The best 10 day Costa Rica itinerary

Taking you from San José, to the wildlife-rich national parks of Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio, via the volcanic landscapes and hot springs of La Fortuna, this Costa Rica itinerary for 10 days is (arguably) the best way to throw yourself into this biodiverse country. And that comes from personal experience. Read on for tip-packed, day-by-detail on a trip that’s loaded with activities that embrace the nation’s infectious pura vida ethos.

Day 1: San Jose 

Depending on what time you land, you might have time to experience some of the best things to do in San Jose ahead of starting to explore Costa Rica’s great outdoors on day two.

We suggest taking a stroll in peaceful Parque Central and visiting the historic Mercado Central to soak up the atmosphere of Costa Rica’s capital, with the latter also being a great place to try local food. 

If you’re thinking of adjusting this itinerary and spending longer in San Jose at the start of your trip, read up on day trips from San Jose.

Planning your own trip to Costa Rica? Read our Content Manager’s personal guide to planning a trip to Costa Rica — it shares invaluable lessons learned.

Where to stay

Read on to find out about a few of the best San Jose hotels.

• Best for luxury: Hotel Presidents — right in the middle of town, this has an on-site spa and gorgeous rooftop garden. 
• Best for travelers on a budget:  Hostel Casa del Parque — near Parque Nacional, this small, family-run hostel is easily one of the city’s best budget options.
• Best for historic charm: Costa Rica Guesthouse — a restored colonial villa in a great central location.

Day 2: San Jose to Tortuguero

Travel time: around 2.5 hours

Rise early on day two to transfer to Tortuguero, where lush canals and incredible wildlife-watching experiences await.

Most folks make the transfer on a self-drive trip (followed by a boat ride), or through joining a shuttle group transfer.

The road segment of the journey takes around 2.5 hours, and takes you through remarkable cloud forest landscapes en route to the dock in La Pavona.

From here, board a boat to Tortuguero — the ride can take from 50 minutes to a couple of hours.

Don’t want to go down the self-drive route? Read more about how to get from San Jose to Tortuguero. 

If you’re looking to cut down travel time, it takes just 30 minutes to fly between them.

Where to stay

When it comes to deciding where to stay in Tortuguero, you can either base yourself in a basic cabana in the village, or stay in a lodge across the canal from the village.

Editor’s tip: be aware that outside turtle-watching season, most lodges don’t operate lanchas (boat shuttles) at night.

In addition, as a result of Tortuguero’s popularity with package tourists, lodges don’t always have space for independent travelers who turn up out of the blue. So, you’ll want to book ahead.

Browse places to stay in Tortuguero National Park.

Day 3: Tortuguero National Park

This 10-day Costa Rica itinerary really ramps up on day three, when you’ll do a deep dive into Tortuguero National Park.

No matter which Tortuguero tours you decide to take, wildlife looms large on the agenda, with plenty of adventure activities on offer, too.

Things to do 

While it’s the turtles that draw most visitors to Tortuguero, I came away with a newfound love for the thrill of nocturnal wildlife tours, and the serene magic of drifting through the waterways.

With that in mind, read on for a rundown of some of the best things to do in Tortuguero. Our message is simple — be sure to do more than just take a turtle-watching tour. That said, we’ll kick off with exactly that…

Watch turtles

To witness the magic of endangered sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs, you’ll need to visit during one of two laying seasons — March to May, and July to October. 

Through these periods, certified guides host turtle tours that depart from the village’s information booth at 8pm and 10pm.

During the experience, you’ll see turtles lumber ashore to dig a huge hole before laying their eggs, covering them, and slowly returning to the sea. 

Along with green turtles, you might also see hawksbills and huge leatherbacks.

Take a boat tour of Tortuguero’s canals

Moving now to a personal favorite experience in Tortuguero — boarding a boat to drift through the caños (lagoons) to see tangled mangroves and thick forests full of incredible wildlife, including sloths, spider monkeys and tonnes of tropical birds.

