Costa Rica’s Best Choice
9 days/8 nights
$958
P/P Double Occupancy
This trip includes all the best things Costa Rica has to offer: adventure, wildlife and amazing natural settings. Your days will be filled with exciting activities that will make your vacation truly unforgettable. You can’t ask for more in one package!
Day 01 Arrival / San Jose
Upon arrival to San Jose, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Located in the center of the country, San José is a bustling city full of culture, great restaurants, and lively nightlife. A great place to start your vacation! Lodging at the Fleur de Lys in San José
Day 02 San José / Tortuguero (B, L, D)
Early in the morning you’ll head towards Tortuguero, in the North Caribbean Lowlands. Along the way, you’ll stop at a local restaurant for breakfast. Then continue to the docks, where you’ll board a small boat that will take you to the hotel. Upon arrival, you’ll have lunch and then you’ll visit the small town of Tortuguero as well as the Turtle museum ($1 entrance fee to be paid on the spot). Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure Lodging at Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero
Day 03 Tortuguero Canals (B, L, D)
Today you’ll enjoy boat tours along the protected canals: a truly tropical experience amidst this unique and lush setting. This is the perfect moment for wildlife viewing, as surely you’ll encounter many birds, butterflies, monkeys and sloths. With some luck, you may even spot caimans, crocodiles and even otters! Tortuguero is best known for the endangered Green Turtles that come to its beaches to lay their eggs. From July to October (for additional price), it’s possible to see them at this delicate task of building their nests! Lodging at Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero
Day 04 Tortuguero / Arenal (B, BB)
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back by boat to Caño Blanco, where you’ll take the bus to Siquirres. In Siquirres, you will be picked up for your transfer to La Fortuna, home of the famous Arenal Volcano. Before 1968, when it made an explosive eruption, nobody knew it was a volcano! Now, it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the country. On clear nights, it’s possible to see the lava and ash flowing from its fiery crater. Additionally, La Fortuna area offers many more attractions and activities: hot springs, nature hikes, rafting, boat and lake tours among many others. Lodging at the Arenal Volcano Inn in Arenal
Day 05 Hanging Bridges / Arenal Hike and Hot Springs (B, D)
This morning you’ll have a hike in the Arenal Hanging Bridges. The total trail is about 3 km long, and along the way you’ll encounter 15 bridges of different heights and lengths. This will allow you to see the forest and the volcano from a different angle. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a tour that features a nature hike in the Arenal surroundings and then a relaxing swim in the hot springs. Buffet dinner is included. Lodging at the Arenal Volcano Inn in Arenal
Day 06 Fortuna Waterfalls / Lake Crossing to Monteverde (B)
In the morning, you will enjoy an easy horseback ride towards La Fortuna Waterfall. Once you reach its entrance, you’ll hike downhill until you reach the base of the magnificent waterfall. If you like, you can take an invigorating swim in its pristine waters. Then, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll head towards Monteverde area. First you will be transferred to the dock in Lake Arenal, where you will board a small boat. After a scenic boat ride through the Lake, you will be transferred by van to your hotel in Monteverde. If you enjoy nature and eco-tourism, Monteverde is the place for you with its cloud-covered, misty mountains and lush rain forest. Here you will encounter countless species of indigenous flora and fauna and many exciting activities, such as mountain biking, visiting butterfly gardens, horseback riding, and hiking. Lodging at the Belmar Lodge in Monteverde
Day 07 Monteverde Cloud Forest Hike and Original Canopy Tour (B)
In the early morning you will hike through the famous private and well protected Monteverde Cloud forest Reserve. You will be able to discover the flora and fauna this special type of tropical forest offers. With some luck, you might see a Quetzal, surely the cloud forest’s most magnificent feathered creature! Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll experience one of the wildest adventures available in Costa Rica, where this activity was invented: the Original Canopy Tour. After a short hike, you’ll glide through the forest canopy along several zip lines. The tour includes 2 rappels; an added value to the adrenaline rush! Lodging at the Belmar Lodge in Monteverde
Day 08 Monteverde / San Jose (B)
Shortly after breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to San Jose for your last night in this fascinating country. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to spend at your leisure. Lodging at the Fleur de Lys in San José
Day 09 Departure (B)
At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport.
Prices Include
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Transportation throughout the itinerary (shared or private, according to preference)
- Accommodations as mentioned above (or similar), including hotel taxes
- Meals as mentioned
- Excursions and entrance fees as mentioned
Prices Do Not Include
- International air tickets
- Extras and personal expenses
- Tips
- Additional meals or alcoholic beverages
- Country Departure Tax ($26 per person)
- Services not mentioned
- Turtle nesting tour (available from July to October)
Notes
- Rates are per person - double occupancy
- *These rates are not valid during Easter (from March 14-24)
- In the private basis option, all excursions are shared (small groups), except the Arenal Hanging Bridges and the Horseback Ride to La Fortuna Waterfalls, which will be private tours
- The transfer from San José to Tortuguero is shared in both options.
- Both private and shared trips depart daily
- If you prefer, you can choose to drive and hike to the Fortuna Waterfalls instead of horseback riding.
- Minimum age for the Canopy Tour: 5 years old
