Costa Rica in 10 Days
Costa Rica rewards a slow loop. Ten days gives you volcano views, cloud forest walks, beach time and wildlife spotting without racing the whole country.
10
Days
£100–£170 / $125–$215 per person per day
Per day
December–April (dry season)
Best time
11
Nights
Your day-by-day plan
Download CSVArrive San José
Morning · Land, collect shuttle or car
Afternoon · Drive to La Fortuna / Arenal (3 hours)
Evening · Early night, volcano views
Arenal adventures
Morning · La Fortuna waterfall hike
Afternoon · Hanging bridges or Arenal 1968 trail
Evening · Hot springs
Arenal to Monteverde
Morning · Jeep-boat-jeep transfer or drive around Lake Arenal
Afternoon · Check in, Monteverde cloud forest reserve
Evening · Night walk for nocturnal wildlife
Monteverde
Morning · Santa Elena cloud forest reserve
Afternoon · Zipline or canopy walk
Evening · Sunset at a mountain viewpoint
To the coast
Morning · Shuttle to Manuel Antonio (4 hours)
Afternoon · Check in, beach walk
Evening · Quepos marina dinner
Manuel Antonio
Morning · National park early entry (monkeys, sloths)
Afternoon · Playa Manuel Antonio
Evening · Beachfront sunset
Relax or surf day
Morning · Optional surf lesson at Playa Dominical
Afternoon · Transfer to Uvita or Tamarindo area
Evening · Quiet coastal dinner
Whale watching or beach
Morning · Marino Ballena boat trip (seasonal) or beach day
Afternoon · Free time
Evening · Sunset
Return toward San José
Morning · Scenic drive back via the mountains
Afternoon · Coffee plantation tour
Evening · Overnight near San José airport
Home
Morning · Spare morning for airport souvenirs
Afternoon · Fly
Evening · —