37 days in Nicaragua, Panama & Costa Rica Itinerary

A seaside resort town with plenty of entertaining distractions along its attractive coastline, Jaco has long been a major tourist destination on the central Pacific coast.

Spend the 1st (Sun) exploring nature at Carara National Park. And it doesn't end there: scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, see Off-Road Tours, push the limits with an extreme tour, and kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

To see where to stay, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Jaco trip planning tool.

Brussels, Belgium to Jaco is an approximately 17-hour combination of train and flight. You can also fly. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time (CET) to Central Standard Time (CST) is minus 7 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Wed) early enough to drive to Manuel Antonio.

The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Wed): kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio and then surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour. On the next day, paddle through the water with a kayaking and canoeing tour and then see Off-Road Tours.

Make your Manuel Antonio itinerary with Klarna Trips to find out what to see and where to go.

Getting from Jaco to Manuel Antonio by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) so you can go by car to David.

A base for exploring the west of the country and further afield, David benefits from the Pan-American Highway going right through town, linking it to cities in the east of Panama, and Costa Rica.

On the 6th (Fri), don't miss a visit to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra Park. On the 7th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: pause for some serene contemplation at Catedral San Jose De David.

To find ratings, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our David vacation website.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Manuel Antonio to David. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Manuel Antonio to David. Expect a daytime high around 37°C in May, and nighttime lows around 28°C. On the 8th (Sun), you'll travel to Boquete.

Now known internationally for its fresh mountain air, year-round pleasant temperatures, and large community of North American expats, Boquete has changed rapidly since the start of the century, changing from a humble mountain town, into a humble mountain surrounded by gated communities and estates.

Boquete is known for adventure, nature, and trails. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: experience rural life at Boquete Bees and Butterflies, savor the flavors at Food & Drink, take in the dramatic scenery at The Lost Waterfalls-Boquete, and soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers.

To find traveler tips, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, use the Boquete trip planner.

Drive from David to Boquete in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Wed) early enough to travel to Bocas Town.

The colorful and relaxed Bocas Town has a welcoming atmosphere, with the modestly sized urban area showcasing typical Caribbean clapboard houses and home to a mixed community from across the world.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Wed): see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour. On your second day here, tour the pleasant surroundings at Boca del Drago and then kick back and relax at Starfish Beach.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Bocas Town travel route planner.

You can do a combination of taxi and ferry from Boquete to Bocas Town in 4 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and ferry. In May in Bocas Town, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 26°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) so you can travel to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offers a wealth of entertainment by the sea, attracting a lively international crowd of revelers while maintaining a bright and breezy coastal charm with a local feel.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Fri): stop by Caribeans Coffee & Chocolate and then surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Puerto Viejo.

For photos, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip itinerary maker site.

You can do a combination of ferry and car from Bocas Town to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. Traveling from Bocas Town to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) so you can go by car to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Set against the backdrop of the imposing Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna de San Carlos offers visitors a chance to explore diverse natural landscapes and sample some delicious local produce.

On the 15th (Sun), get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports and then push the limits with an extreme tour.

For where to stay, photos, and tourist information, read La Fortuna de San Carlos trip builder site.

Getting from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to La Fortuna de San Carlos by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Monteverde.

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Mon): stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: gain insight with El Trapiche Tour and then kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

For other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Monteverde attractions planning site.

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Monteverde takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) early enough to drive to Tamarindo.

Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.

Kick off your visit on the 18th (Wed): discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour and then kick back and relax at Playa Avellana. On the next day, stroll through Tamarindo Beach, then look for gifts at Azul Profundo Boutique, and then see Off-Road Tours.

For other places to visit and other tourist information, refer to the Tamarindo online itinerary maker.

You can drive from Monteverde to Tamarindo in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a shuttle. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Liberia.

Tourism in Liberia has been growing since the opening of its airport, with more and more international visitors using the city as a starting point for explorations of the country's northwest.

On the 20th (Fri), view the masterpieces at Hidden Garden Art Gallery, then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, and then experience rural life at Cafe Tio Leo. On the 21st (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the dramatic scenery at Cataratas Llanos de Cortes and then stroll through Playa Hermosa.

To see ratings and more tourist information, go to the Liberia online trip builder.

Getting from Tamarindo to Liberia by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) so you can go by car to San Juan del Sur.

Set in a crescent-shaped bay, San Juan del Sur has become known as a popular surfing spot and coastal holiday destination for Nicaraguan families and international visitors alike.

San Juan del Sur is known for adventure, beaches, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: kick back and relax at La Flor Beach Natural Reserve, get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, get outside with Outdoor Activities, and stroll through San Juan del Sur Beach.

For where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read San Juan del Sur travel site.

You can drive from Liberia to San Juan del Sur in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and car; or take a shuttle. Expect a daytime high around 38°C in May, and nighttime lows around 30°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Wed) so you can travel to Isla de Ometepe.

Isla de Ometepe may be small in size, but it boasts two large volcanoes that dominate its landscape and influence the local lifestyle.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Thu): admire the local landmark of Ojo de Agua and then step off the mainland to explore Isla Ometepe.

For reviews, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Isla de Ometepe itinerary planner.

You can do a combination of bus and ferry from San Juan del Sur to Isla de Ometepe in 3 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and ferry. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) early enough to travel to Masaya.

Quickly accessible from both Managua and Granada, culturally rich Masaya remains one of the best places to visit if you're looking to purchase authentic Nicaraguan handicrafts.

On the 27th (Fri), contemplate the waterfront views at Apoyo.

For traveler tips, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, use the Masaya trip itinerary maker site.

Getting from Isla de Ometepe to Masaya by combination of ferry and bus takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry, shuttle, and bus. You'll have a few hours on the 28th (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling to Granada.

The lakeside city of Granada has the look and feel of a historically important economic and political center, with grand colonial architecture, a unified look, and many cultural attractions.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Sat): see the interesting displays at ChocoMuseo Granada. Keep things going the next day: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral de Granada and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia de La Merced.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Granada route builder website.

Granada is very close to Masaya. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to drive to Managua.

Nicaragua's largest and capital city, Managua remains relatively unknown as a tourist destination, though it boasts a scenic location on the southwestern shore of the Xolotlan Lake.

Managua is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and shopping. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: pause for some serene contemplation at Santiago of Managua Cathedral, examine the collection at Traces Archaeological Museum Acahualinca, make a trip to Plaza de la Revolucion, and get outside with Dive Nicaragua.

For photos, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Managua online road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Granada to Managua takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to San Jose.

A trip to San Jose, the capital, commercial center, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, gives you a chance to experience the lively atmosphere and rich cultural past of this vibrant country.

Venture out of the city with trips to Alajuela (Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center & Souvenir Museum) and Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles (in Cartago). There's still lots to do: hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour, get engrossed in the history at Museo Nacional De Costa Rica, see the interesting displays at Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, and view the masterpieces at Galeria Namu.

To see reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the San Jose trip planner.

Explore your travel options from Managua to San Jose with the Route module. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in June, and nighttime lows around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to travel back home.