Costa Rica in 10 days: Playa Leona and southern Nicoya
Ten days with one base at Playa Leona Beach Resort. Coastal outings visit San Lucas and Tortuga, Curú Wildlife Refuge, Montezuma waterfalls and the mangroves of Isla Venado. Beach time and free days break up the excursions.
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 dates12–21 January 2027
Who it suitsFor travellers who want day trips from one base without moving between hotels.
PaceThe slowest of the new options; free days break up the excursions, including the long day 5.
AccommodationAll 9 nights at Playa Leona Beach Resort.
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 — Curú, Montezuma waterfalls and an evening in town
An early departure around 06:00 leads to Curú. The morning visit with a local guide is proposed for roughly 07:00–11:00, exploring forest, mangroves and the coast while looking for wildlife. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.
The transfer towards Montezuma may include a short stop at a large old fig tree. Montezuma waterfalls are planned from around 13:00, reached along a forest and riverside path with rocky sections. The walk depends on fitness and trail conditions, and swimming is subject to suitable conditions.
The afternoon and evening are for Montezuma’s centre, coast and a restaurant of your choice. Return to Playa Leona is provisionally around 20:30, making this one of the longer days of the trip.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 6 — A free day at Playa Leona
Spend a day without a fixed schedule on the beach, by the pool or on the Sendero. Kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, massages, shopping transport or a separate fishing trip can be arranged according to your interests. These options are confirmed individually and are not automatically included in the accommodation price.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 7 — 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 8 — 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 9 — The last full day by the sea
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.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 10 — A final swim and departure
The morning remains flexible for breakfast, the pool or a final visit to the beach. The provisional plan is to leave the resort around 12:00, take the ferry across the gulf and continue to Juan Santamaría Airport.
The actual departure time must allow for the flight, ferry timetable and international check-in. A noon departure is not automatically suitable for every flight.
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 — Curú: forest, mangroves and coast
Day 7 — Isla Venado: mangroves and local food
Day 8 — Playa Coyote: time on the Pacific coast
Accommodation and the individual offer
All 9 nights at Playa Leona Beach Resort.
The whole stay uses one base. The Superior or Deluxe bungalow type and occupancy are selected for the group.
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
There are no hotel changes, but the Curú–Montezuma day is long. The waterfall walk includes rocks and uneven ground; assess the route and swimming conditions for your group at the time.
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.