Costa Rica 10 days itinerary

Travel to Costa Rica and follow this 10-day itinerary from San José to the wildlife-rich national parks of Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio, with a stop in La Fortuna for volcanic landscapes and hot springs. It is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in this biodiverse country. Read on for a tip-packed, day-by-day plan loaded with activities that capture the nation’s pura vida spirit.

10 days in Costa Rica overview

Below, you’ll find our suggested Costa Rica itinerary for 10 days. Here’s a quick look at the main places you’ll travel through. If you're hoping to combine jungle hikes, beach time, and wildlife watching, this route gives you a bit of each. 

• Day 1: San Jose
• Day 2-4: Tortuguero
• Day 5–7: La Fortuna and Arenal volcano
• Day 8–10: Manuel Antonio and Jaco Beach

Is 10 days enough?

Ten days is the sweet spot for a classic Costa Rica route. You can fit in Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio without feeling pressed for time. It's a balanced itinerary with a mix of landscapes and activities, ideal for families or first-time visitors who want a bit of everything. Here's how Costa Rica trips compare by length:

*Indicative price per person for a fully arranged tailor-made trip.

Day 1: San Jose 

Depending on what time you land, you might have time to experience some of the best things to do in San Jose ahead of starting to explore Costa Rica’s great outdoors on day two.

Things to do in San Jose

We suggest taking a stroll in peaceful Parque Central and visiting the historic Mercado Central to soak up the atmosphere of Costa Rica’s capital, with the latter also being a great place to try local food. 

If you’re thinking of adjusting this Costa Rica itinerary and spending longer in San Jose at the start of your trip, read up on day trips from San Jose.

Where to stay in San Jose

Read on to find out about a few of the best San Jose hotels.

• Barrio Amón: Known for its elegant colonial houses and boutique hotels, this historic neighborhood is ideal if you want character and charm close to downtown museums and restaurants.
• Barrio Escalante: A trendy area filled with cafés, craft beer bars, and some of San José’s best restaurants. Great for food lovers and travelers who enjoy a lively, walkable neighborhood vibe.
• Downtown (El Centro): Best for convenience and easy access to major landmarks like the National Theatre and Mercado Central. You’ll find everything from upscale hotels to affordable hostels here.

Day 2: Travel to Tortuguero

Travel time: around 2.5 hours

On the second day, your Costa Rica itinerary really begins. Although San Jose is nice, Costa Rica is known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and incredible wildlife.

Things to do in Tortuguero

Rise early on day two to transfer to Tortuguero, where lush canals and incredible wildlife-watching experiences await. Most folks make the transfer on a self-drive trip (followed by a boat ride), or through joining a shuttle group transfer.

The road segment of the journey takes around 2.5 hours, and takes you through remarkable cloud forest landscapes en route to the dock in La Pavona.

From here, board a boat to Tortuguero — the ride can take from 50 minutes to a couple of hours. If you’re looking to cut down travel time, it takes just 30 minutes to fly between them.

Where to stay in Tortuguero

When it comes to deciding where to stay in Tortuguero, you can either base yourself:

• Tortuguero Village: Best for budget travelers and those who like to stay local. You’ll find simple cabanas, small restaurants, and easy access to the beach and turtle-nesting sites during the season.
• Across the canal: Home to mid-range and upscale jungle lodges surrounded by wildlife. These are quieter and more scenic, but you’ll need to use boat shuttles to reach the village—so plan ahead, especially outside turtle-watching months.

Ready to travel your way? Our local travel experts build itineraries around your interests.
 

Day 3: Tortuguero National Park

This Costa Rica itinerary for 10 days really ramps up on day three, when you’ll do a deep dive into Tortuguero National Park.

Things to do in Tortuguero

While it’s the turtles that draw most visitors to Tortuguero, I came away with a newfound love for the thrill of nocturnal wildlife tours, and the serene magic of drifting through the waterways.

With that in mind, read on for a rundown of some of the best things to do in Tortuguero. Our message is simple — be sure to do more than just take a turtle-watching tour. That said, we’ll kick off with exactly that…

Watch turtles

A travel tip for your Costa Rica itinerary: to witness the magic of endangered sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs, you’ll need to visit during one of two laying seasons—March to May and July to October. 

