Costa Rica is a beautiful country, especially if you are enjoying the miracles of nature. There is probably no country in the world where you can spot wildlife as easily in rainforests as in certain areas of Costa Rica. To travel around is a dream come true. Especially Corcovado is a place where wildlife thrives. We went by rental car and stayed in hostels. The routes will start and end in San José. If you want a route in Costa Rica, keep reading:

One week

One week is not enough to visit all the highlights in Costa Rica (especially coming from Europe), but I will give you a route. The country gives a lot, even in a week. 

Day 1: San José -  Manuel Antonio 

Depending on your time of arrival, try to head to Manuel Antonio as fast as possible.  You will not make it to enter it today, so if you want to see something in San José (like the theater or the central market), you can. Just make sure you are close to the national park in the evening. The route will take 3 hours, and you have a stop at the Crocodile Bridge, close to Tarcoles. 

Day 2: Manuel Antonio

Make sure you are not here on a Tuesday and that you got your reservation on beforehand. This national park gives you great wildlife, good hiking, and lovely beaches. Walk around and avoid people by going further than most people, as they don't go further than the beaches and cafe. There are many animal species to spot, and it is pretty easy to find monkeys, birds, iguanas, deer, sloth,s and frogs. The views can also be very cool (see picture above).

Day 3: Manuel Antonio - Puerto Jimenez

Today is a 3.5-hour drive (and this can add up with traffic), so head to Puerto Jimenez when you have time. During the drive, you can stop at a beach or head to Puerto Jimenez and enjoy a beer in the (not very interesting) village. Go to bed early today, because early tomorrow morning!

Day 4: Corcovado 

Make sure you arrange your guide weeks before here; otherwise, you cannot enter the park. You probably have a spot for an appointment in town to head to Corcovado. This park is like heaven on Earth. There is so much wildlife to see, and you will see many different species. The most important animal people want to see is the tapir. Enjoy an overnight in this park and feel in contact with nature.

Day 5: Corcovado - Puerto Jimenez

Waking up in the jungle and hearing animals is so fantastic here. Today you will have some more time to enjoy this fabulous place and spot some more wildlife. When you come back to Puerto Jimenez, you are probably too tired to go further, so I preferred to stay in town. 

Day 6: Puerto Jimenez - Uvita - Dominical

The drive to Uvita is around 2.5 hours, and I recommend going very early (you are used to it now after Corcovado) to reach Uvita for a whale tour. You can find dolphins (all year) and humpback whales (most of the year; see picture below). Afterwards, enjoy the whale's tail of Marino Ballenas National Park, for some nice beach views. Head to Dominical (20-minute drive) for some craft beers at Fuego Brewing Company and a great sunset at the beaches here. 

Day 7: Domincal - San José

Take the large 3-hour drive to the capital, and if you have time, maybe see something in the capital. Otherwise, this was your stay in Costa Rica.

Two weeks

Two weeks is a good amount of time to see most of the highlights of the country, but it may not be enough to see all the highlights or have some more relaxed time. 

Day 1: San José

Have a relaxed first day in the capital. You can visit one of the museums, markets or theaters depending on your time of arrival. Have a good night at your hotel before your trip really starts.

Day 2: San José - Tortuguero

Drive 3 hours to La Pavona, where you take the 1-hour boat ride towards Tortuguero village. The boat trip is already cool, and you can find birds and caimans already. Have a small walk on the beach (do not swim in the water). In the evening, you can do a recommended night tour to see some cool wildlife, such as Jezus lizards, birds, sloths, snakes, spiders, and frogs. 

Day 3: Tortuguero

Have a morning boat ride and enjoy the scenery and the fantastic wildlife. You can have some great views and animal encounters. After lunch, you can walk the Jaguar Trail and spot even more animals. Have a walk into town as well, as it is pretty cute. 

