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 Canyoning & Rappelling Tours. Next up on the itinerary: relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, witness a stunning natural landmark at Ecotermales Fortuna, hike along Arenal Natura Ecological Park, and view the masterpieces at Wood & Art Gallery.

For where to stay and more tourist information, you can read our La Fortuna de San Carlos trip planner.

Columbus, USA to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 13.5-hour combination of flight and shuttle. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Tue) to allow time 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 Ranario 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 bus. 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.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, read Manuel Antonio holiday planning tool.

You can drive from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. You will leave for Tortuguero on the 8th (Fri).

One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Sat): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.

For more things to do, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Tortuguero day trip website.

You can drive from Manuel Antonio to Tortuguero in 5.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and ferry. In May, plan for daily highs up to 86°F, and evening lows to 73°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sat) so you can 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.

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 4.5 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 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. You will leave for home on the 12th (Tue).