Itinerary

Costa Rica — day by day

1. 

   1

   Arrival

   Fri 19 Mar·San José
   • ◆Land at SJO (18:55), pick up the rental car
   • ◆Check in to hotel near the airport
   • ◆Dinner and early night — big days ahead
2. 

   2

   Into the jungle

   Sat 20 Mar·La Fortuna / Arenal
   • ◆3-hour drive from San José to La Fortuna
   • ◆Mistico Park hanging bridges — spot sloths and howler monkeys
   • ◆First views of Arenal Volcano
3. 

   3

   Adrenaline day

   Sun 21 Mar·La Fortuna / Arenal
   • ◆Canyoning (waterfall rappelling) in the jungle
   • ◆Whitewater rafting on the Balsa River
   • ◆Evening at Tabacon Hot Springs — thermal rivers through lush gardens
4. 

   4

   Volcano to coast

   Mon 22 Mar·La Fortuna → Manuel Antonio
   • ◆Morning free in Arenal
   • ◆4.5-hour scenic drive south along the Pacific coast
   • ◆Arrive Manuel Antonio, check in, beach sunset
5. 

   5

   Surf & wildlife

   Tue 23 Mar·Manuel Antonio
   • ◆Private surf lessons at Playa Manuel Antonio
   • ◆Afternoon hike in Manuel Antonio National Park — three-toed sloths & squirrel monkeys
6. 

   6

   Catamaran day

   Wed 24 Mar·Manuel Antonio
   • ◆Full-day catamaran sailing tour
   • ◆Snorkelling stops + dolphin watching
   • ◆Sunset at sea
7. 

   7

   North to Guanacaste

   Thu 25 Mar·Manuel Antonio → Guanacaste
   • ◆4.5-hour drive north to Guanacaste
   • ◆Check in to all-inclusive resort
   • ◆Afternoon by the pool — you've earned it
8. 

   8

   Discover Scuba at Catalina Islands

   Fri 26 Mar·Guanacaste
   • ◆Boat out to the Catalina Islands — no cert needed
   • ◆Brief training on the boat, then 2 guided dives to ~12m
   • ◆Giant manta rays and white-tip reef sharks
9. 

   9

   Sportfishing charter

   Sat 27 Mar·Guanacaste
   • ◆Half-day offshore charter — dorado (mahi-mahi) and yellowfin tuna
   • ◆Cook the catch or celebrate at the resort restaurant
10. 

    10

    Pura Vida day

    Sun 28 Mar·Guanacaste
    • ◆Full day at the resort
    • ◆Beach, pool, and whatever you fancy
11. 

    11

    Last full day

    Mon 29 Mar·Guanacaste
    • ◆Optional: second dive, ATV tour, or horseback riding
    • ◆Final dinner at the resort
12. 

    12

    Fly home

    Tue 30 Mar·Guanacaste → San José
    • ◆Morning beach time at the resort
    • ◆SANSA flight LIR → SJO (~45 min) — depart early afternoon
    • ◆LH519 departs SJO 19:25 — home via Frankfurt