The Perfect 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary for Daring Adventurers
When I was trying to decide where to travel for my next destination, I had a list of strict criteria that would help me pick the optimal place for a traveler seeking lots of adventure.
I needed a place that…
1) Has lots of fun activities to take my mind off of the countless hours I put into my research…
and..
2) Encourages limitless adventure.
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My goal for 2025 was to spend more time outside in the sun and less time curled up in my bed, doom-scrolling into the late hours of the night.
The latter was becoming a BIG habit, though not necessarily all bad…everyone’s definition of relaxation varies, and mindlessly scrolling on Tik-Tok was mine!
I had a week off for the holidays (optimizing PTO! Whoop, whoop!) and needed to escape the Colorado cold.
Central America was the obvious choice.
Until now, I never journeyed farther south than Riviera Maya, Mexico, and my company’s holiday shutdown seemed like the perfect time to do so.
Stunning beaches? Yes, please.
Ziplining through the rainforest? Call me Bella The Daredevil™!
Don’t even get me started on my love for plantains…I could eat mounds of those delectable, savory-yet-sweet banana impersonators.
EF Ultimate Break, a company that organizes group travel for people aged 18–35 was running a sale on their Costa Rica Adventure trip.
And when I saw that they had a trip over the New Year’s celebration I knew I couldn’t hesitate to reserve my spot
Up until my adventure in Costa Rica, I had never really celebrated New Year’s Eve, but instead watched the ball drop from a previous year, EARLY, like a grumpy toddler needing to get to bed on time.
On the eve of 2025, I found myself in a new country – Costa Rica – finally doing something awesome to ring in the New Year!
Costa Rica was an incredible country, offering lots of adventure activities like whitewater rafting and ziplining! I loved every moment of my ten days in Costa Rica!
Wondering where to visit for your 10 days in Costa Rica? Here’s a sample 10-day Costa Rica itinerary so you can start planning your bucket list adventure!
Day 1: Arrive to San Jose, Drive to Alajuela
I used to be the kind of person who would immediately plan activities upon arrival to a new country, even after spending countless hours (sometimes days!) traveling.
However, after spending many of my vacations exhausted, and oftentimes sick because of lack of sleep, my days of fighting jet lag are over!
Upon arrival in San Jose – Costa Rica’s capital city, located in the lush central valley – allow yourself time to rest and prepare for a jam-packed Costa Rica itinerary!
Travelers hoping to escape the metropolitan busy-ness of San Jose will enjoy staying in Alajuela, a local city just an hour outside of the capital city.
Costa Rica’s second largest province is home to many volcanoes and lots of hilly landscapes making it a beautiful place to camp out before venturing to Sarapiqui and La Fortuna. Alajuela is a great place to find accommodations for your first night in Costa Rica!
Fun Fact!
Though Costa Rica is a very small country, traveling from town to town will take a considerable amount of time. For example, San Jose to La Fortuna can take over three hours! I recommend either booking private shuttles from place to place, or renting a car! I am thankful that my trip with EF Ultimate Break had all the transportation figured out!
If you plan to rent a car, I recommend booking with Discover Cars, an affordable cost-comparison tool that provides seamless booking for the BEST price.
Book your rental car for your Costa Rica adventure, for 70% less, HERE ⬇️
Day 2: Drive to Sarapiqui, Stay in La Fortuna
I had no idea that signing up for an adventure in Costa Rica would ultimately mean signing up for a wildlife safari!
Everywhere we went, we saw lots of incredible wildlife, including all three of Costa Rica’s monkey species (Howler, Spider, and Capuchin) and both types of sloths (two- and three-toed)!
One of my most memorable experiences in Costa Rica was whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui River.
Not only did we get to experience some intense rapids, but we also got to experience a “river safari” as we paddled along the Sarapiqui.
When we weren’t paddling for our lives (holding on tight!), we were identifying different types of birds and trying to spot sloths in the trees. Monkeys swung high above us as we passed by on our raft!
Sarapiqui is the perfect place to stop for a half day rafting adventure. A quick pit stop for whitewater rafting can break up the long drive from San Jose or Alajuela to La Fortuna, which is three hours from Costa Rica’s capital city!
After whitewater rafting, you have two options:
1. Drive the rest of the way to La Fortuna, stopping along the way if you see wildlife (our guide spotted sloths and white-nosed coatis!).
or…
2. Make a second pitstop at “The Best Pineapple Tour” in Costa Rica – just outside of Rio Cuarto – to discover how Costa Rica’s largest export grows.
I definitely recommend fitting the tour of the pineapple farm into your Costa Rica itinerary! It’s really fun to learn how pineapples grow and taste the succulent fruit, fresh from the farm! Did I mention they also serve piña coladas, included with the tour?
