The Perfect Costa Rica Itinerary for One Week: 7 Days of Pura Vida - Passport & Plates (2024)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

You’ve booked your flights, bought your swimwear and hiking gear and you’re ready to start planning your Costa Rica itinerary, am I right? Perfect. I have all the content you need for one week in Costa Rica. While you can easily spend weeks or months exploring all that this beautiful country has to offer, I’m aware that most people only plan for 7 days in Costa Rica.

This one week itinerary is a tad jam-packed, but offers a good taste of the west coast of Costa Rica. The detailed city guides are linked in each section so you can read about each place in more depth as well.

Note: This itinerary is based on renting a car so it’s really more of a Costa Rica road trip itinerary. There are shuttle bus options, but that obviously limits your mobility. Renting a car in Costa Rica is very expensive due to country-mandated liability insurance, but is still the best way to see the city. If you’re traveling solo or don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, check out this organized tourinstead.

World’s longest intro huh? Here we go: the perfect 1 week in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Itinerary: One Week in Costa Rica

Day 0: Arrival

To see the best of Costa Rica in one week, you technically need 8 days to factor in travel time. It seems like most international flights arrive in San Jose in the late afternoon or early evening. I recommend driving directly to La Fortuna from the airport once you rent your car. If you aren’t a fan of evening drives, plan to wake up early the next morning and head to La Fortuna.

Best Things to do Near Alajuela / San Jose

Read the complete guide to Alajuela here.

• Volcan Poas: Volcan Poas is one of Costa Rica’s largest and most active volcanoes and the most-visited tourist sites in the country. The view of this sunken caldera at the Poas National Park is spectacular and definitely worth a visit.Get your ticket ahead of time HERE.
• Doka Coffee Plantation Tour: Learn exactly how good (and bad!) coffee is harvested at Doka Plantation and be sure to pick up some bags to take home.
• La Paz Waterfall Gardens: La Paz is a giant, privately owned nature park and wildlife refuge attached to an ultra-fancy eco-hotel. There several hiking trails that lead to five spectacular waterfalls and you can see plenty of wild animals here as well. Plus, the proceeds from admission go toward caring for the animals.
• Zoo Ave: Zoo Ave is Latin America’s largest wildlife rehabilitation and breeding center. With tons of species of birds, cats, reptiles, and monkeys, you’re guaranteed to leave with just a bit more knowledge about Costa Rican wildlife andsome great photos to boot!
• Local Foodie Experience: I love doing food tours and / or experiences whenever I travel. In San Jose, you can attend a creole dinner party in the tallest building in the city – how cool is that? Alternatively, do an awesome food tour in San Jose instead.

Where to Stay in Alajuela / San Jose

• Backpack:Mi Casa Hostel|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Save:Studio Hotel|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Luxury:AC Hotel|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• This Airbnb in Alajuela (where we stayed)

Day 1: La Fortuna

On your first day in La Fortuna, wake up bright and early and hike at the Arenal National Park. Here you’ll find Costa Rica’s most active volcano as well as exotic wildlife. Try to get here early to avoid the heat, crowds, and afternoon clouds that will obscure your views of the volcano. Get tickets ahead of timeHERE

Head to town for lunch at Rainforest Café (not the chain) for a delicious and inexpensive traditional Costa Rican meal. Don’t forget to try one of the giant empanadas!

After lunch, drive just outside of town to the La Fortuna Waterfall for a dip in the natural pool. You can reach the waterfall by more hiking or on horseback if you’re feeling extra adventurous. Get your entrance ticket ahead of timeHERE.

Note: If you’re based in San José and don’t have transport to La Fortuna, check out this day tour option.

Best Things to do in La Fortuna / Arenal

Read the complete guide to La Fortuna here.

• Arenal Volcano National Park: Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s most active volcano, and the closest point you can get to it is by hiking the low-impact 3-mile trail at Arenal National Park.
• Baldi Hot Springs: This spa and water park is the most affordable in the area and is totally family friendly. The thermal pools are all natural and filled with minerals, and there are plenty of them to enjoy.
• La Fortuna Waterfall: This waterfall is located just outside the main town and has a deep pool that is perfect for swimming. You can reach it by hiking or on horseback if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Hanging Bridges: The best place to experience Hanging Bridges is in Monteverde, but if you have extra time in La Fortuna, you can hike a 2 mile circuit across 15 bridges in a gorgeous protected rainforest.
• Rainforest Chocolate Tour: Unearth the secrets of local chocolate production with a visit to this rainforest plantation. Plus it includes plenty of chocolate tasting – a total win in my book.
• White-water rafting: Go out for a wild rafting adventure on the Balsa River in this 9-mile adventure. White-water rafting is such an adrenaline-boost but definitely not for the faint-hearted. It’s a fun and alternative way to experience the rainforest.

