# Costa Rica in 10 days: Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and the whale coast > Ten days is enough for the classic Costa Rica loop: Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and a quieter stretch of the South Pacific coast around Uvita, starting and ending in San José. Plan 4 moves of about 3½ to 4½ hours each, and book Manuel Antonio National Park tickets online before you go. Source: https://www.travelincostarica.net/costa-rica-itinerary-10-days/ Last checked: 2026-10-20 Route: San José, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Uvita, San José Nights: 1 near SJO, 2 Arenal, 2 Monteverde, 3 Manuel Antonio, 2 Uvita Airport: fly in and out of San José (SJO) Book ahead: Manuel Antonio National Park tickets, sold online only; the park is closed on Tuesdays Best months: December to April; whale watching around Uvita also runs in the rainy months Ten days lets you slow down. This loop covers Costa Rica's 3 most famous areas, then adds 2 nights on the South Pacific coast, where the beaches are longer and the towns smaller. It starts and ends at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), so you only need a simple return ticket. ## The route at a glance | Night | Base | Highlights | |---|---|---| | 1 | Alajuela, near SJO | Arrive and rest | | 2-3 | La Fortuna | Arenal Volcano, hot springs, optional Río Celeste day | | 4-5 | Monteverde | Cloud forest, hanging bridges, night walk | | 6-8 | Manuel Antonio | National park, beaches, boat trips | | 9-10 | Uvita | Marino Ballena, whales in season, waterfalls | | Day 11 | Back to SJO | About 3½ hours by shuttle | ## Day 1: Arrive Sleep near the airport in Alajuela. Driving across the mountains after a long flight, and often in the dark, is a bad start. ## Days 2 and 3: Arenal Wikivoyage puts the drive from San José to La Fortuna at about 3½ hours. Spend the first afternoon in hot springs and the next day in [Arenal Volcano National Park](/arenal-volcano-national-park/), on the lava-flow trails, or on a hanging-bridges walk. If you'd rather swap a volcano hike for something different, the Río Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park, north of Arenal, is famous for its milky blue water. It's a long day trip, so start early and check the park's opening hours before you go. Our [Arenal and La Fortuna guide](/arenal-la-fortuna-area/) has more ideas. ## Day 4: Lake Arenal to Monteverde Take the jeep-boat-jeep across Lake Arenal, which Wikivoyage says takes about 3 to 4 hours. It's quicker and prettier than the road, and any hotel can book it. The road-only shuttle takes about 4 hours. ## Day 5: Cloud forest Walk the [Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve](/monteverde-cloud-forest-reserve/) with a guide in the morning, when you've got the best chance of seeing birds. Spend the afternoon on a hanging-bridges walk or a coffee farm tour, and book a night walk for after dark. See our [Monteverde guide](/monteverde/) for how the reserves differ. ## Day 6: Down to Manuel Antonio Interbus's morning shuttle from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio takes about 4 hours. Drivers should leave early: the road down from Monteverde is slow, and you want to arrive in daylight. ## Days 7 and 8: Manuel Antonio [Manuel Antonio National Park](/manuel-antonio-national-park/) is small but packed with wildlife: monkeys, sloths and plenty of birds, plus beaches inside the park. Two things matter for planning. It's closed on Tuesdays, and tickets are sold online only, so buy them before your trip. Hire a guide at least once; they spot sloths that most visitors miss. On your second day, take a boat or catamaran trip, go sea kayaking, or just stay on Playa Espadilla, the public beach outside the park. For hotels, [Parador Nature Resort](/hotel-parador-resort-and-spa/) is a full-service resort on the Punta Quepos headland next to the park, with several pools. [The Falls by Lalibela](/the-falls-resort/) is a smaller, mid-range base near the park with an infinity pool. Our [Manuel Antonio guide](/manuel-antonio/) explains the different parts of the area. ## Day 9: South to Uvita Head south along the coast to Uvita. This stretch, often called the Costa Ballena, is much quieter than Manuel Antonio. Allow most of the morning for the drive or shuttle. ## Day 10: Marino Ballena and the whale coast [Marino Ballena National Park](/marino-ballena-national-park/) protects the beaches and reef around Uvita, including a sandbar shaped like a whale's tail that shows at low tide. Check the tide table so you arrive while you can walk out on it. Humpback whales visit this coast, and boat tours leave from Uvita in whale season. Local outfitters like [Uvita 360](/uvita-360-surf-camp/) run surf lessons for all ages, whale watching, kayaking and trips to Caño Island. For a quiet, grown-up stay, [El Castillo](/hotel-el-castillo/) in Ojochal is a 9-room boutique hotel with a cliffside infinity pool. [Danyasa](/danyasa-eco-resort-retreats/) in Dominical suits travellers who want yoga and a surf town on the doorstep. ## Day 11: Back to San José Wikivoyage says the shuttle from Uvita to SJO airport takes about 3½ hours. Book an afternoon or evening flight home, or stay the night near the airport if your flight leaves early. ## Ways to change it - **Swap Uvita for a beach in Guanacaste.** Fly home from Liberia (LIR) instead, and go Monteverde, then Guanacaste. Our [7-day itinerary](/costa-rica-itinerary-7-days/) shows that route. - **Add the Osa Peninsula.** Uvita is the jumping-off point for Drake Bay and Corcovado. You'll need 3 more nights; see our [2-week itinerary](/costa-rica-itinerary-2-weeks/). - **Travel in September or October.** The Pacific side gets its heaviest rain then. Read our [weather guide](/costa-rica-weather/) and consider the Caribbean coast. ## Practical notes - **Moving days:** 5 of your 10 days include a transfer, so keep those days light. - **Car or shuttle:** both work. A car lets you stop at viewpoints and beaches along the coast road south of Manuel Antonio. Shuttles mean you don't have to drive mountain roads. See [getting around Costa Rica](/getting-around-costa-rica/). - **Packing:** Monteverde is cool and often windy. Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket even in the dry season. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is 10 days enough for Costa Rica? It's a comfortable length for 4 regions with at least 2 nights in each. You won't see the Caribbean or the Osa Peninsula as well, unless you drop one of the stops. ### Which day should I visit Manuel Antonio National Park? Any day but Tuesday, when it's closed. Buy your ticket online ahead of time, since tickets aren't sold at the gate. ### Can I do this itinerary by bus or shuttle? Yes. Shared shuttles cover every leg and pick you up at your hotel. See our guide to [Costa Rica without a car](/costa-rica-without-a-car/). ### When can I see whales near Uvita? Humpback whales visit the Costa Ballena in season, and tour operators in Uvita run whale-watching boats. Check with a local operator for the current season's dates. ### Should I rent a 4x4? It isn't essential on the main paved roads. It's helpful on the partly unpaved road to Monteverde, especially in the rainy season.