35 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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.

Spend the 28th (Sun) exploring nature at Cahuita National Park. There's still lots to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, stroll through Tarantulas Way, admire the natural beauty at Finca La Isla, and enjoy the sand and surf at Punta Uva Beach.

To find traveler tips, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip itinerary maker website.

The Route module can give you travel options from your home to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Tue) early enough to drive to Drake Bay.

Take a break from Drake Bay with a short trip to Corcovado National Park in Carate, about 1h 10 min away. Spend a day of island exploring on the 4th (Thu) at Cano Island.

To find more things to do, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Drake Bay trip builder website.

Getting from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Drake Bay by car takes about 7.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Fri) early enough to drive to 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.

Venture out of the city with trips to Uvita (Parque Nacional Marino Ballena & Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge). Spend the 8th (Mon) on the water with a fishing tour. There's much more to do: kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, stroll around Parque Nahomi, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and see Off-Road Tours.

To find photos, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Manuel Antonio holiday planner.

Getting from Drake Bay to Manuel Antonio by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Jaco.

A seaside resort town with plenty of entertaining distractions along its attractive coastline, Jaco has long been a major tourist destination on the central Pacific coast.

Spend the 12th (Fri) exploring nature at Carara National Park. There's still lots to do: skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, tour the pleasant surroundings at Jaco Beach, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.

To see maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Jaco trip planner.

Drive from Manuel Antonio to Jaco in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Monteverde.

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.

Monteverde is known for adventure, parks, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, experience rural life at Hidden Valley Permaculture Farm, and admire all the interesting features of Ecological Sanctuary.

Use Inspirock's suggestions to plan your Monteverde trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.

Traveling by car from Jaco to Monteverde takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Playa Samara.

A beach town with just enough development to be comfortable for families accustomed to the trappings of modern life, Playa Samara has the resorts you'd expect to find in such a scenic area, but they don't hinder the relaxing atmosphere.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Thu): kick back and relax at Samara Beach, then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and then indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas. On the next day, kick back and relax at Barrigona Beach and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Guiones.

For traveler tips, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Playa Samara holiday website.

Drive from Monteverde to Playa Samara in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) so you can go by car to Tamarindo.

Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.

Explore Tamarindo's surroundings by going to Playa Hermosa (in Playa Hermosa), Playa Nacascolo (in Gulf of Papagayo) and Playa Conchal (in Playa Conchal). There's lots more to do: kick back and relax at Tamarindo Beach, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, find something for the whole family at Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates, and stroll through Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands.

For reviews, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Tamarindo sightseeing site.

Drive from Playa Samara to Tamarindo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) early enough to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

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.

La Fortuna de San Carlos is known for nature, adventure, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: witness a stunning natural landmark at Tabacon Hot Springs, admire the sheer force of La Fortuna Waterfall, trot along with a tour on horseback, and take in the views from Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park.

For photos, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our La Fortuna de San Carlos planning site.

Getting from Tamarindo to La Fortuna de San Carlos by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) so you can drive 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.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Mon): admire the sheer force of Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Tirimbina Biological Reserve. Here are some ideas for day two: get impressive views of Poas Volcano and then take in the dramatic scenery at Los Chorros Waterfalls.

For ratings, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Vara Blanca trip builder tool.

Getting from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Vara Blanca by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to San Jose.

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.

Get out of town with these interesting San Jose side-trips: Jardin Botanico Lankester (in Cartago) and Else Kientzler Botanical Garden (in Sarchi). There's much more to do: get impressive views of Irazu Volcano National Park, browse the exhibits of Galeria Namu, hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour, and get engrossed in the history at Jade Museum.

For where to stay, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our San Jose road trip planning app.

Getting from Vara Blanca to San Jose by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in March, and nighttime lows around 21°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Fri) so you can drive to Tortuguero.

One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Sat): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.

To see maps, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Tortuguero day trip website.

Getting from San Jose to Tortuguero by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi. In April, plan for daily highs up to 35°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Sat) to allow enough time to drive back home.