We Love —
- Road tripping in unique places, through the dense jungles and unspoiled national parks of Costa Rica.
- Watching sea turtles nesting on Turtle Beach in Tortuguero National Park,
- The experience of natural hot springs, learning about their healing properties and soothing features.
Customer reviews —
Your Itinerary In Brief —
9-night tour:
Day 1: San José
Day 2: San José - Tortuguero
Day 3: Tortugero – Arenal
Day 4: Arenal
Day 5: Arenal - Rincón de la Vieja
Day 6: Rincón de la Vieja
Day 7: Rincón de la Vieja - Tamarindo
Day 8: Tamarindo
Day 9: Tamarindo - San José
Day 10: Departure
11-night tour:
Day 1: San José
Day 2: San José - Tortuguero
Day 3: Tortugero
Day 4: Tortugero - Arenal
Day 5: Arenal
Day 6: Arenal - Rincón de la Vieja
Day 7: Rincón de la Vieja
Day 8: Rincón de la Vieja - Tamarindo
Day 9: Tamarindo
Day 10: Tamarindo
Day 11: Tamarindo - San José
Day 12: San José - Departure
13-night tour:
Day 1: San José
Day 2: San José - Tortuguero
Day 3: Tortugero
Day 4: Tortugero - Arenal
Day 5: Arenal
Day 6: Arenal
Day 7: Arenal - Rincón de la Vieja
Day 8: Rincón de la Vieja
Day 9: Rincón de la Vieja - Tamarindo
Day 10: Tamarindo
Day 11: Tamarindo
Day 12: Taramindo
Day 13: Taramindo - San José
Day 14: San José - Departure
Your Itinerary In Detail —
Days 1 & 2: San José - Tortuguero
DAY 1: Welcome to Costa Rica!
Our local representative will meet and assist you at the airport. Private transfer from Juan Santamaría International Airport to your hotel in San José. Check-in, get comfortable in your hotel room and relax!
Overnight in San José
DAY 2: San José - Tortuguero (4 hrs en route & 1.5 hrs boat)
Early check out. At the agreed time, meet at the hotel reception for a semi-collective transfer to the wonderful area of Tortuguero in the North Caribbean. Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica's most popular ecotourism destinations; it was created in 1970 to protect endangered nesting sea turtles. The canals, rivers and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park are a study of rainforest, freshwater, and marine biology. Tortuguero National Park is a place unlike any other, a paradise for research and ecotourism.
On route, stop in the city of Guápiles to have a Costa Rican breakfast in a local restaurant and then continue to the pier where you will board the boat to Tortuguero. This boat transfer will be a wonderful introduction to the heart of the rainforest. While travelling on the canals, you will admire the natural landscapes with different shades of green.
Arrival to the Lodge, check in, get comfortable at your room, and enjoy a tasteful lunch. In the afternoon, meet your Guide to visit the enchanting Tortuguero Village. This town has a small population of around 500, no cars, and is located on a relatively narrow spit of land between the beach and a canal. Take a closer encounter with the Caribbean culture; discover its people and lifestyle walking through this colorful town.
The order of the activities in Tortuguero may vary according to the hotel operations.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Overnight in Tortuguero.
Days 3 & 4: Tortuguero - Arenal
DAY 3: Tortuguero - Arenal (1.5 hrs boat & 2.5 hrs en route)
Wake up early and join your guide to enjoy nature in all its splendour by touring the canals of Tortuguero National Park by boat at sunrise and take your best photos in the jungle. Discover the network of canals, lagoons, and dense rainforests through an early boat tour guided by an expert naturalist guide. Abundant wildlife inhabits Tortuguero, including 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles, and 60 species of mammals. Return to the lodge to enjoy breakfast.
After breakfast, check out and be ready to continue your trip. Shared transfer by boat and land from Tortuguero to the restaurant located in Guápiles, where you will enjoy a traditional lunch.
Afterward, meet the Car Rental Representative to get your rented vehicle and all the necessary information for your road trip or meet the transportation to continue your journey in a shared transfer to your next destination: La Fortuna de San Carlos, home of the stunning Arenal Volcano. Prior to December 2010, the Arenal Volcano was one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world, and it was a truly majestic sight, as it spewed molten rocks and ash from its summit daily. Today there are no lava eruptions, for now, but you can still see smoke and ash plumes above the top of the volcano. Upon arrival, get comfortable at your hotel room and enjoy leisure time to relax at the hotel facilities.
Breakfast & lunch. Overnight in Arenal.
DAY 4: Arenal
Breakfast included at the hotel. Today you will have plenty of time to relax at the hotel, immerse yourself in the rainforest and live an experience of a sanctuary of relaxation, privacy, and tranquillity. On the other hand, if you are more adventurous, go and explore the wonders of Arenal on your own. If you are a nature lover, the Arenal region offers you many treasures to discover! Take a hike to the lava trails at the Arenal Volcano National Park; uncover the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall, experience a good dose of adrenaline in the Balsa River rapids while admiring beautiful vegetation; fly over the treetop canopy on a Zipline adventure and much more! Costa Rica is known worldwide as a top adventure destination, and La Fortuna area is famous for the best outdoor adventures. There are so many fun activities for all ages and travellers.
Breakfast. Overnight in Arenal.
Depending on the length of your tour, you will stay in Tortuguero for 1 or 2 nights, and 2, 3 or 4 nights in Arenal.
