Ten days is short for Costa Rica, but plenty if you pick your stops well. The common mistake is trying to fit Arenal, Monteverde, Tortuguero, Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste… and spending half the trip in the car. Our advice: only three stops that cover the essentials: Arenal Volcano (jungle, hot springs), Manuel Antonio (monkeys and beaches) and Uvita on the South Pacific (whales, Caño Island, waterfalls). Here is the day-by-day plan with drive times and budget.
Wildlife you can see
The plan at a glance
- Day 1: arrive in San José, drive to La Fortuna (~3 h).
- Days 2–3: Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna waterfall, hanging bridges, hot springs.
- Day 4: drive to Manuel Antonio (~4.5–5 h), stop at the Tárcoles crocodiles.
- Day 5: Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Day 6: drive to Uvita (~1 h), whale tail at low tide.
- Days 7–9: whales, Caño Island, waterfalls or Corcovado.
- Day 10: back to San José (~3.5–4 h) and fly home.
Days 1–3: La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano
Pick up the car at the airport and head to La Fortuna (about 3 hours). Two full days cover the essentials: a hike at the foot of the volcano in the morning, La Fortuna waterfall (several hundred steps), hanging bridges to see the canopy and an evening in the hot springs.
If you love adventure, add rafting or canyoning. A guided night walk shows you red-eyed tree frogs, snakes and giant insects.
Days 4–5: Manuel Antonio
La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio is the longest drive (~4.5–5 h): leave early. Visit Manuel Antonio National Park the next day at opening, with a guide to spot sloths and monkeys. Tickets online only (~$18) and closed on Tuesdays: plan your dates around it.
In the afternoon, enjoy Playa Espadilla or a sunset catamaran from Quepos.
Days 6–9: Uvita, the best of the South Pacific
One hour south and the scenery changes: fewer people, more nature. Uvita is the perfect base for the country’s best ocean tours. With 4 nights, here is what we recommend:
- Day 6 (afternoon): the whale tail in Marino Ballena at low tide (~$6, card only).
- Day 7: whale watching in the morning ($120, December to March and July to November), Uvita waterfall in the afternoon.
- Day 8: Caño Island day ($145): snorkeling with turtles and reef sharks, beach buffet, return through the mangroves.
- Day 9: your choice of Corcovado with a certified guide (from $145), Nauyaca Waterfalls, or kayaking the Coronado mangroves ($90).
Day 10: back to San José
Uvita to the airport: about 3.5–4 hours. For a morning flight, sleep near the airport the night before — drive on day 9 in the evening, or cut Uvita to 3 nights. For an afternoon flight, leave Uvita around 7am with a buffer.
Why not Monteverde or Tortuguero in 10 days?
Monteverde is beautiful, but the road is winding and adding it costs another day of driving. Tortuguero is boat-only: one day in, one day out. In 10 days, these stops come at the expense of everything else.
With 2 weeks, you can add Monteverde without rushing: see our 2-week itinerary.
Budget and practical tips
- Car: a compact 4x4 is comfortable but not essential on this route (main roads are paved). Check the price including mandatory insurance.
- Lodging: $50–150 a night for a double room; book early in high season.
- Main tours: whales $120, Caño Island $145, Corcovado from $145, Manuel Antonio ~$18 + guide.
- No night driving: it gets dark around 5:30–6pm all year.
- Keep a buffer in Uvita: if the sea is too rough, a tour may move to the next day.
See all our Costa Rica tours and prices →
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Costa Rica in 10 days?
Three stops: Arenal (3 nights), Manuel Antonio (2 nights) and Uvita (4 nights), combining volcano, monkeys, beaches, whales and Caño Island.
Is 10 days enough for Costa Rica?
Yes, if you limit yourself to 3 stops. Beyond that, you will spend too much time driving.
What is the longest drive on this route?
La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio, about 4.5–5 hours. Leave early and stop at Tárcoles.
Can you visit Caño Island from Uvita?
Yes. Departures from Uvita or Sierpe, full day at $145 with snorkeling, gear and lunch.
Should I book tours in advance?
Yes in high season (mid-December to Easter), especially Caño Island and Corcovado, which have daily quotas.
