Costa Rica in 9 Days: 4 Recommended 9-day Itineraries to Costa Rica
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- Steven S.
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Costa Rica 9-day itinerary options
Got 9 days in Costa Rica to kill? We’ve got the perfect 9-day Costa Rica itinerary suggestions for you below.
Itinerary #1: Eco Adventure Trip in Costa Rica
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive at San Jose Airport and explore the capital’s cultural treasures | City sightseeing |
| Day 2 | Travel to the Pacuare River for whitewater rafting, then stay overnight near Arenal Volcano | Rafting |
| Day 3 | Rappel down gushing waterfalls, hike around the volcano, and soak in a steamy hot spring | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 4 | Travel by jeep and boat to Monteverde, then take a horseback ride through the cloud forest | Horseback riding |
| Day 5 | Zipline through the Monteverde Cloud Forest canopy and visit Santa Elena | Zipling |
| Day 6 | Travel to Samara Beach and relax or surf during the afternoon | Water adventure |
| Day 7 | Mountain bike down lush forests, kayak through tranquil rivers, or snorkel offshore | Mountain biking |
| Day 8 | Depart Samara Beach and return to San Jose | Transfer |
| Day 9 | Head back to the airport for your flight home |
If combining adrenaline-pumping activities with stunning natural landscapes is your kind of vacation, then this eco-adventure itinerary is for you. With this 9-days Costa Rica itinerary plan, you’ll tackle whitewater rapids on the Pacuare River, hike around the Arenal Volcano, rappel down a thundering waterfall, ride a horse across the wildlife-rich Monteverde Cloud Forest, and zip-line through its canopy. The adventure doesn’t end there. A trip to Samara Beach sees you enjoy more exhilarating activities, from kayaking to mountain biking and snorkeling. If you’ve burnt out on adrenaline, you can kick back on a beautiful beach and chillax instead. See all 9-day Costa Rica tours.
Itinerary #2: Culture and Nature Exploration
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in San Jose and explore cultural icons like the National Museum of Costa Rica | Cultural landmark sightseeing |
| Day 2 | Travel to Santa Rosa de Pocosol and stay overnight in a traditional family-run homestay | Homestay |
| Day 3 | Transfer to La Fortuna to explore gushing waterfalls and the lush Arenal Volcano region | Nature exploration |
| Day 4 | Travel to the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve | Nature exploration |
| Day 5 | Hike or zip line around the cloud forest and meet awe-inspiring wildlife | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 6 | Travel to the laidback town of Quepos and take a cooking class with a famed culinary family | Cooking class |
| Day 7 | Meet armadillos and monkeys at the jaw-dropping Manuel Antonio National Park | Wildlife exploration |
| Day 8 | Head back to San Jose and shop for souvenirs at its bustling street markets | Shopping |
| Day 9 | Transfer back to the San Jose Airport for your flight home |
Yearning to experience the real Costa Rica? Try this insightful tour. In addition to bucket-list-worthy highlights, you’ll savor a slice of authentic Costa Rican life. Hunker down with a local family and enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal at a traditional Santa Rosa de Pocosol homestay. In the seldom-explored town of Quepos, you’ll learn to cook mouthwatering Costa Rican delicacies from a family of renowned gastronomic gurus. Of course, you’ll visit a string of bonafide highlights, too, namely La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, the Monteverde Cloud Forest, and Manuel Antonio National Park. Overall, it’s an idyllic itinerary for those seeking a blend of culture and must-visit natural attractions. See all Costa Rica tours.
Itinerary #3: Family Holiday with Kids
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in San Jose and visit the capital’s parks, plazas, and museums | City sightseeing |
| Day 2 | Take a tortilla-making lesson, then visit La Fortuna for activities near Arenal Volcano | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 3 | Kayak around Lake Arenal in the morning and visit La Fortuna Waterfall in the afternoon | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 4 | Travel to the Monteverde Cloud Forest and visit a butterfly farm or go horseback riding | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 5 | Enjoy a Monteverde zip line tour or visit a coffee plantation and artisanal candy shop | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 6 | Travel to Manuel Antonio and hike deep into the national park | Hiking |
| Day 7 | Do fun coastal activities like swimming, sailing, fishing and surfing on pristine beaches | Water adventure |
| Day 8 | Enjoy more easy-going beach time before traveling back to San Jose | Beach day |
| Day 9 | Transfer to the airport and fly back home |
Check out this kid-friendly itinerary if you’ve got little ones in tow. The thrilling 9-day Costa Rica itinerary takes you to must-visit sites like La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, the Monteverde Cloud Forest, and Manuel Antonio National Park. Guided wildlife hikes let your family meet all types of exotic Costa Rican species, while exciting watersports will keep the kids content. Custom-designed for families, the tour blends engaging outdoor adventures with real-life biology and ecology lessons. Think of it like a fun vacation combination of science and the gym—it’s a win-win. See all family vacation packages in Costa Rica.
Itinerary #4: Volcanoes, Nature & Caribbean
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Touch down at San Jose Airport and spend the day exploring the capital | City sightseeing |
| Day 2 | Travel to La Fortuna to visit its famous waterfalls and the Tabacon Hot Springs | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 3 | Hike the Arenal Volcano National Park to spot sloths, howler monkeys, and anteaters | Hiking |
| Day 4 | Take a jungle boat deep into Tortuguero National Park and look for baby turtles | National park exploration |
| Day 5 | Enjoy a three-hour wildlife-spotting tour, then admire the park from a treetop zip-line | Wildlife exploration |
| Day 6 | Travel by boat and bus to the easy-going Caribbean beach town of Puerto Viejo | Transfer |
| Day 7 | Visit the nearby Cahuita National Park for an action-packed day of hiking and snorkeling | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 8 | Return to San Jose in the afternoon and visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum | Landmark sightseeing |
| Day 9 | Head back to the airport and say adios to Costa Rica |
Chock-full of exotic jungle-clad landscapes and vibrant native wildlife, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s dream. Savor her immense beauty on this epic 9-day itinerary. True to its name, you’ll visit towering volcanoes, pristine nature reserves, and dreamy Caribbean beaches—the Costa Rican scenery will blow you away. This nature-based itinerary is ideal for animal lovers too. Sea turtles, sloths, crocodiles, snakes, and white-faced monkeys are just some of the species you’ll meet. Look no further for a world-class eco-tourism adventure in otherworldly surroundings.
Planning 9-day itinerary of Costa Rica?
As you can make out from the itineraries above, nine day is ample time to explore Costa Rica and indulge in its cultural and natural offerings. If you need more inspiration, browse through our 9-day Costa Rica tours. Alternatively, you can also create a bespoke Costa Rica itinerary from scratch with the help of our local travel experts. For more duration options and ideas, check out our guide on "How many days to spend in Costa Rica".
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