We Love —
- Enjoy a trip combining lush nature and fascinating culture, travelling the roads of Costa Rica from Day 4 to Day 10 of your stay.
- Enter the mysterious Monteverde Forest and be captivated by the wildlife of Tortuguero.
- End your escape in style in Guanacaste and relax on the white sandy beaches.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Discover Costa Rica on this 9-night self-drive tour and be enchanted by the magic of its incredible biodiversity. From San José, the vibrant capital, to Tortuguero, a sea turtle paradise, to the majestic Arenal volcanoes and mysterious Monteverde forests, every step of your journey will be filled with unforgettable adventure.
Finish in Guanacaste, where golden beaches and turquoise waters invite you to relax.
Costa Rica promises a unique and inspiring experience in the heart of unspoiled nature!
Your itinerary:
Day 1: San José / Transfer to the capital
Days 2 and 3: Tortuguero - Immersion in the jungle
Days 4 and 5: Arenal - A land of fire
Days 6 and 7: Monteverde - The high forest
Days 8 and 9: Guanacaste - Pleasures of the beach
Day 10: Departure
Please note that the order of the activities can be changed without affecting the interest of the programme.
Your Itinerary In Detail —
Day 1: San José / Transfer to the capital
Welcome to Costa Rica, land of Pura Vida!
After a long flight and with your luggage in hand, you will find a driver with a sign with your name on it at the airport exit who will take you to your hotel.
Relax, rest, the adventure in Costa Rica starts now!
Things to see and do: San José is a lively and commercial capital. The centre is easily explored on foot, from the cathedral, to the central market and the various museums. A cultural immersion!
Transfer: About 30-45 min drive
Accommodation: 1 night in San José - hotel according to the category indicated
Meals: None
Days 2 and 3: Tortuguero - Jungle Immersion
If you like to travel with a pair of binoculars, Tortuguero is the perfect place to use them! A great tool to go in search of animals hidden in the trees, walking on the trails or boating on the canals.
Day 2:
Early departure to discover the jungle of Tortuguero!
The shuttle from the lodge where you will be staying will pick you up at your hotel. You will cross the impressive Braulio Carrillo National Park, a vast primary forest with impressive canyons and rivers, hundreds of varieties of plants, many species of birds and hundred-year-old trees.
Afterwards, you will descend to the Caribbean plain before having a breakfast break in the lodge restaurant.
The adventure continues on the tracks through the banana plantations, the main production of Costa Rica. Once at the river, you will leave the shuttle for a boat ride of about two hours to the lodges. There, you will be provided with all meals. After a well-deserved lunch break, in the afternoon you will set out to explore the village. Relax, rest and enjoy the facilities of the lodge for your first night in Tortuguero.
It is a unique experience to live not far from the village, between the jungle and the comfort of the lodge: immersion in nature guaranteed!
Day 2:
On this day, you will discover the paths of the lodge and explore the national park by boat (park entrance included).
Your guide will talk about the richness and biodiversity of the area in English or Spanish. Because, in the heart of this splendid tropical setting, the show is everywhere! The incredibly sharp eyes of the captains and guides will allow explorers to discover the wealth of life barely hidden in the jungle. On the riverbanks, it is not uncommon to see caimans peacefully waiting to take the stage while spider monkeys frolic in the fruit-laden branches.
The birds are the most active, fishing in the canal. The tranquillity of the scene is not feigned and the sloths that live here in numbers are the first to welcome it. Back at the lodge, let yourself be lulled by the sound of the Tortuguero jungle and enjoy your last night on site.
Optional and with extra charge: Additional tour by kayak or boat on the canals; in season (from May to September) night observation of turtles laying eggs to be booked and paid on the spot about USD40 / person
Transfer: About 3 hours drive + 1 hour boat ride
Accommodation: 2 nights in Tortuguero, lodge according to the category indicated
Meals: Full Board (excluding drinks)
Activities: Accessible to all, with English-Spanish guide
Days 4 & 5: Arenal - Land of Fire
After your breakfast, you will leave the lodge for a last crossing through the channels of Tortuguero.
Once ashore, the lodge's shuttle bus will take you to Guápiles where you will have your last lunch of the Tortuguero package.
After your meal, you will be back on the road in the early afternoon and continue your journey to a new destination.
Delivery of the rental car according to your itinerary and schedule. We optimise the time and place of delivery of the vehicle in conjunction with the various partners to make your holiday easier!
