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

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

• Most travelers spend 6-8 days in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, and Monteverde combined
• Visiting San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, and Monteverde in 5 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
• With 9 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, and Gulf of Papagayo

How Many Days to Spend in Arenal
How Many Days to Spend in Monteverde

Recommended Itineraries for San José, Arenal/La Fortuna & Monteverde

Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days

This six-day trip is ideal for travelers looking to unwind yet still experience the country's natural wonders. You'll learn to prepare traditional Costa Rican cuisine and visit a coffee plantation near Arenal, and have the chance to spot monkeys and other wildlife during a night walk in Monteverde. Spend your last full day ziplining and exploring the cloud forest by day before heading back to San José for your flight home. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week

Spend an active week discovering some of the natural highlights of Costa Rica. Explore the capital city and then launch into an adrenaline-pumping rafting excursion along the Pacuare River. Next, explore Arenal Volcano on a nature walk, followed by a hot spring soak. Then, head to Monteverde to tour the incredible cloud forest on horseback and zipline through the canopy. Enjoy more time strolling historical San José before departure. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days

This weeklong trip is ideal for travelers looking to unwind yet still experience the natural wonders of the Arenal region. You'll mountain bike around the famous volcano, visit a working coffee farm, and go for a dip in the area's famous hot springs. You'll also have the chance to spot monkeys and other wildlife during a guided tour of the cloud forests in the Monteverde region and visit beautiful gardens abounding with colorful orchids and exotic butterflies. Read more

Extended Itineraries

9-Day Itinerary Including Manuel Antonio

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

10-Day Itinerary Including Tamarindo

This 10-day self-drive itinerary takes you off the beaten path to discover Costa Rica's highlights at your own pace. After an evening in San José, embark from the capital and drive north to explore the cloud forests of Monteverde by zipline. Journey west to the Pacific coast and the surf village of Tamarindo for sea kayaking and wildlife spotting, then make your way inland to La Fortuna. Here you'll explore the lush landscapes of Arenal Volcano National Park, hike the brilliant blue Río Celeste, and visit a working coffee plantation. Read more

15-Day Itinerary Including Manuel Antonio & Tortuguero

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 & Monteverde

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 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