Where to Stay in La Fortuna / Arenal

• Backpack:Castillo del Arenal|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Save:Hotel Rancho Cerro Azul|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Luxury:Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay

Day 2: La Fortuna

Read the complete guide to La Fortuna here.

Since the rest of your Costa Rica is fairly busy, take advantage of this day to sleep in a bit before heading over to the beautiful Baldi Hot Springs and Spa. They’re the most affordable hot springs in the area and are super fun! The springs are comprised of several pools as well as a couple of large water slides, so come here for the day and relax in some thermal water.

Since the hot springs are attached to a hotel, I recommend getting lunch there. For dinner, head to town for some delicious Peruvian-Chinese fusion from Chifa La Familia.

Day 3: Monteverde

If you don’t have a car or are a bit freaked out by driving in Costa Rica, Monteverde is where I’d recommend booking an organized day trip like this one or this one. Getting to Monteverde is a huge pain since the roads immediately surrounding the city are incredibly rocky. Although the locals seemed to have no issues navigating there, it ended up taking us nearly four hours to arrive. My recommendation? Grab a hearty breakfast and leave early!

If you can arrive in Monteverde early enough, grab a quick lunch before heading to the magical Monteverde Cloud Forest. It’s home to beautiful plants and animals, extensive hiking trails, and chilly clouds that float right through the forest. Be sure to bring a jacket!

For dinner, stop by Soda La Salvadita, the local Costa Rican restaurant just down the road from the main town. Prices are inexpensive and food is both delicious and authentically Costa Rican.

Best Things to do in Monteverde

Read the complete guide to Monteverde here.

• Monteverde Cloud Forest: A cloud forest is a high-elevation forest that is frequently covered by clouds. It makes the forest moist and prone to rain and is a unique ecosystem for certain plants and animals. It’s unlike the weather in the rest of Costa Rica, making it a particularly special place to visit. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is the most popular, with 11 trails of varying lengths and difficulty. The trails are really well laid out, and there are plenty of waterfalls and hanging bridges, but it’s usually pretty crowded. Go early to avoid as many tourists as possible.
• Santa Elena Cloud Forest: Alternatively, visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest instead of (or in addition to, if you have time) Monteverde. The trails are longer here and the weather is even more moist but there are fewer tourists, so it’s a great alternate to Santa Elena.
• Ziplining: Ziplining is absolutely thrilling and doing it through the rainforest is even more so. I highly recommend100% Aventura for a serious adrenaline rush. Not only did we do 12 regular ziplines, but we also did two Superman ones, which is when you zipline facing downward – the views are seriously stunning! So. Much. Fun.
• Hanging Bridges: One of the coolest things you can do in Monteverde is walk along some of the hanging bridges in the various forests. These bridges are at canopy level, so you get the unique experience of experiencing the forests from high up – and maybe spotting some animals if you’re lucky! There are various hanging bridges throughout Monteverde but Sky Walk is the most popular.
• Monteverde Butterfly Garden: This nature center offers some seriously informative tours about various insects, with a special focus on butterflies. While here, you’ll learn all about different butterflies from some hilarious and enthusiastic guides.
• Nighttime wildlife walk: So many species of the rainforest come out at night and what better way to see them than with a nighttime wildlife walk? Of course, there are no guarantees, but you could potentially spot sloths, frogs, snakes, and other animals. Seriously, such a cool experience.
• Coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane tour: With this tour, you’ll get a hands-on experience in how raw coffee cherries, cacao beans, and sugar cane are transformed into a variety of products. It also includes plenty of samples of coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane – always my favorite kind of “hands-on” experience!

Where to Stay in Monteverde

• Backpack:Cabinas Eddy|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Save:Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Luxury:Monteverde Lodge and Gardens|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay

Day 4: Monteverde

Read the complete guide to Monteverde here.

On your second day in Monteverde, plan for a wild outdoor adventure tour! Monteverde caters to every outdoor lovers’ dream in terms of adventure tour options, but I recommend you go ziplining. We went on this adventure tour which I highly recommend, but you can choose a tour that fits your needs from this comprehensive list. I also suggest you do the add-on hanging bridges tour if you don’t get a chance to visit the Cloud Forest.

