Start here · Step 2 of 4: Planning
Plan your Costa Rica trip: 6 big decisions
Now comes the fun part (and sometimes the overwhelming part): figuring out when to come, how long to stay, where to go, and how to get around.
Don’t worry. We’ve planned trips all over this country since 2016, and it really comes down to these six decisions. Make them in order and the rest falls into place.
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Start here: your Costa Rica planning path
Step 2 · You are here
Planning
How to plan, step by step
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Lock in the big pieces
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Adobe Rent a Car
The local company we use ourselves. 10% off and a free extra driver through us.
Not driving?
Bookaway shuttles
Shared and private shuttles between towns. Code SARAHMC5.
Travel insurance
Heymondo
Medical care, adventure sports, lost bags, and delays.
Decision 1 of 6
When to go
Costa Rica’s weather changes a lot by region and month, but in our opinion there’s really no bad time to visit.
Dec to Apr
Dry season
Sunny skies, higher prices, busier beaches.
Best for: First-timers, escaping cold Northern Hemisphere weather, and families.
May to Nov
Green season
Lush jungles, fewer tourists, lower rates.
Best for: Wildlife and photography.
Sep to Oct
Rainiest months
Wet on the Pacific, dry on the Caribbean. Cozy vibes and lower prices.
Best for: Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero.
💬 Sarah & Thomas tip
Don’t let the words “rainy season” scare you off. Most days we still get sunny mornings, the jungle is at its greenest, and hotels are cheaper. Just plan your outdoor adventures early in the day.
Decision 2 of 6
How long to stay and how many stops
Traffic here can be nuts. Don’t try to see everything in a short trip, or you’ll spend your whole vacation on the road, and that’s no fun.
1 week
2 main places
Pair one jungle area (La Fortuna or Monteverde) with one beach spot (Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo).
10 days
3 places
Add a travel day between stops and mix rainforest, mountains, and coast.
2 weeks
4 places
Go farther south (Uvita or Osa) or east to the Caribbean for a broader view of Costa Rica.
3 weeks
5+ places
Add remote spots like Tenorio or Sarapiquí, and build in rest days between long drives.
💬 Sarah & Thomas tip
Don’t drive at night if you can help it. We’ve lived here for years and still avoid long drives after dark. If your flight lands in the evening, spend your first night near the airport.
Decision 3 of 6
Choose your airport
Costa Rica has two international airports, and the right one depends on where you’re headed.
SJO · San José
Juan Santamaría International
Costa Rica’s largest and busiest airport, just outside the capital.
Best for visiting: Central Valley, Arenal, Monteverde, the Central and South Pacific, and the Caribbean coast.
LIR · Liberia
Liberia International
On the Pacific side near the Nicaragua border, and the preferred entry point for Guanacaste’s beaches.
Best for visiting: Papagayo Peninsula, Tamarindo, Nosara, the Nicoya Peninsula, La Fortuna, and Monteverde.
💡 Good to know
Flying in and out of different airports (open jaw) can save you a long backtrack. For example, land in Liberia for the beaches and fly home from San José.
Decision 4 of 6
Choose where to go
Real talk: choosing your route is hard, because every town here has a different vibe (hence our name) and they’re all amazing. Here are our picks by travel style.
Romantic getaway
Wildlife lovers
Nature and hiking
La Fortuna · Rio Celeste · Monteverde · Corcovado
Luxury escapes
Families
Adventure seekers
La Fortuna · Turrialba · Rincón de la Vieja · Monteverde
Surfers and beach lovers
Tamarindo · Nosara · Santa Teresa · Dominical
Off the beaten path
Ojochal · San Gerardo de Dota · Pavones
💬 Sarah & Thomas tip
Can’t decide? Pair one jungle area with one beach. That’s what we suggest to almost every first-timer, and it’s hard to go wrong.
Decision 5 of 6
Connect the dots: your route
Once you have a feel for your style and the areas that fit you, it’s time to connect the dots. For a one-week trip, we think these two routes work for almost everyone: simple, efficient, and a great mix of beach, jungle, volcano, and wildlife without spending your vacation on the road.
7 days from SJO
San José route
Alajuela → La Fortuna → Manuel Antonio → Alajuela
We like this route because:
Before you start
Stay one night in Alajuela (near SJO) at the beginning or end of your trip, or both. We don’t recommend staying in downtown San José unless you have a specific reason.
How to customize it
7 days from LIR
Liberia route
Liberia → Papagayo or Playa Hermosa → La Fortuna → Liberia
The perfect mix of jungle and beaches, with good roads and simple logistics.
Before or after
Staying near Liberia airport usually isn’t necessary unless you have a very late arrival, a very early departure, or want a low-stress final night coming back from La Fortuna. Playa Hermosa and Papagayo are close enough to go straight to the beach.
How to customize it
💬 Sarah & Thomas tip
Whichever route you pick, rent an SUV with decent clearance rather than a sedan. Some roads are steep, bumpy, or unpaved, and it makes the drive way less stressful. We use Adobe, and you get 10% off through us.
$27 itinerary
Want the complete daily plan?
Hotel picks, timing, restaurants, and activities. Our 7-Day Costa Rica Itinerary walks you through every detail of the SJO route.
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Decision 6 of 6
Gather your trip tools
Ready to bring your plan to life? Choose how hands-on you want to be.
Free AI tool
Free trip planner
Answer six quick questions and our planner maps out your route day by day, with hotels, tours and drive times. We built it from our years of planning trips here.
$27
7-day itinerary
Our done-for-you route covering beach, rainforest, and volcano.
Community
Our Facebook group
Ask route questions, get packing advice, and see what travelers recommend right now.
FAQ
Planning a Costa Rica trip FAQ: your questions
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
In our opinion, there’s no bad time. Dry season (December to April) brings sunny skies, higher prices, and busier beaches. Green season (May to November) means lush jungles, fewer tourists, and lower rates. September and October are the rainiest months on the Pacific but dry on the Caribbean side.
How many places should I visit in one week in Costa Rica?
Two main places. We suggest pairing one jungle area like La Fortuna or Monteverde with one beach spot like Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo. Add one place for 10 days, two for 2 weeks, and three or more for 3 weeks.
Should I fly into San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)?
Fly into SJO for the Central Valley, Arenal, Monteverde, the Central and South Pacific, and the Caribbean coast. Fly into LIR for Guanacaste’s beaches, like Papagayo, Tamarindo, and Nosara, and the Nicoya Peninsula.
Should I stay in downtown San José?
We don’t recommend it unless you have a specific reason. Stay one night in Alajuela, near SJO airport, at the start or end of your trip instead.
What is a good 7-day Costa Rica itinerary?
From SJO: Alajuela, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, then back to Alajuela. From LIR: Papagayo or Playa Hermosa, La Fortuna, then back to Liberia. Our 7-day itinerary has the full daily plan.
Next: Step 3 of 4
Route mapped? Let’s lock it in
You’ve made your big decisions. Now it’s time to book the details.
