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Are you heading to Costa Rica for 2 weeks and wondering what you should be doing? Then this article is for you!
Costa Rica is an incredible country and while it’s one of the smallest in the Americas, it has a lot to offer.
Two weeks is a great amount of time to experience Costa Rica, do most of the fun activities and see the animals.
Of course, we could always spend more time there but I genuinely think that 14 days in Costa Rica is an ideal amount of time.
I visited Costa Rica as a tour leader for an adventure tour company which means I had to organise all of the activities and make sure everything was as optimised as it can be.
In this article, I share all my secrets to craft the perfect Costa Rica 2-week itinerary.
Best 2-week tour of Costa Rica
While I will tell you exactly how to plan your trip to Costa Rica on your own, it’s also worth considering booking a tour.
With a tour, you don’t have to stress about anything. You can simply relax and enjoy! Also, since you will have a driver, you don’t have to worry about driving and it’s less tiring for you.
As a general thing, I find that I always do a lot more with a group tour however, it’s true that it’s not as flexible as being on your own.
Either way, if you are interested in booking a tour of Costa Rica for 2 weeks, check out the Costa Rica Adventure tour by G Adventures.
It covers most of the places I mention below and you get to do a lot. It’s also good value for money.
How to get to Costa Rica
The easiest way to get to Costa Rica is by plane as it has two international airports: San Jose and Liberia.
Depending on your home airport, you may find that one is better than the other however, if you can, fly to San José.
While this is not necessarily the nicest of cities, it is still the capital which means that you can find everything you need.
It will make it easier to start your trip since it’s very centrally located and there are loads of car rental places and tour operators.
Renting a car in Costa Rica
If you’re not opting for a tour, the best way to get around Costa Rica is by car.
The roads are in very good condition and it’s fairly easy to drive.
Make sure to book your car in advance (especially if you’re visiting during the high season). You can compare the prices on Discover Cars and see what are the best deals.
They also provide additional insurance that is a lot cheaper than from the rental place itself.
Once you booked, you can pick up your vehicle and sign the paperwork. You do not need an international driver’s licence but you will need your country one.
In terms of driving itself, it can be a bit sporty in San JosĂ© since it’s quite busy and the traffic can be bad.
Everywhere else, it’s pretty straight forward and nothing to be worried about.
If you stick to the main tourist destinations, a 2WD will be enough but if you are planning on exploring a bit more and going off the beaten path, I’d recommend opting for a 4×4, especially during the rainy season.
The only road that will be a bit tricky is the one from La Fortuna to Monteverde. It’s not paved all the way and there are big pot holes so for this one, a 4WD would be a bit better.
Your detailed Costa Rica 14-day itinerary
Now that you know everything to plan your trip, it’s time to talk about what to do in Costa Rica for 2 weeks.
Here is the itinerary.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 1: Exploring San José, the capital city
Let’s start your first day with the capital of Costa Rica, San JosĂ©.
While a lot of people might tell you to skip San José altogether, I find it interesting to spend a day here and the first one is the best (since you have nothing to compare it to yet).
It will give you a chance to learn about the history of Costa Rica and its culture.
Morning: Food Tour
Start your day with the food tour of San JosĂ©. It’s a great way to start your trip since you will learn about the history and get to sample a lot of food (this will also help you during the trip since you know what to eat).
This market tour is ran by locals and you can choose between different starting time (but I recommend doing the 9AM or 11AM one).
You can book it online here. It’s very easy and good value for money since you get to eat a fair bit.
You meet the guide at Los Presentes Monument in downtown San JosĂ©. This is a practical location since it’s right by central avenue and near the bank of Costa Rica (if you need to withdraw some money, they have several ATMs).
The guide will then take you around downtown. Firstly you’ll go up central avenue, where they’ll explain about the lottery tickets and various statues.
Your first food stop will be at the farmers market. This is a great place to find local fruit and vegetables. You will try many of them including water apple, rambutans, passion fruit, banana and more.
You will then head to Central Market. This is a busy place where locals go shopping. You can find just about anything from live chickens to souvenirs.
The guide will take you to a ceviche stand where you can try a caldosa. This is a Costa Rican street food staple which consist of ceviche in a bag of chips. It’s very good and definitely quite unique.