Days 5 & 6: Arenal - Rincón de la Vieja
DAY 5: Arenal - Rincón de la Vieja (3 hrs en route)
Breakfast included at the hotel. After check out, self-drive to your next destination, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano area, one of the most beautiful countryside and ecological diverse located in the Province of Guanacaste. At over 34,000 acres, this region has room for 2 volcanoes, 32 rivers and streams, and an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Rincón de la Vieja hosts a wide variety of tropical forests, including dwarf cloud and montane ecosystems. Exotic and rare flora and fauna find refuge here including kinkajous, pumas, a variety of monkeys, sloths, tapirs, and jaguars. Rare emerald toucans and blue-crowned motmots glow in the sunlight along with vibrant orchids.
Rincón de la Vieja is approximately 15 miles northeast of the city of Liberia, which is the capital of the Guanacaste Province. During your stay, you can rather explore by your own the Rincón de La Vieja National Park or enjoy hotel activities.
Breakfast. Overnight in Rincón de la Vieja.
DAY 6: Rincón de la Vieja
Breakfast included at the hotel followed by a free day to enjoy the tropical forest and all its treasures: waterfalls, hot springs and optional adventure activities available from the hotel.
Breakfast. Overnight in Rincón de la Vieja.
Day 7, 8, 9 & 10: Rincón de la Vieja - Tamarindo - San José
DAY 7: Rincón de la Vieja - Tamarindo (2 hrs en route)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Continue your road trip to Tamarindo beach, located in the North Pacific Coast. Tamarindo is the most developed beach on the vibrant Nicoya Peninsula and one of Costa Rica's best-known surf spots. Tamarindo beach is also a wonderland of adventure and has the serenity of a tropical getaway. This is a destination for anyone that is travelling through Costa Rica, from newlyweds to families. Check in at the hotel and switch immediately to beach mode!
Breakfast. Overnight in Tamarindo.
DAY 8: Tamarindo
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Today is a leisure day to relax and enjoy the beach to the fullest! Tamarindo is one of the most attractive and modern beach destinations in Costa Rica, offering a wide variety of outdoor activities. Sunny and tropical weather are nearly year-round. The lively town offers plenty of restaurants, shops and nightlife to go with the beautiful beaches.
Breakfast. Overnight in Tamarindo.
Please note: depending on the length of your tour, you will stay in Tamarindo for 2, 3 or 4 nights.
DAY 9: Tamarindo - San José (4.5 hrs en route)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Depart to San José city for your last night stay in Costa Rica. Upon arrival, enjoy leisure time to relax or explore the city. San José is a contrasted city with exhilarating expressions of history, traditions, art, and architecture.
Breakfast. Overnight in San José.
DAY 10: Departure (30 minutes en route)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. It is time to drive to the car rental office near the Juan Santamaría International Airport to return the vehicle. Then, a shared shuttle will take you to the airport from the car rental office to your flight back home.
Important information about your tour and visits: Children: Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Costa Rica. Sun protection, sunglasses, bathing suit, hat, raincoat, hiking or tennis shoes, sandals and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
The hotels, which meet local standards, are indicative and may be changed on site for hotels of a similar category. The tour programme is subject to change due to compelling reasons such as delayed flights, weather conditions or other cases of force majeure. The order of the visits may also be changed.
If you are travelling with children is important to know that laws in Costa Rica clearly state that children below the age of twelve must be secure in appropriate seating for their age or height and weight. The Car Rental Company provides a child’s car seat or booster for an extra cost of 6 USD daily.
Your Hotels —
Just for you:
- Welcome and assistance at SJO airport
- Return airport transfers
- Rechargeable phone card
HAND-PICKED JUST FOR YOU
Maximum room capacity
Enjoy the comfort of carefully selected accommodation in the following Standard or Superior hotels (or similar):
Your hotels during the tour in Standard* category establishments:
In San José : Sleep Inn Hotel
In Tortuguero: Pachira Lodge
In Arenal: Arenal Paraíso
In Rincón de la Vieja: Hacienda Guachipelin (Standard Room)
In Tamarindo: Hotel Pasatiempo
Your hotels during the tour in Superior* category establishments:
In San José : Park Inn
In Tortuguero: Evergreen Lodge
In Arenal: Volcano Lodge
In Rincón de la Vieja: Hacienda Guachipelin (Superior Room)
In Tamarindo: Tamarindo Diria
Please note that due to the current health situation, facilities for cultural, leisure and wellness activities as well as outdoor swimming pools may be closed or restricted in terms of access. We advise you to contact the hotel or the tourist office two days before your arrival.
During your stay, you'll also benefit from the following exclusive advantages:
Standard hotels:
Tortuguero
- One glass of wine per person at the first dinner
- 1 free child under 11 years old for Tortuguero Services (apply for the 1st child) *
- *If you travel with more children apply a supplement of $118 per child.
Arenal
- Unlimited access to the hot springs of the resort
Rincón de la Vieja
- Free access to the hot springs of the resort
Superior hotels:
Tortuguero
- One glass of wine per person at the first dinner
- 1 free child under 11 years old for Tortuguero Services (apply for the 1st child) *
- *If you travel with more children apply a supplement of $118 per child.
Rincón de la Vieja
- Free access to the hot springs of the resort
- Free Access to Oropéndola, Las Chorreras & La Victoria Waterfalls (self-guided)
Arenal
- Free and unlimited access to the hot springs of the resort
Your Dining Choices
Enjoy included meals throughout your stay as follows:
Your Destination —
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 whitewater 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!