9 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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

Start off your visit on the 9th (Mon): look for gifts at Lydia Beech Art, look for gifts at Buena Nena, look for gifts at Urban Eclectic Jewelry, then stop by Papaya Con Leche, and finally soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers. Keep things going the next day: stop by Cheboards, stop by EK Art Jewelry, stroll through Tamarindo Beach, then look for gifts at Diamante Boutique, and finally stop by Azul Profundo Boutique.

For photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Tamarindo road trip planning website .

Denver, USA to Tamarindo is an approximately 11-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also fly; or drive. The time zone difference moving from Mountain Standard Time to Central Standard Time is 1 hour. Prepare for much hotter weather when traveling from Denver in April: high temperatures in Tamarindo hover around 95°F and lows are around 73°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Santa Teresa.

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.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Wed): stroll through Playa Hermosa.

To see reviews, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Santa Teresa online route planner .

You can do a combination of taxi and flight from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 12th (Thu) to allow time for the ferry ride 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.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Fri): experience rural life at Villa Vanilla / Rainforest Spices and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Biesanz. Keep things going the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Manuel Antonio, stop by Meli Melo Boutique, and then stop by Beso Loco Boutique de Playa.

For maps, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Manuel Antonio trip builder website .

You can ride a ferry from Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Another option is to drive. In April, daytime highs in Manuel Antonio are 82°F, while nighttime lows are 67°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) early enough 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.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Sun): admire nature's wide array of creatures at The Bat Jungle, then admire the natural beauty at Monteverde Orchid Garden, and then stop by Hummingbird Gallery.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, read our Monteverde online trip maker .

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and shuttle; or take a bus. You'll have a few hours on the 16th (Mon) to wrap things up before traveling home.