You'll have time to experience the best of multiple regions with 8 days in Costa Rica—with the flexibility to do it your way. Themed tours are perfect for travelers with the time and interest to dig deeper into the country's authentic offerings. Consider a culinary journey: visit food stalls at San José's Mercado Central, try your hand at traditional recipes in a cooking class, and sample coffee at a working plantation. Hoping to spot a sloth? Choose an itinerary that prioritizes wildlife spotting (on land and sea) on the Osa Peninsula and stay in eco-lodges along the way. Other tours are all about cycling, rafting, culture, and more.
See more options below, or check out 8 Days in Costa Rica: 5 Unique Itineraries.
This 8-day trip is ideal for travelers looking to experience Costa Rica's highlights. Go for a dip in Arenal's hot springs and spot monkeys and other wildlife on hikes around the famous volcano. Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches.
Explore Costa Rica's amazing natural scenery through a thrilling series of activities including whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, and more. This tour will take you to a wide range of coasts, jungles, and rivers, all while keeping your adrenaline pumping.
This self-drive tour is ideal for families who love animals and exploring the outdoors. You'll spot plenty of the country's adorable mammals like sloths and monkeys, as well as rare species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and tropical fish. Along the way, stay at unique eco-lodges
This itinerary is perfect for those who want a vacation filled with tropical beauty and adventure. Take a self-drive tour of Costa Rica that begins in the cloud forests of Monteverde, where you can hike over suspension bridges and zip-line over the forest canopy. Then it's off to Arenal Volcano National Park—your days here will be spent trekking around the base of the volcano, soaking in natural hot springs, and embarking on waterfall hikes.
In this eight-day luxury itinerary, you'll travel in style to southwest Costa Rica and the Osa Peninsula. Here you'll embark on excursions in Corcovado National Park, a veritable Lost World preserving one of the country's few lowland rainforests. You'll then fly to Arenal Volcano National Park, where even more active adventures await.
On this family-oriented 8-day adventure, you'll explore Costa Rica's top natural attractions, from the towering Arenal Volcano and its nearby hot springs to the beautiful beaches of Guanacaste. The itinerary takes you to three distinct regions: Arenal and La Fortuna, the Monteverde cloud forest, and the pristine Gulf of Papagayo. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities along the way, including waterfall hikes, wildlife viewing tours, and a jungle canopy adventure, plus optional excursions to try kayaking and whitewater rafting.
Cycle from coast to coast on this epic adventure tour that will take you from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. See the real Costa Rica as you bike from village to village—past the farms, banana plantations, and sugar cane fields of the lowlands. You'll experience all this gorgeous country has to offer as you make your way towards the west coast, from jungle rivers to mountains to an active volcano to Costa Rica's famous coffee growing region. After an unforgettable cross-country bike ride, celebrate your achievement on the beaches of the storied Manuel Antonio National Park.
This eight-day trip to Costa Rica offers an array of adventures in a variety of landscapes, from the city to the cloud forest to the sea. Enjoy hiking near an active volcano, some of the world's best bird-watching, paddleboarding across a lagoon, and snorkeling with sea turtles. Begin in Arenal for nature walks, then transfer to Monteverde for zipline tours of the forest canopy. End in Tamarindo—a surfer's paradise.
In just over a week you can enjoy the best activities in Costa Rica and visit its most exotic locales. First, you'll travel to Arenal and Tenorio National Park, where you'll embark on nocturnal nature walks, soak in natural hot springs, and hike along sky-blue rivers to tropical waterfalls. Then it's off to the coast, where you'll enjoy more wildlife-spotting excursions as well and active adventures like kayaking along the coast.
On this eight-day journey through the Costa Rican outdoors, you’ll discover the biodiverse native flora and fauna of Monteverde, along with the stunning beaches of Santa Teresa. From ziplining through the forest canopies to surfing at world-renowned beaches, your outdoor adventure awaits.
As one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world, Costa Rica makes an effort to protect its natural resources and biodiversity. Travelers on this trip will be able to enjoy the many facets of this beautiful country. You will hike up the Arenal volcano, relax in natural hot springs, zip-line through the forest, and snorkel the pacific. You will also do a behind-the-scenes tasting tour of a coffee and chocolate farm, which will stimulate all your senses.
On this 8-day adventure, experience every facet of Costa Rica's culture, from food to national museums, native people, and even wildlife. Starting and ending in San José, the itinerary includes a visit to a coffee plantation, immersing with one of the country's last indigenous tribes, and opportunities to explore by land and sea.
Experience a perfect blend of cloud forests and tropical beaches on this eight-day Costa Rican road trip. Start your adventure in Arenal, where you'll explore the rainforest via suspension bridges and zipline tours while spotting exotic birds and playful monkeys. After some exhilarating whitewater rafting and volcano hiking excursions, you'll head to the western Nicoya Peninsula to wind down with snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing on the white sands of Tamarindo.
