Manuel Antonio beach, a stop on a 10-day Costa Rica itinerary

Costa Rica 10-Day Itinerary: Arenal, Monteverde & Beaches

ItineraryBy Carlos Rodríguez · Founder & Lead Guide, Fortuna ExpeditionsPublished July 22, 2026· Updated July 23, 2026

Ten days is the sweet spot for a first Costa Rica trip: enough for Arenal, Monteverde and two coastal stops without rushing. Our favorite route is Arenal (3 nights) → Monteverde (2 nights) → Manuel Antonio (2 nights) → beach wind-down (2 nights).

Here's the day-by-day plan we build most often for U.S. travelers with 10 days.

Days 1-3 — Arenal / La Fortuna

Volcano, waterfall, hot springs and a Río Celeste day trip. Full breakdown in things to do in La Fortuna.

Days 4-5 — Monteverde

Cloud forest, ziplining and bridges. Cooler climate; see La Fortuna vs Monteverde.

Days 6-7 — Manuel Antonio

Rainforest-meets-beach national park with easy wildlife. Great mid-trip reset.

Days 8-10 — Beach Wind-Down

Finish on the Guanacaste or Nicoya coast — surf and sunsets at Tamarindo or the calmer Nosara — before flying out of Liberia (LIR).

Book It as One Trip

This route runs smoothly as a single package with transport and hotels handled, or we'll tailor it to your dates and pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 10 days enough for Costa Rica?

Ten days is ideal for a first trip. You can comfortably combine Arenal, Monteverde and two coastal stops without spending all your time driving.

What is the best 10-day Costa Rica itinerary?

Arenal/La Fortuna (3 nights), Monteverde (2), Manuel Antonio (2) and a final beach stop (2). Fly into San José and out of Liberia to avoid backtracking.

Should I fly into San José or Liberia?

For this route, fly into San José (closest to Arenal) and out of Liberia (closest to the Guanacaste beaches) so you don't double back.