Costa Rica in 10 Days: Volcanoes, Cloud Forests, and Coastal Escapes

Costa Rica in 10 Days: Volcanoes, Cloud Forests, and Coastal Escapes

Costa Rica is a perennial favorite among North American travelers seeking sun-drenched escapes and nature-rich adventures especially in the cold months. This Central American country offers awe-inspiring volcanoes, lush rainforests, exotic wildlife, sandy beaches, and thrilling adventures - from ziplining through jungle canopies to touring coffee and chocolate farm tours that awaken your senses. 

Ready to explore?

Trip Planning
Itineraries and Activities
Arenal and Monteverde
Manuel Antonio
Transportation
Hotels and Resorts
Tips from Travelers
Other References
Travel eSIM for Costa Rica

Trip Planning

Tripadvisor and Viator offer a wealth of information on guided tours for bird-watching, kayaking, whitewater rafting, ziplining, canyoneering, and other adventures. For real-world tips and candid advice, Reddit’s Costa Rica travel community is a goldmine of firsthand experiences. We also recommend Lonely Planet’s and Fodor’s Costa Rica guidebooks to explorers interested in independently charting their own course.

If you’re looking to sidestep peak-season crowds and score deals on flights and stays, aim for February, May, September, October, or early November. These shoulder-season months offer a quieter vibe and budget-friendly perks. Just note: September and October bring heavy rains in the mountains, while May and November offer a mix of sunshine and showers. For beach bliss, head to the Pacific coast during the dry season (December to April), or explore the Caribbean side in September and October when it’s at its sunniest.

Itineraries and Activities

For a well-rounded ten-day Costa Rican adventure, we recommend the classic route: Arenal → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio. This itinerary, which will be the focus of the blog post, blends dramatic landscapes, thrilling activities, and relaxing beach time - perfect for couples, families, and solo travelers alike.

Alternatively, travelers seek out experiences in the northern Guanacaste province on the Pacific coast, or the southern Tortuguero province on the Caribbean coast. If you are interested in surfing, the coasts are your best options. To find out more about these alternative itineraries, check out the ‘Other references’ section at the bottom of this blog or dive into the guidebooks we recommend above.

Fly into the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, the national capital. Then, explore Arenal volcano and surrounding areas. From there, head to Monteverde to seek out more rainforests and rare wildlife, and unwind in Manuel Antonio. The Arenal volcano area and Monteverde are known for nature tours and adventures. Manuel Antonio is a town and a forest preserve on the Pacific coast that also offers sandy beaches, beach towns, and glorious sunsets.

You can follow this route in reverse too; just be sure to allow a half- or full-day for travel between destinations. The journey itself is part of the experience, with scenic stops, roadside eateries (known locally as sodas), and vibrant markets along the way.

Quick tip: If you are planning to travel during the peak season, book your guided tours early to secure your spot and avoid disappointment.

Arenal and Monteverde

La Fortuna is the main town in the Arenal volcano area, and Santa Elena in Monteverde. Maps of the Arenal area can be found here and here.

Activities in these areas include:

  • Light physical activities - Hiking the trails and hanging bridges, visiting waterfalls, and relaxing in natural hot springs.
  • Adventures - Day-trips involving horseback riding, whitewater rafting, ziplining, touring caverns, canyoneering, mountain biking, kayaking, ATV driving, bungee jumping.
  • Tours - Touring butterfly and hummingbird galleries, coffee and chocolate farms.

A sample two-day itinerary with a mix of activities for adults and kids in Arenal may look like this:

  • Hike the Arenal volcano trails - About twenty-minute drive from most hotels in La Fortuna, we recommend leaving for the hike early in the morning. Drive to park entrance and pay a fee. Read more about it here. 
  • Tour the hanging bridges - The hanging bridges are in Mistico Park near the Arenal volcano. Plan for two-three hours of activity. Read more about it here.
  • Visit the La Fortuna Waterfall - The waterfall is a ten-minute drive from La Fortuna and also on the way from SJO to the town. After parking, hike down to lagoon. Read more about it here.
  • Hike the Rio Celeste Waterfall Trail - The Tenorio Volcano National Park is an hourlong drive from La Fortuna. Hike the trail to reach the waterfall. Plan for half a day of activity. Read more about it here.
  • Take a guided bird-watching tour at Mistico Park - As an alternative to the trip to Rio Celeste Waterfall, plan for this three-hour activity. Bird-watching tours start early in the morning. Read more about it here.
  • Take a guided kayak tour at Arenal Lake - Plan to rise early for three hours of activity. Tours may offer to pick you up from your hotel. Read more about it here.
  • Relax in a natural hot spring - El Choyin is accessible to the public for free outside Tabacon Resort. You may possibly need to pay a “parking fee” to a minder. Early morning or late evenings are the best times to visit and avoid a crowd. Read more about it here. Alternatively, Eco Termales and similar businesses offer a premium experience for a price. Read more about it here.

