The classic in 15 days
Day by day
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Day 1 Land at San José (SJO), drive to San José About 20 km, 20 min
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Day 1 · 1 night
San José, San José
The Teatro Nacional and the Mercado Central
Highlights
- Teatro Nacional
- Gold Museum
- Mercado Central
Another night here? With an extra night: the Jade Museum, or a day trip to Irazú volcano.
Viajero San José Hostel
★★★★★ · 9.3
Isla Verde Hotel
★★★★★ · 9.1
Hotel Residence Inn Suites Cristina
★★★★★ · 9.0
from €120 a night
Hilton Garden Inn Santa Ana, San Jose
★★★★★ · 8.8
from €90 a night
D Sabana Hotel San José
★★★★★ · 8.8
from €120 a night
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Day 2 San José, drive to Tortuguero About 130 km, 3 h
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Days 2–3 · 2 nights
Tortuguero, Limón
By canoe through the canals of Tortuguero
Highlights
- The Tortuguero canals
- The village and the nesting beach
- Cerro Tortuguero
Another night here? With an extra night: climb Cerro Tortuguero, or a second canoe trip at sunrise.
Cabinas Tortuguero Sports Fishing
★★★★★ · 9.7
Chilamate Room
★★★★★ · 9.6
Casa Chilamates 2.0
★★★★★ · 9.4
Cabinas Tortuguero Natural
★★★★★ · 9.0
Apartamentos Caimán 3
★★★★★ · 8.8
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Day 4 Tortuguero, drive to La Fortuna About 180 km, 3 h 50 min
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Days 4–6 · 3 nights
La Fortuna, Alajuela
The cone of Arenal volcano
Highlights
- Lava trails in Arenal National Park
- La Fortuna waterfall
- Hanging bridges through the rainforest
- Hot springs at the foot of the volcano
Another night here? With an extra night: canyoning or rafting on the Balsa, or a day along Lake Arenal.
Alojamientos N&S
★★★★★ · 10.0
Cabañas Litos
★★★★★ · 10.0
Jarabacoa Family Hostel
★★★★★ · 10.0
Natural Green Lodge
★★★★★ · 10.0
Fortuna Retreat
★★★★★ · 9.8
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Day 7 La Fortuna, drive to Monteverde About 110 km, 2 h 40 min
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Days 7–8 · 2 nights
Monteverde, Puntarenas
Walking in the cloud forest
Highlights
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Hanging bridges through the canopy
- Hummingbirds at the Hummingbird Café
Another night here? With an extra night: the Santa Elena reserve, or a coffee and chocolate tour.
El Nido Lodge
★★★★★ · 10.0
ÉWA Homes Monteverde
★★★★★ · 10.0
Finca Aquarius
★★★★★ · 10.0
The Green Tree Lodge
★★★★★ · 10.0
Villa Golondrina
★★★★★ · 10.0
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Day 9 Monteverde, drive to Manuel Antonio About 190 km, 4 h 10 min
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Days 9–11 · 3 nights
Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas
Sloths and monkeys above white bays
Highlights
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Espadilla beach
- Sunset over the Pacific
Another night here? With an extra night: a catamaran along the coast, or kayaking in the Damas mangroves.
Apto Cielo Azul
★★★★★ · 9.0
Hotel Playa Espadilla
★★★★★ · 9.0
Mango Moon Villa
★★★★★ · 8.8
Hotel Planeta Sano
★★★★★ · 8.7
Natural Pacific Suites, private family rooms
★★★★★ · 8.7
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Day 12 Manuel Antonio, drive to Uvita About 70 km, 1 h 30 min
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Days 12–13 · 2 nights
Uvita, Puntarenas
Whales off the Whale's Tail
Highlights
- The Whale's Tail in Marino Ballena
- Uvita waterfall
- Caño Island by boat
Another night here? With an extra night: diving or snorkelling at Caño Island, or the Nauyaca waterfalls.
Bambura Bahia Villas
★★★★★ · 10.0
Ruca Lodge - Luxury Container Tiny Home Surrounded by Nature
★★★★★ · 9.9
Apartamentos Equipados DMR #3
★★★★★ · 9.7
MADRE TERRA
★★★★★ · 9.7
Cedrela Beach Villas
★★★★★ · 9.6
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Day 14 Uvita, drive to Alajuela About 210 km, 4 h
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Day 14 · 1 night
Alajuela, Alajuela
Poás crater, an hour from the airport
Highlights
- Poás volcano crater
- La Paz waterfall gardens
- Coffee farm in the hills of Alajuela
Another night here? With an extra night: La Paz waterfall gardens, or a day in San José with the Gold Museum and the Mercado Central.
Casa Cafetal Aeropuerto Two Bedrooms
★★★★★ · 10.0
Hotel Bamboo Aeropuerto
★★★★★ · 9.4
Las Carmelas, Airport Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, San José
★★★★★ · 9.4
Hildas Bed and Breakfast
★★★★★ · 9.2
Hostal Casa Azul
★★★★★ · 8.5
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Day 15 Alajuela to San José airport (SJO), fly home to Amsterdam About 10 km, 10 min
Arrange something yourself
A few days with family or friends, a train ride, local transport: a part of the trip you arrange yourself. No hotel and no tours of ours; without the car, no kilometres and no hire those days. Enter what it costs and it counts in the total.