Costa Rica in 2 Weeks: 2 Perfect Routes + Tips (2026)
Costa Rica in 2 weeks? Absolutely doable! We traveled for six weeks through this country ourselves, but we also know that most people don’t have six weeks of vacation. So based on our own experience we made two routes for Costa Rica in 2 weeks. First, one with volcano, cloud forest and Pacific beaches. Second, one with jungle, sloths and the Caribbean coast. Complete with travel times, where to sleep and our favorite tips. A true ‘Let Us Stay For A Day’ recommendation…
Do you have 3 to 4 weeks? Then read our complete Costa Rica itinerary.
Costa Rica in 2 weeks: what is feasible?
In two weeks you can’t see everything, though. Distances look short, but with winding mountain roads, unpaved stretches and traffic jams you are often on the road for a long time. So think in hours, not miles. Choose 4 or 5 destinations and stay at least 2 nights in each place. That way you have time to enjoy yourself, and not just to drive.
- Route 1 – Volcano, cloud forest & Pacific: the classic. That makes it perfect for a first visit.
- Route 2 – Jungle & Caribbean: more wildlife, fewer beach clubs.
Route 1: Costa Rica in 2 weeks – volcano, cloud forest and Pacific
| Day | Destination | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival San José / Alajuela | 1 |
| 2 – 4 | La Fortuna (Arenal) | 3 |
| 5 – 6 | Monteverde | 2 |
| 7 – 9 | Santa Teresa | 3 |
| 10 – 12 | Manuel Antonio | 3 |
| 13 | San José | 1 |
| 14 | Flight home | – |
Day 1: arrival in San José
After the long flight you first sleep one night near the airport. We stayed at Hotel Casa 69, for example, and ate at Jardín de Lolita: ceviche, tacos and our first Imperial beer. The next morning, pick up your rental car. Read our tips on renting a car in Costa Rica beforehand. You can compare rental company prices via Economybookings.
Days 2–4: La Fortuna and the Arenal volcano
You sleep at the foot of Arenal here. That makes this the perfect first stop for Costa Rica in 2 weeks. Definitely do the La Fortuna waterfall (530 steps, ice-cold water) and have lunch at Soda Víquez. An evening at the hot springs is also popular here. We found the hanging bridges too expensive for what you see, though. Read everything in Arenal and Monteverde.
👉 Popular tours in La Fortuna:
Days 5–6: Monteverde
From La Fortuna it is then about 3.5 hours of driving on winding roads along the lake. In Monteverde it is chilly, so bring a sweater. Do a coffee and chocolate tour there, walk through the Santa Elena cloud forest and spot hummingbirds at the Kolibri Café. Want to see the quetzal? Then book an early tour with a guide, because without a guide you almost never see it. You can read more about that in Spotting wildlife in Costa Rica.
👉 Tours in Monteverde:
Days 7–9: Santa Teresa
From Monteverde you first drive to Puntarenas and take the ferry to Paquera. After that it is another hour or so to Santa Teresa. So allow for waiting time on a full travel day. You are rewarded with beach clubs, surf beaches and the most beautiful sunsets. Our favorites are Blue Mist Beach Club and Uma Beach Club for the sunset, for example.
Days 10–12: Manuel Antonio
Then you take the ferry back to the mainland and head south. In Manuel Antonio you visit the national park: buy your tickets online in advance via SINAC and go early. Also eat at Cuba Libre in the harbor of Quepos and rent sun loungers at Elizabeth. Here we also saw two macaws fly right over our apartment in the morning.
👉 With a guide through Manuel Antonio:
Days 13–14: back to San José
Finally, you drive from Manuel Antonio to the airport in about 3 hours. So sleep the last night near the airport, or leave in good time on the day of departure. Also plan 2 to 3 hours to return your rental car.
Route 2: Costa Rica in 2 weeks – jungle and the Caribbean coast
| Day | Destination | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival San José | 1 |
| 2 – 4 | Puerto Viejo | 3 |
| 5 – 6 | Tortuguero | 2 |
| 7 – 9 | La Fortuna (Arenal) | 3 |
| 10 – 12 | Manuel Antonio | 3 |
| 13 | San José | 1 |
In Puerto Viejo you rent a scooter, go with a guide to Cahuita National Park and visit the Jaguar Rescue Center. Normally it is a 3.5 to 4 hour drive from San José, but we got stuck in traffic and took 6.5 hours. In Tortuguero you then do the morning boat safari through the canals. After that on to La Fortuna, and you finish on the Pacific in Manuel Antonio. All the tips are in our blog about Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Tortuguero.
👉 Tours for route 2: Cahuita and Tortuguero:
Which route should you choose?
- First time, and do you love beaches and sunsets? Then choose route 1.
- Do you want to see as many animals as possible? Then choose route 2, because that is where you see the most animals.
- Traveling between July and October? Route 2: that is when the green turtles lay their eggs in Tortuguero.
- Want to see whales? Then add 2 nights in Uvita after Manuel Antonio and cut a night elsewhere.
Tips for Costa Rica in 2 weeks
- Rent an SUV or 4×4. Especially for Monteverde and Santa Teresa.
- Don’t travel in the dark. Try to be at your destination before 5:30 pm.
- Book popular hotels in advance, especially in high season and around Easter.
- Get up early. The animals are most active in the morning. And the howler monkeys will wake you at 4 am anyway.
- Hire a guide in the national parks. You really see a lot more.
- Don’t choose too many places. Better 5 destinations done well than 8 done halfway.
- Swim carefully. The current is often strong on both coasts. Watch the flags.
Want to know what a trip like this costs? Read What does Costa Rica cost?. And before you leave, check your own government’s current travel advice, for example the Dutch travel advice for Costa Rica.
Frequently asked questions about Costa Rica in 2 weeks
Yes, in 2 weeks you see the highlights if you choose 4 or 5 destinations. For example La Fortuna, Monteverde, Santa Teresa and Manuel Antonio. If you also want the Caribbean coast and the south, you need 3 to 4 weeks.
For a first trip, San José – La Fortuna – Monteverde – Santa Teresa – Manuel Antonio – San José is a great route. Want more wildlife? Then choose Puerto Viejo – Tortuguero – La Fortuna – Manuel Antonio.
Yes, with shuttles you can get anywhere the tourists go. A shuttle from San José to La Fortuna costs around $51–63 per person. With your own car you are a lot more free, though.
For two people at mid-range level, with a rental car, expect around $5,130 to $7,695 excluding flights. Take a look at our blog about the cost of Costa Rica for a full overview.
Pura Vida in 2 weeks
Costa Rica in 2 weeks is enough to fall in love with this country. And chances are you will come back for the rest. We certainly can’t wait. Pura Vida!
On our website Let Us Stay For A Day we use affiliate links. These send you to partners we work with.
