Costa Rica in 10 days: islands, Arenal and Poás
Seven nights on the Pacific coast followed by the highlands. San Lucas, Tortuga, the mangroves of Isla Venado and Playa Coyote alternate with rest at Playa Leona; the final three days visit Monteverde, the Arenal area and Poás Volcano.
An itinerary idea based on Playa Leona Beach Resort materials. The proposed dates are not a confirmed departure; the provider will confirm availability and prices for your group.
Duration10 days / 9 nights
Proposed dates9–18 March 2027
Who it suitsFor travellers who want islands and beach time with a shorter inland stay.
PaceA slower coastal stay; an active finish on days 8–10 and an early start for Monteverde.
Accommodation7 nights at Playa Leona Beach Resort + 2 nights in La Fortuna.
Fishing and discoveryA discovery trip. Fishing is optional on free days and arranged separately.
Discuss this itinerary with SAF
Day-by-day itinerary
Expand each day for details. Times are provisional estimates from the source; flights, transfers, admission and guides must be coordinated before confirming the trip.
Day 1 — Arrival and transfer to Playa Leona
After arriving at Juan Santamaría Airport near San José, the proposed route continues towards the Pacific coast, across the Gulf of Nicoya by ferry and on to Playa Leona Beach Resort. The first evening is for settling in and resting.
The source itinerary assumes an arrival at the airport around 18:00 and at the resort around 22:00. The provider must confirm the transfers, ferry connection and any late meal against the actual flight.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 2 — Playa Leona: rest, Sendero and a secluded beach
The first full day is deliberately slower: the beach, pool and time to explore the resort surroundings. A shared shopping trip can be arranged from around 11:00 in the proposed schedule.
The Sendero trail leads through dry tropical forest, a cactus grove and a viewpoint to a secluded sandy beach; the source describes a walk of about 800 metres each way. Kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, massages and fishing trips are optional services, with availability and prices to be agreed separately.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 3 — Isla San Lucas and Isla Tortuga
The boat day starts on Isla San Lucas, with about two hours for the former prison grounds, surviving buildings and cells. The route then continues through the Islas Negritos area. Sightings of birds and other wildlife depend on their presence at the time.
Subject to conditions, the proposal includes about 45 minutes of snorkelling near rocky islets and at least two hours for swimming and relaxing on Isla Tortuga. The daytime boat trip is provisionally scheduled for 08:00–16:00. An additional secluded beach stop depends on time, tides and sea conditions. Park admission, lunch and equipment are governed by the confirmed individual offer.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Photos: Isla San Lucas: island history · Isla Tortuga: boat trip and beach
Day 4 — A free day, sunset and bioluminescence
The morning and early afternoon remain free for your own plans. Return to the Sendero, rest or arrange an optional resort activity separately.
The evening cruise is provisionally planned for about 17:00–20:30. It visits the islands and coastline of the Gulf of Nicoya for sunset and wildlife watching, then continues after dark to an area suitable for bioluminescence. Neither wildlife sightings nor the intensity of the glowing water can be guaranteed.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 5 — Isla Venado: mangroves, a fishing community and mariscada
The cruise crosses the gulf towards the quieter mangrove waters around Isla Venado. After landing, a short walk leads through the fishing village to a local restaurant with a view.
The proposal includes a traditional mariscada, a shared platter of fish and seafood determined by the day’s catch. Chicken or vegetarian alternatives require advance arrangement, as do any allergy requirements. The provisional excursion time is about 09:30–15:30.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 6 — Playa Coyote: the Pacific and a sunset barbecue
The full-day outing visits wide, sandy Playa Coyote on the open Pacific coast. There is time for coastal walks, rest and swimming when local conditions allow. The source proposes departure around 09:30, a drive of about 1 hour 15 minutes and return around 20:00.
A shared barbecue is planned before sunset. The Playa Leona restaurant is to prepare the agreed ingredients, grill and equipment, with the group preparing dinner together. The specific menu and scope must be confirmed in the individual offer.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 7 — The last full day at Playa Leona
The final full day on the coast leaves time for swimming, resting and returning to a favourite spot near the resort. Optional activities and transport for last-minute shopping can be arranged separately. The source also suggests an afternoon or evening barbecue at the resort if the group is interested.
