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.

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 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

2 466 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
  • Nature
  • Self-guided

Standard Hotel

1 892 pp

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

See All Our Tours