Itinerary
- Day 1
San José
A representative meets you at the airport and hands over your travel information before transferring to your hotel. Once you're settled, head to the Central Market to see local vendors and products. Walk around the outskirts of the National Theater, then check out La Plaza de La Cultura, which sits in the heart of the city.
Optional Activities
- Visit Central Market
- Visit outskirts of National Theater
- Explore La Plaza de La Cultura
Landmarks/POIs Central Market National Theater La Plaza de La Cultura - Day 2
San José to Tortuguero
Your transfer picks you up early from the hotel and drives to Guapiles for a traditional breakfast. The route may experience delays from roadworks, so keep that in mind. From there, you'll travel to the dock and board a boat heading to your lodge in Tortuguero. Your guide points out birds and animals along the way. After lunch at the lodge, join a guided boat tour in the afternoon to see more wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Traditional breakfast in Guapiles), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer from hotel to Guapiles
- Guided boat transfer to Tortuguero lodge
- Guided boat tour in afternoon
Landmarks/POIs Tortuguero National Park - Day 3
Tortuguero
Breakfast starts at 08:00am before you depart by boat to the private lodge trail for a guided rainforest walk. Monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other tropical wildlife appear throughout the morning if you're lucky. Return to the lodge for lunch, then head into the town of Tortuguero in the afternoon. Dinner is served back at the lodge later that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided rainforest walk on private lodge trail
- Visit to town of Tortuguero
Optional Activities
- Tortuguero Museum & Town Walking Tour (US$1)
- Tortuguero Turtle Nesting Night Tour (US$25)
Landmarks/POIs Tortuguero National Park - Day 4
Tortuguero to La Fortuna
After breakfast, check out and take a boat back to La Pavona dock, then have lunch at a restaurant there. Shuttle transportation takes you to La Fortuna, which serves as the gateway to Arenal Volcano. The village offers views of one of Costa Rica's most beautiful volcanoes. Relax in the evening and watch the sunset with the volcano as your backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Boat transfer from Tortuguero to La Pavona dock
Landmarks/POIs Arenal Volcano - Day 5
La Fortuna
Walk through primary forest and see solidified lava flows from the 1968 Arenal eruption. From the El Silencio viewpoint, you'll see Lake Arenal and the volcanic landscape spread out below. Refresh yourself in the crystal clear waters of Fortuna River Waterfall, then experience the forest canopy from Hanging Bridges with views of the northern plains. In the evening, relax in the hot springs and have dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Delicious dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided walk through primary forest and lava flows
- Visit El Silencio viewpoint
- Swimming at Fortuna River Waterfall
- Hanging Bridges canopy tour
- Hot springs
Optional Activities
- Massage in Baldi Hot Springs
Landmarks/POIs Arenal Volcano Lake Arenal Fortuna River Waterfall Hanging Bridges Baldi Hot Springs - Day 6
La Fortuna to Monteverde
After breakfast, your adventure continues toward Santa Elena and the cloud forest ecosystem. You'll head by land to Lake Arenal and cross it by boat. This artificial reservoir was created in 1979 after dam construction and generates hydroelectric power for Costa Rica. After crossing, take the road back to Santa Elena through scenery where coatis and other wildlife might appear along the roadside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat crossing of Lake Arenal
Landmarks/POIs Lake Arenal Monteverde Cloud Forest - Day 7
Monteverde to San José
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your local guide meets you in the lobby for ziplining through the cloud forest. Get ready for a high-adrenaline experience on Monteverde's high-speed cables. In the afternoon at 14:00, your shared shuttle meets you at the hotel lobby to return to San José.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ziplining in cloud forest
Landmarks/POIs Monteverde Cloud Forest - Day 8
San José to Santa Teresa
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Santa Teresa on the western edge of the Nicoya Peninsula. This small beach town has become a tourist destination popular for surfing and yoga. The white sand beaches have year-round waves, making it suitable for surfers and yogis alike. Bring your mat and find a nice spot on the beach for your favorite yoga routine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Yoga practice at beach or hotel
Landmarks/POIs Santa Teresa Beach - Day 9
Santa Teresa
Start your yoga practice at the beach or your hotel lodge before breakfast if you prefer. Santa Teresa offers activities including horseback riding, hiking, and canopy tours. Consider a day trip to Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, 5 kilometers away, which is the country's first protected area with mixed forest and 150 bird species. Mal Pais, less than 3 kilometers away, works well for surfers of all levels. Rent a bike or off-road vehicle to explore the beaches and villages at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Yoga practice at beach
- Horseback riding
- Hiking
- Canopy tours
- Day trip to Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
- Surfing at Mal Pais
- Bike rental
- Off-road vehicle rental
Landmarks/POIs Santa Teresa Beach Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve Mal Pais - Day 10
Santa Teresa
This day is free for you to spend however you'd like in the Santa Teresa region. Relax on the beach, explore at your own pace, go surfing, or try adventure activities that interest you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation
- Area exploration
- Surfing
- Adventure activities
Landmarks/POIs Santa Teresa Beach - Day 11
Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio
After breakfast, continue to Manuel Antonio on a shared boat shuttle, crossing Nicoya's Gulf toward Jaco beach on the central Pacific coast. A shuttle bus waits at Jaco to take you to Manuel Antonio. Once you arrive, visit Manuel Antonio Beach or head to the more secluded Biesanz Bay to watch the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat shuttle across Nicoya's Gulf
Optional Activities
- Visit Manuel Antonio Beach
- Visit Biesanz Bay for sunset
Landmarks/POIs Manuel Antonio Beach Biesanz Bay Jaco Beach - Day 12
Manuel Antonio
This day is yours to do as you please. Choose from activities including Manuel Antonio National Park, ocean kayaking, snorkelling, horseback riding, white water rafting, catamaran tours, or exploring mangroves by kayak.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
- Ocean kayaking
- Snorkelling
- Horseback riding
- White water rafting
- Catamaran
- Mangrove exploration by kayak
Landmarks/POIs Manuel Antonio National Park - Day 13
Manuel Antonio to San José
Enjoy breakfast with views of the Pacific Ocean and prepare to leave Manuel Antonio. In the afternoon, you'll be taken back to San José. Enjoy your last evening in Costa Rica before heading home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with views of Pacific Ocean)
- Day 14
San José
It's time to say goodbye. A private transfer picks you up from the hotel and takes you to the airport according to your flight schedule so you can head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
