12 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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.

Get outdoors at Tabacon Hot Springs and Arenal Volcano. And it doesn't end there: take a memorable tour with Tours, take in the exciting artwork at Galeria Estudio, stroll through La Fortuna Arenal Volcano Rain Forest Reserve, and take in the natural beauty of Ecotermales Fortuna.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the La Fortuna de San Carlos trip builder.

Vancouver, Canada to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 14-hour combination of flight and shuttle. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Vancouver to La Fortuna de San Carlos is 2 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) to allow time to drive to Tortuguero.

One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.

On the 24th (Mon), explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.

For traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Tortuguero trip itinerary tool.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tortuguero in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In December, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 25°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) to allow enough time 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 25th (Tue): tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Manuel Antonio.

Plan my Manuel Antonio trip by asking Inpirock to come up with tips and suggestions.

You can drive from Tortuguero to Manuel Antonio in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of shuttle and bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to go by car 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.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Here are some ideas for day two: whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks and then delve into the lush surroundings at Curi Cancha Reserve.

To see reviews, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Monteverde online driving holiday planner.

You can drive from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and shuttle; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 32°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) to allow enough time 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.

On the 28th (Fri), kick back and relax at Playa Avellana, then kick back and relax at Tamarindo Beach, and then take in the exciting artwork at Lydia Beech Art Boutique.

To see reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Tamarindo online trip builder.

Traveling by car from Monteverde to Tamarindo takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In December, daily temperatures in Tamarindo can reach 32°C, while at night they dip to 32°C. You will leave for home on the 29th (Sat).