30 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
30 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Costa Rica trip planner
Start: Cincinnati
Fly to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, Drive to Playa Hermosa
1
Playa Hermosa
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Tamarindo
— 4 nights
Drive
3
Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
— 3 nights
Drive
4
Monteverde
— 4 nights
Drive
5
Manuel Antonio
— 3 nights
Drive
6
San Jose
— 4 nights
Drive
7
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
— 3 nights
Drive
8
Tortuguero
— 1 night
Drive
9
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 5 nights
Shuttle to Playa Panamá, Fly to Covington
End: Cincinnati
Sun, Sep 1 - Mon, Sep 30
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See full calendar
2
nights
2
nights
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.
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.
Things to do in Playa Hermosa
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 1 — 3:
Highlights from your trip
4
nights
4
nights

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 Playa Avellana. 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 Tamarindo Beach.
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.
Things to do in Tamarindo
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 3 — 7:
Highlights from your trip
3
nights
3
nights

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.
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.
Things to do in Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 7 — 10:
Highlights from your trip
4
nights
4
nights
©
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 Chorotega Arts & Crafts. 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: stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, take in the exciting artwork at Art House, explore the galleries of Arte Jaguar Gallery, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Santa Elena Skywalk.
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.
Things to do in Monteverde
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 10 — 14:
Highlights from your trip
3
nights
3
nights

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 Playa Biesanz. There's still lots to do: get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, stroll around Parque Nahomi, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.
Inspirock's itinerary builder makes planning a Manuel Antonio trip simple and quick.
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 car ride to San Jose.
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 14 — 17:
Highlights from your trip
4
nights
4
nights

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 Guayabo National Monument. Go for a jaunt from San Jose to Cartago to see Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles about 48 minutes away. The adventure continues: 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.
Ask Inspirock to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to San Jose fast, fun, and easy.
Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to San Jose takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In September, daytime highs in San Jose are 81°F, while nighttime lows are 65°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can drive to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Things to do in San Jose
Side Trips
Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles, Guayabo National Monument, Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz, Biesanz Woodworks, Poas Volcano
Find places to stay Sep 17 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
3
nights
3
nights

Walaba
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.
Things to do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 21 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
1
night
1
night

Costa Rica's Amazon
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.
Things to do in Tortuguero
Find places to stay Sep 24 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
5
nights
5
nights
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 Coco Loco Art Studio & Gallery. Visiting River Rafting & Tubing and La Fortuna Waterfall will get you outdoors. There's lots more to do: witness a stunning natural landmark at Tabacon Hot Springs, skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, view the masterpieces at Galeria Estudio, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia de La Fortuna de San Carlos.
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).
Things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 25 — 30:
Highlights from your trip
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Costa Rica travel guide
Tiny in terms of land area, Costa Rica is astoundingly diverse when it comes to culture and natural attractions. In a country called "Rich Coast", it's no surprise most Costa Rica vacations dedicate at least a few days to picturesque Pacific and Caribbean beaches, ideal for water sports and relaxation. Few small countries offer such a range of landscapes, allowing tourists to observe towering volcanoes while soaking away their worries in a hot spring, or hike into dense rainforests in the morning and surf at a modern resort in the afternoon. A trip to Costa Rica also lets you discover pristine national parks, ensuring plenty of chances to view wildlife from the comfort of eco-friendly lodges packed with amenities even ardent nature lovers secretly desire.