15 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

A trip to San Jose, the capital, commercial center, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, gives you a chance to experience the lively atmosphere and rich cultural past of this vibrant country.

Get a sense of the local culture at Museo Nacional De Costa Rica and Museo de Arte Costarricense. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Galeria Namu and J.LANG Atelier & Showroom. Venture out of the city with trips to Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center (in Alajuela), Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles (in Cartago) and Poas Volcano (in Poas Volcano National Park). The adventure continues: take an in-depth tour of Jade Museum.

To see photos, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the San Jose day trip app.

New York City, USA to San Jose is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from New York City to San Jose. In January, San Jose is much warmer than New York City - with highs of 78°F and lows of 65°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) so you can catch the shuttle 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.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Playa Manuel Antonio and River Rafting & Tubing. Get outdoors at Nature & Wildlife Tours and Off-Road Tours. Explore Manuel Antonio's surroundings by going to Parasailing & Paragliding (in Dominical) and Jaco (Zipline & Mirador de Jaco). There's still lots to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Biesanz and stroll around Parque Nahomi.

To find traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read our Manuel Antonio day trip site.

You can take a shuttle from San Jose to Manuel Antonio in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 19th (Sun) to allow enough 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.

Appreciate the collections at Chorotega Arts & Crafts and Alas y Raices. Take a break from the city and head to Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and Ecological Sanctuary. And it doesn't end there: whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at The Bat Jungle, stroll through Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond, and take in nature's colorful creations at Monteverde Orchid Garden.

For reviews, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, read Monteverde visit planner.

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Thu) to allow enough time to 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.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Wood & Art Gallery and Onirica Art Gallery. Get outdoors at La Fortuna Waterfall and Tabacon Hot Springs. When in La Fortuna de San Carlos, make a side trip to see Arenal Eco Zoo in El Castillo, approximately El Castillo away. There's much more to do: get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, explore the striking landscape of Arenal Volcano, stop by Galeria Aguas Verdes, and get engrossed in the history at ChocoMuseo La Fortuna.

To see reviews, maps, photos, and tourist information, refer to the La Fortuna de San Carlos trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Monteverde to La Fortuna de San Carlos by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can travel back home.