If visiting Costa Rica isn’t on your list, it should be. Named the Destination of the Year 2024 by Travel & Leisure, Costa Rica has something to offer everyone – the solo traveler, families, adventurers, beachgoers, nature lovers… the list goes on. With so many diverse climates, it can be overwhelming to plan a trip and a common mistake is to try to fit everything into a one week vacation. While I don’t think Costa Rica would be an ideal vacation for families with infants or toddlers, I think it is the perfect destination for older children, tweens, and teens.
Here are some tips on making the most out of your time in Costa Rica while not overdoing it, as well as itinerary ideas for first-timers.
When Should You Go to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has very distinct “wet” and “dry” seasons and that might play a large role in which areas of the country you decide to visit. Some of the most beautiful parts of the country may be extremely difficult to access during the rainy season (May-October), but if you go during the dry season (November-April) you will likely face higher prices and larger crowds, and lodging may be sold out. The shoulder seasons of May and November are viewed as great times to visit because the weather should be less of a factor, there are fewer crowds, and prices are cheaper.
Where Should You Go in Costa Rica?
One thing that makes Costa Rica such a popular travel destination is its varied geography. There is something to satisfy every nature and wildlife lover, which also makes it a great place to take your family. Since there are two international airports, it is now easier than ever to get to Costa Rica! My husband and I first visited the country in 2007 and finally had the chance to return with our children in 2024.
In my opinion, exploring the diverse regions of Costa Rica is one of the main draws, but this can be difficult with small children. Especially during the wet season, travel throughout the country can be difficult with long, windy, bumpy roads or inter-country flights on small airplanes as your only options. Not to say you can’t have an amazing trip by staying in one location – I would just save the extensive itineraries for kids who are a little older, maybe 8+. Traveling with children who still require car seats also adds an additional element of planning, as well as more baggage to maneuver.
The most popular areas for first-time visitors include Manuel Antonio National Park for beautiful beaches and wildlife viewing, La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano for outdoor adventures, Monteverde Cloud Forest for canopy tours and birdwatching, Nicoya Peninsula for surfing and stunning beaches, Osa Peninsula for remote rainforests and wildlife, Tortuguero National Park for sea turtle spotting on the Caribbean coast, and San José the capital city for culture and nightlife. Both of my suggested itineraries give you a taste of Costa Rica, just enough time to make you realize you will need to come back!
What to Consider
How Many Places Should I Visit?
For a one week vacation, I wouldn’t recommend visiting more than two to three different locations unless you don’t mind spending a lot of your vacation driving. If you are traveling with children, remote regions will be more difficult to get to and not offer as many activities as the more touristy areas. Although visiting the Osa Peninsula was high on my wish list for our most recent trip, after much research I felt we could make the most of our limited time in other areas of the country. Plan day trips from central locations to maximize your time.
Is Costa Rica Expensive?
Over the years, it has definitely become more expensive to visit Costa Rica. While staying in the popular tourist areas, especially during dry season, you can expect to pay a premium. Many of the national parks charge entrance fees, so you might consider booking a tour that includes transportation and sometimes even a meal to get the most value. The currency in Costa Rica is the colon, but we found the U.S. dollar to be widely accepted.
It is possible to visit the country on a budget, but again, consider limiting the number of regions you travel to, as the cost of inter-country transport quickly adds up. On our family trip, I booked hotels that included breakfast to cut down on expenses, and we stopped at stores to buy snacks and alcohol to keep in our room, which was much cheaper than buying at the hotel.
Should I Rent a Car?
As I learned on my most recent trip, major road improvements had been made since my first visit in 2007, which makes it easier to travel through the country. However, that doesn’t mean that it is easy to drive on the roads, especially in the more remote areas. They can be very bumpy and windy, and you may go though areas with no cell service, which means you need to plan ahead and have directions either downloaded on your phone or printed. If you are nervous, you can easily visit major tourist areas with private or public transportation and do not need a car. However, a car will also provide you with the freedom to get out and explore off the beaten path.
If you decide to rent a car, you don’t need a special drivers license to rent a car but make sure to understand the insurance requirements. I would also recommend NOT driving at night outside of major cities.
Suggested Itineraries for One Week in Costa Rica
San Jose/La Fortuna/Nicoya Peninsula – My Pick
This itinerary will allow you time at Arenal Volcano and also in the stunning beach towns of the Nicoya Peninsula. There are several beach towns you could stay in, from very popular (and populated) towns like Tamarindo, to smaller, less commercialized towns the further you travel down the peninsula. My pick is Nosara, because it is still relatively undiscovered (for now!) but a shorter drive to the airport than other towns. The roads to the beach towns are VERY rough, and I do not recommend trying to drive on them during the wetter seasons.
Airport: Fly into either San Jose International Airport (SJO) or Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) and fly out of LIR.
When to go: This trip is best done during the dry season due to driving on the bumpy roads to the more remote beach towns.
Transportation: Although you could use public or private transportation, I highly recommend renting a car. However, if you wanted to visit the larger, more popular beach towns in the Nicoya Peninsula, like Tamarindo, you could much more easily manage without renting a car and during any season.
Day 1 – Fly into San Jose International Airport (SJO) and pick up your rental car. Depending on your arrival time, either spend the night in San Jose or head to La Fortuna.
Days 2 and 3 – Explore La Fortuna. View my La Fortuna guide for what to do during your stay.
Day 4 – Drive to Nosara in the Nicoya Peninsula. Consider a stop at Tenorio National Park and a hike to Celeste Waterfall.
Days 5 and 6 – Explore Nosara. View my Nosara guide for what to do during your stay.
Day 7 – Drive up the coast towards Liberia to be closer to the airport. Spend the night, maybe even in a tree house!
Day 8 – Fly home from Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR).
San Jose/La Fortuna/Manuel Antonio – Popular First-Time Itinerary
This is a very popular itinerary that allows you time in two of the top attractions in the country – Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio National Park.
Airport: Fly in and out of San Jose International Airport (SJO).
When to go: Go on this trip any season.
Transportation: Due to the popularity of these areas, you could easily arrange private transportation and do not need to rent a car.
Day 1 – Fly into San Jose International Airport. Depending on your arrival time, either spend the night in San Jose or head to La Fortuna.
Days 2 and 3 – Explore La Fortuna. View my La Fortuna guide for what to do during your stay.
Day 4 – Head to Manuel Antonio.
Days 5 and 6 – Explore Manuel Antonio. Spend time in Manuel Antonio National Park.
Day 7 – Head back to San Jose and depending on your flight, head to the airport or spend the night.
Day 8 – Fly home from San Jose International Airport (SJO).
Final Thoughts
Planning a trip to Costa Rica can be very complex depending on the time of year you are visiting, who you are visiting with, and the areas you want to visit. If mobility is a consideration, consider staying in the more popular areas for easier accessibility. Also keep in mind that while it is tempting to see as much of the country as possible, depending on how long you are staying in Costa Rica, you will spend much of your time traveling between locations if you try to pack too much into one trip.
To take the stress out of planning, consider using a travel company that specializes in Costa Rica like Pacific Trade Winds to plan your itinerary. They will take care of the details, leaving you to sit back and enjoy your vacation, worry-free!
