2 Week Costa Rica Itinerary - 5 great ideas

One of the most biodiverse countries on earth, Costa Rica is as rich in cultural experiences as it is in wildlife. Add to that beautiful beaches and masses of outdoor adventure activities, and this Central American treasure amounts to an all-round winner. And, with multiple airlines operating non-stop flights to Costa Rica from multiple US cities, there’s never been a better time to experience pura vida in exhilarating style. Fancy heading here for a trip of a lifetime? Read on for five 2-week Costa Rica itineraries to inspire your trip.

Itinerary #1: Costa Rica Dream

We’ll kick off with might be the ultimate way to spend 14 days in Costa Rica — an aptly named Dream of Costa Rica itinerary. That said, you might want to hold fire on booking anything until you’ve read all our suggested itineraries — plenty more magic awaits below.

Itinerary overview

But first, back to a dream of a trip that kicks off in Tortuguero National Park, which is known as Costa Rica's Amazon for very good reason. 

Next stop, the Arenal volcano area, where you’ll also get to explore the majestic Monteverde Cloud Forest before heading to the coast, and later continuing to the Central Valley, where more volcanic adventures await. Keep reading for more detail.

After arriving in Costa Rica’s capital — San José — you’ll have chance to rest-up overnight before day two will see you venturing to Braulio Carrillo National Park. 

Here you’ll board a riverboat to venture into the canals of Tortuguero National Park. Given that’s there’s so much to see here, day three is also devoted to exploring the canals.

Come day four, you’ll leave Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast and travel to La Fortuna, gateway to exploring Arenal volcano.

Talking of which, day five will see you hike the volcano, and visit La Fortuna Waterfall, which happens to be one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica. 

Next, day six is given over to transferring from La Fortuna to Monteverde in spectacularly scenic style when you cross Lake Arenal by boat. 

Adventure and wildlife is in store on day seven when you’ll discover local flora and fauna on a thrilling Hanging Bridges tour of the forest.

The next segment of the trip heralds a shift in landscape and mood when you move to the Gulf of Papagayo on day eight, before day nine will have you enjoying a sublime sunset sailing and snorkeling trip. 

After an exhilarating coastal horseback ride on day ten, spend day eleven chilling out on the beach before returning to San Jose on day twelve.

Day thirteen is given over to visiting Doka Coffee Estate, Poas Volcanoes National Park, and La Paz Waterfall Garden — that a way to spend your last full day in Costa Rica. 

Want insider intel on how to plan a trip to Costa Rica? Informed by personal experience, our Content Manager has written a guide to exactly that. 

Here's a summary of this Costa Rica itinerary of 14 days:

Day 1

• Arrive in San Jose
• Overnight in San Jose

Day 2

• Transfer from San Jose to Tortuguero by river boat
• Overnight in Tortuguero

Day 3

• Full day exploring Tortuguero Canals
• Overnight in Tortuguero

Day 4

• Transfer from Tortuguero to La Fortuna.
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day 5

• Visit La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Volcano National Park
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day 6

• Cross Lake Arenal as you transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day 7

• Take a Hanging Bridges tour
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day 8

• Transfer from Monteverde to Gulf Papagayo
• Overnight in Gulf Papagayo

Day 9 

• Take a snorkelling trip and sunset sailing tour
• Overnight in Gulf Papagayo

Day 10

• Go horseback riding on the beach
• Overnight in Gulf Papagayo

Day 11

• Leisure day
• Overnight in Gulf Papagayo

Day 12

• Transfer from the Gulf of Papagayo to Alajuela
• Overnight in Alajuela

Day 13

• Visit Volcano Poas and take a coffee and waterfall tour 
• Overnight in Alajuela

Day 14

• Depart San Jose

Interested? Book this trip now.

Don't have that much time? Our 7-day Costa Rica itineraries may be more suitable for you.

Itinerary 2: Costa Rica Eco Adventure

It’s true to say Costa Rica has been blazing a sustainable trail for decades, long before it become a buzzword. 

