10-Day Costa Rica Family Itinerary
Volcanoes, rainforest, sloths, and beaches in ten days. Rent a 4WD, do the classic Arenal-Monteverde-Manuel Antonio loop.
Build this tripAt a glance
- Duration
- 10 days
- Cities
- 4
- Flight legs
- 0
- Budget/day
- $280
Cities
- San Jose
- La Fortuna
- Monteverde
- Manuel Antonio
The plan
Fly SJO, rent a 4WD (essential for Monteverde's unpaved road). Days 1-3 La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano hikes, hot springs (Tabacon or Baldi), hanging bridges, ziplining for the bigger kids. Day 4 drive to Monteverde via Lake Arenal 4h. Days 4-6 Monteverde: cloud forest reserve, Selvatura hanging bridges, night walk for sloth and snake spotting. Day 7 drive to Manuel Antonio 5h. Days 7-9 beach + national park: howler monkey spotting in Manuel Antonio park (a morning is plenty), beach afternoons, nearby Quepos for zipline or ATV. Day 10 drive back SJO, fly home. Kids get a nature-documentary-comes-to-life experience.
When to go
December-April (dry season); May-November for green season and lower prices.