For the rest of afternoon in La Fortuna, explore the beautiful rainforest town at the base of Arenal Volcano!
Wondering where to stay in La Fortuna? Rio Danta Hostel or Socialtel are great options for budget-friendly travelers!
Day 3: Explore Lake Arenal via Kayak
La Fortuna, with its monumental volcano, Arenal, towering over the small town, was one of my favorite places in Costa Rica.
For active travelers, the best place to explore the unique volcanic landscape is by kayaking on Lake Arenal!
Because Costa Rica receives 80% of its energy via hydropower, Lake Arenal – a man-made lake at the base of Arenal Volcano – serves multiple purposes. It not only serves as a place for kayaking, boat tours, and other water activities, it also provides over 10% of the country’s power.
After enjoying the views of Arenal Volcano from atop a kayak, head back to La Fortuna for a relaxing afternoon at one of Costa Rica’s natural hot springs.
Because Costa Rica has over six active volcanoes, rainwater heated by magma beneath the surface, creates natural hot pools all across the country.
I recommend visiting Baldi Hot Springs or Eco Termales for the ultimate relaxation experience. Looking for a nice massage? Many of the hot springs resorts offer spa packages for travelers! Otherwise, there are more affordable massage options in the town center too!
For dinner, visit a traditional Costa Rican “Soda”.
Named after the bubbly western drinks (think, Coca-cola and Sprite) they used for advertising via big signs, the Costa Rican “Soda”, serves traditional Costa Rican dishes. Casados con pollo was my favorite, but I can’t say no to delectable plantains!
My favorite Soda in La Fortuna was Soda & Restaurante Rodríguez!
Day 4: Visit La Fortuna Waterfall and Explore the Hanging Bridges
There are so many amazing activities in La Fortuna, you could spend forever exploring the amazing landscapes!
Day four is all about immersing yourself in nature.
Start the day early by visiting La Fortuna Waterfall – a must-visit force of nature that should be at the top of your Costa Rica itinerary.
The waterfall opens at 7am and the last entry is at 4pm.
During the “dry” season – Costa Rica has two seasons, rainy and rainier! – travelers can swim at the base of the waterfall, or in the nearby streams flowing from the waterfall!
The day before my visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, the town experienced a huge downpour. Therefore swimming at the base of the waterfall was not permitted. Be sure to check the weather conditions before visiting to know whether or not you can swim!
After visiting the monumental waterfall, head back to town for lunch at another Soda! Soda La Hormiga and Soda Víquez are great lunch options!
After lunch, it’s time to head to Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges, one of La Fortuna’s most incredible excursions. Foggy weather gives these hanging bridges their mystical name!
Book your ticket to the mystical hanging bridges in La Fortuna HERE ⬇️
Enjoy your last dinner in La Fortuna, the next stop on this Costa Rica itinerary is Monteverde – my favorite place in Costa Rica!
Day 5: Tour a Local Chocolate Farm and Drive to Monteverde
Before driving to Monteverde, there’s one final activity you must include in your Costa Rica itinerary: A visit to a local cacao farm to learn how chocolate is made!
On your chocolate tour, you’ll learn about the interesting ways in which cacao is grown, discuss the injustices in the chocolate industry all across the world (the most important thing to learn about!), and sample a plethora of chocolate.
Our guide offered us copious amounts of delectable fresh chocolate and we even tried the Latin American “drink of the Gods”, a “hot chocolate” type of drink incorporating chocolate, vanilla and spicy chili peppers.
Once you’ve purchased enough chocolate to last a lifetime, begin the treacherous journey to Monteverde.
Depending on weather conditions, the drive to Monteverde can take up to four hours.
As a Colorado girl who has experienced many windy mountain roads, even I felt carsick on the way to Monteverde. It might help to stop along the way, especially if you are traveling with young kids or travelers not used to elevation changes!
Upon arrival at Monteverde, check into your hotel and use the rest of the evening to rest and recover from the long drive!
Monteverde is approximately 4,600 feet above sea level, nearly as high as the Mile High City, Denver!
Travelers not used to high elevation will need the afternoon to adjust to the change in elevation. The town of Monteverde is also very hilly, so having access to a rental car is HIGHLY recommended.
Wondering where to stay in Monteverde? I really enjoyed my stay at El Establo hotel in Monteverde.
This hotel is situated on top of one of Monteverde’s hills. Because of accessibility limitations, the resort offers free shuttles from each block of rooms. If you opt for breakfast at the hotel, El Establo offers a massive buffet which includes local Costa Rican breakfast options, an omelette bar, and lots of fresh fruit!
Otherwise, there are lots of more affordable options a short drive into town! If you have the option, opt for a room high on the hill to get an incredible view of Monteverde and the Pacific Ocean!
