Wetlands, Rainforest, Volcano and Pacific Beaches

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 hour drive 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.

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: 2 hours by boat from Tortuguero to Caño Blanco and 4 hour drive to the Arenal.

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.

To start you can choose from 1 from the following two activities:

La Leona Waterfall Hike

The hike consists of 2 kilometers of intermediate paths, allowing the visitor to reach the foot of the La Leona Waterfall. You will have the chance to swim in crystal clear waters. During the whole walk, a local guide offers information about the existing flora and fauna.

Handcraft & Artisan Soap

An interesting and practical way to convert common waste such as paper, cans and plastic bottles into handcrafts or usable utensils with Doña Elena who will be your teacher.

You will also learn to make handmade soap, use your creativity to make figures and choose the smell you prefer according to your preferences.

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:  La Leona waterfall hike or handcraft & artisan soap, cooking class, 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)

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

Option #1:  Canyoning

You will head to a canyon, about a 20 minute drive outside La Fortuna. Then transfer to 4x4 trucks for an exciting short drive into the rainforest with spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano along the way. Once you arrive at the ranch house, you are off for a morning of exciting and exhilarating Canyoning. Rappel down waterfalls, a canyon wall, monkey drop (zip line & rappel) and  rock climb all in a spectacular rainforest canyon. Then top it off with a delicious typical Costa Rican lunch.

Included activities: Transportation, bilingual guide, canyoning.

Option #2: Tenorio Volcano Hike 

Mysterious and enchanting.  In the very depths of Tenorio Volcano National Park a chemical phenomenon transforms the water of the Buena Vista and Quebrada Agria rivers into a sky blue stream. As they blend, one of the most extraordinary and shocking optical illusions of nature appears: “Rio Celeste.” The 4.5 mile (7km) hike will start by going to the  Rio Celeste waterfall. From there you’ll hike through the jungle until arriving at “Los Teñideros,” where two streams of crystalline water come together.  As you walk along these paths you might also get to know some of the resident animals. 

Included Activities:  Transportation, bilingual guide, hike and park entrance.

Transportation: 1 hour  each way from your hotel

Option #3: Balsa River Rafting

The Balsa River is a white water river which has class II and III rapids. Along your rafting adventure you will see lots of  animals, like monkeys, toucans and some exotic birds. You'll enjoy over 2 hours of exciting whitewater action. As you float down the Balsa River, you'll pass through scenic forests and have the opportunity to spot wildlife. The journey ends at the San Carlos Bridge, where you can swim and enjoy some snacks.

Included Activities:  Transportation, bilingual guide & rafting .

Transportation: 1 hour  each way from your hotel

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, which is 1,600 meters above sea level creates fog and provides a dense cloud cover over the area.

Activities available in this area include 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.

During the afternoon,  the Torres family will share with you their farm experience. 

The farm has been in their family since 1954, and is the current home of 2 grandparents, their 5 children and 9 grandchildren, all of whom are committed to sustainably managing the farm and conserving the forest. They offer a daily hands-on farm experience in which you can feed chickens, harvest eggs, pick fruits and vegetables, milk cows, taste freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, learn about coffee and milk production, and meet the family. The tour ends with a sampling of local traditional Costa Rican food and coffee home-grown on the farm. This unique, personalized experience will likely be a highlight of your time in Monteverde, providing you with an inside look at life in rural Costa Rica and giving you an opportunity to taste home-grown and home-cooked Costa Rican food.

Included Activities: Guided sky tram & trek zip lining experience. Guided farm 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 family owned lodge)

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

Option # 1: Monteverde Reserve Hike

Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is among the most famous reserves in the world for its biodiversity, conservation, contributions, and scientific researches. You will hike through the well-marked-trails, waterfalls, rivers, and the observation area of the park. If you are lucky you might spot a "Quetzal", one of the most beautiful birds in the world. It has an extension of 3,500 hectares, and was chosen in 2007 as one of the Seven Wonders of Costa Rica.

The geographical, topographical, and climatic conditions of the Monteverde Reserve have conditioned the surprising biodiversity found there. In its forests are present four ecological "Life Zones", which give rise to different ecosystems inhabited by hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects, spiders, mosses, epiphytes, lianas, and other plants and trees typical of the Cloud Forest.

Included Activities:  Guided Monteverde Reserve hike.

Option #2: Horseback Riding

This 2.5 hour ride will take you through scenic countryside and is a perfect day getaway. The ride is perfect for beginners or more experienced riders and offers glimpses of rural Costa Rican life and villages and the pace is leisurely enough that it’s a fun ride for everyone.

You will be taken through past banana, sugar and coffee plantations while sharing information about the local area and its customs. The ride skirts along some cloud forest and it’s not uncommon to see various tropical birds. There’s even a scenic viewpoint where you can admire the views of the Gulf of Nicoya. 

