60 days in Costa Rica Itinerary

A trip to San Jose, the capital, commercial center, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, gives you a chance to experience the lively atmosphere and rich cultural past of this vibrant country.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Museo Nacional De Costa Rica and Museo de Arte Costarricense. Venture out of the city with trips to Alajuela (Souvenir Museum & Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral) and Cartago (Museo Municipal de Cartago, Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles, &more). There's still lots to do: examine the collection at Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, wander the streets of Multiplaza, take an in-depth tour of Jade Museum, and explore the galleries of Galeria Namu.

To see reviews, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the San Jose sightseeing site.

Dublin, Ireland to San Jose is an approximately 17-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 6 hours traveling from Dublin to San Jose. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Dublin in June, with highs in San Jose at 32°C and lows at 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Turrialba.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Thu): head outdoors with Mirador de Ujarras and then contemplate the long history of Ruins of Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: head outdoors with Costa Rica Experience and then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find ratings, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Turrialba tour itinerary planner.

Getting from San Jose to Turrialba by car takes about 2 hours. In July, daily temperatures in Turrialba can reach 31°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Fri) so you can drive to Tortuguero.

One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Sat): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park. Keep things going the next day: see exotic creatures in open habitats at Jungle Tom Safaris Day Tours and then get a new perspective on nature at Sea Turtle Conservancy.

For maps, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Tortuguero trip planning app.

Drive from Turrialba to Tortuguero in 3 hours. Traveling from Turrialba in July, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 26°C in Tortuguero. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Manuel Antonio.

The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.

Get some cultural insight at Magic Ananda and The Captain's Booty. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Manuel Antonio: Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary (in Dominical), Kokopelli (in Sierpe) and Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (in Uvita). There's lots more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Manuel Antonio, take a memorable tour with Tours, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and walk around La Selvita.

To find more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Manuel Antonio travel route builder site.

You can drive from Tortuguero to Manuel Antonio in 5.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Jaco.

A seaside resort town with plenty of entertaining distractions along its attractive coastline, Jaco has long been a major tourist destination on the central Pacific coast.

Step out of Jaco with an excursion to Playa Linda in Playa Matapalo--about 3h 15 min away. Spend the 21st (Wed) exploring nature at Carara National Park. There's still lots to do: skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and stroll through Jaco Beach.

For maps, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Jaco trip itinerary builder app.

You can drive from Manuel Antonio to Jaco in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sun) so you can drive to Monteverde.

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.

Get a sense of the local culture at Chorotega Arts & Crafts and Ecological Sanctuary. The adventure continues: tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, soothe aching muscles at Hotel Belmar Wellness Center, view the masterpieces at Art House, and delve into the lush surroundings at Curi Cancha Reserve.

To see traveler tips, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Monteverde trip planner.

Drive from Jaco to Monteverde in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) so you can go by car to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Set against the backdrop of the imposing Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna de San Carlos offers visitors a chance to explore diverse natural landscapes and sample some delicious local produce.

Get some cultural insight at ChocoMuseo La Fortuna and Onirica Art Gallery. Explore La Fortuna de San Carlos' surroundings by going to Catedral de Ciudad Quesada (in Quesada) and Dave & Dave's Costa Rica Nature Park (in La Virgen). Next up on the itinerary: witness a stunning natural landmark at Tabacon Hot Springs, take in the exciting artwork at Galeria Estudio, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos trip itinerary maker app.

Traveling by car from Monteverde to La Fortuna de San Carlos takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can drive to Cano Negro.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Thu): stroll through Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. Here are some ideas for day two: relax in the rural setting at Chocolate Sibaeli.

To find reviews, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read Cano Negro trip builder.

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Cano Negro takes 2.5 hours. In August, daytime highs in Cano Negro are 39°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 13th (Fri) to allow time for the car ride to Liberia.

Tourism in Liberia has been growing since the opening of its airport, with more and more international visitors using the city as a starting point for explorations of the country's northwest.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Parque Nacional Santa Rosa and Iglesia Catolica de Playas del Coco. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Liberia: Playa Nacascolo (in Gulf of Papagayo), Playa Hermosa (in Playa Hermosa) and Playas del Coco (Shark Diving, Spas, &more). Spend the 17th (Tue) among the fascinating landscape of Rincon de La Vieja National Park. Next up on the itinerary: take an in-depth tour of Church of La Ermita La Agonia, stop by Nahua, view the masterpieces at Costa Rica'n Art Craft, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Immaculate Church of Concepcion de Maria.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Liberia trip planner.

Drive from Cano Negro to Liberia in 2.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can go by car to Tamarindo.

Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.

Get some cultural insight at Lydia Beech Art Boutique and MAEL's ABSTRACT ART GALLERY. Get out of town with these interesting Tamarindo side-trips: Playa Conchal (in Playa Conchal), Playa Guiones (in Nosara) and Playa Samara (Belen Waterfall, Koss Art Gallery, &more). There's still lots to do: kick back and relax at Tamarindo Beach, soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and get in on the family fun at Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates.

To find traveler tips, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read our Tamarindo trip site.

You can drive from Liberia to Tamarindo in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Fri) so you can travel back home.