While Costa Rica may be a small country, it’s packed with things to do. This country is filled with pristine beaches, moody cloud forests, towering volcanoes, thundering waterfalls, and amazing wildlife. An outdoor lover’s dream! Luckily, it’s possible to see all these highlights during one, 10-day road trip! I put together this Costa Rica road trip itinerary exactly as I did it, so you can enjoy the best of this beautiful country too.
Ready to hit the road? Here’s my ultimate 10-day Costa Rica itinerary!
Day 1: Arrive in San Jose
Start your holiday by flying into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO, not to be confused with California’s San Jose airport!). This airport is located on the western side of Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose, and is the perfect starting point for your 10-day itinerary.
Our flight arrived late in the evening, so we stayed at an inexpensive hotel near the airport and then started our trip early the following morning.
While driving in Costa Rica might not be as relaxing as this, it is definitely doable!
Renting a car
While there are many tour companies that can take you sightseeing around the country, for the ultimate freedom to come and go as you please, I recommend renting a car. We used Adobe, a popular local agency who will conveniently drop off your rental car at the hotel. However, be sure to call and confirm this arrangement with them – we booked our car online and there was some confusion as to the dropoff time, which ended up delaying our departure from San Jose by a few hours.
Don’t be intimidated by driving in Costa Rica – while there are many winding, steep roads in the mountains, it is very manageable. To make your drive as easy as possible, I recommend getting a four-wheel drive car or SUV for navigating these mountain roads, especially around the Monteverde area. While we rented a small front wheel drive Hyundai and managed it, I would’ve been a lot less anxious on the road with a bigger car!
If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider bringing some medication to take before getting in the car. While doable, the roads are filled with tight turns that will get you dizzy in no time!
Finally, always keep your belongings either hidden in your trunk or with you and never visible within your car as petty crime is not uncommon. Many tourist attractions and restaurants have parking attendants who will watch your car in exchange for a small tip. Two dollars or 3000 colones is generally a reasonable tip.
Once you’ve got your rental car, it’s time to hit the road and head to our first stop: Arenal.
Days 2-3: Arenal Region
One of the most famous places in Costa Rica is Arenal Volcano, a perfectly shaped volcano that until 2010 was one of the most active in the world. This area is filled with amazing outdoor activities from hiking to hot springs!
Swimming at the river on the side of the waterfall!
Hike La Fortuna Waterfall
Our first stop was at the gorgeous 200-foot La Fortuna Waterfall. This waterfall has become synonymous with Costa Rica travel and no itinerary would be complete without it! A local nonprofit manages the area around La Fortuna to prevent overtourism, and an $18 ticket will give you access to hike down to the base of the waterfall (down and back up all 530+ steps), swim in the river, and visit a butterfly garden. Plan to spend about two hours here to enjoy all the area has to offer.
Being such a beautiful destination, La Fortuna does get quite packed with tourists. To get the best experience, arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowds. When we arrived at 10:00 AM, there were enough people there to make it feel crowded – we had to wait in line for a picture without people, which really diluted the experience.
Soooo many stairs.
I would recommend either driving to the waterfall or taking a bus or taxi as opposed to walking from the town. While it may not look far on a map, it is quite a hilly area and you still need to get down and up 500 stairs!
Stop for lunch at a traditional soda
Next, it’s time to refuel and head to your next adventure! Stop for a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a soda, or local mom-and-pop style restaurant. Be sure to try casado, a typical Costa Rican lunch dish that includes rice, beans, cooked veggies, and a protein, alongside a salad and roasted plantains. It’s inexpensive and delicious!
I became obsessed with hanging bridges on this trip. Such an amazing way to see the rainforest!
Walk in the clouds at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Your next stop is Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park in the mountains of La Fortuna, approximately 30 minutes from La Fortuna Waterfall. This nature preserve allows visitors to hike sustainably through the forest and experience Costa Rica’s biodiversity up close. Most spectacularly, the two-mile trail around the park includes 20 hanging bridges that wind you through the forest’s canopy for a truly bird’s-eye view of this beautiful region!