Restaurant options are somewhat limited in Santa Elena, but Tico y Rico is a solid spot for dinner. It has a wide variety of delicious options (both Costa Rican and international), but it’s definitely a tad overpriced as it’s clearly the tourist hotspot.

Day 5: Manuel Antonio

On this day, plan for another 3 hour drive – this time to the beautiful beach town of Manuel Antonio. Upon arrival, reward yourself with the freshest and tastiest seafood in town at Marisqueria Jiuberths. After that, spend a lazy and blissful beachy afternoon at Playa Biesanz. There aren’t many tourists here due to its somewhat hidden location but Google Maps will lead you right to the parking attendant, who will direct you accordingly.

If you’re feeling fancy for dinner, head toMarina Pez Vela in Quepos and take your pick of restaurants. There’s a poke and onigiri place if you want to stay within budget (and if you’re tired of Costa Rican food – I know I was). Otherwise,Runaway Grillis a decent choice for Mexican-American-Costa Rican food.

Note: If you’re based in San José and don’t have transport to Manuel Antonio, check out this day tour option.

Best Things to do in Manuel Antonio

Read the complete guide to Manuel Antoniohere.

• Manuel Antonio National Park:This is the by far thebest thing to do in Manuel Antonio, so if for some reason you’re in the city for just one day, this is where you should go. This national park is a beautiful rainforest that is home to a wide variety of wildlife, tons of hiking trails, and gorgeous beaches. We saw plenty of sloths and other animals thanks to an amazing guide (I recommend booking one).
• Playa Manuel Antonio: This isone of three beaches in Manuel Antonio National Parkand is by far the most popular. It’s an exquisite cove with crystal clear water and white sands that are perfect for a beach day.
• Playa Biesanz:This is hands down the best free thing to do in Manuel Antonio. In fact, once we discoveredPlaya Biesanz, it became ourpreferred beach spot.You have to walk for about ten minutes through a rocky path (bringhiking sandals!), but once you arrive, the beach is yours for the taking. There aren’t many tourists due to its somewhat hidden location, but there are a fair amount of locals.
• Damas Island: One of the more unique Manuel Antonio tours you can do is a boating excursion to Damas Island. You’ll get a chance to visit thelargest mangrove ecosystem in Central America, home to a variety of unique animals such as boa constrictors, anteaters, and capuchin monkeys. You can either do a regular boat tour or a kayaking tour depending on how much exercise you want to get that day. Check out thiskayaking tourandthis boat tour.
• Catamaran Sailing: What better way to enjoy Manuel Antonio than to spend it out on the water? With a daytime or sunsetCatamaran cruise, you can spend a half day snorkeling, swimming and sailing along the Manuel Antonio coast. Lunch or dinner is also included. See all your tour optionshere.

Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio

• Backpack:Millennium Hostels Manuel Antonio|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Save:Hotel Plaza Yara|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Splurge:Parador Resort and Spa|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay

Day 6: Manuel Antonio

Read the complete guide to Manuel Antoniohere.

If there’s one thing I’d say is a must-do in Costa Rica, it’s Manuel Antonio National Park, Plan to spend the entire day here, where you’ll find plenty of hiking trails and exotic animals. What’s more, the park is home to not one, but three separate beaches! Get here early and negotiate a good price for a guide – they’re trained to help us unobservant folk find the animals. After you’ve hiked for a while, head to the beautiful Playa Manuel Antonio within the park and bask in the warm water. Keep a close eye on your belongings – the raccoons and monkeys aren’t afraid to pounce. All the detailed information about Manuel Antonio National Park can be found in this post.

Things to bring: day pack, hiking sandals, swimwear, a towel, lunch, water, sunscreen, and the strongest mosquito repellent you can buy.

For dinner, head toSancho’s Tacosfor some delicious and inexpensive Mexican food.

Day 7:Alajuela / San Jose

Read the complete guide to Alajuelahere.

Day 7 depends entirely on when you’re flying home. If you’re flying home early that day, drive to San Jose / Alajuela the night before. I recommend staying in Alajuela since it’s much closer to the airport. If your flight is that evening or the next day, then head over to Alajuela early in the morning. From there, you can take a day trip – I recommend Volcan Poas and the Waterfall Gardens.

There you have it: the perfect Costa Rica 7 day itinerary. And there’s really only one way to end your trip: start planning your return! What’s not to love about that Pura Vida lifestyle?

