30 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

Playa Hermosa, located in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, is a popular beach and beach-front resort town.People who visit Playa Hermosa can indulge in swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving, sport fishing or sailing.Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste Province is not to be confused with Playa Hermosa, Puntarenas Province. Start off your visit on the 2nd (Mon): meet some fierce fish with a shark diving experience, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia Catolica de Playas del Coco, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Nacascolo. Keep things going the next day: tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Hermosa, then view the masterpieces at Costa Rica'n Art Craft, then browse the exhibits of Hidden Garden Art Gallery, and finally visit Playa Ocotal.

Before you visit Playa Hermosa, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Cincinnati, USA to Playa Hermosa is an approximately 11-hour combination of flight and car. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Cincinnati to Playa Hermosa. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) early enough to go by car to Tamarindo.

Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.

Head to Koss Art Gallery and MAEL's ABSTRACT ART GALLERYfor plenty of shopping. Escape the urban bustle at Playa Conchal and Tamarindo Beach. Get out of town with these interesting Tamarindo side-trips: Playa Guiones (in Nosara) and Playa Samara (Samara Beach & Belen Waterfall). There's more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Avellana.

To see ratings, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Tamarindo journey app.

Drive from Playa Hermosa to Tamarindo in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can go by car to Area de Conservacion Guanacaste.

Venture out of the city with trips to Liberia (Church of La Ermita La Agonia & Nahua).

To find other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Tamarindo to Area de Conservacion Guanacaste in 2.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) so you can go by car to Monteverde.

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.

Do your shopping at Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery and Arte Jaguar Gallery. Get a sense of the local culture at Ecological Sanctuary and Santa Elena Skywalk. Take a break from Monteverde with a short trip to Piedra de Fuego in Esparza, about 1h 30 min away. There's much more to do: stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, take in the exciting artwork at Art House, explore the galleries of Sarah's Gallery, and admire the masterpieces at Chorotega Arts & Crafts.

For where to stay, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Monteverde online trip planner.

Traveling by car from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste to Monteverde takes 3 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) so you can go by car to Manuel Antonio.

The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.

Get in touch with nature at Playa Manuel Antonio and River Rafting & Tubing. There's still lots to do: get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, stroll around Parque Nahomi, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and look for gifts at Jungle Avenue.

To find ratings, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Manuel Antonio day trip tool.

You can drive from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 17th (Tue) to allow time for the shuttle ride to San Jose.

A trip to San Jose, the capital, commercial center, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, gives you a chance to experience the lively atmosphere and rich cultural past of this vibrant country.

Get outdoors at Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz and Poas Volcano. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and Jade Museum. Change things up with these side-trips from San Jose: Guayabo National Monument (in Turrialba) and Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles (in Cartago). There's much more to do: stop by Biesanz Woodworks, explore the world behind art at Museo de Arte Costarricense, and get engrossed in the history at Museo Nacional De Costa Rica.

To find photos, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the San Jose holiday planner.

Take a shuttle from Manuel Antonio to San Jose in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. September in San Jose sees daily highs of 81°F and lows of 65°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can drive to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offers a wealth of entertainment by the sea, attracting a lively international crowd of revelers while maintaining a bright and breezy coastal charm with a local feel.

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Caribeans Coffee & Chocolate and La Feria Legendaria de Playa Chiquita. You'll enjoy a bit of beach vacationing at Puerto Viejo Beach and Punta Uva Beach. There's more to do: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Cahuita National Park and take in the exciting artwork at Luluberlu Art Gallery.

To see reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Puerto Viejo de Talamanca road trip planner.

Drive from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a shuttle. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Tortuguero.

One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.

On the 25th (Wed), examine the collection at Sea Turtle Conservancy and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.

To find other places to visit, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Tortuguero travel route planner.

You can drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Tortuguero in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 86°F, and evening lows to 73°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to go by car to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Set against the backdrop of the imposing Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna de San Carlos offers visitors a chance to explore diverse natural landscapes and sample some delicious local produce.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Onirica Art Gallery and Iglesia de La Fortuna de San Carlos. Visiting River Rafting & Tubing and Canyoning & Rappelling Tours will get you outdoors. There's lots more to do: witness a stunning natural landmark at Tabacon Hot Springs, admire the sheer force of La Fortuna Waterfall, view the masterpieces at Coco Loco Art Studio & Gallery, and browse the exhibits of Wood & Art Gallery.

To see traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, read La Fortuna de San Carlos holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Tortuguero to La Fortuna de San Carlos takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of taxi and bus. You'll set off for home on the 30th (Mon).