10 days · updated October 2026
10 Day Costa Rica Itinerary: Arenal to Manuel Antonio
- The route
- Alajuela (1 night) → La Fortuna (3) → Monteverde (2) → Manuel Antonio (3)
- The cost
- For two people, expect rough costs of about $4,000–$7,000 before international flights, depending on hotel style, car type and how many guided tours you book.
This 10-day Costa Rica itinerary suits first-time visitors who want volcano scenery, rainforest wildlife, cloud forest and beach time without changing hotels every night.
The route starts at San José’s main airport in Alajuela, then goes to La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. It works best with a rental car, though private shuttles and a few guided transfers can also cover it.
It leaves out the Caribbean coast, Osa Peninsula and Guanacaste beaches because each adds too much driving for 10 days. The result is a tighter trip with more time on trails, in the water and watching wildlife.
Day 1 · Alajuela
DirectionsArrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport and keep the first day easy in Alajuela. Depending on your flight time, you can stretch your legs around the center, eat simply and get an early night before the driving begins.
Afternoon
Parque Juan Santamaría
Alajuela
This central square is an easy first walk after a flight and gives you a quick feel for everyday Alajuela. Go before dark and use street parking only if you are comfortable watching signs carefully.
Tickets & tours
Afternoon
Mercado Central de Alajuela
Alajuela
Come for fruit juices, simple plates and a practical introduction to Costa Rican market eating. Bring small bills and go earlier in the day if your flight allows.
Evening
Jalapeños Central
Alajuela
This casual restaurant is useful on arrival night when you want an easy meal near the airport hotels. It can get busy at dinner, so go early if you are tired from travel.
Day 2 · Alajuela to La Fortuna
DirectionsDrive from Alajuela to La Fortuna, allowing about 2.5 to 3.5 hours without stops. Break up the route with a wildlife center and lunch, then aim to reach La Fortuna with enough daylight for the waterfall.
Morning
Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center
La Garita
This rescue center makes a good first wildlife stop, especially if you want context before seeing animals in the wild later. Arrive in the morning and allow enough time before the drive to La Fortuna.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Las Iguanas Restaurante
Muelle
This roadside restaurant is a practical lunch stop on the way to La Fortuna, with iguanas often visible around the property. Park in the lot and keep valuables out of sight in the car.
Afternoon
La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna
The waterfall is a strong arrival activity because it is close to town and lets you cool off after the drive. Wear shoes with grip for the stairs and arrive well before closing so you are not rushed.
Tickets & tours
Evening
Organico Fortuna
La Fortuna
This is a handy dinner spot for lighter plates, smoothies and vegetarian-friendly options after a travel day. It is central, so park once and walk if your hotel is in town.
Day 3 · La Fortuna
DirectionsSpend a full day around Arenal with hanging bridges, volcano trails and a soak in hot springs. Driving is short today, but book the bridges and hot springs ahead in busier months.
Morning
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
La Fortuna
The bridges give you a canopy-level view of rainforest with clear volcano views in good weather. Book the earliest slot you can, and consider a guide if wildlife matters to you.
Tickets & toursMidday
Soda Viquez
La Fortuna
This is a reliable place for casados, juices and a casual lunch between activities. It is popular, so expect a short wait at peak lunch time.
Afternoon
Arenal 1968 Volcano View & Trails
La Fortuna
These trails cross old lava fields and open viewpoints, making the volcano’s shape and history easier to understand. Start in the afternoon only if the weather is stable and bring water because exposed sections can be hot.
Tickets & tours
Evening
Ecotermales Fortuna
La Fortuna
This hot spring complex is smaller and calmer than some of the big resort pools, which suits the end of an active day. Reserve ahead, especially from December through April.
Tickets & tours
Day 4 · Tenorio and La Fortuna
DirectionsUse this day for the Rio Celeste area, one of the best side trips from La Fortuna. The drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours each way, so leave early and keep the evening simple.
Morning
Tenorio Volcano National Park
Bijagua
Go for the Rio Celeste trail, where the blue river and waterfall are the main draw. Leave La Fortuna early, buy tickets in advance when required and wear shoes that can handle mud.
Tickets & toursMidday
Restaurante Delicias del Tenorio
Bijagua
This is a convenient lunch stop after the park with Costa Rican plates and a relaxed rural setting. It is best to eat before driving back, since services are spread out on the road.
Evening
Pollo Fortuneno
La Fortuna
A straightforward grilled-chicken dinner works well after the long day trip. Go early if you want the easiest parking and a quick meal.
Day 5 · La Fortuna to Monteverde
DirectionsTravel from La Fortuna to Monteverde, a winding 3.5 to 4.5 hour drive around Lake Arenal and up into the mountains. Plan on slow roads, good views and one or two worthwhile stops rather than rushing.
