Costa Rica is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Central America. Because this stunning country is so diverse and offers such a fantastic variety of things to see and do, it appeals to a massive crowd. Wherever you choose to visit, you’ll find yourself surrounded by laid-back expats, cheerful locals, excited backpackers, and luxury travelers. So no matter where you are, you’ll always fit in and feel comfortable.
Despite its relatively small size (Costa Rica is about the same size as West Virginia), it’s tricky to fit everything into just 2 weeks. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try! Spend your time wisely and you’ll be able to explore misty cloud forests, relax on Instagrammable beaches, ride a zipline like Superman, go whale watching, and loads more during your 2 weeks in Costa Rica.
Putting together your own Costa Rica itinerary can be a challenge. There are just so many incredible must-see places that it can feel completely overwhelming just getting started.
To help you out, we’ve done all the hard work for you and created a fun-filled travel guide you can follow to discover the best that Costa Rica has to offer. We’ve also thrown in a number of helpful tips and tricks to make sure your adventure gets off to the best possible start!
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Two Weeks in Costa Rica
Preparing for Costa Rica
All travelers need a valid passport to get into Costa Rica, regardless of where you’re coming from or what your purpose is. Your travel document should also be good for at least 6 months after your departure date.
Visa requirements for the country depend on your nationality. Thankfully, Costa Rica has an exemption agreement with many countries and regions (including the US, Canada, the EU, and Australia).
This means you can travel there as a tourist from any of these places for up to 90 days without a visa. To be 100% sure, it’s always worth confirming by checking the official website of Costa Rica’s immigration authority for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Things to Know Before you go to Costa Rica
One of the best things about Costa Rica is that there really isn’t a bad time to visit. For the best weather, plan your 14-day Costa Rica itinerary for December or January. If you’d rather save money, you’ll find the best deals and lowest prices in October. Or if spotting local wildlife is at the top of your priority list, you’ll have an incredible experience if you travel in July or August.
It’s worth knowing that Costa Rica isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive countries in Central America. One way you can make your money stretch further while also having an authentic Tico experience during your 2 weeks in Costa Rica is to eat at sodas. A soda is the name for a traditional Costa Rican restaurant where you can dig into a hearty, filling meal for less than 1,500 colones, which is just a few US dollars.
Water is safe to drink from the faucet throughout Costa Rica – unless you see a sign saying otherwise or are traveling in some rural areas. So pack a reusable bottle and fill it up! If you’re renting a car, it’s also good to know that all the gas stations are legally obligated to charge the same price, so you don’t have to waste time looking for the cheapest one.
Getting Around Costa Rica
The easiest way to get around during your 2-week trip to Costa Rica is definitely by driving. If you’re confident behind the wheel, rent a car and explore at your own pace. If you choose this option, it’s best to avoid using Google Maps and opt for the Waze app instead.
Waze is much more accurate when it comes to time estimates and road closures in Costa Rica. If you don’t want to be stuck to your phone, you can rent a GPS when you rent a car instead.
Using private transfers or hiring a driver are both great alternatives – but they’ll work out to be much more expensive and you’ll be forced to stick to someone else’s schedule. But if you’re traveling as a group or you’re sure you don’t want to drive, they may be your best bets.
Public transport is an option, but it’s definitely not the most comfortable. Buses are very affordable ($1-$20 per journey) and there are stops all over the country. The main downside is that a lot of buses don’t have air conditioning.
This may not sound like a big deal, but it can be a nightmare with Costa Rica’s intense heat and humidity. This can make for a very distressing trip – especially if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage and aren’t sure where to get off.
Costa Rica Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country
San José – 2 nights
The best 2-week Costa Rica itinerary has to start in San José. The capital city of Costa Rica, San José is often overlooked and simply used as a stopping point between landing in and embarking on an amazing adventure. But you’ll find loads of Costa Rica’s top attractions hidden in the country’s bustling capital.