I would never have ordered it by myself and actually found myself eating it on other occasions after the tour.
You will then go around downtown to see some of the important landmarks such as the National Theatre or the Metropolitan Cathedral and will end at a coffee shop.
Here the owner will show you how to make empanadas (yep that’s also a bit of a mini cooking class) and will explain everything you need to know about Costa Rican coffee.
Altogether, the tour lasts about 2 to 3 hours which is the perfect amount of time.
Afternoon: National Museum of Costa Rica
After the food tour, I’d recommend heading to the National Museum of Costa Rica.
This museum is located on calle 17 which isn’t too far from downtown (you can walk there).
The building used to be a fortress and military barracks before it became a museum.
Interesting fact: Costa Rica abolished its army in the 40s which means it has now no army and that’s why the building had no further use for the military.
The national museum of Costa Rica is a great place to learn about the history of the country and its culture.
This is why I recommend visiting on the first day. It will help you understand a lot of the things you will see later on.
There is an entrance fee (as for everything in Costa Rica) but it’s well worth the price.
Inside, you will find a permanent exhibition about the history of Costa Rica as well as pre-colombian artefacts and a garden with butterflies.
Evening: Barrio Escalante
In the evening, it’s time to go for dinner and drinks! Head to Barrio Escalante, one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in San JosĂ©.
This area is full of cute restaurants and bars that you can’t miss. It’s also where a lot of locals go out so it will give you a good feel of the city.
If you are a Harry Potter fan, it’s worth mentioning that there is a Harry Potter themed bar. It’s called the Mandragora Pub. They have loads of props and you can even dress up!
For drinks, Costa Rica beer factory is a great place to get beer. They are a little brewery with very funky decor.
For food, I particularly recommend Jardin de Lolita. It’s a food garden with loads of stalls. They have all sorts of food (even a vegan stall). It’s very pretty and the atmosphere is amazing.
If you fancy going out, you will also find a few options in this area. La Destileria is a cool bar open until late with reggaeton music.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 2: IrazĂą Volcano and Cartago
Today will be the first day of adventure in Costa Rica!
Morning: Irazu Volcano
From San JosĂ©, you can go to Irazu volcano. It’s only 1 hour 30 from the capital and is the highest volcano in Costa Rica.
There are three ways to get there:
- Hire a car. If you’re planning on hiring a car for the trip, then you can drive to Irazu volcano yourself. The roads are well maintained and there is a carpark at the entrance. It takes about 90 minutes.
- Take the bus. The bus stop is located in front of the Gran Costa Rica hotel, near the national theatre. It leaves every morning at 8AM. This is a cheap option since it’s about $6 each way but it will take about 2 hours to get to the volcano.
- Book a day tour. This is the most expensive option but also the most stress-free one. You can book a tour online which includes transport and entrance to the volcano as well as a visit of Cartago City and lunch.
Once you get to the volcano, you will have to show your entrance ticket. It’s best to book it in advance on their official site but if you haven’t, don’t worry, they have wifi so you can do it when you get there.
Tickets can only be bought online though so you can’t pay in cash.
You will then find the carpark where there is a cafe and toilets.
From there, you can walk to the first crater. This takes about 10 minutes and then to the main crater.
The weather here varies a lot so if it’s too cloudy, you won’t get to see much.
This is why I recommend getting there early as the chances of good weather are higher in the morning.
The craters can sometimes have water inside (which is what you see on the brochures) and they feature amazing colours such as green or blue but most of the time they are dried up so don’t have your expectations too high.
You can then go around the area and admire the vegetation before heading back to your vehicle or the bus.
After a day filled with adventure, it’s time to unwind and relax. Head back to Cartago and take a stroll through the city center.
Afternoon: Cartago City
On your way back from Irazu, stop at Cartago City. This is the former capital of Costa Rica and you can see that from the colonial architecture.
The city has a few points of interest such as the Basilica de los Angeles which is the main church in town. It’s one of the most important religious sites in Costa Rica and it’s very pretty.
Another interesting site is the ruins of Santiago Apostol Parish.
You can also wander around the city centre. It’s a nice place to go shopping. There are shops of just about anything.
You will also find fruit markets where you can sample one of the amazing exotic fruits on offer.
