Costa Rica Itinerary: 2 Weeks of Wildlife, Adventure & Unique Stays (Full Guide)
I can confidently say Costa Rica exceeded every expectation and is one of my favorite trips Ive been on to this day. This trip ended up being the perfect mix of adventure, wildlife, and some of the most unique places we’ve ever stayed!
From sleeping inside a converted airplane to hiking through the jungle at sunrise surrounded by howler monkeys, every stop felt completely different from the last.
If you're planning a trip and want an itinerary that combines all different sides of Costa Rica then this guide is for you!
A Quick Look at Our Route
Days 9–11:
Corcovado National Park
Guided overnight stay inside the park
Multiple hikes + wildlife experiences
Days 11–13:
Stay in Puerto Jiménez
Base: Botanika Resort
Activities: fishing excursion, relax + reset after jungle stay
Day 13:
Drive into the mountains
Stay in a glamping dome with sunset views
Day 14–15:
Drive to Liberia and fly home
Day 1:
Fly to San José. Arrive late and stay overnight near the airport.
Days 2–5:
Fly in a small Sansa plane to Manuel Antonio
Hotel: Costa Verde (airplane suite)
Activities: Manuel Antonio National Park, sunset sail, zip lining
Day 6:
Travel day → Manuel Antonio to Drake Bay
Drive transfer to Sierpe
Boat to Drake Bay (wet landing)
Days 6–9:
Stay in Drake Bay (Osa Peninsula)
Activities: snorkeling tour, night hike with the “Bug Lady”
Know Before You Go: What We Wish We Knew
Before getting into each stop, there are a few things we either didn’t know.
Costa Rica is incredibly accessible in some areas and very remote in others. Once you get to places like Drake Bay, things become more rugged. Cash becomes important, bugs become part of daily life, and travel logistics require a bit more patience.
The heat and sun are also no joke. We made the mistake of snorkeling without sun shirts and ended up completely burned, which made the next few days of hiking pretty uncomfortable. If there’s one thing to pack, it’s lightweight long sleeves.
And then there are the bugs. In Manuel Antonio, we had no issues. In Drake Bay and Corcovado, it was a completely different story. Bug spray is essential, and keeping your bags zipped is something you’ll want to get used to quickly.
Finally, travel takes longer than expected. Whether it’s winding roads, boat transfers, or waiting for small planes, getting from place to place is part of the experience.
📍 Stop 1: Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio was the perfect place to start. It’s easy to get to, full of wildlife, and a great introduction to Costa Rica without feeling too remote right away.
Getting There
The image on the far left is the Manuel Antonio airport. Very small. Essentially a small room on the side of the road.
We flew from San José on a small Sansa plane, which ended up being one of the highlights of the travel days. There were only a few of us on board, and the views over the coastline and jungle were incredible.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Costa Verde in one of their famous airplane suites.
👉 Check availability at Costa Verde
This was easily one of the most unique places we’ve ever stayed. The room is built inside a plane, and while the interior is beautiful, the real highlight is the setting.
Our balcony overlooked the ocean and jungle and was big enough for a table and even a bathtub, which we used at night like a hot tub. Sitting out there in the dark, listening to the jungle, ended up being one of my favorite moments of the entire trip.
We also saw so much wildlife right from our room—macaws, toucans, and nonstop howler monkeys in the mornings.
What We Did
Manuel Antonio National Park
This was one of the biggest highlights of the trip.
We hired a private guide, which I would absolutely recommend. Without him, we would have walked right past most of the animals. Within a couple of hours, we saw sloths, monkeys, an anteater, and more.
The guide had a telescope that let us see everything up close—and even helped us take photos through it using our phones.
The tour ends at a beautiful beach inside the park, which was the perfect way to cool off. There are monkeys that will get up close and personal. For that reason, they check bags and make sure you do not bring any outside food into the park with you.
Sunset Sail
We did this our first night, and it was a really fun way to kick off the trip. It included drinks, snorkeling, and dinner, plus an amazing sunset on the water!
Zip Lining
We’ve zip lined before, but this one stood out because of the dual zip line where you can race each other. It was fun, easy (self-braking), and a great mix of adrenaline without being overwhelming.
Food
We ate at El Avión, which is known for its views (and a literal airplane built into the restaurant). Definitely go for the experience.
We also went into town one night for dinner, but it wasn’t a highlight for us. Nothing went wrong—it just didn’t feel necessary compared to everything else in the area.
📍 Stop 2: Drake Bay
After Manuel Antonio, the trip started to feel much more remote.
We took a transfer (via a van with a few other couples) to Sierpe, then a boat into Drake Bay. The arrival is a “wet landing,” meaning you step off the boat into the water with your luggage—which was chaotic but also kind of fun and unique.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Las Cotingas Ocean View.
The views here were incredible, and it was within walking distance to restaurants, but this is where we really started to experience the realities of the jungle—heat, humidity, and bugs.
We had insects in the room, including a gecko, cockroach, and wasp.
What We Did
Snorkeling Tour
This was hands down the best snorkeling we’ve ever done.
We saw a massive manta ray, sharks, barracudas, and tons of colorful fish. It was one of those experiences that didn’t feel real.
We made the mistake of not wearing sun protection and got completely burned, don’t do what we did.
Night Tour with the “Bug Lady”
This was one of the most unique experiences of the entire trip.
We walked through the jungle at night and saw scorpions, rare spiders, and even a trapdoor spider catching prey. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and even provides a full gallery of what you saw afterward.
Food
Coco Café – great bowls and frozen drinks
Kalaluna – seafood with ocean views
Bucanero – decent, but very hot
📍 Stop 3: Corcovado National Park
This was one of the main reasons we came to Costa Rica.
Corcovado is known for its biodiversity, and it truly feels like stepping into another world.
The Experience
You can only enter with a guide, and we did an overnight stay inside the park. We hiked for hours, saw incredible wildlife, and stayed overnight in a jungle station with bunk beds and no walls—just open air and the sounds of the forest. Waking up before sunrise and hiking while hearing howler monkeys in the distance was something I’ll never forget.
What to Know
It’s very hot
Ticks are common and very small (check often)
You carry everything in
Sleep is limited but worth it
📍 Stop 4: Puerto Jiménez
After Corcovado, this stop felt like a reset.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Botanika Resort.
Walking in after days in the jungle and being handed a welcome drink felt unreal. The rooms were massive, and the amenities were exactly what we needed.
What We Did
We went on a fishing excursion, which was completely new for me.
It ended up being one of the most fun and unexpected highlights. We caught a snapper and brought it to a local restaurant to have it prepared, which made the experience even more memorable.
📍 Stop 5: Mountain Glamping
We ended the trip in a mountain dome-style stay with a hot tub overlooking the view.
It was peaceful, quiet, and the perfect way to reflect on the trip.
Yes, there were spiders. At that point, we were used to it.
Final Thoughts
It pushed us outside our comfort zone at times, but those were the moments that made it the most memorable. If you’re looking for a trip filled with wildlife, adventure, and truly unique stays, this itinerary is absolutely worth it!