Morning
Café & Macadamia
Tilarán
This is a useful break on the lake road, with coffee, snacks and wide views over Lake Arenal. Keep an eye on time because the climb to Monteverde is slow after this point.
Midday
Viento Fresco Waterfalls
Tilarán
These waterfalls make a good leg-stretching stop before the mountain roads to Monteverde. Check road conditions before committing, and allow more time than the map suggests.
Tickets & tours
Afternoon
Monteverde Orchid Garden
Santa Elena
This compact garden is a gentle first stop in Monteverde and a good way to notice the smaller details of the cloud forest. Join a guided walk if one is available, since many orchids are tiny.
Tickets & toursEvening
Tree House Restaurante
Santa Elena
This central restaurant is easy on your first Monteverde night and works well if you do not want to drive again. Arrive before the dinner rush or be ready to wait.
Day 6 · Monteverde
DirectionsThis is your main cloud forest day in Monteverde. Start early for birds and quieter trails, then choose one adventure park in the afternoon instead of trying to do every canopy activity in town.
Morning
Curi-Cancha Reserve
Monteverde
This private reserve is excellent for birding and usually feels less crowded than the most famous cloud forest trails. Go with a guide in the early morning if you want a better chance of seeing quetzals in season.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Stella's Monteverde
Monteverde
Stella’s is a comfortable lunch stop with baked goods and a garden that often attracts birds. Sit outside if weather allows and keep your camera handy.
Afternoon
Selvatura Park
Monteverde
Choose the hanging bridges, zipline or sloth sanctuary here rather than trying to do every option. Book ahead and bring a rain layer, since cloud forest weather changes quickly.
Tickets & tours
Evening
San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience
Monteverde
This is a memorable splurge for a final Monteverde dinner, with private dining platforms and a set tasting-style meal. Reservations are essential and it is better suited to adults or older children.
Day 7 · Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
DirectionsDrive from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio, usually 4 to 5 hours depending on road conditions and stops. This is a long but manageable travel day with a river viewpoint, lunch on the coast and a short beach stop at the end.
Morning
Monteverde Coffee Center
Monteverde
Start with a coffee tour to understand one of the region’s main crops before leaving the mountains. Book the first morning tour and do not linger too long, since the drive to the coast is substantial.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Crocodile Bridge
Tárcoles
This quick stop over the Tárcoles River lets you see large crocodiles from a safe distance. Use the signed parking areas and watch traffic carefully when walking on the bridge.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Green Room Cafe Bar
Jacó
This is a convenient coastal lunch break with salads, sandwiches and heartier plates before the last stretch south. Park nearby and keep the stop efficient if you want beach time later.
Afternoon
Playa Biesanz
Manuel Antonio
This small cove is a good first swim in Manuel Antonio after the long drive. Arrive before sunset, use the signed parking attendants carefully and do not leave anything visible in the car.
Tickets & tours
Day 8 · Manuel Antonio
DirectionsSpend the morning in Manuel Antonio National Park, where the wildlife is easier to see than in many larger parks. Keep the afternoon unhurried with beach time and dinner near your hotel.
Morning
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio
The park packs beaches, forest trails and frequent wildlife sightings into a manageable area. Buy official tickets ahead, go early and do not bring restricted foods that will be refused at the entrance.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Emilio's Cafe
Manuel Antonio
This is a good post-park lunch spot with ocean views, coffee and desserts. It is popular after park hours, so reserve or arrive slightly before the lunch rush.
Afternoon
Playa Espadilla Norte
Manuel Antonio
This broad public beach is better for a relaxed afternoon than trying to add another major excursion. Swim where conditions are calm and pay attention to local surf warnings.
Tickets & toursEvening
El Avion
Manuel Antonio
The aircraft setting makes it a fun dinner stop, and the location is convenient for many Manuel Antonio hotels. Go for sunset if you want the view, but expect the busiest tables then.
Day 9 · Dominical and Uvita
DirectionsTake a day trip south toward Dominical and Uvita for waterfalls, a different stretch of Pacific coast and a change from Manuel Antonio’s crowds. Expect about 1 to 1.5 hours of driving each way, plus local detours.
Morning
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Barú
These falls are worth the inland detour for swimming and a more rugged outing than the beach towns. Reserve transport or riding options ahead if you do not want the full hike.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Sibu Café
Uvita
Sibu is a practical lunch stop between the waterfalls and the coast, with coffee, bowls and lighter meals. It is a good place to reset before the afternoon heat.
Afternoon
Marino Ballena National Park
Uvita
Visit for the wide beach, the whale-tail sandbar at low tide and boat tours in the right season. Check tide times and book any whale or dolphin tour with a licensed operator.
Tickets & tours
Evening
Ronny's Place
Manuel Antonio
This open-air restaurant is useful for a final coastal dinner near Manuel Antonio. The access road is steep and rough in places, so drive slowly or take a taxi after dark.
