How many days do you need in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde & Tamarindo?
- Most travelers spend 9-10 days in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Tamarindo combined
- Visiting San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Tamarindo in 5 to 8 days is possible, but will feel rushed
- With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero, and Sámara
How Many Days to Spend in Monteverde
How Many Days to Spend in Arenal
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Recommended Itineraries for San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde & Tamarindo
Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days
| 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 | Driver 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 zipline. 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 San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde & Tamarindo
How to get from San José to Monteverde
While the 83 miles (133 km) of Costa Rica that lay between San José and Monteverde may look short, the landscape makes the hilly, scenic trip between them at least three hours long. The best option for transportation is via car—by shuttle specifically. Allowing someone else to drive is the most popular and efficient way to get to Monteverde's remote cloud forest area. Read more
How to get from San José to Tamarindo
Starting from San José, it's an easy nonstop flight to get to Tamarindo. In a short fifty minutes, you'll have left behind a crowded capital city for a laid-back beach town at the northern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Flights operate on a daily basis and typically more frequently during high season. 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 different 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, of course, but this guide will give you insight into other highlights and activities. Read more
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