22 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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.

Step out of San Jose with an excursion to Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz in Vara Blanca--about 1h 20 min away. The adventure continues: get impressive views of Irazu Volcano National Park, take an in-depth tour of Museo Nacional De Costa Rica, explore the galleries of Riish and Toosh Afro Costa Rican Paintings, and capture your vacation like a pro with an inspiring photography tour.

To find photos, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, go to the San Jose online trip maker.

Montreal, Canada to San Jose is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Montreal to San Jose is minus 1 hour. Prepare for much hotter weather when traveling from Montreal in January: high temperatures in San Jose hover around 30°C and lows are around 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Thu) to allow 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 8th (Fri): explore the striking landscape of Tortuguero National Park.

To see maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Tortuguero trip planner.

Drive from San Jose to Tortuguero in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. In January in Tortuguero, expect temperatures between 33°C during the day and 24°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) so you can 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: witness a stunning natural landmark at Tabacon Hot Springs, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Arenal, tour the pleasant surroundings at La Fortuna Waterfall, and get interesting insight from Tours.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the La Fortuna de San Carlos tour planner.

Traveling by car from Tortuguero to La Fortuna de San Carlos takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Wed) early enough to drive to Drake Bay.

Step out of Drake Bay with an excursion to Corcovado National Park in Carate--about 1h 10 min away. Spend a day of island exploring on the 15th (Fri) at Cano Island.

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

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Drake Bay takes 8 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (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.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Sun): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Manuel Antonio, then find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, and then walk around Parque Nahomi. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Mon): see Off-Road Tours, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and then stroll around Manuel Antonio National Park.

To see other places to visit and other tourist information, you can read our Manuel Antonio trip planner.

You can drive from Drake Bay to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of ferry and bus; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Jaco.

A seaside resort town with plenty of entertaining distractions along its attractive coastline, Jaco has long been a major tourist destination on the central Pacific coast.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Tue): get interesting insight from Tours, push the limits with an extreme tour, and then get great views at Mirador de Jaco. Keep things going the next day: kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, take a memorable tour with Tours, then stop by Fruity Monkey Poop, and finally take in the views from Tarcoles Bridge.

To see other places to visit, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Jaco holiday planning website.

Drive from Manuel Antonio to Jaco in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Wed) 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.

Monteverde is known for adventure, parks, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, appreciate the extensive heritage of Santa Elena Skywalk, and delve into the lush surroundings at Curi Cancha Reserve.

For other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Monteverde tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Jaco to Monteverde takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sat) early enough to drive to Playa Samara.

A beach town with just enough development to be comfortable for families accustomed to the trappings of modern life, Playa Samara has the resorts you'd expect to find in such a scenic area, but they don't hinder the relaxing atmosphere.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Sun): enjoy the sand and surf at Barrigona Beach and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Samara Beach.

To see reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Playa Samara driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Monteverde to Playa Samara takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Tamarindo.

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

On the 25th (Mon), get in on the family fun at Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates, then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then stop by Organic Products by Coco Beauty Spa.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read Tamarindo trip planner.

Traveling by car from Playa Samara to Tamarindo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Tue) to allow time for travel back home.