Caribbean Rainforests, Volcanoes & the Pacific Coast

Welcome to Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth! Upon arrival to San Jose, our local guide will welcome you at the airport for a private transfer to your hotel. Our guide will give you all the tips and recommendations to get the most out of your stay in Costa Rica. Free afternoon and evening to rest after the flight.

Optional activity: Take a city tour or cooking lessons with a local family.

Transportation: Approx. 45 minutes from the airport to your hotel

Accommodation options: Grano de Oro (4 star hotel) or Rosa del Paseo (2 star hotel)

Early morning you will be picked up at your  hotel in San Jose to drive to Tortuguero (approx. 4 hours),, a place well known for being one of the most important places in the world for spawning the green turtle. It's a beautiful trip, so relax and enjoy the views, as you move towards the ocean. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel where you will be served a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, you will have the chance to visit the sea turtle museum (entrance not included, $ 3 per person), walk on the beach and explore the picturesque town of Tortuguero.

Included Activities:  Tortuguero town visit.

Optional Activities: Night turtle nesting tour (July to October)

Transportation: 2 hours from San Jose to Caño Blanco to take the boat, 2 more hours by boat to the hotel.

Accommodation Option: Turtle Beach Lodge (3 star hotel) or Tortuga Lodge  (4 star hotel).

Today you will participate in several tours to explore the Tortuguero area. One of them will be a guided hike into the hotel trails to observe the local flora and fauna. The other will be a boat tour in the canals of the Tortuguero National Park where, with a little luck, you will observe a great variety of fauna among the lush vegetation. (Entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park not included, $15 per person)

Included Activities:  Guided canal boat tour, optional hike in the trails near the hotel.

Optional Activities: Night turtle nesting tour (July to October)

Accommodations Option: Turtle Beach Lodge (3 star hotel) or Tortuga Lodge  (4 star hotel).

Today you will leave Tortuguero after breakfast and head to Arenal (approx. 4 hours).

Arenal’s perfectly symmetrical shape makes it a sightseer’s dream, while its abundance of outdoor activities makes it an easy place to enjoy hiking, zip lining, thermal waters, and observe a diverse population of wildlife. 

Once you arrive in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to soak  in the hot springs at  the hotel or at any of the hot spring resorts around town.

Optional afternoon activities: Night hike.

Transportation: 1 hour by boat from Tortuguero to Caño Blanco and 4 hour drive to the Arenal volcano.

Accommodation Options: Arenal Springs (5 star hotel) or Miradas Arenal (3 star hotel)

Juanilama is a community located about an 1 hour from La Fortuna which has been organized to offer authentic experiences to travelers so  that they learn the local culture and experience the warmth of the inhabitants.

The experience begins with the farmer's for a day tour in which you will visit a farm where you can observe various crops and taste seasonal fruits, in addition to a refreshing sugarcane juice. Learn from the locals about the products they grow.

Then continue to the house of one of the locals to try your culinary skills and learn about typical Costa Rican cuisine.  You will enjoy  a local, homemade lunch with the family.

Included Activities:  Guided farmer for a day experience, cooking classes, lunch, transportation to and from your hotel.

Optional Activities if you don’t go to Juanilama: Rainforest chocolate tour, volcano hike.

Transportation: 1 hour each way from La Fortuna to Juanilama

Accommodation Options: Arenal Springs (5 star hotel) or Miradas Arenal (3 star hotel)

After breakfast you will be picked up by your private driver to take you to Monteverde (approx. 3 hours).

An amazing ecosystem, it is home to one of the rarest habitats on Earth, the cloud forest has an amazing variety of flora and fauna. The high humidity at this point, 1,600 meters above sea level, creates fog and provides a dense cloud cover over the area.

Activities available in this area includes horseback riding, suspension bridges, zip lining, hikes into the several reserves, coffee tour and farm tour.

Optional afternoon/evening activities: Monteverde reserve hike, visit to a butterfly farm.

Transportation: Approx. 3 hour drive.

Accommodation Options: Hotel Belmar (5 star hotel) or Cabinas Capulin (3 star hotel)

Today you will soar through the Monteverde sky in between treetops and across expansive canyons as you ride along the Sky Trek Zipline. Your tour will start with an open-air gondola trip to an observation area atop the reserve. From there you will start riding down the exhilarating adventure of a lifetime on 8 separate ziplines and eventually end up back down at the main building.

Included Activities:  Guided sky tram & trek zip lining experience

Optional Activities: Monteverde reserve hike, visit to a butterfly farm.

Transportation: 20-30 minutes each way from your hotel.

Accommodation Options: Hotel Belmar (5 star hotel) or Cabinas Capulin (3 star hotel)

After breakfast you will be picked up by your private driver to take you to Manuel Antonio (approx. 3 hours) .

