Itinerary
- Day 1
San José
You'll get picked up from Juan Santamaría International Airport and taken to your hotel in San José. After settling in, the rest of the day is open for you to wander around the city center. Check out the Museo Nacional or head over to Central Park whenever you feel like it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Gran Hotel Costa Rica Curio Collection by Hilton, San Jose or similar)
Optional Activities
- Visit Museo Nacional
- Explore Central Park
Landmarks Museo Nacional Central Park Juan Santamaría International Airport - Day 2
San José to Guapiles Region
An early pickup from your hotel starts the day, then you'll drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park for about 1.5 hours to reach Guapiles Region. After breakfast, board a shared bus and then take a 3-hour boat ride to your lodge. Later in the afternoon, join a group visit to the Botanical Garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Laguna Lodge Tortuguero or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Botanical Garden (guided group tour)
Landmarks Braulio Carrillo National Park - Day 3
Tortuguero
Following breakfast at the hotel, you'll take a guided boat tour through Tortuguero Canal in Tortuguero National Park where monkeys, herons, toucans, sloths, and anteaters hang out. The afternoon brings a guided tour of Tortuguero town. If you're visiting between July and October, your lodge can arrange an optional evening tour to watch green sea turtles nesting, and you'll pay on the spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Laguna Lodge Tortuguero or similar)
Included Activities
- Boat tour through Tortuguero Canal (guided)
- Guided tour of Tortuguero town
Optional Activities
- Watch green sea turtles nesting and laying eggs (July-October only, arrange with lodge, pay on the spot)
Landmarks Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero Canal Tortuguero town - Day 4
Tortuguero to La Fortuna
Travel day back to the mainland. You'll take a boat and then catch a bus to Guapiles where your private driver meets you for the 3.5-hour drive (210km) north to La Fortuna for check-in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa, La Fortuna or similar)
- Day 5
La Fortuna
This day packs in several activities around La Fortuna. Start with a hike through suspension bridges at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridge Park spotting wildlife in the rainforest. Then head to La Fortuna Waterfall. In the afternoon, hike to Arenal Volcano on the Arenal 1968 Trail with views of Arenal Lake, then finish by soaking in the Tabacon Hot Spring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa, La Fortuna or similar)
Included Activities
- Hiking tour at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridge Park (suspension bridges)
- La Fortuna Waterfall visit
- Hiking tour to Arenal Volcano (Arenal 1968 Trail)
- Arenal Lake viewing
- Bathing at Tabacon Hot Spring
Landmarks Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridge Park La Fortuna Waterfall Arenal Volcano Arenal 1968 Trail Arenal Lake Tabacon Hot Spring - Day 6
La Fortuna to Monteverde
Begin with a Don Juan Coffee and Chocolate Tour where you'll learn to pick, clean, bake, and grind beans with a tasting. Then you'll drive 60 kilometers to Monteverde, taking about 3 hours total. The route includes a jeep ride to the Arenal Lake port, a boat crossing, and another jeep transfer before arriving in Monteverde for check-in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco, Monteverde or similar)
Included Activities
- Don Juan Coffee and Chocolate Tour (picking, cleaning, baking, grinding, and tasting)
Landmarks Arenal Lake - Day 7
Monteverde
Morning brings a guided hiking tour through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve where you'll see diverse wildlife and experience the thick rainforest. The afternoon is free to explore the town on your own. Later, join a night tour with your private driver guide to listen to wildlife calls and spot animals like two-toed sloths and kinkajous if you're lucky.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco, Monteverde or similar)
Included Activities
- Morning hiking tour at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Night wildlife tour (guided)
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 8
Monteverde to Tamarindo
Your driver takes you 162 kilometers to Tamarindo in Guanacaste Reserve, a drive that takes about 4 hours. Once you arrive, the rest of the day is yours to explore. Tamarindo is popular for beginner surfing, swimming, and diving, plus there are plenty of bars and restaurants to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Tamarindo or similar)
Optional Activities
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Diving
- Explore bars and restaurants
Landmarks Tamarindo Beach Guanacaste Reserve - Day 9
Tamarindo
After breakfast, you'll head to Flamingo Marina to board a shared catamaran sailing tour. The boat sails about 5 miles out before you snorkel with a guide who shows you starfish, sea turtles, dolphins, and other marine life. Kayaking and fishing are optional if you want to add more activities. A filling buffet lunch gets served, then you'll have leisure beach time with tropical drinks and watch the sunset from the catamaran.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hearty buffet lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Tamarindo or similar)
Included Activities
- Shared catamaran sailing tour (approximately 5 miles)
- Snorkeling with guide
- Buffet lunch
Optional Activities
- Kayaking
- Fishing
Landmarks Flamingo Marina - Day 10
Tamarindo
The day is completely yours. Relax on the beach with activities like sunbathing or wander through Tamarindo at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Tamarindo or similar)
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation and sunbathing
- Explore Tamarindo
- Day 11
Tamarindo to Departure
Your driver picks you up at the scheduled time and transfers you to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport
