17 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Fri): stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond. Keep things going the next day: stop by Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery, admire the natural beauty at Monteverde Orchid Garden, then whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and finally learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at The Bat Jungle.

To find more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Monteverde trip builder site.

London, UK to Monteverde is an approximately 16-hour combination of flight and taxi. The time zone difference moving from Greenwich Mean Time to Central Standard Time is minus 6 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) 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.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Sun): get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, then enjoy the sand and surf at Tamarindo Beach, and then stop by Organic Products by Coco Beauty Spa. Keep things going the next day: get in on the family fun at Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates and then kick back and relax at Playa Conchal.

To find more things to do, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read Tamarindo online tour itinerary planner.

Drive from Monteverde to Tamarindo in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a shuttle. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) to allow 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.

La Fortuna de San Carlos is known for nature, adventure, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the natural beauty of Tabacon Hot Springs, stroll through La Fortuna Waterfall, view the masterpieces at Onirica Art Gallery, and get engrossed in the history at ChocoMuseo La Fortuna.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the La Fortuna de San Carlos online attractions planner.

Traveling by car from Tamarindo to La Fortuna de San Carlos takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can go by car 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.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Fri): explore the striking landscape of Tortuguero National Park.

To see ratings, photos, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Tortuguero trip website.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tortuguero in 3.5 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. March in Tortuguero sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 24°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive 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 21st (Sat), stroll through Nature Observatorio and then surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the striking landscape of Cahuita National Park and then admire the natural beauty at Finca La Isla.

To see ratings, maps, and more tourist information, use the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip itinerary maker website.

Traveling by car from Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) 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 23rd (Mon), admire the sheer force of Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Poas Volcano. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: stroll through Reserva Forestal Grecia Sector Bosque del Nino and then admire the verdant scenery at Orosi River Valley ( El Valle del Rio Orosi ).

To see more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Vara Blanca trip planner.

You can drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Vara Blanca in 5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) to allow enough 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.

Venture out of the city with trips to Jaco (Costa Rica SUP'ers & Canyoning & Rappelling Tours). Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

For ratings, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Manuel Antonio driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Vara Blanca to Manuel Antonio takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi and bus. On the 27th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.