5 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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 27th (Wed): stroll through Playa Manuel Antonio.

To find reviews, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, go to the Manuel Antonio day trip planning tool.

Newark, USA to Manuel Antonio is an approximately 18.5-hour combination of car and flight. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Newark to Manuel Antonio due to the time zone difference. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Vara Blanca.

A vacation in Vara Blanca, located in the heart of Costa Rica, offers excellent access to a number of attractions across the area.

Take a break from the city and head to Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz and Poas Volcano. Get some cultural insight at Jade Museum and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Vara Blanca: San Jose (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica & Galeria Namu).

To find where to stay, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Vara Blanca driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Vara Blanca takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.