10 Day Costa Rica Itinerary
10 Day Costa Rica Itinerary — a no-fluff travel guide for an incredible tropical experience.
Trip planning brings me immense joy —I can spend countless hours on my laptop researching destinations, collecting inspiration, and jotting down notes. It’s a passion I genuinely love. Blogs, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are my go-to sources for discovering activities and hidden gems, which inspired me to create a detailed guide based on our 2023 trip to Costa Rica. When I first shared my 10-Day Costa Rica Travel Guide on Instagram, it received a lot of engagement and interest (scroll to the bottom to see the original post!). Naturally, it felt right to expand this content to my new blog!j
Whether you’re planning your adventure in Costa Rica or simply curious about our experience, I hope this guide is valuable! I rely heavily on the experiences shared by fellow travellers online; without them, trip planning would be far more challenging!
I hope resources like this make it easier for you to plan the trip of your dreams!
Day 1: La Fortuna
La Fortuna is one of those places that has a little bit of everything. Nestled at the base of the Arenal Volcano, it’s a perfect mix of thrill and chill. You can start your day zip-lining through the rainforest (we didn’t do this, but I’m sure it would have been fun!) or chasing waterfalls, and end it soaking in natural hot springs.
This town has such a cool vibe — laid-back, but buzzing with adventure. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or just here for the views, La Fortuna is magical!
Stay
cash only, pay when you arrive
20 minutes uphill from town (rental car recommended)
full view of Arenal Volcano
immersed in the jungle, spotted sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, humming birds etc.
Eat
Jungle Bowls in La Fortuna (SO GOOD)
Restaurant at Casa Torre Eco Lodge
Do
Mistico Hanging Bridges Park
entrance fee of $61 USD per person
Free hot springs, Google "El Choyin" to get there
I recommend going early to avoid crowds, it can get quite busy
Some locals act as unofficial parking patrols, you do not need to pay for parking, but they will make it seem like you do
Day 2: Monteverde
Stay
Tityra Lodge Monteverde - book via Booking.com or Airbnb
Tiny Cabin nestled in the middle of a coffee farm
Beautiful trails leading through the forest & around the property
Pick fresh fruit off the trees
We LOVED this spot. So quaint, quiet and relaxing
Eat
Breakfast is included in your stay
Dinner at Open Kitchen in Santa Elena
Do
Since we were here for only one night, we went into town once for dinner and didn’t spend much time exploring
We enjoyed the rest of our time relaxing at the Tiny Cabin & walking the trails throughout the property
Highly recommend buying a bottle of wine in town and enjoying it in the cabin!
Day 3: Tamarindo
While Tamarindo offers trendy boutique shops, vibrant restaurants, and an energetic atmosphere, it didn't quite align with what we wanted on trip. The town, known for its lively nightlife, felt overly touristy and bustling—essentially a party hub. In hindsight, I would have opted for an extra night in either La Fortuna or Monteverde instead.
That said, Tamarindo is still a beautiful spot. The food was great, I loved the boutique shops, and the beach was lovely. However, the crowded scene stood in stark contrast to the serenity we experienced at the coffee farm. For those traveling with a group of friends and seeking a dynamic, social vibe, Tamarindo would be great! But for our journey, which was all about relaxation and tranquility, it didn’t quite fit the bill.
Stay
we stayed at a very random Airbnb outside of Tamarindo as everything in and around the town was very expensive
Eat
El Mercadito, a fun outdoor food and cocktail market
Mandarina Tropical Juice Bar
there are SO many options here!
Do
chill on the beach
browse the shops in town
eat yummy food in town
book a snorkelling or boat tour
Day 4, 5 & 6: Samara
View from our beachfront AirBnB
We absolutely fell in love with Samara! This charming coastal town quickly became one of our favourites, largely thanks to our incredible beachfront Airbnb. It was a true dream—offering the perfect balance of lively atmosphere and relaxed ambiance without feeling overcrowded. Samara's inviting energy and stunning setting made it an unforgettable highlight of our trip. 10/10 recommend visiting!
Stay
Tico Mae Retreats on Airbnb
RIGHT on the beach
guest house behind a local Costa Rican family home
can sleep 5-6 people, full kitchen, tons of space
mini supermarket right behind the Airbnb
parking spot for one vehicle
10-minute walk along the beach into town
surf lessons $80 USD for ~2 hours
Eat
Gusto Beach (beachfront restaurant)
Samara Sushi (we loved this spot!)
Roots Bakery & Cafe
Malehu Coffee Shop
Marea Surf Shop Cafe (amazing Acai bowls!)
Do
chill on the beach
browse the shops in town
surf lessons
Day 7 & 8: Santa Teresa
Tucked away on Costa Rica's gorgeous Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa is a laid-back surf town with serious boho vibes, incredible waves, and lush jungle scenery. It’s has this relaxed, welcoming energy that makes you feel at home right away. Once a hidden gem, it’s now a must-visit spot for surfers, yogis, and beach lovers — but without losing its chill charm.
We absolutely loved our time here. It’s not as party-heavy as Tamarindo, which was perfect for us, but there’s still so much to do. Think cute boutique shops (my fav), amazing food, and a stunning beach that feels like it goes on forever. Whether you’re hitting the waves or just soaking up the sun, Santa Teresa is pure magic.
Stay
We stayed at Casa del Sol Hostel and booked a private room — because let's be real, hostel dorms aren’t really our thing! It’s super close to the beach, which was a huge plus.
The location is great, everything’s easy to get to, but fair warning: it can get a bit noisy since it’s right off the main street. And heads up—you’ll definitely be getting your steps in. Be prepared to walk everywhere!
Eat
The Bakery — amazing pastries & food!
Ani's Bowls & Salads
Sodas — sodas are local restaurants with traditional cuisine. We had an amazing, low-cost meal at a local food spot in Santa Teresa but we unfortunately got a nasty stomach bug after eating the food there. I by no means want to scare you away from local food spots because the food is incredible, but be mindful that their kitchen standards are not the same as some of the other food spots.
Eat Street — cool outdoor food market with many options
Do
chill on the beach (it is massive!)
SO many cute boho shops here, I was in heaven!
tons of great restaurants
Day 9 & 10: Montezuma
Playa Grande
Montezuma is Costa Rica’s Hidden Hippie Haven! If you're craving that laid-back, off-the-beaten-path vibe, Montezuma is perfect for you. Tucked away on the Nicoya Peninsula, this little beach town feels like a step back in time. Think bohemian charm, barefoot wanderers, and a slow, easy pace that makes you forget what day it is.
Montezuma has it all: stunning beaches, lush waterfalls, and a quirky, artistic energy. It's the kind of place where you can spend your mornings hiking to hidden cascades, your afternoons lounging by the ocean, and your evenings enjoying fresh, local eats. There's something magical about this spot — like it’s been sprinkled with a little extra pura vida magic.
Stay
This place is gorgeous — and it has a POOL! After days of beach hopping, it was so nice to just kick back, soak up the sun, and cool off whenever things got too hot. Definitely a highlight of our trip!
The owner actually used to live in Winnipeg, so we had a great time chatting and swapping stories. Small world, right?
Heads up, though — you’ll want a rental vehicle. The hotel is about 800 meters from town, down a pretty steep hill. Technically, you could walk it... but trust me, it would be a workout!
Eat
Sano Banano
Chicos (live music!)
Bakery Cafe
Do
If you want to feel like you’ve stumbled onto the set of Survivor, Playa Grande is the place to be! This stunning, secluded beach sits within a nature refuge, and it’s just completely pure, untouched beauty. We spent the afternoon chilling under a palm tree, trying to open up coconuts with sticks and just soaking in the peace and quiet. (Pro tip: Check for coconuts above you before settling in—getting concussed is not part of the vacation plan!)
Getting there is part of the adventure. It’s a 30-minute walk, and you can’t drive to the beach. But trust me, the easy hike (basically a walk) is so worth it — just grab some sneakers, and you’re good to go.
Hot Tip
Bring a bag to collect garbage: I was honestly shocked by the amount of plastic washed up on the shore and I ended up coming back to town with a bag full of plastic. While wandering the beach, I ended up chatting with a few folks who were staying in little beach huts for a week-long cleanup mission. There was a whole volunteer group out there collecting trash and helping with a local turtle hatchery. How cool is that?! I immediately added that to my bucket list.
Playa Grande isn’t just beautiful; it’s a reminder of why these wild places are worth protecting.
Other Travel Notes:
Transportation
One thing to keep in mind: sometimes you’ll feel like you’re driving on the wrong road. Don’t stress, that’s totally normal! Coming from the flat prairies, we’re used to wide-open roads with no hills, so navigating these narrow, winding gravel roads definitely took some getting used to. It can feel like you’re way off the beaten path, but nope, that’s just how the roads are here. And speaking of roads, make sure to bring some Ginger Gravol if you're prone to motion sickness!
Flights
We flew into San Jose airport (there are two international airports, the other being Liberia) and headed to the Nicoya Peninsula. To get back to San Jose we took the ferry from Paquera → Puntarenas, I'd recommend booking tickets in advance to skip the line.
Sleep
If you're a light sleeper, pack some earplugs—the jungle is loud! We're talking howler monkeys, birds, roosters...the whole junglebook soundtrack.
Cost
Honestly, Costa Rica isn’t any cheaper than North America—both food and gas are pretty much the same as in Canada.
You can use both Colones and USD here. We mostly stuck to our credit card for payments but kept some USD on hand since a few cafes and restaurants are cash-only.
Oh, and depending on which routes you take while driving, you might run into some tolls—so make sure you’ve got cash for those!
