18 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Central America trip itinerary builder
Start: San Salvador
Fly
1
San Jose
— 1 night
Drive
2
Tortuguero
— 2 nights
Drive
3
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Tenorio Volcano National Park
— 1 night
Drive
5
Monteverde
— 3 nights
Drive
6
Manuel Antonio
— 2 nights
Drive
7
Drake Bay
— 4 nights
Drive
8
San Jose
— 1 night
Fly to Paris CDG, Train to Brussels
End: Brussels
Wed, Feb 15 - Sat, Mar 4
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San Jose — 1 night
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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.For traveler tips, maps, photos, and tourist information, read San Jose itinerary planner.
San Salvador, El Salvador to San Jose is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from San Salvador in February, expect nights in San Jose to be about the same, around 21°C, while days are little chillier, around 30°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 16th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Tortuguero.
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Tortuguero — 2 nights
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Costa Rica's Amazon
One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.Your day by day itinerary now includes Tortuguero National Park.
To see traveler tips, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Tortuguero attractions planning app.
Getting from San Jose to Tortuguero by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi. In February, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 24°C. On the 18th (Sat), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
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La Fortuna de San Carlos — 2 nights
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.Your day by day itinerary now includes Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, and other attractions you added. Kick off your visit on the 18th (Sat): take in the natural beauty of Baldi Hot Springs, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Arenal Volcano, then stroll through La Fortuna Arenal Volcano Rain Forest Reserve, then take in the views from Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, and finally explore by horseback at Arenal Wilberth Stables. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: tour the pleasant surroundings at Bogarin Trail, take in the natural beauty of Ecotermales Fortuna, then hike along Senderos Los Tucanes, then admire the sheer force of Catarata Tesoro Escondido, and finally take in the exciting artwork at Souvenir Herrera.
To see where to stay, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our La Fortuna de San Carlos trip maker website.
You can drive from Tortuguero to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of taxi and bus. On the 20th (Mon), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Side Trips
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Tenorio Volcano National Park — 1 night
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Your day by day itinerary now includes Rio Celeste.
For where to stay, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Tenorio Volcano National Park trip planner.
Drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tenorio Volcano National Park in 1.5 hours. You will have some time to spend on the 21st (Tue) before leaving for Monteverde.
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For where to stay, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Tenorio Volcano National Park trip planner.
Drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tenorio Volcano National Park in 1.5 hours. You will have some time to spend on the 21st (Tue) before leaving for Monteverde.
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Monteverde — 3 nights
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Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.Your day by day itinerary now includes Monteverde Night Walk Costa Rica, Cafe San Luis, Ecological Sanctuary, and other attractions you added. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed): tour the pleasant surroundings at Aguti Monteverde - Wildlife Reserve, identify plant and animal life at Monteverde Nature Guided Tours, admire the natural beauty at Jardin de Orquideas San Bosco, then get a taste of local nightlife at Monteverde Night Walk Costa Rica, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Ecological Sanctuary.
Start your trip to Monteverde by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.
Traveling by car from Tenorio Volcano National Park to Monteverde takes 3 hours. You will have some time to spend on the 24th (Fri) before leaving for Manuel Antonio.
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Manuel Antonio — 2 nights
The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.Nauyaca Waterfalls Nature Park has been added to your itinerary. Kick off your visit on the 24th (Fri): paddle through the water with a kayaking and canoeing tour, then relax and rejuvenate at Raindrop Spa, and then see exotic creatures in open habitats at Safari Adventures. Here are some ideas for day two: tour the pleasant surroundings at Parque Reptilandia, then stroll through Nauyaca Waterfalls Nature Park, and then kick back and relax at La Playita.
To find where to stay, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Manuel Antonio road trip planning site.
Getting from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a bus. You'll have a few hours on the 26th (Sun) to wrap things up before traveling to Drake Bay.
Side Trips
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Drake Bay — 4 nights
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Drake Bay is known for wildlife, nature, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: stroll through Cano Island and step off the mainland to explore Reserva Biologica Isla del Cano.
To find where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Drake Bay online tour itinerary planner.
Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Drake Bay takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or take a bus. You will have some time to spend on the 2nd (Thu) before leaving for San Jose.
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To find where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Drake Bay online tour itinerary planner.
Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Drake Bay takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or take a bus. You will have some time to spend on the 2nd (Thu) before leaving for San Jose.
Side Trip
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San Jose — 1 night
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You've now added Irazu Volcano National Park to your itinerary. Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Thu): stop by Chieton Moren, then indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and then contemplate the geological forces at Irazu Volcano National Park.
For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and tourist information, use the San Jose route builder website.
Drive from Drake Bay to San Jose in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus; or take a bus. On the 3rd (Fri), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.
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For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and tourist information, use the San Jose route builder website.
Drive from Drake Bay to San Jose in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus; or take a bus. On the 3rd (Fri), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Costa Rica travel guide
Tiny in terms of land area, Costa Rica is astoundingly diverse when it comes to culture and natural attractions. In a country called "Rich Coast", it's no surprise most Costa Rica vacations dedicate at least a few days to picturesque Pacific and Caribbean beaches, ideal for water sports and relaxation. Few small countries offer such a range of landscapes, allowing tourists to observe towering volcanoes while soaking away their worries in a hot spring, or hike into dense rainforests in the morning and surf at a modern resort in the afternoon. A trip to Costa Rica also lets you discover pristine national parks, ensuring plenty of chances to view wildlife from the comfort of eco-friendly lodges packed with amenities even ardent nature lovers secretly desire.
Arenal Volcano National Park travel guide
Plan a tour of Arenal Volcano National Park to get in touch with nature, enjoy scenic views, and admire the majestic volcano up close. The park, established in 1991, protects a variety of ecosystems and wildlife. You can choose from four hiking trails, taking you across the rainforest and lava fields. Enjoy scenic lookout points, see a staggering variety of birds and plants, or climb the dormant Mount Chato on your trip to Arenal Volcano National Park.
