6 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.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Tue): tour the pleasant surroundings at La Fortuna Waterfall, relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, and then admire the natural beauty at Arenal Natura Ecological Park.

To see maps, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos route site.

Christchurch, New Zealand to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 30-hour combination of flight and shuttle. You'll gain 18 hours traveling from Christchurch to La Fortuna de San Carlos due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) so you can 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.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Wed): get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour and then kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio.

For photos, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Manuel Antonio trip planner.

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Manuel Antonio takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) so you can 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.

On the 16th (Thu), stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then stroll through Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond.

For where to stay, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read our Monteverde trip itinerary builder tool.

You can drive from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Thu) to allow time to travel back home.