Suggestions to see or do on site: The Arenal volcano overlooks the whole region with its almost perfect conical stratovolcano silhouette.
The lush tropical vegetation surrounding the colossus, the warm waters that escape from it, the magnificent lake that lies at its feet and the traces of its important recent activity make it one of the most spectacular sites in the country. The small town lies at a respectful distance from the enormous Arenal volcano, in the middle of a tropical agricultural plain bordered by thick jungle.
It is an important stop for the traveller, coming back from the wild Caribbean he will find the life of an active tourist resort, shops, banks, restaurants ... Many hotels and lodges are located around the volcano, between 5 and 10 km from the village of La Fortuna, a very pleasant stop.
Transfer: About 1 hour by boat + 1 hour by bus + 2h30 by road
Accommodation: 2 nights in Arenal, hotel according to the category indicated
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (excluding drinks) on day 4
Days 6 & 7: Monteverde - The High Forest
Suggestions to see or do on site: To better understand this magical place and discover its flora and fauna, it is possible to explore in different ways, day and night: on foot along the paths of this high altitude rainforest, using footbridges suspended from the treetops, or in the canopy, moving from platform to platform clinging to a cable above the moss and ferns.
The reserves of Monteverde, Santa Elena, Curi Cancha or the Children's Eternal Forest are several options for discovering the cloud forest in the footsteps of the Quetzal.
The village of Monteverde, which was founded by Quakers, also offers a glimpse of rural Costa Rican life.
You can visit a butterfly farm, a serpentarium and a woodworking shop.
Transfer: About 4h30 by road and track
Accommodation: 2 nights in Monteverde, hotel according to the chosen category or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Days 8 & 9: Guanacaste - Beach Relaxation
Suggestions to see or do on site:
The villages and beaches of Guanacaste make it possible to envisage a stay at the edge of the Pacific and to find hotels and restaurants for all tastes and budgets.
A few days to enjoy the beaches, swim in the warm waters or practice more sporty water activities such as surfing or paddle.
As an option, and at an extra cost, you can take a sunset cruise or a quad bike safari over the hills, not forgetting kayaking in the heart of the ocean and the mangroves.
Transfer: About 4 hours of track and road
Accommodation: 2 nights in Tamarindo or other seaside resort of Guanacaste, hotel according to the category indicated
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Departure - Airport - Last moments
Enjoy the last moments at the beach before returning to San José and returning the vehicle to the airport agency. A shuttle bus will take you from the airport (5 min).
Check-in for the transatlantic flight. Passengers should arrive at the airport 3 hours before take-off time.
Transfer: Approximately 4.5 hours drive
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast (if international flight schedule permits)
Your Hotels —
Hand-picked Just For You
Maximum room capacity
Throughout the tour, you will stay in comfortable 3* or 4* (or similar) accommodation selected just for you.
Your accommodation:
San José: Fleur de Lys
Tortuguero: Laguna Lodge 3*
Volcan Arenal: Casa Luna 3*
Monteverde: Trapp Family Lodge 3*
Pacific Beach: Tamarindo Diria 4*
Hotels listed in the programme, in case of unavailability of these, accommodation in hotels of similar category.
Your Dining Choices
This offer is based on a Bed and Breakfast stay. However in Tortuguero, you will enjoy a Full Board stay (excluding drinks) including 3 lunches and 2 dinners. *Except for breakfast on the last day, depending on your international flight schedule
Your Optional Excursions —
Additional Tour by Kayak or Boat on the Canals
Enjoy an additional kayak or boat trip on the canals (in season (May-September)) including a night-time turtle nesting observation at Tortugero.
Your Journey to Costa Rica —
Flights:
You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process. The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Your Destinations —
Costa Rica
As the eco-and adventure-tourism capital of Central America, Costa Rica is a magnet for nature enthusiasts, thrill seekers and those who want to step off the beaten track.
La Pura Vida (the pure life) is the unofficial motto of the country, and it's easy to see why - emerald rainforests, pastel-coloured hummingbirds, smouldering volcanic peaks, tumbling rivers...this verdant chunk is one of the most bio-diverse spots on the planet!
The country's national parks are its greatest glory, with one-third of the country set aside as protected natural areas. As well as being a world leader in eco-tourism, Costa Rica superbly caters for visitors looking for an adrenalin kick, with options including white water rafting, zip line tours through the rainforest canopy, surfing and quad biking.
It is quickly becoming more popular, so grab this chance to visit now, while landscapes are still exceptionally unspoiled!