Included activities: Guided horseback riding tour

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

On the way to your beach destination you will visit the community of Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara, is the birthplace of the marimba, an instrument that is a national symbol of Costa Rica. In addition, it is the only part of the country where the ancient tradition of ceramics is maintained, a tradition inherited from our indigenous people.

When you arrive you will have lunch and taste the local cuisine.

After lunch you will experience a complete demonstration of the pottery process, starting with making the mud with your feet and finishing by cooking it in a mud oven. You will learn from the history of the family whose modus vivendi has been transmitted from generation to generation.

From Santa Barbara you will continue to the beach location you choose: Hermosa Beach, Negra Beach or Potrero Beach for dinner and a relaxing evening

Included Activities:  Pottery lessons.

Optional activities: Sunset Catamaran.

Transportation: 2 hours from Monteverde to Santa Barbara and 1 hour from Santa Barbara to any of the beach locations.

Accommodation Options: Latica Lodge- Playa Negra (4 star hotel) or Mangaby- Playa Hermosa (3 star hotel) or Bahia del Sol- Playa Potrero (5 star hotel)

The Guanacaste region is a great central place to use as home base to explore many of the area breaks to the north and south. There are several breaks in the area including the famous spot of Playa Negra, and the untouched wave of Playa Junquillal.

To learn how to surf all you need is the ability to swim and a good sense of humour. You’ll be paired with an instructor who will show you the ropes and teach you how to stand up on your surfboard and ride your first wave in your first class.

Included Activities:  Two hour surfing lessons.

Optional Activities: Rincón de la Vieja volcano hike, zip lining, snorkeling.

Accommodation Options: Latica Lodge- Playa Negra (4 star hotel) or Mangaby- Playa Hermosa (3 star hotel) or Bahia del Sol- Playa Potrero (5 star hotel)

Sail aboard the Tom Cat or the Spanish Dancer. Come aboard and see the many dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and birds of the North Pacific Coast.

This tour includes snorkeling equipment and a tour of the offshore islands. You also stop for a leisurely swim at one of the white sand beaches and dive on the underwater reefs. Enjoy a feast of fresh fruits, grilled fish brochettes, pasta salad, drinks and great hospitality. 

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

Optional Activities: Rincón de la Vieja volcano hike, zip lining.

Accommodation Options: Latica Lodge- Playa Negra (4 star hotel) or Mangaby- Playa Hermosa (3 star hotel) or Bahia del Sol- Playa Potrero (5 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: Barra Honda Caves

Explore a fascinating intricate system of calcareous caves at Barra Honda.

Hiking through the Barra Honda National Park leads you to an intricately large system of limestone caverns which house a multitude of capricious forms and figures that reach up to 300 meters tall. You will be geared up with special rock climbing equipment to explore and enjoy these caves and see the flora and fauna of this place. You can see coatis, agoutis, anteaters, monkeys, and also point out species of tree and medical plants. This hike takes around one hour. and may be challenging depending on your physical condition.

Included Activities:  Barra Honda Caves Tour.

Option #2: Ostional sea turtle nesting

One of Costa Rica’s most beloved seaside visitors is the sea turtle. And you could say that sea turtles love Costa Rica right back. Year after year, they return to the same Costa Rica beaches to lay their eggs. One of the most spectacular displays of this is the arribada, or the annual arrival of hundreds of thousands of sea turtles to lay their eggs under the new moon.

Included Activities:  Ostional turtle nesting tour (seasonal activity from August to November for nesting and hatching from December to February).

Accommodation Options: Latica Lodge- Playa Negra (4 star hotel) , Mangaby- Playa Hermosa (3 star hotel) or Bahia del Sol- Playa Potrero (5 star hotel)

Enjoy a relaxing morning beach time before heading back to San Jose

On the way to San Jose you will stop to enjoy a safari boat tour in the Corobici river. The Corobici River offers a tranquil floating experience with Class I and II rapids that will satisfy any nature lover and mellow adventurer. The tropical dry forest is full of many bird species and mammals. 

Included Activities:  Safari boat tour in the Corobici river. 

Transportation: 4 hours from any of the beach hotels to San Jose.

Accommodation Options:  Rosa de America  (3 star hotel) or Xandari Resort (4 star hotel) 

Your amazing trip is coming to an end! You will take a private ground transfer to San Jose Airport where you will connect to your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trip and will come visit again soon!

Transportation: Approx. 30 minute drive to Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Accommodations

Lodging each night is included in your choice of boutique hotels, ecolodges, or luxury lodges. 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 shuttles or cars to get you between destinations

Food

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

Entrance Fees

To sites of interest, museums and national parks

24/7 Support

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 (The weeks of Easter, Christmas & New Years) 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