Overview

This trip will give you the opportunity to travel to some of the most visited areas in the country. You will be arriving in the Central Valley for a visit to the Poas Volcano National Park and also to learn about one of the most important crops in the country, in Doka Coffee Plantation.

A visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens will give you a nice introduction to Costa Rica’s flora and fauna, before arriving to the lush canals of Tortuguero National Park.

Located in the heart of the country, you will visit the city of La Fortuna and the impressive Arenal volcano. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, walk over the rainforest in the Hanging Bridges and enjoy the most extraordinary views of the volcano.

The next destination is Monteverde, to visit the renowned Cloud Forest Reserve, before heading North for a relaxing beach stay in Tamarindo, a lively beach town that combines high-end shopping, dining and lively nightlife with spectacular natural scenery.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival

Meet and greet at Juan Santamaria International airport and transfer to your hotel in San José.

Night in selected hotel in San Jose

Day 2 | Poas Volcano – Doka Coffee Tour – La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Breakfast included in the hotel. Guided visit to Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee Plantation and La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

To get to the different attractions included during this tour, we will drive by the city of Alajuela passing by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park. First stop, will be in Doka, a third-generation coffee plantation to learn how coffee is picked, milled, ground and roasted.

As we continue the Costa Rica trip towards the Poas Volcano, we will notice the change in temperature and vegetation; we will see coffee plantations, fern, flower and strawberry farms along the way, creating a colourful landscape. The Poas is one of the most spectacular volcanoes in the country, with its enormous crater measuring one kilometre in diameter and 314 meters deep. The crystal blue sulphur pools will amaze you along with the steam rising from the various volcanic vents.

We will also hike to the beautiful Botos Lagoon. The tour continues to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a natural park where we will walk through some spectacular trails leading to the White Magic Waterfall. We will also visit the largest butterfly observatory and the impressive hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the old house, the bird house and the frogs’ exhibit. After lunch, we will head back to San José.

Night in selected hotel in San José.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch.

Day 3 | San José – Tortuguero

The fascinating Afro-Caribbean culture, a combination of Jamaican, Italian and Chinese immigrants, predominates in this region and fills the atmosphere with fragrances, tropical rhythms and brilliant colours, which mixes with the daily work of many of the inhabitants on the banana plantations and the ports of Limon and Moin. After the South Pacific, this is the rainiest region in the country and this factor, combined with high temperatures, makes it a very humid area throughout the year.

The extensive Caribbean plains are beautified by the Pacuare, Estrella, Reventazon and Parismina rivers, which join in some sectors with the Tortuguero canals, of great importance for their scenic splendour and as a site of refuge for the marine turtles to lay their eggs.

Along this area you can observe small groups of houses among the plantations of cassava, annatto, and bananas, as well as a vast number of beautiful beaches on the southern part of the coast, coral reefs, and protected areas with small trails which permit the access into the heart of the tropical forest.

After an early departure from San Jose, driving through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park, stop in Rio Danta private restaurant for a delicious typical breakfast. The bus ride continues through banana plantations to the pier. A two-hour boat ride through the canals will take you to Mawamba Lodge… just in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, departure by boat to the nearby private trail, next to the National Park, for a guided walk into the tropical rainforest. A visit to the small town of Tortuguero is included before walking back to the lodge by the beach. Before dinner, free time to enjoy the pool or just to relax in a hammock. Dinner is served in the pool restaurant from 7:30 pm.

From July to September

Optional night tour (not included in the package) to observe the turtle nesting. This is one of the most appreciated things to do in Costa Rica while visiting here.

From September to early December

Green Turtle Hatching Season.

Two months after the turtles nesting season starts, baby turtles emerge from the sand to make their way to the Ocean. It is a very special moment to witness the little turtles emerging from the sand and starting their new life. Baby turtles do not like to emerge when the sand is too hot, so the best time to be at the beach is either early in the morning, between 5:00 to 6:00 am, or in the late afternoon, around the same time (5:00 to 6:00 pm). There is no cost for this activity, just make sure to be at the beach on time. Do walk around a little bit for added opportunities.

Night in selected hotel in Tortuguero

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 | Tortuguero

After breakfast, visit to trails and gardens of hotel.

After lunch, in the afternoon, enjoy a canal boat tour through Tortuguero National Park.

About Tortuguero National Park:

Created to protect the most important nesting site of the green turtle in the Western Hemisphere, Tortuguero National Park extends along 14 miles (22 Km) of shoreline and 19 miles (30 Km) out to sea. The Canal de Tortuguero runs through the park, connecting a labyrinth of deltas, canals, and lagoons.

With 11 distinct life zones ranging from raffia palm forest to herbaceous swamps, the park offers one of the most rewarding nature experiences in the country. This watery world is best seen by boat, the wide canals allow grandstand wildlife viewing, and silent approaches on the water permit unusually close contact with the fauna. River otters, caimans, and howler monkeys are easily sighted as are birds such as oropendolas, toucans, and jacamars and other waterfowl.

