San José, Arenal/La Fortuna & Manuel Antonio: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna & Manuel Antonio?

• Most travelers spend 7-8 days in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, and Manuel Antonio combined
• Visiting San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, and Manuel Antonio in 5 or 6 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 Monteverde, Río Pacuare, and Tamarindo

How Many Days to Spend in Arenal
How Many Days to Spend in Manuel Antonio

Recommended Itineraries for San José, Arenal/La Fortuna & Manuel Antonio

Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week

This fun weeklong itinerary highlights Costa Rica's incredible natural scenery through a thrilling series of adventurous activities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, ziplining, and more. Starting in the nation's capital, you'll make your way to rivers, jungles, waterfalls, and cone-shaped volcanoes, culminating on the Pacific coast with time to relax on Manuel Antonio's four white-sand beaches—each one accessed by a hiking trail. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days

Add a little adrenaline to your family vacation with this eight-day Costa Rica adventure. Starting in San José, you'll set out to experience the rainforest and its hidden treasures firsthand in Arenal Volcano National Park. Raft the rapids of the Sarapiquí River, zipline through the jungle canopy, and visit with monkeys and parrots at a local wildlife center. End your trip where the rainforest meets the ocean at Manuel Antonio National Park, where kids can swim and snorkel, relax on pristine white sand beaches, and go dolphin-spotting on a catamaran cruise. Read more

Extended Itineraries

9-Day Itinerary Including Monteverde

The jewel of Central America, Costa Rica offers everything—cities, beaches, and many unique ecosystems to explore. This itinerary encompasses the country's most spectacular landscapes, plus an opportunity to savor the culture of local villages and the capital city. Hike near a volcano, experience world-class bird-watching, snorkel with sea turtles, and more. Read more

15-Day Itinerary Including Monteverde & 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 country's 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 San José, Arenal/La Fortuna & Manuel Antonio

How to get to Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is a microcosm of Costa Rica's most iconic offerings: pristine beaches, rainforests with abundant wildlife, and active outdoor pursuits. It's also fairly easy to reach from other major hubs in Costa Rica. 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