Experience Costa Rica's cuisine on this eight-day itinerary that will have you visiting food stalls at San José's Mercado Central, trying your hand at traditional recipes in a cooking class, and sampling coffee at a plantation. You'll also have time to relax and experience the jungles and beaches the country is known for.
Get out and explore the spectacular natural landscapes of Costa Rica on this lively itinerary. This family-oriented adventure is well suited to travelers with younger children. You'll spot sloths and monkeys in the wild on a guided jungle hike, soak in natural hot springs, sail down the Gold Coast at sunset, and have the chance to try snorkeling off the Catalina Islands. With a mix of active excursions and relaxation, this 8-day journey is terrific for all ages.
This eight-day itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking a balanced beach holiday, laced with organized day trips and free time by the water. Land in Liberia, the hub of Costa Rica's Guanacaste province, and head south to the popular surf town of Tamarindo Beach. Spend your days riding the waves, swimming, kayaking and snorkeling, and diving through the reefs of some of the most beautiful Pacific waters rich with exotic marine life. Bookmark day trips to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Rio Negro Hot Springs, Las Catalinas Islands, and Capitán Island, too.
In just over a week you can experience the birding highlights of Costa Rica, a country known for its biodiversity. Over 850 different species call this nation home, and on this eight-day itinerary, you'll see many of them. The journey will take you from rainforest jungles to wetlands as you hike through unspoiled tropical landscapes, view exotic wildlife, and snap photos of birds unlike any other on the planet.
This weeklong trip is ideal for travelers looking to unwind yet still experience the natural wonders of the Arenal region. You'll mountain bike around the famous volcano, visit a working coffee farm, and go for a dip in the area's famous hot springs. You'll also have the chance to spot monkeys and other wildlife during a guided tour of the cloud forests in the Monteverde region and visit beautiful gardens abounding with colorful orchids and exotic butterflies.
This relaxed, 8-day itinerary immerses you in the unspoiled nature of Costa Rica. Starting from the capital of San José, a scenic drive takes you to the Caribbean coast to discover the spectacular wildlife of Tortuguero National Park. Then it's on to the magnificent landscapes of Arenal National Park, where the iconic volcano towers over lush rainforests and tumbling waterfalls. Spend your days hiking through the forest canopy, soaking in natural hot springs, and swimming in jungle rivers—ending your adventure on a sweet note with an unforgettable chocolate making and tasting experience.
In a little over a week, you can experience the main highlights of the tropical paradise that is Costa Rica. This includes visiting Arenal Volcano National Park, going on a boat safari down the Tárcoles River, and venturing into the remote jungles of Corcovado National Park. Best of all, throughout the experience you'll enjoy luxury accommodations and be accompanied by your own bilingual guide.
Add a little adrenaline to your family vacation with this eight-day Costa Rica adventure. Starting in San José, you'll set out to experience the rainforest and its hidden treasures first-hand in Arenal Volcano National Park. Raft the rapids of the Sarapiquí River, zipline through the jungle canopy, and visit with monkeys and parrots at a local wildlife center. End your trip where the rainforest meets the ocean at Manuel Antonio National Park, where kids can swim and snorkel, relax on pristine white sand beaches, and go dolphin-spotting on a catamaran cruise.
Costa Rica is a ruggedly beautiful country whose natural highlights are best experienced on foot. That's just what this eight-day luxury vacation itinerary has in store in the form of nature walks and waterfall hikes. You'll also get to the visit the secluded beaches of the southern Osa Peninsula and enjoy a horseback excursion in the remote mountains.
Pamper yourself on an eight-day tropical getaway to Costa Rica that offers wellness and adventure in equal measure. You'll begin in a luxury rainforest lodge with an exciting trip down the Pacuare River. Then it's off to the Arenal Volcano region where you'll relax in natural hot springs and learn the secrets to chocolate making on a local farm.
On this brisk eight-day jaunt, you'll visit one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica: the Arenal Volcano region. Here you'll explore rainforests on suspension bridges and soak in natural hot springs. Then it's time for more adventure as you brave the rapids of the wild Pacuare River on an unforgettable rafting trip.
Get your adrenaline pumping with this active eight-day itinerary showcasing Costa Rica's magnificent natural wonders. Starting in the capital of San José, you'll journey through a land of rivers, jungles, waterfalls, and volcanoes to reach the spectacular white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. Along the way, enjoy a perfect blend of thrilling activities and relaxing downtime as you brave whitewater rapids, hike high into the rainforest's canopy, and sail and swim off the pristine Pacific coast.
Costa Rica is home to around 850 different bird species, making this small tropical country one of the best sites for birding in the world. This eight-day itinerary trades sunbathing for binoculars as you venture into the rainforest in search of toucans, herons, macaws, and more. You'll even have an opportunity to spot the rare and beautiful resplendent quetzal.
