30 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

Cartago is a city in Costa Rica, about 25km east of the capital, San José. Kick off your visit on the 11th (Tue): admire the natural beauty at Jardin Botanico Lankester and then pause for some serene contemplation at Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles.

To find traveler tips, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Cartago trip itinerary website.

San Jose to Cartago is an approximately 1-hour car ride. You can also take a bus; or take a train. February in Cartago sees daily highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C at night. On the 12th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can 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 13th (Thu): explore the striking landscape of Tortuguero National Park. On the 14th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get a new perspective on nature at Sea Turtle Conservancy.

To see maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Tortuguero trip planning app.

Getting from Cartago to Tortuguero by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and shuttle. In February, daily temperatures in Tortuguero can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) to allow 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.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Puerto Viejo Beach. On the next day, explore the striking landscape of Cahuita National Park.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Puerto Viejo de Talamanca online holiday builder.

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 by early afternoon on the 17th (Mon) 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.

Visiting MidWorld Costa Rica and Mulguri Adventure will get you outdoors. It doesn't end there: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Biesanz.

For maps, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, use the Manuel Antonio trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Manuel Antonio in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) to allow enough 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.

Step out of the city life by going to La Fortuna Waterfall and River Rafting & Tubing. And it doesn't end there: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Arenal Volcano, take in the natural beauty of Paradise Hot Springs, relax and rejuvenate at Tabacon Hot Springs, and hike along Natura Eco Park Costa Rica.

To see maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos road trip website.

You can drive from Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) early enough 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.

Get some historical perspective at Ecological Sanctuary and Santa Elena Skywalk. Get outdoors at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and Zipline. There's much more to do: take a peaceful walk through Curi Cancha Reserve, get to know the resident critters at The Bat Jungle, take in nature's colorful creations at Monteverde Orchid Garden, and take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Monteverde journey maker site.

Drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Monteverde in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) 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.

Get in touch with nature at Tamarindo Beach and Scuba & Snorkeling. Relax by the water at Playa Conchal and Playa Hermosa. Get out of town with these interesting Tamarindo side-trips: Playas del Coco (Rojas Bros Boruca Indigenous Arts & Iglesia Catolica de Playas del Coco). There's much more to do: kick back and relax at Playa Avellana, get a taste of life in the country at Pura Aventura, and step aboard Kingpin Sportfishing.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Tamarindo online visit planner.

Getting from Monteverde to Tamarindo by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a shuttle. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) so you can go by car to Nosara.

Along with its agricultural and fishing heritage, Nosara stands as one of the oldest expatriate communities in the country.

Take a break from the city and head to Samara Beach and Barrigona Beach. The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Playa Guiones, stroll through Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary, and browse the exhibits of MAEL's ABSTRACT ART GALLERY.

For reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Nosara trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Tamarindo to Nosara in 2 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Mon) to allow time to take a shuttle 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 10th (Tue), enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Carmen, then take in the dramatic scenery at Montezuma Falls, and then stop by Tica Surf Bikinis. Keep things going the next day: tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Santa Teresa and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Hermosa.

To find reviews, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Santa Teresa day trip planning site.

Getting from Nosara to Santa Teresa by shuttle takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Wed) early enough to drive back home.