Itinerary
- Day 1
San José
You'll land at San José airport and get transferred to Hotel Autentico. Take time to settle in and rest up, since your tour guide will meet with you early the next morning to go over the itinerary and answer any questions.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 2
San José to La Fortuna
After breakfast, you'll pick up your rental car and head out along the Panamericana, driving through 4 provinces. If you're interested, there's an option to stop at Poás volcano on the way. The drive runs about 4 hours and covers roughly 145 km, bringing you to Hotel Magic Mountain where you can soak in the thermal baths and unwind.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive along the Panamericana through San José, Heredia, and Alajuela provinces to La Fortuna
Optional Activities
- Visit Poás volcano
Landmarks Poás Volcano 
- Day 3
La Fortuna to Rincón de la Vieja
You'll drive north past Lake Arenal, going through Liberia (a city with lots of white-painted buildings, which is where it gets its nickname 'the white city'). Stop for lunch there, then continue on to your lodge near Rincón de la Vieja. Later in the afternoon, head to the hotel's thermal springs to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive past Lake Arenal to Liberia and Rincón de la Vieja
- Access to hotel thermal springs
Optional Activities
- Lunch stop in Liberia
Landmarks Lake Arenal Liberia 
- Day 4
Rincón de la Vieja
This day is yours to do what you want. The lodge sits in a beautiful spot with volcano views, so you can just hang out there and take in the scenery. If you're interested, optional activities are available in the national park area, or you can explore the surroundings at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hiking in Rincón de la Vieja National Park
- Horseback riding to waterfalls at the foot of Rincón de la Vieja volcano
Landmarks Rincón de la Vieja National Park Rincón de la Vieja Volcano - Day 5
Rincón de la Vieja to Tamarindo
You'll drive via Liberia heading to the northern Pacific coast and Tamarindo, which is one of the country's most popular beach towns with plenty of hotels, bars, and restaurants to choose from. In the afternoon, walk around town or take a long walk on the dark, wide beach where surfers come to ride waves.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Tamarindo
Optional Activities
- Explore Tamarindo town
- Walk along Tamarindo beach
- Surfing at Tamarindo beach
Landmarks Tamarindo Beach 
- Day 6
Tamarindo
The beach is yours for the day. Relax on the sand or get out and see what's around. You can drive north to Marino Las Baulas National Park and Playa Grande (where sea turtles nest), or check out the mangrove-lined Tamarindo nature reserve where you might come across howler monkeys and crocodiles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Marino Las Baulas National Park and Playa Grande beach
- Explore Tamarindo nature reserve
Landmarks Marino Las Baulas National Park Playa Grande Beach Tamarindo Nature Reserve - Day 7
Tamarindo to Puerto Carrillo
Today you're heading to Puerto Carrillo on the Nicoya peninsula. After arriving, take a walk around and get a feel for the place, or go for a swim in the ocean. You'll be staying at Hotel Nammbu for the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Puerto Carrillo
Optional Activities
- Walk around Puerto Carrillo
- Swim in the sea
Landmarks Nicoya Peninsula Puerto Carrillo 
- Day 8
Puerto Carrillo
You have a free day to explore or just relax. Use your rental car to see what's around, or spend time on the palm-lined beach. Playa Carrillo has a wide crescent bay with calm, turquoise water that's great for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and jet skiing. The sunsets here are particularly nice.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore surroundings by rental car
- Relax on Playa Carrillo beach
- Swimming at Playa Carrillo
- Snorkeling at Playa Carrillo
- Kayaking at Playa Carrillo
- Jet skiing at Playa Carrillo
Landmarks Playa Carrillo - Day 9
Puerto Carrillo to Santa Teresa
Today takes you mostly on gravel roads along the western coast of the Nicoya Peninsula to the small village of Santa Teresa. Give yourself extra time to take in the views along the way. Once you arrive, walk around the hotel grounds, hike some wildlife trails, or spend time on the beaches.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Santa Teresa
Optional Activities
- Explore hotel grounds
- Hiking trails for wildlife viewing
- Visit beaches
Landmarks Santa Teresa - Day 10
Santa Teresa
Consider taking a trip to Cabo Blanco nature reserve at the southern tip of the peninsula. It's known for having lots of different plants and animals, with both dry tropical forest and rainforest on site. This was Costa Rica's first protected nature reserve, and it has hiking trails of different difficulty levels.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Cabo Blanco nature reserve
- Hiking in Cabo Blanco
Landmarks Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve - Day 11
Santa Teresa to San José
After breakfast, drive back to Paquera port and catch the ferry to the mainland at Puntarenas. From there, head to San José. It's a good idea to book a hotel in San José for the night before your return flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Paquera port
- Ferry crossing to Puntarenas
- Drive to San José
Optional Activities
- Overnight stay in San José
Landmarks Paquera Port Puntarenas
