Short stays in Costa Rica: our selection

Do you have limited vacation time but want to explore Costa Rica, its volcanoes, beaches, and lush nature?

These short trips are designed to optimize your time on the ground, ensuring you experience the highlights without wasting a moment. We offer 9, 10, 11, or 12-day getaways for those who aren’t able to stay longer.

Our short trips are tailored for families and budgets of all kinds. It’s important to keep in mind that in 10 days, you won’t be able to see the entire country, of course. Choices have to be made, so we’ve carefully selected each stop to minimize travel time while maintaining a high-quality experience.

Whether you’re traveling solo or with family, we’ll customize your short stay so you can make the most of this nature-filled and active journey—without changing hotels every day or spending hours on the road. Even though Costa Rica is a small country, travel distances can be long, and we’ve taken this into account in our short-stay itineraries.

We’ve crafted balanced itineraries that give you a taste of part of the country and leave you wanting to come back to Costa Rica for a longer trip in the future.

faune tapir profil rapace

On the tapir’s trail

SAN JOSE, TORTUGUERO, ARENAL, CORCOVADO

This short break will enable you to enjoy three key Costa Rican destinations. The little Amazon, Tortuguero, will give you a glimpse of the tropical rainforest. You’ll visit ...

This short break will enable you to enjoy three key Costa Rican destinations.

The little Amazon, Tortuguero, will give you a glimpse of the tropical rainforest. You’ll visit this natural wonder by boat. Nature here is intense and offers a magical immersion experience. From July to October, you’ll have the chance to observe the sea turtles that come to lay their eggs on the beaches.

You’ll then take off for a stopover at the foot of the Arenal volcano. A private guide will show you the canopy via various suspension bridges. A truly enriching experience.

Once again, you’ll take to the skies to reach the grail: the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado Park. You’ll enjoy snorkeling at Isla del Caño to observe the rich and varied seabed. A guided tour of Corcovado Park will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip.

An intense experience for lasting memories.
  • 9 Days
  • Honeymoon
  • Self-guided

Luxury Hotel

5,556 US$ pp
hiking back river jungle

Hiking Circuit

POAS, CORCOVADO, PUERTO JIMENEZ, CARATE, SAN GERARDO DE RIVAS, SANTA MARIA DE DOTA

A tour designed by a trekker for trekkers. A gentle start to the trip in Corcovado with a snorkelling trip to Isla del Caño. The next day, things get serious. You’ll cross C...

A tour designed by a trekker for trekkers.

A gentle start to the trip in Corcovado with a snorkelling trip to Isla del Caño. The next day, things get serious. You’ll cross Corcovado National Park from north to south and spend a rustic but fabulous night. You’ll be able to enjoy the park’s wildlife at your leisure, and your English-speaking naturalist guide will be on hand to give you some expert advice and explanations.

Leave the park at Carate and take the 4×4 to Puerto Jimenez.

This is where you pick up your rental car. Head for Rivas, at the foot of Costa Rica’s highest peak: Cerro Chirrripo.

The next day, you’ll climb this 12,000ft-high giant, then descend and head back towards the Quetzal region.

A last stop to observe this sacred Mayan bird. Costa Rica is the easiest place in the world to observe this bird, all year round.
  • 10 Days
  • Sport
  • Self-guided

Standard Hotel

2,782 US$ pp
landscape beach conchal guanacaste is

Volcano, Sun and Sea

POAS, ARENAL, GUANACASTE NORD

There’s no need to multiply the number of stops to take in the sights! Land in the capital, enjoy the surrounding countryside from the outset, then set off the next day for C...

There’s no need to multiply the number of stops to take in the sights!

