27 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Central America visit planner
Start: La Fortuna de San Carlos
Drive
1
Liberia
— 2 nights
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2
Tamarindo
— 2 nights
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3
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 2 nights
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4
Tenorio Volcano National Park
— 4 nights
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5
Monteverde
— 2 nights
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6
Jaco
— 2 nights
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7
Manuel Antonio
— 3 nights
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8
Drake Bay
— 2 nights
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9
Carate
— 1 night
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10
Manzanillo
— 1 night
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11
Cahuita
— 3 nights
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End: La Fortuna de San Carlos
Wed, Feb 22 - Mon, Mar 20
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View full calendar
Liberia — 2 nights
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White City
Tourism in Liberia has been growing since the opening of its airport, with more and more international visitors using the city as a starting point for explorations of the country's northwest.Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Wed): relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, stroll through Playa Hermosa, then browse the exhibits of Costa Rica'n Art Craft, and finally look for gifts at Souvenir Ocarina. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu): explore the striking landscape of Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja.
For photos, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Liberia online route builder.
La Fortuna de San Carlos to Liberia is an approximately 2.5-hour car ride. You can also drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Tamarindo.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Tamarindo — 2 nights
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Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.Start off your visit on the 24th (Fri): look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas and then kick back and relax at Tamarindo Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 25th (Sat): get in on the family fun at Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Conchal.
To plan Tamarindo vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.
Traveling by car from Liberia to Tamarindo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
La Fortuna de San Carlos — 2 nights
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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.Start off your visit on the 26th (Sun): let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour and then indulge in some personalized pampering at Tabacon Hot Springs. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 27th (Mon): let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour, then push the limits with an extreme tour, and then take in the natural beauty of Ecotermales Fortuna.
To find other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, read La Fortuna de San Carlos travel site.
You can drive from Tamarindo to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Highlights from your trip
Tenorio Volcano National Park — 4 nights
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You'll find plenty of places to visit near Tenorio Volcano National Park: Laberinto de Katira (in Katira), Tree Chocolate Tour (in Upala) and Chocolate Sibaeli (in San Rafael de Guatuso). Spend the 1st (Wed) exploring nature at Tenorio National Park.
To see where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, read Tenorio Volcano National Park trip planner.
Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tenorio Volcano National Park takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. On the 4th (Sat), you're off to Monteverde.
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To see where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, read Tenorio Volcano National Park trip planner.
Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tenorio Volcano National Park takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. On the 4th (Sat), you're off to Monteverde.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Monteverde — 2 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.Start off your visit on the 4th (Sat): tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond. On the 5th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire nature's wide array of creatures at The Bat Jungle, then admire the natural beauty at Monteverde Butterfly Garden (Jardin de Mariposas), then admire the natural beauty at Monteverde Orchid Garden, and finally browse the exhibits of Arte Jaguar Gallery.
For reviews, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Monteverde road trip planning website.
You can drive from Tenorio Volcano National Park to Monteverde in 3 hours. Another option is to drive. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Mon) so you can go by car to Jaco.
Highlights from your trip
Jaco — 2 nights
A seaside resort town with plenty of entertaining distractions along its attractive coastline, Jaco has long been a major tourist destination on the central Pacific coast.Jaco is known for adventure, beaches, and classes. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, see Off-Road Tours, tour the pleasant surroundings at Jaco Beach, and get to know the resident critters at Neo Fauna CR.
To see traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read Jaco online travel planner.
You can drive from Monteverde to Jaco in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Wed) so you can drive to Manuel Antonio.
Highlights from your trip
Manuel Antonio — 3 nights
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The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.Explore Manuel Antonio's surroundings by going to Dominical (Mama Toucan's Natural and Organic Food Store & Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary). There's much more to do: kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, walk around Parque Nahomi, head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, and see Off-Road Tours.
To find ratings, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Manuel Antonio road trip site.
Traveling by car from Jaco to Manuel Antonio takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Drake Bay.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Drake Bay — 2 nights
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Go for a jaunt from Drake Bay to Puerto Jimenez to see Osa Wild about 1h 30 min away. Spend a day of island exploring on the 12th (Sun) at Cano Island.
To see other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Drake Bay tour itinerary planner.
Getting from Manuel Antonio to Drake Bay by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and ferry; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Carate.
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To see other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Drake Bay tour itinerary planner.
Getting from Manuel Antonio to Drake Bay by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and ferry; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Carate.
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
Carate — 1 night
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Kick off your visit on the 15th (Wed): take in nature's colorful creations at Ave Azul de la Osa.
For traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Carate travel route builder app.
Drive from Drake Bay to Carate in 3.5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Manzanillo.
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For traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Carate travel route builder app.
Drive from Drake Bay to Carate in 3.5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Manzanillo.
Highlights from your trip
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Manzanillo — 1 night
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Kick off your visit on the 16th (Thu): see some colorful creatures with Punta Uva Dive Center, then get to know the fascinating history of Nature Park Walk, and then stroll through Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 17th (Fri): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Manzanillo and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Nature Observatorio.
To find reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Manzanillo online holiday planner.
You can drive from Carate to Manzanillo in 12 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Cahuita.
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To find reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Manzanillo online holiday planner.
You can drive from Carate to Manzanillo in 12 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Cahuita.
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
Cahuita — 3 nights
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With its dusty streets and simple (read affordable) lodgings, Cahuita bustles as a hub of backpacker tourism in southeastern Costa Rica.Spend the 19th (Sun) exploring nature at Cahuita National Park. Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at Tarantulas Way, enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Puerto Viejo, and admire the natural beauty at Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens.
To see where to stay, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Cahuita holiday planning site.
Traveling by car from Manzanillo to Cahuita takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive. In March, daytime highs in Cahuita are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 24°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) early enough to go by car back home.
Side Trip
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.
