10 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

Set against the backdrop of the imposing Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna de San Carlos offers visitors a chance to explore diverse natural landscapes and sample some delicious local produce.

La Fortuna de San Carlos is known for nature, adventure, parks, trails, and wildlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the natural beauty of Tabacon Hot Springs, relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Arenal Volcano, and scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour.

To see reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the La Fortuna de San Carlos tour itinerary app .

Buenos Aires, Argentina to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 14-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and shuttle; or do a combination of flight and car. The time zone difference moving from Argentine Time to Central Standard Time is minus 3 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Tortuguero.

One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.

On the 31st (Tue), add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.

To see photos, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Tortuguero trip tool .

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tortuguero in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in December, and nighttime lows around 25°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Vara Blanca.

A vacation in Vara Blanca, located in the heart of Costa Rica, offers excellent access to a number of attractions across the area.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Wed): take some stellar pictures from Mirador Huequecura and then admire the sheer force of Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz.

To see reviews, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Vara Blanca route builder site .

Traveling by car from Tortuguero to Vara Blanca takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Wed) early enough to go by car to Manuel Antonio.

The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.

Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Thu): kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, and then walk around Parque Nahomi.

To see photos, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Manuel Antonio itinerary planner.

You can drive from Vara Blanca to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Another option is to do a combination of taxi and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu) to allow time to drive to Monteverde.

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.

On the 3rd (Fri), tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Frog Pond.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Monteverde day trip app .

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to go by car to Tamarindo.

Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Sat): glide peacefully along the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, enjoy the sand and surf at Tamarindo Beach, and then relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers.

For maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Tamarindo trip planner .

You can drive from Monteverde to Tamarindo in 3.5 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) to allow time to travel back home.