20 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

Created using Klarna Trips Costa Rica tour itinerary maker
Make it your trip
Fly
1
San Jose
— 1 night
Shuttle
2
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Monteverde
— 3 nights
Drive
4
Montezuma
— 1 night
Drive
5
Santa Teresa
— 3 nights
Drive
6
Mal Pais
— 2 nights
Drive
7
Puntarenas
— 2 nights
Drive
8
Manuel Antonio
— 2 nights
Drive
9
San Jose
— 2 nights
Fly

S M T W T F S
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

San Jose — 1 night

Start off your visit on the 27th (Fri): tour the pleasant surroundings at Spirogyra Butterfly Garden and then explore the world behind art at Museum of Contemporary Art and Design.

For more things to do, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, read San Jose trip planner.

Toronto, Canada to San Jose is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Toronto to San Jose. Prepare for much warmer weather when traveling from Toronto in January: high temperatures in San Jose hover around 30°C and lows are around 21°C. On the 27th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can take a shuttle to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
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Parks · Wildlife · Museums
Find places to stay Jan 26 — 27:
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La Fortuna de San Carlos — 2 nights

Start off your visit on the 27th (Fri): witness a stunning natural landmark at Titoku Hot Springs. On the 28th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, tour the pleasant surroundings at Arenal 1968 Volcano View & Trails, then take in the exciting artwork at Galeria Estudio, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia de La Fortuna de San Carlos.

For ratings, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos tour itinerary maker site.

You can take a shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) so you can go by car to Monteverde.
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Parks · Outdoors · Trails · Wildlife
Find places to stay Jan 27 — 29:
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Monteverde — 3 nights

Start off your visit on the 30th (Mon): stroll through Aguti Monteverde - Wildlife Reserve, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Monteverde Nature Guided Tours, and then relax and rejuvenate at Monteverde Massage Center. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 31st (Tue): get to know the fascinating history of Ecological Sanctuary, then identify plant and animal life at Monteverde Tours, then take in the exciting artwork at Arte Jaguar Gallery, and finally explore the galleries of Sarah's Gallery.

To find traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Monteverde trip planning tool.

Getting from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Monteverde by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Wed) early enough to drive to Montezuma.
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Parks · Wildlife · Outdoors · Nature
Find places to stay Jan 29 — Feb 1:
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Montezuma — 1 night

Start off your visit on the 1st (Wed): get a dose of the wild on Sun Trails Tours, take in nature's colorful creations at Mariposario Butterfly Garden, then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Montezuma, and finally relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers. On your second day here, step off the mainland to explore Isla de Cabuya.

For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Montezuma trip maker.

Getting from Monteverde to Montezuma by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of shuttle and ferry; or do a combination of bus and car. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) so you can drive to Santa Teresa.
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Parks · Outdoors · Nature · Beaches
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Santa Teresa — 3 nights

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Playa Hermosa and Playa Islita. Get in touch with nature at Playa Carmen and Sapoa Adventures. There's much more to do: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, get outside with Taboo Beach Club, take in the exciting artwork at Bri'ah Art Gallery, and look for gifts at Tica Surf Bikinis.

To see other places to visit, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Santa Teresa itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Montezuma to Santa Teresa takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Mal Pais.
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Outdoors · Parks · Beaches · Shopping
Side Trip
Find places to stay Feb 2 — 5:
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Mal Pais — 2 nights

To see maps, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Mal Pais road trip planner.

Mal Pais is just a stone's throw from Santa Teresa. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 7th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Puntarenas.
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Adventure · Outdoors · Wildlife · Tours
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Highlights from your trip

Puntarenas — 2 nights

Pacific Pearl

On the 8th (Wed), kick back and relax at Playa Dona Ana, then head outdoors with Superman De Osa, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral de Puntarenas. On the next day, take in the dramatic natural features at Penon de Guacalillo and then head outdoors with San Lucas Beach Club.

To find photos, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Puntarenas online road trip planner.

Drive from Mal Pais to Puntarenas in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can drive to Manuel Antonio.
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Outdoors · Parks · Historic Sites · Beaches
Side Trips
Find places to stay Feb 7 — 9:
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Manuel Antonio — 2 nights

For maps, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Manuel Antonio holiday planner.

Getting from Puntarenas to Manuel Antonio by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can go by car to San Jose.
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Outdoors · Parks · Beaches · Spas
Side Trip
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San Jose — 2 nights

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Spirogyra Butterfly Garden and Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Ruins of the Church of Carthage and Iglesia La Soledad. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around San Jose: Cartago (Cartago Central Market & Iglesia Maria Auxiliadora). See even more of San Jose: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, see the interesting displays at Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle, tee off at Tee Times Costa Rica Golf Tours, and look for gifts at Chieton Moren.

Plan my day in San Jose using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Klarna Trips.

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to San Jose takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly back home.
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Historic Sites · Museums · Outdoors · Parks
Side Trips
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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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