16 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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

On the 11th (Tue), stop by Organic Products by Coco Beauty Spa and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Tamarindo Beach. On your second day here, push the limits with Pinilla Canopy Tour and then kick back and relax at Playa Conchal.

For more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Tamarindo online day trip planner.

New York City, USA to Tamarindo is an approximately 9.5-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST) is minus 1 hour. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) early enough 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.

La Fortuna de San Carlos is known for nature, adventure, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, take in the dramatic scenery at La Fortuna Waterfall, push the limits with Sky Adventures Arenal Park, and take in the natural beauty of Ecotermales Fortuna.

For ratings, reviews, maps, and tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos trip planner.

Drive from Tamarindo to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive 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 17th (Mon): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.

To find other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Tortuguero planning site.

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tortuguero takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In August, daily temperatures in Tortuguero can reach 86°F, while at night they dip to 73°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) to allow time to drive 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.

On the 18th (Tue), take in the dramatic scenery at Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz and then get interesting insight from Tours. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 19th (Wed): contemplate the geological forces at Poas Volcano and then pause for some serene contemplation at Catedral de la Mercedes.

To see ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Vara Blanca travel route planning tool.

Drive from Tortuguero to Vara Blanca in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of ferry, bus, and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) so you can drive to Cartago.

Cartago is a city in Costa Rica, about 25km east of the capital, San José. On the 20th (Thu), delve into the distant past at Ruinas de Cartago, then pause for some serene contemplation at Santiago Apostol Parish Ruins, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles. On the 21st (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire the natural beauty at Jardin Botanico Lankester, contemplate the long history of Ruins of Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia Maria Auxiliadora.

To find traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Cartago travel planner.

Traveling by car from Vara Blanca to Cartago takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 81°F in August, and nighttime lows around 66°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can 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.

On the 22nd (Sat), kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, then get interesting insight from Tours, and then walk around Parque Nahomi. On your second day here, take the plunge with Skydive Costa Rica and then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

To find traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Manuel Antonio trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Cartago to Manuel Antonio takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (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.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Mon): look for gifts at Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery and then stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. On the next day, admire the natural beauty at Jardin de Orquideas San Bosco, then whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Santa Elena Skywalk, and finally admire nature's wide array of creatures at The Bat Jungle.

To find photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Monteverde trip itinerary website.

You can drive from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde in 4 hours. Another option is to take a bus. On the 26th (Wed), you're off to home.