This itinerary shows how you would ideally travel between all the 20 main itinerary points. Note that visiting all of them is unrealistic unless you are planning on staying over a month. It is designed to show logical order. You are able to eliminate any point without having to alter the route. Simply connect the arrow with the next point in line.

On your way from San José (1) to Cahuita and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (3) you can alternatively stay in the Cartago/Orosi/Turrialba area (19). Many people prefer to visit Tortuguero (2) first after arrival at San José Airport (1) and then proceed to the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca area (3), which is also great.

If you are skipping the main Guanacaste area (8, 9, 10), from La Fortuna (6) to Monteverde (14) is a common route for shorter itineraries.  

On your way back from the Osa Peninsula (18) to San José Airport (1), you ideally break up the long drive by staying for a night somewhere along the Pacific coast (Jaco 15, Manuel Antonio 16, Dominical 17). You can also choose to go inland to San Gerardo de Dota (20) to overnight in the mountains.

You can drive from the Osa Peninsula (18) to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (3), or vice versa, but it is a long drive. Therefore, you can decide to overnight in the area of San José (1); however, it is nicer to overnight in the Cartago area (19) and visit a couple of highlights there. 

This itinerary is interesting for people who want to visit both the Caribbean side and the Pacific side. The reggae-vibed Caribbean side and laid-back beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula, with the iconic Arenal volcano and Monteverde cloud forest in between. You might incorporate the Osa Peninsula if you have the time, but be aware that the South Pacific receives a lot of rain from September through November.

On your way from San José (1) to Cahuita and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (3) you can alternatively stay in the Cartago/Orosi/Turrialba area (19).

Many people prefer to visit Tortuguero (2) first after arrival at San José Airport (1) and then proceed to the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca area (3). You might even consider making an organized tour to Tortuguero, including shuttle service, hotel, and tours, and get your rental car afterward. Check with your rental car company if you can arrange to pick up your rental car at La Pavona or Guapiles. This is better than going all the way back to San José for your rental car and driving all the way back to the Caribbean.

You can travel from La Fortuna (6) to Rio Celeste (7) to Monteverde (14), or you can stay in La Fortuna (6) and visit Rio Celeste (7) as a day trip. 

Most people prefer to visit Monteverde (14) after La Fortuna (6) or Rio Celeste (7); however, you can travel from La Fortuna (6) to the Nicoya Peninsula (11, 12, 13) first and then Monteverde (14) before San José Airport (1). This way you have more diversification, going from the inland of La Fortuna to the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula back inland to Monteverde.

This itinerary is interesting for people who want to avoid the Caribbean side and stick to the Pacific. I have focused the itinerary on the Nicoya Peninsula all the way down to the Osa Peninsula, but you can easily add places like Rincón de la Vieja (8) and Playas del Coco or Tamarindo (10).

You can travel from La Fortuna (6) to Rio Celeste (7) to Monteverde (14), or you can stay in La Fortuna (6) and visit Rio Celeste (7) as a day trip. 

Most people prefer to visit Monteverde (14) after La Fortuna (6) or Rio Celeste (7); however, you can travel from La Fortuna (6) to the Nicoya Peninsula (11, 12, 13) first and then Monteverde (14) before San José Airport (1). This way you have more diversification, going from the inland of La Fortuna to the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula back inland to Monteverde.

On your way back from the Osa Peninsula (18) to San José Airport (1), you ideally break up the long drive by staying for a night somewhere along the Pacific coast (Jaco 15, Manuel Antonio 16, Dominical 17). You can also choose to go inland to San Gerardo de Dota (20) to overnight in the mountains.

This itinerary is very commonly applied by people who have a limited amount of time in Costa Rica and want to see the common highlights of La Fortuna with the Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Jaco, and Manuel Antonio. Note that you will only visit highly touristic areas.

Alternatively, the triangle Tamarindo or Playas del Coco (10), La Fortuna (6), Monteverde (14), and even Jaco (15) or Manuel Antonio (16) is applied by people landing in Liberia Airport. Note that since these highlights are very popular, they might be crowded during high season. 

You can travel from La Fortuna (6) to Rio Celeste (7) to Monteverde (14), or you can stay in La Fortuna (6) and visit Rio Celeste (7) as a day trip.