Below we've put together a 15-day Costa Rica itinerary to enable you to see some of the country's most beautiful must-sees. This itinerary focuses primarily on the west of the country, astwo weeks is not enough time to see both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Indeed, the roads there are long and often poorly developed, and many are not even paved. This is why renting a car, ideally a 4x4, is ideal for this Costa Rica road trip. Although shared tourist shuttles make most of these journeys, having your own car will give you far more flexibility and enable you to get around more easily once you've reached each destination, as the various points of interest can be far apart. By the same token,don't rely on the journey times indicated on the various GPS applications, as they almost systematically see journeys downwards, since they don't take poor road conditions into account.
We've put together this 15-day Costa Rica itinerary so that you can take advantage of all Costa Rica has to offer : the bustling capital, animal watching in the lush forests, heavenly beaches... If you'd like to adapt this itinerary to your tastes, you can get inspired by reading our article on the five best tours to discover Costa Rica.
Days 1 and 2: San José
San José airport, Costa Rica's capital, is the country's main airport, so you'll most likely arrive here. It is served by flights from all over the world. On site, you'll find everything you need to withdraw colóns, the local currency, as well as car rental services. After your long flight to San José, you'll probably be tired. So take a little time to spend two nights in San José so you can have a full day. It's an interesting and colorful capital that's well worth discovering.
Take a guided tour
San José is a dynamic capital, full of cultural riches. Many travellers skip it, too eager to explore the country's forests and beaches, or only stay a few hours when they get off the plane and then spread the word that San José isn't a beautiful city. As for safety, some areas, such as the bus station, are a little less reputable, but overall, San José remains a pleasant city, and Costa Rica is an excellent destination for women travelling alone. It's actually an interesting city with a wealth of things to discover, and it's a real shame to fly over it, as you'd be missing out on the whole historical and cultural side of Costa Rica. A thorough visit to the capital before setting out on the country's dirt roads will give you a better understanding of the country's riches. The best way to do this is to take a guided tour, during which you'll discover the capital's architectural treasures, including the famous National Theater.
We recommend this guided tour of San José, where you can see the capital's most beautiful spots and sample some of its typical culinary specialties.
Stroll through the Mercado Central
To take the temperature of bustling San José, there's nothing like strolling through the aisles of its Mercado Central. You'll find exotic fruits and vegetables to munch on, as well as souvenirs to take home, such as handmade clothes and bags, jewelry made from natural materials and, why not, a hammock.
Visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is a must-see in Costa Rica, and perhaps one of the best museums in Central America. It houses over 1,600 gold objects dating from the pre-Columbian era, between 300 and 1500. Most of the jewelry, amulets and statuettes on display come from Costa Rica, where they were made by ancient indigenous civilizations.
Days 3 to 5: Monteverde
On the third day of your 15-day Costa Rica itinerary, set off in the morning for Monteverde. Allow around 4 hours for this journey. As mentioned above, GPS systems tend to underestimate travel times in Costa Rica. Monteverde is a small town characterized by its high-altitude rainforest. Altitude is indeed an important factor, as the forest here is unlike any other you'll see in Costa Rica, as Monteverde is constantly immersed in a mystical mist and is even referred to as a cloud forest. Stay for two nights.
Read more: What to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica? 13 must-do activities
Explore the Santa Elena reserve
Santa Elena is the name of Monteverde's main nature reserve. It is characterized by a cloud forest, the name given to tropical forests that are constantly bathed in mist due to the humidity they produce, and which form this fog with altitude. Santa Elena is a mysterious and fascinating forest, best explored with a guide. In fact, if you wander around on your own, you're likely to miss most of the sights that surround you: amazing plants, rare, well-hidden birds, the calls of animals you can't identify... And Santa Elena is not short of curiosities, since it's home to snakes, toucans, monkeys, hummingbirds and even the famous and rare Resplendent Quetzal, a turquoise-blue bird with a long, majestic tail.
Immerse yourself in the rainforest of the Santa Elena Reserve by booking this guided walk through the Cloud Forest Reserve: an unforgettable experience!
Walk on suspension bridges
Crossing the suspension bridges of Monteverde is an activity not to be missed in Costa Rica. Few of the country's forests have bridges of this kind, but Monteverde is home to eight of them, linked by paths. These bridges allow you to rise above the canopy and catch a glimpse of a whole new range of animals, difficult to observe from the ground. Don't miss the opportunity to cross the suspension bridge by booking your experience your experience.
Please note if you'd like to opt for a personalized travel itinerary in Costa Rica, we recommend you request your free quote right here. A tailor-made, responsible trip, direct with the best local agencies, awaits you!
Days 6 to 8: La Fortuna
Leave Monteverde in the morning for La Fortuna, a 3 to 4-hour drive. It's a small town at the foot of the famous and magnificent Arenal volcano, as Costa Rica is indeed a volcanic destination. Allow two nights on site.
Explore Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park is a treasure trove. Here, you can hike between exotic plants and lava flows, with the volcano's distinctive silhouette as a backdrop. You're sure to come across some animals too. In fact, the trails lead to a viewpoint that's ideal for getting a great panoramic view of the volcano.
