Itinerary
- Day 1
San José
You'll arrive at San José International Airport where your driver meets you. After grabbing your luggage and getting through customs, the drive to your hotel takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic. You'll have the rest of the day to settle in, maybe grab dinner nearby, and get ready for an early start tomorrow.
- Day 2
San José to Tortuguero
An early morning departure heads northeast through Braulio Carrillo National Park toward the Caribbean coast. You'll stop in Guápiles for breakfast around 8 AM, then board a one-hour boat ride through Tortuguero's canals where you can watch for sloths, caimans, and birds along the water. After checking into your jungle lodge, lunch happens around 1 PM followed by a guided walk through the local Tortuguero community to learn how residents live in this remote area.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast stop in the town of Guápiles), Lunch (Lunch served at the hotel), Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast stop in Guápiles
- One-hour boat ride through Tortuguero canals with wildlife viewing
- Guided tour of Tortuguero town and local community
Landmarks Braulio Carrillo National Park Tortuguero National Park - Day 3
Tortuguero
The day focuses on exploring Tortuguero National Park by boat, and you'll likely spot monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and over 300 bird species as you move through the rainforest canals. The guided tour usually wraps up by early afternoon, leaving you free time to relax at the hotel pool, hang in a hammock, walk some of the local trails, or check out the souvenir shop. Most people take a second boat tour in the late afternoon when wildlife activity picks up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat tour of Tortuguero National Park with guide
- Wildlife viewing and birdwatching
Optional Activities
- Access to hotel pool area
- Walking trails exploration
- Souvenir shopping
Landmarks Tortuguero National Park - Day 4
Tortuguero to Arenal
After breakfast, you'll head back out on the canals for your transfer toward Arenal. The boat and van ride takes several hours, so there's a lunch stop in Guápiles around noon. By late afternoon you'll arrive in the Arenal rainforest area with views of Arenal Volcano rising up ahead. The town itself is small but has everything you need, and many lodges sit right on the water with the volcano as a backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in the town of Guápiles)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Lunch stop in Guápiles
Landmarks Arenal Volcano - Day 5
Arenal
A 2-hour guided hike follows trails at the volcano's base, and your guide walks you through what happened during the 1968 eruption and how the rainforest has grown back since then. You'll see lots of different plants and wildlife along the way. Later in the day, you head to Baldi Hot Springs where thermal pools at different temperatures let you soak and relax. There are water slides if you want something more active, or you can just float around in the warm water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on tour)
Included Activities
- 2-hour guided hike at Arenal Volcano base
- Baldi Hot Springs entrance and pool access
Optional Activities
- Water slides at Baldi Hot Springs
Landmarks Arenal Volcano Baldi Hot Springs - Day 6
Arenal to Monteverde
The journey to Monteverde takes about 3.5 hours total and includes a scenic 30 to 40 minute boat crossing on Lake Arenal. You'll travel in a comfortable van with room for your bags, and from the boat you get nice views of small islands dotting the water. After docking, it's another van ride through winding mountain roads before you reach Monteverde and your hotel, which sits high in the cloud forest around 4,600 feet elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Lake Arenal boat crossing with scenic views
Landmarks Lake Arenal - Day 7
Monteverde
You'll explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, picking from nine different trails that wind through wind-sculpted elfin woodlands and tall trees covered in orchids and thick moss. The landscape feels otherworldly with all the mist and vegetation. If you're lucky you might see resplendent quetzals, three-wattled bellbirds, hummingbirds, and other rare birds. One of the highest viewpoints offers really wide vistas across the valleys below, especially on clear mornings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Exploration of nine different trails
- Access to high-elevation viewpoint
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 8
Monteverde to San José
The drive back to San José takes about 3 hours, heading down from the mountains through shifting elevation and terrain. You'll have time to think back on the trip, grab lunch somewhere along the route, and maybe stop at a roadside café. You'll arrive at your San José hotel by mid to late afternoon, leaving the evening free to explore the city, have dinner, or just rest before your flight tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
San José Departure
Your driver picks you up from the hotel lobby and takes you to San José International Airport for your departure. The drive takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic, so you'll want to be ready early. Check in, go through security, and you're set for your flight home.
