5 Days in Costa Rica - 5 Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Costa Rica Beach Honeymoon: Tamarindo & Nosara

With daily opportunities to snorkel, this itinerary to Guanacaste—Costa Rica's northwestern province—is ideal for couples keen on water activities and a seaside honeymoon. The catamaran cruise, boat rides, kayaking, and standup paddleboard excursion offer additional chances to get out on the water. 

Kick off your honeymoon with a catamaran cruise along the Guanacaste coast. Snorkel hand-in-hand, then relax on board with a barbecue lunch and tropical cocktails before returning to shore, where you can check out some live music and fresh seafood in Tamarindo. Head for Playa Flamingo on Day 2 and catch a boat to the Catalina Islands for a half-day snorkeling tour. Enjoy the underwater views alongside giant mantas, sea turtles, and more. If you're visiting during whale season (July to September), you may also see humpback whales. Return to Tamarindo for a romantic beachside dinner under the stars.   

Continue to Nosara on Day 3 and check into your luxury ecolodge. Then it's off to Playa Rosada for a stroll on the pink-colored beach (a great place to snap cute couples photos!) and a snorkeling excursion at a nearby reef. Cap off the day with a sunset horseback ride through the jungles and along Playa Pelada. Make the most of your final full day with a paddle (kayak or standup paddleboard) to Isla Chora for some snorkeling, a visit to an Indigenous village to learn about Matambú culture and a tasting at a coffee plantation. Share one last Costa Rican meal together at a soda (small restaurant) en route to Liberia. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Costa Rica Honeymoon Escape

Newlyweds interested in intimate jungle hikes, wildlife and turtle conservation, and Caribbean culture will appreciate this Tortuguero itinerary. With two nights in San José, there are also options for urban adventures, including walking tours to city sites and dining in some of the best restaurants in Costa Rica's capital.  

Take a walking tour of some of San José's sites or hit the Central Market for souvenir shopping before sitting down to a romantic dinner for two on the patio at Grano del Oro. Transfer, first by shuttle, then by boat, to Tortuguero on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Get the lay of the land and learn about turtle conservation on a guided tour around the village, then grab your partner's hand and head into the jungle to experience the area's nightlife—frogs, bats, and other wildlife that are active after dark—on a special night hike. On the morning of Day 3, discover herons, howler monkeys, and other early risers on a nature walk. 

Tour the canals of Tortuguero National Park, keeping an eye out for caiman, river otters, and maybe even a manatee. Unwind with an afternoon at the beach followed by an open-air couples massage and a gourmet Caribbean meal at the Manatus Hotel. Learn more about the area's Afro-Caribbean identity at the Caribbean Conservation Company before saying adios to Tortuguero and transferring to San José. Recount your favorite moments over dinner—back at Grano del Oro, where your honeymoon began, or opt for a more casual vibe at one of the open-air food courts such as El Jardín de Lolita. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Honeymoon Adventure in Northwest Costa Rica

This Costa Rica adventure is ideal for couples who can't decide between a hiking or beach honeymoon. You'll have time to immerse in nature, swim in turquoise lagoons, soak in thermal hot springs, and then head to Sámara for sun, sand, and surf.

Start with a horseback ride and hike in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, where your guide will point out volcanic steam vents, monkeys, and parrots along the way to Oropendola Waterfall. Take a dip in the turquoise-colored waters of Río Blanco (the lagoon is also a beautiful backdrop for honeymoon photos!) before returning to your hotel to feast on fresh Costa Rican fare. Day 2 is dedicated to Sensoria, a hiking trail that invites you to enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle as you hike to volcanic hot springs. Spend time soaking in the mineral-rich waters together before returning to your hotel.  

Next, you'll have more chances to make memories together at Río Blanco Canyon as you zipline over the forest canopy, try rock climbing, and cross the hanging bridges. Continue to the surf town of Sámara, where you can hit the beach for some sunbathing (and a surf lesson, if you like). Learn about the local ecosystem on a guided hike in Werner Sauter Biological Reserve—be sure to snap newlywed photos at the viewpoints. Have a picnic under the palms on Playa Carillo, then celebrate your marriage and share your favorite memories on a sunset catamaran cruise followed by a seafood dinner. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Luxury Wellness Honeymoon in Costa Rica

Honeymooners seeking a wellness retreat can start their marriage on a healthy note with this luxury itinerary to Bajos del Toro, which includes rainforest hikes, private yoga sessions, and couples spa treatments.  

Start your honeymoon off right with a gourmet dinner in one of San José's best restaurants and an overnight in a luxury hotel. Then it's off to Bajos del Toro in Costa Rica's central highlands. Set out on a guided hike through the cloud forest, where you may find toucans, hummingbirds, and the famous resplendent quetzal, before heading to your hotel for a sunset dinner with your loved one. Ease into Day 3 with a couple's yoga session on the deck. Then, head out for a hike (keeping an eye out for monkeys and other forest residents) to Catarata del Toro, one of the country's tallest and most scenic waterfalls.  

Cheer each other on during a (fully harnessed!) tree climb activity, then enjoy your reward: a birdseye view of the forest canopy from about 75 feet (23 m) up. Release any remaining wedding-planning stress with one more morning yoga session on the deck, followed by an open-air couples spa treatment. The final afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish—do some bird-watching, take a stroll in the forest, or simply enjoy the serenity of this place together before your farewell dinner. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Costa Rica Luxury Beach Honeymoon

Couples looking for luxury accommodations and leisure time at the beach will enjoy this honeymoon itinerary to Manuel Antonio and Dominical which offers a mix of outdoor activities (including hiking, snorkeling, and horseback riding), free time, and a private culinary experience.

Head for Manuel Antonio, a honeymooners' paradise. Relax on one of the many beautiful beaches or opt for a couple's massage before toasting your nuptials with sunset cocktails. Trek the 2-mile (3 km) trail through Manuel Antonio National Park; your guide will help you spot sloths, toucans, and more. The path will bring you to the beach—a perfect chance to take a refreshing dip before returning to your hotel to get ready for your dining experience. A private chef will show you some Costa Rican ingredients and cooking techniques while preparing your meal. You're welcome to participate or just sit back and observe. 

Ride horseback to Nauyaca Waterfalls on Day 3, scanning the forest for capuchin monkeys, tropical birds, and other wildlife en route. Enjoy a picnic lunch and some time together at the scenic lagoon before departing for Dominical. Watch for sea turtles and dolphins on a boat ride from Uvita Beach to Caño Island Biological Reserve, where you'll have a couple of hours to explore the underwater world (bring an underwater camera to capture some fun honeymoon photos). Share a picnic lunch on Isla Violin, then take a walk around the island before returning to your hotel for one last seaside dinner. Learn more

More Great 5-Day Costa Rica Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these other 5-day Costa Rica itineraries, with outdoor adventures, wellness escapes, and honeymoon tours to hit the highlights.