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The Rich Coast - Costa Rica Travel Itinerary

By , About.com Guide

Lake Arenal, Costa Rica

Kirsten Noelle Hubbard
Two weeks is longer than you think:
A travel itinerary that offers a taste of Costa Rica's top attractions, from the steamy cloudforests to the beautiful beaches.
2-3 Days – Arrival and Monteverde:
Fly into San Jose, Costa Rica, and take a bus or shuttle to Santa Elena. Use this charming village as a base to explore the Monteverde Cloudforest.
2-3 Days – La Fortuna and Arenal:
Take a jeep-boat-jeep journey to La Fortuna, where you can soak in hot springs and explore the nearby volcano, Arenal.
4-5 Days – Nicoya Peninsula:
Via Liberia, travel to the Nicoya Peninsula, and visit some of the area’s fabulous beaches like Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa.
3-4 Days – Manuel Antonio and Departure:
Take a bus or drive from a southern Nicoya beach like Montezuma to Paquera, and ferry into Puntarenas. From there head south to postcard-perfect Manuel Antonio National Park. After a couple relaxing days at the beach, catch a bus back to San Jose and fly home.
Travel Tip:
If you have the resources, it's worth it to rent a car in Costa Rica-- just make sure it has four-wheel drive!

Compare rates on flights to San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) and Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)

Other Two-Week Travel Itineraries:

You’d Better Belize It: Belize and Guatemala

Maya Magic: Guatemala and Honduras

The Scenic South: Costa Rica and Panama

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