As a result, it’ll come as no surprise that Costa Rica is the perfect place to travel better, with this eco-adventure itinerary presenting lush jungles, tropical beaches and wildlife-rich national parks as its jaw-dropping backdrop.

Itinerary overview

The adventure starts almost as soon as you arrive in San Jose on day one, when you’ll be met by your guide to move to Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort  — your home for the next couple of nights.

Come day two, you’ll hike trails, enjoy a local lunch and soak up spectacular scenery before flying to Puerto Jimenez on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast on day three. You’ll stay in El Remanso Lodge, which is part of the awe-inspiring Osa Peninsula National Refuge. 

On day four, you’ll get to explore the rainforest by day and night to see the full breadth of wildlife that call this incredible area home, with day five also offering an early morning nature tour that’ll have you visiting pastureland and forest to see monkeys, sloths, coatis and a whole lot more. 

Next, you’ll transfer to Manuel Antonio on day six. Known for its beaches, this national park is also a dream destination for wildlife lovers, with a nature walk set to reveal its magic on day seven.

Sea adventures are on the cards for day eight, when you’ll go on a kayak trip from the pier in Quepos to see secret coves and sea birds. Meanwhile, you’ll return to the water on day nine to enjoy a a catamaran cruise.

On day ten, you’ll transfer to the Central Valley and stay overnight in El Silencio Lodge and Spa. Flanked by two national parks, you’ll spend the next few days exploring trails and learning about the cloud forest eco-system.

You’ll also get the chance to participate in the lodge’s plant a tree project to support Costa Rica’s re-forestation program, and learn about organic and sustainable farming practices.

Day thirteen will see you return to San Jose, ready to depart on day fourteen.

See the bullet point list version of this 14 days itinerary:

Day 1

• Arrive in San Jose
• Transfer to Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort 

Day 2

• Visit Poás volcano and the La Paz Waterfall Garden 
• Overnight in Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort 

Day 3

• Fly to Puerto Jimenez
• Overnight in El Remanso Lodge

Day 4

• Day and night rainforest tours
• Overnight in El Remanso Lodge

Day 5

• Early morning nature tour 
• Overnight in El Remanso Lodge

Day 6

• Transfer to Manuel Antonio
• Overnight in Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort

Day 7

• Nature walk in Manuel Antonio National Park
• Overnight in Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort

Day 8

• Go kayaking and snorkeling
• Overnight in Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort

Day 9

• Catamaran cruise
• Overnight in Manuel Antonio

Day 10

• Transfer to the Central Valley
• Overnight in El Silencio Lodge and Spa 

Day 11

• Enjoy a cloud forest adventure
• Overnight in El Silencio Lodge and Spa 

Day 12

• Particpate in the plant a tree programme
• Overnight in El Silencio Lodge and Spa 

Day 13

• Return to San Jose
• Overnight in San Jose

Day 14

• Depart San Jose

Ready to pack your bags? Book this trip now.

Just starting to plan your trip? Find out how many days are best to spend in Costa Rica depending on your goals.

Itinerary 3: Costa Rica Coast to Coast

To take in a huge diversity of Costa Rica — from paradisiacal beaches to magical rainforests — this two-week trip will see you venture from the calm Caribbean Sea to the wild Pacific, with a whole lot of nature, wildlife and adventure experiences in between.

Itinerary overview

After arriving in San Jose on day one and resting up for the night, day two kicks off with a visit to Doka Coffee Plantation, before you'll head to Poas Volcanoes National Park, with a tour of La Paz Waterfall Garden following later that afternoon.

Come day three, you’ll have time to rest or explore San Jose before transferring to Tortuguero via Braulio Carrillo National Park on day four.

Tortuguero will be your home for the next few nights as you spend a couple of days watching wildlife along its canals. 

Next, you’ll transfer to the Arenal area on day six, staying at Tabacon Hot Springs, with day seven presenting opportunities to hike Arenal Volcanoes National Park, and day eight offering an exhilarating Sky Tram and Sky Walk experience in the cloud forest.

