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As you can probably guess, traveling through Costa Rica without a plan is a good idea, but only if you have a lot of time. Then you can throw yourself into the adventure. In any other case, an itinerary for Costa Rica is a must for every visitor. Here you can find the most basic plan for a short 7-day visit to Costa Rica.
Why Plan a Costa Rica Trip Itinerary in Advance?
There are so wonderful destinations to see that really sound an impressive itinerary for Costa Rica is necessary to enjoy things to the fullest. While spur-of-the-moment gallivanting can be fun, with so much diversity in activities spread across a multitude of landscapes, it is just as easy to feel confused when not having some sort of plan. A detailed 7-Day Costa Rica itinerary allows you less time for planning during the trip and more time to savor the actual experience. Furthermore, reserving your tours and excursions in advance will both guarantee your spot and earn you an exemption from standing in long queues.
7-Day Costa Rica Itinerary: A Perfect Introduction to Costa Rica
You are very short on time and are actually just passing through. Nevertheless, you want to get a taste of Costa Rica, and this 7-day itinerary is the perfect option. The route offers some of Costa Rica’s most important attractions, which are not too far apart. Remember that in Costa Rica, even the best-laid travel itineraries can be overtaken by life – weather conditions, road accidents, or a flat tire.

Day 1-2: Arenal & La Fortuna
You will start your adventure in the famous La Fortuna region, home to the Arenal volcano. You will spend the first two days on interesting landscape tours of the area, going to the hot springs for a swim and visiting the La Fortuna waterfall. You will take an exciting sightseeing flight over the lush green canopies on a zip line or go kayaking on Lake Arenal.
Day 3-4: Monteverde Cloud Forest
The next destination for you will be Monteverde which lives really well to its reputation as a meeting point for true lovers of nature. You will be taking walks across suspension bridges in the rainforest and going on a night tour to see creatures emerging at night. Monteverde is very biodiverse, so people might have to hire a guide to see some unique species, like the magnificent quetzal.
Day 5-7: Manuel Antonio National Park
You will be at one of the most popular parks, Manuel Antonio, at the end of your trip in Costa Rica. It consists of lush forests, untouched beaches and many wild animals such as sloths, monkeys and colorful tropical birds. After 7 days, you can spend the last few days relaxing on the beach, boating and hiking on beautiful trails within the park.
We will create a customized itinerary for you!
Are you planning a trip to Costa Rica? Well, we are a local travel agency and we specialize in taking individuals and groups on amazing vacations. Whether you want to lay on the beach, wander through the jungle, or do both, we will work with you to develop a tailored system that fits your vibe. We’ll arrange everything from your route to your accommodation and activities, so all you need to do is show up and enjoy the adventure; all this and much more is right here on this page.
I’m personally aware that planning a trip to a country you’ve never visited (once not knowing even the language) is an overwhelming task itself. It takes time, energy, and so much research to make sure that everything works out in order. Over the years, I’ve arranged not just trips to Costa Rica but also exploratory expeditions to some pretty wild and remote places like Kyrgyzstan, Abkhazia, and the deserts of Morocco. I know what the process takes in running all the minute details, and that is just what I would do for you in dealing with your Costa Rica travel plan. Whether you are planning on traveling individually, as a couple, or in a group, I would like to ensure that the experience is easy, convenient, and unforgettable. Read here for all our Costa Rica travel plans: Personalized travel itineraries for Costa Rica
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
One of the main things to consider before traveling to Costa Rica is that it should be the best time to visit the country. Although it is a year-round destination, the peak tourist season is usually from December to April. The sun shines brightly as these months are best for outdoor excursions as well as beach leisure. However, if you want to do this on a lesser crowd and find out the best deals, plan your 7-Day Costa Rica Itinerary over the time of the rainy season, between May and November. Although the country will be all lush green and teeming with wildlife, it indeed would be the perfect time to explore Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Itinerary Options by Duration
You may say that this plan is incomplete or that it is better to visit other places. And of course you will be right, because 7 days is definitely not enough to see Costa Rica. However, the selected attractions are not too far apart and allow you to see Costa Rica at least in part. It would be much better if you had 10 or 14 days available for your trip to Costa Rica. See my 10-day itinerary for traveling in Costa Rica, and if you have two whole weeks, be sure to check out my 14-day Costa Rica itinerary.