Combine adrenaline-pumping adventure with a relaxing beach holiday on this 8-day active tour of northwest Costa Rica. Snorkel and sail in the turquoise Gulf of Papagayo, then transfer to Monteverde for an immersive rainforest experience. After touring a local coffee farm and soaring through the treetops of the country’s most famous cloud forest, you’ll end your trip in the shadow of Arenal Volcano—hiking the lush El Silencio reserve and rafting the rapids of the Rio Balsa.
Explore the natural wonders of Costa Rica on this exciting 8-day journey around the country's volcanoes, waterfall pools, and top snorkeling spots. Spend the first part of the week hiking through the rainforest and soaking in hot springs in Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Then you'll spend a few days wildlife viewing and boating through mangroves around the Gulf of Papagayo. Finish this family-friendly adventure with a couple of days in coastal Sámara, where a kayak and snorkel tour introduces you to the pristine Isla Chora and the underwater world that surrounds the island.
Explore Costa Rica off the beaten path on this family-friendly 8-day itinerary. Start with some rainforest adventure as you hike to waterfalls and volcanoes in Arenal and zipline through the forest canopy in Guapiles. Then shift gears and head to the pristine Nicoya Peninsula, where you'll relax on golden beaches, snorkel the coral reefs of Tortuga Island, and spot dolphins, sea turtles, macaws, and monkeys at the Curu Wildlife Reserve.
Costa Rica's legendarily friendly "Tico" culture goes back a long time to the region's first indigenous inhabitants. On an eight-day tour of the Caribbean coast, you'll spend a day at a local indigenous village and learn about their culture and traditions. You'll even visit Arenal Volcano National Park and spend a day working on a local farm.
Why go to the gym when you can exercise in paradise? This eight-day itinerary begins on Costa Rica's Pacific coast with a cycling journey over the Continental Divide then continues on a river raft to the Caribbean coast. Along the way, you'll pass through the most spectacular scenery in the country and make memories to last a lifetime.
Trek to aquamarine waterfalls, snorkel with giant manta rays, and boat through pristine waters at sunset on this invigorating 8-day adventure around Costa Rica. Families will love exploring the country's spectacular landscapes on this itinerary that begins in Arenal with volcano hikes, dips in hot springs, and sloth spotting in the wild. The trip then moves on to the surf hub of Tamarindo for several days of kayaking through mangroves, snorkeling around the Catalina Islands, and observing dolphins, crocodiles, and monkeys in their natural habitat.
Discover Costa Rica's natural wonders on this eight-day adventure around the country's volcanoes, hot springs, cloud forests, coral reefs, and beaches. Spot sloths in the wild and soak in hot springs in Arenal before continuing to Monteverde for a cloud forest hike, a guided nature walk, and a visit to a coffee farm. Finally, you'll boat, snorkel, hike, and swim in the pristine wilderness of Manuel Antonio National Park.
Sea turtles, stingrays, iguanas, sharks, toucans, and sloths are a few examples of the wildlife you're likely to see on this outdoorsy eight-day itinerary around Costa Rica's wetlands and beaches. You'll start with a boat tour and a guided night hike in Tortuguero National Park, home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, then move on to Puerto Viejo and Cahuita national parks. You'll visit a jaguar rehabilitation center, snorkel around a coral reef, and ride horses on the beach before the trip is over.
From the markets of San José to the rainforests alive with birds and frogs, the best of Costa Rica's culture and coastal landscapes await travelers on this 8-day trip. Ideal for families, you'll see historic San José and visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens. In Tortuguero, a region known for its vibrant wildlife—including resident sea turtles—you'll travel to the beaches of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Finishing the adventure in Cahuita National Park, where you'll have the chance to snorkel with tropical fish and visit a nearby jaguar rescue center.
From whitewater rafting to waterfall rappelling, this active eight-day itinerary around Costa Rica is filled with adventure! After a day of sightseeing in San José, you'll embark on two days of rafting down Class III-IV rapids on the Río Pacuare. Continue to Arenal for volcano hikes and a zip-lining excursion through the rainforest. You'll finish up in Manuel Antonio National Park, where you'll spot crocodiles, snorkel with tropical fish, and sail along the coast at sunset.
Delve into Costa Rica's fascinating traditions and magnificent landscapes on this eight-day tour that blends culture and nature. Highlights along the journey include a cooking class with a Costa Rican chef, tours of two local farms to learn about agriculture and rural life, and a visit to an indigenous community, where you'll have the chance to purchase handicrafts. You'll also go horseback riding to La Fortuna Waterfall, enjoy a jungle cruise in Palo Verde National Park, and sail on the Gulf of Papagayo at sunset.
