Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in San José
Your flight crosses the Atlantic and you land in San José, Costa Rica. After clearing customs and getting settled into your accommodation, you'll have the evening to rest and adjust to the local time. Tomorrow morning, the jungle exploration kicks off.
- Day 2
San José to Manuel Antonio
You'll travel through tropical jungle toward the Pacific coast and arrive at Manuel Antonio National Park. The afternoon is yours to spend relaxing on the beaches or walking along the sandy shores as the sun starts to set over the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Beach exploration and relaxation
Landmarks Manuel Antonio National Park 
- Day 3
Manuel Antonio National Park Jungle Adventure
This is a full day exploring the rainforest trails in Manuel Antonio National Park. You'll hike through the jungle looking for iguanas, coatis, and squirrel monkeys before heading down to the white sand beaches. Swimming in the turquoise water and watching pelicans is a nice way to cap off the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cab to national park entrance (payable locally)
- Manuel Antonio National Park exploration with hiking trails
- Wildlife viewing and swimming
Landmarks Manuel Antonio National Park 
- Day 4
Manuel Antonio to Montezuma/Santa Teresa
You'll leave Manuel Antonio and head along the coast toward the Gulf of Nicoya. A ferry takes you across to either Montezuma or Santa Teresa, and after settling into your spot, you can walk through the evening streets and check out the beach nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Evening stroll through town
- Beach exploration
Landmarks Gulf of Nicoya - Day 5
Montezuma Waterfalls Trail and Local Market
Saturday morning you start at the local farmers market browsing handicrafts and fresh food, maybe catching some live music. Later you'll hike the Montezuma Waterfalls Trail through dense jungle, where you might spot capuchin monkeys. The day ends with a refreshing dip in the pool under the waterfalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Local farmers market visit (Saturday)
- Montezuma Waterfalls Trail hike
- Swimming at waterfall pool
Landmarks Montezuma Waterfalls - Day 6
Tortuga Island Boat Trip
After morning coffee by the beach, you head to Tortuga Island for the day. You can snorkel, swim, or just relax on the beach. If you're staying in Santa Teresa, you'll catch the sunset over the Pacific that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Tortuga Island (bookable in advance or payable on site)
- Snorkeling at Tortuga Island
- Swimming and beach relaxation
Landmarks Tortuga Island - Day 7
Montezuma and Santa Teresa Exploration
You'll hike through Montezuma or head to Santa Teresa to explore the beaches and tide pools. Along the way you might see wildlife. The day finishes with drinks at Banana Beach Bar as the light fades.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Montezuma village coastal hike
- Montezuma tide pool exploration
- Santa Teresa surf spot viewing
- Surfing lessons (payable locally)
- Sunset drinks at Banana Beach Bar
Landmarks Banana Beach Santa Teresa - Day 8
Monteverde Cloud Forest
You'll head inland through Costa Rica's green landscape toward Monteverde Cloud Forest. Once there, you can take a jungle adventure using public transport or a cab to hike through moss-covered forest, have a picnic by a stream, and check out marshlands with waterfalls. The suspension bridges strung high above gorges and rivers offer thrilling views, and you'll have chances to spot sloths, monkeys, and if you're lucky, jaguars moving through the mist and giant trees overhead.
Optional Activities
- Jungle hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest with moss-covered forest, stream picnic, marshland exploration, and suspension bridges
- Wildlife viewing including sloths, monkeys, and jaguars
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest 
- Day 9
Monteverde Culinary and Adventure Day
You'll explore Monteverde's cafés, bakeries, and restaurants during the morning. Later, you head back to the cloud forest to try different ways to see it, whether on horseback, quad bike, or suspension bridges. You'll spot toucans, quetzals, and other colorful birds throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cloud forest exploration by horseback (payable on site)
- Cloud forest exploration by quad bike (payable on site)
- Suspension bridge walks (payable on site)
- Wildlife and bird spotting
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest 
- Day 10
Cloud Forest Wildlife and Jungle Adventure
Early morning sends you back into the cloud forest. You'll look for sloths, tree frogs, capuchin monkeys, and ocelots while walking through suspension bridges and past exotic plants. By evening you're back at your accommodation listening to jungle sounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cloud forest wildlife spotting hike
- Photography opportunities
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest - Day 11
La Fortuna
You'll travel to La Fortuna by bus, then switch to water transport at Lake Arenal where the Arenal volcano comes into view as you approach. After settling in at your accommodation with the volcano as your backdrop, take time to walk through the town's shops and markets. Later in the evening, relax on your accommodation's terrace listening to birds and watching the red sunset play across the jungle and waterfalls.
