Itinerary
- Day 1
San José
You'll arrive in San José and have the rest of the day to yourself. Wander around the city center at your own pace and check out the cultural and historical landmarks that catch your interest. This is a good time to get oriented and see what the capital has to offer without any rushed schedule.
- Start point
- Bulevar Aeropuerto, Alajuela - Alajuela, 20109, Costa Rica (San Jose Airport - Arrivals Hall: Our representative will be waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name on it, 00:00 - 00:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit the National Theater
- Explore the Gold Museum
- Browse the Central Market
- Visit the National Museum
Landmarks/POIs National Theater Gold Museum Central Market National Museum - Day 2
Orosi Valley
Pick up your 4x4 SUV and drive to Cartago, the country's historic spiritual center. You'll visit the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, then head into the Orosi Valley to see the coffee plantations and hike out to some centuries-old church ruins. By late afternoon, you'll reach the highest point on the Pan-American Highway at 3,491 meters with views that stretch for miles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cartago central square
- Visit Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles
- Stop at Mirador de Ojas for panoramic views
- Hike to ruins of centuries-old church
- Coffee at hilltop restaurant
- Visit Costa Rica's oldest still-active church
- Off-road ascent to highest point of Pan-American Highway
Landmarks/POIs Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles Mirador de Ojas Orosi Valley - Day 3
Highlands to Uvita
This morning you'll descend from the highlands on an off-road drive toward Uvita. Stop at Cloudbridge Nature Reserve to walk through the misty cloud forests and look for wildlife, then visit San Luis Waterfalls. By afternoon, you'll reach Marino Ballena National Park and do a beach hike at low tide to see the Whale's Tail formation up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cloudbridge Nature Reserve
- Stop at San Luis Waterfalls
- Beach hike to Whale's Tail formation in Marino Ballena National Park
Landmarks/POIs Cloudbridge Nature Reserve San Luis Waterfalls Marino Ballena National Park Whale's Tail formation - Day 4
Corcovado
Drive to Sierpe and board a boat heading through mangrove channels to the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park. You'll explore the park's different ecosystems and watch for wildlife throughout the day, have lunch and spend time on the beach. Later you'll head back to Uvita for a sunset hike and cool off at Uvita Falls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Corcovado National Park)
Included Activities
- Boat tour from Sierpe through mangrove channels
- Guided excursion in Corcovado National Park with lunch included
- Beach relaxation and swimming
- Sunset hike in Uvita
- Swim in natural pools at Uvita Falls
Landmarks/POIs Sierpe Osa Peninsula Corcovado National Park Uvita Falls - Day 5
Pacific Coast to Nicoya Peninsula
Head north along the Pacific coast and cross the Crocodile Bridge, where you might spot large crocodiles in the water below. Board a vehicle ferry heading to the Nicoya Peninsula and keep an eye out for dolphins and whales from the deck. Once you dock, drive off-road through coastal trails to reach Montezuma, a laid-back beach town with bohemian charm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive across Crocodile Bridge
- Car ferry to Nicoya Peninsula
- Off-road drive through coastal and rural landscapes to Montezuma
Landmarks/POIs Crocodile Bridge Nicoya Peninsula Montezuma - Day 6
Nicoya Peninsula
Take a leisurely day exploring the remote tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Hike to Montezuma Falls and swim in the pools under the cascading water, then visit Cabuya Island at low tide. You'll have time to relax on the tropical beaches, watch the sunset, and see El Higuerón, a massive 40-meter giant ficus tree that's worth the walk.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk to Montezuma Falls and swimming pool
- Visit Cabuya Island at low tide
- Beach exploration and relaxation
- View El Higuerón (giant ficus tree)
Optional Activities
- Surfing at popular spots throughout Nicoya
Landmarks/POIs Montezuma Falls Cabuya Island El Higuerón - Day 7
Nicoya to Monteverde
Cross the Friendship Bridge and head up into the misty cloud forests of Monteverde. Stop at the Friendship Bridge observation deck to take in the views, then join a guided night walk through the cloud forest. This is when you'll see the nocturnal wildlife that stays hidden during the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner included with guided night tour)
Included Activities
- Cross Friendship Bridge
- Stop at Friendship Bridge observation deck
- Guided night tour through cloud forest with dinner included
Landmarks/POIs Friendship Bridge Monteverde Cloud Forest - Day 8
Monteverde to La Fortuna
Start your day with a canopy zipline tour soaring above the cloud forest at Canopy Park, which gives you an adrenaline rush and a unique perspective on the forest canopy. Afterward, drive off-road through the Tilarán Highlands to Viento Fresco Waterfalls. End the day with a special dinner prepared by a chef in La Fortuna, featuring local ingredients and flavors.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Chef's dinner in La Fortuna with local flavors)
Included Activities
- Canopy Park zipline tour
- Off-road drive through Tilarán Highlands
- Visit Viento Fresco Waterfalls
- Chef's dinner in La Fortuna
Landmarks/POIs Canopy Park Tilarán Highlands Viento Fresco Waterfalls - Day 9
Arenal
Begin with a hike to Río Celeste, where the turquoise blue water is the main attraction (the color comes from minerals in the water). After that, do a guided caving adventure through Venado Caves. Back in the Arenal area, relax in the thermal pools at your hotel resort and walk around the lively town center of La Fortuna.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Río Celeste
- Guided caving adventure at Venado Caves
- Relax in thermal pools at hotel resort
- Stroll through La Fortuna town center
Landmarks/POIs Río Celeste Venado Caves La Fortuna 
- Day 10
La Fortuna to Tortuguero
Visit Don Olivio Farm to learn how they grow and process cocoa and tropical fruits using traditional methods, including making artisanal chocolate. Then drive to the river and board a boat for a scenic ride through lush waterways to Tortuguero village, which you can only reach by river or air. In the evening, go on a guided night walk or, if it's the right season, join a sea turtle nesting tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Don Olivio Farm
- Off-road drive to river cruise departure point
- Scenic boat ride through waterways to Tortuguero
- Guided night walk through Tortuguero village
- Canoe tour in Tortuguero Reserve
Optional Activities
- Sea turtle nesting tour (seasonal)
Landmarks/POIs Don Olivio Farm Tortuguero Tortuguero Reserve 
- Day 11
Tortuguero to Cahuita
Take one more boat ride through Tortuguero's waterways early in the morning, then transfer by riverboat back to the parking area. From there, drive south along the Caribbean coastline toward Cahuita near Playa Negra, where you'll stay the night in this charming town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat ride through Tortuguero waterways
- Transfer by riverboat to parking area
- Drive along Caribbean coastline
Landmarks/POIs Tortuguero Cahuita Playa Negra - Day 12
Cahuita
Spend a relaxed day on the Caribbean coast soaking in the local atmosphere and pace of life. Visit Cahuita National Park and unwind along the beautiful beaches, taking time to experience the laid-back Caribbean culture at your own speed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Cahuita National Park
- Beach exploration and relaxation
Landmarks/POIs Cahuita National Park - Day 13
Caribbean to Poás Volcano
Leave the Caribbean coast and head inland through lush landscapes toward the central highlands, arriving near Poás Volcano. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Starbucks' only coffee farm in the world, complete with a tasting so you can try the coffee fresh from the source.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Starbucks coffee farm with tastings
Landmarks/POIs Poás Volcano Starbucks Coffee Farm - Day 14
Poás Volcano to Airport
Visit the park surrounding Poás Volcano early in the morning, an active volcano with the largest crater of Costa Rica's active volcanoes and a striking blue lagoon inside it. Afterward, drive to the airport to return your vehicle and catch your flight home, concluding your trip through Costa Rica.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit park surrounding Poás Volcano
- View volcano crater with blue lagoon
Landmarks/POIs Poás Volcano
