10 Days in Costa Rica

We recommend starting your journey in the La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano region for an action-packed experience. Recognized as the Adventure Capital of Costa Rica, this area offers a variety of activities such as rafting, zip-lining, hiking, rainforest hiking, and much more. Whether you're a solo traveler, part of a group, or a family, this region is a must-visit, particularly for first-time travelers.

The journey from either the San José or Liberia airports takes around three to three-and-a-half hours. We provide private luxury transportation with an English-speaking driver to pick you up from either airport and transfer you to your first hotel in the Arenal Volcano area. Many hotels here boast their own thermal hot springs and volcano views. Upon arrival, you check in and relax for the remainder of the day before exploring and adventures tomorrow.

For today, we suggest a light start to your Costa Rican adventure. Consider a combo tour involving, for example, an Arenal Volcano National Park or rainforest hike combined with hanging bridges. Discuss the available options with your Travel Consultant—keeping in mind that you're in the Adventure Capital of the country, there is a lot to choose from.

Typically, tours involve hotel pick-up and drop-off. Whether lunch is included depends on the tour duration. After your tour, the afternoon is yours. You can spend it by the pool or, if your hotel has volcanic hot springs, relaxing in thermal baths is definitely the way to go. Alternatively, explore the local community of La Fortuna with its shops, restaurants, and delightful park.

Today brings another adventure and another rainforest activity. Again, we'll pick you up from your hotel for waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, river tubing, caving, fishing on Lake Arenal, or even stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Arenal. Any option that interests you is possible.

Post-adventure, the remainder of the day is yours to either explore or unwind. If you plan to eat outside your hotel on your last night here, feel free to ask us for restaurant recommendations.

After breakfast, it's time to check out of your Arenal hotel and leave your first Costa Rican destination to travel to the next one. We recommend heading to the cloud forests of Monteverde for a couple of days so you can appreciate some of the most beautiful and unique parts of Costa Rica—this place is a treat for nature lovers!

Getting here is an adventure in itself—we'll pick you up and take you to Lake Arenal, where you'll board a boat. On the other side of the lake, you'll mount horses for a ride through farmlands and forests to the highland village of Santa Elena and your Monteverde hotel. Check in here and relax for the afternoon in front of the fire or explore the village if you want. You'll find the climate quite a bit more chilly here, so bring a light sweater or jacket for this part of the country.

Later on in the evening, we suggest a guided night hike of the local cloud forests to check out amphibians and creepy crawlies!

Wake up in your Monteverde cloud forest hotel and get ready for a nature deep dive. This part of Costa Rica is the original home of zip lining, and has the best and longest canopy tours in the country. They're a perfect way to explore the unique natural beauty of the cloud forests. Other options for tours in Monteverde include hiking in the nature reserves, checking out hanging bridges, and birdwatching.

After your two days in the cloud forest, it's decision time for your beach retreat—choose between the Central Pacific (Jacó, Esterillos, Manuel Antonio) or Guanacaste (Tamarindo, Coco, etc). Opt for the Central Pacific if you're flying in and out of San José (SJO) for smoother logistics. For those using Guanacaste Airport (LIR), head to the Northern Pacific. The journey from Monteverde to the Central Pacific takes about three to four hours, and to the Northern Pacific, it's around two to three hours.

Either way, today is when you check out of your Monteverde hotel and move to new surroundings for the rest of your vacation. We recommend plenty of beach time to finish off your trip, so five days here is the sweet spot. That splits your time between the forests and the beach pretty much equally. However, if you're more inclined to spend time pumping up your blood with more action-packed activities, we can easily arrange that.

How you get from Monteverde to the beach depends on your preferences. We recommend a private transfer to make things easier, but if you're driving, an early start is recommended to reach your destination before dark. If you're using our transfer services, expect a mid-morning pickup, allowing time for a relaxed breakfast and check-out. We aim to align your arrival at the next hotel with their early afternoon check-in time to make things smoother for you. During the journey, your guide will point out sights, and you can stop for lunch along the way.

Arriving at your beach resort or hotel early or mid-afternoon, you'll check in and have the rest of the day to relax—perhaps by the pool or with a stroll along the sands.

Whether you're at a large all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste or a boutique hotel in Tamarindo, Jacó, or Manuel Antonio, today is about relaxation. You've had almost non-stop organized tours and transfers since your arrival, so take some time for yourself. If you're inclined, you can explore a nearby national park, such as the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park, or take surf lessons, or go kayaking and snorkeling. It’s a great way to get to know the wonders of the area!

Also, feel free to check out your local community. Tamarindo, Flamingo, Jacó, Manuel Antonio, and other places all offer great ambiance, numerous restaurants, and shops to enjoy. Find a beachfront spot for happy hour cocktails or cold beers while watching the sunset.

Your second full day at the beach, and if you're interested, consider a tour today. If you're in Guanacaste, think about a day trip to the Palo Verde National Park for some wetlands bird watching or to the volcanic mud baths of the Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Maybe take a cultural tour of the city of Liberia to learn about its history and buy souvenirs.

If you're on the Central Pacific, maybe try some of the adventures you missed out in Arenal and Monteverde, like rainforest hiking or whitewater rafting. Or try another zip line canopy tour, if you’re a big fan. If it's whale watching season, there's something to do out at sea. Are you into snorkeling or scuba diving? Ask us about underwater experiences.

Other options include sunset sailing tours, hikes, mangrove tours, and ocean kayaking. Whatever you decide, we'll pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, leaving the rest of the day for you to relax.

These are your final two days in Costa Rica. What do you want to do? You have the option to choose any tour you missed on Day 8. Alternatively, you can simply relax and enjoy the beach or enjoy poolside activities at your resort. If you're a surfer, explore local beaches and catch some waves! These are the days to soak in the beauty of Costa Rica before returning home.

Today marks the end of your 10-day Costa Rican vacation. You've successfully mixed adventure and relaxation and explored rainforests, volcanoes, cloud forests, and tropical beaches.

For those staying in Guanacaste, departure involves flying out of Guanacaste Airport (LIR). The advantage is its proximity, ranging from 20 minutes to around an hour away from where you're staying. If you have a rental car, you've got time to drop it off before your flight home. Alternatively, with private transfers, we'll pick you up at an optimal time to ensure you reach LIR for your check-in.

Travelers using SJO Airport are likely situated in the Central Pacific, with a journey time of around 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The process remains the same—check out of your hotel and make it to the airport in time to check in, whether we're transferring you or you're driving yourself. For those driving, it's advisable to select a departure flight leaving late enough in the day (anytime after 11:00 AM) to avoid traveling in the dark.

And then, this is how you say goodbye to Costa Rica, and head back home with a travel log of memories!