How many days do you need?
- Most travelers spend 8, 9, or 10 days in Costa Rica when combining Arenal/, Manuel Antonio, and Monteverde
- Visiting Arenal, Manuel Antonio, and Monteverde in just 6 days is possible, but will feel rushed
- If you have 11 or more days we recommend adding additional destinations to your trip instead of spending more time in each destination, but of course that depends on how much time
- The most common extensions are Tortuguero, Tamarindo, and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Among these, Tortuguero is the most common destination to add. Your trip would then extend to a total duration of approximately 11 to 14 days
How Many Days Should You Spend in Costa Rica
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Recommended Itineraries for Arenal/La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, and Monteverde
Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José, Free time to Experience San José's Culture | San Jose |
| Day 2 | San José to Arenal and Hot Springs | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 3 | La Fortuna Waterfall - Free Afternoon | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 4 | Río Celeste Day Trip | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 5 | Arenal to Monteverde by Boat, with Coffee & Chocolate Tour | Monteverde |
| Day 6 | Zip-Line Fun in the Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 7 | Monteverde Transfer to Manuel Antonio - Free Afternoon | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 8 | Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 9 | Manuel Antonio to San José, Depart Costa Rica |
The jewel of Central America, Costa Rica offers an array of adventures, from city to cloud forest to sea. This weeklong itinerary includes trekking near an active volcano, some of the world’s best bird-watching, and snorkeling with sea turtles. It's a trip that encompasses the country’s most spectacular and varied landscapes, plus an opportunity to savor the culture of local villages as well as that of San José, Costa Rica’s dynamic capital city. Read more
Extended Itineraries
16-Day Itinerary Including Tortuguero
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José, Free time to Experience San José's Culture | San Jose |
| Day 2 | Private Transfer San José to Tortuguero National Park | Tortuguero |
| Day 3 | Turtle Tour in Tortuguero | Tortuguero |
| Day 4 | Tortuguero Transfer to La Fortuna | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 5 | Hanging Bridges & Hiking in the Arenal 1968 Lava Fields Reserve | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 6 | La Fortuna Waterfall - Free Afternoon | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 7 | River Float & Chocolate Tour in Arenal | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 8 | Arenal Free Day | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 9 | Arenal to Monteverde by Boat, with Coffee & Chocolate Tour | Monteverde |
| Day 10 | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike | Monteverde |
| Day 11 | Zip-Line Fun in the Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 12 | Monteverde Transfer to Manuel Antonio - Free Afternoon | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 13 | Guided Hike of Manuel Antonio National Park | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 14 | Free Day in Manuel Antonio | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 15 | Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 16 | Manuel Antonio to San José, Depart Costa Rica |
Costa Rica is a favorite destination for all ages. This 16-day adventure allows your family to experience the country from both coasts and includes a visit to the bustling capital of San José, the lush rainforest of Tortuguero National Park, the towering Arenal Volcano, the cloud forest of Monteverde and the spectacular, white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities along the way, from watching sea turtles hatch on a Caribbean beach to sampling locally produced chocolate to whitewater rafting. Read more