Nicknamed “Chepe” by locals, San José is the perfect place to experience the more urban side of Costa Rica. Get ready for a couple of days filled with fascinating museums, excellent restaurants, incredible coffee, and a historic downtown area.
Things to do in San José
Learn more about Costa Rica by spending a few hours at the Museo Nacional De Costa Rica. This family-friendly museum has everything from traditional 16th-century outfits to a charming butterfly garden.
If you’d rather kick off with some beautiful scenery, consider spending the day at La Paz Waterfall Gardens instead. This popular spot is also home to the largest animal sanctuary in the country.
Feeling energetic? Then hike to the giant hand at La Chimba Coffee Farm. You’ll get some fantastic pictures and can finish with some of the best coffee you’ve ever had in your life. For something a little more substantial sign up for a food tour and go shopping at local markets before making delicious plantain empanadas with the help of a local expert!
Getting To San José
San José is Costa Rica’s international airport, so it will almost certainly be the one you’ll land at. After you arrive, you have a number of different options to get to your hotel. The easiest way is to choose a hotel with an airport shuttle bus and hop on it.
Other speedy solutions include renting a car (although driving in San José can be a bit nerve-wracking!), paying for a private transfer, jumping in a cab, or hailing a cab with Uber. It’s important to note that while Uber doesn’t operate throughout the country, it is available across San José.
Uvita – 1 night
Next up is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica and a must on any Costa Rica itinerary – Uvita. This small and peaceful area has a casual backpacker vibe with far fewer crowds than San José and much greener landscapes.
It’s an excellent place for catching a glimpse of the local wildlife, surrounding yourself with unprecedented beauty, and watching gorgeous sunsets. Despite being pretty quiet, there are still plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants, grocery stores, and boutiques in the center of town.
Things to do in Uvita
Uvita is where you’ll find one of the must-see places in Costa Rica – the Marino Ballena. Also known as the Whale Tail, this attraction is the spot where two beaches meet to form what looks like a giant whale tail. If you’ve got a drone, you’ll be able to see the tail in all its glory.
If you’ve got enough time to spare, we suggest making your way to the Nauyaca Waterfall. This stunning natural attraction is made up of two incredibly powerful waterfalls that thunder into giant pools you can swim in.
Consider signing up for a whale-watching excursion (you’ll see plenty advertised throughout the town) if you’re visiting in January-March or July-October. These are the best months for spotting the magnificent creatures in Uvita.
Getting to Uvita
The easiest way to get from San José to Uvita is by driving. The distance is around 140 miles, which takes about 4 hours. This may sound like quite a long journey, but the road takes you along a well-made coastal highway, so the drive is comfortable and there are plenty of panoramas to admire.
If you’re traveling by bus, head to the Tracopa LTDA Bus Terminal in the south of San José via Uber or a taxi. Look at the departures board and hop on the next bus heading along the Ruta 27 x Costanera. All buses that follow this route stop at the Uvita bus station on the side of the main road.
Drake Bay – 1 night
Drake Bay is one of the best places in Costa Rica because it’s the gateway to Corcovado National Park. While you can stay in La Sirena Ranger Station within the park, the accommodation in Drake Bay is much more comfortable and better located.
Corcovado is definitely one of the main reasons travelers come here, but Drake Bay has a lot to offer, too. Here you’ll find stunning beaches, dazzling sunsets, and a small town with a friendly, relaxed vibe that will instantly win you over.
Things to do in Drake Bay
As you’ve only got one day in Drake Bay, we suggest you spend all your time at the Corcovado National Park. Since this part of the country is protected, you can’t visit yourself – you can only go as part of a tour.
Your adventure will begin with a boat trip that passes by gnarled mangrove trees. Before you even arrive, you’ll have the chance to spot all kinds of creatures hiding in the trees and swimming in the water.
When you land, you’ll hike around the national park in search of amazing creatures, from sloths, coatis, and agoutis to snakes, giant spiders, and tapirs. Corcovado tours last a full day and usually include lunch at one of the rangers’ stations.
