Costa Rica 5-Day Trips & Itineraries

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Five days is all you need to experience the variety of Costa Rica. With 2 international airports, one in San José and one in Liberia, you'll likely need 2 full days for transfers, leaving you with 3 to explore. Beach-bound travelers looking for a fast-paced trip can head to the Caribbean Coast, stopping in Turrialba along the way to raft down the Pacuare River. For a more relaxed pace, consider an inland adventure at Arenal Volcano or Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve—these areas can be visited from both airports with reasonable transfer times by road.

See our itineraries below, or read a roundup of the Best 5-day Trip Ideas for Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Travel Insights

Pacuare river rafting trip
Map of Costa Rica Adventure: Whitewater Rafting & Surfing - 5 Days
Costa Rica Adventure: Whitewater Rafting & Surfing - 5 Days

Make your trip to Costa Rica one to remember! From a whitewater rafting adventure along miles of tropical scenery on the Pacuare River to an excursion to one of the country's top surf spots, this short and sweet itinerary is jam-packed with thrilling aquatic experiences.

Beautiful Toucan in Corcovado National Park
Map of Osa Peninsula Luxury Jungle Adventure - 5 Days
Osa Peninsula Luxury Jungle Adventure - 5 Days

The Osa Peninsula is located in one of the most remote areas of Costa Rica and is home to windswept beaches, virgin rainforest, and exotic wildlife. Over five days you'll alternate between a pampered holiday lifestyle, rugged jungle treks, and scuba-diving/beach adventures. It's the best way to enjoy this gem of biodiversity tucked away in the great tropical paradise that is Costa Rica.

The Guanacaste region on the Pacific Coast is known for its arid landscape and beautiful beaches
Map of Explore Guanacaste From Liberia - 5 Days
Explore Guanacaste From Liberia - 5 Days

This five-day beach getaway takes you to the heart of Guanacaste Province, in northwestern Costa Rica. You'll have plenty of time to relax and soak up the unique landscapes and beaches of the region, with just the right amount of adventure thrown in.

Hanging bridge in Monteverde National Park
Map of Monteverde Cloud Forest - 5 Days
Monteverde Cloud Forest - 5 Days

Costa Rica's mountainous Monteverde region is a traveler favorite, topping lists for its distinct cloud forest ecosystem, abundant wildlife, and options for hiking and zip-lining. Perfect for a quick getaway, the five-day version of this itinerary will take you to both Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves, along with two nights in vibrant San José.

You'll together brave the rapids on Río Pacuare, one of the best rafting rivers on earth
Map of Rafting & Romance in the Jungle - 5 Days
Rafting & Romance in the Jungle - 5 Days

This 5-day itinerary is ideal for adventure-loving couples. Starting and ending in San José, you'll brave the rapids of the scenic Río Pacuare on a guided whitewater excursion, zip line and hike the coastal jungle, and enjoy downtime together in a luxury eco-lodge. With plenty of free time to choose your own activities, it's bound to be a trip you'll always remember.

Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast is known for its diverse wildlife and beautiful beaches
Map of San José and Manuel Antonio - 5 Days
San José and Manuel Antonio - 5 Days

This quick getaway will let you experience the many sides of Costa Rica in just five days. After enjoying an evening in San José, you'll head to Manuel Antonio, a national park boasting some of Costa Rica's most famous white sand beaches and coastal jungles. Hike, kayak, and snorkel until your heart's content before heading home.

Guanacaste coast
Map of 5 Days in Costa Rica - 6 Unique Itineraries
5 Days in Costa Rica - 6 Unique Itineraries

With less than a week, it's possible to experience many of Costa Rica's star attractions. You can visit misty cloud forests, go whale watching on the Pacific, view wildlife in remote corners of the country, or hike around a volcano—just choose the adventure that suits you best. Let this diverse collection of 5-day itineraries inspire you to do just that.

Arenal Volcano
Map of Arenal Expedition - 5 Days
Arenal Expedition - 5 Days

This immersive nature expedition packs a lot of outdoor adventure in a short timeframe. In just five days you'll experience the greatest hits of Arenal Volcano National Park, including swimming in a waterfall lagoon, hiking above misty cloud forests, and soaking in hot springs. You'll also enjoy some metropolitan excitement as you spend an evening exploring Costa Rica's capital, San José.

The violet sabrewing hummingbird can be seen year-round in montane forests, though they're most active during Costa Rica's green (wet) season
Map of Best Time of Year to Visit Costa Rica
Best Time of Year to Visit Costa Rica

Costa Rica's dry season (December to April) is considered the best time of year to visit, with most travelers arriving for reliable sunshine and prime beach days. Yet insiders know the rainy "green" season (May to November) can be just as rewarding: think quieter trails, better availability at standout lodges, and landscapes at their most vivid (and wildlife at their most active). Besides, rain typically arrives in short afternoon bursts, leaving mornings wide open for outdoor adventure.

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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Costa Rica
Travel specialist Olman Romero
active 4 mins ago

Olman Romero

I was born in Turrialba, a region rich in history and natural beauty, home to the Guayabo National Monument, the most important pre-Hispanic archaeological site in the country, as well as the...

read more...
Travel specialist Elena Mora
active 1 min ago

Elena Mora

"I was born in Costa Rica and grew up on my family's sugar and coffee plantation farm in the mountains of Turrialba. From an early age, I learned from my family to deeply cherish and respect our...

read more...
Travel specialist Bryan Leon
active 7 mins ago

Bryan Leon

Growing up in a coffee plantation area near San Jose, Costa Rica's vibrant capital, I was fortunate to have parents who instilled in me a deep love and appreciation for nature. As a certified...

read more...
Travel specialist Yuliana Valverde
active 7 mins ago

Yuliana Valverde

For over a decade, my passion for creating unforgettable trips in Costa Rica shines a deep understanding of the country's diverse attractions and activities, as well as a genuine commitment to...

