1 week vacation in costa rica
Travel Costa Rica at last, doesn’t it? WHO is that excited? Umm…it may be me. Frankly, I’ve never been attracted to any country but always eager to visit the country I’ve never been. Is that crazy? In some strange way, I guess so. Anyways, it’s nice to express how traveling costa rica would be a fabulous experience for anyone. Vacations can make you re-evaluate your life, or at least your career. But so many of us find it hard to actually take time off. I decided to make the time and get away for a week. My wife and I decided on Costa Rica because we thought it would be warm and relaxing. Or at least in our minds…
One Week Vacation in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country with diverse natural attractions, from rainforests to dry tropical forests, beaches, mountain ranges and more. Costa Rica’s climate allows for a variety of activities all year long. The capital city of San Jose has many museums and art galleries to explore. The Caribbean coast offers beautiful beaches and plenty of water sports opportunities. The Pacific coast has excellent surfing spots as well as calm white sand beaches.
Costa Rica is a great place to go for a vacation. There are so many things to do there, from hiking to zip lining, from surfing to scuba diving, that you’ll never run out of things to do. The weather is nice all year round, so you won’t have to worry about having a horrible time because it’s too hot or too cold outside.
If you’re looking for somewhere warm and sunny, then Costa Rica is definitely the place for you! If you’re not sure what kind of activities are available in Costa Rica, then check out some of these suggestions:
*Go snorkeling on the beaches! There are plenty of spots around where you can rent equipment and head out onto the water by yourself or with friends. You’ll be able to see schools of fish swimming around under your feet as well as other sea creatures like turtles and dolphins if they happen by while you’re there too!
*Go hiking through one of many national parks throughout Costa Rica like Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve or Corcovado National Park where there are hundreds (if not thousands) of miles worth exploring all over these areas alone!
costa rica itinerary 5 days
Although 5 days in Costa Rica may not sound like much time, the small size of this Central American country (equal to West Virginia or Denmark) means a 5-day tour to Costa Rica is still long enough to experience many of its most extraordinary sights. Spanning pristine protected jungle, stunning beaches, wondrous waterways, and mesmerizing misty mountains, you certainly won’t regret a 5-day trip to Costa Rica. Check out our top picks of Costa Rica itineraries for 4 and 5 days below!
5 DAYS IN COSTA RICA: JUNGLE AND ISLANDS EXPEDITION
| Day 1 | Arrival and free time in San Jose |
| Day 2 | Catamaran tour to Tortuga Island |
| Day 3 | Enjoy the hot springs around Arenal Volcano National Park |
| Day 4 | Raft and zipline your way around Arenal Volcano National Park |
| Day 5 | Return to San Jose |
Arrive at the Costa Rican capital of San Jose and explore the city taking time to explore the top sights such as the Central Market and the National Theatre. After some free time in the urban jungle of San Jose, head to the country’s Pacific Coast and board a luxury catamaran for a day trip from San Jose to the beautiful Tortuga Island, home to white-sand beaches and warm shallows that are just perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Back on land, you’ll be able to experience the natural hot springs that surround the soaring peak of Arenal Volcano, before exploring the area up close by ziplining from tree to tree, and rafting 12 kilometers of the Sarapiqui River — from Hacienda to Chilamate. See tour
COSTA RICA IN 5 DAYS: VOLCANOS AND RAINFORESTS
| Day 1 | Explore plantations and landscapes on route to Arenal Volcano |
| Day 2 | Hike through the jungle of Arenal Volcano National Park |
| Day 3 | Wildlife spotting in Monteverde Cloud Forest |
| Day 4 | Trekking through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve |
| Day 5 | Return to San Jose |
This 5-day Costa Rica vacation package takes in two of the country’s finest protected areas. Start the tour from San Jose, reaching La Fortuna by the afternoon which provides a chance to explore the town. The next day starts with a tour to Arenal Volcano National Park. It may be named for its predominant volcanic peak, rising high over the surrounding land to form spectacular vistas, but it also offers visitors naturally-heated hot springs and incredible hikes through the jungles of its flanks. The misty mountains of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve then provide another magical experience, crisscrossed with walking trails and wildlife spotting opportunities while getting the best ziplining experience in Costa Rica. See tour
4 DAYS IN COSTA RICA: THE BLISS OF OSA PENINSULA
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sierpe |
| Day 2 | Enjoy a guided tour of Corcovado National Park |
| Day 3 | Boat tour to Cano Island |
| Day 4 | Bid goodbye to Corcovado National Park |
Take a shuttle transfer to Sierpe and from there an hour’s scenic boat ride to Drake Bay where you’ll spend your first night. This trip takes you to Corcovado National Park in Osa Peninsula where you will go on guided hike through a tropical ecosystem that is among the most diverse on earth. Pass along beaches, mangrove swamps and rainforest and watch for scarlet macaws and squirrel monkeys. Take a boat to Cano Island, which was once an ancient burial site, and snorkel in some of the bluest waters in the country where you’ll enjoy many spectacular sights including coral reefs, sharks, turtles and stingrays. Didn’t think a 4-day tour in Costa Rica will be enough? This trip says you can! See tour
5-DAY ADVENTURE IN COSTA RICA: EXPLORE TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
| Day 1 | Arrive in San Jose |
| Day 2 | Boat rides and turtle spotting in Tortuguero National Park |
| Day 3 | Tour the canals of Tortuguero |
| Day 4 | Free time in San Jose |
| Day 5 | Depart Costa Rica |
Only reachable by boat or plane, Tortuguero National Park encompasses a rich landscape of Caribbean Coast beaches and jungle-clad waterways just waiting to be explored. During two full days in the park, you’ll have every opportunity to discover the region and its wildlife for yourself, starting with turtle spotting on the beaches on your first evening in the park. You’ll also take to the waters by boat, the perfect way to try and catch sight of the park’s impressive species list, which includes manatee, jaguar, and caiman. See tour
There’s nowhere quite like Costa Rica, and even with just 5 days, it is possible to get a perfect introduction to all the country has to offer. But if you can, extend your 5-day itinerary in Costa Rica by a few days and enjoy the country to the max. Check out our specific travel guides on 7 days, 10 days, and 14 days in Costa Rica for more ideas.
Make sure to go through our other travel guide to get an idea on how many days to spend in Costa Rica, when is the best time to visit, which places to visit in the country, and what to do while there.
how many days in costa rica
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY IN COSTA RICA?
We recommend spending 10 days to two weeks in Costa Rica, as this timeframe will give you enough time to cover all the major highlights while also including time for traveling from one destination to another. A two-week Costa Rica itinerary will guarantee you see everything the country has to offer.
However, if you just can’t swing two weeks, remember that the country packs in a lot for its small size, meaning a Costa Rica travel itinerary of 3 to 5 days is plenty of time to get around and see all the main sights without feeling rushed or like you’re missing out. In a span of just a few days, you can combine up to two destinations in your travel itinerary. Since Costa Rica is a small country, you won’t spend a lot of time traveling as many popular destinations are only separated by 3–4 hours on the road. Extend your 5-day Costa Rica trip to a week-long adventure in the country and you can linger a little longer in a favorite destination