8 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
8 days in Costa Rica Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Costa Rica travel route planner
Start: Birmingham
Fly to San Jose, Shuttle to La Fortuna de San Carlos
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La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 1 night
Drive
2
Manuel Antonio
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Uvita
— 2 nights
Ferry
4
Santa Teresa
— 1 night
Drive to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, Fly to Birmingham
End: Birmingham
Wed, Jul 4 - Wed, Jul 11
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See full calendar
La Fortuna de San Carlos
— 1 night
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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.Kick off your visit on the 5th (Thu): hike along Natura Eco Park Costa Rica and then witness a stunning natural landmark at Paradise Hot Springs.
To find reviews, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the La Fortuna de San Carlos sightseeing planner.
Birmingham, USA to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 12-hour combination of flight and shuttle. You can also drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Manuel Antonio.
Things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Find places to stay Jul 4 — 5:
Highlights from your trip
Manuel Antonio
— 2 nights
The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.Kick off your visit on the 6th (Fri): let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Biesanz. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 7th (Sat): stop by Beso Loco Boutique de Playa and then scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour.
To find reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Manuel Antonio online trip itinerary builder.
Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Manuel Antonio takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Uvita.
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jul 5 — 7:
Highlights from your trip
Uvita
— 2 nights
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Ideal for visitors looking to escape Costa Rica's busy beaches, Uvita offers a serene atmosphere and plenty of uncrowded sand for a leisurely vacation.Start off your visit on the 8th (Sun): enjoy the sand and surf at Uvita Beach, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and finally stop by Discount Liquor Wine & Cigars. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.
To see more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Uvita online travel planner.
Getting from Manuel Antonio to Uvita by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 9th (Mon) to allow time for the ferry ride to Santa Teresa.
Things to do in Uvita
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jul 7 — 9:
Highlights from your trip
Santa Teresa
— 1 night
A coastal getaway popular with surfers and young travelers, Santa Teresa spreads out from the beach and the main coastal road to a ring of newer developments on the surrounding hills.Kick off your visit on the 10th (Tue): find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, then soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers, and then kick back and relax at Playa Hermosa.
Find out how to plan Santa Teresa trip without stress by asking Inspirock to help create an itinerary.
You can ride a ferry from Uvita to Santa Teresa in 6 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and ferry; or drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Tue) early enough to travel back home.
Things to do in Santa Teresa
Find places to stay Jul 9 — 10:
Highlights from your trip
Costa Rica travel guide
Tiny in terms of land area, Costa Rica is astoundingly diverse when it comes to culture and natural attractions. In a country called "Rich Coast", it's no surprise most Costa Rica vacations dedicate at least a few days to picturesque Pacific and Caribbean beaches, ideal for water sports and relaxation. Few small countries offer such a range of landscapes, allowing tourists to observe towering volcanoes while soaking away their worries in a hot spring, or hike into dense rainforests in the morning and surf at a modern resort in the afternoon. A trip to Costa Rica also lets you discover pristine national parks, ensuring plenty of chances to view wildlife from the comfort of eco-friendly lodges packed with amenities even ardent nature lovers secretly desire.