You’re also likely to see Jesus Christ lizards skipping across the water, and caimans basking on the banks. 

If you don’t want to join a boat trip, you could take a kayak tour of the canals.

Watch wildlife at night

Another personal favorite was the guided night-time wildlife tour that gave our party the chance to see armadillos, opossums, bats, frogs, and a few snakes, too.

If you’re staying in a lodge, these are easy to book when you arrive.

Enjoy adventure activities

Beyond wildlife-oriented trips, Tortuguero also offers opportunities to hike and go zip-lining.

We recommend walking the L-shaped looped trail that runs from the ranger station in Tortuguero village, or hiking to the peak of Cerro Tortuguero. You’ll need to book a local guide to do the latter. 

If you have a head for heights, note that Aninga Lodge’s canopy zipline experience has seven cables, eleven platforms, four suspension bridges and a Tarzan swing.

Want to forgo to the hassle of planning your own transfers and tours? A few of our customizable Costa Rica itineraries include Tortuguero National Park. 

Day 4: Tortuguero National Park to La Fortuna (Arenal)

Travel time: around 4.5 - 5 hours

On day four, transfer to the La Fortuna area — gateway to the glorious Arenal Volcano National Park.

It’ll take around 4.5-5 hours to make the trip via a combination of boat and road along Route 247.

An alternative is to take a 30-minute flight from the tiny Tortuguero Airport to the La Fortuna Arenal Airport.

Where to stay

As a general guide, note that budget travelers usually stay in or around La Fortuna itself, while those on organized trips, or people with their own transport (and more cash) tend to head to the lodges surrounding town. 

• Best for a touch of lush luxury: Hotel Roca Negra Del Arenal — set in glorious grounds, this offers an outdoor pool, hot tub and on-site activities.
• Best for cozy convenience: Hotel San Bosco: located in town, this quiet little hotel offers easy-access to shops, restaurants and top attractions.
• Best for great-value riverside living: Monte Real: bordering a peaceful river, this boasts its own forest and frog garden, just 200m from central La Fortuna.

Day 5: La Fortuna and Arenal volcano

The La Fortuna area plays host to epic lava-field treks and wild waterfalls, which can be easily enjoyed on tonnes of thrilling tours.

Read on for suggestions for things to do during the couple of days you’ll have in this region while following our best 10-day Costa Rica itinerary.

Things to do on your first day

In this 10 day Costa Rica itinerary you'll spend two days in this area which should be enough to do at least one of these activities.

Day 6: La Fortuna and Arenal volcano

Wake up early and enjoy a good breakfast at your accommodation. Get a good cup of Costa Rican coffee if you're a coffee lover. Soak up the view and get ready for a second day of exploring.

Things to do on your second day

We've given your second day in La Fortuna a more chilled, watery theme, though you can still expect more than a dash of drama.

Visit La Fortuna Waterfall

Being one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica, you won’t want to miss visiting the dramatic, rainforest-surrounded La Catarata de La Fortuna during your stay in the area.

From the ticket booth, follow the path that leads down to the base of the falls, where you’ll see a series of beautiful pools.

You can also soak up the magic of the cascade and valley from a signposted viewpoint.

Editor’s tip: wear waterproof shoes, and watch out for slippery paths.

Chill out in hot spring

Being volcano territory, the La Fortuna region is loaded with hot springs — ideal for resting up in after you’ve hiked.

Most tourists head to Balneario Tabacón, which boasts a series of mineral-rich pools, many of which are set beneath waterfalls. 

If you don’t have transport, or don’t fancy joining a tour, note that Baldi Hot Springs is more accessible than Tabacón.

Love hiking and exploring the great outdoors? Discover the best hikes in Costa Rica, and find out more about Costa Rica's national parks.

Day 7: La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio National Park

Travel time: around 4-5 hours

Famous for its biodiversity, beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and easy hiking trails, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best places to go in Costa Rica for an all-round experience of the country.