Where to Stay in Costa Rica

Note: My recommendations for each city are listed below, but check out some great deals via the below search box!

Alajuela / San Jose

We stayed atthis Airbnbin Alajuela. GetAirbnb credit as a first timerhere. If you’d rather stay in San Jose, my recommendations are below:

• Backpack:Mi Casa Hostel|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Save:Studio Hotel|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Luxury:AC Hotel|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay

La Fortuna

• Backpack:Castillo del Arenal|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Save:Hotel Rancho Cerro Azul|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Luxury:Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay

Monteverde

• Backpack:Cabinas Eddy|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Save:Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Luxury:Monteverde Lodge and Gardens|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay

Manuel Antonio / Quepos

• Backpack:Millennium Hostels Manuel Antonio|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Save:Hotel Plaza Yara|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay
• Luxury:Parador Resort and Spa|Read Tripadvisorreviews|Book a Stay

Things to Pack for One Week in Costa Rica

I was surprised to find that traveling to an outdoorsy tropical destination requires some specialty items, which I’ve included below. Also,click hereto see which items are always in my suitcase, no matter the destination!

• Hiking sandals: they may be ugly, but they’re certainly versatile! Not only did I wear them for every hike I took in Costa Rica, but I also wore them at the beach as well.
• Waterproof jacket:It rains a lot in Costa Rica – especially if you’re there during rainy season. This jacket is lightweight and breathable but keeps you dry. It also fits into its own pouch to make packing lightly that much easier.
• Temperature regulating t-shirts:No matter what the season, you’ll want at least one basic temperature regulating shirt, likethis one. This T is specially made to be moisture-wicking, anti-odor, and offer SPF protection. Plus, it doesn’t look like an exercise top but still offers a lot of the benefits of high-performance clothing. It’s cute enough to be dressed up with a cardigan or nice scarf. If you decide you love these shirts and want more, trythis one.
• Moisture-wicking pants: Costa Rica is tropical which means it’s humid AF and there are tons of mosquitos. The best pants to get for this kind of weather are both quick-dry and lightweight. I recommend these that are great for both hiking and just regular traveling but you can also browse all youroptions at REI.
• Sunscreen: The kind that is both lightweight AND doesn’t sweat off your face! For everyday use, I useNeutrogena Clear Face Sunscreenbecause my skin is prone to acne. Theoriginal Neutrogena sunscreenis just as good if acne is a non-issue. Neither will leave your skin feeling gross and greasy. For the rest of me, I use the solid body stick, which works well. My friends who dive told me that the chemicals in sunscreen are really bad for the ocean though, so if you’re going swimming, they recommendAll Good Sunscreen, which is safe for reefs and the planet. The more you know!
• Insect repelling clothing: YEAH, that’s a thing! I wish I’d known before I went to Costa Rica. Honestly, you might think you won’t need it but this is a purchase I wish I’d made. Check out this men’s shirt and this women’s shirt.
• Insect repellent: Don’t think you can get away with wimpy insect repellent…the mosquitos in Costa Rica are vicious! THIS is the best ones to ward off those bites.
• Permethrin insect spray: Before you go to Costa Rica, treat all your clothing with Permethrin, a magical spray that makes your clothing repel insects (and doesn’t stick to your skin!).
• Trip Insurance: A lot can go wrong when you travel which is why I always recommend getting trip insurance. World Nomads is my go-to company.
• Power bank:I don’t know if I’m a phone addict or what (jk, the answer to that is an unfortunate but resounding yes) but I legit don’t understand how people can travel without a power bank. You’re out and about all day and using your phone to navigate, take photos, and who knows what else. I always carry myAnker PowerCorewhile I’m out. It’s light, holds multiple charges, and charges phones quickly. Win!
• An eSIM:Once upon a time, I used to collect SIM cards like 90’s kids collected Beanie Babies. I had one for each country I visited and multiple phone numbers I could never remember. Why? So I could always have internet (I’m an addict and I know it). Nowadays, I use aneSIM. I get internet pretty much everywhere and can use it for multiple devices. Plus, I get to keep my actual number and contacts in my phone. Win!
• Waterproof dry bag or day pack(water resistant):Not only does it rain a lot, but Costa Rica is notoriously humid. Keep your valuables in a waterproof bag to avoid any kind of water damage. These are especially useful for hiking or water activities.
• Waterproof phone pouch: If you want to take photos of your excursions underwater or just generally keep your phone dry and handy, this a must-have item!
• Waterproof camera: Costa Rica is all about outdoor activities in the elements, and having a device that can capture your moments no matter the weather is a must!GoPro is the go-to camera for adventure enthusiasts and the best in the market. Plus, it’s waterproof without a case!
• Insulated water bottle: Keep your liquids colder for longer. Nothing beats a cold drink of water after trekking through the national park!
• Microfiber towel: Microfiber towels are a must-have for any outdoorsy trip. They dry significantly faster than regular towels are much more lightweight, too. Plus, this one comes with a bonus hand towel, which is perfect for hikes!
• Portable clothesline: This is super handy for hanging swimwear, towels, and other gear to dry. Not only does it come with built-in clothespins, but it’s also easy to hook both indoors and outdoors.
• Hand Sanitizer and face wipes: Costa Rica is hot and humid, which means you’ll be sweaty and gross pretty much the whole time. Fun! Face wipesor baby wipes will help you stay refreshed and cleanish, whilehand sanitizer is useful for general…er, sanitizing. Especially if a bathroom isn’t handy.
• Travel First Aid Kit:I love that thistravel first aid kitis small enough to stick in your bag but still has tons of items in it. I’d remove the scissors if you aren’t planning to check your luggage, but otherwise, this is incredibly handy, especially if you’re going to be doing outdoorsy things.
• Carry on backpack: Of course, no packing list is complete without a carry on to keep all your essentials. TheTortuga Outbreaker Backpackis hands down the best backpack I’ve ever used for travel. Not only is it carry-on sized, but it’s also incredibly comfortable and easy to carry, even for a small-framed person like me. It has tons of pockets and compartments for organization, lockable zippers, and it’s weather resistant. If you don’t think you can handle packing in a carry-on, theOsprey Fairview 70 Backpackis just as comfortable but a lot larger. Costa Rica is not really conducive to wheeled suitcases.

