Seven days isn't a lot of time for Costa Rica, but it's enough to see the country's three "must-do" experiences if you plan it right: volcano, cloud forest, and beach. We do this trip with travelers every week. Here's the version we'd pick.
The itinerary at a glance
- Days 1–3: La Fortuna (Arenal volcano + hot springs)
- Days 3–5: Monteverde (cloud forest + zip line)
- Days 5–7: Manuel Antonio (beach + national park)
- Day 7: Manuel Antonio → SJO airport
You arrive at SJO and leave from SJO. The route forms a loop down the country and back.
Day 1: Arrive SJO → La Fortuna
Land at SJO (San José airport) in the morning if possible. Even if your flight gets in at 2 PM, you can still make it to La Fortuna for dinner.
Private shuttle to La Fortuna (3 hours). A driver will be waiting at arrivals with your name on a sign. Stops on request — many guests ask for a Sarchí or Doka Estate coffee tour stop on the way (adds 1–2 hours).
Where to stay: Tabacón Thermal Resort or Nayara Springs if you want hot springs at your hotel. The Springs Resort for a big-resort feel. Arenal Observatory Lodge if you want a more rustic, in-the-jungle vibe with the best volcano views.
Dinner: Drop your bags, eat at the hotel or head to Don Rufino in town. Sleep early — you're jet-lagged.
See SJO to La Fortuna shuttle →
Day 2: La Fortuna full day
- Morning: Arenal Volcano hike at Arenal Volcano National Park OR Mistico Hanging Bridges (easier).
- Lunch: Soda La Parada in town — local family-run, ~$8 per person.
- Afternoon: La Fortuna Waterfall (500 steps down to the base, swim under the falls).
- Evening: Hot springs at Tabacón, Baldí, or your hotel.
- Dinner: Anch'io (Italian) or Don Rufino (Costa Rican upscale).
Day 3: La Fortuna morning → Monteverde afternoon
Morning: One more activity. Options:
- Hanging Bridges (if you didn't yesterday)
- Sloth sanctuary
- Coffee tour
- Lazy morning at hot springs
Lunch and pack up. Check out by noon.
Private shuttle La Fortuna to Monteverde (3 hours). Around the lake on Route 142. Or take the taxi-boat-taxi option (also 3 hours, more scenic).
Where to stay: Hotel Belmar (boutique, sustainable, great restaurant) or Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.
Evening: Night walk in the cloud forest. Frogs, snakes, sleeping birds — completely different from daytime. Most hotels arrange this.
See La Fortuna to Monteverde shuttle →
Day 4: Monteverde full day
- Morning: Cloud forest guided hike at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Hire a guide — you'll see 10x more wildlife than alone.
- Lunch: Treehouse Café or Stella's Bakery.
- Afternoon: Zip lining at Selvatura or Sky Adventures. CR invented zip line tourism and Monteverde has the best canopies.
- Dinner: Tramonti (Italian, wood-fired pizza) or Sabor Tico.
Day 5: Monteverde morning → Manuel Antonio afternoon
Morning: Hummingbird Gallery (free, amazing) and quick coffee shop visit.
Lunch on the road.
Private shuttle Monteverde to Manuel Antonio (4–5 hours). Down the mountain to the Pan-American highway, then south along the Pacific coast. We stop at Tárcoles bridge for everyone to see the giant crocodiles below (5-min photo stop).
Where to stay: Si Como No (mid-range boutique), Arenas del Mar (luxury, in the park), or any of the hotels on the main road into Manuel Antonio.
Sunset dinner: El Avión (an actual decommissioned C-123 plane converted into a restaurant — sunset views over the Pacific).
See Monteverde to Manuel Antonio shuttle →
Day 6: Manuel Antonio full day
- Morning: Manuel Antonio National Park. Go EARLY (park opens 7 AM, get there by 7:15) — animals are most active in the cool morning, and the park gets crowded by 9. Hire a park guide at the entrance ($25 per person, completely worth it — they spot sloths and monkeys you'd never see).
- Lunch: Park beach (Playa Manuel Antonio inside the park is one of CR's prettiest).
- Afternoon: Catamaran sunset cruise from Quepos marina. $80–100 per person. Includes drinks, snorkeling, and the most stunning sunset of the trip.
- Dinner: Ronny's Place (sunset cliff views) or Kapi Kapi (best food in town).
Day 7: Manuel Antonio → SJO airport
Morning: Last beach time at Playa Espadilla. Or, if you have time, a chocolate tour or mangrove kayak tour.
Lunch and head to SJO.
Private shuttle Manuel Antonio to SJO (3h). Plan to arrive at the airport 2.5 hours before international flights.
See Manuel Antonio to SJO shuttle →
Total cost estimate (for 2 people)
| Category | Cost | |---|---| | Private shuttles (4 transfers) | $1,000–1,100 | | Hotels (6 nights, mid-range to luxury) | $1,800–4,500 | | Activities and tours | $400–700 | | Food and drinks | $400–600 | | Total per couple | $3,500–6,800 |
Costa Rica isn't a budget destination, but the experiences are top-tier. This itinerary is the version we'd do ourselves.
What we'd change for different traveler types
With kids: Replace the Monteverde stretch with 2 more nights in La Fortuna (less driving, kid-friendly hot springs). Or skip Monteverde and go directly to Manuel Antonio for more beach time.
On a budget: Use shared shuttles instead of private (saves ~$300), stay in mid-range hotels ($120–180/night range), skip the catamaran. Doable for $1,800–2,200 per couple.
Luxury: Same itinerary but stay at Nayara Springs, Senda Monteverde, and Arenas del Mar. Add a spa day in La Fortuna. Budget $7,000+ per couple.
Adventure-focused: Replace the Monteverde stretch with a day in Tortuguero (canal kayaking + turtles). Adds logistics but worth it for nature lovers.
Pre-trip checklist
- Book all 4 shuttles in advance (1+ month out). Last-minute shuttles cost more and may not be available in high season.
- Book Manuel Antonio National Park tickets online (sells out daily — buy 1+ week in advance for high season).
- Book your sunset catamaran for Day 6.
- Make hotel restaurant reservations the day you arrive.
- Buy reef-safe sunscreen before you leave home.