Costa Rica in 10 days: Rincón de la Vieja and Monteverde
A three-day active inland circuit complements the coastal base at Playa Leona: the volcanic features of Las Pailas, La Leona canyon, Piedra del Indio waterfalls and Monteverde’s cloud forest. An island day and the final coastal days add more sides of Costa Rica.
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 active travellers with good fitness who are comfortable with water crossings and swimming.
PaceThe most active option: a long day 3 and a demanding circuit on days 4–6, followed by rest.
Accommodation7 nights at Playa Leona + 1 night in the Lake Arenal area + 1 night in Monteverde / Santa Elena.
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 — San Lucas, Tortuga and evening bioluminescence
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.
Only a short break is planned after returning around 16:00. A second cruise for sunset, marine wildlife and bioluminescence follows at approximately 17:00–20:30. This is a long day on boats; sightings and the intensity of bioluminescence cannot be guaranteed.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Photos: Isla San Lucas: island history · Isla Tortuga: boat trip and beach
Day 4 — Rincón de la Vieja, Las Pailas and La Leona canyon
A very early departure around 05:30 leads to the Rincón de la Vieja area, with a breakfast pack proposed in the source. The morning Las Pailas loop passes volcanic features such as fumaroles and bubbling mud pots. About 2–2.5 hours are allocated.
After transferring to Curubandé, an approximately three-hour canyon programme leads to La Leona Waterfall. It involves rocks, water and narrow passages; the source describes a final swim of about 25 metres, with rope assistance in places. This is a demanding water route.
The evening continues towards accommodation in the Lake Arenal area. The provider must confirm the actual schedule, guides, equipment and suitability of the water programme for every participant.
Overnight: Lake Arenal area; the specific hotel is to be confirmed.
Photos: The landscape around Lake Arenal
Day 5 — Piedra del Indio, a local lunch and Monteverde
The morning proposal visits La Piedra del Indio near Tilarán. The family-run natural site combines a petroglyph, forest trails, waterfalls and natural pools. The source allows about 2.5–3 hours. Steep, uneven descents and the climb back require reasonable to good fitness. Swimming depends on conditions.
A lunch at the local family restaurant is proposed before transferring to the Monteverde area. A coffee, cacao and sugar cane tour with demonstrations and tastings is planned for about 14:00–16:00.
The afternoon and evening leave time for Santa Elena, cafés or restaurants. An orchid garden visit is an optional suggestion in the source.
Overnight: Monteverde / Santa Elena; the specific hotel is to be confirmed.
Day 6 — Treetopia, butterfly gardens and return to the Pacific
The morning is for Treetopia in Monteverde: a cableway, ziplines and hanging bridges above the cloud forest. The source estimates 4.5–5 hours including time for lunch. An approximately one-hour guided visit to Monteverde Butterfly Gardens follows.
The route then descends towards the Pacific, with short photo stops if weather and time allow. Via Puntarenas and the ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya, the group returns to Playa Leona in the evening. Departure from Monteverde must be matched to the actual visits and ferry connection.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 7 — Rest after the three-day circuit
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 8 — Playa Pochote by Bahía Ballena
This beach day visits Playa Pochote near Tambor, by Bahía Ballena. The source describes grey sand, mangroves and local fishing boats. There is time to rest, walk and swim when current conditions allow.
Return to Playa Leona is planned for the afternoon. Macaws may be seen in the area, but sightings are not guaranteed. The provider will confirm transport and any additional services.
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 4 — The landscape around Lake Arenal
These photographs show the Arenal landscape, not a specific reserved hotel.
Day 5 — Piedra del Indio: waterfalls and green hills
Accommodation and the individual offer
7 nights at Playa Leona + 1 night in the Lake Arenal area + 1 night in Monteverde / Santa Elena.
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
La Leona canyon involves water crossings and a swim of about 25 metres according to the source. Piedra del Indio includes steep descents and climbs. These sections require reasonable to good fitness and a suitability assessment in advance; guide and operator restrictions take precedence. Day 3 and the circuit on days 4–6 have an intensive pace.
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.