How many days do you need in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde & Sámara?
- Most travelers spend 9-10 days in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Sámara combined
- Visiting San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Sámara in 7 or 8 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 Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio
How Many Days to Spend in Monteverde
How Many Days to Spend in Arenal
Recommended Itineraries for San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde & Sámara
Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José | San José |
| Day 2 | Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River & Transfer to La Fortuna | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 3 | Canyoning, Arenal Nature Walk & Hot Springs | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Monteverde, Horseback Riding in the Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 5 | Zipline Fun in the Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Playa Sámara | Sámara |
| Day 7 | Ocean Kayaking or Surfing Lessons | Sámara |
| Day 8 | Transfer to San José & City Exploration | San José |
| Day 9 | Departure From Costa Rica |
Enjoy a few of the best outdoor highlights of Costa Rica on this nine-day adventure. Do some sightseeing in the capital city, then conquer the rapids on a rafting trip down the Río Pacuare before canyoning, heading out on a nature walk, and soaking in the hot springs around Arenal Volcano. Then, explore the cloud forest of Monteverde on horseback and zipline through the canopy. The trip concludes with surfing, snorkeling, and relaxation on Playa Sámara before returning to San José. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
13-Day Itinerary Including Tamarindo
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José, Explore | San José |
| Day 2 | Pick Up Rental Car, Drive to Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 3 | Waterfall Hike & Cooking Class | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 4 | Whitewater Rafting on the Sarapiquí River | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 5 | Drive to Monteverde, Nocturnal Nature Walk | Monteverde |
| Day 6 | Zipline Fun in the Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 7 | Drive to Playa Sámara | Sámara |
| Day 8 | Explore Isla Chora | Sámara |
| Day 9 | Sámara: Barra Honda Cave Spelunking | Sámara |
| Day 10 | Sámara to Tamarindo (Self Drive) | Tamarindo |
| Day 11 | Free Morning, Afternoon Snorkel & Sunset Catamaran Cruise | Tamarindo |
| Day 12 | Drive to Liberia | Liberia |
| Day 13 | Depart Liberia |
This self-guided road trip is ideal for those who love nature. You'll visit the country's highlights, from the infamous Arenal volcano to the misty cloud forest to the beautiful beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. Along the way, you'll sail through trees on ziplines, swim in waterfalls, and also have a chance to spot wildlife (from monkeys to the resplendent quetzel) on naturalist lead walks. Read more
How to travel between San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Sámara
How to get from San José to Monteverde
While the 83 miles (133 km) of Costa Rica 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 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 Monteverde to Playa Sámara
Monteverde is only 88 miles (142 km) from Playa Sámara, but the short distance is deceiving. Both the provinces of Puntarenas and Guanacaste have some rough terrain, which pushes all roads to the area where the Pan-American Highway runs just north of the town of Puntarenas and heads into Guanacaste. Read more
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