If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, you may be overwhelmed by the options (like I was!). Costa Rica is an incredibly diverse country with so much to see and explore. While diving deep into the different regions would be great, it can be tough to see it all when you’re on a time crunch! If you only have a long weekend, it’s still possible to see a lot of Costa Rica’s highlights. Here is an ultimate 5-Day Costa Rica itinerary to help plan your trip!
Day 1: Arrival and Drive to Poás
On your first day in Costa Rica, it’s all about arriving and settling in! After landing in San José, clearing immigration, and getting your bags, you’ll want to head to the rental car pick up counter.
Renting cars in other countries can be confusing, as they all have different requirements. During planning, we were overwhelmed with information about insurance and which companies to use or avoid. At the end of the day, we rented a compact SUV from Enterprise and were very pleased. We opted for their additional insurance, which was reasonably priced, and the rest was a breeze. All rental cars are stored off-site at the airport though, so be sure to factor in a 10-15 minute shuttle ride. Once you settle in with your rental car, immediately make your way up to Poás. Traffic in San José is a little wild, so just be patient (and a little aggressive) when getting out of the city. Poás is a region about an hour north of San José, named for the famous volcano there!
When you arrive, head to the Poás Volcano Lodge, where you’ll spend the night. This property is absolutely stunning, and the perfect intro to your Costa Rica trip. It’s located back off a main road and really helps you get in touch with nature. Spend some time exploring the property before the sun sets (which is early in Costa Rica!). There are hiking trails, a greenhouse, and tons of viewpoints atop the hill overlooking the valley and volcano. After settling in, grab some dinner at their on-site restaurant and cheers to a great Costa Rican adventure ahead!
Day 2: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, and Hot Springs (Oh My!)
Day 2 of the 5-day Costa Rica itinerary is where the fun really starts! Wake up bright and early and make your way to Poás Volcano National Park, which is a short drive from the hotel. This national park surrounds the active Poás Volcano, and is an incredible sight to see! Reservations are required, and I’d recommend booking them in advance and for an early entry time. These are made online, via the SINAC website (which is Costa Rica’s National Parks page).
When you arrive, make your way down the 1-mile paved path out to the volcano viewpoint. We were lucky enough to see several explosions on our visit! Small bursts of black ash would periodically shoot up and the air would smell like sulfur. It was surreal! After visiting the volcano, don’t miss the hike out to the Botos Lagoon trail! It is an 800m out-and-back trail from the main path out to a beautiful bright blue volcanic crater lake. It’s not to be missed!
Read More: 5 Tips for Visiting Poás Volcano National Park
After an explosive morning and start to your 5-day Costa Rica itinerary, make your way out to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This property, while a little touristy, is a perfect addition to your Costa Rica trip. It has it all: waterfalls, nature, wildlife (and even a lunch buffet, lol!). When you arrive, you’ll first make your way through various wildlife exhibits. While it may feel like a zoo, this is actually a wildlife sanctuary. All of the animals here have been rescued, rehabilitated, and now live here permanently as they can not be released back into the wild. You’ll see everything from macaws to monkeys to large jungle cats. My favorites were the ocelots and the (sleeping) sloth.
Next, you’ll make your way down their hiking trail to see five different waterfalls! The trail is very well maintained and offers many scenic overlooks and photo spots. About half way though, there is even a trail down to the river where you can get straight-on views of the falls. It’s spectacular! The end of the trail has quite a bit of stairs to hike back up (so keep that in mind), but it is so worth it. You’ll then take a free shuttle back to the base where you can jump in your car and make your way to the next adventure!
Onto the next…
La Fortuna is the next town you will make your home base for a couple of nights. This is the main town in the Arenal region, named after the volcano that is visible from almost anywhere. Up until 2010, it was Costa Rica’s most active volcano! Check in to the Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs Resort and spend the evening relaxing in their infinity pool, hot springs, or even treat yourself to some room service directly to your private villa. More adventure awaits tomorrow!
Day 3: Arenal Adventures
On day three of the 5-day Costa Rica itinerary, it’s time to dive deep into Arenal! After waking up to the sound of chirping birds, it’s adventure time! First, make your way over to Club Rio inside the luxurious The Springs Resort for a river tubing excursion! You will ride down the Arenal River through Class I and II rapids! The ride is about an hour total, broken up into two sessions with a short break in between. It was a perfect thrill for this non-thrill seeker and I felt perfectly safe the entire time.
Next, make your way into the jungle with a hike at Mistico Park for their hanging bridges walk! Reservations are required in advance, and can be made by clicking here and clicking Book Now. I’d recommend the self-guided walk, which will take you along a ~2.2 mile hike through the jungle. You’ll pass over several hanging suspension bridges, over rivers, past waterfalls, and get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano. A ton of diverse wildlife also awaits! We saw many monkeys, birds, and even a hard-working ant colony. Be mindful that the walk is pretty strenuous at times, with steep inclines and declines. The entire walk took us about 2 hours, which included times to rest and observe wildlife!
Relaxation after the adventures
When booking your ticket to go river tubing at Club Rio, you also have the option to add on a day pass to The Springs Resort. This luxurious, five-star resort has tons of natural hot springs and an infinity pool boasts head-on views of Arenal Volcano. It is a million-dollar view! Relax and enjoy the last few hours of daylight while sipping on a cocktail from the pool bar. Once golden hour hits, take advantage by doing a quick photoshoot and watch the sun set over the volcano.
