15 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

A trip to San Jose, the capital, commercial center, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, gives you a chance to experience the lively atmosphere and rich cultural past of this vibrant country.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the San Jose road trip planner.

Montreal, Canada to San Jose is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or drive. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Montreal in February, expect San Jose to be warmer, temps between 30°C and 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

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, wildlife, trails, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: soothe aching muscles at Tabacon Hot Springs, scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, take in the exciting artwork at Onirica Art Gallery, and pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia de La Fortuna de San Carlos.

To find where to stay, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, read La Fortuna de San Carlos trip planner.

You can drive from San Jose to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 3 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Thu) early enough to go by car 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.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Tue): identify plant and animal life at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then look for gifts at Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery. On the next day, take in nature's colorful creations at Monteverde Orchid Garden, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and then relax in the rural setting at El Trapiche Tour.

To see photos, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Monteverde route planner .

Traveling by car from Tamarindo to Monteverde takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) so you can go by car to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

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

Spend the 9th (Sun) exploring nature at Manuel Antonio National Park. There's still lots to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Manuel Antonio, kick back and relax at Playa Biesanz, let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, and surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.

For ratings, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Manuel Antonio vacation planner.

Drive from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Tamarindo.

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

Get out of town with these interesting Tamarindo side-trips: Nosara Beach (Playa Guiones) (in Nosara), Playa Conchal (in Playa Conchal) and Adrenaline & Extreme Tours (in Playa Flamingo). And it doesn't end there: tour the pleasant surroundings at Tamarindo Beach, enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Avellana, look for all kinds of wild species at Monkey Park, and get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To see photos, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Tamarindo trip planner .

Drive from Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) so you can travel back home.