Once you are done, you can drive back to San José or take the train from the main station of Cartago back to San José.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 3: Tortuga Island
This third day will be dedicated to relaxation and exploring one of the most beautiful islands in Costa Rica.
Technically, it would make sense to go at the end of the trip, on your way from Monteverde to Uvita but that would mean two boat trips two days in a row.
And since there are amazing day tours from San José, it would be worth doing it at the beginning of the trip.
Tortuga Island is a small paradise! It’s located in the Gulf of Nicoya, about 1 hour and 30 minutes boat ride from Puntarenas and the perfect place to relax and enjoy some water activities.
To get there, you can drive to Puntarenas and take the boat from there or opt for a day tour from San José.
I went to on this Tortuga Island tour by Inside Tours Costa Rica and it was amazing!
From San JosĂ©, you’ll go to Puntarenas which takes about 1 hour 30 but you can break down the journey in 2 and have breakfast along the way.
Once you get to Puntarenas, you can board the boat and start the journey. It’s a speed boat which means it can be a bit bumpy. Also it’s not really covered so make sure to take a rain jacket.
While this is technically a transfer, it feels more like a scenic boat ride since there are a lot of animals.
You will then stop at a snorkelling spot where you can see different fish and coral, before heading to the beach.
The beach is straight out of heaven. It has white sand, loads of coconut trees and the water is warm and clear.
You will have time to relax, go for a swim or do some water activities such as paddle boarding or kayaking.
You can also go on the hike to the view points. The entrance is located by the gift shop ($5) and it takes about 1 hour to complete.
Lunch is included in the tour so you don’t have to worry about it.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are many bars on the beach that sell piña coladas, coco locos and other drinks.
You can also hire a chair and umbrella.
Around 2PM, you will head back to Puntarenas and then San José.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 4: Puerto Viejo
It’s now time to officially leave San JosĂ© and start discovering the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.
From San JosĂ©, driving to Puerto Viejo takes about 4 hours. It’s easy and straightforward since you pretty much stay on the same road all the way.
Puerto Viejo is a small beach town known for its laid-back vibe and reggae music. It’s also located close to the Cahuita National Park which makes it a great base for exploring this beautiful area.
Once you get to Puerto Viejo (which should be around lunchtime if you left at about 8AM), go for lunch and explore the town.
The best thing to do here is to hire a bike. You can get one for about $7 a day and it’s definitely the best way to get around.
It’s very easy and since everything is flat, you can go to a lot of places.
If you want to go to a black sand beach, head to the northern side of the town. Make sure to put a lot of sunscreen on because you will burn a lot quicker on a black sand beach.
Another option is to ride your bike to Punta Uva. Altogether it takes about 30 minutes but if you go as soon as you arrive, you can stop at Playa Cocles.
You can stop in one of the local sodas such as Las Olas. They have very nice chicken and vegan bowls and tables by the beach.
You can then go to Cocles Beach for a bit and take your bikes back to Punta Uva.
Punta Uva is a very pretty beach and it’s very natural. There isn’t much here but the natural beauty is amazing.
You can find a kayak hiring place if you want to go and explore the mangroves. Otherwise, just enjoy your time on the beach and go for a swim. This is the Caribbean side which means the water is quite warm and the waves not too big.
Make sure you head back to Puerto Viejo at least 30 minutes before sunset as you don’t want to be on the road at night with no light.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 5: Cahuita National Park and BriBri Communities
On the next day, it’s time to discover what Costa Rica is all about and head to your first national park.
Cahuita National Park is only 30 minutes drive from Puerto Viejo. It’s not as busy as other national parks such as Manuel Antonio, but yet just as beautiful.
If you’ve hired a car, you can drive there and park near one of the two entrances.
Another option is to book a day tour that includes Cahuita as well as the BriBri chocolate workshop and waterfall. Prices here.
I recommend getting to Cahuita at 8AM, when the park opens. That way you will beat the crowds and get to see more animals.
There is a 5km long walking path in the national park that you can do on your own or with a naturalist guide.
You can then head to the beach and enjoy a relaxing break.
TIP: If you want to go snorkeling in Cahuita, you have to book a tour since you’re not allowed to snorkel without a guide. Also, plastic (and therefore snorkel masks) are not allowed in the park.
