Begin your trip in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, and explore the city's rich cultural heritage with visits to the National Museum of Costa Rica, and the Teatro Nacional. Have lunch in Mercado Central, a marketplace with a variety of food stalls.
Take a day trip to Cartago, the former capital of Costa Rica, and visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, an important religious and pilgrimage site. Explore the Ruinas de Cartago, the archaeological remains of the old colonial capital, and hike to the Irazu Volcano National Park for stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Head over to La Fortuna to discover the breathtaking Arenal Volcano National Park, trek through the lush rainforest canopy or go for a dip in the natural hot springs. Visit the Chachagua Rainforest Eco Adventure Park, an award-winning adventure park to explore the flora and fauna of the area.
Drive to Monteverde to experience the cloud forest and visit the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens to see an impressive exhibit of over 50 species of butterflies. Take a guided forest night walk for an intimate experience of nocturnal wildlife and their habits. End the night with a cup of locally grown coffee.
Drive to Liberia, the gateway to Costa Rica's best beaches, and spend the day at the Playa del Coco, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. In the evening, head to Rincon de la Vieja National Park to witness the beauty of the volcano, hot springs, and mud pots.
Visit the Rincon de la Vieja National Park to explore the picturesque waterfalls and refreshing natural swimming pool. Gain insight into the local culture at Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands, inhabited by a slave of Afro-Caribbean origins brought from Jamaica during the construction of the railway.
Travel to Nosara, a small seaside town with one of the best-developed yoga scene of the country. Enjoy a different outlook of the beaches of Costa Rica while taking part in paddleboarding or surfing lessons.
Drive to Orosi, where the Irazu Volcano National Park offers impressive views of the surrounding valleys and farmhouses. Go to the Orosi Valley, a vibrant town that offers a glimpse of rural life, enjoy the hot springs, and explore the Cachi Dam.
Head to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, which offers a vibrant array of ethnicity, culture, and languages. Discover the Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge to explore its indigineous culture and biodiversity with a guide. Go snorkeling and beach-hopping to see the coast's gorgeous underwater life.
Drive back to San Jose to discover the city's hidden urban treasures. Visit the The Jade Museum, a museum featuring beautiful pre-Columbian jade artifacts, and discover the arts and crafts of Costa Rica at the Museo del Oro Precolombino. End your night in Grano de Oro, one of the city's most celebrated restaurants.
While in Costa Rica, renting a car is the best way to get around. If you would prefer not to drive, taxis are a good alternative but can be expensive, we suggest you check the prices with the local taxi associations. The average cost of a rental car is $50-$70 USD per day, depending on the size of the vehicle. For this itinerary, a 4x4 vehicle is suggested for reaching some of the destinations located off the asphalt road.
Distances between destinations are relatively short, but always account for longer driving times of slightly bad road conditions in some areas.
If you have more days, consider spending some time at the Tortuguero National Park, where visitors can observe giant sea turtles and other marine life. For a more relaxed option, head to the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park, where you can enjoy the gorgeous beaches and wildlife. Additionally, if you're short on time, consider cutting a day from La Fortuna and Monteverde to have more time in and around San Jose.
The Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, also called the San Jose Airport, is the main international airport in Costa Rica with direct flights from countless destinations in the Americas and Europe. Liberia International Airport (LIR)is another option for visitors, located on the Pacific coast province of Guanacaste, it is the airport for those planning on visiting the Guanacaste area or heading towards the Nicoya peninsula beaches.