For most visitors, the star attraction is the green turtle, which nests between June and November. Three other species of marine turtles also come ashore throughout the year, although in lesser numbers.

Free time before dinner.

Night in selected hotel in Tortuguero

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 | Tortuguero – Arenal Area

After breakfast, shared boat transfer back to the pier, where the trip will continue by bus to your next destination. Lunch is included in Rio Danta Restaurant.

Transfer from Guápiles to Arenal area. San Carlos offers a landscape of exceptional beauty with its forests, lagoons, fields of crops, rivers with hot springs, and the most active volcano of Costa Rica: Arenal. In other words, sanctuaries where one can breathe peace, purity and the majestic power of nature.

Night in selected hotel in Arenal

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6 | Arenal Area

Breakfast. In the morning, natural history walk in the Hanging Bridges.

Located within the corridor followed by birds migrating between North and South America, the trails and bridges of this project will bring the visitor as close as any person could ever imagine observing the birds, the flowers and the lush vegetation of the primary rainforest. It is a 250-hectares primary-forest property, made of paths and bridges built to maintain the utmost harmony between man-made structures and nature. The property has impressive views to Arenal Volcano and to the lake that feeds the largest hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica.

This walk is a fun and educative option to learn more about the forest and the local environment and enjoy the close contact with nature. While walking along the trails, the fascinating world of the tropical forest will open to you. Along these three kilometres of trails, visitors will be immersed in the diverse fauna and flora of this rainforest admiring colourful birds and tropical plant species. More than 50 species of birds can be count in this site, one of the most productive bird watching walks of the region. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, a perfect activity to do while enjoying your Costa Rica family vacations.

In the afternoon, see from up close the activities of the Arenal Volcano. Few sites in Costa Rica inspire more respect and admiration than Arenal Volcano. At 5437 feet, its tall and conical shape stands imposing over the pastured green hillsides that surround its base. Although currently in a resting phase, Arenal remains Costa Rica’s most active volcano for the past 43 years. Its history is charged with eruptions – both major and minor – that have intimately affected the region and the people who live here.

This tour will allow you to enjoy the most extraordinary views of Arenal Volcano during a gentle hike along the lower slopes of the colossus. The walk begins in one of the trails close to the volcano and continues through the forest until reaching the area destroyed in its first eruption, back in 1968. This tour takes approximately 2 ½ hours.

Included: Entrance fee, guide and transfers.

Night in selected hotel in Arenal

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 | Arenal – Monteverde

After breakfast, transfer to Monteverde.

The town of Monteverde, located at the south end of the cloud forest, had its beginnings in the early 1950s with the impetus of a group of Quakers from the United States, a group that came to Costa Rica attracted by its pacific inclinations and disarmament. They established themselves in the region and devoted themselves to produce milk and quality cheeses. Monteverde is located 172 kilometres northeast of San José Costa Rica. The climate is template and humid, with an average of 17ºC (60ºF). The nights are cool and at times cold when the trade winds blow.

Night in selected hotel in Monteverde

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8 | Monteverde

Breakfast. Morning visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, having 4% of all the known species of plants and animals in only 0.04% the earth’s surface. Due to its altitudinal variation and climatic factors that vary between the Pacific and Caribbean slopes, Monteverde is perhaps one of the richest regions in the country where there are 3,021 known species including a total of 755 species of trees.

One of the main attractions of Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is its 13-kilometer network of trails. While walking the trails, visitors are presented with a number of options. One alternative is to walk to “La Ventana” scenic overlook, where they may witness the contrasting panorama exhibited naturally by the Continental Divide, a geographical feature that traces the principal mountain ranges of Costa Rica. At this location, visitors can experience the force of the moisture-laden trade winds blowing in from the Atlantic coast, and witness how they descend at high velocity toward the Central Pacific and Northern coastal plains of Costa Rica. There are over 500 bird species live, including the majestic quetzal and the three-wattle bellbird, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians and more than 3000 plants among them, the highest diversity of orchids in the world. In the main building visitors will find a restaurant and a gift shop.

Includes: Entrance fee, tour with a bilingual naturalist guide, transportation and a 15 minute-stop at CASEM. (Local women’s handcraft cooperative).

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the area or to take optional tours to enjoy your Costa Rica vacations.

Night in selected hotel in Monteverde

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9 | Tamarindo Beach Stay

After breakfast, transfer to the North Pacific coast for a 3 night beach stay.

Night in selected hotel in Tamarindo

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 10 & 11 | Tamarindo Beach Stay

Two days at leisure to enjoy the beach or to take optional tours

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 12 | Tamarindo – San José

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer back to San José.

Night in selected hotel in San Jose

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13 | Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Juan Santamaría International airport for your return journey home.

Meals included: Breakfast

Why we love it

Wildlife Encounters

Beaches

Bird Watching

Volcanoes

All images courtesy of ©Travel Excellence