10 days
Classic Costa Rica in 10 days
Volcano, cloud forest and Pacific beaches at an easy pace, with the best-known tours in each region.
At a glance
Route
- Arenal and La Fortuna 3 nights
- Monteverde 2 nights
- Manuel Antonio 4 nights
- Who it is for
- First trips to Costa Rica, couples, and families with kids from about 6 who want the highlights without rushing.
- Tours on this route
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- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall and Hot Springs
- Río Celeste Waterfall Hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park
- Guided Night Walk in Monteverde
- Monteverde Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
- Monteverde Zipline Canopy Tour
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
- Whale and Dolphin Watching in Marino Ballena, Uvita
Day by day
Arenal and La Fortuna 3 nights
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Day 1
Arrive and head to La Fortuna
Land at San José airport (SJO) and transfer about 3 hours north to La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal Volcano.
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Day 2
Arenal Volcano, waterfall and hot springs
A full day with a guide: La Fortuna Waterfall, a hike over old lava flows and an evening in the hot springs.
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Day 3
Río Celeste or zipline
Hike to the turquoise Río Celeste waterfall, or fly over the forest on a zipline closer to town.
Stay: Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails $$ Comfortable
Monteverde 2 nights
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Day 4
Across Lake Arenal to Monteverde
Travel by jeep, boat and jeep to the cloud forest. In the evening, a guided night walk to find frogs, sloths and tarantulas.
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Day 5
Hanging bridges and zipline
Walk the hanging bridges through the canopy in the morning and ride the ziplines in the afternoon.
Stay: Hotel Belmar $$$ Splurge
Manuel Antonio 4 nights
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Day 6
Down to the Pacific
About 4 hours by road to Manuel Antonio, in time for the sunset on the beach.
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Day 7
Manuel Antonio National Park
A guided hike with a naturalist and a spotting scope, then a swim at Playa Manuel Antonio. The park is closed on Tuesdays, so I plan around it.
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Day 8
A free day
Beach time, or add a boat trip. From July to November and December to March, whale watching in Uvita is about an hour away.
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Day 9
Beach day
Slow down before flying home, with a last full day by the sea.
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Day 10
Back to San José
About 3 hours by road to San José airport (SJO) for your flight home.
Stay: Sí Como No Resort $$ Comfortable
Make it yours
Pick what you'd change and send it. I'll adjust the route to your dates.