On the evening of your ninth day, a night-time jungle bat tour is scheduled, followed by a naturalist-guided tour of Monteverde's Cloud Forest Reserve on day ten.

Culture is served on day eleven, when you tour Trapiche to learn about the production of sugar and coffee. 

After transferring to Tamarindo on day twelve, you’ll enjoy an open sailing excursion from Tamarindo Beach on day thirteen.

Day fourteen will see you return to San Jose ready to fly home

Here's a handy summary for this Costa Rica itinerary of 14 days:

Day 1

• Arrive in San Jose
• Overnight in San Jose

Day 2

• Visit Doka Coffee Plantation, Poas Volcano and La Paz waterfall 
• Overnight in San Jose

Day 3

• Free Day in San Jose
• Overnight in San Jose

Day 4

• Transfer to Tortuguero National Park
• Overnight in Tortuguero

Day 5

• Evergreen Lodge morning boat tour
• Overnight in Tortuguero

Day 6

• Stay in Tabacon hot springs with dinner
• Overnight in Arenal

Day 7

• Hike in Arenal Volcano National Park 
• Overnight in Arenal

Day 8

• Sky Tram and Sky Walk in Arenal Park
• Overnight in Arenal

Day 9 

• Bat jungle night tour
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day 10

• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve tour
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day 11

• Guided tour in Trapiche
• Overnight in Gulf Monteverde

Day 12

• Transfer to Tamarindo
• Overnight in Tamarindo

Day 13

• Sailing tour
• Overnight in Tamarindo

Day 14

• Transfer and depart from San Jose

Like the sound of this coast-to-coast itinerary? You could book it right now.

Itinerary 4: Costa Rica Express — wildlife & beaches

Covering a massive range of landscapes and experiences, this Costa Rica Express — Animals and Beaches itinerary begins in the Arenal volcano area before you cross Arenal lake to explore the Monteverde cloud forest to enjoy exhilarating canopy and zip-lining activities, as well as wildlife spotting.

Rounding off with time around Manuel Antonio National Park, which boasts a bounty of incredible beaches, it blends adventure and relaxation across an unforgettable 14-day trip.

Itinerary overview

After arriving in Costa Rica on day one, you’ll transfer to La Fortuna, which will be your base for the next four nights.

Spend the late afternoon and early evening relaxing in hot springs with Arenal volcano as your backdrop ahead of vising La Fortuna waterfall on day two.

After lunching in a stunning riverside spot, the afternoon will be spent hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park.

Day three brings a deeper dive into the rainforest when you’ll embark on a hanging bridges tour and visit volcanic thermal pools, with the chance to bathe in the mineral-rich waters.

After resting up in La Fortuna on day four (or else going on a nature walk), you’ll board a boat and cross Arenal lake on day five before continuing by road to Monteverde.

Day six is devoted to canopy, coffee and cocoa experiences around Monteverde, with a canopy tour of the cloud forest followed by plantation tours. Come dusk, you can enjoy a night-time forest walk to see nocturnal wildlife.

After chilling on day seven — or else visiting more pools or wildlife hotspots — you’ll move to Manuel Antonio on day eight.

Located in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific area, it’s known for its beaches and biodiversity, the latter of which will be uncovered on day nine when you go on a guided nature walk in Manuel Antonio National Park.

Spend days ten to thirteen at your leisure, either on the beach or enjoying more nature walks — with the option to take a catamaran tour — before returning to the airport on day fourteen. 

