Here’s a recommended ten-day travel itinerary for Costa Rica that includes visiting San José, La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio.
Why Travel To Costa Rica
- Stunning beaches
- Magical cloud rainforests
- Biodiverse wildlife
- Varied landscape
- Delicious cuisine
- High quality coffee
- Friendly locals
Costa Rica Itinerary Map
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Costa Rica Travel Itinerary
- Day 1-3: San José
- Day 4-5: La Fortuna
- Day 6-8: Monteverde
- Day 9-10: Manuel Antonio
If you just have a week to travel, then I recommend bypassing San José and heading straight to La Fortuna upon your arrival, and then continue with the itinerary.
Best Time To Visit Costa Rica
The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest. You could also consider traveling in any other month when there are less travelers, just avoid the months of September and October when the rainfall is the heaviest.
Costa Rica Top Experiences
- Stunning La Fortuna Waterfalls
- Walking through the magical Monteverde Cloud Forest and viewing Quetzal
- Amazing beaches and wildlife at Manuel Antonio National Park
- Eating delicious Gallo Pinto (Costa Rican beans and rice)
- Enjoying the rich flavors of high quality Costa Rican coffee
Day 1-3: San José
Day 1
San José is Costa Rica's capital and largest city. Once you arrive in San José, check into your hotel and settle down. Take it easy on this first day in this beautiful country.
Best area to stay in San José: The best areas to book your stay in San José as a first time visitor are Escazú, downtown and near the international airport.
Day 2
Begin your day in San José by exploring the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, located in a former fort with rich history. The museum showcases captivating exhibits highlighting Costa Rica’s natural history, anthropology, archaeology, and cultural heritage.
In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the stunning Teatro Nacional Costa Rica. Opened to the public in 1897, the theatre is considered the most iconic historic structure in the capital, and is renowned for its beautiful interior and elegant furnishings. Then spend rest of your afternoon strolling through the lively downtown San José. End your day with dinner at one of the authentic Costa Rican restaurant.
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| Museo Nacional De Costa Rica (San José) |
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| Teatro Nacional Costa Rica (San José) |
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Day 3
Begin your day with a trip to Poás Volcano National Park. You could consider joining a guided Poás Volcano Tour. This stunning national park spans around 65 square kilometers, with its summit reaching 2,700 meters (8,900 feet) in elevation. The volcano's crater is more than a mile wide and plunges down to a depth of 1,050 feet.
I visited Poás Volcano Park as part of a tour. The tour also included visit to a coffee plantation in Alajuela.
Travel Tip: Please check for any red alert/warnings issued for the volcano before visiting. If there are no red alert issued, then check for the visibility conditions at the volcano before visiting or signing up for the tour. Unfortunately when we visited the park, we could not see the crater due to heavy cloud cover.
Spend rest of the afternoon exploring any nice neighborhood of San José. Escazú offers fantastic shopping, charming cafés, and lovely restaurants for you to discover.
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| Poás Volcano National Park |
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| Coffee Plantation In Alajuela |
Day 4-5: La Fortuna
Day 4
Travel from San José to La Fortuna, which typically takes about 3 to 4 hours by car. La Fortuna is a charming little town located northwest of San José and serves as a gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. It's a popular spot for many visitors, offering hot springs, stunning waterfalls, and a variety of adventure activities.
Where to stay in La Fortuna: I suggest you stay near downtown La Fortuna, as it offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and other convenient amenities.
Once you reach La Fortuna, check into your hotel and get comfortable. In the afternoon, take a stroll and discover the charming downtown area. As the evening falls, relax and enjoy the soothing hot springs at one of the fantastic facilities available in town.
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| Baldi Hot Springs (La Fortuna) |
Day 5
Join the Waterfall, Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs Guided Day Tour. Sign up for this tour in advance.
You'll start your day by visiting the stunning 200-feet La Fortuna Waterfalls. This is the perfect spot to soak in the natural beauty, snap some beautiful photos, and even take a refreshing swim in the cool waters.
After the waterfalls you'll hike through the lovely trail at the base of Arenal Volcano with the guide, where you can admire the amazing ecosystem. In late afternoon you'll relax by soaking in the natural hot springs.
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| La Fortuna Waterfalls |
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| Arenal Volcano |
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| Hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park |
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| Natural Hot Springs (La Fortuna) |
Day 6-8: Monteverde
Travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde, which is known as Costa Rica's top ecotourism hotspot. This region is home to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and a variety of other natural wonders that attract many visitors and nature enthusiasts. Since Monteverde is situated at about 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level, take it slow on your first day to help your body adjust to the elevation.
Where to stay in Monteverde: I suggest staying near the Santa Elena city center for easier access to restaurants, shops, and services.
Start your morning with a Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Walk. A cloud forest is an evergreen moist forest characterized by a persistent or frequent low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. During the guided walk of this biological reserve, you'll learn about the fascinating ecology of the area. A knowledgeable experienced guide will be able to locate and show you some of the amazing wildlife in the forest with their very good pair of binoculars. I would suggest to also carry your own binocular if you can.
In the afternoon visit Monteverde Orchid Garden or Monteverde Frog Pond. Monteverde Orchid Garden has a large collection of orchids and more than 450 different species. At Monteverde Frog Pond you can admire numerous species of native frogs and toads. Make sure you join the guided tour offered at both these attractions to enjoy your visit.
In the evening, you could also take part in a Guided Forest Night Walking Tour to spot active nocturnal wildlife.
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| Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve |
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| Quetzal (Monteverde Cloud Forest) |
Day 8
Begin your day with a trip to Selvatura Adventure Park. Here, you can experience the thrill of zip-lining, designed to take you through the stunning cloud forest as you glide above the treetops at exhilarating speeds. The park also offers a safe way to explore the breathtaking cloud forest canopy by strolling along suspension bridges high above the ground.
In the afternoon you could take part in Coffee & Chocolate Tour if that interests you. During the tour you'll learn the fascinating history and production processes of coffee and chocolate in Costa Rica.
.jpg "Hanging Bridge (Selvatura Park)") |
| Hanging Bridge (Selvatura Park) |
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| Zip-line (Selvatura Park) |
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| Chocolate & Coffee Tour (Monteverde) |
Day 9-10: Manuel Antonio
Day 9
Start your morning by traveling from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. This lovely coastal town is surrounded by lush jungle and stunning white sand beaches. Upon arriving in Manuel Antonio, settle into your hotel and then enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the beautiful beach.
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| Manuel Antonio |
Day 10
Begin your day with a trip to Manuel Antonio National Park. This stunning park is known for its gorgeous beaches, scenic hiking paths, and diverse wildlife. Joining the Manuel Antonio Walking Tour with a knowledgeable guide can truly enhance your experience, giving you the chance to observe the diverse plant and animal life in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, take some time to relax at the beach again. Alternatively, you might consider heading to Quepos, the closest town, for some shopping and a nice dinner.
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| Beach at Manuel Antonio National Park |
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| Wildlife in Manuel Antonio Park |
What to Shop In Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for high quality coffee, Chorreador de Café (Costa Rican coffee maker), chocolates, Lizano Sauce (condiment), colorful ceramic pottery and other handcrafted souvenirs.
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