6 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

6 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

Created using Inspirock Costa Rica vacation planner

Plan created by another user. Make it yours
Start: Washington DC
Fly
1
Playas del Coco
— 1 day
Drive
2
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Uvita
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Manuel Antonio
— 1 night
Fly
End: Washington DC
Sat, Dec 26 - Thu, Dec 31 Edit
S M T W T F S
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
See full calendar

1
day
Playas del Coco

©

Coco Beach

A long-established beach community, Playas del Coco has developed a reputation as a favored spot for young travelers and locals to let loose by the sea.
Start off your visit on the 26th (Sat): take a memorable tour with Tours and then soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers.

To find other places to visit, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Playas del Coco sightseeing app.

Washington DC, USA to Playas del Coco is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time is minus 1 hour. Plan for warmer temperatures traveling from Washington DC in December, with highs in Playas del Coco at 82°F and lows at 82°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sat) early enough to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Things to do in Playas del Coco

Outdoors · Tours · Spas
Find places to stay Dec 26 — 27:
Hotels on TripAdvisor
Homes on Airbnb
Highlights from your trip
©
Must see
Boat Tours & Water Sports
4.8
©
Spa / Wellness
Spas & Wellness
5.0
See timeline
See Costa Rica Travel Guide

2
nights
La Fortuna de San Carlos

Butterfly Conservatory ©
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 27th (Sun), tour the pleasant surroundings at Butterfly Conservatory, then see Off-Road Tours, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Bogarin Trail. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 28th (Mon): witness a stunning natural landmark at Los Lagos Hot Springs, then hike along Arenal Natura Ecological Park, and then witness a stunning natural landmark at Paradise Hot Springs.

To see reviews, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, read our La Fortuna de San Carlos online road trip planner.

Drive from Playas del Coco to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Uvita.

Things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos

Parks · Wildlife · Nature · Outdoors

Side Trip

Butterfly Conservatory
Find places to stay Dec 26 — 28:
Hotels on TripAdvisor
Homes on Airbnb
Highlights from your trip
Butterfly Conservatory ©
Must see
Butterfly Conservatory
4.7
Paradise Hot Springs ©
Must see
Paradise Hot Springs
4.3
Arenal Natura Ecological Park ©
Must see
Arenal Natura Ecological Park
4.2
See timeline

2
nights
Uvita

Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary ©
Ideal for visitors looking to escape Costa Rica's busy beaches, Uvita offers a serene atmosphere and plenty of uncrowded sand for a leisurely vacation.
Start off your visit on the 29th (Tue): stroll through Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, take in the dramatic scenery at Uvita Waterfall, and then stroll through Playa Ventanas. Here are some ideas for day two: enjoy the sand and surf at Uvita Beach, then ride a horse along Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge, and then fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour.

For maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Uvita sightseeing tool.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Uvita in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Manuel Antonio.

Things to do in Uvita

Parks · Outdoors · Beaches · Trails

Side Trips

Dominical, Playa Ventanas
Find places to stay Dec 28 — 30:
Hotels on TripAdvisor
Homes on Airbnb
Highlights from your trip
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary ©
Must see
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
4.8
Uvita Beach ©
Must see
Uvita Beach
4.4
Playa Ventanas ©
Must see
Playa Ventanas
4.6
See timeline

1
night
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 31st (Thu): glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour.

For maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Manuel Antonio trip itinerary planning site.

Getting from Uvita to Manuel Antonio by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a bus. You will have some time to spend on the 31st (Thu) before leaving for home.

Things to do in Manuel Antonio

Outdoors · Tours · Adventure
Find places to stay Dec 30 — 31:
Hotels on TripAdvisor
Homes on Airbnb
Highlights from your trip
©
Parasailing / Paragliding
Parasailing & Paragliding
4.8
See timeline

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See also:

Costa Rica travel guide

4.3
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.