You should be ready to go around noon and can exit the park and get lunch in Cahuita town.
After that, head to the BriBri village.
When you get there, you will start with a short introduction with a local BriBri who will show you their tools. You will then go around the rainforest and discover the unique flora and what they use it for.
At the end, you will do the chocolate workshop. This includes roasting the cocoa beans, grinding them and making a chocolate paste.
To end the day, head to Ma-Cuu waterfall which is one of the BriBri waterfalls.
There is a carpark by the walking path. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the waterfall. Be careful since it can be a bit slippery.
You can swim at the waterfall but please note that there are no changing rooms.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 6: Tortuguero
On day 6, it’s time to head to Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is a very unique place and is only accessible by boat or plane.
You should leave Puerto Viejo fairly early since it takes 4 to 5 hours to get there. You can take a boat from Caño Blanco or La Pavona.
The ride to the main island is very scenic and you will get to see a lot of animals including crocodiles and birds.
You should get to Tortuguero around lunchtime so get some food and you can then explore the island.
For the afternoon, there are two options. The first one is to chill for a bit and walk around the different cute shops.
The other one is to go to Cerro Tortuguero which is a hike with a viewpoint.
To get there, you can book a tour which includes the boat and guide. The hike is not particularly hard but it does include a lot of steps.
Once you get to the top, you will discover stunning views over the national park, the canals and islands.
On the way down, take a bit of time to try to see some wildlife. There are a lot of sloths and monkeys around.
You can then head back to the main island and go for a walk on the beach.
Please note that due to the currents you can’t actually swim here, it’s only for walking.
If you are visiting between july and november though, it will be the turtle nesting and hatching season.
I highly recommend to book a turtle tour and go see them laying their eggs (or see the babies going into the sea if you’re visiting later in the year).
This is truly the experience of a lifetime and there aren’t that many places in the world where you can witness it!
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 7: Tortuguero and SarapiquĂ
Early morning today because it’s time to go kayaking and discover the beauty of Tortuguero National Park!
In order to make the best of your experience, book this kayaking tour online.
It starts at 6AM (because it’s the best time to see the animals) from the pier so make sure to put your alarm on.
PRO TIP: There is a bakery on the main street near the pier where you can get a coffee and breakfast before you start the tour.
You will meet with your guide who will give you your kayak (could be a single or a double depending on the size of the group).
You will then head to the checkpoint at the entrance of the park. Please bear in mind that this has to be booked separately but you will be sent instructions.
The guide will then lead you to one of the canals. They go to different ones depending on how busy it is this morning.
Along the way, the guide will spot the animals for you and explain what they are as well as give you a few facts about them.
While some of them are quite easy to spot, others would be impossible to see without a guide.
We got to see a cayman during that tour and even when I was next to it I struggled to spot it so needless to say I would never have seen it otherwise.
Note: Costa Rica laws in regards to animals are very strict. Nobody is allowed to feed them so be reassured, the guides don’t know where the animals are because they feed them.
They are able to spot them because they know what type of tree each species likes and what their routines are.
While they never know where the animals will be, they are extremely knowledgeable and that’s what allows them to be very good spotters.
Also, they communicate with each other so if someone spots something interesting, they let the others know. That’s how they are able to see so many things.
The tour lasts 2 to 3 hours. It’s not particularly strenuous because you take it quite easy and there is no current on the canals.
You will head back around 8 or 9AM which then gives you time to head back to the hotel, pack your stuff and have breakfast.
Aim to get a boat back to La Pavona (you can arrange that with your accommodation) around 10:30 AM.
From Tortuguero to La Pavona, the ride is only about 1h30 and you can then get your transfer to SarapiquĂ.
Note: If you hired a car, make sure you are heading back to the same place! La Pavona is the most convenient pier but it’s not the only one.
From La Pavona, it will take around 3 hours to get to SarapiquĂ.
You can stop in Guapiles for lunch. There are loads of sodas on the side of the road which is very convenient but you can also drive in the town and stop somewhere.
Once you get to SarapiquĂ, you can check into your accommodation and have a bit of a rest for today.
