Highlights of Costa Rica
The best of Costa Rica in nine days
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San Jose
At first glance, San Jose might not seem like the prettiest of cities but delve a little deeper into the colonial mansions of Barrio Amon, the restaurants of Barrio Escalante and the many live music clubs, and you’ll soon uncover the beating cultural heart of Costa Rica’s capital... -
Tortuguero National Park
This wild and interconnected web of canals is an aquatic fairyland, where gavilan trees stand sentry at the water’s edge, caiman snouts poke out of canals, tiger herons perch atop driftwood, and four species of endangered sea turtle travel thousands of miles every year to lay their eggs on the beaches where they once hatched... -
Arenal Volcano National Park
For several decades, the Cerro Arenal Volcano was the most active in Costa Rica, spewing molten lava and red hot boulders into the surrounding darkness... -
Guanacaste National Park
Sandwiched between Santa Rosa National Park and Rincón de la Vieja National Park -- the other two parks in the Guanacaste Conservation Area trio -- this incredibly diverse and endearingly rustic national park is one of Costa Rica’s least visited... -
San Jose
At first glance, San Jose might not seem like the prettiest of cities but delve a little deeper into the colonial mansions of Barrio Amon, the restaurants of Barrio Escalante and the many live music clubs, and you’ll soon uncover the beating cultural heart of Costa Rica’s capital...
Costa Rica must be Latin America's most accessible country. Getting around is a breeze, making it easy to fit plenty into even a brief trip. Here is our expert's recommended itinerary packing in some of Costa Rica's top natural highlights into one short trip.
Start your journey in the capital city San Jose, sampling the colonial architecture of the Barrio Amon neighbourhood. From here, head to Tortuguero National Park to see nesting turtles (if you time your trip right, you can see hatchlings heading out to see) and to explore the park’s canals and waterways.
Next, travel to the dormant Arenal Volcano to see parrots, howler monkeys and tapir, before ending your trip on the beaches of Guanacaste Zone near Nicaragua. Return to San Jose for your flight home.
Key information
| Destinations | Arenal Volcano National Park, Guanacaste National Park, San Jose, Tortuguero National Park |
|---|---|
| Activity | Beach, Family, Nature & Wildlife, Responsible Travel |
| Physical Level | Easy |
 Season |
January - December |
Highlights of Costa Rica itinerary
Get cultural in San Jose
Day 1 in San Jose
At first glance, San Jose might not seem like the prettiest of cities but delve a little deeper into the colonial mansions of Barrio Amon, the restaurants of Barrio Escalante and the many live music clubs, and you’ll soon uncover the beating cultural heart of Costa Rica’s capital.
Float down the canals of Tortuguero
Day 2–3 in Tortuguero National Park
This wild and interconnected web of canals is an aquatic fairyland, where gavilan trees stand sentry at the water’s edge, caiman snouts poke out of canals, tiger herons perch atop driftwood, and four species of endangered sea turtle travel thousands of miles every year to lay their eggs on the beaches where they once hatched.
In this truly unique and special place, days are spent exploring motoring through amaretto-, emerald- and black-hued canals, and evenings are dedicated to watching returning sea turtles conclude their epic journeys.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Day 4–6
For several decades, the Cerro Arenal Volcano was the most active in Costa Rica, spewing molten lava and red hot boulders into the surrounding darkness. Since 2010, activity has been limited to puffs of smoke and the occasional rumble, but that hasn’t stopped visitors exploring the adjacent Arenal Volcano National Park.
Laze on tropical beaches in Guanacaste
Day 7–9 in Guanacaste National Park
Sandwiched between Santa Rosa National Park and Rincón de la Vieja National Park -- the other two parks in the Guanacaste Conservation Area trio -- this incredibly diverse and endearingly rustic national park is one of Costa Rica’s least visited.
Hiking trails connect the park’s various biological stations and sectors, offering intermediate to difficult paths for which a professional guide is highly recommended.
Return to San Jose
Day 10 in San Jose
Transfer to San José for one final evening with the group before your return flight.
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