1 Week Costa Rica Itinerary: Central and South Pacific

If you have one week in Costa Rica for vacation, check out this 1 week Costa Rica itinerary to help you plan your trip.

This sample one week Costa Rica itinerary flies into San Jose International Airport, and goes to the Central and South Pacific coast, specifically the beach towns of Jaco, Manuel Antonio and Uvita.

This Costa Rica 7 days itinerary is ideal for those who want to see beaches, tropical rainforest and nature.

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Day 1: San Jose & Jaco

Important note: this itinerary requires renting a car. There are buses and shuttles but since you are there for only one week, you want to maximize your time and have the most flexibility. Get our Costa Rica car rental discount and extra freebies here!

You do not necessarily need a SUV/4wd/4×4 for this itinerary. This entire route goes down a major highway called the Costanera Sur, Route 34, and it is well paved. Stay at hotels in town so you can rent a sedan which will work perfectly fine.

However, if you book vacation rentals or hotels up in the mountains, then a 4×4 will be required.

Land at San Jose International Airport, pick up your car rental and head to Jaco right away, about a 1.5 hour drive.

Traffic in San Jose is heavy so it may take you around 2 hours or more depending on the time of day you land.

Furthermore, depending on the time of year and day you land, immigration and customs may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

The busiest times are midday on the weekends during Christmas, New Years, Holy Week and American/Canadian spring break.

Along the way, you can stop at the Crocodile Bridge to walk on the famous bridge to see large crocodiles (roadside, no detour) or Peñon de Guacalillo, a cool cliff side lookout point with coastal views (30 minute detour).

Make sure not to leave any valuables visible, put all luggage in the trunk and park where there are other tourist buses/people. Get more Costa Rica safety tips here.

About Jaco

Jaco is the closest beach town to San Jose. As the most developed beach town in Costa Rica, it has plenty of good restaurants, shops and night life.

This beach is famous for surfing as it has constant waves and several breaks, perfect for all levels.

It’s not the most beautiful beach but it’s very easy to get to from San Jose. Rest up, wander around downtown, have a drink during happy hour, watch the sunset on the beach and get ready for day 2!

Where to stay in Jaco

Some of our recommendations are Hotel South Beach, Croc’s Casino and Resort, Oceano Boutique Hotel, Villa Nasua (apartments) and Beach Break Resort.

There are also a ton of Airbnbs and VRBOs in Jaco in condo complexes and towers. Check out Costa Linda, Vista Las Palmas (beachfront), La Paloma Blanca (beach front), Lapa Living (middle of town) and Diamante del Sol (beachfront).

An alternative option for Jaco is Playa Hermosa. This is the ultimate surfing beach in Costa Rica with a few hotels and restaurants. It’s much more laid back and relaxed than Jaco and only a ten minute drive south. Great for those looking for a less touristy and quieter beach.

Another alternative option is Villa Caletas, a gorgeous resort nestled up in the mountains with an incredible ocean view. It is a 20 minute drive north of Jaco. Great for a romantic getaway.

Where to eat in Jaco

Some of our favorite restaurants in Jaco are Grafitti, Soda Rustico, Amancios, Tsunami Sushi, Pizza Shop, Orange Pub, Beer House, Chinita Pacifica, Soda Garabito, Isaga Bar and Restaurante, Taco Bar and Green Room.

Read more of our favorite restaurants in Jaco here.

Food in Jaco can run anywhere from $6-20 USD a meal depending on where you go. There are tons of happy hour and drink specials at the bars.

Day 2 of this 1 Week Costa Rica Itinerary: Jaco

Below are our recommendations for things to do in Jaco.

What to Do in Jaco

There is so much to do in Jaco! If you’re up for something besides sightseeing and walking around town, there are many activities. You can read more things to do in Jaco here.

For one full day in Jaco, we recommend to spend the day checking out town and the beach in the morning. If you feel up for it, you can take a group surf lesson which costs around $65 USD per person.

For surf lessons, we recommend to schedule your class beforehand so you know what time you need to get to Jaco to prepare.

Recommended Jaco surf schools are Room2Board, Surfer Factory Surf School and School of the World.

For food, recommendations are Soda Rustico Jaco and dinner at Graffiti, Orange Pub or Puddlefish Brewery. You can get ice cream at the El Barco or Pops in downtown.

For sunset, we highly recommend hiking to Miro Mountain for an awesome view of the beach.

Day 3: Manuel Antonio

Today you’ll drive to Manuel Antonio, about a 1 hour drive south of Jaco down the highway. Sleep in, enjoy your breakfast and coffee and leave at check out (usually 11 AM).

About Manuel Antonio

This is a very popular area in Costa Rica because of the Manuel Antonio National Park, white sand beaches, abundant wildlife and incredible views.

Here is where you will have the best sloth spotting opportunities in this one week Costa Rica itinerary.

Along this drive, there are some nice stops on the way. First, make sure to stop at the JACO sign right outside town before Playa Hermosa.

You can see the beach town and its a photogenic spot. On Google Maps, it’s called “Mirador de Jaco.”

