Five days is all you need to experience the variety of Costa Rica. With 2 international airports, one in San José and one in Liberia, you'll likely need 2 full days for transfers, leaving you with 3 to explore. Beach-bound travelers looking for a fast-paced trip can head to the Caribbean Coast, stopping in Turrialba along the way to raft down the Pacuare River. For a more relaxed pace, consider an inland adventure at Arenal Volcano or Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve—these areas can be visited from both airports with reasonable transfer times by road.
See our itineraries below, or read a roundup of 5-day trip ideas for Costa Rica.
The Osa Peninsula is located in one of the most remote areas of Costa Rica and is home to windswept beaches, virgin rainforest, and exotic wildlife. Over five days you'll alternate between a pampered holiday lifestyle, rugged jungle treks, and scuba-diving/beach adventures. It's the best way to enjoy this gem of biodiversity tucked away in the great tropical paradise that is Costa Rica.
Make your trip to Costa Rica one to remember! From a whitewater rafting adventure along miles of tropical scenery on the Pacuare River to an excursion to one of the country's top surf spots, this short and sweet itinerary is jam-packed with thrilling aquatic experiences.
This five-day beach getaway takes you to the heart of Guanacaste Province, in northwestern Costa Rica. You'll have plenty of time to relax and soak up the unique landscapes and beaches of the region, with just the right amount of adventure thrown in.
This quick getaway will let you experience the many sides of Costa Rica in just five days. After enjoying an evening in San José, you'll head to Manuel Antonio, a national park boasting some of Costa Rica's most famous white sand beaches and coastal jungles. Hike, kayak, and snorkel until your heart's content before heading home.
This immersive nature expedition packs a lot of outdoor adventure in a short timeframe. In just five days you'll experience the greatest hits of Arenal Volcano National Park, including swimming in a waterfall lagoon, hiking above misty cloud forests, and soaking in hot springs. You'll also enjoy some metropolitan excitement as you spend an evening exploring Costa Rica's capital, San José.
Enjoy a quick and eventful five days exploring two of Costa Rica’s best-known attractions. Begin in La Fortuna, where you can take some time to explore the village and dine in town. Then, discover Arenal Volcano on a nature hike, and soak in the natural hot springs. Next, float along scenic Lake Arenal to Monteverde. Mingle with the locals and then hike through the biodiverse Cloud Forest Reserve, which is home to many species of plants and animals—including plenty of exotic birdlife. Integrate this quick trip into other travel plans, or arrive and depart from San José, depending on your preference.
Costa Rica's mountainous Monteverde region is a traveler favorite, topping lists for its distinct cloud forest ecosystem, abundant wildlife, and options for hiking and zip-lining. Perfect for a quick getaway, the five-day version of this itinerary will take you to both Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves, along with two nights in vibrant San José.
Escape to the lush rainforests and blissful beaches of northwest Costa Rica on this relaxing 5-day itinerary. Explore pristine cloud forests and brilliant blue rivers in the Río Celeste area, then transfer to the coast, where the white sands and crystalline waters of Playa Conchal beckon. With a perfect blend of laidback activities and lots of downtime, this quick Costa Rican getaway is sure to recharge your batteries.
This fun, five-day Costa Rica itinerary takes in many of the country's natural highlights, from wildlife reserves to beautiful beaches. Enjoy a combination of outdoor activity and relaxation, structured and free time, to ensure your quick trip to Monteverde and Samara is just what you want it to be. As this is a self-driving tour you can go at your own pace.
Embark on this five-day adventure that introduces you to the natural beauty of northwestern Costa Rica. You'll get to witness native animals during rainforest and sea tours, hike through Arenal Volcano National Park and stand on the active side of the volcano, and take up various activities at Sámara Beach, from snorkeling to horseback riding and laying on the golden sand.
This 5-day itinerary is ideal for adventure-loving couples. Starting and ending in San José, you'll brave the rapids of the scenic Río Pacuare on a guided whitewater excursion, zip line and hike the coastal jungle, and enjoy downtime together in a luxury eco-lodge. With plenty of free time to choose your own activities, it's bound to be a trip you'll always remember.
This whirlwind 5-day itinerary is perfect for first-time travelers who want to experience quintessential Costa Rica nature and rainforests. You'll take in awe-inspiring views of Arenal volcano and have an exciting day of zip lining before heading to Manuel Antonio to explore the jungle and white sand beaches of this nature lovers paradise.
This five-day romantic escape in northwest Costa Rica is ideal for newlyweds who want that perfect balance between active adventures and beach time. This itinerary takes you to some major highlights, including towering volcanoes, secluded waterfalls, and white-sand beaches. Along the way, you'll enjoy horseback riding, rainforest hikes, a private catamaran cruise, snorkeling in the Pacific, and more.
Enjoy the ultimate couple's adventure on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Over just five days, you'll take part in catamaran tours, sunset horseback rides, snorkeling excursions, and candlelit dinners on the beach. The grand finale is a kayaking trip to remote islands, followed by a meeting with an Indigenous tribe to complete this memorable trip.