A checklist for this Costa Rica itinerary of 14 days:

Day 1

• Arrive in Costa Rica and transfer to La Fortuna
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day 2

• Visit La Fortuna waterfall and hike in Arenal Volcano National Park
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day 3

• Hanging bridges tour and visit volcanic thermal pools
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day 4

• Day of leisure in La Fortuna, or a nature walk
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day 5

• Cross Arenal lake by boat and transfer to Monteverde
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day 6

• Forest canopy, coffee and cocoa plantation tours; night time tour of the forest
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day 7

• Day of leisure in Monteverde, or a nature walk
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day 8

• Transfer to Manuel Antonio
• Overnight in Manuel Antonio

Day 9

• Nature walk in Manuel Antonio National Park
• Overnight in Manuel Antonio

Day 10

• Chill on the beach/nature walks in Manuel Antonio
• Overnight in Manuel Antonio

Day 11

• Chill on the beach/nature walks in Manuel Antonio
• Overnight in Manuel Antonio

Day 12

• Catamaran tour 
• Overnight in Manuel Antonio

Day 13

• Chill on the beach/nature walks in Manuel Antonio
• Overnight in Manuel Antonio

Day 14

• Return to the airport ready to depart

Fancy experiencing this for yourself? Head here to book the trip.

Itinerary 5: Discover Northern Costa Rica

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes their independence, this diverse self-drive itinerary covers highlights of the Central and Northern areas of Costa Rica. 

Taking you from Arenal volcano to the dramatic beaches of Guanacaste, before ending in Monteverde cloud forest, it’s a wonderful way to take in a huge range of Costa Rica’s landscapes, wildlife and rejuvenation experiences.

Itinerary overview

After landing in Costa Rica, you’ll collect your rental car from the airport on day one and drive to La Fortuna — your base for the first four days of this itinerary. 

On day two, hike to the stunning La Fortuna waterfall before spending day three exploring Arenal Volcano National Park. It’s worth reading up the range of tour types that can be enjoyed here. 

Given that there are plenty of trails in the park, day four could see you going on additional Arenal hikes, or else enjoying a day of leisure. 

Day five will see you leave La Fortuna and drive to Rio Celeste, stopping off in Monterrey, where a local guide will show you around his village.

On day six, you’ll jump in the car and venture to Tenorio Volcano National Park en route to Nosara in Guanacaste, where you’ll spend days 7, 8, 9 and 10 chilling on the beach, or else taking the opportunity to enjoy the best tours around these parts.

Bordered on the north by Nicaragua, with the Pacific to the west, though the Guanacaste region is best known for its beaches, it’s also a great area for hikers and wildlife-watchers. 

After you’ve experienced Guanacaste’s glories to the max, you’ll leave Nosara and drive to Monteverde on day eleven.

It’ll take around three hours, so if you set off early enough you’ll have time to get settled before going on a night-time nature walk with a local guide.

Day twelve will be devoted to exploring the charming town of Saint Elena, followed by cloud forest walk and canopy tour.

On day thirteen, uncover Costa Rican coffee and cocoa on plantation tours, with plenty of opportunities to taste the good stuff before you return to the airport on day fourteen.

For a two week itinerary in Costa Rica:

Day one

• Arrive in Costa Rica; drive to La Fortuna
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day two

• Hike to La Fortuna waterfall
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day three

• Explore Arenal volcano National Park 
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day four

• Chill in La Fortuna or go on a nature walk or volcano hike
• Overnight in La Fortuna

Day five

• Drive to Rio Celeste, stopping off in Monterrey
• Overnight in Rip Celeste

Day six

• Visit Tenorio Volcano National Park en route to Nosara, Guanacaste
• Overnight in Guanacaste

Day seven

• Guanacaste tours or beach time
• Overnight in Guanacaste

Day eight

• Guanacaste tours or beach time
• Overnight in Guanacaste

Day nine

• Guanacaste tours or beach time
• Overnight in Guanacaste

Day ten

• Guanacaste tours or beach time
• Overnight in Guanacaste

Day eleven

• Drive to Monteverde; night-time nature walk
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day twelve

• Visit Saint Elena; go on a cloud forest walk and canopy tour.
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day thirteen

• Tour coffee and cocoa plantations
• Overnight in Monteverde

Day fourteen

• Return to the airport ready to depart

Like the sound of that? Book this trip now!

Want more inspiration? Browse our customizable Costa Rica itineraries or contact our local Costa Rica experts.

You might also want to get your hands on The Rough Guide to Costa Rica.