With twelve days in Costa Rica, travelers can visit several regions. Choose a highlights tour that includes Arenal and Monteverde, focus on the top sights along the beautiful Pacific coast, or road-trip around volcanoes and national parks on a self-drive tour. Opt for a wildlife-centered adventure, enjoy a luxury itinerary featuring overnight stays in elegant eco-lodges, or take on the challenge of a cycling trip to the Caribbean coast—learn all about the possibilities with these unique 12-day itineraries.

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Costa Rica: Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde & Manuel Antonio

Monkeys, sloths, lizards, birds, insects, jaguars—Costa Rica's wildlife await you on this colorful 12-day itinerary that takes you to beaches, jungles, cloud forests, and national parks.

Vibrantly hued toucans on a tree branch in Costa Rica's jungle
Vibrantly hued toucans on a tree branch in Costa Rica's jungle
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive & Explore Downtown San José San José
Day 2 Guided Jungle Night Hike Tortuguero
Day 3 Boat Along the Tortuguero Canals Tortuguero
Day 4 Explore the Wilderness of Arenal La Fortuna
Day 5 Hike Around a Volcano & Soak in Hot Springs La Fortuna
Day 6 See Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park  La Fortuna
Day 7 Guided Night Walk of Children's Eternal Forest Monteverde
Day 8 Tour Monteverde Cloud Forest & Sky Adventures Park Monteverde
Day 9 Transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park Manuel Antonio
Day 10 Explore Manuel Antonio National Park Manuel Antonio
Day 11 Boat & Snorkel in Manuel Antonio National Park Manuel Antonio
Day 14 Manuel Antonio to San José, Depart  

 

Welcome to Costa Rica! After a day exploring San José, you'll go to Tortuguero National Park to spot nocturnal wildlife and explore the region's waterways on a boat tour. Then continue on to Arenal, basing yourself in La Fortuna while you enjoy volcano hikes, soaking in hot springs, and a stroll along the beautiful blue Rio Celeste

The itinerary takes you to Monteverde next, where you'll discover the cloud forest and soar through the trees during an afternoon of zip-lining at the Sky Adventures Park. Then it's off to Manuel Antonio National Park, where you'll spend the last few days of the tour hiking, boating, and snorkeling. Learn more

For more travel tips and inspiration, read this article on the Top Active Experiences in Manuel Antonio National Park.

Itinerary #2: Explore Costa Rica's Volcanoes & Pacific Coast

This 12-day adventure around Costa Rica's spectacular natural landscapes leads you to the hot springs of Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Arenal Volcano, and the beaches of Tamarindo and Sámara.

Looking down at Carrillo Beach near Sámara, Costa Rica
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Liberia, Soak in the Río Negro Hot Springs Rincón de la Vieja
Day 2 Ride Horses in Rincón de la Vieja National Park Rincón de la Vieja
Day 3 Hike Around a Volcano & Soak in Hot Springs La Fortuna
Day 4 Enjoy a Sloth and Bird Hike & Visit a Cocoa Bean Farm La Fortuna
Day 5 Discover the Children's Eternal Forest Monteverde
Day 6 Tour the Cloud Forest & Sky Adventures Park Monteverde
Day 7 Experience Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Tamarindo
Day 8 Snorkel, Swim & Surf on the Beaches of Guanacaste  Tamarindo
Day 9 See the Beaches Around Sámara Sámara
Day 10 Kayak & Snorkel Around Isla Chora  Sámara
Day 11 Hike in the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve Sámara
Day 12 Samária to San José, Depart  

 

Kick off the adventure in Rincón de la Vieja National Park with an excursion on horseback and a chance to relax in the Rio Negro Hot Springs. More hot springs await at your next destination, Arenal, where you'll also hike through a sloth habitat, go birdwatching, and learn how chocolate is made at a cocoa bean farm. Head to Monteverde for zip-lining adventures and hikes in the cloud forest.

You'll have the rare opportunity to observe nesting sea turtles in the surf hub of Tamarindo. Enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and surf lessons both here and around Sámara, your final stop. Go kayaking and snorkeling around the island of Isla Chora and spend the last full day exploring a biological reserve before the trip ends. Learn more

Find out more about the Best Things to Do in Tamarindo.

