Manuel Antonio National Park is a stunning biological gem located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It features pristine white sand beaches, verdant tropical foliage, and crystal-clear waters. Spend the day exploring with your family, enjoy picnics on the beach, and watch for local animals like monkeys and sloths.
Explore the Cloud Forests of Monteverde where you can experience vibrant rainforests converted to misty forest due to high-altitude. The forest contains scenic walking trails, zipline tours through the canopy, and great coffee experience.
Discover Liberia's Culture by visiting the Guanacaste Museum, showcasing Costa Rican life and culture. Take a walk through the Sabanero Museum that depicts the great heritage of cowboys.Learn about local culinary food by visiting small food stalls selling delicious tacos and ceviche all around Liberia.
Explore Rincon de la Vieja National Park which is a hub for adventure enthusiasts. The park is filled with 32 kilometers of scenic trails leading to waterfalls, hot springs, and allows you to observe a great variety of flora and fauna.
Indulge in Water Sports in Tamarindo, located on the Nicoya Peninsula's west coast, is a surfer's paradise, so great waves and surf schools are in abundance. Enjoy other activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling or take advantage of the crystal clear waters and treat yourself with a peaceful, beachside retreat.
Join the Sea Turtle Nesting Tours during the season or explore nearby turtle conservation sites where you can get to know a variety of turtles in their natural habitat. Spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun on the beach.
Snorkel at Playa Grande Beach, famous for surfing and sunsets, after you finish exploring choose to enjoy relaxation. Consider getting a relaxing yoga practice and enjoy the sun and sand with the family.
Explore Corcovado National Park, known for its natural beauty, hiking and wildlife. Take in the beauty of the rain forests while keeping your eyes pealed for scarlet macaws, anteaters, and exotic spiders. Consider taking time to get in touch with sea turtles at Carate Beach.
Learn the Culture and History of San Jose, Costa Rica's capital city, home to the Teatro Nacional, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, and the Jade Museum. Explore the city's historic streets by visiting traditional markets to relish Costa Rican cuisine or nearby shopping centers for a brief souvenir hunt.
Observe the Irazu Volcano, five of the country's best-known volcanoes, with an elevation of 11,259 ft. Gain a scenic view of the central valley and the overlooks that reach beyond. The drive to the top is incredibly scenic, partly because you pass through Colorado, one of Costa Rica's largest coffee regions.
Explore the Rainforest in Tortuguero National Park, only accessible by boat, which provides fantastic opportunities for observing wildlife like monkeys, toucans, caimans, iguanas and sea turtles during the nesting season.
Relax on Puerto Viejo Beach, and for a more adventurous day, try some of the watersports available, like paddleboarding or kayaking. You can take a boat tour that's popular among many tourists, which allows you to learn about the area's ecosystem, biodiversity and enjoy a delish seafood dinner.
Costa Rica has several transportation options, like bus services, car rentals, shuttle transfers and more. In some cases, travel between destinations may take longer than anticipated due to road conditions or heavy traffic. Flights between popular destinations like San Jose and Tamarindo may be available. A private driver is recommended for travelers worried about transportation costs, and the added advantage is that it can cut down travel time considerably, especially when travelling from one destination to another.
The total estimated cost for transportation is around $500; however, this could vary depending on the mode of transportation and booking from varying sites.
If you have more days, consider adding extra day trips to Tortuguero National Park or La Fortuna where you can explore the famous Arenal Volcano. And if you have less time, for example, eight days, consider skipping Osa Peninsula.
However, it is recommended considering some stops less critical or eliminating the same.
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), located in Alajuela province, is Costa Rica's largest airport located about 23 km northwest of San Jose. Another option is Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), located in Liberia, Guanacaste, which serves as a gateway to the northwestern coast of Costa Rica. Both airports offer services to more than 75 destinations domestically and internationally.