A huge range of tours are on hand to help you make the most of your time here. 

Manuel Antonio National Park may be Costa Rica’s smallest national park, but it’s also its most popular. You can easily imagine the fate that might have overtaken its limestone-white sands had it not been designated a national park in 1972.

Even so, the park suffers from a high number of visitors — it’s best to avoid weekends altogether, when Costa Rican families descend en masse to hit the beaches.

Editor's tip: the park does close on Mondays, however, to give the animals a rest and the rangers and trail maintenance staff a chance to work.

Where to stay

Though Manual Antonio is known for its beaches, the best hotels tend to be located in the surrounding hills, and offer spectacular ocean views.

In general, the cost of accommodation here is higher than in other parts of Costa Rica.

Also note you’ll need to reserve well in advance if you plan to visit during the height of the peak season i.e. from early December through to mid-January.

Browse places to stay in Manuel Antonio.

Day 8: Manuel Antonio National Park

Wake up early to make the most out of your first full day in Manuel Antonio. If you want to make the best out of your day, it might be handy to book an organized tour.

Things to do in Manuel Antonio National Park

There are more than enough activities to keep you busy for a few days.

Visit the beaches 

Manuel Antonio is known for its beautiful beaches — from curved bays backed by lush jungle, to secluded coves fronted by crashing waves.

In fact, Playa Manuel Antonio features in our run-down of the best beaches in Costa Rica, which is high praise indeed. 

For more detail, read our guide to best beaches in Manuel Antonio, and note that as some are unsafe for swimming, you should always know which beach you’re on. 

Watch wildlife while trekking trails

With a small network of easy trails — just watch for slippery areas when it’s been raining — seeing stacks of wildlife is also easy in Manuel Antonio National Park.

For example, you’re likely to see sloths, squirrels and howler monkeys along the Sendero El Perezoso trail that runs down to Playa Manuel Antonio. 

Enjoy adventure sports

In keeping with other destinations on this itinerary, you can also enjoy lots of adventure activities in an and around Manuel Antonio. 

Take your pick from canopy experiences, zip-lining, horse-riding and white-water rafting excursions. 

Take to the water

Manuel Antonio National Park is a great place to go on dolphin and whale-watching tours, and to see mangrove eco-systems on a boat tour of Damas Island.

We also recommend looking to book a trip that combines ocean kayaking with snorkelling.

Editor’s tip: one of my favourite experiences here was taking a sunset catamaran trip after a day hiking. You might get lucky like we did and see a pod of dolphins.

Day 9: Day trip to Jaco Beach

Travel time: around 1.5 hours

Located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Jaco Beach one of the most popular beach destinations in the country, especially beloved by surfers, and also close to national parks and outdoor adventure activities.

Jacó’s appeal is its long, spacious beach. When covered in mist and backed by a spectacular Pacific sunset, the wide sands look pretty attractive. It’s popular with novice surfers. That said, the water isn’t the cleanest and you do have to watch out for riptides.

West of Manuel Antonio, it’s reachable in around one hour if you drive yourself or book a private transfer. Shared shuttles will take around 1-2 hours as they may stop to pick up passengers from different spots.

Where to stay

• Best for a friendly family-run stay: Hotel Los Ranchos — near the beach and surrounded by rainforest, this offers rooms, apartments and bungalows.
• Best for luxury: Jaco Hotel DoceLunas — this beauty boasts a massive pool, expansive tropical grounds, and stylish décor.
• Best for nature-lovers: Villa Lapas Jungle Village — fifteen minutes’ drive from Jaco Beach, this lush resort is located just outside Carara National Park.

Things to do 

Jaco Beach is mostly about surfing or relaxing on one of the beaches in the area, but there's more!

A number of operators in the Jaco Beach area (e.g. Costa Rica Waterfall Tours) offer canyoning, abseiling and ziplining experiences.

