Itinerary
- Day 1
San José
You'll land in San José and get a complimentary transfer to your hotel. Take the day to settle in and rest up before the adventure really starts. Around 7:30pm, meet your tour leader and the rest of the group for a briefing and dinner together.
- Meals
- Dinner (Group dinner with tour leader and fellow travellers)
Optional Activities
- Explore San José further (pre-tour hotel nights available)
- Day 2
San José to Tortuguero National Park
Head out early from San José toward Tortuguero National Park, which you can only reach by boat or plane. You'll stop for breakfast along the way, and the whole journey takes about five to six hours. Once there, board a small motorboat to reach your lodge near the main lagoon. This afternoon there's a welcome briefing, then you'll head into Tortuguero village to check out the Sea Turtle Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer from San José to Tortuguero
- Motorboat journey to lodge in Tortuguero
- Main welcome briefing
- Visit to Tortuguero village
Optional Activities
- Sea Turtle Museum entrance (donation requested)
- Nocturnal turtle nesting observation tour (late July to October)
Landmarks Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero Village - Day 3
Tortuguero National Park
Start your morning on a boat trip through Tortuguero's waterways, which is when wildlife's most active. You'll likely spot monkeys, caiman, iguanas, and butterflies, plus some of the 300-plus bird species around here. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast by the river. In the afternoon, either take a second boat trip on a different canal or spend time at the lodge facilities and walk through the forest if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast by the river at lodge), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning boat trip around Tortuguero waterways
- Afternoon boat trip along a different canal
Optional Activities
- Stay at lodge and use facilities
- Short walking trail through forest
Landmarks Tortuguero National Park - Day 4
Tortuguero to La Fortuna, Arenal
Take a motorboat back from Tortuguero to the pier, then board your bus heading toward Arenal. The drive takes about 5 hours 30 minutes with a lunch stop, and you'll pass massive banana, pineapple, and sugar cane plantations along the way. Arenal volcano's been resting since 2010 but still has geothermal activity. This evening, visit one of the hot springs, or go for optional activities like a chocolate and coffee tour or zipline experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Motorboat transfer from Tortuguero to pier
- Coach bus journey to Arenal region
Optional Activities
- Hot springs visit
- Chocolate and coffee tour
- Ecoglide zipline experience
Landmarks Arenal Volcano - Day 5
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Visit Arenal Observatory Lodge inside Arenal Volcano National Park for a nature walk that includes a hanging bridge through the treetop canopy plus walks through tropical gardens and rainforest. The walk runs about 2 to 3 hours and has two observation towers, including one that's 28 meters high. You'll see or hear over 250 bird species, three types of monkeys, and other wildlife. Grab lunch at the lodge restaurant after, then your afternoon is free to relax or do optional activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Arenal Observatory Lodge restaurant)
Included Activities
- Nature walk at Arenal Observatory Lodge with hanging bridge through canopy
- Access to observation towers including 28-meter Nest Tower
- Lunch at lodge restaurant
Optional Activities
- Zip lining
- Coffee and chocolate tour
Landmarks Arenal Observatory Lodge Arenal Volcano National Park - Day 6
Arenal to Monteverde
Travel from Arenal to the Tilarán Mountain Range in the Central Highlands, experiencing a cloud forest for the first time. The four-hour drive gives you views of the Gulf of Nicoya and islands as you climb toward Monteverde, which means 'Green Mountain.' The last 25 miles are gravel and can get bumpy, especially after rain. This area has over 400 orchid varieties. Later, optionally join a coffee tour to learn about the crop's importance here. Tonight, do a nocturnal wildlife walk in Monteverde Wildlife Refuge and look for sloths, which are often active after dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach bus journey to Monteverde
- Nocturnal wildlife walk in Monteverde Wildlife Refuge
Optional Activities
- Coffee tour
Landmarks Monteverde Wildlife Refuge Tilarán Mountain Range - Day 7
Monteverde to San José
Head into Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, popular with birdwatchers and wildlife lovers. Walk among massive old-growth trees covered in moss while mist fills the air. The reserve's four ecological life zones support hundreds of species. One trail goes to the continental divide where, on clear days, you can see both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. This is one of the last homes for the endangered resplendent quetzal. After your time there, transfer back to San José.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Access to observation trails and continental divide lookout
- Transfer to San José
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 8
San José
Your Costa Rican trip wraps up after breakfast. Say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your Costa Rican adventure ends. If you want to extend, contact your sales representative about extra nights for beach time, spa treatments, or more nature exploring. Airport transfers can be arranged to get you wherever you need to go.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay with additional hotel nights
- Beach relaxation
- Spa treatments
- Further nature exploration
