25 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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.

Kids will appreciate attractions like River Rafting & Tubing and Canyoning & Rappelling Tours. There's lots more to do: take in the natural beauty of Tabacon Hot Springs, contemplate the geological forces at Arenal Volcano, push the limits with an extreme tour, and learn something new at ChocoMuseo La Fortuna.

For where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, use the La Fortuna de San Carlos planning tool.

Tel Aviv, Israel to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 20-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Israel Standard Time (IST) to Central Standard Time (CST) is minus 8 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) so you can go by car to Playa Flamingo.

The white sand beach of Playa Flamingo has become a go-to tourist getaway by the sea.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Wed): look for gifts at Sea Star Souvenir, then kick back and relax at Playa Conchal, and then tee off at Garra de Leon Golf Course. Keep things going the next day: stop by Ohana Photo Shop and then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To find maps, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Playa Flamingo trip maker tool.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Playa Flamingo in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of shuttle and bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Thu) so you can go by car 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.

On the 11th (Fri), learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at The Bat Jungle, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Santa Elena Skywalk, then whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and finally stop by Foresta. Here are some ideas for day two: tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then relax and rejuvenate at Monteverde Karmen Massage.

To see traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Monteverde visit planning tool.

Traveling by car from Playa Flamingo to Monteverde takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and shuttle. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough 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.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Sun): push the limits with an extreme tour and then whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks. Here are some ideas for day two: get outside with Outdoor Activities, get outside with Outdoor Activities, and then snap pictures at Tarcoles Bridge.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, read Jaco road trip website.

Getting from Monteverde to Jaco by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Mon) early enough to go by car 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.

Family-friendly places like Playa Manuel Antonio and Nature & Wildlife Tours will thrill your kids. Get out of town with these interesting Manuel Antonio side-trips: Dominical (Mama Toucan's Natural and Organic Food Store & Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary), Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (in Uvita) and Kokopelli (in Sierpe). The adventure continues: glide peacefully along the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area and indulge in some personalized pampering at Raindrop Spa.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, go to the Manuel Antonio journey builder site.

You can drive from Jaco to Manuel Antonio in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Fri) so you can go by car to Drake Bay.

Family-friendly places like Cano Island and Dolphin & Whale Watching will thrill your kids. Spend the 21st (Mon) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Drake Bay trip planner.

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Drake Bay takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Mon) so you can drive to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

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.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Tue): stroll through Nature Observatorio and then surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour. On your second day here, kick back and relax at Playa Puerto Viejo.

To find where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca online attractions planner.

Drive from Drake Bay to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Wed) 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.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Thu): explore the striking landscape of Tortuguero National Park.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Tortuguero day trip website.

Drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Tortuguero in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In August in Tortuguero, expect temperatures between 35°C during the day and 26°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Thu) to allow enough time to 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.

On the 25th (Fri), contemplate the geological forces at Poas Volcano and then take in the dramatic scenery at Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz. On the 26th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Parque Central De Grecia and then add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour.

For maps, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Vara Blanca online trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Tortuguero to Vara Blanca takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of ferry, bus, and taxi. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.