Itinerary
- Day 1
San Jose
You'll land at San Jose International Airport where someone meets you for the drive to your hotel. After you get settled in, the rest of the day is yours to relax and prepare for what's coming next.
- Day 2
San Jose to Tortuguero
An early start takes you along the Braulio Carrillo highway toward Tortuguero, with rainforest scenery passing by the whole way. Breakfast happens in Guapiles, then you'll head to the boarding point and hop on a boat to see the rainforest's plants and wildlife from the water. Later in the afternoon, check out Tortuguero town where local artisans sell their crafts.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in Guapiles)
Included Activities
- Boat tour through Tortuguero area
- Visit to Tortuguero Village
- Breakfast in Guapiles
Landmarks/POIs Braulio Carrillo National Highway - Day 3
Tortuguero
Walk the hotel trails this morning and look for birds, mammals, and reptiles in the rainforest around you. The afternoon brings a boat tour through the Tortuguero Canals, where you can see more of the Caribbean's natural side and hopefully spot more wildlife along the waterways.
Included Activities
- Walk through hotel trails and rainforest
- Tour through Tortuguero Canals
Landmarks/POIs Tortuguero Canals - Day 4
Tortuguero to La Fortuna
Start with a morning boat ride through the canals, then catch a bus to Guapiles for lunch on your own. After eating, the journey continues by transfer toward La Fortuna de San Carlos, where Arenal Volcano dominates the landscape and you'll be staying nearby.
Included Activities
- Boat ride through Tortuguero Canals
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Guapiles
Landmarks/POIs Arenal Volcano - Day 5
La Fortuna
After breakfast, the day is open for you to do as you like. Hang out and relax if that appeals to you, or head into Arenal Volcano National Park to get closer views of the volcano that's been active since 1968. The park has both thick vegetation with wildlife and rougher terrain where past lava flows shaped the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to Arenal Volcano National Park
Landmarks/POIs Arenal Volcano National Park - Day 6
La Fortuna to Monteverde
Following breakfast, you're headed to the mountainous Monteverde region, known for its incredible wildlife. Getting there uses a mix of transport: you'll drive by land to Lake Arenal, cross the lake by boat, then drive again to reach Monteverde. The scenery along the route changes quite a bit and it's worth paying attention to the views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Car-Bus-Boat transfer from Arenal to Monteverde
Landmarks/POIs Lake Arenal - Day 7
Monteverde
This free day in Monteverde gives you choices. The area holds around 400 bird species (including the quetzal), more than 100 mammals, roughly 120 amphibians and reptiles, and about 2,500 plant species. You might zip line through the canopy, walk hanging bridges, check out a serpentarium, visit frog or butterfly farms, go horseback riding, or take a coffee tour if any of those sound good.
Optional Activities
- Zip lines
- Walk on hanging bridges
- Serpentarium visit
- Frog farm visit
- Butterfly farm visit
- Horseback riding
- Coffee tour
Landmarks/POIs Monteverde Cloud Forest - Day 8
Monteverde to Guanacaste
Your transfer goes to Guanacaste on the Pacific Coast, a region known for long sunny days and nice beaches. The area has exotic plants and wildlife like hummingbirds, crocodiles, iguanas, toucans, parrots, and howler monkeys, plus coastal views and sunsets that are hard to beat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Guanacaste
Landmarks/POIs Guanacaste Pacific Coast - Day 9
Guanacaste
Breakfast comes first, then you have the full day at the central Pacific coast beaches. Relax on the sand, use the hotel pool, or try activities like birdwatching, horseback riding, ATV rides, surfing lessons, diving, or snorkeling if you're feeling more active.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Birdwatching
- Horseback riding
- ATV rides
- Surfing lessons
- Diving
- Snorkeling
- Day 10
Guanacaste
Another free day at the Pacific coast beaches here. Spend time by the water, lounge at the pool, or get involved in water sports and outdoor adventures like birdwatching, horseback riding, ATV rides, surfing lessons, diving, or snorkeling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Birdwatching
- Horseback riding
- ATV rides
- Surfing lessons
- Diving
- Snorkeling
- Day 11
Guanacaste to San Jose
After breakfast, you'll transfer back to San Jose for your last night. Use the afternoon and evening for last-minute shopping around the capital, visit places you want to see, or just unwind before heading home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Transfer to San Jose
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping
- Visit places of interest in San Jose
- Day 12
San Jose Departure
Have breakfast, then catch your transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport at the right time for your flight. This wraps up your Costa Rica trip and it's time to head back home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Transfer to airport
Landmarks/POIs Juan Santamaria International Airport