Check out the complete Costa Rica packing list here!

Don’t forget to rent aeSIMfor the road. It’s much easier than buying a local SIM, and it means you don’t have to worry about bad WiFi. Get 15% off your rental with code PASSPORT&PLATES! | Read my review here.

Other Practical Tips

Visas

U.S. passport holders don’t need a visa to visit Costa Rica but they do need a return ticket out of the country. Note: you may need to pay a departure tax at the airport when you’re leaving if the fee isn’t included in your ticket. The cost is $29 per person, payable in USD or colones.

Renting a Car in Costa Rica

If you aren’t taking a tour, the best way to get around Costa Rica is to rent a car, especially if you’re planning on visiting more than just one city. If you’re planning to only visit Manuel Antonio, you don’t really one.

Renting a car in Costa Rica isn’t cheap because there’s mandatory in-country car insurance and other fees, which can oftentimes cost more than renting the car itself. I like using Expediato compare costs before renting. In the case of Costa Rica, read the fine print carefully when booking online. If you’d like to know more about the policies and fees regarding car rental in Costa Rica, I recommend this article.

Currency

The official Costa Rican currency is colones. At the time of updating this post, USD $1 equals about ₡608. US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, but often at a fixed rate of about $1 to ₡500, so you lose a little money by using USD exclusively. This is not the case in restaurants, large grocery stores, or hotels that use exact rates but it’s true for smaller shops, cabs, etc. Credit cards are widely accepted, so I recommend bringing a no-fee travel card and some USD with you for smaller purchases. Make sure you bring your patience and your passport with you to the bank to exchange money: it’s where you’ll get the best exchange rate but the lines are long.

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

Mid-December to April is the dry season, so that’s the best time to visit if you want good weather. The downside of visiting then is that it’s when Costa Rica is the most crowded and the most expensive. If a little rain doesn’t bother you, traveling during rainy season (May – November) can save you money on accommodation and tours.

More Costa Rica Resources

Planning a trip to Costa Rica soon? Check out ALL my posts on Costa Rica below:

• Costa Rica Travel Guide
• The Perfect Costa Rica Itinerary for One Week: 7 Days of Pura Vida
• The Best Day Trips from San Jose, Costa Rica: 13 Things to Do Near San Jose and Alajuela
• 17+ Awesome Things to do in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (On a Budget)
• 8 Best Things to Do in Monteverde, Costa Rica for First-Time Visitors
• 10 Best Things to Do in La Fortuna and Arenal, Costa Rica for First-Time Visitors

Tell me: have you ever been to Costa Rica? Which city was your favorite? Share in the comments below!

Like it? Pin it now, read it later!