Day 4: Tortuguero - La Fortuna 

First, you will go back to La Pavona, and then you have a 3-hour drive to La Fortuna. When arriving there, you can maybe see the volcano Arenal already. Have a stroll around town and enjoy a beer. Prepare for what to do tomorrow.

Day 5: La Fortuna 

First, go to the Mìstico Arenal Bridges Gardens to have a good walk in the rainforest and walk over large hanging bridges. Proceed with your trip to do a hike. You can go for the 1968 trail or on the food of the volcano. 

Day 6: La Fortuna - Monteverde

Start the day at El Choyin free hot springs because it is very relaxing and not crowded in the morning. Afterwards, we take a 3-hour drive to Monteverde, where I recommend a night tour this evening, although it is less interesting and more touristic than in Tortuguero. 

Day 7: Monteverde 

At first, have a wonderful 2-hour hike in the green Santa Elena National Park is recommended. The hikes are easy and so fantastic. After lunch, go for a zipline experience and get your adrenaline pumping. This is a fantastic afternoon activity, which you have to book in advance. Have some craft beers at the Monteverde Brewing Company to end your day. 

Day 8: Monteverde - Manuel Antonio

You have a 3.5-hour drive to go to Manuel Antonio. You will pass the Crocodile Bridge on the way here. For the rest, you can find a beach at Manuel Antonio. 

Day 9: Manuel Antonio

Day 10: Manuel Antonio - Puerto Jimenez

Day 11: Corcovado

Day 12: Corcovado - Puerto Jimenez

Day 13: Puerto Jimenez - Uvita - Dominical

Day 14: Dominical - San José

Three weeks

Three weeks will give you the chance to see all parts of the country. Besides, there are some more beaches and lesser-known national parks. This is the perfect amount of time for this natural country. 

Day 1: San José

Day 2: San José - Tortuguero

Day 3: Tortuguero

Day 4: Tortuguero - La Fortuna

Day 5: La Fortuna 

Day 6: La Fortuna - Monteverde

Day 7: Monteverde

Day 8: Monteverde - Montezuma

From Monteverde, it is a 4-hour drive to the relaxed town of Montezuma, where you can relax on the beach when arriving. There are chances to see howler monkeys in the area. In the evening, street parties can occur on the weekends.  

Day 9: Montezuma, Cabo Blanco

Cabo Blanco is a national park, close to Montezuma. You can hike 5 kilometers towards the beach, have a swim (between iguanas and pelicans!) and go back. The hike is not very easy, but you have chances to see wildlife. I saw some snakes, a tamandua, a blue morph, agoutis, and heard a lot of monkeys. Afterwards, have a beer at the Butterfly Brewery. 

Day 10: Montezuma - Manuel Antonio

This is mostly a driving day, with 5.5 hours to go, and this can add up. You have to take the ferry to Playa Naranja (be early or buy your ticket in advance) or drive around it. Make a stop at the Crocodile Bridge to see some huge, "wild" crocodiles.

Day 11: Manuel Antonio

Day 12: Manuel Antonio - Puerto Jimenez

Day 13: Corcovado

Day 14: Corcovado - Puerto Jimenez

Day 15: Puerto Jimenez - Uvita - Dominical

Day 16: Dominical - San José - Puerto Viejo

From Dominical, drive back to the capital. We left our car here and went further by a 4-hour bus ride to Puerto Viejo. Go into your accommodation and maybe you have enough time to walk around town and have a beer!

Day 17: Puerto Viejo

Today can be a relaxing day at one of the beaches in Puerto Viejo. Get yourself a nice coconut, enjoy the sun, have a swim, and enjoy this Caribbean vibe of the city and its beaches with shipwrecks (see picture below). 

