15 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Wed): see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Hermosa, then indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and finally view the masterpieces at Rojas Bros Boruca Indigenous Arts. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: head outdoors with Crazy Alex CR and then stroll through Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands.

To see more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read Playas del Coco route maker website.

London, UK to Playas del Coco is an approximately 18.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from London to Playas del Coco is minus 6 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Tamarindo.

Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.

Keep things going the next day: tour the pleasant surroundings at Tamarindo Beach, then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Conchal, and then look for gifts at Souvenir Guanacaste.

To find reviews, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Tamarindo trip itinerary website.

You can drive from Playas del Coco to Tamarindo in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Sat) early enough to go by car 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.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Sun): admire the sheer force of La Fortuna Waterfall, take a memorable tour with Tours, pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia de La Fortuna de San Carlos, then take in the exciting artwork at Galeria Estudio, then browse the exhibits of Onirica Art Gallery, and finally take an in-depth tour of ChocoMuseo La Fortuna. Here are some ideas for day two: witness a stunning natural landmark at Tabacon Hot Springs and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

To plan La Fortuna de San Carlos vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.

You can drive from Tamarindo to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 4 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Mon) 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 9th (Tue), enjoy the sand and surf at Punta Uva Beach, then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and then admire the natural beauty at Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens.

To see reviews and tourist information, you can read our Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip builder tool.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) so you can drive 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.

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Wed): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Hermosa, take in the exciting artwork at Bri'ah Art Gallery, and then kick back and relax at Playa Santa Teresa.

To see ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Santa Teresa trip planner.

Getting from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Santa Teresa by car takes about 9.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and ferry; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Wed) to allow enough time to ride a ferry 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.

On the 11th (Thu), ride a horse along Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge, tour the pleasant surroundings at Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Parque Nacional Marino Ballena. Keep things going the next day: kick back and relax at Uvita Beach, browse the exhibits of Magic Ananda, and then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Uvita trip planning app.

Traveling by ferry from Santa Teresa to Uvita takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Fri) early enough to go by car 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.

We've included these beaches for you: Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Biesanz. Take a break from the city and head to Nature & Wildlife Tours and Fishing Charters & Tours. Change things up with these side-trips from Manuel Antonio: Jaco (Zipline, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours, &more). Next up on the itinerary: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas and view the masterpieces at The Captain's Booty.

Start your trip to Manuel Antonio by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Drive from Uvita to Manuel Antonio in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.