Another nice lookout spot is Mirador Roca Loca. Sometimes there are Scarlet Macaws in the almond trees which is fun to see.

There are some cool beaches you can stop at as well along this drive, such as Playa Bejuco, Playa Esterillos Oeste and Playa Esterillos Este.

We recommend to stop for lunch or food at Don Toro on the beach of Esterillos Este. Enjoy yummy food and drinks with your toes in the sand.

Safety tip: always bring your valuables with you if you leave the car. Don’t park in empty spots, try to park where there are other cars/tour buses. Always roll up windows, lock doors and don’t leave any valuables visible.

Once you arrive at Manuel Antonio, check into your hotel, relax and hang out by the pool. If you make it before 6 PM, head down to Playa Espadilla Norte to watch the sunset or just chill at the hotel.

For dinner, we recommend Emilio’s Cafe, Raphael’s Terraza, or Cafe Agua Azul.

Day 4: Manuel Antonio National Park

Today is your day to hike and explore Manuel Antonio National Park.

Once named by Forbes as one of the most beautiful national parks in the world, Manuel Antonio National Park has postcard perfect beaches with sparkling turquoise water, fluffy white sand and swaying palm trees.

At the national park you can hike the trails, swim, spot sloths, lay on the beach and hang out with monkeys. I recommend getting to the park early (it opens at 7 AM) to take advantage of the whole day.

The national park entrance fee is $16 + tax USD per adult. Remember to book your park tickets on the SINAC website which is required for all visitors.

You can hike the park by yourself, but if you really want to see lots of wildlife and learn about the flora and fauna, I recommend hiring a guide.

You can hire one at the national park entrance if you will be arriving to the park on your own.

IMPORTANT! If you visit the park on your own, make sure you purchase your park tickets on the SINAC website as this is required to enter.

If you’re visiting Costa Rica during high season (December to April), buy your park tickets at least 3 weeks before due to extremely limited availability.

We have discounts for Manuel Antonio National Park tours if you would like to book a full tour with roundtrip transportation, park ticket, fruit and bilingual guide included.

Where to stay in Manuel Antonio

Some recommended hotels are Hotel San Bada (right at the entrance of the national park), Tulemar and Tico Tico Villas.

There are many hostels in Manuel Antonio or you can splurge for a luxury hotel. Hostels are around $35 USD a bed and upscale hotels run a minimum of $300 USD a night.

If you want to splurge on a hotel for this 7 days Costa Rica itinerary, I highly recommend doing it in Manuel Antonio.

Many luxury hotels have a spectacular view of the national park, infinity pools, spas and some with private hot tubs on the balconies.

Some high end hotels are Si Como No, Makanda by the Sea adults only, Arenas del Mar, Parador and Hotel La Mariposa.

Days 5 & 6 of this 1 week Costa Rica itinerary: Uvita

On day 5, you’ll drive to your next destination: Uvita.

Manuel Antonio to Uvita is approximately a one hour drive south on Route 34 and is an easy drive.

About Uvita

Uvita is a small town in the South Pacific, specifically in an area called the Costa Ballena which is made up of two other towns, Dominical and Ojochal.

This area doesn’t see as many tourists at Jaco or Manuel Antonio so you will have the opportunity to enjoy beaches and the rain forest without tons of crowds.

During your drive, you can drive through Dominical to check out the beach town. If you’re hungry, stop by Fuego Brewing Company for beer and bites or Cafe Mono Congo for smoothies and lunch.

You can also take a small detour right before Dominical to visit the Nauyaca Waterfalls. These two amazing waterfalls in the rainforest are not to be missed!

Book the 4×4 truck which offers a fun 15 minute 4×4 ride through the jungle to the falls.

Where to stay in Uvita

These hotels are in town or very close: Los Laureles Cabinas, Tucan Hotel, Yuli Hotel, Whale Tail Hotel and Karandi Hostel.

There are also tons of Airbnbs and vacation rentals in the area.

If you have a 4×4 rental, you can splurge on one of the amazing ocean/rainforest view hotels up in the mountains outside Uvita, such as Oxygen Jungle Villas adults only, Kura Boutique adults only and Vista Celestial Boutique Hotel.

These are awesome for honeymooners. There is also a unique glamping hotel called Manoas just a few kilometers from town which we really enjoyed.

You can also choose to stay in Dominical instead of Uvita. There are a ton of gorgeous vacation rentals up in the mountains (4×4 required) or you can find a modest hotel in town like Hotel Villas Rio Mar.

Day 5

This day is open for you whether you want to chill or do some activities.

As Uvita is located in the South Pacific, there is plenty of tropical rainforest, mountains and beaches to explore.

What to Do in Uvita

Some of our favorite things to do in Uvita are humpback whale watching (half day) and Cano Island snorkeling tour (full day). If you want to go ziplining, there is a fun zipline at Hacienda Baru near Dominical.

For those visiting January – March or July – September, definitely take a morning whale watching tour. Uvita is the best place to see humpback whales and those are great months to see them.

Tour is around 3 hours from 830 AM to 1130 AM approximately. After the tour, have lunch in town (lots of restaurants right by the park entrance) and you can spend the rest of the day at the beach in the national park.

