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), Cartago (Cartago Central Market, Jardin Botanico Lankester, &more) and Jardins da Cachoeira de La Paz (in Vara Blanca). 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 81°F, while lows dip to 67°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. Spend the 11th (Tue) on the water with a fishing tour. There's lots more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Manuel Antonio, stroll through Playa Biesanz, stop by Meli Melo Boutique, and get the lay of the land with Mike’s Nature Tours.

To see where to stay, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Manuel Antonio route maker website.

Drive from San Jose to Manuel Antonio in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) to allow time to drive 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: Kokopelli (in Sierpe) and San Buenas Golf Resort and Spa (in Ciudad Cortes). Spend the 16th (Sun) exploring nature at Parque Nacional Marino Ballena. Next up on the itinerary: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Chirripo National Park, scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, explore the galleries of Magic Ananda, and explore by horseback at Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge.

To find other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Uvita day trip site.

Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Uvita takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can drive to Drake Bay.

Change things up with a short trip to Piedras Blancas National Park in Golfito (about 1h 55 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. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 27th (Thu): learn more about the world around you at Sea Turtle Conservancy.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Tortuguero travel 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 86°F, and evening lows to 74°F. On the 27th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can 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, stroll through Proyecto Asis, explore the activities along Lake Arenal, and witness a stunning natural landmark 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 Finca El Paraiso (in Los Tornos). Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, stop by Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery, browse the exhibits of Sarah's Gallery, and admire the natural beauty at Monteverde Butterfly Garden (Jardin de Mariposas).

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 bus. 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: Nosara (Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary, Nativa Gallery, &more), Nicoya (Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve & Barra Honda National Park) and Jungle Butterfly Farm (in Nandayure). 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 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).

Start your trip to Area de Conservacion Guanacaste by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

You can drive from Playa Samara to Area de Conservacion Guanacaste in 3 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Mon) so you can 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: Playa Conchal (Playa Conchal & Garra de Leon Golf Course), Playa Hermosa (in Playa Hermosa) and Rojas Bros Boruca Indigenous Arts (in Playas del Coco). Saddle up on the 29th (Mon) and explore with a tour on horseback. And it doesn't end there: enjoy the sand and surf at Tamarindo Beach, get in on the family fun at Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates, get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers.

To see photos, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Tamarindo trip builder.

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