There is also time to pack before the final inland part of the trip.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 8 — Monteverde, coffee and the route around Lake Arenal
A very early transfer from the coast via the ferry leads to Monteverde. The source proposes departure around 05:00 and a morning at Treetopia, with ziplines and hanging bridges above the cloud forest. About five hours are allocated to the visit.
A coffee tour is planned for 14:00–16:00, with cacao and sugar cane depending on the chosen version. The route then follows Lake Arenal to La Fortuna. Photo stops and the evening arrival depend on actual traffic and weather.
Overnight: La Fortuna; the specific hotel is to be confirmed.
Photos: The landscape around Lake Arenal
Day 9 — Mano del Arenal and Baldi Hot Springs
The morning proposal visits Sky Adventures Arenal for the Sky Tram cableway, the Mano del Arenal viewpoint and hanging bridges. The source allows approximately 09:00–12:00; the provider will confirm the precise combination and admission package.
After the transfer, the afternoon and evening are spent at Baldi Hot Springs. Thermal pools and cascades in tropical gardens offer a slower pace after the previous day. The source recommends staying for dinner; admission options and whether dinner is included must be confirmed.
Overnight: La Fortuna; the specific hotel is to be confirmed.
Day 10 — Poás Volcano and departure
After breakfast, the proposal transfers from La Fortuna to Volcán Poás National Park and its high-altitude volcanic landscape. The source suggests departure around 08:30, about two hours for the visit and then a direct transfer to Juan Santamaría Airport.
This day must be planned against the actual flight, reserved admission time and current park operation. Crater visibility depends on weather, and the visit must leave sufficient time for check-in.
The trip in photographs
The galleries follow this itinerary’s order. Photographs from earlier visits show the locations; they do not confirm a specific hotel, view or wildlife sighting.
Day 3 — Isla San Lucas: island history
Day 3 — Isla Tortuga: boat trip and beach
Day 5 — Isla Venado: mangroves and local food
Day 6 — Playa Coyote: time on the Pacific coast
Day 8 — The landscape around Lake Arenal
These photographs show the Arenal landscape, not a specific reserved hotel.
Day 9 — Baldi: thermal pools and tropical gardens
Accommodation and the individual offer
7 nights at Playa Leona Beach Resort + 2 nights in La Fortuna.
The Superior or Deluxe bungalow type, occupancy and any inland hotels are selected for your group. For nights away from Playa Leona, confirm luggage storage and whether the resort bungalow remains booked; this is not automatic.
Price and what to confirm
The provider will prepare current prices for your dates and group size. An activity appearing in the itinerary does not by itself establish that it is included in the price. Request a clear written offer covering:
- Accommodation, occupancy, meals on each day and any nights away from the resort.
- Airport and other transfers, ferries, boat transport and actual seating capacity.
- Admission, reservations, guides, equipment, snorkelling and any proposed barbecue for the selected version.
- Optional activities, international flights and insurance as separately clarified items.
- Currency, taxes and mandatory fees, payments, changes, cancellation and arrangements for an activity that cannot operate.
Fitness and travel conditions
Days 8–10 are active, with an early start, transfers and visits at altitude. Check age and other restrictions for ziplines and hanging bridges. The final visit to Poás must fit the flight and the park’s current access conditions.
Wildlife, views and bioluminescence depend on natural conditions. Swimming, snorkelling and boat trips are subject to current weather, sea conditions and local operator decisions. The provider must confirm timings, admission and connections before booking.
The next step
SAF receives the initial inquiry. We will clarify your dates, group size, preferred pace and optional activities and arrange contact with the local partner. The actual provider confirms the individual offer, contract, booking and payments. SAF does not operate Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Send a non-binding inquiry to SAF
Updated 15 November 2026 from the local partner’s new itinerary. Viewing this programme or opening the contact page does not create a reservation or an obligation to pay.