You may be looking to plan a trip in Costa Rica and think it looks a bit smaller than the state of West Virginia, should be able to cover it all in a few days. The key to the perfect Costa Rica itinerary is to think about the topography of this volcano-lined country with dense jungle. Always start out by routing your destinations with Google Maps because it may take a lot longer to drive from one place to another. We planned to stay about a week (9 days total) and with this Costa Rica itinerary we were able to survey the country but felt a bit rushed at times.
Day 1: San Jose
Land at the capital of San Jose and spend the night to reset. Then spend the morning exploring the city’s historic core, then hit the road to get to the beach by sunset! See: A Day in San Jose: History & Color in the Capital
Day 2: Manuel Antonio
Visit an amazing national park where jungle meets sea and there are sloths abound! An easy day-trip from Jaco, or stay nearby at Quepos. See: A Day at Manuel Antonio: So Many Sloths!
Day 3: Jaco
We used Jaco as a basecamp for two nights. The beach has great surf for both beginners and amateurs, but is definitely more seedy party scene than serene beach town. See: A Day in Jaco: Surf’s Up!
Day 4/5: Arenal
Spent two nights within two miles of the iconic Arenal Volcano. Other nearby sites include Poas Volcano and La Foruna Waterfall. See: Volcano Views at Arenal Observatory Lodge
Day 6: Monteverde
The Cloud Forest is another must-see and a great place to go ziplining. See: A Day in Monteverde: A Zip in the Clouds and Permaculture in Action at Monteverde Inn.
Day 7: Playa Hermosa
A lovely beachfront with glorious sunsets and calm, warm waters. A great last night before flying out of Liberia.
What’s your Costa Rica itinerary? Any major sites I should go back for?