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10 Days in Costa Rica itinerary (with options for a longer or shorter stay)
Best Costa Rica Itinerary 10 Days- Costa Rica family itinerary, couples itinerary, or friends itinerary
Planning a trip to Costa Rica?
Everything you need to have the best Costa Rica vacation ever with the best places to go, things to do, food to eat, and places to stay in Costa Rica!
Rainforests with unbelievable wildlife- adorable monkeys swinging from branches, sloths moving in slow motion (so entertaining to watch!), gorgeous macaw and toucan, mysterious crocodile, and cayman…
With so many fun adventures and activities, relaxing tropical beaches, friendly people, delicious local food, and thermal hot springs, Costa Rica has so much to offer any traveler.
Visit Costa Rica, a gem in Central America. It’s one of my all-time favorite destinations for fun and relaxing travel- Costa Rica is an ideal vacation with friends, as a couple, for a honeymoon or family travel.
The best way to get around Costa Rica is by renting a car. You will experience the best of this amazing country by following this Costa Rica road trip itinerary.
My last Central America vacation was spent in Costa Rica and Panama. For a Costa Rica Panama itinerary, follow the Costa Rica travel itinerary below, then follow this Panama itinerary
I recommend the 10 day Costa Rica itinerary below. If you have more time, the 2 week Costa Rica itinerary is even better. Less time? Then follow the 5 days or 7 days Costa Rica itinerary options.
Check out this list of incredible things to do in Costa Rica for first-time visitors or repeat visitors in this Costa Rica Itinerary 10 days! See the top attractions in Costa Rica including the rainforest and beaches and other popular sites in Costa Rica. Experience the best of Costa Rica in this Costa Rica travel itinerary and Costa Rica travel guide.
For more detailed information to take with you on your trip, click here to order the Lonely Planet Cost Rica Book
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Costa Rica Itinerary 10 Days
3-5 Days Manuel Antonio itinerary, rain forest & wildlife
GET THERE
How to get to Manuel Antonio
- Fly into San Jose and rent a car
- Drive 3 hours to Manuel Antonio
Click here to see the best prices for car rentals
Costa Rica Travel Tip: Stop on your way to see crocodiles in the wild! Crocodile Bridge has lots of native crocodiles in and beside the river! Located at Rio Tarcoles, just after Carara National Park
Optional Stop: For coffee lovers- take a tour of the El Toledo Organic Coffee Farm. 1/2 hour off the route, on Hwy 3. *Make a reservation in advance
STAY
Where to stay in Manuel Antonio
Looking for the best place to stay in Manuel Antonio? Book a top-rated hotel here:
- Parador Resort & Spa– I had a great stay at this beautiful resort with a breathtaking view (see the photo above!) The breakfast was delicious. Click here for the latest prices
- Hotel La Mariposa– Luxurious hotel also set on top of the hill with outstanding views. Click here for the latest prices
- Tulemar Bungalows & Villas– #1 on Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for Top 25 Hotels in the World Click here for the latest prices
- Nayara Springs– Another winner of Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for Top 25 Hotels in the World Click here for the latest prices
Click here to read reviews and see prices on Booking.com or Agoda.com
Click here to search for a villa
DO
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
*Manuel Antonio Beach won the Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for World’s Best Beaches.
- Get an early start on a hike with a guide in Manuel Antonio National Park. See some of the 109 different animals and 184 species of birds!
- Enjoy some time at one of the beautiful beaches in Manuel Antonio.
- Zipline Manuel Antonio! Go on a canopy & zip line tour with El Santuario Canopy Adventure Tour
- There are endless adventures in this area- ask your hotel or check online reviews.
Click here to book a fun tour or activity in Costa Rica
EAT
Where to eat in Manuel Antonio
- Restaurants in Manuel Antonio: Eat local food at Emilio’s Cafe, Restaurant Angel (budget), El Lagarto, Barres Las Gemelas
- Restaurants in Quepos: Eat local food at Soda Sanchez and El Patio de Cafe Milagro
Manuel Antonio Travel Tip: Drive into Quepos for great local food and lower prices. We had incredible food there, but some of the restaurants have closed. Search on Trip Advisor for “local cuisine” by “ranking”
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10 Days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Arenal Costa Rica
3-5 Days Arenal itinerary, volcano & thermal hot springs
GET THERE
How to get to Arenal
- Drive from San Jose to Arenal (La Fortuna) in 2- 2/12 hours
STAY
Where to stay in Arenal (the best Arenal Costa Rica Hotels)
- Stay in the town of Fortuna at a resort with a hot springs pool.
