9 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
9 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Costa Rica route planner
Start: Chicago
Fly
1
San Jose
— 3 nights
Drive
2
Jaco
— 1 night
Drive
3
Manuel Antonio
— 1 night
Drive
4
Tamarindo
— 1 night
Fly
End: Chicago
Thu, May 21 - Fri, May 29
Edit
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See full calendar
3
nights
3
nights
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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.Get a sense of the local culture at Metal Church and Galeria Namu. Get some historical perspective at Ruins of the Church of Carthage and Iglesia Maria Auxiliadora. Get out of town with these interesting San Jose side-trips: Toucan Rescue Ranch (in San Isidro) and La Paz Waterfall and Peace Lodge Gardens (in Vara Blanca). The adventure continues: enjoy the scholastic atmosphere at Universidad de Costa Rica, get engrossed in the history at Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle, get a dose of the wild on Top Travel Costa Rica, and explore the world behind art at Museum of Contemporary Art and Design.
To find traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the San Jose trip itinerary maker tool.
Chicago, USA to San Jose is an approximately 10.5-hour flight. You can also drive. In May, San Jose is a bit warmer than Chicago - with highs of 82°F and lows of 67°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sun) so you can go by car to Jaco.
Things to do in San Jose
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
1
night
1
night
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.Start off your visit on the 25th (Mon): browse the collection at Jaco Library and Learning Center, then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then don't miss a visit to Mirador de Jaco.
For ratings, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Jaco trip builder app.
You can drive from San Jose to Jaco in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Tue) so you can go by car to Manuel Antonio.
Things to do in Jaco
Highlights from your trip
1
night
1
night
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 26th (Tue): get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, tour the pleasant surroundings at Playas Gemelas, then relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and finally view the masterpieces at The Captain's Booty. Keep things going the next day: walk around Parque Nahomi and then identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas.
To find reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Manuel Antonio driving holiday planner.
Traveling by car from Jaco to Manuel Antonio takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Wed) to allow time for the car ride to Tamarindo.
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
1
night
1
night
Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.Kick off your visit on the 28th (Thu): whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, take a tour of Kingpin Sportfishing, then look for gifts at Papaya Con Leche, and finally have some family-friendly fun at Bolas Locas Mini Golf.
To see reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Tamarindo trip planner.
You can drive from Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and flight; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Thu) to allow time to travel back home.
Things to do in Tamarindo
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
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Costa Rica travel guide
Tiny in terms of land area, Costa Rica is astoundingly diverse when it comes to culture and natural attractions. In a country called "Rich Coast", it's no surprise most Costa Rica vacations dedicate at least a few days to picturesque Pacific and Caribbean beaches, ideal for water sports and relaxation. Few small countries offer such a range of landscapes, allowing tourists to observe towering volcanoes while soaking away their worries in a hot spring, or hike into dense rainforests in the morning and surf at a modern resort in the afternoon. A trip to Costa Rica also lets you discover pristine national parks, ensuring plenty of chances to view wildlife from the comfort of eco-friendly lodges packed with amenities even ardent nature lovers secretly desire.
