Costa Rica pairs La Fortuna's hot springs and cloud-wrapped Arenal volcano with Manuel Antonio's sloths-and-surf coastline a few hours away. It's built for movement — ziplines, hikes and wildlife spotting between two very different landscapes.
Month by month
Best: January, February, March, April, December
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
Worth avoiding: September, October.
How long to stay
7–10 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 5h from the US East Coast, 11h from Europe, 20h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Distances are short on the map but roads are winding — allow 3.5 hours to drive between La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio, or fly domestically.
- Book Manuel Antonio National Park entry online in advance; daily visitor numbers are capped and tickets sell out.
- Rainy 'green season' (May–Nov) brings near-daily afternoon downpours — plan outdoor activities for the morning.
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