Along the central pacific coast in the North Puntarenas area is a Costa Rican paradise known as Manuel Antonio National Park. Its land area consists of 682 hectares (approximately 7,000 acres); however, it also has an additional 55,000 hectares (136,000 acres) of marine park. It is one of the smallest and most popular national parks in Costa Rica. Visitors to Manuel Antonio can enjoy a relaxing day on one of four pristine beaches or take a hike through the vibrant, green rainforest. From tide pools alive with crustaceans to endangered monkey species to stunning scenic vistas, Manuel Antonio National Park is a spectacular vacation destination.

Optional afternoon/evening activities: Damas Island mangrove kayaking tour, horseback riding, or night walking tour.

Transportation: Approx. 3 hour drive.

Accommodations Options: Arenas de Mar (5 star hotel) or Hotel Karahe (3 star hotel).

After and early breakfast you will head to Manuel Antonio National Park with your local guide. The park consists of 680 hectares, with easy hiking trails throughout. One path leads to the private beaches exclusive to park goers, while the other leads to the Manuel Antonio waterfall. There are over 100 species of mammals and almost 20 distinct species of birds. Throughout the park you will see a number of white-faced capuchin monkeys, lizards, sloths and  coatis. Your guide will provide binoculars, and all the equipment necessary to enjoy the day and observe the marvelous wildlife. Relax for the afternoon or choose one of the optional activities below.

Included Activities:  3 hour guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park

Optional afternoon/evening activities: Damas Island mangrove kayaking tour, horseback riding, or night walking tour. 

Transportation: 10-20 minutes each way from your hotel

Accommodations Options:  Arenas de Mar (5 star hotel) or Hotel Karahe (3 star hotel).

Today you will have the option to relax at the hotel and beach for the day, or choose one of two exciting activities below.

Option #1: Catamaran & Snorkeling Adventure

Sail aboard the Tom Cat or the Spanish Dancer. Come aboard and see the many dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and birds of the Manuel Antonio Marine Preserve.

This tour includes snorkeling equipment and a tour of the offshore islands. You will  also stop for a leisurely swim at one of the white sand beaches and dive on the underwater reefs of the Manuel Antonio Marine Preserve. Enjoy a feast of fresh fruits, grilled fish brochettes, pasta salad, drinks and the finest hospitality. You will have the option  of a morning sail into the Manuel Antonio Marine Preserve or a sunset sail.

Included activities: Bilingual guide, snorkeling equipment & light lunch.

Transportation: 20-30 minutes each way from your hotel

Option #2: Los Campesinos Hanging Bridges and community

Visit Quebrada Arroyo where Los Campesinos Ecolodge is located, get to know its population, its sites of communal interest, additional activities to Rural Tourism and its history, you will also visit the El Pueblo viewpoint, where you can see the Pacific Ocean, neighboring towns and the lower basin of the Savegre river. Enjoy the hanging bridges and the river natural pools.

Included activities: Guided town visit + lunch & hanging bridges experience.

Transportation: 1 hour each way from your hotel.

Accommodations Options: Arenas de Mar (5 star hotel) or Hotel Karahe (3 star hotel).

Your amazing trip is coming to an end! You will take an early morning private ground transfer (approx. 4 hours) from Manuel Antonio to San Jose Airport where you will take  your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trip and will come visit again soon!

Transportation: Approx. 4 hour drive to Juan Santamaria airport in San Jose.

Accommodations

Lodging each night is included in your choice of boutique hotels or ecolodges. Recommendations are included in the day-by-day itinerary.

Tours & Activities

Unique experiences available daily. See the day-by-day itinerary for recommended tours and additional options available.

Guides

English speaking local & specialized guides during activities

Ground Transportation

Private/Shared Shuttles to get you between destinations (Renting a car is also an option but not as recommended)

Food

Included meals are noted in the itinerary: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner

24/7 assistance

In country assistance in English during the whole trip

Airport Transfers

Transportation arranged to get you to/from the airport

• International Flights

• Optional Activities

• Not specified meals

• Alcoholic drinks

• Tips

• Travel Insurance

If trip is cancelled:

45+ days in advance - 100% will be refunded

15 - 44 days in advance - 50% will be refunded

8-14 days in advance - 30% will be refunded

0-7 days in advance - 0% will be refunded

High Season Cancellation Policy

If your trip falls during peak season (Easter week or December 20-January 10) the following applies.

If trip is cancelled:

90+ days in advance - 100% will be refunded

45-89 days in advance - 50% will be refunded

14-44 days in advance - 30% will be refunded

0-13 days in advance - 0% will be refunded