Itinerary #3: Wildlife Luxury Adventure in Arenal, Monteverde & the Osa Peninsula

See the best of Costa Rica on this luxurious 12-day itinerary featuring excursions with private guides, including birdwatching, snorkeling, hiking, a coffee tour, and horseback riding through the cloud forest. 

Overnight in luxury accommodation in the Osa Peninsula (photo courtesy of Lapa Rios Lodge)
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in San José, Explore Downtown  San José
Day 2 Transfer to Drake Bay & Take a Birdwatching Tour Drake Bay
Day 3 Hike in Corcovado National Park Drake Bay
Day 4 Snorkel at Isla del Caño Biological Reserve Drake Bay
Day 5 Fly to San José, Transfer to La Fortuna & Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall La Fortuna
Day 6 See Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park  La Fortuna
Day 7 Visit Arenal Volcano & Soak in Hot Springs La Fortuna
Day 8 Taste Costa Rican Coffee, Nighttime Nature Walk Monteverde
Day 9 Tour Monteverde Cloud Forest on a Guided Hike Monteverde
Day 10 Go Horseback Riding in the Cloud Forest Monteverde
Day 11 Enjoy a Coffee & Cocoa Bean Tour Monteverde
Day 12 Depart Costa Rica  

 

Arrive in San José, then fly to the Osa Peninsula, where you'll explore Corcovado National Park for the next few days. You'll see exotic birds on a full-day hike through the park and swim with tropical fish while snorkeling in the waters offshore. Next, you'll go to the Arenal region of Costa Rica, where you'll hike to La Fortuna Waterfall and visit Tenorio Volcano National Park.

The latter portion of the itinerary takes you to Monteverde. Coffee lovers will enjoy a tour of a coffee bean farm and the chance to taste various locally produced coffees. You'll also go on a nighttime nature walk, a guided hike through the cloud forest, and an excursion on horseback. Finish the trip with a gourmet coffee and cocoa bean tour that includes samples of delicious Costa Rican chocolates. Learn more

Read more about the Best Luxury Hotels in Costa Rica.

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Itinerary #4: Costa Rica Arenal, Monteverde & Pacific Coast Self-Drive Tour

See many of Costa Rica's highlights, from national parks and cloud forests to rushing rivers and world-class beaches, on this thrilling road trip around the country.

Enjoy a quiet beach at sunset
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Liberia - Drive to Río Celeste Tenorio National Park
Day 2 Hiking in Río Celeste - Drive to La Fortuna Arenal/La Fortuna
Day 3 Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Arenal/La Fortuna
Day 4 Arenal - Whitewater Rafting on the Sarapiquí River Arenal/La Fortuna
Day 5 Drive from Arenal to Monteverde - Night Nature Tour Monteverde
Day 6 Aerial Fun in the Cloud Forest Monteverde
Day 7 Drive from Monteverde to Playa Sámara Playa Sámara
Day 8 Sámara Beach Free Day Playa Sámara
Day 9 Playa Sámara - Drive to Playa Tamarindo Tamarindo
Day 10 Private Surf Lesson at Playa Tamarindo Tamarindo
Day 11 Free Day in Tamarindo Tamarindo
Day 12 Depart Costa Rica from Liberia  


The trip begins in Liberia. Pick up a rental car and drive to Río Celeste, just outside Tenorio National Park. After a day of hiking, you'll get back in the car and drive to Arenal Volcano National Park, venturing to the La Fortuna Waterfall and the region's famous Hanging Bridges. On day four, go whitewater rafting on the Sarapiquí River. Continue along the road trip to Monteverde for a guided nighttime nature tour and an aerial canopy adventure.

Drive from Monteverde to Playa Sámara, where you'll relax for a day on the beach, then to the Refugio Nacional Ostional, a protected stretch of coastline where sea turtles come during nesting season to lay their eggs. Continue to one of the country's most beloved beaches, Playa Tamarindo, for a private surf lesson followed by a free day to practice your newfound skills, try other water sports, go for a hike, or just enjoy some sand and sun. Learn more

This article on the Top Active Experiences in Costa Rica has more ideas and information.

