11 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Costa Rica trip planner
Start: Vancouver
Fly to San Jose, Bus to Manuel Antonio
1
Manuel Antonio
— 1 night
Drive
2
San Jose
— 1 night
Drive
3
Turrialba
— 1 night
Drive
4
Tortuguero
— 1 night
Drive
5
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 3 nights
Drive
6
Tamarindo
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Vancouver
Sat, Dec 22 - Tue, Jan 1
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View full calendar
Manuel Antonio — 1 night
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Start off your visit on the 23rd (Sun): stroll through Playa Manuel Antonio and then do sightseeing your way with Mulguri Adventure. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 24th (Mon): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Biesanz, then get outside with Outdoor Activities, and then stroll around Parque Nahomi.
To see other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Manuel Antonio holiday planning website.
Vancouver, Canada to Manuel Antonio is an approximately 14.5-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a 2 hour difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) early enough to drive to San Jose.
more
To see other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Manuel Antonio holiday planning website.
Vancouver, Canada to Manuel Antonio is an approximately 14.5-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a 2 hour difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) early enough to drive to San Jose.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 23 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
San Jose — 1 night
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On the 25th (Tue), get engrossed in the history at Museo Nacional De Costa Rica, get engrossed in the history at Jade Museum, then view the masterpieces at Galeria Namu, and finally see the interesting displays at Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.
For ratings, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the San Jose travel planner.
Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to San Jose takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) so you can go by car to Turrialba.
more
For ratings, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the San Jose travel planner.
Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to San Jose takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) so you can go by car to Turrialba.
Find places to stay Dec 24 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
Turrialba — 1 night
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Start off your visit on the 26th (Wed): explore the ancient world of Guayabo National Monument.
For traveler tips, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Turrialba online trip maker.
Drive from San Jose to Turrialba in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. December in Turrialba sees daily highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) so you can go by car to Tortuguero.
more
For traveler tips, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Turrialba online trip maker.
Drive from San Jose to Turrialba in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. December in Turrialba sees daily highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) so you can go by car to Tortuguero.
Find places to stay Dec 25 — 26:
Highlights from your trip
See timeline
Tortuguero — 1 night
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Costa Rica's Amazon
Kick off your visit on the 27th (Thu): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.
For traveler tips, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Tortuguero trip maker website.
You can drive from Turrialba to Tortuguero in 3.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and taxi. In December, daytime highs in Tortuguero are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) early enough to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
more
For traveler tips, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Tortuguero trip maker website.
You can drive from Turrialba to Tortuguero in 3.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and taxi. In December, daytime highs in Tortuguero are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) early enough to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
Find places to stay Dec 26 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
See timeline
La Fortuna de San Carlos — 3 nights
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Get outdoors at La Fortuna Waterfall and River Rafting & Tubing. There's lots more to do: contemplate the geological forces at Arenal Volcano, hike along Natura Eco Park Costa Rica, and take in the natural beauty of Tabacon Hot Springs.
To see more things to do, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos online day trip planner.
Getting from Tortuguero to La Fortuna de San Carlos by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Sun) early enough to drive to Tamarindo.
more
To see more things to do, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos online day trip planner.
Getting from Tortuguero to La Fortuna de San Carlos by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Sun) early enough to drive to Tamarindo.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 27 — 30:
Highlights from your trip
Tamarindo — 2 nights
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Kick off your visit on the 31st (Mon): stroll through Tamarindo Beach, look for gifts at Azul Profundo Boutique, then look for gifts at Organic Products by Coco Beauty Spa, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Avellana.
To find reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Tamarindo trip itinerary tool.
You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tamarindo in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Tamarindo are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 32°C. You will leave for home on the 1st (Tue).
more
To find reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Tamarindo trip itinerary tool.
You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tamarindo in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Tamarindo are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 32°C. You will leave for home on the 1st (Tue).
Find places to stay Dec 30 — Jan 1:
Highlights from your trip
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.
