Itinerary
- Day 1
San Jose
You'll arrive in San Jose where your representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Get yourself settled in and rest up for the adventure ahead.
- Day 2
San Jose to Tortuguero
Head out early on a scenic bus ride through Braulio Carrillo National Park toward the Caribbean plains, with breakfast served along the way. Once you reach the water, you'll switch to a boat and cruise through Tortuguero National Park's rivers and canals. The afternoon brings a visit to Tortuguero village where you can walk around and get a feel for how locals live, plus take a stroll on the beach. During turtle season you might spot hatchlings making their way to the ocean. Back at your eco-lodge by evening, you can relax and take in the surroundings.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast en route), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided boat tour through Tortuguero National Park rivers and canals
- Visit to Tortuguero village and beach
- Wildlife observation in Tortuguero National Park
Landmarks/POIs Braulio Carrillo National Park Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero village - Day 3
Tortuguero
You have flexibility this day. Spend time by the pool if you prefer to unwind, or join a three-hour guided trip into Tortuguero National Park where you'll look for over 350 protected bird species, monkeys, crocodiles, and sloths. If turtle season is happening, there's an optional late-night turtle nesting tour you can book directly at the lodge.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Three-hour wildlife observation tour in Tortuguero National Park
Optional Activities
- Late night turtle nesting tour (available during July-September season, purchasable directly at the lodge)
Landmarks/POIs Tortuguero National Park - Day 4
Tortuguero to Arenal
Leave early by boat heading back to Guapiles. From there, ground transportation gets you to a restaurant for lunch. At the restaurant you'll meet your car rental representative and pick up your vehicle. Then you drive yourself to the Arenal area and have the rest of the day to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Day 5
Arenal
After breakfast, head into Arenal Volcano National Park on your own schedule. Hike through the lush green landscapes with the now-dormant volcano in view. Keep watch for sloths, howler monkeys, anteaters, and other wildlife as you walk.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Self-guided hike through Arenal Volcano National Park
Landmarks/POIs Arenal Volcano National Park - Day 6
Arenal to Monteverde
Start early with breakfast, then drive yourself to Monteverde Cloud Forest at your own pace. As you climb to 1,200 metres elevation, you'll notice the landscape shift from rainforest to cloud forest. The small town of Santa Elena has restaurants and artisan shops to explore, or if you want to stay active you can try the Selvatura Treetop Walkway with its 3 km of suspension bridges through the canopy, or take the Don Juan Coffee Tour to learn about coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane production.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour (3-hour hike along network of trails and eight suspension bridges)
- Don Juan Coffee Tour (learn about coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane production with Costa Rican folklore)
Landmarks/POIs Monteverde Cloud Forest Santa Elena - Day 7
Monteverde
Following breakfast, explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This reserve from 1972 contains 2.5% of the world's biodiversity with hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and insects, plus unique cloud forest plants. You can hike through on your own or book optional guided tours like the Selvatura Treetop Walkway or Don Juan Coffee Tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Self-guided hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour
- Don Juan Coffee Tour
Landmarks/POIs Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 8
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
After breakfast, drive toward Manuel Antonio National Park on the coast. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach or getting to know what's around you in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Manuel Antonio National Park - Day 9
Manuel Antonio
Have breakfast, then head to Manuel Antonio National Park to explore on your own. Walk the flat two-mile loop trail that takes you past pristine beaches, tropical wildlife, and thick vegetation. Halfway through you'll reach the famous Third Beach where you can rest on the sand or swim. Throughout the hike you'll see sloths, birds, reptiles, wild orchids, butterflies, and tropical plants. The park is home to three of Costa Rica's four tropical primate species.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Self-guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park
Landmarks/POIs Manuel Antonio National Park Third Beach - Day 10
Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Have breakfast, then drive from Manuel Antonio to the airport at your scheduled time. Return your rental car at the car rental office and take a shared shuttle to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
