One Week in Costa Rica: Practical Itinerary to See the Highlights

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. The people of Costa Rica live this motto each day and it will be apparent when you visit.

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. One week in Costa Rica is not enough time to see it all but will give you a taste of what the country offers.

Follow this one-week itinerary to prioritize where to visit, where to stay and the activities you cannot miss. This 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.

For more bucket-list trip ideas, check out my ultimate luxury travel bucket list.

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

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.

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.

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 correspondence with 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.

Costa Rica in 1 Week

Day 1: Arrive in San Jose, drive to Manuel Antonio

2: Manuel Antonio, national park tour, mangrove night tour

3: Drive to La Fortuna, stop in Jaco and crocodile bridge

4: ATV tour, hot springs

5: Horseback riding, river float

6: Ziplining in mountains

7: Fly home from San Jose

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.

To get to Manuel Antonio, drive 2.5 hours from San Jose. This route is primarily modern highway and a low-stress drive. Forego any site seeing on this drive to save it for the longer next leg of the journey.

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 (~$150 per night)

Hotel Mariposa is a stunning property located on the jagged cliffs just outside of Manuel Antonio National Park. All rooms have at least a partial ocean view which is a must when visiting this beautiful coast.

The hotel also has a fantastic restaurant, bar, and pool setup. Le Papillon restaurants serves wonderful, fresh seafood dishes with panoramic views of the ocean. The pool is a great place to relax after a long day of exploring.

Luxury Option: Los Altos Resort (~$350 per night)

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 Manuel Antonio National Park

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

In the morning, set out on a day tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. You will be picked up from your hotel and transported to the entrance of the park. Note: do not pack any snacks, they are not allowed in the park for the safety of the animals.

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. Some other items to bring are water bottle, sunscreen, swimsuit, binoculars and a hat.

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.

Tip: Keep an eye on your belongings and do not leave anything unattended in the park. The monkeys are smart and will steal your goods if they get the opportunity. Some locals recommend keeping a stick near your bags to fend off the monkeys if necessary.

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.

Capturing photos can be tricky on a night tour of Manuel Antonio so utilize your guide for photography tips. They will use their professional lighting and binoculars to set up incredible captures.

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.

Getting from Manuel Antonio will be a long travel day with many scenic stops. The overall drive is 7 hours that passes the coast then winds through the mountains. Warning- the mountain portion of this drive is windy and may be uncomfortable for those prone to motion sickness.

Along the way, stop first at the surfing town of Jaco. This beach town is a great place to grab breakfast and watch surfers catching waves. If you have extra time, Jaco is ideal for beginner surfers to take lessons.

The next stop is Crocodile bridge. Just outside of Jaco, you will cross a bridge and be surrounded by signs about the crocodiles. Park on the side of the road and walk to the middle of the bridge for clear views of the giant crocodiles below.

The rest of the drive does not have any specific stops but be sure to pull over to capture the sprawling views of the lush mountains. These quick stops are perfect to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

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 ($250 per night)

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 ($600+ per night)

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).

This property goes above and beyond in all ways. The rooms are luxurious with gorgeous jungle and mountain views. The 15 natural and artificial hot springs are relaxing and beautiful. I recommend spending each night exploring the hot springs to wind down after a long day of exploring.

The Springs resort has 5 restaurants. Try to taste all five because they are all delicious. The fine dining restaurant features amazing steaks and wines with an incredible panoramic view. The breakfast buffet features the best, fresh food with a highlight being the fresh fruit juicing station.

The best aspect of The Springs Resort as Spa is the plethora of activities offered in-house. The activities 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.

What to do in La Fortuna Costa Rica

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

On day one, plan to spend the morning on an ATV ride and the afternoon back at your hotel. If you are staying at the Springs Resort and spa, take advantage of their in-house ATV trip. You will embark in a private group directly from the hotel on ATV’s. Then, 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 towards the hotel, 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.

If you are staying at another hotel, check out this ATV tour that will bring you up close to the Arenal volcano.

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.

Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the hot springs, spa or taking advantage of other hotel amenities.

La Fortuna Horseback Riding

One day 2, plan for a full day of adventure. Spend your morning horseback riding and your afternoon floating or rafting a river.

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 have not yet interacted with locals, do this tour. Costa Rican’s are some of the nicest people in the world and a cultural experience will make your trip.

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. For information on whitewater rafting as a beginner, check out this guide.

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 view as you go. It can be easy to get caught up in being scared but the views from a zipline cannot be beat.

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.

Final Thoughts

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. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.

Guide to one week in Costa Rica to see the coast and the mountains and experience all the adventure Costa Rica has to offer.