During these periods, certified guides host turtle tours that depart from the village’s information booth at 8pm and 10pm.

During the experience, you’ll see turtles lumber ashore to dig a huge hole before laying their eggs, covering them, and slowly returning to the sea. 

Editor's tip: it’s possible to see stragglers laying eggs during the day, but the majority of the arrivals occur at night.

Take a boat tour of Tortuguero’s canals

No matter which Tortuguero tours you choose, wildlife takes center stage. Moving now to a personal favorite experience in Tortuguero—boarding a boat to drift through the caños (lagoons) to see tangled mangroves and thick forests full of incredible wildlife, including sloths, spider monkeys, and tons of tropical birds.

You’re also likely to see Jesus Christ lizards skipping across the water and caimans basking on the banks. 

If you don’t want to join a boat trip, you could take a kayak tour of the canals.

Watch wildlife at night

Another personal favorite was the guided nighttime wildlife tour that gave our party the chance to see armadillos, opossums, bats, frogs, and a few snakes, too.

If you’re staying in a lodge, these are easy to book when you arrive. 

Enjoy adventure activities

Beyond wildlife-oriented trips, Tortuguero also offers opportunities to hike and go zip-lining and is a great add on to any Costa Rica adventure tour.

We recommend walking the L-shaped looped trail that runs from the ranger station in Tortuguero village or hiking to the peak of Cerro Tortuguero. You’ll need to book a local guide to do the latter. 

If you have a head for heights, note that Aninga Lodge’s canopy zipline experience has seven cables, eleven platforms, and four suspension bridges.

Day 4: Tortuguero National Park to La Fortuna (Arenal)

Travel time: around 4.5 - 5 hours

On day four, transfer to the La Fortuna area—gateway to the glorious Arenal Volcano National Park.

It’ll take around 4.5-5 hours to make the trip via a combination of boat and road along Route 247.

An alternative is to take a 30-minute flight from the tiny Tortuguero Airport to the La Fortuna Arenal Airport.

Where to stay in La Fortuna

As a general guide, note that budget travelers usually stay in or around La Fortuna itself, while those on organized trips, or people with their own transport (and more cash), tend to head to the lodges surrounding town. 

• Central La Fortuna: Best for budget travelers and those who want to be close to restaurants, shops, and tour offices. It’s walkable, convenient, and a good base for exploring the area without a car.
• Surrounding countryside: Ideal if you have your own transport or are joining organized tours. This area is home to scenic lodges with hot springs, jungle views, and quiet settings just a short drive from town.

Day 5: La Fortuna and Arenal volcano

The La Fortuna area plays host to epic lava-field treks and wild waterfalls, which can be easily enjoyed on tons of thrilling tours.

Read on for suggestions for things to do during the couple of days you’ll have in this region while following our Costa Rica itinerary.

Things to do in La Fortuna

In this Costa Rica itinerary for 10 days, you'll spend two days in this area, which should be enough to do at least one of these activities.

Day 6: La Fortuna and Arenal

Wake up early and enjoy a good breakfast at your accommodation. Get a good cup of Costa Rican coffee if you're a coffee lover. Soak up the view and get ready for the 6th day of this 10-day Costa Rica itinerary.

Things to do in La Fortuna on your second day

We've given your second day in La Fortuna a more chilled, watery theme, though you can still expect more than a dash of drama.

Visit La Fortuna Waterfall

As one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica to visit on a Costa Rica rainforest tour, the dramatic, rainforest-surrounded La Catarata de La Fortuna is an experience you won’t want to miss during your stay in the area.

From the ticket booth, follow the path that leads down to the base of the falls, where you’ll see a series of beautiful pools.

You can also soak up the magic of the cascade and valley from a signposted viewpoint.

Chill out in hot spring

Being volcano territory, the La Fortuna region is loaded with hot springs — ideal for resting up in after you’ve hiked.

Most tourists head to Balneario Tabacón, which boasts a series of mineral-rich pools, many of which are set beneath waterfalls. 

If you don’t have transport or don’t fancy joining a tour, note that Baldi Hot Springs is more accessible than Tabacón. See our list of our favorite hot springs around Arenal. 