If you’re really into snorkeling, the Cano Island snorkeling tour is fantastic during January, February, March, April and July. It’s a full day, starting around 7 AM and coming back around 2 PM with lunch included.

Another option is to visit the Uvita Waterfall in the morning, have lunch at Mosaic Wine Bar right outside the waterfall and then spend the rest of the day at Marino Ballena National Park to walk the long shores, nap and watch the sunset.

Day 6: Back to San Jose (or stay Uvita depending on when your flight departs on Day 7)

Today you’ll head back to San Jose as it’s about a 3.5 hour drive from Uvita to the San Jose International Airport.

If you want to do some city sightseeing, you can leave Uvita in the morning, drop your luggage off at your hotel and explore downtown San Jose.

You can check out the Central Market, National Theater or a museum. Just keep in mind that downtown San Jose to San Jose International Airport is about a 30 minute drive.

If your flight on Day 7 departs in the late afternoon, you could stay in Uvita for Day 6 and then leave early the next morning for the airport.

Drive directly to your car rental agency to drop off your car and they will shuttle you to the airport. If you do this option, we recommend you to leave with LOTS of time to account for traffic, stops along the way and returning your car.

Our recommendation is to leave at least 5 hours before and remember, you should aim to arrive at the airport at least 2.5-3 hours before your departure flight time.

Where to stay by SJO airport

You can get our recommendations for best hotels by San Jose Airport here.

Booking a room at the Adventure Inn? Get 10% off using the promo code “mytanfeet” on their booking page! They are only 10 minutes from the airport, include free hot breakfast and free airport shuttle.

Returning your rental car on Day 6: Many airport hotels offer free airport shuttles so you can return your rental car on this day. You can either drop it off directly at your car rental office or ask them to see if they can arrange car pick up from your hotel.

If you rent a car with our Costa Rica car rental discount widget, we will help you arrange all the details to make sure your car rental returns goes smoothly.

To get to the airport on Day 7, you can schedule/call an Uber or arrange an airport shuttle with your hotel if they offer one.

Day 7: Fly Home!

And your Costa Rica has come to an end as you fly home on day 7. This 1 week Costa Rica itinerary gives you a good amount of time to explore 3 different places.

Sample 1 Week Costa Rica Itinerary Map

Here is an interactive map where I’ve included our hotel and restaurant recommendations, driving routes and relevant guides. (Use the sidebar to find the filters and key map)

Alternative Ideas

This itinerary is a bit quick. If you don’t want to move around as much, you can skip Uvita and add a day to Jaco and Manuel Antonio.

If Jaco doesn’t sound like your kind of place, you can skip Jaco, and go straight to Manuel Antonio, Dominical or Uvita instead.

Another idea is to just pick one destination to use as a home base and take day trips. This is less stressful since you won’t have to move or drive every couple days.

You can perfectly stay in Jaco, Manuel Antonio or Uvita and use it as your home base.

Best Time for This One Week Itinerary

We recommend the dry season, December through April. For the least amount of rain, January, February and March are your best options.

December and April may have some rain at the beginning and end of the month as they are more like transition months. Christmas, New Years and Holy Week are extremely crowded and busy.

We would avoid doing this itinerary in October, which is the rainiest month for the destinations in this itinerary. There are possibilities to get caught in tropical storms, lightning storms, floods and daily downpours as the Central and South Pacific coasts tend to rain quite a bit.

Some businesses may close in October due to the low season. But you will get the cheapest prices and least amount of people in October.

Read more about Costa Rica weather here.

Estimated 1 Week Costa Rica Itinerary Cost

For this 7 day Costa Rica itinerary, the cost for 2 people will greatly vary depending on your style of travel. An average can be roughly $2000-2500 for 2 people without flights or car rental.

Let’s say you’re staying in hotels that cost about $150 USD a night, spending about $120 USD a day on meals and drinks, doing 2 tours around $100 USD each.

This doesn’t include the car rental which can be around $800 USD a week depending on the model, time of year, insurances, gas, tolls and extras you get. Nor does this price include flights, tips, groceries, souvenirs or any other things you buy.

You can do it much cheaper by staying in hostels/budget places, eating at cheap places and skipping tours.

However, we do recommend doing at least one fun tour during your time in Costa Rica.

The most expensive time of year for this itinerary would be high season, December through April. Peak tourism season with the most expensive prices are the week of Christmas and New Years and Holy Week.

If you’re on a tight budget, visit during the lowest tourism months of September or October. Flights, hotels and car rentals are cheaper at that time.

For more of an idea, check out this one week Costa Rica travel budget to see how much we spent in Jaco and Playas del Coco.

Check out other Costa Rica itineraries!

2 week Costa Rica itinerary: Arenal, Monteverde, Santa Teresa and Playas del Coco

14 day itinerary: Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde, Guanacaste

10 day itinerary: San Jose, Puerto Viejo and Arenal

5 day Guanacaste itinerary

5 day San Jose itinerary

8 day Costa Rica itinerary: Tortuguero, Bijagua and La Fortuna

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