Only have one week? This Costa Rica 7 Day itinerary is packed with wildlife, waterfalls, and rainforest magic.

Most people dream of visiting Costa Rica for the wildlife, lush jungles, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes — but figuring out where to go and how to fit it all in can feel overwhelming. This Costa Rica 7 day itinerary is built for nature lovers who want to see as much wildlife, birds and scenery as possible.

You’ll spot monkeys and sloths, explore cloud forests and waterfalls, and take a few bucket-list day trips. After two extended trips and taking tons of tours, Bill and I have figured out how to build a Costa Rica 7 day itinerary that’s packed with jaw-dropping scenery and wildlife sightings.

So let’s jump into it: Here’s exactly how I’d spend one unforgettable week chasing nature in Costa Rica.

All photos in this guide were taken by Kari or Bill.

PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH OUR
FAVORITE TOOLS

– Best Lodging site: Booking.com
– Book Day Tours here: Viator.com
– Rent Cars here: DiscoverCars.com

The helpful red links make it easy for you to book unforgettable highly-rated tours.

Day 1 – Arrival in San José → Drive to Manuel Antonio

Welcome to Costa Rica! After you land at SJO, pick up your rental car and hit the road toward the Pacific Coast. The drive to Manuel Antonio takes about 3.5 hours — but you’ll want to build in time for traffic, lunch, and a quick scenic stop or two.

Quick Stop 1: The Crocodile Bridge near Tarcoles is an easy pull-off where you can peer over the railing and spot giant crocodiles sunning themselves in the river below. Plus there are usually birds hanging around too. It’s a great photo op and a chance to stretch your legs. (But be sure to lock your car and hide all your valuables.)

Quick Stop 2: The Jaco town Sign is on the right, just past the town of Jaco. It’s a great photo op with the Pacific Ocean rolling in right behind it. If you’re lucky, the Scarlet Macaws will be hanging around in the trees by the sign.

By the time you reach Manuel Antonio or nearby Quepos, it’ll be late afternoon — just in time to settle into your hotel and catch a spectacular Pacific sunset. Grab dinner at a local soda or go to the Marina La Pez in Quepos for a more upscale dinner. You’ve earned it.

Kari’s Travel Tip: If your flight arrives after 2:00 pm, consider spending your first night near the airport and driving to Manuel Antonio in the morning. Rural roads aren’t well lit and not great for night driving.

Kari’s Travel Tip: Here are our recommended places to stay in Manuel Antonio and Quepos with options for every budget.

Day 2 – Manuel Antonio National Park (Guided Tour + Beach Time)

Today’s main event is Manuel Antonio National Park — and yes, it really is worth the hype. Despite being Costa Rica’s smallest national park, it’s packed with wildlife, jungle trails, and idyllic beaches. Here, you are likely to see:

• Two- and three-toed sloths
• Capuchin monkeys (fun to watch, but guard your backpack!)
• Coatimundis (raccoon-like creatures)
• Agoutis (rodents that scurry along the trails)
• Iguanas, basilisks and land crabs

To get the most out of your visit, I strongly recommend taking a guided tour of the park. The guides are experts at spotting camouflaged creatures and they carry high-powered scopes, so you’ll actually see that sloth snoozing in the treetop or the toucan tucked into the canopy. On our DIY visit, we spotted zero sloths. With a guide? We saw five.

After your tour:

• Hike additional trails to lookout points or quieter beach coves
• Swim and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio or Playa Espadilla Sur
• Watch wildlife from the shaded trails or beach edge

There are no restaurants inside the park, and food is not allowed — so plan to eat a big breakfast and bring plenty of water. You’ll want a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, bug spray, and either hiking sandals or closed-toed shoes.

Kari’s Travel Tip: Here’s my complete guide to maximizing your day at Manuel Antonio National Park.

Kari’s Travel Tip: If you book a different guided tour, make sure to read the fine print about whether admission to the park is included or not. Often, it is not and you’ll have to purchase your own ticket several days before arriving at the park. Space is limited and the website is full of qwirks so plan ahead. Here’s my step-by-step guide to National Park Tickets.

Wrap up your afternoon with a late lunch or early dinner at Soda Sanchez in Quepos (the quesadillas were fantastic), and maybe a nap — you’ve earned it.