Day 7: La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio National Park

Travel time: around 4-5 hours

Manuel Antonio is a no-brainer when planning your Costa Rica itinerary. Famous for its biodiversity, beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and easy hiking trails, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best places to go in Costa Rica for an all-round experience of the country.

Things to do in Manuel Antonio National Park

A huge range of tours are on hand to help you make the most of your time here. 

Manuel Antonio National Park may be Costa Rica’s smallest national park, but it’s also its most popular. You can easily imagine the fate that might have overtaken its limestone-white sands had it not been designated a national park in 1972.

Even so, the park suffers from a high number of visitors—it’s best to avoid weekends altogether, when Costa Rican families descend en masse to hit the beaches.

Editor's tip: the park does close on Tuesday, to give the animals a rest and the rangers and trail maintenance staff a chance to work.

Where to stay in Manuel Antonio

Though Manual Antonio is known for its beaches, the best hotels tend to be located in the surrounding hills, and offer spectacular ocean views.

• Manuel Antonio Hills: The most popular area to stay, with hotels and villas perched above the coast. You’ll get panoramic ocean views, quick access to the national park, and plenty of restaurants nearby.
• Manuel Antonio Village (Quepos Road): Lined with small hotels, cafés, and tour offices, this area is convenient and lively. It’s a great mid-range choice between the beaches and Quepos town.
• Quepos: A more affordable base about ten minutes from the park. It’s a local town with markets, a marina, and easy bus or taxi connections to the beaches.

Day 8: Manuel Antonio National Park

Wake up early to make the most out of your first full day in Manuel Antonio. If you want to make the best out of your day, it might be handy to book an organized tour.

Things to do in Manuel Antonio National Park

There are more than enough activities to keep you busy for a few days.

Visit the beaches 

Manuel Antonio is known for its beautiful beaches — from curved bays backed by lush jungle, to secluded coves fronted by crashing waves.

In fact, Playa Manuel Antonio features in our run-down of the best beaches in Costa Rica, which is high praise indeed. 

Watch wildlife while trekking trails

With a small network of easy trails—just watch for slippery areas when it’s been raining—seeing stacks of wildlife is also easy in Manuel Antonio National Park.

For example, you’re likely to see sloths, squirrels, and howler monkeys along the Sendero El Perezoso trail that runs down to Playa Manuel Antonio. 

Enjoy adventure sports

Maintaining other destinations on this Costa Rica travel itinerary, you can also enjoy lots of adventure activities in and around Manuel Antonio. 

Take your pick from canopy experiences, zip-lining, horse-riding, and white-water rafting excursions. 

Day 9: Day trip to Jaco Beach

Travel time: around 1.5 hours

Located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Jaco Beach one of the most popular beach destinations in the country, especially beloved by surfers, and also close to national parks and outdoor adventure activities.

Jacó’s appeal is its long, spacious beach. When covered in mist and backed by a spectacular Pacific sunset, the wide sands look pretty attractive. It’s popular with novice surfers. That said, the water isn’t the cleanest, and you do have to watch out for riptides.

It's a perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing day during your 10 days in Costa Rica.

Where to stay in Jaco Beach

• Central Jacó: The main area for convenience, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and bars close to the beach. Ideal if you want easy access to everything, from surf schools to nightlife.
• Playa Hermosa: Just south of Jacó,  Playa Hermosa is a quieter stretch is famous for its consistent waves and laid-back atmosphere. Perfect for serious surfers or anyone who prefers a more peaceful base.
• Near Carara National Park: About fifteen minutes inland, this area suits nature lovers who want rainforest scenery, wildlife, and a break from the bustle of the beach.

Things to do on Jaco Beach

Jaco Beach is mostly about surfing or relaxing on one of the beaches in the area, but there's more!

A number of operators in the Jaco Beach area  offer canyoning, abseiling, and ziplining experiences. You could also take an ATV tour and go horse-riding.

Day 10: San Jose

On day ten, it’s time to head back to San Jose to return for your flight home.

It’ll take around 3 to 3.5 hours by car, with the shared shuttle and bus taking 3.5-4 hours.

How would your perfect trip look? Our Costa Rica travel experts make itineraries to match it.