How many days do you need in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio & Monteverde?
- Most travelers spend 8-10 days in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, and Monteverde combined
- Visiting San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, and Monteverde in 6 or 7 days is possible, but will feel rushed
- With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Tortuguero, Tamarindo, and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
How Many Days to Spend in Monteverde
How Many Days to Spend in Arenal
How Many Days to Spend in Manuel Antonio
Recommended Itineraries for San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio & Monteverde
Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José | San José |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Arenal | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 3 | La Fortuna Waterfall, Free Afternoon | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 4 | Boat to Monteverde, Coffee Tour, Optional Guided Night Tour | Monteverde |
| Day 5 | Zipline & Sky Walk in the Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Manuel Antonio, Free Afternoon | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 7 | Free Day in Manuel Antonio | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 8 | Snorkeling & Sunset Catamaran Cruise | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 9 | Return to San José, Depart Costa Rica |
The jewel of Central America, Costa Rica offers everything—cities, beaches, and many unique ecosystems to explore. This itinerary encompasses the country's most spectacular landscapes, plus an opportunity to savor the culture of local villages and the capital city. Hike near a volcano, experience world-class bird-watching, snorkel with sea turtles, and more. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
13-Day Itinerary Including Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José | San José |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Tortuguero National Park | Tortuguero |
| Day 3 | Guided Exploration of Tortuguero National Park | Tortuguero |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Puerto Viejo Beach | Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
| Day 5 | Beach Day & Caribbean Cooking Lesson | Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
| Day 6 | Pacuare River Rafting Tour & Transfer to La Fortuna | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 7 | Explore Arenal: Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Scenic Hike | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Monteverde & Plantation Tour | Monteverde |
| Day 9 | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Tour & Ziplining Excursion | Monteverde |
| Day 10 | Crocodile Safari Tour & Transfer to Manuel Antonio Beach | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 11 | Tour Manuel Antonio National Park | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 12 | Transfer to San José | San José |
| Day 13 | Depart |
This jam-packed tour of Costa Rica's highlights takes you from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Begin with a boat tour of Tortuguero before two days of relaxation on Puerto Viejo Beach. Conquer the rapids on the Pacuare River en route to adventure-filled Arenal. Then, head to Monteverde, where you'll zipline through the rare cloud forest, followed by a cultural tour of local plantations. The trip winds down in Manuel Antonio, with its gorgeous beaches and abundant wildlife. Read more
15-Day Itinerary Including Tortuguero
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José | San José |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Tortuguero National Park | Tortuguero |
| Day 3 | Turtle Spotting in Tortuguero | Tortuguero |
| Day 4 | Transfer to La Fortuna | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 5 | Whitewater Rafting on the Sarapiquí River | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 6 | Hanging Bridges & Hiking in the Arenal 1968 Reserve | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 7 | Free Day in Arenal Volcano National Park | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 8 | Boat to Monteverde, Nocturnal Nature Tour | Monteverde |
| Day 9 | Zipline Fun in the Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 10 | Santa Elena Bird-Watching & Jungle Hike | Monteverde |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Manuel Antonio | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 12 | Guided Hike of Manuel Antonio National Park | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 13 | Kayak Around Damas Island | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 14 | Snorkeling & Sunset Catamaran Cruise in Manuel Antonio | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 15 | Return to San José, Depart |
Experience Costa Rica's most spectacular national parks on this 15-day tour. You'll catch glimpses of sea turtles and monkeys in Tortuguero National Park and spot hundreds of bird species in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Then it's time to head to the country's largest and most famous volcano, Arenal, for a mix of wildlife and heart-pumping excursions. Finally, you'll end the trip in Manuel Antonio, where you'll snorkel among colorful fish and traverse jungle trails. Read more
How to travel between San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio & Monteverde
How to get from San José to Monteverde
While the 83 miles (133 km) of Costa Rica that lay between San José and Monteverde may look short, the landscape makes the hilly, scenic trip between them at least three hours long. The best option for transportation is via car—by shuttle specifically. Allowing someone else to drive is the most popular and efficient way to get to the remote cloud forest area of Monteverde. Read more
How to get to Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is a microcosm of Costa Rica's most iconic offerings: pristine beaches, rainforests with abundant wildlife, and active outdoor pursuits. It's also fairly easy to reach from other major hubs in Costa Rica. Read more
How to get from San José to Arenal/La Fortuna
In about an hour, visitors from San José can be amid the volcanic splendor of Arenal/La Fortuna. The most direct mode of transportation is a domestic flight to Arenal Airport. A few carriers operate these daily flights, so you can fly out of San José International or Tobias Bolanos Airport. Most people come to this area for its famous volcano, but this guide will give you insight into other highlights and activities. Read more
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