Day 3 – Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise in Uvita

If seeing humpback whales, dolphins, and sea turtles is on your Costa Rica bucket list — today’s the day to check that off.

Drive about an hour south to Uvita, the gateway to Marino Ballena National Park, and board a half-day Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour . We did this tour on our first trip to Costa Rica — and even without any whale sightings (they’re seasonal), it was one of our top highlights.

Depending on the time of year (best seasons are July–October, secondary season is December–March), you may spot:

• Stunning coastline with caves and waves crashing
• Humpback whales breaching and diving
• Pods of dolphins playing in the waves
• Sea turtles gliding near the boat
• Sea birds like frigates and brown-footed boobies overhead

The tour also includes a coastal cruise past the famous Whale Tail sandbar, time for a swim and optional snorkeling (weather permitting), and refreshing fruit snacks on board.

Kari’s Travel Tip: Morning tours are usually calmer and better for sightings. Bring a waterproof phone pouch, a towel, sunscreen, and motion sickness tablets if you’re prone to queasiness.

After the tour, grab lunch in Uvita or swing by Dominical for a beach stroll before heading back to Quepos and Manuel Antonio. I found lots of gulls and herons where the River Baru (Rio Baru) flows into the ocean. Put “Hona Beach Hotel” into your GPS and then walk over from there.

Alternative Experiences Around Manuel Antonio

Prefer to stay on land or mix up the pace? These nature-rich alternatives offer incredible scenery and wildlife — no sea legs required:

Hacienda Barú + Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary (South)

Combine self-guided jungle trails at Hacienda Barú with a guided visit to Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. This duo offers a quiet, conservation-focused day with great wildlife opportunities — especially for sloth lovers and birders.

Rainmaker Conservation Park (North)

This lesser-known gem has hanging bridges, jungle trails, and a refreshing waterfall pool where you can swim. It’s a favorite for those wanting a rainforest experience without the crowds. Some tours include a traditional wood-fired lunch.

Carara National Park + Crocodile Bridge

About 90 minutes north of Quepos, Carara is one of the best spots to see scarlet macaws in the wild. This 2-3 hour tour will show you the best of the park’s wildlife, including howler monkeys. Combine it with the Crocodile Bridge for a quick, unforgettable detour. Read my complete guide to Carara and the Crocodile Bridge!

Esquipulas Rainforest Birding Tour

Just 45 minutes inland from Quepos, this small family-run reserve is a birdwatcher’s dream, with colorful honeycreepers, toucans, tanagers, and even the elusive violet-headed hummingbird. Take a guided tour, or hike on your own, or relax on the deck while the birds come to you.

We’ve been there twice and I can’t wait to go back again! I spent hours with my camera happily clicking away at all the colorful birds. Even saw a Toucan!

Sail & Snorkel Cruise (Local)

Prefer a relaxing afternoon on the water? This Sailing & Snorkeling tour includes coastal views of the national park, a stop at Playa Biesanz, and a chance to spot dolphins or sea turtles. Bonus: the afternoon departure includes sunset and an open bar.

Day 4 – Travel Day: Manuel Antonio → Monteverde Cloud Forest

Morning:

After breakfast, check out of your Manuel Antonio lodging and begin the drive to Monteverde. With a rental car, you’ll enjoy the flexibility to explore en route. The drive takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, but allows time for scenic stops, slower mountain roads and any unexpected wildlife‑sightings en route.

Keep your eyes open along the road between Quepos and Jaco – we saw tons of Scarlet Macaws in the trees!

Recommended Stop:

Check out the Reserva Natural Valle de los Quetzales just past San Ramon. This family-owned reserve has feeders in a beautiful garden and natural trails that attract dozens of birds—including the Northern Emerald Toucanet, the Montezuma Oropendola and so many colorful tanagers.

With a day pass, you can sit under a covered roof and just watch the birds come and go. Note, this stop will add about 2 hours to your drive today, but it’s totally worth it. Bill took a nap in the car while I spent 2+ hours taking pictures of new birds, including 10 new Life Birds!

Afternoon Arrival in Monteverde:

Check into your lodging in Monteverde or the nearby Santa Elena area. We have some great recommendations about where to stay for any budget.

