TravPa

Costa Rica

Hike the lava trails of Arenal Volcano, cross hanging bridges and soak in hot springs at La Fortuna, then spot sloths and monkeys on Manuel Antonio's beaches.

Best timeDec to AprMoneyCosta Rican colón (CRC)PlugsType A, 110 VMain airportSan José (SJO)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
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Overview

Most first trips start in San José, then head about 3 hours by road to La Fortuna for Arenal Volcano, hanging bridges and hot springs. Shared shuttles take about 5.5 hours on to Manuel Antonio, where the national park's trails and beaches end the trip, and about 4.5 hours from there back to San José.

On the Pacific side the dry season runs from December to March, with March the hottest month. The rainy season runs from May to October, wettest in September and October, with most rain in the afternoon; July and August bring a drier spell called the veranillo. Around Arenal, January to April are usually the driest months.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janBestfebBestmarHotaprBestmayRainyjunRainyjulMildaugMildsepRainyoctRainynovRainydecBusy

Humpback whales arrive off Quepos and Manuel Antonio in July and stay until November, and boat tours from the area go out to watch them.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Manuel Antonio]
Manuel Antonio in 2 daysManuel Antonio National Park, Manuel Antonio Beach, Playa Espadilla, Playa Biesanz, Marina Pez Vela, Damas Island mangroves, Quepos MalecónBalanced pace
[Photo: La Fortuna]
La Fortuna in 2 daysArenal Volcano National Park, Mistico Hanging Bridges, Baldi Hot Springs, La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Natura, Ecocentro DanausBalanced pace
[Photo: Costa Rica]
Costa Rica in 7 daysSan José, National Theater, La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano National Park, Mistico Hanging Bridges, Baldi Hot Springs, Manuel Antonio National Park, Damas Island mangrovesBalanced pace

Where to stay

La FortunaLa Fortuna town for restaurants and the bus station; Route 142 west of town for hot springs resorts; the Lake Arenal end of the road for quiet near the Mistico bridges.Best areas to stay in La FortunaHotels in La Fortuna
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Manuel AntonioManuel Antonio village for walks to the park and Playa Espadilla; Quepos town for the marina, the seafront and the bus station.Best areas to stay in Manuel AntonioHotels in Manuel Antonio
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San JoséThe city center for first-timers on foot; Barrio Amón for historic streets near the museums; Barrio Escalante for cafés, restaurants and craft beer.Best areas to stay in San JoséHotels in San José
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Getting around

  • Flights: Most visitors land at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José; Liberia (LIR) is about 2.5 hours by car from La Fortuna.
  • Shuttles: Shared shuttles take about 4 hours from La Fortuna to San José and about 5.5 hours from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio.
  • By car: La Fortuna is about 2.5 to 3 hours by car from San José airport, and Quepos is about 3 hours and 165 km from San José.
  • Domestic flights: Sansa flies from San José (SJO) to La Fortuna (FON) and to Quepos (XQP) for Manuel Antonio.
  • Buses: Public buses to La Fortuna leave from Terminal 7-10 in San José; no public bus goes to La Fortuna Waterfall itself.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. Check that zip lining, rafting and other adventure tours are covered.
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Phone dataMobile data keeps park tickets, shuttle pickups and maps at hand, and Manuel Antonio National Park sells its tickets only online.How a travel eSIM works
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