8 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Klarna Trips Costa Rica travel planner
Start: Orlando
Fly to San Jose, Taxi to Monteverde
1
Monteverde
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Manuel Antonio
— 1 night
Drive
3
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 4 nights
Fly
End: Orlando
Tue, Dec 20 - Tue, Dec 27
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Monteverde — 2 nights
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Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond and Monteverde Nature Guided Tours. Get outdoors at Finca el Rodeo and San Luis Waterfall. There's lots more to do: get to know the resident critters at The Bat Jungle, gain insight with El Trapiche Tour, stop by Souvenir Rosewood-Info Center, and browse the exhibits of Arte Jaguar Gallery.
To find traveler tips, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Monteverde online route maker.
Orlando, USA to Monteverde is an approximately 8.5-hour combination of flight and taxi. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Orlando to Monteverde is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Orlando in December, expect much hotter with lows of 82°F in Monteverde. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Thu) early enough to go by car to Manuel Antonio.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 20 — 22:
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Manuel Antonio — 1 night
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 23rd (Fri): indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, then add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour, and then kick back and relax at Playa Espadilla Norte.
To see reviews, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, read Manuel Antonio online sightseeing planner.
Traveling by car from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) early enough to go by car to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 22 — 23:
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La Fortuna de San Carlos — 4 nights
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.Head to Galeria Aguas Verdes and Onirica Art Galleryfor some retail therapy. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Cerro Chato (Chato Volcano) and Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge. There's lots more to do: get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, take in the natural beauty of Paradise Hot Springs, and relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.
To find photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the La Fortuna de San Carlos tour planner.
You can drive from Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 4.5 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. You will have some time to spend on the 27th (Tue) before leaving for home.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 23 — 27:
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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.