This tented camp was one of the most epic places I’ve ever stayed!
Rest Up
After a long day of stairs and bridges, it’s time to rest up! There are a ton of hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs in this area. We splurged on a luxury hotel here, Nayara Tented Camp (it was one of the best places we’ve ever stayed, I cannot recommend it enough!), but there is something for everyone’s price range.
After a long day of hiking, this is exactly what you need!
Soak in the Hot Springs
Start the next day with an early trip to the hot springs. These naturally-occurring hot springs were formed after some major volcanic eruptions at Arenal in the 1960s and are perfect for soaking sore muscles.
Many hotels in the area have hot springs on their properties that you can use, or you can visit the one free hot spring in La Fortuna – the Tabacon River! To find it, you can park on the road near the Tabacon building and walk across the road and down about 100 meters. Definitely arrive early in the day to beat the crowds (and find a parking spot along the road).
Arenal Volcano is back there in the distance! Sadly, the clouds never cleared while we were there (but apparently did the day after we left…bad luck).
Hike Arenal 1968 Trail
You can’t leave La Fortuna without getting up close and personal with Arenal Volcano! As this is technically still an active volcano, access to the top is restricted, but you can hike near the base. The best places to do this are Arenal National Park and the Arenal 1968 park. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit both, so we chose to go to the Arenal 1968 park, which has trails that weave through the lava fields left by the 1968 eruption.
While the hike was over some challenging terrain, a little over halfway through the trail, we rounded a corner and climbed a final steep set of rocks and were rewarded with beautiful vistas that made the climb completely worth it. From here we could see Arenal Volcano towering in front of us, Arenal Lake across the landscape, and lava fields and forest sprawling out below. Even on a cloudy day, it was gorgeous.
Optional Detour: Hike Rio Celeste Waterfall
At this point in your Costa Rica itinerary, you have an optional detour. If time allows, I would highly recommend driving north to Rio Celeste waterfall. This lesser known waterfall within Tenorio Volcano National Park has naturally-occurring turquoise waters that are unbelievably beautiful. Before you go, be sure to check the day’s forecast from the Tenorio Volcano National Park Facebook page, as cloudy or rainy weather conditions can dilute the color of the water.
This detour adds about an hour to your drive, plus hiking time of about two to three hours. While the entrance to the waterfall is only 30 minutes from the trailhead, there are additional trails past the waterfall that you can hike as well.
Want to know more about visiting Arenal? Check out my post on the Top Things to Do in Arenal, Costa Rica!
The gorgeous sunset we saw on our drive to Monteverde!
Days 4-5: Monteverde Region
Next up is Monteverde, home of some of Costa Rica’s most famous cloud forests! A cloud forest is essentially a rainforest at a high altitude, which means you’re driving into the mountains!
To be honest, the 3+ hour drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde was extremely challenging and the only time during the trip that I had second thoughts about driving (although as I mentioned above, I would’ve felt better in an SUV or four-wheel drive car). The drive was filled with many sharp turns and hills, and road conditions varied but often included potholes and mud. I would strongly recommend driving this in the daytime, as at night it will get very challenging to see, especially if it is raining.
Lunch and a view!
Stop at Cafe Macadamia
Break up the drive to Monteverde with a stop at Cafe Macadamia, a roadside restaurant serving up delicious eats and juices (including traditional Costa Rican food). Their patio in the back looks over Arenal Lake and the surrounding mountains. It was the perfect rest stop!
Spend the night in an Airbnb or one of the many local hotels that are tucked between the trees of the cloud forest.
So cool! I’ve never seen anything like this before.
