18 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

A trip to San Jose, the capital, commercial center, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, gives you a chance to experience the lively atmosphere and rich cultural past of this vibrant country.

To see traveler tips, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, read San Jose road trip planning website.

Buenos Aires, Argentina to San Jose is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 3 hours traveling from Buenos Aires to San Jose. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Buenos Aires in April, with highs in San Jose at 33°C and lows at 22°C. On the 6th (Thu), you'll travel to Cahuita.

With its dusty streets and simple (read affordable) lodgings, Cahuita bustles as a hub of backpacker tourism in southeastern Costa Rica.

Spend the 7th (Fri) exploring nature at Cahuita National Park. And it doesn't end there: get outside with Outdoor Activities, stroll through Tarantulas Way, and take in nature's colorful creations at Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens.

To see photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Cahuita online holiday planner.

Traveling by car from San Jose to Cahuita takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 35°C in April, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Tortuguero.

One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.

On the 9th (Sun), tour the pleasant surroundings at Sendero Cerro Tortuguero and then get a new perspective on nature at Sea Turtle Conservancy. On your second day here, explore the striking landscape of Tortuguero National Park.

For more things to do, photos, ratings, and tourist information, use the Tortuguero trip tool.

Traveling by car from Cahuita to Tortuguero takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In April, daily temperatures in Tortuguero can reach 35°C, while at night they dip to 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Bajos del Toro.

On the 11th (Tue), admire the sheer force of Catarata Rio Agrio and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Dave & Dave's Costa Rica Nature Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the striking landscape of Parque Nacional del Agua Juan Castro Blanco.

To see where to stay, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Bajos del Toro itinerary planner.

You can drive from Tortuguero to Bajos del Toro in 3.5 hours. Traveling from Tortuguero in April, plan for little chillier nights in Bajos del Toro, with lows around 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Wed) so you can drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Set against the backdrop of the imposing Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna de San Carlos offers visitors a chance to explore diverse natural landscapes and sample some delicious local produce.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Thu): let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour and then take in the natural beauty of Tabacon Hot Springs. Keep things going the next day: hike along Senderos Los Tucanes, then get impressive views of Arenal Volcano, and then get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.

To see ratings, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, you can read our La Fortuna de San Carlos travel tool.

You can drive from Bajos del Toro to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 2 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) so you can drive to Tamarindo.

Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.

Step out of Tamarindo to go to Playa Conchal and see Playa Conchal, which is approximately 38 minutes away. The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Tamarindo Beach, look for gifts at Urban Eclectic Jewelry, see Off-Road Tours, and wander the wide-open spaces of Pura Aventura.

For more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Tamarindo online driving holiday planner.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tamarindo in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Mon) so you can go by car to Santa Teresa.

A coastal getaway popular with surfers and young travelers, Santa Teresa spreads out from the beach and the main coastal road to a ring of newer developments on the surrounding hills.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Santa Teresa: Montezuma (Horseback Riding Tours, Montezuma Falls, &more) and Wild Sun Rescue Center (in Cabuya). There's lots more to do: stroll through Playa Santa Teresa, explore the galleries of Bri'ah Art Gallery, kick back and relax at Playa Carmen, and get a dose of the wild on Costa Rican Tropical Tours.

To find more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Santa Teresa holiday maker site.

Getting from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Fri) to allow time to ride a ferry to Manuel Antonio.

The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Fri): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Manuel Antonio and then take in the local highlights with Walking tours. Keep things going the next day: get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, then glide peacefully along the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, then view the masterpieces at The Captain's Booty, and finally stroll around Parque Nahomi.

To see reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Manuel Antonio trip itinerary planning website.

Traveling by ferry from Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or drive. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) so you can catch the flight back home.