19 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.

Explore Tamarindo's surroundings by going to Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands (in Area de Conservacion Guanacaste) and Playa Conchal (in Playa Conchal). Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at Tamarindo Beach, tour the pleasant surroundings at Monkey Park, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and stop by Organic Products by Coco Beauty Spa.

To see more things to do, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Tamarindo itinerary website.

Cairo, Egypt to Tamarindo is an approximately 21-hour combination of flight and car. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 8 hours traveling from Cairo to Tamarindo. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can go by car 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.

Monteverde is known for adventure, parks, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, admire the natural beauty at Monteverde Orchid Garden, whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and delve into the lush surroundings at Curi Cancha Reserve.

For reviews, photos, and more tourist information, read our Monteverde trip planner.

Traveling by car from Tamarindo to Monteverde takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a shuttle. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Manuel Antonio: Jaco (Costa Rica SUP'ers, Canyoning & Rappelling Tours, &more). Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, stroll around Parque Nahomi, relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, and surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.

To find reviews, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Manuel Antonio vacation tool.

Drive from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Wed) early enough 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.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Thu): explore the striking landscape of Tortuguero National Park.

To find reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Tortuguero trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Manuel Antonio to Tortuguero by car takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and ferry. March in Tortuguero sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 24°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Thu) 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, contemplate the geological forces at Arenal Volcano, let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, and scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, use the La Fortuna de San Carlos day trip planner.

You can drive from Tortuguero to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can 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.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Tue): take in the dramatic scenery at Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz and then stroll through Tirimbina Biological Reserve. On the 18th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: join in the after-dark buzz at Souvenir Muy Tranquilo and then contemplate the geological forces at Poas Volcano.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Vara Blanca trip planner.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Vara Blanca in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) early enough to travel back home.