17 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Klarna Trips Costa Rica planner
Start: Sydney
Fly
1
San Jose
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Monteverde
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Playa Samara
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Tamarindo
— 3 nights
Drive
6
Playas del Coco
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Sydney
Wed, Dec 19 - Fri, Jan 4
Edit
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View full calendar
San Jose — 2 nights
©
Kick off your visit on the 19th (Wed): stop by J.LANG Atelier & Showroom. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: shop like a local with Multiplaza, explore the galleries of Galeria Namu, then look for gifts at Tienda eNe, and finally see the interesting displays at Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.
For where to stay, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read San Jose road trip planner.
Sydney, Australia to San Jose is an approximately 28-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Sydney to San Jose is minus 16 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can go by car to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
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For where to stay, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read San Jose road trip planner.
Sydney, Australia to San Jose is an approximately 28-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Sydney to San Jose is minus 16 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can go by car to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 19 — 21:
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Puerto Viejo de Talamanca — 2 nights
©
Walaba
Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Sat): kick back and relax at Playa Cocles and then stroll through Playa Punta Uva. On your second day here, tour the pleasant surroundings at Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica, admire the natural beauty at Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens, and then take in nature's colorful creations at Finca La Isla.
To find reviews, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip itinerary website.
Traveling by car from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a shuttle. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to go by car to Monteverde.
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To find reviews, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip itinerary website.
Traveling by car from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a shuttle. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to go by car to Monteverde.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 21 — 23:
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Monteverde — 2 nights
©
Head to Women Artisans Cooperative Santa Elena and Monteverde and Monteverde Hummingbird Galleryfor some retail therapy. You'll discover tucked-away gems like The Bat Jungle and Monteverde Butterfly Garden (Jardin de Mariposas). The adventure continues: tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, stop by Souvenir Rosewood-Info Center, and take in the views from Santa Elena Skywalk.
For photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Monteverde sightseeing planner.
You can drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Monteverde in 6.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 32°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Playa Samara.
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For photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Monteverde sightseeing planner.
You can drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Monteverde in 6.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 32°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Playa Samara.
Find places to stay Dec 23 — 26:
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Playa Samara — 2 nights
©
On the 27th (Thu), stop by Jenstones Gallery, then take in the exciting artwork at MAEL's ABSTRACT ART GALLERY, and then explore the galleries of Koss Art Gallery. Keep things going the next day: get outside with Outdoor Activities and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Garza.
To find ratings, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Playa Samara trip planner.
Drive from Monteverde to Playa Samara in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December in Playa Samara, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 32°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can drive to Tamarindo.
more
To find ratings, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Playa Samara trip planner.
Drive from Monteverde to Playa Samara in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December in Playa Samara, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 32°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can drive to Tamarindo.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 26 — 28:
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Tamarindo — 3 nights
©
You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at EK Art Jewelry and GirlFish Tamarindo. Head to Papaya Con Leche and Diamante Boutiquefor plenty of shopping. Next up on the itinerary: enjoy the sand and surf at Tamarindo Beach, look for gifts at Dolores Shop, get a taste of life in the country at Pura Aventura, and get lost in a book at The Bookstore of the Waves.
To see other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Tamarindo trip app.
Traveling by car from Playa Samara to Tamarindo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 32°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to go by car to Playas del Coco.
more
To see other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Tamarindo trip app.
Traveling by car from Playa Samara to Tamarindo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 32°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to go by car to Playas del Coco.
Find places to stay Dec 28 — 31:
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Playas del Coco — 2 nights
©
Coco Beach
Kick off your visit on the 1st (Tue): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia Catolica de Playas del Coco, then kick back and relax at Playa Hermosa, and then stop by Cata Chocolate. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed): get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports and then browse the exhibits of Alessandra Cola Art.
To find where to stay and more tourist information, you can read our Playas del Coco trip itinerary tool.
Traveling by car from Tamarindo to Playas del Coco takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Playas del Coco are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 32°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to catch the flight back home.
more
To find where to stay and more tourist information, you can read our Playas del Coco trip itinerary tool.
Traveling by car from Tamarindo to Playas del Coco takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Playas del Coco are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 32°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to catch the flight back home.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 31 — Jan 2:
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Costa Rica travel guide
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.
