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 Irazu Volcano National Park. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Precolumbian Gold Museum and National Museum (Museo Nacional). Change things up with these side-trips from San Jose: Our Lady of the Angels Basilica (Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles) (in Cartago) and La Paz Waterfall Gardens (in Vara Blanca). There's lots more to do: take in the exciting artwork at Galeria Namu, look for gifts at Chieton Moren, take in the spiritual surroundings of Metropolitan Church (Catedral Metropolitana), and get engrossed in the history at Jade Museum.

To see more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the San Jose day trip tool .

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. In April, plan for daily highs up to 33°C, and evening lows to 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Sun) to allow time to travel back home.