20 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

Change things up with these side-trips from San Jose: Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles (in Cartago), El Toledo Coffee Tour (in Atenas) and Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center (in Alajuela). On the 17th (Mon), spend a relaxing day on the river with a rafting and tubing tour. There's much more to do: take an in-depth tour of Museo Nacional De Costa Rica, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Irazu Volcano National Park, make a trip to Banco Central de Costa Rica, and explore the world behind art at Museo de Arte Costarricense.

For ratings, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our San Jose online trip itinerary builder.

Istanbul, Turkey to San Jose is an approximately 19.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 9 hours traveling from Istanbul to San Jose. Traveling from Istanbul in April, expect nights in San Jose to be much warmer, around 22°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 33°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can catch the shuttle to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

La Fortuna de San Carlos is known for nature, adventure, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the natural beauty of Tabacon Hot Springs, relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, walk around Bogarin Trail, and get outside with Outdoor Activities.

To find ratings, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the La Fortuna de San Carlos travel route planner.

You can take a shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Manuel Antonio.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Manuel Antonio: Dominical (Mama Toucan's Natural and Organic Food Store & Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary). And it doesn't end there: kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, walk around Parque Nahomi, see Off-Road Tours, and take in the local highlights with Walking tours.

To see reviews, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, read Manuel Antonio online itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Manuel Antonio takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Mon) early enough to travel back home.