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, thentake 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, thenview the masterpieces at Costa Rica'n Art Craft, thenbrowse 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 10.5-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 Casa de Arte Curime de Nicoya and Samara Farmers Marketfor plenty of shopping. Escape the urban bustle at Playa Conchal and Samara Beach. Get out of town with these interesting Tamarindo side-trips: Playa Samara (Belen Waterfall & Koss Art Gallery) and Nosara (Playa Guiones & MAEL's ABSTRACT ART GALLERY). There's more to do: kick back and relax at Tamarindo Beach and tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Avellana.

To see ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Tamarindo trip planner.

Traveling by car from Playa Hermosa to Tamarindo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can drive to Area de Conservacion Guanacaste.

Escape the urban bustle at Parque Nacional Volcan Rincon de la Vieja and Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands. Church of La Ermita La Agonia and Galeria 1824 Gallery are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Area de Conservacion Guanacaste: Liberia (Nahua & Costa Rica Wild Art).

To see traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Area de Conservacion Guanacaste trip builder app.

You can drive from Tamarindo to Area de Conservacion Guanacaste in 2.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive 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 Sarah's 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 35 min away. There's much more to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, view the masterpieces at Art House, see the interesting displays at Chorotega Arts & Crafts, and browse the exhibits of Arte Jaguar Gallery.

Plan trip to Monteverde with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

Getting from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste to Monteverde by car takes about 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, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Manuel Antonio National Park, stop by Jungle Avenue, and relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

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 do a combination of shuttle and bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Tue) so you can drive 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 Guayabo National Monument. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and Museo de Arte Costarricense. Change things up with these side-trips from San Jose: Poas Volcano (in Poas Volcano National Park) and Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles (in Cartago). There's more to do: get engrossed in the history at Jade Museum and stop by Biesanz Woodworks.

To find other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read San Jose trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Manuel Antonio to San Jose by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a shuttle. September in San Jose sees daily highs of °F and lows of °F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) early enough to 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 Luluberlu Art Gallery. 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 browse the fresh offerings at La Feria Legendaria de Playa Chiquita.

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 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to °F, and evening lows to °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 Galeria Estudio. 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).