Authentic Costa Rica

Upon arrival in San Jose, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, located in the heart of the city. The bustling capital city, nestled in the Central Valley, offers cultural richness, historic architecture, and vibrant markets. 

Meals: n/a

Embark on an early morning journey from San Jose to the North Caribbean Plains, home to Tortuguero National Park. Your drive offers stunning views as you ascend through the Central Volcanic Mountain range, passing picturesque waterfalls and the lush Braulio Carrillo National Park. As you reach the Caribbean plains, you'll feel the climate shift to a warmer, more humid environment. 

After enjoying breakfast en route, your adventure continues through banana plantations and rural roads, leading to a local dock. Here you board a boat that will take you on a captivating 1.5-hour ride through canals, offering remarkable wildlife encounters. Your destination is the charming Caribbean village of Tortuguero, a car-free paradise where nature thrives. On one side, winding rivers invite you to explore the jungle's depths, while on the other, a pristine Caribbean beach welcomes countless sea turtles each year. 

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Tortuguero. Discover its rich Afro-Caribbean heritage and traditions, visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum, and stroll along the picturesque village beach, where nature and community coexist in harmony. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's itinerary promises a rich blend of Costa Rican flavours and wildlife encounters, beginning with a hearty breakfast. Embark on a guided boat expedition, immersing yourself in the captivating Tortuguero canals and coastal jungle, where you'll encounter a vast array of flora and fauna. 

These waterways and rainforests provide a habitat for an astounding diversity of creatures. Look out for the gentle two and three-fingered sloths, stealthy caimans, elusive river turtles, sunbathing iguanas, and agile basilisk lizards. Marvel at the playful antics of monkeys, including howler, spider, and white-faced capuchin species. The night sky offers a chance for a unique adventure—an optional nocturnal tour along the beach, where, if you visit between July and September, you might witness the mesmerizing spectacle of green turtles nesting. This unforgettable experience blends the true flavours of Costa Rica with its remarkable wildlife and conservation efforts.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will embark on a scenic journey to the Arenal Volcano district, traversing picturesque rural towns like Sarapiqui, Rio Cuarto, and Aguas Zarcas. Along the route, relish awe-inspiring mountain vistas and glimpse the thriving local agriculture, a vital economic contributor. Depending on the season, catch distant views of pineapple, orange, sugar cane, and yucca crops. 

Arriving in the late afternoon at La Fortuna de San Carlos, your timing may reward you with a glimpse of the magnificent Arenal Volcano, known for its towering conical shape. Nestled in Costa Rica's fertile northern lowlands, Arenal is a photographer's paradise and, until recently, was the nation's most active volcano. Its imposing presence and photogenic allure make it an iconic highlight of the region.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Your day begins with a captivating sightseeing excursion around Arenal Volcano. Nestled in Costa Rica’s northern highlands, Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the country’s most iconic natural landmarks. Famous for its near-perfect conical shape, the volcano dramatically erupted in 1968 and remained active with daily explosions and glowing lava flows for over four decades. Although it no longer spews lava, it is still considered active and continues to fascinate visitors from around the world. Your excursion begins at El Silencio Private Reserve, where you will travel close to the base of the volcano. From there, a scenic one-kilometre walk across volcanic rock leads to a spectacular viewpoint. Here, your guide will share the story of Arenal’s fiery history, from its explosive 1968 eruption to its subsequent activity, while you enjoy breathtaking vistas of Lake Arenal and the Green Lagoon.  The journey continues along a 1.5 kilometre trail that winds through regenerating woodland before reaching pristine primary rainforest on the volcano’s slopes. Along the way, you may encounter a rich variety of wildlife, from toucans, oropendolas and guans to monkeys, peccaries and even the occasional snake. The adventure concludes with a refreshing snack of tropical fruits.

In the afternoon, enjoy a sloth watching experience for a chance to see these remarkable creatures in their natural environment. The Arenal region is renowned for its rich biodiversity and vital conservation efforts, making it an ideal sanctuary for two different sloth species. Blessed with a favourable climate, plentiful food and safe habitats, this area offers the rare opportunity to encounter these gentle creatures in the wild. This excursion is designed not only to provide an unforgettable wildlife experience but also to raise awareness about the importance of protecting sloths and their fragile ecosystems. Too often, their natural survival is threatened by illegal trafficking and misconceptions—such as the harmful belief that sloths enjoy being handled because of their endearing expressions. By observing them responsibly in their natural environment, you will directly contribute to the conservation message and help discourage exploitative practices. Led by certified naturalist guides, the two-hour walk takes you to carefully identified observation points around La Fortuna, home to both the three-toed and the more elusive two-toed sloth. Search for sloths with the help of binoculars and telescopes; you may even witness a mother cradling her young, alongside sightings of frogs, birds and other rainforest wildlife.

End your day by relaxing in the natural hot springs at your hotel. These natural springs feature a warm river that meanders from cascading waterfalls through a series of pools nestled within tropical gardens.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, journey to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Your adventure begins with an early pick-up for a brief coach ride to the Arenal Lake Dam. Here, embark on a comfortable and secure pontoon boat for a 30 to 40-minute cruise to Rio Chiquito, a charming lakeside town. 

Arenal Lake, Costa Rica's largest, was created in 1974 for hydroelectric energy production. It's a haven for diverse resident and migratory birds, occasionally hosting local wildlife. On clear days, the lake offers stunning vistas of the Arenal Volcano. Upon reaching Rio Chiquito, take a short break to stretch. 

After another 1.5-hour coach journey, arrive at your Monteverde area hotel. Monteverde is renowned for its tropical cloud forest biodiversity, where wind-shaped woodlands yield to towering rainforests adorned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. The cloud forest's unique climate has fostered a remarkable array of creatures, from jaguars and Baird's tapirs to the famous resplendent quetzal. 

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you'll embark on an exhilarating Sky Walk and Sky Tram adventure. Monteverde, with its misty enchantment and diverse climate zones at high altitudes, offers an almost surreal beauty. Your journey begins with a hotel pick-up and transfer to the Sky Adventures Park. 

The Sky Walk entails a 3km exploration on ground-level trails and six suspension bridges that ascend as high as 70m, spanning distances of up to 226m. During this 2-hour eco-tour, your expert guide offers insights into the canopy ecosystem, with occasional stops to highlight key flora and fauna species. 

Next, the Sky Tram carries you effortlessly through the cloud forest, a gentle 15-minute ascent that provides breathtaking panoramic vistas. This tour offers a unique opportunity to appreciate nature's wonders with minimal physical exertion while being immersed in the magical heart of Monteverde's cloud forest. At the mountain's summit, relish spectacular views of the cloud forest and the Continental Divide. 

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you'll be provided with an unescorted shuttle service transfer to San Jose for your onward flight.  You can finish your arrangements at Liberia or San Jose airport, or Guanacaste if you want to spend some time at the beach.   

On your way down from Monteverde, observe the plains and even on a clear day in the far distance, the pacific coastal side. Then you make your way through the mountainous range and into the central valley, right in the heart of Costa Rica. 

If you are a bird lover, perhaps take an optional tour to see the famous Resplendent Quetzal. A stunning bird in the trogon family, the Quetzal’s iridescent green feathers and a long slender tail has captured the hearts of many. 

Meals: Breakfast