Use this time to adjust to the cooler elevation (typically 1,400 m / 4,600 ft) and stretch your legs. The forest canopy up here is lush, the air crisp, and the pace deliberately slower.

Late Afternoon / Early Evening:

Head to one of the scenic viewpoints such as Mirador Cerro Plano or San Luis Mirador—for sweeping views of misty mountains and valley clouds as the sun begins its descent. It’s a perfect way to ease into your cloud‑forest stay.

Afterward, enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant such as Restaurante Delucía in Santa Elena. Then get some good sleep – tomorrow’s a big exploration day!

Travel Tips:

• Roads up to Monteverde can be steep, narrow and occasionally unpaved—drive slowly and allow daylight hours wherever possible.
• Pack a light jacket or fleece top now – you’ll notice the cooler temps!
• Confirm your check‑in time. If your lodge is up gravel or forest roads, they may require a late arrival plan to find your way in the dark.

Day 5 – Monteverde’s Iconic Reserves + Hummingbird Garden + Night Tour

The Monteverde region is a prime place for bird-watching. Sure there are monkeys, sloths, snakes and coati’s present, but the main focus is on the birds. Many people come here specifically seeking the Resplendent Quetzal which can be tough to find.

Morning to Midday:

Today, choose one of Monteverde’s iconic reserves: either the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve or Curi‑Cancha Reserve. Both are rich in biodiversity and offer exceptional birdwatching and wildlife photography opportunities.

We personally loved the quiet serenity and wide‑open birding spaces with a guided tour at Curi‑Cancha, where we spotted the resplendent quetzals, stripe-tailed hummingbirds, and a crested guan. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to linger.

OR

For those drawn to lush canopies and misty trails, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of Costa Rica’s most famous spots—and well worth a visit. This popular Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Tour is led by Dennis, one of the favorite local guides.

Afternoon:

Grab lunch in town and relax a bit. Stella’s Cafe in Monteverde is a great place to have a meal and a beverage. It also happens to be a favorite hangout for motmots, tanagers, and warblers. You can see plenty of birds right from your seat on the patio.

Evening

Monteverde and the rainforest transform at night, and a guided Rainforest Night Walk tour is the best way to experience it. We saw tree frogs, kinkajous, and a tarantula or two! It’s the perfect unique adventure in Monteverde.

Day 6 – Finca Ecologica San Luis

Morning:

Drive out to Finca Ecologica San Luis Nature Preserve, about 30 minutes south of Monteverde. It’s a super bumpy road the last mile or two, but the reward is SO worth the journey. It’s my #1 favorite place to see wildlife in Monteverde.

With a day pass, you can see dozens of species of toucans, tanagers, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, hawks, oropendola and so much more. This is where I saw my first Keel-billed Toucan and an Ornate Hawk Eagle.

With miles of trails to hike and several covered viewing areas (especially helpful if it’s raining), there are lots of different ways to spot wildlife. They also have a small restaurant on-site where you can eat a traditional Costa Rican meal, or order a pizza like we did!

We went once on our own and once with a local birding guide named Dulce Wilson. You can book her via WhatsApp at +506 8739 4345

If the viewing is good, you could easily stay all day at Finca Ecologica. If it’s not, or you’ve seen enough, head back into town for the afternoon activities.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, head up to the Monteverde Hummingbird Garden near the Cloud Forest Reserve entrance. It’s free (donations are appreciated), and dozens of colorful hummingbirds zip around the feeders at close range—perfect for photos and an easy, low-effort stop.

You could also choose to have lunch in the adjacent coffee shop or buy some souvenirs in the gift shop to support this free site.

In the evening, visit Sabor Tico in Santa Elena for a delicious soda dinner as you reflect on all the amazing things you’ve seen and witnessed here in Costa Rica.

Day 7 – Flexible Options Based on Your Departure

Today, you’ll drive back to San José to catch your flight home. Give yourself 4–5 hours for the drive, especially if it’s rainy or you want to stop for photos. If you want to do one last things before you leave Monteverde:

• Explore the Monteverde Art House and its short trails—great if you’re hoping for one last bird sighting in a peaceful setting.
• Birdwatch along Mariposa Road and C. Los Arguedas near the Cerro Plano neighborhood. Just walking along the streets (or on the hotel properties), you can spot dozens of different bird species. We spotted a giant 10′ tiger snake climbing a tree in the area!