Day 6: Zip-lining in Monteverde, Evening Horseback Ride
The best way to start off day six in Monteverde is by zip lining high above the rainforest canopy!
Afraid of heights? It’s time to face your fears and seek adventure in Costa Rica!
For guests staying at El Establo, the resort offers a zip-lining tour on their private nature reserve. Tree Top Canopy Tour with El Establo will bring you on a journey across the rainforest canopy, showcasing the incredible views of Monteverde.
There are a variety of zip-line tours in the hilly town of Monteverde. For the EXTRA daring travelers, 100% Aventura offers travelers a ride on the longest zip line in Costa Rica!
Book your THRILLING adventure for Costa Rica’s LONGEST zip-line HERE ⬇️
After spending the morning above the treetops, enjoy lunch in Monteverde at Morpho’s, a local Costa Rican restaurant offering the best casados con pollo! Our tour director brought the group here, and I really enjoyed my Latin American lunch!
Tackling Monteverde’s hilly landscapes is best enjoyed from horseback! To wrap up your last night in Monteverde, I recommend an afternoon horseback ride with a local horseback riding company that takes travelers on a journey across the hilly landscapes!
Book your enchanting horseback ride in Monteverde HERE 🐴 ⬇️
Day 7: Santa Elena Cloud Forest, Drive to Manuel Antonio
From stunning beaches to dense tropical forests, Costa Rica has so many incredible landscapes to explore!
Located in Monteverde is a topographical wonder immersed in the clouds: Santa Elena Cloud Forest is a natural wonder with incredible biodiversity!
When visiting Monteverde, a walk among the tropical cloud forest is a must-do activity. Travelers can choose either a self-guided tour or a tour with a guide to experience the beauty of the high elevation rainforest.
Travel Tip
Don’t be fooled by the name, “cloud forest”! Santa Elena Cloud Forest is very much a rainforest at HIGH elevation. Our sunny morning in Monteverde was very deceptive for our visit to the cloud forest, as we experienced a torrential downpour during our afternoon stroll in the cloud forest. Come prepared with rain ponchos and umbrellas to enjoy your experience, even if the weather is rainy!
I really enjoyed our short walk on the Youth Challenge trail in Santa Elena Cloud Forest. There are many other great walking paths to explore the mystical forest!
After you’ve journeyed through the clouds it’s time to drive to the Punarentas province to enjoy the Pacific side’s incredible beaches.
For beach towns, I recommend staying in one of the following three options:
A lively coastal town, known for its nightlife. Jaco is 90 minutes from Manuel Antonio.
A quaint, local beach town outside of Manuel Antonio. There are lots of budget friendly accommodations in Quepos, which is ~20 minutes from Manuel Antonio.
Located just outside Manuel Antonio National Park is a small town that shares the name. This town offers luxury accommodations and villas a short drive from Costa Rica’s most famous national park.
Day 8: Visit Costa Rica’s Best National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park
Known as Costa Rica’s most beautiful beach, Manuel Antonio Beach is an incredible place to soak up the Latin American sun.
The national park opens at 7am and offers visitors lots of opportunities to view Costa Rican wildlife, including sloths and monkeys!
Note: There are VERY strict rules for what you can and can’t bring into Manuel Antonio National Park, so be sure to check out these tips for visiting the National Park ➡️ HERE ⬅️
Day 9: Enjoy A Catamaran Cruise
Enjoy a free morning on day 9 of your Costa Rica itinerary. After lunch, I recommend enjoying a catamaran cruise.
Despite the gloomy weather (and a bit of rain) the catamaran excursion proved to be one of my favorite activities in Costa Rica!
I jumped off the top deck of our boat, the Ocean King, not once, but twice! And even though it rained on us at the beginning of the cruise, we still went out on the water for snorkeling. There’s no better way to spend your last day in Costa Rica than by sailing the beautiful ocean!
BOOK Your Manuel Antonio Catamaran Cruise HERE ⬇️
Day 10: Coffee Farm Tour, Drive Back to San Jose for Departure
Your last day in Costa Rica calls for one final hurrah…
…an early morning tour of Doka Estate, a local coffee farm!
Visitors might be tempted to choose a tour of the “big green mermaid’s” farm (HINT: a global coffee corporation with a mermaid logo), but Doka Estate offers a more local coffee tour experience.
Even as someone who prefers tea instead of coffee, I was blown away by the delectable, complex flavors of the coffee we sampled at Doka Estate.
Coffee, one of Costa Rica’s three major exporters, makes a great gift for family and friends back home!
Finally, your time in Costa Rica is coming to a close. It’s time to head back to San Jose for your journey home!
Enjoy your time in Costa Rica! I can’t wait to go back and explore more of the Caribbean side!
Want to explore even MORE Costa Rica content?
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