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 Ecotermales Fortuna. There's still lots to do: relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, identify plant and animal life at Arenal Natura Ecological Park, and take in the exciting artwork at Wood & Art Gallery.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, use the La Fortuna de San Carlos road trip planner.

Columbus, USA to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Columbus to La Fortuna de San Carlos is minus 1 hour. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Tue) early enough to drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Wed): stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then stroll through Monteverde Frog Pond.

To find other places to visit, maps, ratings, and tourist information, read our Monteverde trip itinerary maker site.

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Monteverde takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) to allow time to drive 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 7th (Thu): take a memorable tour with Tours and then stroll through Playa Manuel Antonio. On the 8th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the striking landscape of Manuel Antonio National Park.

For photos, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, use the Manuel Antonio visit planner.

Traveling by car from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 8th (Fri) to allow time for the car ride 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.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Sat): paddle through the water with a kayaking and canoeing tour and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.

To see where to stay, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Tortuguero trip itinerary planning tool.

Getting from Manuel Antonio to Tortuguero by car takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and shuttle. May in Tortuguero sees daily highs of 86°F and lows of 73°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive 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.

On the 10th (Sun), stroll through Nature Observatorio and then take a memorable tour with Tours.

To see ratings, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip planner.

Getting from Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Vara Blanca.

A vacation in Vara Blanca, located in the heart of Costa Rica, offers excellent access to a number of attractions across the area.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Mon): take in the dramatic scenery at Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz and then contemplate the geological forces at Poas Volcano.

For ratings, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Vara Blanca online itinerary builder.

You can drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Vara Blanca in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of shuttle and bus. You will leave for home on the 12th (Tue).