7-Day Costa Rica Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Costa Rica tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Costa Rica, incl. San Jose and Arenal

  Natural wonders await across San Jose, Arenal Volcano, and Monteverde Cloud Forest. The week features Pacuare River rafting, Paradise Hot Springs, hanging bridges walks, and zip-lining. Nights are spent at Country Inn San Jose, Arenal Montechiari, and Monteverde Country Lodge.

  

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  • Day 1

    San Jose Arrival

    A driver will meet you at San Jose International Airport for the quick 15-minute trip to your hotel. Spend your evening exploring downtown San Jose, the cultural center of Costa Rica. One traveler shared: "The central avenue is perfect for interacting with locals and getting a feel for Costa Rican daily life." Book a late afternoon flight to avoid the busy rush hour traffic from the airport.

    
  • Day 2

    Pacuare River Rafting to Arenal

    Leave early at 6 AM for a 3-hour drive to Siquirres through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Start your day with traditional "Gallo Pinto" breakfast before hitting the Class III-IV rapids on the Pacuare River. You'll tackle the challenging Upper and Lower Huacas rapids. Pack quick-dry clothes and secure water shoes. The day ends with a 2.5-hour drive to Arenal Volcano. A recent visitor noted: "The rafting was perfectly balanced between exciting rapids and calm stretches to catch your breath."

    
  • Day 3

    Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs

    Take the morning to explore La Fortuna town at your own pace. Join an afternoon guided walk in Arenal Volcano National Park on mostly flat trails that can get slippery in wet weather. Your guide will point out wildlife like toucans and coati. Finish your day relaxing in the volcanic hot springs. Visit before 4 PM or after 6 PM to avoid peak crowds.

    
  • Day 4

    Arenal to Monteverde

    Take the scenic taxi-boat-taxi route across Lake Arenal in the morning. The full journey takes about 3 hours with a 30-minute boat ride where you might spot ospreys and kingfishers. In the afternoon, ride horses through a working coffee plantation into the cloud forest. The horses are gentle but expect some steep terrain. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are essential.

    
  • Day 5

    Monteverde Adventures

    Begin with a guided walk across hanging bridges in the cloud forest canopy. The trail has some steep parts but moves at an easy pace. After lunch, experience the famous zipline course with cables stretching up to 1km. One traveler advised: "The Tarzan swing at the end is a must-do but prepare yourself mentally - it's quite the adrenaline rush!" Bring warm layers since Monteverde stays cool and wet throughout the year.

    
  • Day 6

    Monteverde to San Jose

    Head back to San Jose on a 4-hour mountain drive. Bring motion sickness pills if you need them. Your afternoon is free to visit the National Museum or Gold Museum downtown. Stay near the airport since most international flights leave early morning.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Quick 15-minute drive to the airport. Remember you need to arrive 3 hours before international flights.

    

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• 7 Days in Costa Rica, incl. Monteverde and La Fortuna

  Three diverse destinations showcase Costa Rica's variety: San Jose's urban hub, Monteverde's cloud forests, and La Fortuna's volcanic landscapes. Highlights include Life Monteverde farm visit, optional Santa Elena Cloud Forest walks, and adventure activities near Arenal Volcano.

  

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  • Day 1

    San José

    Book a morning or early afternoon flight to avoid San José's heavy evening traffic. Getting from the airport is simple with Uber, which works better than local taxis. Get settled at your downtown hotel and join the evening welcome meeting to meet other travelers in your group.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Monteverde Cloud Forest

    The trip to Monteverde takes 3-4 hours on mountain roads. If you get motion sickness, bring medication. A recent visitor shared: "The cloud forest walk and coffee farm tour were highlights - having a local guide explain the delicate ecosystem made all the difference." Start with a visit to a sustainable coffee plantation to see how Costa Rica's famous coffee is made. Book the guided night walk ($50) to see wildlife like kinkajous and sleeping toucans. The next day, hit the hanging bridges first thing before other visitors arrive. Remember to wear shoes with good grip since the paths can get slippery.

    
  • Days 4-5

    La Fortuna/Arenal

    Getting to La Fortuna involves a short van ride and boat transfer with great views. You'll spend two days here near Arenal Volcano doing adventure activities. Look into the Adrenaline Bundle ($149) which includes both canyoneering and zip-lining at a better price than booking them separately. Want to try hot springs without paying resort prices? Ask around about the free river hot springs. Just remember water shoes for the slippery rocks. One traveler noted: "The whitewater rafting near La Fortuna was incredible - Class III rapids with plenty of wildlife spotting between the action."

    
  • Days 6-7

    San José & Departure

    Take the afternoon bus back to San José (3 hours) to avoid morning fog around Arenal. Pick a hotel near Central Market so you can easily shop for souvenirs and find local restaurants. Visit the market before 10 AM to beat the crowds. Plan to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport at least 3 hours before your flight due to unpredictable morning traffic. You can check out whenever works best for your flight schedule.

    

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• 7 Day Costa Rica Itinerary, incl. Rincon de la Vieja and Tamarindo

  Liberia, Rincon de La Vieja volcano, and Tamarindo Beach create an exciting week-long adventure. The itinerary includes volcano hikes, canyon zip-lining, and a sunset catamaran cruise with 3 nights each at mountain and beach accommodations.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arrival in Liberia

    Take a private transfer from Liberia International Airport to your lodge near Rincon de la Vieja (about 1.5 hours). Try to book a morning arrival since afternoon thunderstorms are common in Guanacaste, especially from May to November during green season.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Rincon de la Vieja National Park

    Two full days let you explore this active volcano area properly. Take a guided hike through the national park to see steaming vents and bubbling mud pots. A recent visitor said: "The walking tour was like a mini Yellowstone—we saw steam holes, mud pots, wild monkeys, and a beautiful waterfall. The guide adapted the trail route perfectly when one member of our group had mobility issues." On your second day try the Canyon Canopy zipline tour. The guides take safety seriously and ensure proper equipment fitting. If you prefer something more relaxed, visit the natural hot springs instead. Stay at Hacienda Guachipelin where you'll get spacious rooms with private verandas and good dining options.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Tamarindo Beach

    It's about a 2-hour transfer to Tamarindo Beach. Spend your first day getting to know the area but stay out of the intense midday sun between 11 AM and 2 PM. While Tamarindo is developed it offers plenty of life with good restaurants and shops along the main street. Book a sunset catamaran cruise for day 6. You'll get snorkeling equipment and the trip includes an open bar and lunch on the 66-foot boat. Book through your hotel to get the right meeting point about a mile down the beach.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    The trip back to Liberia airport takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Get there at least 3 hours before your flight since the airport gets busy especially from December to April.

    

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