Included Activities
- Exploration of La Fortuna town including shops and market stalls
Optional Activities
- Jungle Hike to Lava Landscapes - Full-day small group tour to La Fortuna waterfall and lava fields with visit to Maluku indigenous village, lunch, and natural hot spring bath; includes English-speaking guide, transfers, entrance fees, lunch, drinks; on request
- River Safari on the Peñas Blancas - 4-hour small group tour in rubber dinghy with wildlife viewing and visit to local family; includes English-speaking guide, transfers, entrance fees, equipment, Costa Rican snacks; bring sunscreen, drinking water; shoes may get wet; per person, on request
- Small group hiking tour to Arenal Volcano - 3-hour on foot through rainforest; includes English-speaking guide, entrance fees, drinking water; wear appropriate footwear, bring sunglasses & sun hat; transfers not possible from all hotels; optional hot springs bath available for extra charge; per person, on request
- Rafting adventure - 2.5-hour small group tour through rapids on Blasa River with wildlife spotting; includes English-speaking guide, transfers, towels, fruit snack, lunch, water, coffee; on request
- Tour to rainforest cacao farm with chocolate tasting - 1.5-hour small group tour; includes English-speaking guide, entrance fees & taxes, chocolate tasting; excludes transfers; bring passport or ID; per person, on request
Landmarks Lake Arenal Arenal Volcano - Day 12
Arenal National Park Hiking and Hot Springs
You'll rent a car and head to Arenal National Park to hike several trails around the volcano. The hike takes you through lava landscape and unique vegetation. After that, soaking in one of the hot springs in the area helps tired muscles recover.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Rental car to Arenal National Park (payable locally)
- Hiking trails around Arenal volcano
- Hot spring bathing experience (payable locally)
Landmarks Arenal National Park Arenal Volcano 
- Day 13
La Fortuna Waterfall and Lake Arenal SUP
The day centers on La Fortuna waterfall, where you descend 480 steps to a jade-colored pool for swimming. Toucans and other jungle animals are visible while you're in the water. For more action, you can rent a SUP board and paddle across Lake Arenal from El Castillo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- La Fortuna waterfall visit with entrance fee (payable on site)
- Swimming at waterfall pool
- SUP board rental on Lake Arenal (payable locally)
Landmarks La Fortuna Waterfall Lake Arenal El Castillo - Day 14
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
The bus takes you across Costa Rica to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean coast, a town with a Jamaica vibe. You'll ease into beach life surrounded by reggae music, colorful surfboards, and white sand. As the day winds down, you can stroll along the beach and grab a drink at one of the colorful bars while the sun sets over the water.
Included Activities
- Exploration of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca town and beaches
- Beach strolls and beach bar visits
Landmarks Puerto Viejo de Talamanca 
- Day 15
Puerto Viejo Relaxation at GypSea and Playa Chiquita
Breakfast happens at GypSea Café, a hippie spot filled with green plants. You can bike or drive along the coastal road to get there. After, it's just a short walk to Playa Chiquita beach where you can relax with drinks and spend time in reflection.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Breakfast or meal at GypSea Café
- Bike rental in town (payable locally)
- Coastal road drive
- Playa Chiquita beach relaxation
Landmarks GypSea Café Playa Chiquita - Day 16
Puerto Viejo Beach Relaxation and Playa Negra
Walking through Puerto Viejo's narrow streets takes you past pastel-colored wooden houses and street food stalls with fresh fruit. You'll head to Playa Negra to watch surfers ride the waves, bringing a book and snacks. You can try surfing yourself or grab a boogie board if you want to get in the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Town alley exploration
- Street fruit stall shopping
- Playa Negra beach relaxation
- Surfing lessons (payable on site)
- Boogie board rental (payable on site)
Landmarks Playa Negra - Day 17
Puerto Viejo to San José
Your final morning at the beach means listening to the waves and feeling the warm sand one more time. Then you board a minibus for the drive back to San José through tropical landscape, thinking back on everything you've done. Your last night is spent resting at your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Final beach time in Puerto Viejo
- Day 18
Departure from Costa Rica
You head to the airport as Costa Rica gets smaller behind you. The flight gives you time to reflect on all you've seen and experienced, feeling grateful for the trip. You settle in for the journey home.
- Day 19
Arrival Back Home
Your plane touches down back home. You move through the final part of the journey and reconnect with family and friends. You're ready to tell everyone about all the incredible experiences from Costa Rica.
