60 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Coffee & Tea Tours and Arenal 1968 Volcano View & Trails. Step out of La Fortuna de San Carlos with an excursion to Butterfly Conservatory - Arenal in El Castillo--about 38 minutes away. The adventure continues: take in the natural beauty of Tabacon Hot Springs, scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, contemplate the geological forces at Arenal Volcano, and take in the dramatic scenery at La Fortuna Waterfall.

To see photos, reviews, maps, and tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos planning site.

London, UK to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 6 hours traveling from London to La Fortuna de San Carlos. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) 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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Nature Observatorio and Tarantulas Way. Spend the 20th (Fri) exploring nature at Cahuita National Park. And it doesn't end there: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Cocles, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and stroll through Playa Punta Uva.

To see ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Puerto Viejo de Talamanca sightseeing planner.

Getting from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Puerto Jimenez.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Osa Wild and Dolphin & Whale Watching.

To find other places to visit, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Puerto Jimenez online trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Puerto Jimenez in 7 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) so you can go by car to Drake Bay.

Step off the beaten path and head to Dolphin & Whale Watching and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Change things up with a short trip to Quebrada Cuervo in Loma (about 40 minutes away). Spend a day of island exploring on the 26th (Thu) at Cano Island.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Drake Bay day trip website.

Traveling by car from Puerto Jimenez to Drake Bay takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or ride a ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Uvita.

Ideal for visitors looking to escape Costa Rica's busy beaches, Uvita offers a serene atmosphere and plenty of uncrowded sand for a leisurely vacation.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary and Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Uvita: Dominical (Dominicalito Beach & Horseback Riding Tours) and Kokopelli (in Sierpe). And it doesn't end there: find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, take in the dramatic scenery at Uvita Waterfall, enjoy the sand and surf at Uvita Beach, and see Off-Road Tours.

For ratings, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read Uvita day trip planning website.

Getting from Drake Bay to Uvita by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to Safari Adventures and Parasailing & Paragliding. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Manuel Antonio: Playa Linda (in Playa Matapalo), Rainmaker Park (in Parrita) and Isla Damas (in Puntarenas). Next up on the itinerary: stroll through Playa Manuel Antonio, indulge in some personalized pampering at Raindrop Spa, enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Biesanz, and take in the waterfront at Marina Pez Vela.

To find photos, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Manuel Antonio day trip website.

You can drive from Uvita to Manuel Antonio in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can drive 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to River Rafting & Tubing and Horseback Riding Tours. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Jaco: Palo Seco Beach (in Parrita), Playa Bejuco (in Esterillos Este) and El Toledo Coffee Tour (in Atenas). There's much more to do: explore the striking landscape of Carara National Park, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, take in the views from Tarcoles Bridge, and stroll through Royal Butterflies.

For maps, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, read Jaco tour website.

Getting from Manuel Antonio to Jaco by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) so you can 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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Step out of Monteverde with an excursion to Natuwa Wildlife Santuary in Puntarenas--about 1h 10 min away. Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, admire the sheer force of San Luis Waterfall, take in nature's colorful creations at Monteverde Orchid Garden, and take a peaceful walk through Children's Eternal Rain Forest.

To see reviews, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Monteverde trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Jaco to Monteverde in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) to allow enough time 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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Playa Guiones and Horseback Riding Tours. Change things up with a short trip to Room Escape Games in Nosara (about 48 minutes away). There's still lots to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Barrigona Beach, see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Samara Beach.

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

You can drive from Monteverde to Playa Samara in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Shark Diving and Spas. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Tamarindo: Playa Conchal (in Playa Conchal) and Potrero Beach (in Playa Potrero). Spend the 2nd (Thu) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. And it doesn't end there: wander the wide-open spaces of Pura Aventura, sample the tasty concoctions at Volcano Brewing Company, step aboard Kingpin Sportfishing, and find something for the whole family at Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates.

To find maps, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Tamarindo online trip planner.

Drive from Playa Samara to Tamarindo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands and Cataratas Llanos de Cortes. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Playas del Coco: Liberia (Nahua, Costa Rica'n Art Craft, &more). Spend the 7th (Tue) among the fascinating landscape of Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja. Next up on the itinerary: head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Hermosa, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Hope Fellowship.

For traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Playas del Coco visit planner.

Getting from Tamarindo to Playas del Coco by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can fly back home.