After a perfect day mixed with relaxation adventure, head back to the Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs Resort for dinner at La Saca. La Saca is an open-air restaurant right on site that has a menu blending local and international dishes. There is something for everyone. I opted for the ribeye, which was delicious. We of course had to split a couple of desserts, which were eccentric and tasty! It was so relaxing to be able to enjoy a great meal in a beautiful setting right on property!
After a jam-packed day, soothe those aching legs and relax! The resort has 8 hot springs right on property that are a short walk from the central pool and restaurant area. They’re all beautifully manicured and lined with large, smooth stones and heated to anywhere from 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit. All of the hot springs are heated by the (now dormant) Arenal Volcano and contain sulphate and magnesium that provide countless health benefits.
Read More: How to Spend a Day in Arenal, Costa Rica
Day 4: Resort Vibes & Beachy Sunsets
After a jam-packed few days exploring the jungle and mountains, it’s time to get out to the coast! Wake up in La Fortuna bright and early and prepare yourself for the long drive out to Jacó. While the drive is only about 90 miles, expect it to take anywhere from 3-4 hours. The drive, while beautiful, is through the mountains and can be a difficult drive. The roads are mostly paved, but can be narrow and go around many hairpin turns. You’ll be driving up and down through the mountains and small towns. Break up the drive by stopping at the many scenic viewpoints, and then when you get closer to Jacó, Crocodile Bridge! It’s a great place to stretch your legs and walk out onto the bridge where you’ll see several wild crocodiles below.
After a long drive, check in to your hotel at Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort and spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or beach. The Marriott at Los Suenos is the absolute perfect home base for the tail end of your trip. By now, you’ve earned some serious resort relaxation, and this is the perfect place for that. The pool here is enormous (one of the biggest I have ever seen!) and the property has direct access to Herradura Beach. Relax, swim, and even take a well-earned afternoon nap in the sun. You deserve it!
Evening in Jacó
End your day by making the quick drive out to the town of Jacó. Jacó is a bustling little town right on the beach known for its surfing, beaches, and nightlife. And it is the absolute perfect place to catch the sunset and dinner. Drive into town and spend some time before the sun goes down walking the main street, Pastor Diaz Avenue. Bop into the different shops and enjoy people watching (my favorite past time). The Pura Vida culture is vibrant in Jacó! Make sure you make your way over to the beach for sunset, as I can think of no better place to watch! Grab a spot on the soft dark sand, look out at the water, and watch the sun slowly set over it. We caught two sunsets at Jacó Beach and they were both spectacular.
Afterwards, make your way into town to grab some dinner. Local’s Grill has a wide menu, great service, and is located centrally in the center of town. We scarfed down some comfort food, which we were craving by this point in the trip. Just a couple blocks away is Rebelissimo Gelato Genuino, where you can get a sweet treat to end your day!
Day 5: Hikes, Wildlife, and a Relaxing Last Night
On day 5, it’s time for another adventure! Get on the road bright and early and head out to the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. It is the smallest national park in the country, but also the most visited- and for a good reason! This park is so diverse and beautiful. Reservations for visiting Manuel Antonio National Park are required, and I’d recommend booking them for as early in the day as possible as possible. These are made online, on the SINAC website (which is their National Parks page). The park has many short trails that will take you through the jungle, out to waterfalls, up mountains, and even down to white sand beaches. The park is easy to explore on your own, and is simple to navigate. Keep an eye out for wildlife- you’ll find tons! We saw monkeys, sloths, crabs, iguanas, and so much more.
Plan to spend about 4-5 hours at the park, depending of course how much you stop and how much you want to see. By the early afternoon though, keep in mind that the heat and humidity will really settle in. I’ve never been so sweaty in my life! But it was so worth it.
Read More: 8 Tips for Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park
After an adventurous morning, make your way slightly outside of town out to lunch at El Avion. This restaurant is a perfect post-park stop to sit outside, feel the ocean breeze, and sip a cold drink. What makes this restaurant unique is the C-123 airplane that the restaurant is built around. It sits right in the center of the restaurant and is open for exploration! Inside, there is a bar and even a short ladder for you to climb into the cockpit. It’s such a cool and unique spot, and isn’t to be missed. The food was also solid, had something for everyone, and was the perfect place to rest and refuel after a busy morning.
Next, make your way back to the resort for some more well-deserved pool time. A refreshing swim followed by an afternoon nap is just what the doctor ordered! End your evening with dinner at the resort’s casual outdoor restaurant, Ocho while enjoying views over the bay. Stick around the resort for a sunset over Herradura Beach or make your way back to Jacó for another sunset on their beach. No matter which one you choose, it’ll be the perfect way to end your last night in Costa Rica!
Day 6: Departure
At the end of the ultimate 5-day Costa Rica itinerary, it is sadly time to bid this incredible country farewell. If you can, try to book a flight that leaves later in the morning or early afternoon. The drive from Jacó back to San José is a mix of highways and the typical back roads that you’ve been used to in Costa Rica. Doing the drive in daylight would make it much easier and relaxing! Be sure to factor in extra time for the drive, as traffic can get backed up and stopped quickly. You’ll also need to allow extra time to drop off your car at the rental car lots which are off-site and take the shuttle back to the airport.
San José isn’t a huge airport, but it’s still best to give yourself plenty of time before boarding (especially since international flights often board an hour before departure). Treat yourself to a drink at the airport and cheers to a fabulous Costa Rican adventure!
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