includes a couple of days in the capital city of San José—or just outside the city, somewhere in the Central Valley. It's a great place to start and get to know the culture of the country since San José is the capital city of the country and a hub for art and history. You would fly into the SJO Airport and go to a local hotel. If you're booking with us, we will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Once there, you can relax and take it easy before your adventures begin tomorrow.

Most travelers avoid San José, but they're missing out. If you're in Costa Rica for two weeks, we strongly recommend checking out the capital. You can walk around on your own if you want, or—even better—enjoy a guided walking tour with local experts who can fill you in on what's happening here. They'll even give you restaurant recommendations for the evening if you want!

Today, we'll pick you up from your hotel and take you back to the airport for a short flight over to Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast. Only accessible by boat or by air, Tortuguero National Park offers pristine rainforests and turtle-nesting beaches to explore. Your hotel here will be an eco-lodge offering plenty of nature tours to enjoy. If you're traveling at the right time of year, you can also enjoy some tarpon fishing here. The flight from San José takes about 20 minutes.

You'll spend today deep in the rainforests of Tortuguero, exploring rainforest canals and turtle-nesting beaches. This is one of the most isolated and pristine parts of Costa Rica, but there is also the community of Tortuguero, with its Caribbean vibes, to check out if you want.

Today, you'll check out of your Tortuguero eco-lodge and transfer over to the Arenal Volcano area for more nature plus a large dose of adventure. Arenal is not just about a volcano, it's famous as the Adventure Capital of Costa Rica, with more to do than just about anywhere else in the country. Rafting, canyoning, caving, hiking, and so much more are all available here. In short, Arenal is essential on just about any Costa Rica vacation itinerary.

You'll travel by boat through the rainforests of Tortuguero until you reach a docking area in La Pavona. From here, hop on a bus and transfer by road to Arenal. It's a long journey, but breathtakingly beautiful and worth the ride.

Once you arrive in Arenal, you can check into your hotel to relax for the afternoon. Many hotels here have their own hot springs to enjoy.

Ease into your Arenal experience with a combo tour. Choose between an Arenal Volcano hike or a rainforest exploration, paired with a hanging bridge or zip lining experience. Your tour will include a hotel pickup and drop-off, and possibly lunch, depending on the duration.

After your tour, enjoy the afternoon. Unwind by the pool, soak in rejuvenating thermal baths, or venture into the charming town of La Fortuna. Browse local shops, savor authentic cuisine, and stroll through the park.

Today marks another adventure, another opportunity for a rainforest activity. We'll pick you up from your hotel for waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, river tubing, caving, fishing on Lake Arenal, stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Arenal, or any other activity of your choice.

After the adventure, the rest of the day is yours to explore or relax. If you're thinking about dining outside your hotel on your last night here, don't hesitate to ask us for restaurant recommendations.

Today, you check out of your Arenal hotel and head to the next destination. We recommend Monteverde's cloud forests for a couple of days to experience some of Costa Rica's unique natural wonders—a haven for nature enthusiasts!

The journey to Monteverde from Arenal is an adventure on itself. We'll pick you up, take you to Lake Arenal, where you'll board a boat. On the opposite side of the lake, you'll ride horses through farmlands and forests to the highland village of Santa Elena and your Monteverde hotel. Check in upon arrival, and spend the afternoon by the fire or explore the nearby village. The climate here is noticeably cooler, so pack a light sweater or jacket for this region.

In the evening, we recommend a guided night hike through the local cloud forests to observe amphibians and insects.

Rise and shine for another day in the Monteverde cloud forests. Today is perfect for a zip line canopy tour—Monteverde is reportedly the birthplace of zip lining in Costa Rica and is home to the country's best and longest tours. They offer an ideal and fun way to explore the distinctive natural beauty of the cloud forests. Other tour options in Monteverde include nature reserve hikes, exploring hanging bridges, and birdwatching.

Now it's beach time! Choose between the jungle-clad shores of the Central Pacific (Jacó, Esterillos, Manuel Antonio, etc) or the hot and sunny resorts and beach/surf communities of Guanacaste (Tamarindo, Flamingo, Coco. etc.).

For those departing out of San José (SJO), the Central Pacific is a convenient choice, logistically. Travelers flying out of Guanacaste Airport (LIR) will prefer Guanacaste. The journey from Monteverde to the Central Pacific takes approximately three to four hours, while the Northern Pacific is a shorter two to three-hour drive.

Upon arrival at your beach resort or hotel in the early or mid-afternoon, you'll check in. Take the rest of the day to unwind. Relax by the pool or by the ocean and take in some rays.

Whether you're staying at a large all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste or a boutique beach hotel in Tamarindo, Jacó, or Manuel Antonio, today is the time to chill. You've seen and done a lot since you arrived, so take some time for yourself. If you feel like it, you can explore a national park, take surf lessons, or go kayaking or snorkeling.

Explore your local community, too. All these towns and nearby places all offer a good atmosphere, numerous restaurants, and various shops to enjoy. Find a spot by the beach for happy hour cocktails or cold beers while watching the sunset.

Consider a tour today, if you're interested in pumping it up a bit. In Guanacaste, think about a day trip to Palo Verde National Park for wetlands bird watching or the Rincón de la Vieja National Park for volcanic mud baths. You might also take a cultural tour to Liberia or Santa Cruz.

If you're on the Central Pacific, explore Manuel Antonio National Park and try activities you missed earlier, like whitewater rafting. Or explore another zip line canopy tour if you had a blast before. During whale watching or turtle nesting season, there's a lot to see too. Interested in snorkeling or scuba diving? Ask us about underwater experiences.

Other options include sunset sailing tours, hikes, mangrove tours, and ocean kayaking. Regardless, we'll pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, leaving the rest of the day for you to relax.

Your last two days in Costa Rica—what's on your agenda? Pura Vida is all about enjoying and spreading good vibes and living life to the max, so make the last stretch of your journey your own definition of Pura Vida. You can pick any available tour in your location or opt for relaxation, unwinding at the beach or poolside.

Sometimes, resorts have on-site activities for kids and adults, so make sure to sign up for any that call your interest. If you're a surfer, explore local beaches and catch some waves! There’s plenty to do (and not do) to fully embrace the last days of your Costa Rica trip.

So you've completed two weeks in Costa Rica and we're sure you've had a blast. You've been to both coasts, explored rainforests, cloud forests, volcanoes, and did much more. You've checked out San José and enjoyed more adventures than you thought was possible. That's what a two-week vacation to Costa Rica is all about!

Today, after all that, it’s time to fly home. If you're staying in Guanacaste, it makes sense to fly out of LIR. It's possible to arrange your flights to arrive at SJO and depart from LIR if you want. If you're on the Central Pacific, then a straight SJO round trip is fine. Whatever you do, give yourself time to get to the airport and allow two hours for check-in at LIR and three hours at SJO, especially during high season.