You could also take an ATV tour and go horse-riding.

Day 10: Back to San Jose

On day ten, it’s time to head back to San Jose return for your flight home.

It’ll take around 3 to 3.5 hours by car, with the shared shuttle and bus taking 3.5-4 hours.

How to visit Costa Rica in 10 days

Turning now to practical matters, read on to find out about the best time to visit Costa Rica, and how to get around, along with the answers to other pertinent questions that are likely to be on your mind.  

When to visit Costa Rica

On balance, the best time to visit Costa Rica between mid-December and April.

This dry season period offers lots of sunshine and minimal rain — all the better for outdoor adventuring and blissful beach breaks.

That said, you might want to avoid peak season, which is at its busiest (and most expensive) from early December to mid-January.

For a cheaper vacation, visit Costa Rica between May and November, but note that September and October see a lot of rain, which means remote rural areas might be inaccessible by road.

Want more detail? Read up on the best time to visit Costa Rica.

How to get around Costa Rica

Here’s an overview of ways to get around Costa Rica. Your choice is likely to depend on your budget, how long you have, and how you feel about driving in unfamiliar conditions versus the freedom of renting a car.

Rental car

Offering flexibility and freedom, renting a car is the best way to get around Costa Rica at your own pace. 

While roads are mostly well-maintained, be prepared for some unpaved roads and steep hills, and 4x4s are recommended for remote destinations.

Public buses

Covering most major towns and tourist spots, Costa Rica’s public bus network is affordable and extensive.

Just be aware that buses can be slow and involve multiple transfers.  

Shared shuttles

Combining comfort with reasonable prices, and faster than buses, shared shuttles are ideal for travelers who don’t want the stress of driving.

Private transfers

More expensive than shuttles, private transfers can be customized to your needs, and include stop-offs. Be sure to agree where you want to stop and the price in advance.

Domestic flights

If you’re covering a lot of ground and are short on time — and aren’t traveling on a tight budget — you can book short domestic flights between major tourist hubs like San José, Liberia, Nosara and Tortuguero.

Read more detail on how to get around Costa Rica. 

Cost of a 10-day trip to Costa Rica

It goes without saying that the cost of a 10-day trip to Costa Rica will vary hugely depending on when you travel, the kind of accommodation you book, and the number of trips and tours you take.

With that caveat, here’s a ballpark overview of typical costs for different types of travel.

Budget travel

Staying in hostels and budget lodges, eating in local sodas and basic restaurants, traveling by bus, and doing self-guided hikes could total up to $1200 across ten days. Read all about traveling on a budget in Costa Rica.

Mid-range travel

Booking mid-range hotels and boutique lodges, eating in cafés and mid-range restaurants (with the occasional fancier dinner), using shuttle services and taking a few guided trips will set you back around $1300-$3000 during a 10-day vacation.

Luxury travel

While there’s no limit to what you could spend on luxury resorts, all-inclusive lodges, private villas, fine dining, and private transfers and tours, expect costs to start from around $4200 for a 10-day trip.

Do I need a visa?

The headline — if you’re visiting Costa Rica as a tourist for under 90 days, you don’t need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You just need a valid passport and proof of your intent to exit the country within 90 days.

For more detail, read our travel advice on Costa Rica visas.

Is 10 days enough?

As with the question around costs, the answer to that question is wide-open! 

That said, as should be clear from this suggested 10-day Costa Rica itinerary, it’s perfectly possible to experience a huge range of the country in that time frame. 

While we think it's better still if you can extend your stay to 14 days in Costa Rica, be assured that ten days can have you venturing from volcano to rainforest to beach in exhilarating style.

If you’re not sure how long to stay, read our article on how many days you need in Costa Rica, and explore itineraries for different trip durations:

• 5 days in Costa Rica
• 7 days in Costa Rica

And, if you want more inspiration, browse our customizable Costa Rica itineraries and get your hands on the in-depth Rough Guide to Costa Rica.