Getting to Drake Bay
Getting to Drake Bay can be a major hassle if you don’t have a car. Even if you’re not planning on driving around the rest of Costa Rica, it’s worth renting a car just for this part of the journey.
The route you’ll take covers around 90 miles and hugs the coast from Uvita before heading slightly inland through Palmar Norte. This drive takes you through the Piedras Blancas National Park and the Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce before arriving in Drake Bay. If you’re traveling during the rainy season, it’s almost certain that you’ll need a 4×4 to complete the journey.
Manuel Antonio – 3 nights
Next, it’s onto one of the best cities to visit in Costa Rica — Manuel Antonio. This hugely popular village is lined on one side by white sandy beaches and on the other by lush jungle.
No matter when you go, you’ll find it packed with tourists spilling out of cafes, shopping for souvenirs on the streets, and sipping cocktails out of coconuts. You won’t find any authentic Tico experiences here, but it’s definitely worth spending a few days in Manuel Antonio for the gorgeous scenery and excellent attractions.
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
The Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best places to go in Costa Rica. This breathtaking paradise is teeming with hiking trails, lookout points, golden beaches, and dense forests. Here you can spot everything from bugs, birds, and bats to snakes, monkeys, and sloths.
If you need a break, Manuel Antonio is a wonderful place for a beach day. The beach inside the Manuel Antonio National Park is stunning and the water is always warm enough for swimming. If you’d rather save your money, you can go to the nearby Espadilla Norte Beach for free.
For something a bit more exciting, consider ziplining or an ATV tour. Or unleash your inner foodie and spend a day at the Villa Vanilla Spice Farm where you’ll embark on a gentle hike that goes past a huge collection of spice trees. There’s a good chance you’ll see some local wildlife here, too.
Getting to Manuel Antonio
It’s back in your rental car to get from Drake Bay to Manuel Antonio! You’ve got to go back on yourself the way you came, along the coast and past Uvita, but it’s worth the long drive for the chance to visit the Corcovado National Park at the southern end of Costa Rica.
Don’t want to drive for 4 hours? Head to the ferry port and take a boat directly to Sierpe. From here, take a taxi (or walk, if you’ve got a backpack or minimal luggage) to the Sierpe bus station and ride the Tracopa bus to Ciudad Cortés. From here, you need to ride another Tracopa bus to Quepos and a final Tracopa bus to Manuel Antonio.
Jacó – 2 nights
If you’re into watersports, you’ll have an amazing time in Jacó. One of the most beautiful cities in Costa Rica, this lively beach resort town is the perfect place to soak up the sunshine, splash around in the waves, and sip some tropical cocktails.
Jacó is popular with a younger crowd and because of that, it’s got a fantastic nightlife scene. So if you’ve been wanting to wear something that’s a little dressier than your usual Costa Rica clothes, now is the time. Jacó is also the last coastal destination you’ll experience on your trip, so make sure you enjoy it!
Things to do in Jacó
Jacó is a fantastic place to go surfing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced surfer or you’ve never even touched a board, you’ll find loads of kiosks offering lessons and rental gear for people of all levels.
If you’d rather stay dry, embark on a catamaran cruise to Tortuga Island. After a short boat trip, you’ll be treated to breakfast, lunch, free-flowing drinks, beach chairs, umbrellas, beach toys, snorkeling, a banana boat ride, and an eco-hike.
For something a little more invigorating, sign up for a white water rafting adventure instead. You can continue the adrenaline rush by spending a day at Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park. This incredible place invites you to push yourself to the limits with ziplining, ATV safaris, horseback riding, canyoning, and more!
Getting To Jacó
You’ll be glad to hear that the trip between Manuel Antonio and Jacó is short in comparison to the other routes you’ve done! If you’ve got a car, you can drive along the coast until you reach the popular resort town. The journey covers 45 miles and should take you around 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete.