Climb the Ficus Tree (El Arbor Hueco)
Our first adventure in Monteverde was to a slightly off the beaten path attraction: a large ficus tree! These trees are quite common in this area, although can be damaging to the rest of the forest. Essentially, they grow around an existing tree and sap its resources, until the original tree dies and rots away. When that happens, all that’s left is the shell of the ficus tree, just like this one!
This tree was about 75 feet tall, and the inside of the tree offers a unique view of the intricate web of branches climbing towards the sky. I’ve never seen anything like it!
More hanging bridges! This one was amazing, it was so long!
Explore Selvatura Park
Selvatura Park is the perfect stop if you have limited time in Monteverde, because it has a little bit of everything! You can walk the hanging bridges through the top of the cloud forest, get an adrenaline rush ziplining over the trees, and see lots of animals in the hummingbird garden, butterfly garden and reptile exhibition, and sloth sanctuary.
A word of warning: the drive to Selvatura Park was challenging. While short, it was almost entirely dirt and gravel once we left the main city of Monteverde. The unpaved road plus numerous potholes definitely kept me on my toes, but by driving slowly, we made it in our little sedan with no issues or flat tires. Just be mentally prepared before you go (or rent an SUV or 4×4)!
Yummmm!
Breakfast at Choco Cafe Restaurant and Coffee Shop
Start your next day on the right foot with breakfast at the Choco Cafe Restaurant and Coffee Shop. This cute little cafe is right downtown and has a large menu full of delicious Costa Rican breakfasts and coffees. I got the La Torre (fried egg, rice and beans, cheese, and ranchero sauce), which was heavenly.
This hike seriously felt like a fairy tale.
Hike Through Monteverde Cloud Forest
Next, head over to this region’s namesake – Monteverde Cloud Forest. This reserve was established by Quakers in the 1970s to protect the rich biodiversity in the area. Here, you can hike trails of varying difficulties through the cloud forest. The elevation is so high that moss and plants cover almost every surface, and you’re often hiking into the clouds. It’s otherworldly.
Want to know more about visiting Monteverde? Check out my post on the Top Things to Do in Monteverde, Costa Rica!
Days 6-8: Manuel Antonio Region
The next stop on your Costa Rica itinerary is one of the country’s most famed regions: Manuel Antonio! The warm weather and sunny skies will be a welcome break from the chill and mist of the cloud forests.
There are plenty of beach view resorts and local hotels that you can stay at across a variety of price points. We drove from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio in the afternoon and then went straight to our hotel to rest up before starting the next day bright and early.
Manuel Antonio’s famous ‘whale tail’ and beaches.
Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach
As one of Costa Rica’s top destinations, Manuel Antonio National Park can get quite busy. For this reason, the biggest piece of advice I can give you is to arrive early! We woke up before sunset to get to the park when it opened and were the second people inside. It was a magical feeling to wander around and feel completely alone – especially on such pristine beaches!
Once inside the park, there are several wonderful trails you can explore, along with two beaches. There is a ton of wildlife in the park, but the animals and birds often are in the canopy of the trees, so hiring a guide may be beneficial.
We left the park before it could get too crowded. As you leave, quench your thirst with a fresh coconut from the stand right outside the entrance. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
I don’t think a caption is really necessary here :)
Manuel Antonio Public Beach
If you want a traditional day at the beach filled with music, food, and drinks, then the public Manuel Antonio beach is for you. This stretch of sand outside of the national park is full of lounge chairs and umbrellas you can rent.
Doesn’t the water look so inviting?!
Get out on the Water
I’m a firm believer that one of the best ways to experience any coastal destination is to get out on the water! You get a whole new perspective on the area, and often a good chance to see aquatic wildlife.
There are several good options for trips out on the water. We went with Ocean King Catamaran Adventures, which took us on an afternoon sailing trip along the coast of Manuel Antonio National Park, stopped for snorkeling, and provided dinner and drinks during sunset on the way back to the marina. Depending on the time of year, you will likely see whales and dolphins on the way as well!
There’s not much better than gelato on a hot day.