I particularly recommend Epic Adventure Lodge. They have incredibly cute houses and cabins including some with private swimming pools.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 8: SarapiquĂ and Bajos del Toro
Today is an adventure and water day so make sure you take your swimming costume, water shoes and towels.
Start with a white-water rafting tour on the SarapiquĂ river.
As previously mentioned, the Pacuare river might be the most famous of all when it comes to rafting but the SarapiquĂ river is just as good!
You can book the tour online here (a couple of days in advance) and head to the meeting point where you will meet your guide for this morning.
Firstly, you will be given the equipment which includes a safety jacket and a helmet.
You will then listen to the instructions and can finally start.
Don’t worry, no need to be an experienced rafter for this tour. This tour is a class II-III meaning there are some rapids but nothing too crazy!
That said, if you’d like something a bit more challenging, you can also opt for a class IV tour.
As you go down the river, the instructor will tell you exactly what to do. This means which side to paddle on, how to paddle and if you need to sit in the boat…
They also carry a medical kit so you are pretty safe.
The thing I loved the most about white-water rafting in SarapiquĂ was actually the instructor. He was so knowledgeable and made us all feel so safe.
Also, he was very fun. They all are!
The tour lasts around 3 hours so you should finish around lunch time.
In the afternoon, head to Bajos del Toro. This area is known for all its waterfalls. This includes a few famous ones as well as loads of hidden gems.
I personally recommend going to Blue Falls (and if you have time to Catarata del Toro).
To get to Blue Falls, add Catarata del Toro in Google Maps. This will bring you to the entrance of the waterfall where you can buy your ticket.
Both sets of waterfalls belong to the same person so you can buy your ticket for either (or both, they have a combo ticket for $25).
If you have time, do both but otherwise, I would recommend Blue Falls because it’s not just one waterfall but 9 of them. Also, their blue colour is so unique!
The entrance costs $15 which works out actually quite cheap considering all the waterfalls you get to see.
The walking trail is about 1 kilometre long to the first waterfall. It’s not a difficult hike, it’s very easy but it can get quite muddy.
Along the way, you will find several guides who will tell you where you should go (not only do they take the weather conditions into consideration but they also make sure that none of the waterfalls get too crowded).
You can swim in most of the falls at Blue Falls so make sure to go to a few and enjoy a swim!
Once you are done (you will probably spend 2 to 3 hours at Blue Falls), you can head back to the lodge.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 9: La Fortuna
Today, you’re leaving Sarapiquà to head to one of the most famous towns in Costa Rica, La Fortuna.
La Fortuna is located by Arenal volcano. It should take you a couple of hours to get there from SarapiquĂ.I recommend leaving no later than 7AM so you get a full day in La Fortuna.
Once you arrive there, head straight to Arenal volcano. You need to pay the entrance fee for the park and can then do the volcano hike.
While you can’t actually go to the crater or anywhere near there, their hike is still very scenic.You get to see a lot of lava stones and discover the local flora.
Also, if the weather is nice, you will get incredible views over the volcano.You can do the hike by yourself or choose to hire a guide.
As always, having a guide means you will spot more animals.
We saw a lot of birds that day including toucans as well as racoons and butterflies.
You also learn about the volcano itself, eruptions and the history of the main eruption of 1968.
Fun fact: La Fortuna didn’t used to be called like that but since it was one of the towns that wasn’t destroyed during the eruption, it was renamed La Fortuna which in Spanish means The Lucky one.
Once you’re done with the hike, head back towards the town so you can grab lunch somewhere.
You can do so at the volcano but it will be a lot more expensive and not great food.
However, it’s true that it will save you some time.
You don’t have to go all the way back in town, there are loads of restaurants along the way.
Once you’ve eaten, head to Mistico Hanging bridges park.
This is where you can see some of the famous Costa Rican hanging bridges.
You need to book your ticket online here. The walk is very easy and mainly flat.
It is 3.2 km long and includes 15 bridges (6 hanging bridges). It should take about 2 hours to complete.
After that, it’s time to relax a bit and go to one of the hot springs (one of the perks of having a volcano nearby). Here you have two options.
If you want something free, you can go to El Choyin. It’s a natural hot spring where a lot of locals go. It’s free but a bit of a walk to get there.
It’s a very authentic experience but it can get quite busy and you don’t have any amenities.