Alternatively, you can head to the Manuel Antonio bus station and catch a Tracopa bus to Jacó. There are buses every 3 hours and the trip takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Monteverde – 3 nights
Monteverde is where you’ll find some of the most spectacular Costa Rica attractions. This lush and incredibly eco-diverse area is hidden away high in the mountains – so make sure you bring plenty of warm clothes! This is where you’ll find Costa Rica’s famous cloud forests, as well as stunning coffee plantations, rainforest trails, and adventurous activities.
As well as the pristine nature, Monteverde also boasts a small town known as Santa Elena. The center of this town is buzzing with cool microbreweries, trendy cafes, mesmerizing art galleries, delicious restaurants, and souvenir shops filled with everything you could ever want.
Things to do in Monteverde
The Monteverde Cloudforest is a must on any 2-week Costa Rica itinerary. These one-of-a-kind forests are known for the low-lying clouds and mist that hang between the trees, making you feel like you’re walking in the clouds.
Keep an eye out and you can spot insects, butterflies, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Stop by the Colibri Cafe before you leave. This is one of the very best places in all of Costa Rica to see hummingbirds.
La Reseerva Boaque Nuboso is another cloud forest worth visiting. Here you’ll find 8 miles of trails to explore in search of plant and animal life.
Make sure you keep an evening free for a night walk. Around 85% of Monteverde’s wildlife is active after sunset and a night tour is the best way to see snakes, sloths, scorpions, and spiders moving around in their natural habitat.
If you’re craving adventure, have a go at canyoning in Monteverde. You’ll find countless excursion companies in Santa Elena offering trips to help you rappel down cascading waterfalls, past giant orchids, and into refreshing pools.
Getting to Monteverde
Driving to Monteverde takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. The route mostly follows the coastline until you hit Puntarenas. From there, you go inland and start climbing up until you reach the mountain resort town of Monteverde. The journey is around 74 miles and you’ll pass all sorts of landscapes, from rugged beaches to tropical rainforests.
There’s no simple bus route between Jacó and Monteverde. If you don’t want to drive, the best alternative is to find a shuttle bus that is following the journey when you want to travel or pay for a private transfer.
La Fortuna – 2 nights
Your last stop is one of the top places to see in Costa Rica – La Fortuna. This small town has a dynamic vibe and is filled with adventurous travelers eager to explore the natural attractions La Fortuna has to offer.
Take a look around and you’ll discover the perfect balance of exhilarating activities and relaxing spots. So whether you never want the fun to end or you’re ready to slow things down now that your vacation is coming to a close, you’ll have a fantastic time in La Fortuna.
Things to do in La Fortuna
La Fortuna’s hot springs are one of the must-see places in Costa Rica and the perfect way to wind down your 2 weeks in Costa Rica. Whether you choose to pay for a hotel pass and relax in luxurious heated waters or keep it natural and unwind in one of the free hot springs, the hot springs at Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa are something you’ve absolutely got to experience.
If you’d prefer something a little more exciting, check out El Salto. This is a rope swing that you can grab and plunge into a pool fed by small waterfalls. For something even more adventurous, sign up for a white water tubing experience and zoom over thrilling rapids in your personal river tube!
The Arenal Volcano National Park is another highlight worth checking out. Here you can choose from countless hiking trails, all of which reward you with spectacular views of the volcano.
The La Fortuna Waterfall is also worth a visit if you’re craving more waterfalls. It’s a long hike to the bottom (around 30 minutes) but it’s worth it for the chance to see the powerful waterfall that plummets 230 feet down.
Getting To La Fortuna
You’ve probably come to expect it now — the best way to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna is by car. The journey takes you through the mountains, past forests, and between grassy fields. It takes around 3 hours to follow the mountain drive, which is 70 miles long.
If you’re traveling without a car, skip public transport and sign up for a private shuttle. These buses leave a couple of times each day and move directly between Monteverde and La Fortuna. The journey takes the same amount of time as driving and only costs around $35.
There you have it! That’s our perfect 2-week Costa Rica itinerary. Where will you be visiting on your trip to Costa Rica?
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