15 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
15 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Costa Rica itinerary planner
Start: New York City
Fly
1
San Jose
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Manuel Antonio
— 4 nights
Drive
3
Monteverde
— 4 nights
Drive
4
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 3 nights
Shuttle to San Jose, Fly to Newark
End: New York City
Mon, Jan 13 - Mon, Jan 27
Edit
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See full calendar
2
nights
2
nights
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 Galeria Namu. You'll explore and learn at Jade Museum and Museo de Arte Costarricense. You'll find plenty of places to visit near San Jose: Poas Volcano (in Poas Volcano National Park), Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center (in Alajuela) and Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles (in Cartago). There's still lots to do: look for gifts at J.LANG Atelier & Showroom.
To see reviews, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the San Jose road trip planning website.
New York City, USA to San Jose is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. Plan for warmer temperatures traveling from New York City in January, with highs in San Jose at 78°F and lows at 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Manuel Antonio.
Things to do in San Jose
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
4
nights
4
nights
©
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 Jaco (Zipline & Mirador de Jaco) and Parasailing & Paragliding (in Dominical). 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 drive from San Jose to Manuel Antonio in 3 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 19th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Monteverde.
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
4
nights
4
nights
©
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 Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond. And it doesn't end there: kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at The Bat Jungle, delve into the lush surroundings at Curi Cancha Reserve, and take in nature's colorful creations at Monteverde Orchid Garden.
To see photos, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Monteverde tour itinerary planner.
Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu) early enough to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
Things to do in Monteverde
Highlights from your trip
3
nights
3
nights
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 ChocoMuseo La Fortuna. Shop till you drop at Onirica Art Gallery and Galeria Aguas Verdes. Change things up with a short trip to Arenal Eco Zoo in El Castillo (about 38 minutes away). There's still lots to do: take a memorable tour with Tours, witness a stunning natural landmark at Tabacon Hot Springs, get impressive views of Arenal Volcano, and admire the sheer force of La Fortuna Waterfall.
For reviews, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos trip maker.
Traveling by car from Monteverde to La Fortuna de San Carlos takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can travel back home.
Things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
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Costa Rica travel guide
Tiny in terms of land area, Costa Rica is astoundingly diverse when it comes to culture and natural attractions. In a country called "Rich Coast", it's no surprise most Costa Rica vacations dedicate at least a few days to picturesque Pacific and Caribbean beaches, ideal for water sports and relaxation. Few small countries offer such a range of landscapes, allowing tourists to observe towering volcanoes while soaking away their worries in a hot spring, or hike into dense rainforests in the morning and surf at a modern resort in the afternoon. A trip to Costa Rica also lets you discover pristine national parks, ensuring plenty of chances to view wildlife from the comfort of eco-friendly lodges packed with amenities even ardent nature lovers secretly desire.