For more activity ideas at Arenal, visit costarica.org.

Monteverde

A sample two-day itinerary with a mix of activities for adults and kids in Monteverde may look like this…

  • Take a guided bird-watching tour at the Monteverde Reserve - A highly recommended tour, it starts early in the morning and lasts for six hours. Read more about it here. Alternatives to the Monteverde Reserve are Curi Cancha Reserve, Santa Elena Reserve, and Children’s Eternal Rainforest.
  • Take a guided night tour of the reserve - Monteverde and Curi Cancha Reserves offer a night tour if you are interested in tracking down reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
  • Ride the zipline over Cloud Forest canopy - This hour-and-half tour is the best way to experience the beauty of the Cloud Forest. Read more about it here. You may request to be picked up from your hotel.
  • Visit the Orchid Garden (Jardin de Orquideas) or the Butterfly Garden (Jardin de Mariposas) - Spend an afternoon roaming the beautiful gardens marveling at natural beauty. Read more about them here and here.

Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio, Jaco, and Quepos are just a few of the vibrant beach towns dotting Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. While Manuel Antonio’s forest preserve offers many of the same nature and adventure activities found in Arenal and Monteverde, beaches and sunsets are its main attraction. These towns tend to draw larger crowds during peak travel seasons, so expect a lively, tourist-friendly atmosphere. For a more serene experience, consider booking your stay at a resort inside the forest preserve and enjoy a private beach to unwind away from the bustle.

A sample two-day itinerary in the Manuel Antonio area may look like this:

  • Relax on the beach - Beach recommendations could be found here and here. Playa La Mancha is usually less crowded compared with the others. Snorkeling and whale and dolphin watching tours are also on offer. Read more about them here and here.
  • Hike the trail to Nauyaca Waterfall - Roughly an hourlong drive from Quepos, this waterfall is inside a private park. Hike the 1.7 mile (2.7 km) trail to reach the waterfall. Read about it here.
  • Drive along the coast and explore the beach towns - Enjoy sodas, sunsets, farmers’ markets, and the local culture as you drive along the Pacific coast. More information could be found here and here.

Transportation

If most of your tours are self-guided or points of interests several miles away from your hotel, renting a car is your best option. Renting a car allows for more freedom to move around and explore more points of interest in a shorter period.

Car rentals in Costa Rica can be expensive. Purchasing auto insurance is mandatory, so do not be fooled by low price quotes on websites. Your home country’s auto insurance will not be accepted in Costa Rica.

Three rental car companies that come highly recommended due to transparent pricing are:

All of these car rental companies operate outside the airport, so you need to take a shuttle to their office. As a general practice, a security deposit is charged to your credit card when the car is picked up, and refunded when you return it.

American rental car companies such as Alamo, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Dollar, and Sixt do operate in Costa Rica. Charges are higher if their counters are inside the airport.

If you have the luxury of time, taxis, airport shuttles, and intercity shuttles are available for transportation. Here are a few options:

Read more about getting around Costa Rica here and here.

Hotels and Resorts

While Costa Rica offers several beautiful resorts, it also offers a variety of boutique hotels, lodges, and short-term rentals. If you plan to stay at a resort, ask about their tour packages. If you plan to stay at a boutique hotel, lodge, or short-term rental property, look for restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance on Google Maps before booking the accommodation.

Tips from travelers

  • English is widely spoken in most tourist areas, but knowing some Spanish may help you in remote areas when you stop for food or gas.
  • Pack swimsuits, water shoes, walking or hiking shoes, rain jackets/ponchos, water bottles, sunscreen, and binoculars.
  • Add a phone with a number and data access in your car rental. If you don’t care for a phone number, a travel eSIM is a cheaper alternative. Tour and shuttle operator are accustomed to communicating with international travelers on WhatsApp.
  • If you plan to drive around on your own, either ensure that the Waze app is installed on the rental phone, or install it on your own phone. Waze is the preferred road navigation app in Costa Rica.
  • Print out all your itineraries, flight details, hotels, and tour bookings just in case you lose internet access in remote areas.
  • You can use US Dollars or credits cards at major hotels, resorts, and airports. Taxi drivers and gas stations also accept US Dollars and credit cards. Low denomination dollar bills up to $20 are more preferable than larger denominations. However, to avoid any confusion with exchange rates, it is better to pay in Costa Rica Colones (CRC) for small purchases and especially if prices are quoted in CRC.
  • In Costa Rica, it’s not unusual for self-appointed “parking assistants” to offer help at busy attractions. Feel free to accept or decline, but in places like Manuel Antonio, where tourism is dense, it’s safer to stick with official lots or hotel-recommended parking.
  • Don’t want to carry excessive cash or use your credit card? Consider getting an international debit card.

Other References

Wikivoyage – Costa Rica

CNTraveler – Costa Rica Travel News, Tips, and Guide

Image Source

Dr. Thomas Liptak - Wikimedia

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