12 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
12 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Costa Rica Trip Planner
Route & dates
12 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Start: New York City
Fly:
14h 30min
1
Gulf of Papagayo
— 3 nights
Find places to stay »
bus:
2h 45min
2
San Jose
— 1 night
Find places to stay »
Drive:
5h 30min
3
Sierpe
— 2 nights
Find places to stay »
Drive:
8h 30min
4
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 4 nights
Find places to stay »
+3
shuttle + bus + Fly + bus:
15h 45min
End: New York City
Edit
View full calendar
3
nights
Gulf of Papagayo
3
nights

A concerted development project by the government given Gulf of Papagayo a growing number of luxury and all inclusive resort complexes and turned it into one of the country's leading holiday destinations.Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Scuba & Snorkeling and Spas & Wellness. Get outdoors at River Rafting & Tubing and Playa Ocotal. Next up on the itinerary: whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.
To find where to stay, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Gulf of Papagayo sightseeing planner.
New York City, USA to Gulf of Papagayo is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from New York City to Gulf of Papagayo. Expect a daytime high around 91°F in July, and nighttime lows around 74°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Sat) early enough to travel to San Jose.
Things to do in Gulf of Papagayo
Side Trip
Playa Ocotal
Find places to stay Jul 5 — 8:
Highlights from your plan

Playa Ocotal
10:30am, Fri Jul 7
1
night
San Jose
1
night
A trip to San Jose, the capital, commercial center, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, gives you a chance to experience the lively atmosphere and rich cultural past of this vibrant country.On the 8th (Sat), make a trip to Mercado Nacional de Artesanias, take an in-depth tour of Jade Museum, and then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour.
To see maps, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read San Jose vacation builder.
You can fly from Gulf of Papagayo to San Jose in 3 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Gulf of Papagayo in July, expect San Jose to be little chillier, temps between 79°F and 68°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) early enough to travel to Sierpe.
Things to do in San Jose
Find places to stay Jul 8 — 9:
Highlights from your plan
River Rafting & Tubing
2:30pm, Sat Jul 8

Jade Museum
12:30pm, Sat Jul 8

Mercado Nacional de Artesanias
10:30am, Sat Jul 8
2
nights
Sierpe
2
nights

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Sun): get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour. On the 10th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: tour the pleasant surroundings at Uvita Beach and then admire the sheer force of Uvita Waterfall.
For ratings, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Sierpe travel itinerary planner.
You can drive from San Jose to Sierpe in 4.5 hours. You'll set off for La Fortuna de San Carlos on the 11th (Tue).
For ratings, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Sierpe travel itinerary planner.
You can drive from San Jose to Sierpe in 4.5 hours. You'll set off for La Fortuna de San Carlos on the 11th (Tue).
Things to do in Sierpe
Side Trip
Uvita
Find places to stay Jul 9 — 11:
Highlights from your plan

Uvita Beach
10:30am, Mon Jul 10

Uvita Waterfall
2:00pm, Mon Jul 10
4
nights
La Fortuna de San Carlos
4
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.Discover out-of-the-way places like Venado Caves and Arenal Natura Ecological Park. Get in touch with nature at Paradise Hot Springs and Tabacon Hot Springs. Take a break from La Fortuna de San Carlos with a short trip to Butterfly Conservatory in El Castillo, about 42 minutes away.
To find traveler tips, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the La Fortuna de San Carlos trip builder.
Traveling by car from Sierpe to La Fortuna de San Carlos takes 6 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sat) so you can travel back home.
Things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Side Trips
Arenal Volcano National Park, Butterfly Conservatory
Find places to stay Jul 11 — 15:
Highlights from your plan

Tabacon Hot Springs
12:00pm, Wed Jul 12
River Rafting & Tubing
2:00pm, Thu Jul 13

Paradise Hot Springs
11:00am, Thu Jul 13
Similar Plans
13 days in Vara Blanca & San Jose
BY A USER FROM CANADA
February, culture, outdoors, beaches, hidden gems
PREFERENCES: February, culture, outdoors, beaches
ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems
PACE: Medium
15 days in Cartagena, Panama City & San Jose
BY A USER FROM MEXICO
April, popular sights
PREFERENCES: April
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
14 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
March, popular sights
PREFERENCES: March
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
14 days in Mexico & Central America
BY A USER FROM MEXICO
April, popular sights
PREFERENCES: April
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
10 days in San Jose
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
March, slow & easy, hidden gems
PREFERENCES: March
ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems
PACE: Slow & easy
11 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
February, romantic, beaches, popular sights
PREFERENCES: February, romantic, beaches
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
19 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM CANADA
February, popular sights
PREFERENCES: February
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
10 days in San Jose
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
March, popular sights
PREFERENCES: March
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
18 days in Costa Rica & Nicaragua
BY A USER FROM MEXICO
April, popular sights
PREFERENCES: April
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
11 days in San Jose & Montreal
BY A USER FROM CANADA
February, culture, outdoors, beaches, hidden gems
PREFERENCES: February, culture, outdoors, beaches
ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems
PACE: Medium
18 days in Costa Rica, Nicaragua & Panama City
BY A USER FROM MEXICO
April, popular sights
PREFERENCES: April
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
11 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM CANADA
February, popular sights
PREFERENCES: February
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
View more plans