6 Days in Costa Rica: The Perfect Itinerary
6‑day balanced itinerary across Costa Rica covering San José, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific coast, with realistic travel times, meals and overnight stays.
Day 1 — Arrival in San José
- 07:30 — Flight San José (SJO) arrival (Juan Santamaría International Airport)
- 09:45 — Transfer to hotel (Hotel Grano de Oro)
- 10:30 — Check‑in (Hotel Grano de Oro, San José)
- 12:00 — Lunch at a well-rated local restaurant (Costa Rica)
- 14:00 — National Museum of Costa Rica (Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, San José)
- 17:00 — Rest at hotel (Hotel Grano de Oro)
- 19:00 — Dinner at Restaurante Café Mundo (San José)
Day 2 — San José → Arenal
- 07:00 — Breakfast at hotel (Hotel Grano de Oro)
- 08:00 — Drive to La Fortuna (Arenal) (Hotel Los Lagos, La Fortuna)
- 12:00 — Check‑in (Hotel Los Lagos, La Fortuna)
- 13:45 — Lunch at Soda Viquez (La Fortuna)
- 15:30 — Arenal Volcano National Park – Observation points (Arenal Volcano National Park)
- 18:30 — Dinner at Restaurante La Choza de Laurel (La Fortuna)
Day 3 — Arenal Activities
- 07:30 — Breakfast at hotel (Hotel Los Lagos)
- 09:00 — Arenal Hanging Bridges (Mistico Park) (Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park)
- 12:30 — Lunch at Restaurante Don Rufino (La Fortuna)
- 14:30 — Relax at Tabacón Hot Springs (Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort)
- 17:00 — Rest at hotel (Hotel Los Lagos)
- 19:00 — Dinner at Soda La Hormiga (La Fortuna)
Day 4 — Arenal → Monteverde
- 07:00 — Breakfast at hotel (Hotel Los Lagos)
- 08:00 — Drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest (Hotel Belmar, Monteverde)
- 11:00 — Check‑in (Hotel Belmar, Monteverde)
- 12:15 — Lunch at Café Caburé (Monteverde)
- 14:00 — Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve – Guided walk (Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve)
- 17:30 — Rest at hotel (Hotel Belmar)
- 19:00 — Dinner at Restaurante de la Casa del Cacao (Monteverde)
Day 5 — Monteverde → Manuel Antonio
- 07:00 — Breakfast at hotel (Hotel Belmar)
- 08:00 — Drive to Manuel Antonio (Hotel Parador Resort & Spa, Manuel Antonio)
- 13:00 — Check‑in (Hotel Parador Resort & Spa, Manuel Antonio)
- 14:15 — Lunch at Restaurante El Avión (Manuel Antonio)
- 16:00 — Manuel Antonio National Park – Beach & Trail (Manuel Antonio National Park)
- 19:30 — Dinner at Restaurante La Luna (Manuel Antonio)
Day 6 — Departure
- 07:00 — Breakfast at hotel (Hotel Parador Resort & Spa)
- 08:30 — Check‑out (Hotel Parador Resort & Spa)
- 10:00 — Drive to San José Airport (Juan Santamaría International Airport)
- 13:30 — Flight departure (Juan Santamaría International Airport)
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How many days do you need in Costa Rica?
This itinerary covers Costa Rica in 6 days — see the full day-by-day plan above.
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