Land in the capital, enjoy the surrounding countryside from the outset, then set off the next day for Costa Rica’s iconic volcano: Arenal. After walking the suspension bridges, discovering the country’s gastronomy with a local family and going wild at the Arenal canopy, you descend to the southern Caribbean to bask on beaches surrounded by dense jungle.
  • 9 Days
  • Honeymoon
  • Self-guided

Upscale Hotel

2,045 US$ pp

Luxury Hotel

5,728 US$ pp
landscape volcano arenal horse costa rica decouverte

Butterfly Circuit

SANTA ANA, TORTUGUERO, ARENAL, PUNTA ISLITA

Do you only have a few days to discover Costa Rica? Then we invite you to take advantage of a short 9-day tour. You’ll enjoy a complete change of scenery as you pass through ...

Do you only have a few days to discover Costa Rica? Then we invite you to take advantage of a short 9-day tour.

You’ll enjoy a complete change of scenery as you pass through the little Amazon, Tortuguero. The rainforest, canals and wildlife will transport you into a 100% natural world in just a few hours.

After this first stage, you’ll take your vehicle to the majestic Arenal volcano. A colossus dominating a region rich in activity and entertainment. Your guide will accompany you across the suspension bridges and you’ll relax in the thermal waters. A truly relaxing experience.

Finally, you’ll reach the Pacific coast and the small seaside resort of Samara. A cove lined with white sand where you can enjoy the pleasures of the sea.
  • 9 Days
  • Honeymoon
  • Self-guided

Standard Hotel

1,959 US$ pp

Luxury Hotel

3,872 US$ pp
culture indigenus house cabecar costa rica decouverte

Costa Rican Culture

SANTA ANA, LAC ARENAL, CARAIBES, TURRIALBA, PACIFIQUE SUD

This 10 day tour will introduce you to the country’s culinary and cultural traditions. You’ll be introduced to the local cuisine, discover the production of sugar cane,...

This 10 day tour will introduce you to the country’s culinary and cultural traditions. You’ll be introduced to the local cuisine, discover the production of sugar cane, coffee and coconuts, meet the indigenous Bribri and Borucas and share a typical meal with them.
You’ll have the chance to meet and share with others. You’ll come away with unforgettable memories, unsuspected recipes, different flavors and exotic-sounding first names.
In addition to its cultural aspects, this loop will enable you to discover the Arenal volcano, the Caribbean coast, the central cordillera at Turrialba, the Dota valley renowned for its trout and its fabulous Quetzal. Finally, a relaxing cultural break on the Osa Peninsula. A tour of sharing, gastronomy and encounters that will not leave you indifferent, and will enable you to meet the local populations.
  • 10 Days
  • Family
  • Self-guided

Standard Hotel

2,135 US$ pp
sport rafting is costa rica decouverte

Adventure Circuit

SAN JOSE, PACUARE, ARENAL, RIO PERDIDO, GUANACASTE, POAS

Looking for a luxurious adventure in Costa Rica? This tour is for you. You’ll enjoy the rapids of the Rio Pacuare, one of the world’s great rafting rivers. Your luxury ...

Looking for a luxurious adventure in Costa Rica? This tour is for you.

You’ll enjoy the rapids of the Rio Pacuare, one of the world’s great rafting rivers. Your luxury riverside lodge will seduce you with its isolation, unusual access and luxury.

On your rafting return, you’ll take possession of your vehicle and drive to another magnificent hotel at the foot of the Arenal volcano. The hotel’s thermal waters are the finest in the country. With a naturalist guide, you’ll discover the canopy via suspension bridges and observe the wildlife that lives atop the reserve’s gigantic trees.

You’ll then head off to the magnificent beaches of Guanacaste for three nights in a beautiful beachfront hotel.

Explore the Tamarindo coastline by kayak.

Then on to the central valley and the Poas volcano region. You’ll visit the famous La Paz gardens and take in the immense crater of the Poas volcano.

 
  • 12 Days
  • Adventure
  • Self-guided

Luxury Hotel

6,445 US$ pp

These tours are all customizable! You can choose them as they are or adapt them to suit your preferences.

See All Our Tours