Two-Week Costa Rica Itinerary
This post is all about the best two-week Costa Rica itinerary.
Are you planning a trip to Costa Rica and wondering where to go? This is my idea of the perfect Costa Rica itinerary for travelers who have two weeks to spend there.
I spent a little over two weeks in Costa Rica with G Adventures.
This itinerary is a modified version of the itinerary we followed in their Costa Rican Adventure tour.
If you only have two weeks in Costa Rica, this itinerary will allow you to see all the highlights of the country and maximize your time exploring Costa Rica!
There’s a mix of beaches, jungles, and mountains in this itinerary so you can get an idea of all the biodiversity and variety of experiences that this country has to offer.
Day 1: San Jose
Start your trip in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city where most international flights arrive.
Many travelers skip the capital entirely, but it’s worth spending a day in this cool, urban city before you begin your journey around the natural wonders of Costa Rica.
After you get settled in, spend the afternoon and evening exploring the city.
Where to stay: Gran Hotel Costa Rica
What to do in San Jose:
- Visit the National Museum of Costa Rica
- Tour the opulent, historic National Theater
- Admire the street art on Calle 17
- Have dinner at one of San Jose’s many trendy restaurants
Day 2-4: Puerto Viejo
Next stop is Puerto Viejo! This is one of Costa Rica’s coolest beach towns located on the Caribbean coast. It’s about a 4.5 hour drive from San Jose.
The Caribbean influence is evident in Puerto Viejo, with lots of reggae music and dishes with island flavor. This laidback beach town attracts lots of surfers due to its great waves.
Where to stay: Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel
What to do:
- Rent bikes – it’s the best way to get around town!
- Take a surfing lesson with Surf Meds Caribe ($60)
- Hit the beach at Playa Cocles or Playa Chiquita
- Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center ($20)
- Kayak or paddleboard on the Punta Uva River
Day 4-6: Tortuguero
From Puerto Viejo, it’s a 4-hour drive up the Caribbean coast to arrive in Tortuguero. Most of this area is a national park and it’s one of the best places in the country to go to spot wildlife.
It’s also extremely rugged and remote, with the towns and lodges only accessible by boat!
This was where I saw some of the most wildlife in Costa Rica, including sloths, monkeys, caimans, and toucans. You’ll also want to wear TONS of mosquito repellent here!
Where to stay: Aninga Lodge
What to do:
- Take a guided boat tour through the canals
- Kayak or canoe in the canals if you’re feeling more adventurous!
- See the turtles nesting (March through October)
- Explore Tortuguero town
- Climb to the top of Cerro de Tortuguero for a great view
Day 6-9: La Fortuna
From Tortuguero, it’s time to head inland to La Fortuna. This drive takes about 3.5 hours. La Fortuna is a small town near the stunning Arenal volcano.
It’s also known as the adventure activity capital of Costa Rica. So if you’re looking for exciting activities that will get your adrenaline pumping, this is the place!
Where to stay: Hotel Arenal Kioro
What to do:
- Hike the Arenal volcano
- Go waterfall rappelling with Desafio Adventure Company ($90)
- Relax at one of La Fortuna’s many hot springs
- Visit La Fortuna Waterfall ($18)
- Go whitewater rafting
- Take a day trip to the Rio Celeste waterfall
Day 9-11: Monteverde
Next stop: Monteverde! This mountainous town has a cool, windy climate all year round.
There’s no direct route from La Fortuna because Lake Arenal is in the way. You can either drive around the lake (taking about 3.5 hours) or take a van-boat-van route passing through the lake (this option takes about the same amount of time.)
Monteverde is another one of the best places to spot wildlife in Costa Rica, and it also has its share of adventure activities like ziplining through the trees.
Where to stay: Koora Hotel
What to do:
- Go ziplining through the jungle with Selvatura ($50)
- Take a nighttime nature walk
- Walk the hanging bridges in the cloud forest ($37)
- Learn about how coffee is made on a coffee tour
Day 11-13: Quepos
Your last stop on your two week Costa Rica adventure will be Quepos.
It’s about a 3.5 hour drive from Monteverde, and the cool mountain air will quickly melt away into a warm beachy climate as you get closer to your destination.
Located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Quepos is another beach town that is known for its beautiful beaches and proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park, where you can see lots of wildlife.
Where to stay: Gaia Hotel
What to do:
- Visit Manuel Antonio National Park ($18)
- Spend the day relaxing at the beach
- Take a sunset catamaran cruise with Ocean King ($80)
Day 14: San Jose
On your last day, you’ll head back to San Jose from Manuel Antonio, which takes about 3 hours.
From here you’ll head home from your amazing Costa Rica vacation!
I hope you enjoyed this two week Costa Rica itinerary!
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About Denise Cruz
Denise is a marketing executive who escaped corporate to travel the world… twice. A Brazilian native living in the U.S., she’s lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After side-hustling her way to financial independence, she curates solo destination guides, slow travel tips, and travel blogging advice on Wander Her Way. When she’s not on the road, you can find her in Miami with her dog Finnegan.