Day 1 - San Jose
Arrival at San Jose International airport and transfer to the hotel of your choice in San Jose. Depending on when you arrive have the rest of the day to relax from your flight and get acquainted with your San Jose or your hotel.
Overnight at the lodge of your choice in San Jose
Beautiful scenery next to Irazú Volcano National Park
Day 2 - San Jose - Irazú Volcano Tour
Depart from San Jose at 8:00 AM heading to the active Irazú Volcano, located in the lush mountains just south of San Jose. Upon arrival at the visitors center there will a short walk with a guide to the main crater of Irazú Volcano. Once at the crater your guide will fill you in on how Irazú Volcano has become one of the symbols of the extensive system of national parks located throughout Costa Rica. Irazú Volcano is a true symbol of the geo-thermal forces that ultimately formed the country of Costa Rica.
Once everybody gets their fill of the beautiful Irazú Volcano we will head to Sarchi, the largest art and crafts area in the country and the cradle of the Costa Rica handcraft. While in Sarchi there will be time for lunch and shopping. Return to the hotel of your choice in the early afternoon. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your hotel or explore San Jose.
Overnight at the lodge of your choice in San Jose
Canoeing Through Tortuguero National Park
Day 3 - Depart San Jose for Tortuguero National Park
Early departure to Caño Blanco, the pier where you take the boat to the Tortuguero National park. En route we will cross the famous Braulio Carrillo National Park where there are three different kinds of forests: rainforest, humid forest and cloud forest. Towards the end Braulio Carrillo National Park we will stop for a typical Costa Rican breakfast. After breakfast will we continue to the pier at Caño Blanco to begin the boat ride through the canals and rivers of Tortuguero.
After lunch at your lodge you will visit the beautiful village of Tortuguero and the center for Turtle Conservation. You will arrive back at your lodge in the late afternoon to relax and enjoy the lodge.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice in Tortuguero
The Beautiful Pachira Lodge Room
Day 4 - Full day in Tortuguero
The adventure continues, this time by visiting secondary channels and creeks of Tortuguero National Park. Here you will have a great chance to see crocodiles and other reptiles, as well as 3 species of monkeys and other mammals, and a large number of tropical birds including the beautiful Toucan. You will be back in time for a delicios lunch at your lodge.
In the afternoon you can hike the lodge trails or just relax and advantage of the comfortable facilities of the lodge. At night, if in season (July to September) can go on the optional famous night tour to see the famous marine turtles nesting.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.
Navigating the canals of Tortuguero
Day 5 - Boat & Car Transfer to Puerto Viejo
After breakfast, departure via boat to Caño Blanco pier, which is about an hour and a quarter through the beautiful canals of Tortuguero, then board the bus to take you to lunch at Costa Rican Caribbean Style restaurant in Siquirres. After lunch, board Interbus to take you to your hotel in Puerto Viejo, the charming viliage on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.
Overnight the hotel of your choice in Puerto Viejo.
Hiking through Tortuguero National Park
Day 6 - Puerto Viejo - Snorkeling and Hike in Cahuita National Park
After breakfast at your hotel you will have an unforgettable experience snorkeling at reef corals gardens off the coast of Puerto Viejo & Cahuita National Park. You will navigate in a glass bottom boat so you to see the beautiful coral reef and tropical fish of the Caribbean. You will then have time to snorkel and discover the reef for yourself. Then it is off the amazing Cahuita National Park which is famous for the abundance of living ecosystems per each square foot. This tour includes a guided hike on the trails of this beautiful park. After the walk you will be treated to a delicious lunch. Rest of the day you can enjoy the white sanded nearby your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel of your choice in Puerto Viejo.
Arenal Volcano smoking
Day 7 - Transfer from Puerto Viejo to Arenal Volcano
After breakfast at your hotel Interbus will pick you up for your transfer to the beautiful Arenal Volcano. Once you arrive at the hotel of your choice in Arenal Volcano (La Fortuna) you will have the rest of your day at your leisure. If you are looking for ideas a great way to relax is to visit one of the natural Hot Springs in the area, this should be arranged ahead of time. Overnight at the hotel of your choice at Arenal Volcano (La Fortuna).
La Fortuna Waterfall surrounded by 100% Jungle
Day 8 - Arenal - La Fortuna Waterfalls Tour & Horseback Riding
After breakfast at your hotel you will enjoy a scenic horseback ride to the La Fortuna Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in the region. This tour requires you to be in good shape to ascend to the waterfall. Once you are at the waterfall you can enjoy a swim in the many pools created by the waterfall.
You will return to the hotel around noon and you will have the rest of the afternoon free or take one of the many tours offered in the area.
Overnight at the hotel of your choice at Arenal Volcano (La Fortuna).
The infamous road to Monteverde
Day 9 - Transfer from Arenal Volcano to Monteverde
Enjoy your last breakfast at your hotel and early departure to Monteverde which is located next to the most famous Cloud Forest in the country. Monteverde was founded by Quakers in the 1950 and it has become one of the most iconic success stories of conservation of the beautiful CloudForests in the country. After your arrival you will have the rest of the day to explore the beautiful small town of Santa Elena. Overnight at your hotel in Monteverde / Santa Elena.
Hiking trail at Monteverde Biological Reserve
Day 10 - Hiking Tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Early breakfast at your hotel with an approximately 6:45 AM departure for the guided hiking tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This biological reserve is world famous and one of the most beautiful cloud forests in Costa Rica. It has been visited by nature lovers & biologists looking to appreciate and study the rich biodiversity of cloud forest. You will have a guided hike on the trails of the reserve with a bilingual naturalist trained guide. The tour will last about two and a half hours of hiking at a slow pace to see as many animals & birds as possible. If you are lucky you will see the famous Quetzal, a strikingly colored bird that inhabits Monteverde. At the end of the hike you will have a chance to see the great diversity of hummingbirds in the hummingbird garden.
You will return to your hotel in the late morning where you will have the rest of the day to experience other tours, tour the city or just relax at your hotel.
Overnight at hotel of your choice in Monteverde / Santa Elena.
Playita Beach in Manuel Antonio
Day 11 - Transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
You will enjoy breakfast at your hotel then depart via Interbus to Manuel Antonio. Manuel Antonio is famous for the tropical humid forest inside Manuel Antonio National Park. It is home to many species of birds and mammals, and some of the most beautiful white sand beaches on the Costa Rican Pacific. Overnight at the hotel of your choice in Manuel Antonio.
Sunset Catamaran Cruise off of Manuel Antonio
Day 12 - Manuel Antonio - Pacific Sunset Catamaran Cruise
After breakfast at your hotel you will have a free morning to enjoy the beach or explore on your own the Manuel Antonio National Park. At 2:00 PM be ready in the lobby of your hotel to be taken aboard a Catamaran to sail to enjoy the sunset. The cruise passes through several places that allow you to enjoy the beauty of Manuel Antonio and you will navigating among diverse sites alongside the Manuel Antonio National Park. This tour includes snacks and refreshments while you are on the boat.
Overnight at the hotel of your choice in Manuel Antonio.
Famous Grano de Oro Hotel & Restaurant in San Jose
Day 13 - Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Breakfast at your hotel then you will have a free morning to enjoy the beach or the pool at your hotel. Around noon you will depart to San Jose. Once you arrive in San Jose you will have the rest of the afternoon free to get acquainted with San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.
Overnight at the hotel of your choice in San Jose area.
American Airlines plane at San Jose International Airport
Day 14 - San Jose - Departure
After breakfast at your hotel you will have a chance to say goodbye and "Pura Vida" to Costa Rica. Then you will be taken to the airport to board your plan back home.
