Itinerary
Costa Rica honeymoon itinerary: 7 nights, day by day
Costa Rica's 7-night honeymoon is the eco-adventure-and-spa contrast — Arenal volcano region first, then a Pacific beach property second. The itinerary below splits into 4 nights at Nayara Springs (Arenal) and 3 nights at Andaz Peninsula Papagayo or a Manuel Antonio beach property.
In short
7 nights at Nayara Springs. Day-by-day plan, the one splurge experience, specific restaurants, and the realistic all-in cost.
The anchor hotel
Why this hotel for Costa Rica
Nayara Springs at Arenal is the most luxurious eco-resort in Costa Rica — adults-only, 35 plunge-pool villas built around natural hot springs with Arenal volcano views, a top-rated spa, and Restaurant Mi Casa for fine dining. The property delivers the iconic 'volcano in the background' Costa Rican shot. The combination of jungle setting, natural hot springs, and the active day-trip access (canopy tours, hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall) makes it the right first stop.
Hotels in Costa Rica
The 7-night day-by-day
Arrival
Morning. Arrive San José (SJO). 3-hour drive to Arenal.
Afternoon. Check in to Nayara Springs. Hot springs. Volcano view from the villa.
Evening. Welcome dinner at Restaurant Mi Casa.
Restaurants: Restaurant Mi Casa
Settle in
Morning. Slow breakfast. Hot springs morning.
Afternoon. Arenal Hanging Bridges canopy walk (3-hour activity, book through hotel).
Evening. Dinner at Asia Luna (the property's Asian restaurant).
Restaurants: Asia Luna
Signature day
Morning. La Fortuna waterfall morning — 500-step descent, swim in the pool below.
Afternoon. Spa afternoon. Late lunch.
Evening. In-villa dinner.
Restaurants: In-villa dining
Sleep-in
Sleep-in dayMorning. Sleep in. Late breakfast.
Afternoon. Drive 3.5 hours to Peninsula Papagayo (Pacific coast).
Evening. Check in to Andaz Peninsula Papagayo. Beach. Dinner at Rio Bhongo.
Restaurants: Rio Bhongo
Adventure
Morning. Beach morning at the resort's private beach.
Afternoon. Catamaran cruise along the Papagayo coast — sunset sail with snorkel stops.
Evening. Dinner at Chao Pescao.
Restaurants: Chao Pescao
Quiet day
Morning. Spa morning at the resort.
Afternoon. Beach lunch. Pool.
Evening. Final big dinner at the property.
Restaurants: Ostra
Departure
Morning. Slow last morning. Pack.
Afternoon. Drive 30 minutes to Liberia (LIR) airport.
Evening. Direct flight home.
The splurge
Catamaran sunset cruise (day 5) — $300–500 per couple. The 3-hour sunset sail with snorkel stops along the Papagayo coast is the trip's signature water-based experience.
What it costs
4 nights at Nayara Springs: $1,200–1,800/night = $4,800–7,200. 3 nights at Andaz Peninsula Papagayo: $700–1,200/night = $2,100–3,600. Inter-property drive: $200 (or 30-min flight $500). Flights from US: $400–800. Extras (canopy, waterfall, catamaran, spa): $1,500. Total all-in for two: $9,000–13,500.
Book your Costa Rica honeymoon
Live prices for the hotels in this itinerary across every major OTA — Stay22 picks the best rate for you.
The honest take
Costa Rica rewards the couples who embrace the active + slow split. The honeymoon that just stays at one property misses what makes Costa Rica different — the volcano-and-jungle morning paired with the Pacific-beach evening. The two-stop format is the entire point.
Full destination guide: Costa Rica honeymoon guide
Frequently asked questions
Arenal first or beach first?
Arenal first, always. The active honeymoon days (canopy, waterfall, volcano) should come early when energy is high. The Pacific beach is the wind-down, not the warm-up.
Best month?
December–April is the dry season — peak conditions but also peak pricing. May–June is the green season (some rain but lower prices). September–October is the wettest.
Should we add Manuel Antonio?
For 10+ nights, yes — Manuel Antonio has the rainforest-meets-beach experience that complements the Pacific coast. For 7 nights, stick with one Pacific destination.
Is Costa Rica honeymoon-romantic?
Yes — but in an active, eco-adventure way rather than a beach-luxe way. Nayara Springs specifically is built for honeymoons with adults-only and volcano-view villas. Couples wanting a quieter beach honeymoon should pick Mexico instead.