15 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

Created using Klarna Trips Costa Rica trip maker
Make it your trip
Fly
1
San Jose
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
— 1 night
Drive
3
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Manuel Antonio
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Jaco
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Monteverde
— 2 nights
Drive
7
Playas del Coco
— 1 night
Drive
8
Tamarindo
— 2 nights
Fly

S M T W T F S
9
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19
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26
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29

San Jose — 2 nights

Head to Multiplaza and Biesanz Woodworksfor plenty of shopping. Step off the beaten path and head to Ruins of Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion and Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles. There's much more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Metropolitan Church (Catedral Metropolitana), get engrossed in the history at Jade Museum, pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia La Soledad, and view the masterpieces at Galeria Namu.

Planning San Jose trip won't be overwhelming when you use Klarna Trips's itinerary maker.

Philadelphia, USA to San Jose is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or drive. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Philadelphia to San Jose due to the time zone difference. In July, San Jose is a bit cooler than Philadelphia - with highs of 80°F and lows of 67°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
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Historic Sites · Shopping · Museums · Neighborhoods
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Find places to stay Jul 12 — 14:
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Puerto Viejo de Talamanca — 1 night

Walaba

Start off your visit on the 15th (Sat): stroll through Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens, pick up some local products at La Feria Legendaria de Playa Chiquita, and then stop by Caribeans Coffee & Chocolate.

For traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Puerto Viejo de Talamanca tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a shuttle. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
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Shopping · Parks · Beaches · Outdoors
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La Fortuna de San Carlos — 2 nights

On the 16th (Sun), see exotic creatures in open habitats at a safari tour, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, take in the exciting artwork at Onirica Art Gallery, then view the masterpieces at Galeria Estudio, and finally get engrossed in the history at ChocoMuseo La Fortuna. On the 17th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stroll through Butterfly Conservatory - Arenal, then admire the sheer force of La Fortuna Waterfall, and then stop by Galeria Aguas Verdes.

To find out how to plan a trip to La Fortuna de San Carlos, use our trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to La Fortuna de San Carlos takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Mon) so you can drive to Manuel Antonio.
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Wildlife · Parks · Tours · Outdoors
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Find places to stay Jul 15 — 17:
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Manuel Antonio — 2 nights

Start off your visit on the 18th (Tue): view the masterpieces at The Captain's Booty, then see what you can catch with Jackpot Sport Fishing, and then take an exotic tour of Safari Adventures. On the 19th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Manuel Antonio and then stroll through Playa Biesanz.

To see other places to visit, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Manuel Antonio trip itinerary builder tool.

Getting from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Manuel Antonio by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Jaco.
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Outdoors · Beaches · Parks · Tours
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Jaco — 2 nights

Your day by day itinerary now includes CR Beach Barn. Start off your visit on the 20th (Thu): take a pleasant ride with CR Beach Barn, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and finally stop by Jimmy T's Provisions. On the 21st (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stroll through Royal Butterflies, buy something for everyone on your list at Jaco Walk Open Air Shopping Center, then view the masterpieces at Tico Pod Art House & Gifts, and finally see Off-Road Tours.

To see reviews, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, read Jaco road trip website.

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Jaco takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can go by car to Monteverde.
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Tours · Outdoors · Shopping · Wildlife
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Find places to stay Jul 19 — 21:
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Monteverde — 2 nights

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Sat): tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, then view the masterpieces at Arte Jaguar Gallery, and then explore the galleries of Alas y Raices. Here are some ideas for day two: stroll through Ecological Sanctuary, stop by Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery, and then snap pictures at Santa Elena Skywalk.

To find reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Monteverde trip builder website.

You can drive from Jaco to Monteverde in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to drive to Playas del Coco.
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Wildlife · Parks · Historic Sites · Shopping
Find places to stay Jul 21 — 23:
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Playas del Coco — 1 night

Coco Beach

Start off your visit on the 24th (Mon): see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, stop by Cata Chocolate, then take in the exciting artwork at Rojas Bros Boruca Indigenous Arts, and finally kick back and relax at Playa Hermosa.

Plan my day in Playas del Coco using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Klarna Trips.

Getting from Monteverde to Playas del Coco by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can drive to Tamarindo.
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Outdoors · Tours · Beaches · Wildlife
Side Trip
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Tamarindo — 2 nights

On the 25th (Tue), see what you can catch with a fishing tour and then look for gifts at Papaya Con Leche.

To see where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Tamarindo trip planning app.

Getting from Playas del Coco to Tamarindo by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus; or take a bus. On the 26th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly back home.
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Costa Rica travel guide

4.5
Beaches · Nature & Parks · Zipline
Tiny in terms of land area, Costa Rica is astoundingly diverse when it comes to culture and natural attractions. In a country called "Rich Coast", it's no surprise most Costa Rica vacations dedicate at least a few days to picturesque Pacific and Caribbean beaches, ideal for water sports and relaxation. Few small countries offer such a range of landscapes, allowing tourists to observe towering volcanoes while soaking away their worries in a hot spring, or hike into dense rainforests in the morning and surf at a modern resort in the afternoon. A trip to Costa Rica also lets you discover pristine national parks, ensuring plenty of chances to view wildlife from the comfort of eco-friendly lodges packed with amenities even ardent nature lovers secretly desire.
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