Itinerary #5: Luxury Spas & Outdoor Adventures in Costa Rica

On this luxury itinerary, you'll enjoy Costa Rica's great outdoors while whitewater rafting and hiking, then treat yourself to spa treatments and relax in natural hot springs.

Take a moment for yourself during a luxury trip around Costa Rica
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrival in Costa Rica - Private Transfer to The Retreat Alajuela
Day 2 Luxury Rainforest Lodge on the Pacuare River Turrialba
Day 3 Rafting the Río Pacuare - Bajos del Toro Bajos del Toro
Day 4 Bajos del Toro Waterfall Hike With Private Guide Bajos del Toro
Day 5 Transfer to Arenal - Luxury Tabacón Hot Springs Arenal/La Fortuna
Day 6 Exclusive Chocolate Making Experience Arenal/La Fortuna
Day 7 Transfer to the Pacific Coast - Playa Esterillos Quepos
Day 8 Pacific Coast Excursion With Private Guide Quepos
Day 9 Transfer to San Isidro del General San Isidro del General
Day 10 Free Day at Hacienda AltaGracia San Isidro del General
Day 11 Transfer to Alajuela Alajuela
Day 12 Depart Costa Rica  


This high-end itinerary kicks off in style with a private transfer to The Retreat, a wellness center where guests can practice yoga and enjoy spa treatments. On day two, you'll move onto Pacuare River Lodge, a riverside getaway in the rainforest. Then get ready for a rafting adventure down the Río Pacuare to Bajos del Toro. Transfer to Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, an elegant refuge with its own thermal hot springs.

Enjoy an exclusive chocolate-making tour and class before traveling to the Pacific coast and the beach of Playa Esterillos for an outrigger canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard excursion. Continue onward to San Isidro del General and the luxurious boutique lodge of Hacienda Altagracia. Finish the trip at the five-star Xandari Resort and Spa, complete with hiking trails, gardens, waterfalls, pools, Jacuzzis, and a spa with panoramic views. Learn more

Find out more about the best luxury hotels in the Arenal region by reading this article.

Itinerary #6: Mountain Biking from Manuel Antonio to the Caribbean Coast

Pedal from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean coast—crossing the entire country—on this challenging 12-day bicycle trip.

Cycle along Costa Rica's beaches
Day Destination Overnight
Day 1 Arrival in Costa Rica – Experience San José's Culture San José
Day 2 Transfer to Quepos Quepos
Day 3 Biking & Trekking to Naranjito Naranjito
Day 4 Cemetery Hill Trekking & Cycling  Santa Maria de Dota
Day 5 Biking Over the Continental Divide Orosi
Day 6 Cycling & Trekking Through Tapantí Taus
Day 7 Pacuare Adventure – Biking & Rafting Rio Pacuare
Day 8 Pacuare Adventure - Free Day in Pacuare Valley Rio Pacuare
Day 9 Pacuare Adventure - Finca Pacuarito Siquirres
Day 10 Pacuare Cycling & Kayak Adventure - Puerto Viejo Puerto Viejo
Day 11 Caribbean Coast Free Morning - Transfer to San José San José
Day 12 Departure  


Spend a day sightseeing in San José before taking a three-hour bus ride to the village of Quepos. Get fitted for a bicycle before the next day's cycling and trekking trip to Naranjito, with sweeping coastal views along the way. Pedal up the famously challenging Cemetery Hill, then sleep in a cozy bungalow in Santa Maria before biking over the Continental Divide and cycling and trekking through Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge.

Take a break from your bike to go whitewater rafting down Río Pacuare, then pedal around Pacuare Valley before continuing onward to Finca Pacuarito to spend the night. You'll ride through a series of old banana plantations before hopping on a kayak and paddling down the river. Overnight in Puerto Viejo and enjoy a free morning on the Caribbean coast to relax on the sand. Learn more

Check out the Ultimate Guide to Puerto Viejo: Costa Rica's Southern Caribbean Coast.

More Great Costa Rica Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these other 12-Day Costa Rica itineraries, explore different ways to spend two weeks in Costa Rica, or discover the best time to visit Costa Rica.

Map

Map of 12 Days in Costa Rica - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
Map of 12 Days in Costa Rica - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas