Spend 2 Weeks in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a wonderland! Give yourself a generous amount of time to explore it with this two-week itinerary, where you’ll experience the best of the Costa Rica’s outdoor recreation, immerse yourself in the culture, encounter wildlife, and relax on the beach. Read on for a local take on what to do in two weeks:
Day 1: Río Pacuare
Kick off your trip with big thrills and dramatic jungle landscape on a white-water rafting tour down the secluded Río Pacuare. The Class III and IV rapids will have you shouting Costa Rica’s catchphrase—“pura vida!”—with elation as you brave them between narrow canyons, beside tall waterfalls, and at the base of mountains. With departures from San José, onward transportation to La Fortuna, and complimentary breakfast and lunch, this all-inclusive excursion makes getting from the airport zone to the northern inland area both fun and effortless and provides a first full vacation day that is truly unforgettable.
Day 2: La Fortuna
Welcome to the epicenter of adventure! Cross off multiple bucket list experiences at La Fortuna, home to several of Costa Rica’s top nature and adventure experiences and the eye-catching conical Volcán Arenal. On your first day at this action-packed destination, rent a car from a local agency and set out to explore the lush rainforest from top to bottom. Start with a morning walk across hanging bridges that cut through leafy rainforest canopy at the Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Then head to the picturesque Catarata Río Fortuna, but stop for a plateful of traditional Costa Rican food at Soda Víquez or a plant-based meal at The Green Spoon on the way. Take the rest of the day to swim in the waterfall’s river, take photos, and admire the grand rainforest at ground level. For dinner, fill up on food at Don Rufino Restaurante, a steak house.
Day 3: La Fortuna
Ready yourself for the rush of adrenaline that comes with zip-lining above the rainforest on the foothills of a volcano. Sign up for the experience at the Arenal Sky Adventures Park, where the zip-line circuit features panoramic volcano, lake, and rainforest views. In the afternoon and evening, offset the day’s exhilaration with sublime relaxation at the elegant Springs Resort & Spa. Hop between the resort’s many hot spring pools and lagoons to soak in rejuvenating thermal water at varying temperatures. Grab a casual lunch at Soda La Palma on your way to the resort and splurge on a meal at one of the resort’s on-site restaurants at dinnertime.
Day 4: La Fortuna
Take this day to explore an attraction outside of La Fortuna. Go hiking at Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio to lay your eyes on the striking blue Río Celeste, or take part in bird-watching and boating at the tranquil Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Caño Negro. Have kids in tow? Introduce them to a variety of rescued wildlife—and the benevolent actions underway to protect them—at the Proyecto Asis Wildlife and Sloth Rescue Center. Back in La Fortuna, enjoy Italian food for dinner and dessert at the quiet Anch’io Pizzeria e Ristorante.
Start planning your adventure today
Day 5: Tamarindo
Depart from La Fortuna for the Pacific coast. Make your way to the beach town of Tamarindo, but not before taking a few hours to experience a top attraction accessed from the route. If bird-watching is your thing, eye all kinds of waterfowl at Parque Nacional Palo Verde. Alternatively, pop into Catarata Llanos del Cortés to go swimming, or detour up to Rincón de la Vieja to check out a ranch or adventure park. If you’d rather see a luxurious corner of Costa Rica, explore Peninsula Papagayo. Arrive at Tamarindo in time to watch the sunset, ideally while parked on Playa Tamarindo with a sangria in your hand from TABÚ. Dine by the water’s edge, casually at Nogui’s or more formally at the Pangas Beach Club. After dark, savor a cocktail or mocktail at CATA.
Day 6: Tamarindo
Feeling lazy? For most of this day, do nothing but lounge on the beach, soak up sunrays, and stroll and shop along Tamarindo’s main drag. Eat a plateful of home-style traditional food at Soda Buffet El Estero or plant-based food at the Flora Vegan Café. Midafternoon, muster up the energy to go horseback riding at the Black Stallion Eco Park to see a glorious sunset from a hilltop and feast on a hearty buffet dinner. After dark, embrace the destination’s lively nightlife with dancing at the Crazy Monkey Bar, if you’re in town on a Friday, or drinks at the Lizard Lounge.
Day 7: Tamarindo
Dedicate this day to exploring the water on a day trip taken from Tamarindo. Advanced-level surfers, sign up for an unforgettable surf tour to the legendary breaks Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point. Experienced scuba divers, take a dive tour to either Islas Murcielago or Islas Catalina, two famed dive sites. For a more relaxing day, hop between Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, and Playa Puerto Viejo, a string of beaches that are suitable for swimming. On your final evening in Tamarindo, be at the beachfront El Vaquero Pub to catch another spectacular sunset and cool off with a pre-dinner ale, then retreat to the Dragonfly Bar & Grill to enjoy a fantastic meal and possibly some live music.
