22 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

With its dusty streets and simple (read affordable) lodgings, Cahuita bustles as a hub of backpacker tourism in southeastern Costa Rica.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Wed): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Cahuita National Park. Keep things going the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Puerto Viejo Beach.

To see reviews, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Cahuita journey planner.

Sixaola to Cahuita is an approximately 1-hour car ride. In December, daily temperatures in Cahuita can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 25°C. On the 22nd (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to San Jose.

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.

On the 22nd (Fri), stroll around Parque La Sabana. Keep things going the next day: take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, then take an in-depth tour of Museo Nacional De Costa Rica, and then get some fabulous bargains at Mercado Municipal De Artesanias.

To find maps, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our San Jose day trip tool.

Traveling by car from Cahuita to San Jose takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Cahuita in December, with highs in San Jose at 30°C and lows at 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sun) early enough to take a shuttle 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.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Rio Celeste, Pure Trek Canyoning, Ecotermales Fortuna, and other attractions you added. Take a break from the city and head to Tabacon Hot Springs and Natura Eco Park Costa Rica. Next up on the itinerary: get impressive views of Arenal Volcano and take in the exciting artwork at Onirica Art Gallery.

For ratings, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, use the La Fortuna de San Carlos day trip planner.

Traveling by shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna de San Carlos takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) early enough to 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.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Sat): take a peaceful walk through Curi Cancha Reserve and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Here are some ideas for day two: stop by Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery, then whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at The Bat Jungle.

Plan trip to Monteverde with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Monteverde takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in December, and nighttime lows around 32°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sun) to allow enough time to 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.

On the 1st (Mon), tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Santa Teresa.

For more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Santa Teresa trip itinerary builder tool.

Traveling by car from Monteverde to Santa Teresa takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Mon) to allow enough 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.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Mon): get a taste of local nightlife at Souvenir Muy Tranquilo. Here are some ideas for day two: get impressive views of Poas Volcano and then admire the verdant scenery at Orosi River Valley ( El Valle del Rio Orosi ).

To find traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Vara Blanca road trip tool.

Getting from Santa Teresa to Vara Blanca by car takes about 6 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus, ferry, and taxi; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Wed) to allow time for the car ride 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.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Uvita Beach, Canopy Safari and Dante's Water Sports. Get outdoors at Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Biesanz. Change things up with a short trip to Discount Liquor Wine & Cigars in Uvita (about 1h 10 min away). There's lots more to do: see MidWorld Costa Rica, stop by Meli Melo Boutique, and get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Manuel Antonio vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Vara Blanca to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Mon) to allow time to travel back home.