The best option is to book this comprehensive day trip . You'll discover forests and volcanic landscapes, see the La Fortuna waterfall, hike through the Arenal Volcano National Park and finish with a bath in a hot spring.
Relax in volcanic hot springs
After your hike, you'll have earned a well-deserved moment of relaxation in steaming waters pleasantly heated by volcanic activity. There are several hot springs where you can try your hand at this romantic travel experience, some of which are freely accessible. These include the Chollín, Los Lagos, Baldi and Ecotermales springs. If you've chosen Costa Rica as your honeymoon destination, opt instead for a luxurious, paying spring like Tabacon.
Admire the magnificent La Fortuna waterfall
The La Fortuna waterfall is probably the most visited site in La Fortuna. As is often the case with places that have gone viral on social networks, it may prove a little disappointing for some travelers. It is indeed pretty and will offer you some of your most beautiful vacation photos, but it is also paid for (and expensive) and very touristy. Don't expect to be able to swim alone in your tropical paradise. It's still worth including in your 15-day Costa Rica itinerary, but don't get your hopes up.
Days 9 to 12: Nosara
Resume your 15-day Costa Rica itinerary and head for Nosara, a 5-6 hour drive. This destination will allow you to include a little beach time in your forest-filled schedule. Nosara's beaches are particularly beautiful, as they are bordered by tropical forests.
Relax on the beaches
Nosara is a village stretching along the Pacific Ocean, located on the Nicoya Peninsula in the west of the country. It boasts a number of well-known paradise beaches, as they are made up of fine sand and bordered by forest rather than hotel complexes. The most famous is the 7-kilometer-long Playa Guiones, but you can also relax and swim along the quieter Playa Pelada, the more secluded Playa Garza and many others. You can even rent a quad bike to get away from the village and enjoy the wild, deserted beaches.
Try your hand at surfing
Nosara is one of Costa Rica's top destinations for surfers, as its beaches are among those with the most consistent waves in the world, especially Guiones Beach, where conditions are ideal almost all year round. Locally, you'll have no trouble finding a surfing course to sign up for and learn all the basics. There's something for everyone, from beginners to advanced surfers looking to improve their skills. You can also rent a board and go surfing on your own or with a few Ticos, the nickname given to Costa Ricans.
Turtle watching
Nosara has its own turtle sanctuary, the Ostional refuge. It's a must on your 15-day Costa Rica itinerary if you're visiting between July and December, when the turtles lay their eggs. So, for example, it's an excellent destination for October or All Saints' Day. You can observe the egg-laying and hatching of the endangered olive ridley turtle, with a guide who will take care not to disturb its natural cycle. You can also help protect this species on site as a volunteer, as Costa Rica is an excellent destination for volunteer work.
Practice yoga
Nosara is one of Costa Rica's yoga temples. Here, you can take part in yoga sessions or classes accompanied by professional guides. Different types of yoga are practiced on site, for all levels. It's also an activity often offered by hotels and hostels. Sessions always take place in peaceful, natural surroundings, overlooking the Pacific Ocean or rather the lush rainforest.
We also recommend this traditional cooking course in Nosara: you'll learn to cook traditional Costa Rican dishes, discover local cooking methods in an ancient wood-fired kitchen and enjoy your creation for lunch.
Days 13 to 14: Manuel Antonio National Park
Continue your 15-day Costa Rica itinerary by heading for Manuel Antonio National Park. Allow around 6 hours' drive. It's one of the longest stages, but Manuel Antonio Park really deserves a place on your road-trip vacation. It boasts one of the country's richest and densest biodiversities, despite being one of its smallest national parks. It also has the advantage of being made up of both forest and coastline.
Hike in the park with a guide
Of the many national parks and reserves that characterize Costa Rica as an ecological destination, Manuel Antonio National Park is surely the most famous. It is criss-crossed by numerous hiking trails, making it an ideal place to explore on foot. For this, it is highly recommended to be accompanied by a guide by booking here. This wildlife specialist will be able to spot animals where you'd otherwise miss them completely. The park is home to colorful birds, monkeys, sloths and other exotic creatures that would be a real shame to miss.
The article to read: for a unique experience, read our article on whale watching in Costa Rica.
Explore the beach
Manuel Antonio National Park is home to some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. Take the time to relax here and sample for yourself the famous Pura Vida, a famous local adage repeated by Costa Ricans both to punctuate a sentence and to greet someone, meaning "pure life". The park is also home to Punta Catedral, the famous outcrop of land shaped like a whale's tail. At the beach, you can watch the fish, swim and even snorkel. The national park is also an excellent diving destination, with plenty of tropical fish to be seen, especially if you're looking for a place to go in February, when underwater visibility is excellent.
Day 15: San José
On the last day of your 15-day Costa Rica itinerary, head back to San José for your return flight. Allow 3-4 hours' drive to reach the capital. If your flight is early in the morning, plan to leave late in the afternoon the day before.
Tempted? Take advantage of a discount by booking your your travel insurance and leave with peace of mind!
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