Looking for the best place to stay in Fortuna? Book a top-rated hotel here:
- El Silencio Del Campo– Loved this hot springs hotel! We spent 2 days relaxing in the thermal heated pools. See photo above. Click here for the latest prices
- Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa– Luxury hot springs hotel – with beautiful thermal pools with waterfalls, and a nice spa Click here for the latest prices
Click here to read reviews and see prices on Booking.com or Agoda.com
Click here to search for a villa
DO
Things to do in the Arenal area
- Walk around the lava rock, at the base of the gigantic Arenal Costa Rica Volcano
- Free hot springs La Fortuna! Go to the free natural hot springs river, Rio Chollin, and soak in warm water with the locals!
- Ziplining in Arenal is fun! Zip through the rainforest canopy at Ecoglide Arenal Park (go in the morning)
- Hike to La Fortuna Falls (wear your swimsuits!)
- Walk on hanging bridges through the top of the forest at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
- Visit Proyecto Asis wildlife refuge *Reservation required
- Soak and relax in your hotel’s Thermal hot springs (if staying at one of the recommended hot springs resorts)
Click here to book a fun tour or activity in Costa Rica
EAT
Where to eat near Arenal, in La Fortuna
- Eat local Costa Rican food at high-rated places like Soda Hormiga, Tiquicia Restaurant, Tierra Mia
Click here to get the Best Travel Apps for your trip!
Costa Rica Vacation Itinerary
*OPTIONAL Costa Rica Eco Adventure
*If you aren’t traveling during the nesting months (July- September) or aren’t interested in this adventure, stay longer in the areas above.
3 Days Tortuguero itinerary- nesting turtles (July- September) wildlife in a rainforest
GET THERE
Getting to Tortuguero
- Drive from Arenal to Tortuguero in 3 hours (short flights are also available from San Jose.)
- Park in the La Pavona parking lot and purchase $10/pp tickets (1-way) for the boat ride. Departures are at 7:30 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:30 pm, for the 1 hour trip to Tortuguero
- Then, call the Tortuga Lodge to get the 5-minute boat to lodge
STAY
Where to stay in Tortuguero
Book the best Tortuguero Hotel
- Tortuga Lodge & Gardens– located on a river in the jungle, this high rated eco-lodge has a pool and a Caribbean inspired restaurant
Click here to see the latest prices
Click here to read reviews and see prices on Booking.com or Agoda.com
DO
Things to do in Tortuguero
- Explore Tortuguero National Park, see sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, kingfishers, and herons!
- Take a canal cruise through Tortuguero National Park to see all of the wildlife in this dense rainforest canopy
- Go on a night walk with a naturalist to see some of the world’s largest turtles laying their eggs (July- Sept)
- Check out the town of Tortuguero
Click here to book a fun tour or activity in Costa Rica
1 Day San Jose
*For the 10 Day Costa Rica Itinerary, you may night have time to stay in San Jose. Book your departure late in the day if you are driving in and flying out on the same day.
GET THERE
- Drive from San Antonio to San Jose in 2 1/2- 3 hours, then drop your car off or *arrange for a pick up at your hotel
STAY (or arrive in the morning, spend the day, and take a night flight home)
Looking for the best place to stay in San Jose? Book a top-rated hotel here:
Click here to read reviews and see prices on Booking.com or Agoda.com
DO
Click here to book a fun tour or activity in Costa Rica
GET HOME
- Fly out of the San Jose Airport, back home, or visit another country in Central America. See itinerary links below for Panama, Belize, and Guatemala.
Costa Rica map
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More Travel Resources
National Geographic Travel, Trip Advisor, Lonely Planet, Travel Channel