Wildlife lovers will thrive on this quick trip around Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Five days may not seem like a lot, but this action-packed itinerary allows you to see the main highlights of the region. Hike through the world-renowned Corcovado National Park, snorkel among colorful fish, and traverse a mangrove forest by boat—with over half of all wildlife species in the country calling the peninsula home, you're sure to see some spectacular flora and fauna on each outing.
Immerse yourself in Costa Rica's pristine rainforests on this luxury, five-day nature escape. The trip begins on the banks of the Río Celeste, where you'll take a private trek through the wildlife-rich Tenorio Volcano National Park to its famous topaz waterfall. Continue to volcano-studded Arenal for a tree-climbing adventure and a 5-star rainforest villa complete with a hot spring plunge pool and gourmet dining experience.
Explore an intriguing slice of Costa Rica on this compact self-drive tour that takes you from the bustling streets of San José to the untamed rainforests and coastal wonders of the Caribbean coast. In just five days, you'll taste Afro-Caribbean cuisine as you learn to cook local dishes in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, traverse the lush landscapes of Cahuita National Park, make a thrilling choice between whitewater rafting or canyoning in the Turrialba Valley, and hike through a jungle full of wildlife at night.
Explore Costa Rica's Guanacaste region on this short but eventful self-drive itinerary through Rincón de la Vieja National Park. From an entire day of chasing waterfalls to horseback riding with Costa Rican cowboys, you'll understand the "pura vida" lifestyle in full by the end of this five-day tour. Soak away the day's hike in one of 10 hot springs, observe wildlife on a cruise through an endangered forest, and spot volcanoes slumbering in the distance.
Escape to the pristine paradise of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast with this itinerary of rich wildlife experiences, lively cooking classes, and thrilling activities on water and land. This memorable tour may only last five days, but it packs in a whole host of nature excursions and outdoor adventures as you journey between San José, Tortuguero, and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Turn a quick holiday in Costa Rica into a honeymoon for the ages on this unforgettable adventure in San José and the Caribbean coast. Over five days, you'll enjoy a well-rounded experience that includes rainforest hikes, wildlife spotting, Afro-Caribbean culture, and plenty of romantic dinners. Cap the trip with a riverboat tour and a couple's massage, and you're sure to have memories that will last a lifetime.
This supremely romantic—and slightly active —honeymoon adventure in Costa Rica is made for beach lovers. Over five magical days, you and your special someone will experience two luxury hotels on the Pacific coast, starting at Manuel Antonio, for rainforest hikes and nearby waterfalls. Then head south to Dominical to enjoy more spacious beaches and snorkeling among sea turtles. End each day the same way—with predinner drinks that coincide with Costa Rica's amazing sunsets.
Get a taste of Costa Rica's exotic landscapes and wildlife on this luxury five-day tour. Start in the lush Central Valley, where you'll stay at a lavish rainforest lodge in La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park, home to rescued wildlife and crashing waterfalls. Hike to the moon-like crater of the Poás volcano before escaping to Manuel Antonio to bask on soft-sand beaches, take a deep-sea fishing trip, and spot native wildlife on a private national park hike.
Experience some of Costa Rica's most pristine beaches and diverse wildlife with this immersive five-day trip that focuses on one spectacular location. You'll start and end in the city of San José but spend most of your time in the idyllic natural expanse of Manuel Antonio National Park, enjoying rainforest hikes, monkey meetings, and of course, the soft, white sands of the Pacific coast.
Enjoy a luxury five-day beach break on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Head straight to vibrant Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and check into a 5-star seafront hotel where white-sand beaches and rainforest spa sessions await. You'll get a taste of the local culture during a private chocolate-making session with the Indigenous Bribri community, then explore the natural delights of Cahuita National Park on exclusive kayaking and snorkeling tours.
Make the most of a five-day honeymoon by enjoying equal parts romance and adventure in Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse spots in the world. You'll arrive in San José and set the mood with an intimate dinner before heading off to the cloud forests and waterfalls of Bajos del Toro, a reserve in the central highlands. Then wind down with stunning nature hikes, private yoga sessions, and relaxing spa treatments to complete this ultimate feel-good trip.
Escape to Costa Rica's tropical Gulf of Papagayo on this luxury five-day beach break. Check into a boutique hotel steps from peaceful Playa Hermosa, where you can swim, snorkel, and laze on golden sands to your heart's content. Explore the area's pristine nature with a private ocean kayaking trip and a high-octane adventure tour in the Río Blanco Canyon, complete with ziplining, tubing, and a soak in the hot springs.
Combine luxury and adventure over five memorable days as you brave the rapids of Costa Rica's most famous river, the Pacuare. Located in the Central Valley, you'll spend some thrilling days navigating dozens of Class II-IV rapids with a private guide, alternating between whitewater fun and leisurely floating amid forest scenery. But that's not all—you'll also enjoy night hikes in the jungle and tours to sample Costa Rica's famous chocolate.
