Highlights
- Visit cultural sites in San José like the pre-Columbian Gold Museum
- Take a hike and gondola ride in Costa Rica's largest national park
- Raft down the Rio Pacuare with a naturalist guide
- Experience the Afro-Caribbean culture of Puerto Viejo
- Visit rescued monkeys and sloths being rehabilitated for release
Brief itinerary
| Day | Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San Jose | San José |
| Day 2 | Braulio Carrillo National Park | Rio Pacuare |
| Day 3 | Rafting Rio Pacuare | Puerto Viejo |
| Day 4 | Caribbean coast (Cahuita National Park) | Puerto Viejo |
| Day 5 | Caribbean coast (Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge) | Puerto Viejo |
| Day 6 | Beach, then return to the capital | San José |
| Day 7 | Depart San José |
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San José
Welcome to Costa Rica! After you've picked up your rental car, get settled in your hotel in San José and pack a layer—this is a mountainous microclimate, and temperatures tend to be cooler here than the coast. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, take the afternoon to explore the city by foot. The capital city of Costa Rica features bustling streets, green parks, grand plazas and European-inspired architecture showcasing centuries of history.
If you are interested in architecture, you can visit the Teatro Nacional (National Theater), which many deem the most exquisite building in the entire city. Also, check out the National Museum, a former military barrack. Meanwhile, you might like to visit the underground museum, Museo del Oro Precolumbino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum), which holds the most extensive Pre-Columbian gold collection in all of Latin America. Then there's the Jade Museum, dedicated to preserving the region's archaeological heritage and features the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian jade artifacts with over 7,000 items on display.
For more travel advice, check out 24 Hours in San José and look over the best luxury and boutique hotels in San José.
Day 2: Braulio Carrillo National Park to Rio Pacuare
After breakfast, drive toward Braulio Carrillo National Park. Far less touristy than Arenal, Braulio Carrillo is Costa Rica's largest national park with rolling hills and dark-green vegetation, though much of this land is inaccessible and preserved for protection. Uncrowded hiking trails—short and long, ranging from easy to difficult—are a highlight. One of the unique walking opportunities in Braulio Carrillo is the chance to see different species of flora and fauna at different elevations. The rainforest feels very wild, with exotic birds and more than 150 mammals such as white-faced monkeys, jaguars, deer, tapir, raccoons, armadillos, and anteaters.
Consider taking the rainforest aerial tram, located on the eastern flank of the park. This is an open gondola that takes you on a tour of the rainforest canopy; it can fit up to four passengers and a guide. If you have time, there is a canopy zip-line operator just outside the park called Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic.
After the park, continue driving east toward Rio Pacuare, where you'll stay for the next two nights. There is a slew of great lodges and sanctuaries near Bajo Tigre that cater to river rafters. Check into your hotel and relax by the pool.
Day 3: Rafting in Rio Pacuare
Today, you can take a guided rafting trip along the Rio Pacuare. Located along Costa Rica’s Caribbean slope, Rio Pacuare’s river gorge is considered one of the best rafting rivers in the world, with warm water and stunning green scenery. Pacuare is divided into 16 sections with beginner, intermediate, and advanced whitewater levels depending on your expertise.
This is a great way to experience Costa Rica’s natural beauty as you paddle down roaring rivers while twisting, turning, getting soaked, and surrounding yourself with rare species of flora and fauna. For more active adventures in Costa Rica, check out this article.
After your whitewater adventure, you’ll drive two hours to Puerto Viejo, located on the southern Caribbean coast. This surfer town has an excellent range of guesthouses for all budgets, along with residents of Afro-Caribbean and indigenous descent, giving it a different vibe from other beach towns in Costa Rica. You will see colorful buildings, hear reggae beats, and experience a friendly, laid-back attitude.
Day 4: Explore Cahuita National Park
After breakfast, you’ll take a short drive south to Cahuita National Park for light jungle hiking and swimming on the pristine beaches. Here, you'll see several species of exotic birds, sloths, white-faced and howler monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, blue morpho butterflies, tropical plants, and trees, not to mention the park's coral reef for marine life. You can also hire a professional guide who can point out the flora and fauna in the park.
Return to your hotel and enjoy the evening in Puerto Viejo, with a dining scene that reflects its widely-varied international population. Check out our restaurant guide to Puerto Viejo for more ideas.
Day 5: Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
After breakfast, drive to the Jaguar Centro de Rescate, an animal rescue center rehabilitating orphaned and injured animals for release back into the wild. You may even be treated to a one-on-one encounter with a monkey or a baby sloth!
Continuing driving south down the coast, and take lunch at a local eatery before driving to Manzanillo, where the road ends. Explore the sandy beach trail, rent a kayak, or simply chill out on the beach before heading back to Puerto Viejo for a Caribbean dinner. For more ideas and inspiration, read Best Things to Do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Day 6: Puerto Viejo to San José
Spend the morning wandering through the funky shops and colorful streets of Puerto Viejo. If the surf's up, have your kids watch the surfers at Salsa Brava, the Caribbean's most infamous surf break. Or, get in the car and head for nearby beaches that are safer for swimming and snorkeling.
By early afternoon, start your drive back to San José — a journey of 4.5 hours. Check into your hotel for your last night. If you didn't have an opportunity to visit any of the local attractions, now is your chance. Alternatively, if you didn't have time to zip-line at Braulio Carrillo National Park at the beginning of the trip, now would be a great time. For dinner, choose a restaurant from this list of San José recommendations.
Day 7: Depart San José
If you have a few hours before your flight, a great way to spend your morning is visiting Mercado Central (Central Market), which opens at dawn and is one of San Jose's oldest and most iconic places. Experience the hustle and bustle of daily life for locals of all walks of life, and keep an eye out for last-minute souvenirs.
More Great Costa Rica Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these other 1-week Mexico itineraries, explore different ways to spend a week in Costa Rica, or learn about the best time of year to visit Costa Rica.
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