Explore the Local City of Quepos
The local town of Quepos (the town near Manuel Antonio National Park) is filled with little shops and restaurants you can explore. Their waterfront is also worth a visit, with restaurant views of the marina and the ocean. Stop by Runaway Grill for lunch and then top it off with gelato from Gelateria Amorosi for a perfect afternoon treat!
These monkeys might have been one of the highlights of my trip, they were just too cute!
Watch the Sunset at El Avion
Okay, hear me out on this one. I know it’s a tourist trap. I know it’s filled with Americans. But I honestly loved it here. The entire restaurant has gorgeous views of the Pacific, which are made even better if you visit for sunset. Plus, we were entertained by these goofy monkeys (which were more than we saw in the entirety of the national park)!
The food isn’t anything to write home about, but the drinks were great – and who doesn’t love a delicious tropical drink while watching the sunset over the ocean? Paradise.
Want to know more about visiting Manuel Antonio? Check out my post on the Top Things to Do in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica!
Days 9-10: Back to San Jose
Finally, onto the last leg of your trip: back to San Jose! This time, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore the city a little more.
Coffee beans!
Espiritu Santo Coffee Tour
On your way into the city, I recommend stopping at Espiritu Santo for a tour of their coffee planation! Costa Rica is synonymous with coffee, and this is the perfect place to get a taste of that culture.
Espiritu Santo is in the hills outside of a small city to the southwest of San Jose. The rolling hills filled with coffee fruit seemed to stretch on forever. And the city was full of locals – the opposite of some of the other touristy areas of the country, which was so refreshing.
Several tours are offered throughout the day in both English and Spanish. They can fill up quickly, though, so make sure you book in advance! We stopped by without tickets and unfortunately the tour we wanted to do was sold out. However, the staff kindly offered us some sample coffees and sat with us for a half an hour as we drank them. We talked about the coffee making process and left feeling like we’d learned so much! It was definitely one of my favorite experiences in the country. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop and pick up some fresh coffee beans to take home!
I can’t leave a destination without trying a little craft beer.
Lunch at El Patio Food Garden
Near the airport is this gem of a restaurant (or rather, collection of restaurants). The El Patio Food Garden is made up of several small, al fresco dining establishments. Each one looked delicious in its own right, but we chose to eat at La Calle – made up of burgers inspired by different regions around the world, it immediately had our mouths watering. Pair this with a local beer and you’ve got an amazing meal coming your way!
Downtown San Jose
If you have time, there are some great things to see in San Jose! Unfortunately, we ran out of time on our trip and didn’t get to explore this area as much as we’d like. Next time we visit, we have this city on our list for sure.
We felt so comfortable being a girl couple in Costa Rica!
LGBTQ+ Considerations
As a queer traveler, it was great to know that Costa Rica is one of the most queer friendly destinations in Central America! This was the main reason we chose to visit. While I’m all for breaking barriers and reducing stigma through travel, sometimes you just need a relaxing getaway where you can be yourself. That’s how we felt on this trip. No one questioned our choice of single bed or gave us weird looks as we held hands walking around the beach. While we did visit more tourist-heavy areas, which likely contributed to our experience, it was nice to not have to worry about being a lesbian couple while on vacation. As an added bonus, Costa Rica passed marriage equality in mid-2020! We felt good supporting a country that was making progressive and inclusive political decisions.
Read more: Top Safety Tips for Queer Travelers
Overall
Packed with outdoor activities, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your time in Costa Rica. Hopefully, this itinerary helps you make the best of your trip!
What other stops would you add to a 10-day Costa Rica itinerary? Let me know in the comments!
Read more: Costa Rica Travel Guide
I’d have skipped Quepos and headed instead for northwest Pacific coast .. Flamingo, Potrero, Tamarindo.
And .. just FYI .. tip parking folks ~1000 or 2000 colones, which is ~ $2-$4 .. you said $2 or 3000 colones but 3000.colones (~$7) is way too much.