Arenal/La Fortuna, & Monteverde: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need?

• Most travelers spend 6-7 days in Arenal and Monteverde combined
• Visiting Arenal and Monteverde in 4-5 days is possible, but will feel rushed
• With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip 
• The most common extensions are Manuel Antonio, Gulf of Papagayo, and Tamarindo

How Many Days Should You Spend in Arenal?

Recommended Itineraries for Arenal/La Fortuna and Monteverde

Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days

This 6-day trip is ideal for travelers looking to unwind yet still experience the natural wonders of the country. You'll learn to prepare traditional Costa Rican cuisine and visit a coffee plantation near Arenal, go for a dip in the area's famous hot springs, 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 Jose for your flight home. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 7 Days

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

Extended Itineraries

8-Day Itinerary Including Manuel Antonio

This 8-day trip is ideal for travelers looking to experience Costa Rica's highlights. Go for a dip in Arenal's hot springs and spot monkeys and other wildlife on hikes around the famous volcano. Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. Read more

8-Day Itinerary Including Gulf of Papagayo

Costa Rica is an ideal destination for families and this itinerary ensures you'll experience the best the country has to offer. On your 8-day adventure, you'll explore the towering Arenal Volcano, visit the beaches of Guanacaste, and have time to relax in volcanic hot springs. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities along the way, from waterfall hikes to crossing suspension bridges above the trees. Read more

15-Day Itinerary Including Manuel Antonio and 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 countries 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 Arenal/La Fortuna and Monteverde

The distance between Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Monteverde–as the crow flies–is pretty short. But the road and waterways between these adventure destinations, though, is not as straightforward. The best option is taxi-boat-taxi. It is quick, convenient, and affordable. Read more