GridTrotter

Road Trips

Charting the Costa Rica Road Trip: A Realistic 7-Day Route

A realistic Costa Rica 7-day itinerary road trip: La Fortuna's volcano to Manuel Antonio's…

2/8

Your Costa Rica 7-Day Itinerary Road Trip, Start to Finish

Costa Rica is small on the map and huge on the ground — a country where you can soak in a volcano-fed hot spring in the morning and watch sloths…

3/8

Day 1: Land in San José, Drive to La Fortuna

Pick up the car, grab snacks and water at an Automercado, and point north.

4/8

Day 2: Arenal Volcano and a Free Hot-Spring River

Morning: Drive to Arenal Volcano National Park (about $15 entry) and walk the 1968 lava-flow trail.

5/8

Day 3: Zip-Lining and the La Fortuna Waterfall

Morning: This is your adventure day.

6/8

Day 4: The La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio Route

Today you cross the country.

7/8

Day 5: Manuel Antonio National Park Wildlife

Morning: Get to Manuel Antonio National Park at opening (around 7 a.m.) before the heat and the crowds.

gridtrotter.com

Read the full guide

Open the guide
Read the full guide