San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde & Tortuguero: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde & Tortuguero?

• Most travelers spend 12-15 days in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, and Tortuguero combined
• Visiting San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, and Tortuguero in 8 to 11 days is possible, but will feel rushed
• With 16 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Tamarindo, and Corcovado National Park

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 & Tortuguero

Recommended Itinerary for 2 Weeks

Crafted with intrepid nature lovers in mind, this national parks-focused itinerary includes the four best parks in Costa Rica. So clear two weeks off your calendar—it's time to experience the country fully. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 15 Days

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

Extended Itineraries

13-Day Itinerary Including Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

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

How to travel between San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde & Tortuguero

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

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 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 Monteverde's remote cloud forest area. Read more

How to get from San José to Tortuguero National Park
A direct flight is the best way to get from Costa Rica's capital city of San José to Tortuguero National Park. The thirty-minute journey doesn't cost much more than a shared shuttle, the small planes often fly low, allowing you to see the scenery, and it saves precious vacation time. Read more