8 days in Manuel Antonio & San Jose Itinerary

The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Playa Manuel Antonio. Start off your visit on the 1st (Sun): tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Biesanz and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon): kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio.

Discover how to plan a Manuel Antonio trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.

San Jose to Manuel Antonio is an approximately 1.5-hour combination of bus, flight, and taxi. You can also drive; or take a bus. In April in Manuel Antonio, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 22°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 2nd (Mon) to allow time for travel 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.

Step out of the city life by going to Poas Volcano and River Rafting & Tubing. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Precolumbian Gold Museum and Our Lady of the Angels Basilica (Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles). Go for a jaunt from San Jose to Vara Blanca to see La Paz Waterfall Gardens about 1h 25 min away. There's much more to do: take an in-depth tour of National Museum (Museo Nacional), tour the pleasant surroundings at Parque La Sabana, take in the spiritual surroundings of Metropolitan Church (Catedral Metropolitana), and browse the eclectic array of goods at Central Market (Mercado Central).

For where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, read our San Jose trip itinerary app .

Do a combination of taxi, flight, and bus from Manuel Antonio to San Jose in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. April in San Jose sees daily highs of 33°C and lows of 22°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) so you can travel back home.