One Week in Costa Rica – The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary

Before I get into the itinerary for my trip to Costa Rica, I should explain what led me there. When I was searching for destinations for my college graduation trip, I knew I wanted two things: budget friendly and unforgettable.

The list of places I want to see has always been extensive, and it has only grown as I’ve had more opportunities to travel. Fresh out of college, I knew there were some trips I just couldn’t afford to do yet, but I wasn’t going to let that take away from the epic potential of this adventure. I had been out of the US only once before on a trip in high school, and I was eager to see more of the world on my own terms.

As I kept searching, I soon found my perfect destination in Costa Rica. Flights were relatively affordable compared to Europe, and there was no shortage of activities to fill my itinerary for the week I’d planned in early May. Costa Rica was everything that I expected and more. Honestly, the trip turned out great given my limited experience with international travel.

I’ve never regretted it, and I so hope to return someday. I’ve decided to share the itinerary I planned out for my husband and I for our road trip through Costa Rica. I hope it convinces you why this country should be on your list if it isn’t already. Maybe you’ll find some ideas for your own trip.

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Getting Around in Costa Rica

I do recommend renting a car, and I definitely considered this area worth spending a little more on for the flexibility it offered. The country has a local bus system if your budget it tighter, but be mindful that travel times are often longer. Do make sure to look into the specifics of driving in another country so you have some knowledge of the process, but the rental company we choose provided adequate guidance.

The Itinerary We Used For Our Trip To Costa Rica

Day 1: San Jose to Santa Elena/Monteverde – Introduction to Costa Rica

San Jose is Costa Rica’s capital city, and is likely the airport you’ll be flying into. We opted not to spend anytime in San Jose given our schedule. We picked up our rental car and began the 3 hour drive to Santa Elena.

Where to Stay in Santa Elena/Monteverde

There are hotel options if you want to stay in town, as well as, plenty of cabin rentals in the surrounding area if you’re looking for something a bit farther from the beaten path. We opted for the Casa Cielo in Monteverde. All proceeds from the rental go to the Sustainability Center of Costa Rica (SCCR).

The view from the A-frame cabin was absolutely incredible. When we first arrived we spotted three green macaws from the upstairs balcony. It truly felt like walking into a dream. The cabin was just a short drive from Santa Elena. We were able to pick up a few groceries and enjoy one of the several restaurants in the town. The most notable for us was the Tree House Restaurant.

Day 2: Explore Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

A picture of this place was one of the main things that convinced me Costa Rica was the right choice. There are a lot of places that don’t live up to photographs, but this place definitely did. They estimate that about 50% of the biodiversity in Costa Rica can be seen in this area, and I believe it. We were lucky enough to see a Quetzal, monkeys, and coati during our visit.

Day 3: Take a Coffee Tour at Café Monteverde

As coffee enthusiasts, we were very excited for the Café Monteverde Coffee Tour. The tour was highly informative. We walked through the coffee fields and learned all about the process. We left with several bags of coffee to take home with us, and I still believe it was the best coffee we’ve ever had.

Where to Stay in La Fortuna

From Rio Celeste, it was about another 1.5 hours to our hotel. We stayed at the Arenal Observatory Lodge while we were exploring the area, and I can’t recommend it enough. It was the perfect home base for exploring the Arenal National Park. There was a restaurant and bar on site. The views were gorgeous all throughout the property, and the place had its own set of walking trails to explore at your leisure. It was brimming with wildlife including coati, hummingbirds, cane toads, and great curassows.

Day 4: Go Canyoning in La Fortuna & Explore Some Nature Trails

We booked a canyoning tour through Pure Trek. We did the half-day tour that had us repelling down a series of waterfalls as we made our way through the rainforest and ended in a typical Costa Rican lunch. It was an experience I’ll never forget, and it was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Day 5: Relax at the Tabacon Thermal Hot Springs

While staying at the resort was a bit out of our budget, we knew we wanted to experience the famous hot springs while we were in the area. The Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa offers day passes that include a dinner at their restaurant. Again, I’d seen pictures of this place, but experiencing it myself made me wish we had booked a short stay there as well.

Day 6: Drive to Puerto Viejo & Beach Day

From La Fortuna it was about a 5 hour drive to the Puerto Viejo area where we were spending the last part of our trip. When I found out Costa Rica had black sand beaches, I knew I had to see them. We were lucky enough to book an Airbnb within walking distance to Playa Negra. The beach was beautiful and not crowded at all. It was the perfect place to watch the sunset. I will say be prepared for how hot the sand can be during the day. Make sure to have shoes and extra towels.

Day 7: Sloth Sanctuary & Drive to San Jose

We visited the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica which was about a 30 minute drive. It was an incredibly educational tour and gave a lot of insight into the biodiversity of Costa Rica. They have tour options available and the Buttercup Inn if you are interested in staying there. They are closed on Mondays, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. We considered it a must see during our visit to the area.

There are a number of beaches to explore while you’re in the area if you make your way down the coast towards the Gandoco-Manzanillo National Refuge. The few we visited weren’t crowded, and it made for an enjoyable afternoon on the picturesque shoreline.

Day 8: Early Morning Flight Home

The drive from Puerto Viejo to San Jose is a long one 5-7 hours depending on how close your hotel is to the airport. We spent a final night at a hotel in the city that let us return the car on sight and offered a shuttle to the airport for our early flight home the next morning. The hotel had everything on sight you might need including restaurants, so there was no need to venture back out once we’d checked in. It made the end of our trip stress free. Which was nice, because at this point, while I was sad our adventure was coming to an end, we were both pretty exhausted from an eventful week of adventuring.

So, Is Costa Rica Worth Visiting?

When I look back at our time in Costa Rica, I don’t regret a second of it. Even the small things that didn’t exactly go as planned. Renting a car allowed us the flexibility we needed and gave us freedom to enjoy the country at our own pace. I do hope I’m able to return someday and explore other areas. This was the trip that convinced me that road trips were the best way to experience a new destination. Since then, I’ve planned many, but I will always look back fondly on the first that showed me this type of travel was possible even for a novice like me.

Recap of Costa Rica Road Trip Itinerary

• Day 1: Land in San Jose & Drive to Monteverde/Santa Elena
• Day 2: Monteverde/Santa Elena
• Day 3: Monteverde/Santa Elena & Drive to La Fortuna
• Day 4: La Fortuna
• Day 5: La Fortuna & Drive to Puerto Viejo
• Day 6: Puerto Viejo
• Day 7: Puerto Viejo & Drive to San Jose
• Day 8: Early morning flight home

Looking to Design Your Own Road Trip Itinerary for Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is one of those destinations that has a limitless amount of natural splendor to offer. Hopefully, the itinerary provided here offers some inspiration for your own adventure in Costa Rica. You can check out my list of must-do’s here as you work on designing the trip of your dreams. Whatever you decide to do with your time here, I doubt Costa Rica would disappoint. Happy travels!

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