If you want something more relaxing, you can opt for one of the private hot springs such as Termalitas del Arenal.
They charge $10 but include dozens of hot springs, slides, changing rooms and snack stands.
It is less authentic and natural, that’s for sure but a lot more comfortable and that’s something you may appreciate at that point of the trip. In the evening, I’d recommend going to Kappa sushi.
I know sushi does not sound very traditional but this restaurant created sushi with Costa Rican products such as plantains.
It was delicious and very unique.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 10: Monteverde
Start your day early again and head to Monteverde.
This is a very famous town in Costa Rica because of the cloud forest.
It should take you about 3 hours to get there from La Fortuna but remember, roads can be bumpy so it may take longer. I recommend leaving no later than 8AM but if you can go earlier than that it would be better.
Once you arrive at Monteverde, have some lunch and head to the Café Monteverde Farm & Roastery.
They offer coffee tours during which you learn everything about the plantation, the coffee itself and of course, get to try it!
In the evening, do one of the local night tours. This was one of the highlights of the trip!
At this point, you will have seen a lot of animals but there are a lot more to discover and they can only be seen at night which is why a night tour is such a good option.
You can book your tour online here. You will need to go to the site yourself but if you need transport, they can provide it at an extra fee.
Once you get there, you’ll be split into small groups and start exploring the cloud forest with your guide. You will each be given small torches so you can see where you are going.
The guide will go around and try to find some animals. All the guides work together and they share the locations of the animals so you get to see quite a lot.
Of course, it’s impossible to predict what you will actually see but here is the list of the ones we saw: sloths (mum and baby), scorpion, tarantula, toucans, various birds and insects.
I highly recommend it because you really get to see a lot and it was very fun to walk around at night.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 11: Zip-lining, Crocodile Bridge and Uvita
In the morning, it’s time for an adventure! Head to 100% Aventura to try one of the famous Costa Rican ziplines.
It’s only 15 minutes drive from Monteverde and they claim to have the longest zipline in Costa Rica.
You will get about 9 zip-lines plus 2 supermans and a tarzan swing.
It’s so much fun! It was one of my favourite activities so I can’t recommend it enough.
Ideally, you should book the 8AM slot since it lasts a couple of hours and you’ll need to drive after.
You can then take the road again to go to Uvita.
This cute coastal town on the Pacific side is located about 4 hours drive from Monteverde.
About half way through, you will reach the province of Puntarenas where you can stop at Crocodile bridge (that’s the bridge over the Tarcoles River).
As the name suggests, you can see crocodiles from there. You can stop on the side just before the bridge and walk from there to see the crocs.
Once you get to Uvita, it should be mid-afternoon which means you can head to the beach on the Ballena Marine National Park.
You can watch the sunset from there and let me tell you one thing, it’s one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen!
If you decide to go for a swim, make sure to go slowly and shuffle your feet since there could be stingrays.
🍴RESTAURANT RECS: If you fancy eating Mexican food, head to La Choza de Alejo. It’s near Playa Chaman which means you can head there after the beach.
They have very good food and prices are reasonable. This was recommended to me by several locals and I have to admit that it didn’t disappoint.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 12: Uvita
Today you’ll spend the day in Uvita. There are several activities I recommend and that you can do in one day however, keep in mind that it depends on the tides so the order in which you will do it can vary.
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what the tides will be on the day of your visit but it’s very easy to get that info online or via your hotel.
The first activity is surfing. Uvita is an absolute paradise for surfers, especially beginners.
The waves are very nice, pretty soft and there is a big gap between them which makes it a lot easier.
If you know how to surf already, you can simply hire a board from one of the local shops by the beach.
Otherwise, I recommend booking a surfing lesson. The instructors are fantastic. They will explain everything you need to know and help you a lot.
When the conditions are good, most people manage to get up on the board and that’s quite an achievement for a first surfing lesson.
The second activity is to walk to the whale tail.
The beach and bay in Uvita has the shape of a whale tail (hence the name of the national park) which is a pretty incredible natural feature.
No matter where you stay, you can walk to the tail. It’s a very unique thing to see.
This is the activity where you need to take the tides into consideration. Make sure you go early enough. Ideally, you can also time it so you see the water on either side coming together.
