8 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
8 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Costa Rica travel route planner
Start: Toronto
Fly to San Jose, Bus to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
1
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
— 1 day
Drive
2
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 3 nights
Shuttle
3
Santa Teresa
— 1 night
Drive
4
Tamarindo
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Toronto
Tue, Aug 20 - Tue, Aug 27
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View full calendar
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca — 1 day
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Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offers a wealth of entertainment by the sea, attracting a lively international crowd of revelers while maintaining a bright and breezy coastal charm with a local feel.Start off your visit on the 21st (Wed): browse the fresh offerings at La Feria Legendaria de Playa Chiquita and then stroll through Playa Punta Uva.
To see ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Puerto Viejo de Talamanca sightseeing planning tool.
Toronto, Canada to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is an approximately 13-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) to allow time to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
Find places to stay Aug 21 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
La Fortuna de San Carlos — 3 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.Explore hidden gems such as Paradise Hot Springs and Los Lagos Hot Springs. There's much more to do: head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, soothe aching muscles at Tabacon Hot Springs, and identify plant and animal life at Natura Eco Park Costa Rica.
To find more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, read our La Fortuna de San Carlos travel route planner.
Traveling by car from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to La Fortuna de San Carlos takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sat) early enough to take a shuttle to Santa Teresa.
Find places to stay Aug 21 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
Santa Teresa — 1 night
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A coastal getaway popular with surfers and young travelers, Santa Teresa spreads out from the beach and the main coastal road to a ring of newer developments on the surrounding hills.Start off your visit on the 25th (Sun): kick back and relax at Playa Hermosa, then soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers, and then look for gifts at Tica Surf Bikinis.
To find reviews, maps, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Santa Teresa travel route tool.
Traveling by shuttle from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Santa Teresa takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sun) so you can drive to Tamarindo.
Find places to stay Aug 24 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
Tamarindo — 2 nights
Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.Kick off your visit on the 26th (Mon): get a taste of life in the country at Pura Aventura, look for gifts at EK Art Jewelry, and then get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.
To find ratings, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Tamarindo online day trip planner.
Drive from Santa Teresa to Tamarindo in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. You will leave for home on the 27th (Tue).
Side Trip
Find places to stay Aug 25 — 27:
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.
