21 days in Province of Puntarenas, San Jose & Carara 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.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Sat): tour the pleasant surroundings at Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena and then whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.

To find where to stay, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Monteverde trip planner.

Alicante, Spain to Monteverde is an approximately 18.5-hour combination of flight and taxi. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 7 hours traveling from Alicante to Monteverde. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sun) so you can go by car to Puntarenas.

A major port city with a busy fish market, for most tourists Puntarenas represents little more than the launching point for ferries heading to the pleasant beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Mon): trek along Sky Mountain Canopy.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Puntarenas online journey maker.

Traveling by car from Monteverde to Puntarenas takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Paquera.

To see more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, read Paquera trip planning tool.

You can drive from Puntarenas to Paquera in 3.5 hours. On the 4th (Tue), you're off to Montezuma.

With a scenic position on a sheltered bay, Montezuma remains one of Costa Rica's quieter destinations, attracting mostly backpackers and other explorers averse to making detailed travel plans.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Wed): take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback and then head off the coast to Isla de Cabuya.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Montezuma using our trip planner.

Traveling by car from Paquera to Montezuma takes 1.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Mal Pais.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Thu): add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour.

To find photos, maps, and other tourist information, read Mal Pais trip planner.

You can drive from Montezuma to Mal Pais in an hour. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can drive to Santa Teresa.

A coastal getaway popular with surfers and young travelers, Santa Teresa spreads out from the beach and the main coastal road to a ring of newer developments on the surrounding hills.

Take a break from the city and head to Playa Hermosa and Playa Carmen. Explore hidden gems such as Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve and Tica Surf Bikinis.

To find more things to do, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, read Santa Teresa holiday planner.

Santa Teresa is just a stone's throw from Mal Pais. You'll set off for San Jose on the 9th (Sun).

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.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Mon): hike along Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, and then stop by J.LANG Atelier & Showroom. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: pause for some serene contemplation at Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

To find ratings, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the San Jose trip planner.

You can drive from Santa Teresa to San Jose in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In February, daily temperatures in San Jose can reach 79°F, while at night they dip to 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Uvita.

Ideal for visitors looking to escape Costa Rica's busy beaches, Uvita offers a serene atmosphere and plenty of uncrowded sand for a leisurely vacation.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Canyoning & Rappelling Tours and Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Escape the urban bustle at Uvita Waterfall and Uvita Beach. There's more to do: look for gifts at Discount Liquor Wine & Cigars.

To find more things to do, photos, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Uvita driving holiday planner.

You can drive from San Jose to Uvita in 3.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) so you can drive to Quepos.

The tourist-oriented town of Quepos marks the entrance for many travelers looking to explore the nearby national park.

On the 15th (Sat), let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour and then fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 16th (Sun): stop by Villa Vanilla / Rainforest Spices and then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

To find where to stay, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Quepos trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Uvita to Quepos takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Esterillos Este.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Mon): take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback and then kick back and relax at Playa Bejuco.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read Esterillos Este day trip tool.

Traveling by car from Quepos to Esterillos Este takes an hour. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Carara.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Tue): surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 19th (Wed): explore the striking landscape of Carara National Park.

For where to stay, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Carara trip itinerary builder website.

You can drive from Esterillos Este to Carara in 1.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel back home.