11 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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.

Take a break from the city and head to Tabacon Hot Springs and Natura Eco Park Costa Rica. There's much more to do: relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, get impressive views of Arenal Volcano, admire the sheer force of La Fortuna Waterfall, and head outdoors with El Salto.

Plan a La Fortuna de San Carlos trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Toronto, Canada to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 11-hour combination of flight and shuttle. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can go by car to Monteverde.

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Sun): stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.

To find traveler tips, photos, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Monteverde trip website.

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Monteverde takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Mon) to allow time for the car ride 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.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Tue): stop by Beso Loco Boutique de Playa, then kick back and relax at Playa Biesanz, and then get a tailor-made plan with Mulguri Adventure.

For where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Manuel Antonio tour builder app.

Drive from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. You'll set off for Santa Teresa on the 29th (Wed).

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.

On the 30th (Thu), enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Hermosa and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Santa Teresa.

To see maps, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Santa Teresa travel route planner.

You can ride a ferry from Manuel Antonio to Santa Teresa in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Thu) to allow time to drive 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.

On the 31st (Fri), enjoy the sand and surf at Barrigona Beach and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Samara Beach.

To see ratings, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Playa Samara trip planner.

You can drive from Santa Teresa to Playa Samara in 3.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) 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.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Conchal, enjoy the sand and surf at Tamarindo Beach, and then stop by Azul Profundo Boutique.

To see ratings, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Tamarindo online holiday planner.

You can drive from Playa Samara to Tamarindo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. You'll set off for home on the 2nd (Sun).