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Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Good experience
Costa Rica | May 2 - May 9, 2026

Ann
Ann G.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on May 14, 2026
We had a great experience with Olman. He provided prompt responses and good advice. Read more

We had a great experience with Olman. He provided prompt responses and good advice.

Activity Reviews
Nocturnal Rainforest Walk
Nocturnal Rainforest Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

We saw a lot of frogs and butterfly’s. Joe shared his great pics with us on What’s App. He was very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sweetest driver ever!
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica

Our guide was great. I wish I could remember his name! He made sure we saw all the good animals including two snakes and several sloths. He helped us get great pictures of them too!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano National Park by Arenal Lake
Arenal Volcano National Park by Arenal Lake
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide Val was great! She was so knowledgeable! Sadly, we didn’t get to see much of the volcano because we got caught in a huge rain storm. But that’s life in Costa Rica!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Peñas Blancas River Floating Safari Adventure by Raft
Peñas Blancas River Floating Safari Adventure by Raft
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was a great tour. We saw lots of animals and it was fun to be on the water. Our guide Lawrence, was great!

Quality of Experience
K
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on May 14, 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊

It was truly a pleasure helping you plan your Costa Rica adventure, and I’m very happy to hear you had a great experience.

Thank you again for trusting me with your vacation, and I hope Costa Rica left you with amazing memories. Pura Vida!

Kimkim put a wonderful family trip together!
Costa Rica | Apr 22 - Apr 30, 2026

H
Helen V.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on May 07, 2026
Kimkim put a wonderful family trip together for us. Costa Rica was amazing and we enjoyed every place we visited, activities in the areas, and our resort stays. This is our second time using kimkim and we plan to use it in the future! Read more

Kimkim put a wonderful family trip together for us. Costa Rica was amazing and we enjoyed every place we visited, activities in the areas, and our resort stays. This is our second time using kimkim and we plan to use it in the future!

Hotel Reviews
Shana by the Beach Resort
Manuel Antonio
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sibū Boutique Hotel
Puntarenas
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arenal Country Inn
La Fortuna
Authenticity & Character
Location
lol
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Crowne Plaza San Jose La Sabana by IHG
San José
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Catamaran Adventure with Snorkeling
Catamaran Adventure with Snorkeling
Manuel Antonio
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Excursion at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde
Night Excursion at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience with Meal
EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience with Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sloth Trail Watching Tour
Sloth Trail Watching Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Yuliana Valverde
Yuliana
Yuliana Valverde
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on May 07, 2026

Hello Helen,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure helping you and your family plan your Costa Rica adventure. I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the destinations, activities, and resort stays, and that Costa Rica created such wonderful memories for your family.

It means a lot to know this was your second trip with Kimkim, and we are incredibly grateful for your trust and support. I would be delighted to assist you again in the future and help you discover even more of the beauty and hidden gems that Costa Rica has to offer.

Pura Vida!
Yuliana

Our First Visit to Costa Rica is Nothing but PURA VIDA
Costa Rica | Apr 21 - Apr 30, 2026

Jonathan
Jonathan S.
Harrison, NJ | Reviewed on May 01, 2026
This was our first trip to Costa Rica and KimKim created an amazing package that gave us a true, great taste of the country. My family and I (group of 6) visited Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio. Each of these places gave a unique vibe and we enjoyed all of them. We experienced the torrential rains in Monteverde, which gave us a true experience of life in the cloud forest. We even experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Manuel Antonio, which reminded us that Costa Rica is part of the... Read more

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and KimKim created an amazing package that gave us a true, great taste of the country. My family and I (group of 6) visited Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio. Each of these places gave a unique vibe and we enjoyed all of them. We experienced the torrential rains in Monteverde, which gave us a true experience of life in the cloud forest. We even experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Manuel Antonio, which reminded us that Costa Rica is part of the ring of fire.

The food was great all and all! The excursions were memorable, in particular the zip line over the cloud forest. We ended up seeing about 20 sloths and the elusive Quetzal (a male and a female), all thanks to the trained eyes of our guides.

This is our second time engaging KimKim and we are truly satisfied with the package and services. Special acknowledgments and thanks to Kat, Kate and Adam. They made our first visit to Costa Rica a great experience. Pura Vida!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

Amazing views. Best pool. Great restaurant. La Mariposa is a great hotel to end our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde

The location of the Cloud Forest Lodge atop the cloud forest is simply spectacular. The view is breathtaking and staff were extremely personable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Dennis, Jose, Fernando, and Benjamin were so personable and each made our stay very memorable.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lomas del Volcán
Fortuna

Lomas provided the closest to a tree bungalow feel. Location at the base of Arenal Volcano is excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Nocturnal Rainforest Walk
Nocturnal Rainforest Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

The nocturnal walk is a must to see some of the Costa Rica animals in their natural habitat. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and had a great eye in spotting the animals. We thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on May 01, 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m happy to hear your trip to Costa Rica was such a memorable experience for you and your family. 🙌

It sounds like you truly got a taste of everything—from the unique vibes of Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio to the adventure of zip lining and spotting wildlife, I know you wanted to see sloths and glad you got to see 20!!!! 🦥

I really appreciate your continued trust in kimkim, and I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Kate as well.

Pura vida, and we’d love to help you plan your next adventure whenever you’re ready! 🤙

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