7 days in Costa Rica: What to do on a 1 Week Vacation in Paradise

If you’re wondering what to do on a 7 days vacation in Costa Rica, we have a few wonderful itinerary suggestions. One of the best things about a vacation in the southern zone of Costa Rica, also known as Bahia Ballena and the Osa, is that there’s literally something for everyone.

First things first, what you should do during a week in Costa Rica depends heavily on who’s in your group. Scroll through the different scenarios below, then get in touch with us and we’ll help you reserve everything on your list!

Family favorites: A 7-day itinerary for visiting Costa Rica with young kids:

Costa Rica is an excellent vacation spot for families with young children. One thing that most kids love is watching wildlife. Forget the stinky goats at the petting zoo, there’s no shortage of exotic species to discover in the Osa. Smiling sloths, mischievous monkeys and rainbow-colored macaws — Costa Rican wildlife viewing is sure to impress your little adventurer.

You can check out these 3 hot spots for seeing wildlife without a tour, but we also recommend a trip to the nearby Parque Reptilandia . A longtime family favorite, you can head to this park at any time, no reservations required. Let the little ones check out the creepy critters while they are still young, during that time in life when slithering serpents and eight-legged arachnids invokes awe, not fear. Plus you’ll get to meet a world famous crocodile!

With kids, it’s great to have options that don’t require advance reservations. So when the mood strikes, head over to Osa Mini-Golf. You’ll cross the path of the gentle Tapir and a hungry Anteater, both equipped with long snouts that could spell trouble for your golf ball on the fairway.

Organized Tours for the Whole Family

Surf Lessons are a top choice for the entire family to have fun together. The draw is obvious: ocean temperatures that feel like warm bathwater and plenty of mellow places to learn how to surf. Surf instructors are experienced local waveriders with CPR certification. Plus, the 2-hour lesson is short enough to keep the young’uns interested and easier than an ATV tour on your touchy sciatica.

Quite possibly the most popular tour is to the stunning Nauyaca waterfalls. Getting to this 45 meter tall waterfall requires a 2.7-kilometer hike. If you aren’t keen on hiking, or your little one is in the ‘are we there yet’ phase, there are horseback and 4×4 ride options as well. Whichever way you choose to arrive at the awe-inspiring falls, you’ll find a refreshing natural swimming hole waiting for you.

There are even climbing ropes secured to the second waterfall for the older adventurous kids, aka adults, to perfect the ol’ cannonball entry. Top tip: if you aren’t the only family enjoying the falls, please save your cannonballs and bellyflops for your villa pool!

The perfect couples getaway to Costa Rica:

Costa Rica is an ideal destination for a romantic couples getaway. There is no shortage of ways to spend quality time together, and a little adventure goes a long way in igniting that spark. That’s why all of those cheesy reality shows whisk contestants off to warm tropical places, and send them out on adventurous hair-raising tours.

The popular Cano Island snorkel tour is our top recommendation. This tour can book up in advance, due to government limits of just 100 visitors to the Island per day. Shoot us an email at [email protected] and we’ll reserve your spot. You’ll take a 1.5 hour boat ride out to the island, on which you may see dolphins and whales. Then you’ll spend time swimming face-to-face with spectacular reef fish, puffers, sea stars and possibly even a few sea turtles.

We also suggest picking a day to spend at the stunning Ventanas beach in Ojochal. Here you’ll have the option to purchase adult beverages and food from the vendors or rent chairs and an umbrella. You can venture into the caves when the tide is right and get that ideal snapshot for your social feeds. Spend the rest of your day frolicking in each other’s arms, the waves, or both. If you’re looking for a more secluded and private beach, without amenities or cocktails, check out our Beach Guide here.

Fine dining options are plentiful in the beautiful southern zone of Costa Rica. If you want to go all in, make a reservation at Restaurant Exotica, Citrus or Heliconia. If fish and chips plus beer is more your style, peruse this restaurant guide to pick the ideal grill, diner, cafe or brewery.

Best itinerary for adrenaline seekers in Costa Rica:

Tons of fit outdoor enthusiasts head to the Osa as well. There are more adventure tour choices than you could fit into 7 days in Costa Rica.

For an experience you’ll never forget, consider paragliding. This trip will not only rev up the heart rate, but the view of the jungle canopy reaching to the wave break is literally breathtaking. Catch your breath on the way down and then land like a champ on the expansive Dominical beach.

After seeing the jungle from the macaw’s point of view, you’ll want to head to the rapids and rip down one of the many rivers near Dominical and Uvita. Take a crack at the mighty Naranjo River, (Class III/IV/V during Costa Rica’s green season). Fair warning, this tour is not for the faint of heart.

You’ve done the skies and the rivers, so now it’s time to conquer the jungle. This fast and dusty 5-hour ATV Adventure takes you straight into the heart of the rainforest. Keep an eye out for sloths in the treetops and troops of monkeys swinging through the branches.

Last but not least, spend a day kayaking to, and maybe even entering, the beautiful Ventanas caves on this heart pumping ocean kayak tour. This activity requires an intermediate level of kayaking skills, so no beginners are allowed. Because this tour can get dangerous — that’s what you’re here for right? — the chance to kayak through the cave depends on the swell, the tides and the currents. There are no guarantees you’ll get to enter the caves, but all efforts are made by experienced guides to do so when conditions permit. Either way, this is one workout you won’t soon forget.

A relaxing vacation itinerary in the tropics:

If you planned for 7 days in Costa Rica, sans children, and are looking for some serious R&R, you’ve come to the right place. With endless beaches to lounge at, a ton of restaurant choices and some mellow opportunities to hang with the wildlife, this vacation will be exactly what you’re looking for.

An excellent choice for those who want chill, not thrill, is the mangrove kayak tour. This is a calm and informative float that even a 2 year old can go on. Explore one of the most precious natural ecosystems at a leisurely pace. Kayakers often see monkeys, toucans, sea turtles and sloths while on this tour.

You came to Costa Rica to put the stress of the real world behind you. Live it up by hiring our amazing Private Chef. With fresh organic veggies and fruit, local fish or a Costa Rican themed traditional dinner prepared right in your villa, you can’t go wrong.

To really make the most of your luxury villa, we recommend an in-villa massage. Our masseuses come prepared with professional equipment, so have your massage by the infinity pool or on an outdoor balcony overlooking the ocean, no problema. Indoors, outdoors, above the forest clouds — it’s totally your call.

If your idea of an amazing vacation includes learning a bit of history or immersing yourself in some mystery, head to the Stone Spheres. It’s sorta like a rounder version of Stonehenge with even more unanswered questions. The Museum of the Stone Spheres is a short drive south of our luxurious vacation villas. Located at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Finca 6, this museum will appeal to amateur archaeologists, history buffs, mystery lovers and all explorers at heart.

That’s it folks, four different itineraries for four different traveler types.

And word to the wise: we all make travel mistakes. Here are some common tour-related mistakes and some tips on how you can avoid them. We hope to see you and your crew soon in paradise!