20 days in Costa Rica, Panama & Belize Itinerary
20 days in Costa Rica, Panama & Belize Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Central America tour itinerary planner
Start: Santiago, Chile
Fly
1
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Monteverde, Costa Rica
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
— 1 night
Drive
4
La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
— 4 nights
Drive
5
Tortuguero, 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
— 2 nights
Fly
8
San Pedro, Belize
— 5 nights
Drive to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, Fly to Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport
End: Santiago, Chile
Wed, Sep 1 - Mon, Sep 20
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See full calendar
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The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.Start off your visit on the 2nd (Thu): kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio and then take a memorable tour with Tours. Here are some ideas for day two: take a memorable tour with Tours.
For reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Manuel Antonio travel app.
Santiago, Chile to Manuel Antonio is an approximately 14-hour flight. You'll gain 2 hours traveling from Santiago to Manuel Antonio due to the time zone difference. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can go by car to Monteverde.
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 1 — 3:
Highlights from your trip
2
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Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.Kick off your visit on the 4th (Sat): take a peaceful walk through Curi Cancha Reserve, get to know the fascinating history of Ecological Sanctuary, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond. On the 5th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then indulge in some personalized pampering at Monteverde Massage.
For ratings, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Monteverde trip builder app.
You can drive from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Tamarindo.
Things to do in Monteverde
Find places to stay Sep 3 — 5:
Highlights from your trip
1
night
1
night
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Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.Kick off your visit on the 6th (Mon): take a memorable tour with Tours and then enjoy the sand and surf at Tamarindo Beach.
For reviews, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Tamarindo itinerary tool.
Getting from Monteverde to Tamarindo by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a shuttle. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) early enough to drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos.
Things to do in Tamarindo
Find places to stay Sep 5 — 6:
Highlights from your trip
4
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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.Escape the urban bustle at La Fortuna Waterfall and River Rafting & Tubing. Onirica Art Gallery and Galeria Estudio are good opportunities to explore the local culture. The adventure continues: indulge in some personalized pampering at Tabacon Hot Springs, get engrossed in the history at ChocoMuseo La Fortuna, pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia de La Fortuna de San Carlos, and take in the exciting artwork at Coco Loco Art Studio & Gallery.
To find other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, use the La Fortuna de San Carlos trip planner.
Getting from Tamarindo to La Fortuna de San Carlos by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Tortuguero.
Things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 6 — 10:
Highlights from your trip
1
night
1
night
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Costa Rica's Amazon
One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.Start off your visit on the 11th (Sat): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Tortuguero National Park.
To find other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Tortuguero online tour planner.
Drive from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tortuguero in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In September, plan for daily highs up to 35°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Things to do in Tortuguero
Find places to stay Sep 10 — 11:
Highlights from your trip
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2
nights
2
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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 12th (Sun): kick back and relax at Punta Uva Beach, then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and then admire the natural beauty at Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens. On the 13th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the striking landscape of Cahuita National Park.
To find ratings, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip maker tool.
Traveling by car from Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) early enough to travel to Panama City.
Things to do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 11 — 13:
Highlights from your trip
2
nights
2
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Dubai of Latin America
Arguably the most modern of Central American cities, Panama City boasts a shimmering skyline of glass skyscrapers.Kick off your visit on the 14th (Tue): appreciate the extensive heritage of Casco Viejo, then get engrossed in the history at Museo del Canal Interoceanico de Panama, and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Metropolitan National Park. Here are some ideas for day two: get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour and then wander the streets of Cinta Costera.
To see other places to visit, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Panama City itinerary planning website.
You can do a combination of bus, car, and flight from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Panama City in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of car and bus. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time is 1 hour. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in September, and nighttime lows around 28°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) so you can travel to San Pedro.
Things to do in Panama City
Find places to stay Sep 13 — 15:
Highlights from your trip
5
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5
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San Pedro evolved from small fishing village and now represents one of the most visited locations in Belize.Get outdoors at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Scuba & Snorkeling. Do some cultural sightseeing at The Gallery of San Pedro and Belizean Arts. There's still lots to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Mexico Rocks, make a short side trip with Belize Food Tours, look for gifts at Belizean Breezes Soap Co. and More, and indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.
Use Inspirock's suggestions to plan your San Pedro trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.
Fly from Panama City to San Pedro in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, taxi, and ferry; or do a combination of bus, taxi, and ferry. Traveling from Panama City to San Pedro, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In September, daytime highs in San Pedro are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) so you can travel back home.
Things to do in San Pedro
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 15 — 20:
Highlights from your trip
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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.
Panama travel guide
With a lively banking sector and a booming tourism industry, Panama remains one of the most powerful nations in the Americas, though it's also one of the smallest by land area. The country boasts coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, so it's not surprising most Panama holidays include some form of seaside entertainment. With outstanding beaches all over the country, it's easy to find an ideal spot to swim, snorkel, dive, fish, sail, or simply kick back on the sand with a few cold drinks. The country's best-known landmark and one of the world's most significant shipping routes, Panama Canal tops most tourist itineraries--many choose to see this engineering wonder by traveling the length of it by train.
Belize travel guide
Belize boasts a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea and serves as one of the world's top destinations for snorkeling and scuba diving. In a country providing a home for many different ethnic communities, a holiday in Belize ensures visitors experience a blend of cultures sharing a small land endowed with grand natural beauty. As you tour Belize, you'll see dense broadleaf forests sheltering a staggering variety of birds, ancient Maya ruins providing a palpable history lesson, and tiny coastal villages making up in hospitality what they lack in tourist infrastructure. Still relatively unexplored by foreigners, the country offers travelers a chance to experience pristine scenery free of big crowds and pushy souvenir vendors.
