31 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.

Explore San Jose's surroundings by going to Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz (in Vara Blanca), Alajuela (Rescue Center Costa Rica & Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm) and El Toledo Coffee Tour (in Atenas). There's much more to do: hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour, view the masterpieces at Galeria Namu, admire the natural beauty at Jardin Botanico Lankester, and get engrossed in the history at Museo Nacional De Costa Rica.

To see photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the San Jose trip planner.

Madrid, Spain to San Jose is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Madrid to San Jose is minus 7 hours. While traveling from Madrid, expect little chillier days and about the same nights in San Jose, ranging from highs of 31°C to lows of 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) early enough 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.

On the 5th (Fri), explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.

To see maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Tortuguero trip planner.

Traveling by car from San Jose to Tortuguero takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Tortuguero when traveling from San Jose in July, with lows around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (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.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Sat): tour the pleasant surroundings at Nature Observatorio and then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the striking landscape of Cahuita National Park.

For reviews, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca road trip tool.

Drive from Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) so you can drive to Drake Bay.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Mon): contemplate the waterfront views at Bahia Drake and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Naturaseekers. Keep things going the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa San Josecito and then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To see photos, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Drake Bay online itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Drake Bay takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) 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.

Get out of town with these interesting Manuel Antonio side-trips: Dominical (Mama Toucan's Natural and Organic Food Store & Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary) and Kokopelli (in Sierpe). There's still lots to do: kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, and paddle through the water with a kayaking and canoeing tour.

To find maps, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Manuel Antonio vacation maker app.

Drive from Drake Bay to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sat) so you can 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.

Jaco is known for adventure, beaches, and classes. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, snap pictures at Tarcoles Bridge, and get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.

To see where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Jaco trip itinerary maker tool.

You can drive from Manuel Antonio to Jaco in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Wed) so you can 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 trip includes some of its best attractions: whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, stroll through Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at The Bat Jungle, and stop by Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery.

To find ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read our Monteverde travel route planner.

You can drive from Jaco to Monteverde in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sat) 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 out of town with these interesting Tamarindo side-trips: Playa Conchal (in Playa Conchal) and Cafe Tio Leo (in Liberia). There's much more to do: head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, wander the wide-open spaces of Pura Aventura, get in on the family fun at Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates, and stop by Urban Eclectic Jewelry.

To see ratings, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Tamarindo route planner.

Traveling by car from Monteverde to Tamarindo takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a shuttle. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) early enough to go by car to Playas del Coco.

A long-established beach community, Playas del Coco has developed a reputation as a favored spot for young travelers and locals to let loose by the sea.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Wed): indulge in some personalized pampering at Angel's Hands Spa, stroll through Playa Hermosa, and then meet some fierce fish with a shark diving experience.

For traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Playas del Coco driving holiday planner.

Drive from Tamarindo to Playas del Coco in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Wed) early enough 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.

La Fortuna de San Carlos is known for nature, adventure, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, indulge in some personalized pampering at Tabacon Hot Springs, and contemplate the geological forces at Arenal Volcano.

To see maps, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, read our La Fortuna de San Carlos trip planner.

Drive from Playas del Coco to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Wed) to allow enough time to fly back home.