Day 18: Puerto Viejo, cycling to Manzanillo

Personally, one day of relaxing is enough, so let's take some more active action. In Puerto Viejo, you can easily bike to Manzanillo. This is around a one-hour bike ride, and you will pass some beaches, restaurants, and nature. We saw howler monkeys and sloths on the way. At Manzanillo, you can relax (so yes, also today) and see the shipwreck. On the way back, stop at certain places and enjoy the bike ride. There is not a lot of traffic, and you can rent bikes in town, maybe at your accommodation. 
Day 19: Puerto Viejo, Cahuita National Park

Today you can visit a lovely national park at the end of your holiday. Cahuita offers good chances of sightings of several monkey species, including vipers, raccoons, and sloths. There is a perfect easy, 8km trail from one side to the other, both having bus stops at the end. You can have a swim, but pay attention to the greedy white capuchins and raccoons. 
Day 20: Puerto Viejo - San José

Head back to San José with the bus for 4 hours. Enjoy some time to visit Mercado Central (see picture below), the Jade museum, the National Theatre and try some craft beers. This is a relaxed end to your holiday, and although the capital is not the best city, for a day, you have enough places to visit!

Day 21: San José 

End your trip by walking to town, depending on how much time you have. Afterwards, head back home, unfortunately. 

Four weeks

Four weeks in Costa Rica gives you the opportunity to see almost every sight of the country and have a very good insight in La Pura Vida! You also can include some extra time in the most beautiful national parks  

Day 1: San José 

Day 2: San José - Tortuguero 

Day 3 & 4: Tortuguero

Enjoy an extra day full of activities (do them twice) to spot more animals.  

Day 5: Tortuguero - Sarapiquí

After a one hour boat trip and 2 hour drive you will be in Sarapiquí. Have a rafting tour and enjoy nature while being busy with the ongoing creek and adrenaline in your body. 

Day 6: Sarapiquí - La Fortuna

Head to La Fortuna for a one-hour drive and visit the beautiful La Fortuna Falls. This is a great spot to enjoy nature. Look out when heading down to the waterfall, as it can be slippery. 

Day 7: La Fortuna

Day 8: La Fortuna - Monteverde

Day 9: Monteverde

Day 10: Monteverde - Rincon de la Vieja

The drive from Monteverde to Rincon de la Vieja is 2.5 hours. When arriving, see some mud pools or the volcano. When time lets you, maybe go for a small hike, I have not been in this area, but it should be great.

Day 11: Rincon de la Vieja 

Put your good shoes on and enjoy a day full of hiking and going through the national park with views of the volcanoes and seeing some mud pools and hot springs. 

Day 12: Rincon de la Vieja - Playa Grande

Head to the coast to find some turtles laying eggs in the Playa Grande area. Go on a tour and see female turtles head to the beach and lay many eggs. For the rest, this area is not great, but enjoy this magical nature event. Here, they are laying eggs from December to March. The drive is around 2.5 hours. Please be respectful to the wildlife at all times. 

Day 13: Playa Grande - Montezuma

Today, drive for 4 hours to the relaxed village of Montezuma to enjoy dancing, relaxing, cocktails, and the beach at the same time. 

Day 14: Montezuma, Cabo Blanco

Day 15: Montezuma - Manuel Antonio

Day 16: Manuel Antonio 

Day 17: Manuel Antonio - Puerto Jimenez

Day 18 & 19: Corcovado

Extra day in Corcovado to see more wildlife and enjoy the most fantastic national park in the country. 

Day 20: Corcovado - Puerto Jimenez 

Day 21: Puerto Jimenez - Uvita - Dominical

Day 22: Dominical - San José - Puerto Viejo

Day 23: Puerto Viejo

Day 24: Puerto Viejo, bike to Manzanillo

Day 25: Puerto Viejo, Cahuita national park 

Day 26: Puerto Viejo - San José

Day 27: San José, Poás Volcano

Enjoy a day trip to Poás to see a volcano very easily. The drive is about one hour from San José, and you can walk up easily. I haven't done this, but it was on my list for sure. 

Day 28 - San José 

Add to the itinerary

I think there is not much to add to this itinerary, but you can always have more days in nature or a beach day. The 4-week itinerary covers most of this beautiful country. 
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