11 Days in Costa Rica - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Road Trip to Arenal, Monteverde, & Manuel Antonio

This self-guided 11-day road trip leads you around many of Costa Rica's top attractions, featuring active adventures along the journey from swimming in waterfalls to snorkeling to a zip-line tour.

After landing in San José, pick up a rental car to begin the adventure. Drive to Arenal Volcano, where you'll check out the volcano, hot springs, Arenal Hanging Bridges, and the Arenal 1968 Reserve. Take a waterfall hike, then enjoy an afternoon cooking class. On day five, drive from Arenal to Monteverde for a nighttime nature tour and adrenaline-pumping activities at the Sky Adventures Park.

Stop at Jacó, a lively surf town, before continuing to Manuel Antonio National Park for sea kayaking, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing. The region is a great place to spot capuchin monkeys in the wild, plus sloths and over 200 species of birds. End the trip in San José with a city tour and a three-course meal featuring traditional Costa Rican cuisine. Learn more

Find out more about the Top Nature Experiences in Costa Rica.

Itinerary #2: Family Fun on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast

On this family-oriented 11-day adventure around Costa Rica, you'll hike to the top of the country's highest volcano, boat around national parks, visit a jaguar rehabilitation center, and go horseback riding on the beach.

Begin with a couple of days in San José, enjoying sightseeing and an excursion to the country's highest volcano. Then you'll transfer to Tortuguero National Park, a nesting area for hawksbill, leatherback, and green sea turtles. You may also spot manatees and howler monkeys on a boat tour before traveling onward to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, where you and your family will base yourselves for the rest of the trip.

Explore Cahuita National Park on a guided wildlife tour and get up close with big cats at a jaguar rehabilitation center, then spend a day kayaking and hiking at beautiful Punta Uva. Your family will go for an unforgettable horseback riding adventure through the jungle and onto the beach. Then head back to San José and enjoy one last afternoon and evening in the city before the trip ends. Learn more

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Itinerary #3: Wildlife Luxury Adventure in Arenal, Monteverde & the Osa Peninsula

Discover the spectacular landscapes of Costa Rica on this luxurious 11-day trip featuring world-class snorkeling in the Isla del Caño Biological Reserve, relaxing in natural hot springs in Arenal, and zip-lining in the Monteverde cloud forest.

After a day of exploring San José, travel to Drake Bay and check into a luxurious eco-lodge. You'll stay in the area for several days, enjoying birdwatching excursions, hiking in Corcovado National Park, and a snorkeling excursion in Isla del Caño Biological Reserve. Then fly back to San José and transfer to La Fortuna, where you'll hike to La Fortuna Waterfall and soak in natural hot springs.

Take in views of the gorgeous Rio Celeste Waterfall and visit Tenorio Volcano National Park before heading on to your third and final destination, Monteverde. Discover nocturnal wildlife, sip locally produced coffee, and tour the cloud forest with your expert guide. You'll spend the last full day of the trip zip-lining through the rainforest at the Sky Adventures Park. Learn more

Read more about the Best Luxury Hotels in Costa Rica.

Itinerary #4: Luxury Wildlife & Adventure Sports Getaway

Soak in hot springs and sleep in stylish jungle lodges on this luxurious 11-day tour around Costa Rica that includes a full-day whitewater rafting trip on the Balsa River, a safari on the Tárcoles River, and a private snorkeling tour. 

Kick off the trip in style by checking into a luxury hotel in La Fortuna and going for a dip in the onsite hot springs. On day two, you'll go horseback riding to La Fortuna Waterfall, then enjoy a private tour of an organic farm complete with a cooking lesson and a meal served outdoors. You'll go on a guided nature walk before a full-day whitewater rafting trip on the Balsa River.

On the second part of the trip, travel to Bajos del Toro for a guided tour of jungle waterfalls. Then you'll drive to Uvita for a boat safari on the Tárcoles River, a haven for crocodiles and the home to many species of exotic birds. Go for a private guided hike of Corcovado National Park, then head to Isla del Caño Biological Reserve for a private snorkeling tour. Learn more

You may like to look over this article on the Best Luxury Hotels in La Fortuna.

Itinerary #5: Active Adventure on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast

This active 11-day trip around Costa Rica's Pacific Coast features waterfall hikes, horseback riding, a sunset sail, snorkeling with tropical fish, a visit to a sloth habitat, and a jungle cruise on the Gulf of Papagayo.  

The journey begins in Rincón de la Vieja National Park with a horseback excursion and a dip in the Río Negro Hot Springs. Pay a visit to Finca Verde Farm to learn about organic farming in the region, then continue on to La Fortuna for a few days of exploring the region's volcano and hot springs, a cocoa bean farm, and a sloth habitat.

Midway through the itinerary, you'll travel to the Gulf of Papagayo. Sail on a catamaran at sunset, then board another boat on day seven, this time for a jungle cruise around Palo Verde National Park. Move on to Sámara for the last leg of the trip. You'll have time to relax on the beach, kayak and snorkel around Isla Chora, and hike in a nature reserve before the adventure ends. Learn more

This article on the Top Active Experiences in Costa Rica has more ideas and information.

More Great Costa Rica Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these other Costa Rica itineraries, explore family-friendly ways to spend 11 days in Costa Rica, or discover the best time to visit Costa Rica.