How many days do you need in Arenal/La Fortuna & Tamarindo?
- Most travelers spend 6-8 days in Arenal/La Fortuna and Tamarindo combined
- Visiting Arenal/La Fortuna and Tamarindo 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 San José, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio
How Many Days to Spend in Arenal
Recommended Itineraries for Arenal/La Fortuna & Tamarindo
Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Liberia, Pick Up Rental Car, Drive to La Fortuna | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 2 | Volcano Hike & Hot Springs | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 3 | Zipline Fun in the Cloud Forest | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 4 | Drive to Tamarindo | Tamarindo |
| Day 5 | Kayak & Snorkel in Tamarindo Bay | Tamarindo |
| Day 6 | Free Morning, Afternoon Snorkel & Sunset Catamaran Cruise | Tamarindo |
| Day 7 | Return to Liberia, Depart |
Experience the best of Costa Rica's tropical forests and beaches on this weeklong itinerary. You'll explore the rainforest via suspension bridges and zipline tours while spotting exotic birds, playful monkeys, and other wildlife. Then, it's on to the western Nicoya Peninsula for a few days spent snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing at the beach. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Liberia, Pick Up Rental Car, Drive to La Fortuna | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 2 | Volcano Hike & Hot Springs | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 3 | Whitewater Rafting on the Sarapiquí River | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 4 | Zipline Fun in the Cloud Forest & Canopy Tour | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 5 | Drive to Tamarindo | Tamarindo |
| Day 6 | Kayak & Snorkel in Tamarindo Bay | Tamarindo |
| Day 7 | Free Morning, Afternoon Snorkel & Sunset Catamaran Cruise | Tamarindo |
| Day 8 | Return to Liberia, Depart |
Experience a perfect blend of cloud forests and tropical beaches on this eight-day Costa Rican road trip. Start your adventure in Arenal, where you'll explore the rainforest via suspension bridges and zipline tours while spotting exotic birds and playful monkeys. After some exhilarating whitewater rafting and volcano hiking excursions, you'll head to the western Nicoya Peninsula to wind down with snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing on the white sands of Tamarindo. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
10-Day Itinerary Including San José & Monteverde
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José | San José |
| Day 2 | Pick Up Rental Car, Drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 3 | Zipline Fun in Monteverde Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 4 | Drive to Tamarindo via Liberia | Tamarindo |
| Day 5 | Private Surf Lesson at Playa Tamarindo | Tamarindo |
| Day 6 | Free Morning, Afternoon Snorkel & Sunset Catamaran Cruise | Tamarindo |
| Day 7 | Drive to La Fortuna via Río Celeste | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 8 | Coffee Farm Tour & Tabacon Hot Springs | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 9 | Optional Chocolate Tour, Return to San José | San José |
| Day 10 | Depart San José |
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 zip-line. 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
How to travel between Arenal/La Fortuna & Tamarindo
The best way to get from the volcanoes of Arenal to the surf and sunsets of Tamarindo is by car or private transfer. It's about a four-hour drive (129 mi / 207 km), and the route winds around Lake Arenal and through Liberia before ending at the Pacific beaches of the Gold Coast. Read more
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