60 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near San Jose: Poas Volcano (in Poas Volcano National Park), Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz (in Vara Blanca) and Cartago (Cartago Central Market, Jardin Botanico Lankester, &more). There's lots more to do: cruise along Top Travel Costa Rica, stroll through Toucan Rescue Ranch, examine the collection at Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, and stop by Chieton Moren.

To see reviews, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, read San Jose trip itinerary maker app.

Washington DC, USA to San Jose is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Washington DC to San Jose due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Washington DC in June: highs in San Jose hover around °F, while lows dip to °F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Fri) to allow time to drive 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.

Step out of Manuel Antonio with an excursion to Horseback Riding Tours in Jaco--about 1h 15 min away. The adventure continues: stroll through Playa Manuel Antonio, take a memorable tour with Tours, trot along with Rancho Tipico Don Juan, and get the lay of the land with Mike’s Nature Tours.

To see photos, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Manuel Antonio sightseeing planner.

Drive from San Jose to Manuel Antonio in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a shuttle. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Uvita.

Ideal for visitors looking to escape Costa Rica's busy beaches, Uvita offers a serene atmosphere and plenty of uncrowded sand for a leisurely vacation.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Uvita: San Buenas Golf Course and Condos (in Ciudad Cortes) and Kokopelli (in Sierpe). Spend the 16th (Sun) exploring nature at Parque Nacional Marino Ballena. There's much more to do: take in the awesome beauty at Chirripo National Park, scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, explore the galleries of Magic Ananda, and take in the dramatic scenery at Nauyaca Waterfalls.

To see maps, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Uvita sightseeing planner.

Getting from Manuel Antonio to Uvita by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to drive to Drake Bay.

Change things up with a short trip to Piedras Blancas National Park in Golfito (about 2h 15 min away). Spend a day of island exploring on the 21st (Fri) at Cano Island.

To find maps, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Drake Bay trip itinerary planning app.

Drive from Uvita to Drake Bay in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive 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.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park. Keep things going the next day: add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour and then see the interesting displays at Sea Turtle Conservancy.

To find reviews, maps, and other tourist information, use the Tortuguero online route planner.

You can drive from Drake Bay to Tortuguero in 9 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In June, plan for daily highs up to °F, and evening lows to °F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive 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.

La Fortuna de San Carlos is known for nature, adventure, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, trot along with a tour on horseback, witness a stunning natural landmark at Baldi Hot Springs, and relax and rejuvenate at Tabacon Hot Springs.

To find reviews, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our La Fortuna de San Carlos online itinerary 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. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Fri) to allow 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Monteverde: Pura Veda Archery (in San Juanillo) and Guacimal River Bridge 2 (in Puntarenas). Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, get engrossed in the history at Chorotega Arts & Crafts, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, and relax in the rural setting at Finca El Paraiso.

To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, use the Monteverde online tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Monteverde in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Playa Samara.

A beach town with just enough development to be comfortable for families accustomed to the trappings of modern life, Playa Samara has the resorts you'd expect to find in such a scenic area, but they don't hinder the relaxing atmosphere.

Get out of town with these interesting Playa Samara side-trips: Jungle Butterfly Farm (in Nandayure), Nosara (SIBU Wildlife Sanctuary, Nativa Gallery, &more) and Nicoya (Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve & Barra Honda National Park). There's lots more to do: stroll through Samara Beach, kick back and relax at Barrigona Beach, view the masterpieces at Koss Art Gallery, and admire the sheer force of Belen Waterfall.

For where to stay and other tourist information, use the Playa Samara road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Monteverde to Playa Samara takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Area de Conservacion Guanacaste.

Get out of town with these interesting Area de Conservacion Guanacaste side-trips: Liberia (Church of La Ermita La Agonia, Souvenir Ocarina, &more). Spend the 20th (Sat) among the fascinating landscape of Parque Nacional Volcan Rincon de la Vieja.

For photos, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste trip planner.

Drive from Playa Samara to Area de Conservacion Guanacaste in 3 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Mon) 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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Tamarindo: Rojas Bros Boruca Indigenous Arts (in Playas del Coco), Playa Hermosa (in Playa Hermosa) and Playa Conchal (Playa Conchal & Garra de Leon Golf Course). Saddle up on the 29th (Mon) and explore with a tour on horseback. There's much more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Tamarindo Beach, find something for the whole family at Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates, get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and push the limits with an extreme tour.

For maps, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, use the Tamarindo visit planner.

Traveling by car from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste to Tamarindo takes 2.5 hours. You will leave for home on the 30th (Tue).