32 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offers a wealth of entertainment by the sea, attracting a lively international crowd of revelers while maintaining a bright and breezy coastal charm with a local feel.

We've included these beaches for you: Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva Beach. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Tarantulas Way and La Ceiba. Next up on the itinerary: identify plant and animal life at Nature Observatorio, enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Cocles, admire the natural beauty at Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens, and relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

For reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Puerto Viejo de Talamanca vacation planner.

Amsterdam, Holland to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is an approximately 18.5-hour combination of flight and shuttle. You can also do a combination of train, flight, and shuttle. Traveling from Amsterdam to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, you'll gain 7 hours due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Drake Bay.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Sun): get interesting insight from Tours. Here are some ideas for day two: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa San Josecito and then see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Drake Bay trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Drake Bay in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and bus; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Uvita.

Ideal for visitors looking to escape Costa Rica's busy beaches, Uvita offers a serene atmosphere and plenty of uncrowded sand for a leisurely vacation.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Tue): kick back and relax at Uvita Beach, identify plant and animal life at Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, then take in the dramatic scenery at Uvita Waterfall, and finally look for gifts at Mama Toucan's Natural and Organic Food Store. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 28th (Wed): get interesting insight from Tours and then take a memorable tour with Tours.

To find other places to visit, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Uvita online trip itinerary planner .

Getting from Drake Bay to Uvita by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to drive 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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Naturalist Michael Araya Flores and Parasailing & Paragliding. Visiting Canyoning & Rappelling Tours and Zipline will get you outdoors. When in Manuel Antonio, make a side trip to see Rainmaker Park in Parrita, approximately 46 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: get some thrills out on the water with a waterskiing or jet-skiing adventure, trot along with a tour on horseback, view the masterpieces at The Captain's Booty, and walk around Parque Nahomi.

To see reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Manuel Antonio trip planner .

You can drive from Uvita to Manuel Antonio in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Jaco.

A seaside resort town with plenty of entertaining distractions along its attractive coastline, Jaco has long been a major tourist destination on the central Pacific coast.

Take a break from the city and head to River Rafting & Tubing and Zipline. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Playa Bejuco and Vista Los Suenos Horseback Riding. Step out of Jaco to go to Cabuya and see Isla de Cabuya, which is approximately 2 hours away. And it doesn't end there: explore the striking landscape of Carara National Park, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, shop like a local with Tico Pod Art House & Gifts, and stop by Jimmy T's Provisions.

For traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Jaco route planner .

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Jaco takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Thu) 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.

Escape the urban bustle at Venado Caves and Bogarin Trail. Step off the beaten path and head to Paradise Hot Springs and Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge. Go for a jaunt from La Fortuna de San Carlos to El Castillo to see Butterfly Conservatory about 38 minutes away. There's much more to do: hike along Arenal Natura Ecological Park, tour the pleasant surroundings at Arenal 1968 Trail, take a pleasant ride with Arenal Wilberth Stables, and get impressive views of Cerro Chato (Chato Volcano).

To see other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, use the La Fortuna de San Carlos online day trip planner .

Getting from Jaco to La Fortuna de San Carlos by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can go by car to Bagaces.

Get outdoors at Zipline and Palo Verde National Park. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to River Rafting & Tubing and Rincon de La Vieja National Park. Get out of town with these interesting Bagaces side-trips: Rio Negro Hot Springs (in Rincon de La Vieja) and ArtWood Museum (in Liberia).

For ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Bagaces itinerary planner.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Bagaces in 2.5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (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.

Explore hidden gems such as SIBU Wildlife Sanctuary and Fishing Charters & Tours. Get in touch with nature at Adrenaline & Extreme Tours and Monkey Park. Get out of town with these interesting Tamarindo side-trips: MAEL's ABSTRACT ART GALLERY (in Nosara) and Stand-Up Paddleboarding (in Playa Flamingo). Next up on the itinerary: get a taste of life in the country at Pura Aventura, step aboard Kingpin Sportfishing, trot along with a tour on horseback, and stop by Papaya Con Leche.

To see maps, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Tamarindo planner .

You can drive from Bagaces to Tamarindo in 2 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Playas del Coco.

A long-established beach community, Playas del Coco has developed a reputation as a favored spot for young travelers and locals to let loose by the sea.

Explore hidden gems such as Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands and Scuba & Snorkeling. Visiting River Rafting & Tubing and Horseback Riding Tours will get you outdoors. There's more to do: glide peacefully along the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area and relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

For more things to do, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Playas del Coco trip itinerary planning app .

You can drive from Tamarindo to Playas del Coco in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) to allow time to travel back home.