FAQs: Costa Rica 7 Day Itinerary for Nature Lovers

How many places should I visit in one week?

We recommend focusing on just two destinations—Manuel Antonio and Monteverde—so you don’t spend your whole trip in the car. You’ll get amazing wildlife experiences and tons of variety with these two regions.

Where should I stay in Manuel Antonio and Monteverde?

We’ve got full hotel guides for both places:
– The 12 Best Hotels in Manuel Antonio & Quepos for Every Budget
– Where to Stay in Monteverde & Santa Elena – Luxury to Budget to Unique

When’s the best time of year for this trip?

Both locations can be visited year-round, but December through April is the dry season. The green (rainy) season runs May through November—expect more lush scenery and fewer crowds.

Should I rent a car?

Yes! If you want flexibility and plan to explore parks, trails, or off-the-beaten-path spots, having a rental car is ideal. We always rent through RentalCars.com for easy pickup and drop-off in San José. Here’s everything you need to know about driving in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica 7 Day Itinerary for Nature Lovers: A Wild Ride

If you’re sitting there thinking, “Wait… that’s it?”—you’re not alone. One week in Costa Rica gives you a thrilling taste of the country’s wild side, but just scratches the surface. Between all the monkeys, toucans, waterfalls, and winding roads, many travelers quickly realize: seven days is barely enough.

Thinking about staying longer?
You’re in luck—our 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary for Nature Lovers is available. It’s packed with even more destinations, epic wildlife encounters, national parks, and off-the-beaten-path gems. We’ll help you slow down, dig deeper, and still leave time to relax in Costa Rica.

More Costa Rica Info

Here are some more posts about Costa Rica, including some that I’m still working on. If you’d like to receive emails when I’ve posted new content to the site, please complete the short form above.

• Amazing Costa Rica 7 Day Itinerary for Nature Lovers
• Ultimate 2 Week Costa Rica Travel Itinerary for Nature Lovers
• What to Pack for Costa Rica: A Nature Lover’s Packing List
• Costa Rica Facts & Travel Tips – For First Timers
• Colorful Birds of Costa Rica – A Photo Album
• Sodas in Costa Rica – An Affordable & Delicious Experience
• How to Make the Most of Your Day at La Paz Waterfall Gardens
• Buy Costa Rica National Park tickets without pulling your hair out
• Everything You Need to Know about Driving in Costa Rica
• Costa Rica on a Budget: Lodging, Food & Fun For Less

Monteverde / Santa Elena Rainforest Area

• Where to stay in Monteverde / Santa Elena – 12 Luxury to Budget to Unique Places
• 25 Epic Things to do in Monteverde / Santa Elena
• Where are the Best Places to Find Birds in Monteverde?
• 14 Awesome Cheap and Free Things to Do in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio / Quepos Area

• Manuel Antonio National Park: How to Have an Amazing Day
• Beyond the Park: 25 Great Things to Do in Manuel Antonio
• The 12 Best Hotels in Manuel Antonio & Quepos for Every Budget
• Carara National Park: Macaws, Monkeys & the Crocodile Bridge
• Whale Watching in Costa Rica: How to Plan Your Uvita Boat Tour
• 12 Best Free and Cheap Things to Do in Manuel Antonio / Quepos

La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano Area

• Don’t Miss These 24 Unique Things to Do in La Fortuna
• 10 Best Places to Stay in La Fortuna Costa Rica for Every Budget
• Our Costa Rica Cooking Class – Did it Live up to the Hype?
• 10 Best Cheap and Free Things to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

More on Bird and Wildlife Watching Around the World

• Colorful Birds of Costa Rica – A Photo Album
• Where are the Best Places to Find Birds in Monteverde, Costa Rica?
• Colorful Birds in Panama – A Bird-watcher’s Dream Come True!
• British Columbia Birds: Birdwatching Adventures in Vancouver & Beyond
• Best Camera for Safari? Simple to Use & Stunning Results
• How to Take Amazing Wildlife Safari Photos  –  20 Easy Tips