15 days in Costa Rica & Panama City Itinerary
15 days in Costa Rica & Panama City Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Central America trip itinerary maker
Start: Roanoke, United States
Fly to San Jose, Shuttle to La Fortuna de San Carlos
1
La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
— 3 nights
Drive
2
Monteverde, Costa Rica
— 2 nights
Drive
3
San Jose, Costa Rica
— 3 nights
Drive
4
Turrialba, Costa Rica
— 1 day
Drive
5
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
— 1 night
Drive
6
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica
— 2 nights
+2
Bus to Sixaola, Drive to Changuinola, Fly to Panama City Marcos A Gelabert
7
Panama City, Panama
— Few hours
Fly
End: Roanoke, United States
Thu, Oct 14 - Thu, Oct 28
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See full calendar
3
nights
3
nights
Set against the backdrop of the imposing Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna de San Carlos offers visitors a chance to explore diverse natural landscapes and sample some delicious local produce.Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Iglesia de La Fortuna de San Carlos and Wood & Art Gallery. Get outdoors at Tabacon Hot Springs and La Fortuna Waterfall. When in La Fortuna de San Carlos, make a side trip to see Catedral de Ciudad Quesada in Quesada, approximately Quesada away. There's lots more to do: let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, stroll through Proyecto Asis, view the masterpieces at Onirica Art Gallery, and take an in-depth tour of ChocoMuseo La Fortuna.
To see reviews, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our La Fortuna de San Carlos trip builder tool.
Roanoke, USA to La Fortuna de San Carlos is an approximately 14-hour combination of flight and shuttle. You can also drive. Traveling from Roanoke to La Fortuna de San Carlos, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) early enough to drive to Monteverde.
Things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Side Trip
Find places to stay Oct 14 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
2
nights
2
nights

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.On the 19th (Tue), stroll through Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Here are some ideas for day two: tour the pleasant surroundings at Curi Cancha Reserve, then admire the natural beauty at Monteverde Orchid Garden, and then explore and take pictures at Ecological Sanctuary.
To find other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Monteverde trip builder tool.
Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Monteverde takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Wed) so you can go by car to San Jose.
Things to do in Monteverde
Find places to stay Oct 18 — 20:
Highlights from your trip
3
nights
3
nights

A trip to San Jose, the capital, commercial center, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, gives you a chance to experience the lively atmosphere and rich cultural past of this vibrant country.Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles and Jade Museum. And it doesn't end there: admire the masterpieces at Museo de Arte Costarricense, get engrossed in the history at Museo Nacional De Costa Rica, examine the collection at Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, and walk around Parque La Sabana.
To see ratings, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our San Jose journey website.
You can drive from Monteverde to San Jose in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 80°F, and evening lows to 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Turrialba.
Things to do in San Jose
Side Trips
Find places to stay Oct 20 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
1
day
1
day
On the 24th (Sun), head outdoors with Costa Rica Experience and then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.
To find other places to visit, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Turrialba trip itinerary maker site.
Traveling by car from San Jose to Turrialba takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. October in Turrialba sees daily highs of 80°F and lows of 65°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Manuel Antonio.
To find other places to visit, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Turrialba trip itinerary maker site.
Traveling by car from San Jose to Turrialba takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. October in Turrialba sees daily highs of 80°F and lows of 65°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Manuel Antonio.
Things to do in Turrialba
Find places to stay Oct 24 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
1
night
1
night
The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.On the 25th (Mon), indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas and then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.
For where to stay, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Manuel Antonio visit planner.
Traveling by car from Turrialba to Manuel Antonio takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
Side Trip
Find places to stay Oct 24 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
2
nights
2
nights

Walaba
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offers a wealth of entertainment by the sea, attracting a lively international crowd of revelers while maintaining a bright and breezy coastal charm with a local feel.Start off your visit on the 26th (Tue): stroll through Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens, then surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, and then kick back and relax at Punta Uva Beach. On the next day, enjoy the sand and surf at Puerto Viejo Beach.
To find ratings, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip site.
Traveling by car from Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Wed) early enough to travel to Panama City.
Things to do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Side Trip
Find places to stay Oct 25 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
few
hours
few
hours

Dubai of Latin America
Arguably the most modern of Central American cities, Panama City boasts a shimmering skyline of glass skyscrapers.To find ratings, photos, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Panama City tour itinerary tool.
You can do a combination of bus, car, and flight from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Panama City in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of car and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Panama City is 1 hour. In October, plan for daily highs up to 87°F, and evening lows to 76°F. On the 28th (Thu), you'll travel back home.
Things to do in Panama City
Find places to stay Oct 27 — 28:
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Costa Rica travel guide
Tiny in terms of land area, Costa Rica is astoundingly diverse when it comes to culture and natural attractions. In a country called "Rich Coast", it's no surprise most Costa Rica vacations dedicate at least a few days to picturesque Pacific and Caribbean beaches, ideal for water sports and relaxation. Few small countries offer such a range of landscapes, allowing tourists to observe towering volcanoes while soaking away their worries in a hot spring, or hike into dense rainforests in the morning and surf at a modern resort in the afternoon. A trip to Costa Rica also lets you discover pristine national parks, ensuring plenty of chances to view wildlife from the comfort of eco-friendly lodges packed with amenities even ardent nature lovers secretly desire.