40 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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

Explore hidden gems such as Jackpot Sport Fishing and Playa Espadilla Norte. Step out of the city life by going to Playa Manuel Antonio and Safari Adventures. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Manuel Antonio: Playa Linda (in Playa Matapalo), Rainmaker Park (in Parrita) and Isla Damas (in Puntarenas). There's still lots to do: take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, relax and rejuvenate at Raindrop Spa, view the masterpieces at The Captain's Booty, and stroll around Parque Nahomi.

To find where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, read our Manuel Antonio day trip website.

Santiago, Chile to Manuel Antonio is an approximately 14-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Santiago to Manuel Antonio. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) so you can go by car to Uvita.

Ideal for visitors looking to escape Costa Rica's busy beaches, Uvita offers a serene atmosphere and plenty of uncrowded sand for a leisurely vacation.

You'll enjoy a bit of beach vacationing at Playa Ventanas and Uvita Beach. Step off the beaten path and head to Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary and Off-Road Tours. Explore Uvita's surroundings by going to Cano Island (in Drake Bay) and Nature & Wildlife Tours (in Ballena). Next up on the itinerary: see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, explore by horseback at Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge, and relax and rejuvenate at Danyasa Eco-Retreat - Bamboo Yoga Play Studio.

For maps, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Uvita trip itinerary builder app.

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Uvita takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can go by car to Puerto Jimenez.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Sat): hike along Osa Wild. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Sun): relax in the rural setting at Rancho Raices de Puerto Jimenez and then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find more things to do, photos, maps, and tourist information, read Puerto Jimenez online trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Uvita to Puerto Jimenez in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offers a wealth of entertainment by the sea, attracting a lively international crowd of revelers while maintaining a bright and breezy coastal charm with a local feel.

Step out of the city life by going to Nature & Wildlife Tours and Nature Observatorio. Visit Playa Punta Uva and Playa Cocles for some beach relaxation. There's still lots to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens and enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Puerto Viejo.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca vacation planning site.

Drive from Puerto Jimenez to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (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.

Step out of the city life by going to La Fortuna Waterfall and River Rafting & Tubing. Discover out-of-the-way places like Bogarin Trail and Paradise Hot Springs. Go for a jaunt from La Fortuna de San Carlos to El Castillo to see Butterfly Conservatory - Arenal about 38 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: take in the natural beauty of Tabacon Hot Springs, skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, tour the pleasant surroundings at Arenal Sanctuary Reserve, and get engrossed in the history at ChocoMuseo La Fortuna.

To find maps, photos, reviews, and tourist information, read our La Fortuna de San Carlos sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Jaco.

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.

Get outdoors at Carara National Park and Royal Butterflies. Step off the beaten path and head to Quepos Fish Adventure Private Day Charters and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Step out of Jaco to go to Parrita and see Palo Seco Beach, which is approximately 1 hour away. And it doesn't end there: whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, see Off-Road Tours, take in the views from Tarcoles Bridge, and take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback.

To see reviews, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Jaco trip itinerary maker site.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Jaco in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) so you can travel 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.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Sun): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Carmen and then glide peacefully along the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area. Here are some ideas for day two: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Santa Teresa, then kick back and relax at Playa Hermosa, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Costa Rican Tropical Tours.

To find reviews, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Santa Teresa trip maker website.

Traveling by combination of ferry and bus from Jaco to Santa Teresa takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Playa Samara.

A beach town with just enough development to be comfortable for families accustomed to the trappings of modern life, Playa Samara has the resorts you'd expect to find in such a scenic area, but they don't hinder the relaxing atmosphere.

Explore hidden gems such as Playa Guiones and Dolphin & Whale Watching. Visiting Horseback Riding Tours and Barrigona Beach will get you outdoors. When in Playa Samara, make a side trip to see Room Escape Games in Nosara, approximately Nosara away. There's still lots to do: kick back and relax at Playa Carrillo and tour the pleasant surroundings at Samara Beach.

Plan my trip to Playa Samara with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

Traveling by car from Santa Teresa to Playa Samara takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Thu) 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.

Escape the urban bustle at Nature & Wildlife Tours and Potrero Beach. Explore hidden gems such as Off-Road Tours and Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates. Step out of Tamarindo with an excursion to Playa Conchal in Playa Conchal--about 38 minutes away. There's much more to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Tamarindo Beach, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, wander the wide-open spaces of Pura Aventura, and stop by Urban Eclectic Jewelry.

For more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Tamarindo online day trip planner.

You can drive from Playa Samara to Tamarindo in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Playas del Coco.

A long-established beach community, Playas del Coco has developed a reputation as a favored spot for young travelers and locals to let loose by the sea.

Get outdoors at Playa Hermosa and Rio Negro Hot Springs. Step off the beaten path and head to Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands and Immaculate Church of Concepcion de Maria. Venture out of the city with trips to Cataratas Llanos de Cortes (in Bagaces) and Nahua (in Liberia). Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Nacascolo and discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Playas del Coco attractions planner.

Getting from Tamarindo to Playas del Coco by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight back home.