Travel

The Ultimate Costa Rica Travel Itinerary For Adventure And Relaxation

Looking for the best Costa Rica travel itinerary? This itinerary will take you all over from lush rainforests to stunning beaches to hot springs, and so much more.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Costa Rica is located in Central America between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The beautiful tropical country is filled with amazing rainforests and one-of-a-kind white sandy and dark beaches. There is something for everyone in Costa Rica whether you enjoy adventure or relaxation, this is the perfect place to explore both.

In this post, you will see the ultimate Costa Rica travel itinerary for 10 days, also you will receive some Costa Rica travel tips, and see some of the best beaches in Costa Rica. With the perfect balance of adventure and true relaxation, this guide is the best and will show you all of Costa Rica’s natural wonders.

This Costa Rica Travel Itinerary will take you through the capital city of San Jose. It will also take you through the Arenal Volcano area and Hot Springs in La Fortuna. Also goes through Monteverde Cloud Forest, Manuel Antonio National Park, Tamarindo, and so much more.

This post is all about the best Costa Rica travel itinerary.

The Ultimate Costa Rica Travel Itinerary

Days 1 – 2: San Jose, Costa Rica

On day 1 of your Costa Rica travel itinerary, arrive in San Jose, check into your hotel, and start exploring. San Jose is a wonderful, vibrant city with so much to see and do. On your first day, enjoy many markets and restaurants and the amazing nightlife. Visit Mercado Central which is San Jose’s most popular market and it has been running since 1880.

Spend the second day of your Costa Rica travel itinerary visiting all the amazing museums that San Jose has to offer including the National Museum of Costa Rica which has all of Costa Rica’s rich history and many exhibits. Then visit the Jade Museum where you can find the world’s most significant collections of pre-Columbian jade artifacts. There are over 7,000 pieces of jade within the museum.

Days 3 – 4: La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs

On the third day of your Costa Rica travel itinerary head to La Fortuna. La Fortuna is where you will find the majestic Arenal Volcano and the Arenal Volcano National Park. Spend the day exploring the park and going for a hike around the volcano to see amazing natural wonders. Once you’re finished exploring the park and hiking, enjoy some relaxation in the beautiful natural hot springs.

On day four enjoy some fun adventure activities like having fun and swimming by the La Fortuna waterfall, enjoying the wonderful views of the Arenal Volcano National Park via zip-lining, or even taking in nature on horseback. There are so many great things to do in La Fortuna including adventure and relaxation.

Days 5 – 6: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

For days five and six of your Costa Rica travel itinerary head to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic biodiverse natural reserves. It is named the cloud forest because it always has a layer of clouds that covers the forest and provides the moisture needed for the lush vegetation and the biodiversity of plant and animal species all over. This is one of the best places for bird watching where you will find over 400 bird species and over 2,500 different plant species.

There are many adventure activities to enjoy in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Explore the hiking trails ranging from beginners to more experienced hikers that go through the lush rainforest where you can also see panoramic views of the mountains in the surrounding areas. There are canopy tours and zipping excursions available as well, and this is truly a unique experience. Also, enjoy the many suspension bridges throughout the forest to see a bird’s eye view of the forest and clouds. For the extra adventurous there are also guided night tours where you can see nocturnal animals as well. To finish off your time here visit the Monteverde Butterfly Conservatory to see many different species of butterflies that are native to Costa Rica.

Days 7 – 8: Manuel Antonio National Park

On days seven and eight of your amazing Costa Rica travel itinerary head to Manuel Antonio National Park. Manuel Antonio National Park is located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and it has stunning beaches, unique wildlife, lots of hiking trails, and many water activities. Spend your days here hiking some of the best trails Costa Rica has to offer. Spend some time relaxing on the beautiful beaches and enjoying some water activities like snorkeling, paddle boarding, and many more water activities.

Days 9 – 10: Tamarindo, Costa Rica

On days nine and ten head to the lower part of the province of Guanacaste and visit the beach town Tamarindo. Tamarindo is one of Costa Rica’s most popular beach towns and is a very popular place for tourists and locals to visit. It is also known for its one-of-a-kind stunning beach, excellent nightlife, surfing, and lots of entertainment, relaxation, and adventure.

Enjoy the sandy white beaches and try some surfing. There are schools offering surfing lessons and this is the best place to learn to surf with the consistent waves. Tamarindo is also located near the Las Baulss National Marine Park so you may see leatherback sea turtles. You could also take a boat tour to see other animals like monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and many bird species. The crystal clear waters make this a great spot for snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing, diving, and so much more.

Tamarindo is also the national hub for amazing yoga and wellness retreats, where you can relax and destress in nature. You can also go on a catamaran boat tour to see the amazing ocean and maybe even see Costa Rica’s stunning sunsets from the water. The nightlife is also spectacular in Tamarindo. It has the most epic, vibrant nightlife scene with beach bars, clubs, and restaurants of all sorts. Tamarindo is the perfect place to finish off your Costa Rica travel itinerary.

Costa Rica Travel Tips

Costa Rica has a wet and dry season. The best time to visit is from December to April which is the dry season in Costa Rica. The wet season here is very wet where it rains a lot of the time, so if you visit in the wet season you may not be able to do a lot of outdoor activities.

Costa Rica is surrounded by lush vegetation and forests so this means there are lots of bugs and insects around. So be sure to pack good insect repellent.

The sun is very strong in Costa Rica. Sunscreen is also a must when visiting.

Also, a good pair of hiking shoes is important to bring to Costa Rica.

Where To Stay In Costa Rica

San Jose – While in San Jose stay at the Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica. This wonderful hotel is located close to the city center and also has an outdoor swimming pool, 2 restaurants, a fitness center, and more. It also has an airport shuttle which is great since this is your first stop on this Costa Rica travel itinerary. While in San Jose it is a good idea to stay near the city center so you have easy access to many attractions and can get the most out of your days.

Arenal – Arenal has many relaxing resorts with hot springs that everyone will enjoy. Stay at the Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs. This stunning resort has an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, a spa and wellness center, hot springs, and more. Also has spectacular views of the volcano.

Monteverde – While in Monteverde stay at the Monteverde Lodge & Gardens by Böëna. This luxurious resort is located near the Monteverde Cloud Forest and has lots of amenities for everyone. It has forest and garden views from all angles and also has a heated pool and a fantastic cozy restaurant.

Manuel Antonio – Manuel Antonio is known for having some great beachfront hotels and resorts. While here stay at the Karahe Beach Hotel. It is located right on the beach near the jungle. The rooms are very spacious, and there is a restaurant as well. It is also located a short drive to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Tamarindo – While in Tamarindo you have to stay at a beachfront hotel with a chill atmosphere to get the true experience. In Tamarindo stay at the Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort. This is one of the most popular resorts in the area and it has 3 outdoor swimming pools that overlook the Pacific Ocean. It also has 4 restaurants, a bar, amazing rooms, and is located right on the beach.