Please remember that for both surfing and the whale tail, you will need to pay the entrance fee to the national park. There are stations everywhere by the beach and it has to be paid by card. It works out around $7 with taxes.
Then the last activity I recommend is to be done mid to late afternoon and it’s a sunset horseback ride.
I did it with Rancho La Merced which is located just outside of Uvita and this was my absolute favourite activity in Costa Rica.
The ranch is very nice, the staff is helpful and the horses are very well looked after.
When you get there, you will be assigned a horse depending on your weigh and level of experience.
You will then go on a trail, through a creek and on the beach.
The instructors will split the group into two groups, beginners and experienced riders. That way the experienced riders can canter on the beach.
It’s a very long beach so you can canter a lot!
Beginners in the meantime will walk (or trot if they want) and enjoy the sunset.
Whichever one you want, I can promise you that it’s a magical experience. Watching the sunset while riding a horse gives you a feel of freedom that can’t be beaten.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 13: Caño Island
The marine life in and around Uvita is absolutely incredible. The area is famous for its dolphin and whale populations as well as snorkelling spots.
If you are visiting during the whale season, going whale watching is a great option.
However, what I particularly recommend (all year round) is to book a boat trip to Caño Island.
This is one of the best places in Costa Rica for snorkelling and you will (most likely) get to see dolphins on your way as well as whales if you are visiting during the season.
You can book the trip here. It includes the entrance to the national park, the transfer to the island and 2 guided snorkelling tours.
It’s such a magical experience because you get to see loads of fish and corals but sea turtles as well! We literally had a sea turtle swimming next to us!
Also, since you are with guides, they make sure you see as much as you can!
You also stop on the island for a bit. You can either stay on the beach or walk up to the view point.
The boat transfer is a bit long, it takes about 2 hours to get there but as I said, it’s very scenic and you get to see the dolphins and whales.
When you come back, you’ll probably want to chill for a bit. Snorkelling is tiring!
In the evening, I recommend going to Uvita Gastro Park. It’s an area with food stands, games and fairy lights.
They have different types of food and they are all very good. You will also find a bar with the usual drinks and unique cocktails.
Costa Rica Itinerary Day 14: Manuel Antonio and San José
For your last day in Costa Rica, you will most likely want to head back to San José to catch your flight.
But on your way back, I recommend stopping at Manuel Antonio National Park.
This is both the smallest and most visited national park in Costa Rica. And it’s not hard to know why! It’s stunning and has everything. There are so many animals to see and the beach is beautiful.
Please note that Manuel Antonio sells out days in advance so make sure to book on the official website as soon as you can.
I also recommend booking a guided tour for this one. There really are a lot of animals and while you will be able to spot some of them by yourself, having a guide is a game changer.
Also, they have very big binoculars on tripods that you can use. They will also help you take photos.
We saw a baby sloth going down a tree and we would never have been able to see it by ourselves.
Once you are done with the guided tour, you can head to the beach and relax for a bit. If you are not in a rush to go back to San José you can even stay the entire day there.
There is a restaurant in the park so you can eat there.
PRO TIP: A lot of things are not allowed in the park including single use plastic.
When you feel like you are ready to go, you can head back to San JosĂ©. If there is still time, you can check out one of the landmarks you haven’t seen on the first day but otherwise, just go for dinner and drinks.
For dinner, I particularly recommend the Jardin de Lolita. It’s also a food stand place and it has a very good atmosphere.
Map of this Costa Rica 2-Week Itinerary
I hope this article has helped you plan your 2 weeks in Costa Rica. It’s a beautiful country and there is so much to see.
I made sure to include as much as I could without having to rush things but don’t forget that we are all different so make it your own.
You may also be interested in:
- How to Go on a Tortuga Island Day Trip in Costa Rica: Everything you need to know about the Isla Tortuga Tours
- The Ultimate Costa Rica 5-Day Itinerary: Exactly how to spend 5 days in Costa Rica
- 12 Best Things to do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
- How to Plan the Perfect Cahuita National Park and BriBri Chocolate Day Trip from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
- 26 Costa Rica Travel Tips That You Need to Know
- The Ultimate Costa Rica Bucket List: Top 16 Must Do Activities in Costa Rica