Day 10 · Manuel Antonio to Alajuela
DirectionsDrive back toward the airport, allowing 3 to 4 hours from Manuel Antonio to Alajuela before stops. If your flight is late, add a short national park walk and a final Costa Rican lunch; if it is early, drive straight.
Morning
Café Milagro
Manuel Antonio
Have breakfast here before the airport drive, especially if you want good coffee and a calm start. Leave earlier than you think you need to, since coastal road delays are common.
Midday
Carara National Park
Tárcoles
If your flight is late, this park gives you one last easy rainforest walk and a chance of scarlet macaws. Keep the visit short and skip it if weather, traffic or flight timing is tight.
Tickets & tours
Afternoon
La Fiesta del Maíz
La Garita
This is a convenient final lunch stop west of the airport, known for corn-based Costa Rican dishes. It works best before returning your rental car, but allow a buffer for fuel and drop-off lines.
Where to stay
Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela
Alajuela
A practical first-night hotel close to Juan Santamaría International Airport, with easy access to rental car offices and the road toward La Fortuna.
Check availabilityNayara Gardens
La Fortuna
A polished Arenal base with strong service, volcano-area atmosphere and enough comfort to make the three-night stop feel restful.
Check availability
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Monteverde
A well-run lodge close to Santa Elena restaurants while still feeling connected to the forest, which suits the two-night cloud forest stay.
Check availability
Hotel Costa Verde
Manuel Antonio
A long-established Manuel Antonio hotel with spacious grounds, wildlife around the property and good access to the park, beaches and restaurants.
Check availability
LikeToGo may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Make it yours
Open this 10-day plan in the planner with every stop already on your board, then change anything: your dates, your pace, your budget.
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The best months for this route are generally December through April, when roads are easier, beach days are more reliable and cloud forest rain is less disruptive. May, June and November can be good shoulder-season months with lower hotel rates and greener scenery, though you should expect afternoon rain. September and October are wetter on the Pacific side, so prices can be better but waterfall trails, driving times and beach plans are less predictable.
How do you get around Costa Rica on this trip?
A rental car is the easiest way to make this exact 10-day route work, especially for Rio Celeste, the Monteverde transfer and the Uvita day trip. Costa Rica does not have a useful train network for this itinerary, and public buses would cost less but take too much time. Shared shuttles can connect Alajuela, La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, but you would need taxis or tours for many trailheads and restaurants.
How much does a 10-day trip to Costa Rica cost?
For two people, expect rough costs of about $4,000–$7,000 before international flights, depending on hotel style, car type and how many guided tours you book.
| Hotels, per night | $140–$450 |
|---|---|
| Food, per day for two | $80–$180 |
| Rental car and insurance, 10 days | $700–$1,300 |
| Fuel, tolls and parking | $180–$350 |
| Activities and park entries for two | $900–$1,800 |
Tips for 10 days in Costa Rica
- Do not plan to drive long rural stretches after dark; roads can be narrow, foggy, unsigned or used by pedestrians and animals.
- Buy Manuel Antonio National Park tickets only through the official system or a reputable tour company, as same-day availability can disappear.
- Book a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle if your hotels are on rough side roads, especially around Monteverde, Dominical or Manuel Antonio hillsides.
- Pack a light rain jacket, quick-dry shoes and a dry bag even in the dry season, because La Fortuna and Monteverde can rain at any time.
- Leave luggage hidden or, better, with your hotel when visiting stops on transfer days; car break-ins can happen at tourist parking areas.
- Use Waze for driving times, but add a buffer because fog, trucks, bridge work and rain can change a simple drive quickly.
- Carry some cash in small US dollar bills or colones for parking attendants, roadside fruit stands, tips and smaller sodas.
Questions people ask
Is 10 days enough for Costa Rica?
Yes, 10 days is enough for a strong first trip if you choose three main regions and avoid crisscrossing the country. This route gives you volcano, cloud forest and Pacific coast without spending every day in the car.
Should I rent a car for this 10-day Costa Rica itinerary?
A car is the best fit for this plan because several stops are outside town centers and transfer days are easier with flexibility. If you do not want to drive, use shared shuttles between bases and book guided day tours for Rio Celeste, Monteverde activities and Uvita.
Can I do this route with kids?
Yes, but choose shorter hikes and avoid stacking too many activities in one day. La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio are especially family-friendly, while Monteverde roads and colder wet weather can be harder with very young children.
Is Manuel Antonio too touristy?
It is one of Costa Rica’s busiest areas, but it is busy for good reasons: wildlife is accessible, beaches are close and logistics are simple. Book park tickets early, start mornings before crowds and use the afternoons for slower beach time.
Can I swap Manuel Antonio for Guanacaste beaches?
You can, but it changes the driving pattern and usually adds longer transfers from Monteverde. For a 10-day first trip, Manuel Antonio keeps the route more compact and pairs better with the central highlands.