Day 8: Monteverde
Take the morning to travel from Tamarindo to Monteverde. Along the way, note the landscape’s enchanting transition from dry-forest-backed beaches along the coast to mountainous slopes blanketed by verdant cloud forest. After settling in, eat a fresh light lunch at Orchid Coffee. In the afternoon, take a farm tour to learn how coffee and other products grow in Costa Rica, and to meet friendly locals who take pleasure in sharing their rural traditions with visitors. Carry the warmth of their hospitality into the evening with a lovely dinner at Ristorante e Pizzeria Tramonti.
Day 9: Monteverde
Wake up to the invigorating natural chorus that echoes the cloud forest’s rich biodiversity. Set out to explore the misty ecosystem on foot, possibly see some of its resident wildlife, and connect with nature mindfully. Let the peaceful stately Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso de Santa Elena humble you while hiking the nature trails that thread the dense reserve. When hunger strikes, eat lunch at The Open Kitchen, then spend the afternoon exploring one of Monteverde’s other nature reserves or relaxing at your hotel. Bookend the day with cloud forest immersion by delighting in the multicourse gourmet dinner constructed by the San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience; the meal is served in a glass box tucked away in the trees.
Day 10: Monteverde
If you enjoyed zip-lining in La Fortuna, double your fun by experiencing the thrill again, in Monteverde. At this destination, the aerial views of wild cloud forest-wrapped terrain and the rare opportunity to go zip-lining through clouds provide new experiences. Discover them at the Treetopia Park. Give yourself anywhere from a few hours to a full day at the park, depending on if you also want to explore the on-site hanging bridges or challenge yourself to an amusing obstacle course in the forest. For dinner, chomp on international food at the Choco Café, and don’t leave without indulging in one of the café’s sumptuous desserts.
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Day 11: Manuel Antonio
Travel leisurely from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio and enjoy the scenic trip. Marvel at the valley views on full display while you descend the mountainous inland area, and the ocean views that appear as you approach the Pacific coast. Pull over at the Crocodile Bridge to spy on a group of crocodiles basking on a riverbank. Make another stop at the roadside Parque Nacional Carara to stretch your legs with some gentle hiking and try your luck at spotting scarlet macaws and other remarkable avifauna. Pop into downtown Jacó to have lunch at the Green Room. Later, in Manuel Antonio, go for an early dinner at a hillside restaurant such as Mi Lugar or El Lagarto, where the setting sun provides a magnificent backdrop for a relaxing dining experience.
Day 12: Manuel Antonio
Dedicate much of this day to searching for—and successfully spotting—Manuel Antonio’s abundant wildlife. Start at Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, where monkeys and sloths make regular appearances. Walk the park’s nature trails to see additional wildlife but also give yourself time to relax at the park’s stunning beaches, including Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur. Midday, break for lunch at El Patio de Café Milagro, then carry on with the quest to find fauna at Isla Damas. Spend a few hours boating or kayaking through the mangroves to see the wildlife that resides among the ecosystem’s showy root system and brackish waters. Celebrate the day’s wondrous discoveries with an elevated dinner at La Luna.
Day 13: Manuel Antonio
Carve out this day to take a relaxing road trip down the coast to the Costa Ballena. Visit Cataratas Nauyaca first to ease into the day with the sight of a beautiful two-tiered waterfall and a swim in its calm pool. Eat lunch in Dominical at the riverside Café Mono Congo, then make your way to Parque Nacional Marino Ballena in Uvita. Walk out into the Pacific Ocean on the whale-tail sandbar if it’s low tide, or take a whale-watching boat tour if it’s whale season. If your visit doesn’t coincide with either of these events, spend a few hours lounging and swimming at one of the Costa Ballena’s beaches, such as Playa Uvita inside the park or Playa Ventanas outside of the park. Eat an early dinner in Ojochal, known for its cuisine, at one of several revered restaurants, like Citrus.
Day 14: Manuel Antonio
In the morning, take a pleasant sailing, snorkeling, and dolphin-watching tour that showcases the region’s diverse landscape. The multilayered masterpiece composed of mountains and volcanoes, forest-filled hills, and beach-lined coastline perfectly illustrates Costa Rica’s multifarious appeal; salute your time in the country by taking a moment to reflect on all that it has given you. Although lunch is included with the tour, don’t leave Manuel Antonio before treating yourself to a delectable dessert and one more spectacular ocean view at the hillside Emilio’s Café. In the afternoon, travel back to the airport zone, and don’t fault yourself for dreaming about a return trip already. You’ve hit the highlights, but there is plenty more of Costa Rica to explore and love.
What to read next…
More adventures await
Pin it for later
