San Jose Trip Overview
Explore nature up close on this 11-day tour of Costa Rica, including Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Manuel Antonio National Park. Discover the treetop canopy on a Sky Walk, spot butterflies and monkeys on a forest hike and watch the Arenal Volcano as you relax in a thermal spring. You’ll be amazed by all Costa Rica has to offer, from its white-sand beaches to its tropical jungles, each supporting an incredible array of diverse wildlife.
Additional Info
Duration: 11 days
Starts: San Jose, Costa Rica
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore San Jose Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting San Jose, Province of San Jose, Costa Rica
Explore nature up close on this 11-day tour of Costa Rica, including Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Manuel Antonio National Park. Discover the treetop canopy on a Sky Walk, spot butterflies and monkeys on a forest hike and watch the Arenal Volcano as you relax in a thermal spring. You’ll be amazed by all Costa Rica has to offer, from its white-sand beaches to its tropical jungles, each supporting an incredible array of diverse wildlife.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica
Stop At: San Jose, San Jose, San Jose Metro, Province of San Jose
San Jose After you arrive at the San Jose airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in San Jose. Take time to relax and refresh after your journey and prepare for your Costa Rican adventure!
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight: Country Inn and Suites or Presidente Hotel (or similar) in San Jose
Day 2: Tortuguero Adventure
Stop At: Tortuguero, Limón Province, Pococí, Costa Rica
Depart early in the morning from your hotel aboard a comfortable coach with your tour group, heading toward Tortuguero. On the way, pass though Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the largest in Costa Rica.
After you’ve stopped for breakfast in the town of Guapiles, board a boat at the pier for a 1-hour cruise to the town of Tortuguero. During the ride, keep an eye out for all kinds of birds and other wildlife.
Next, check into your hotel in Tortuguero, located on the northeast Caribbean and known for its canals that traverse the national park. In the afternoon, enjoy a delicious lunch and then visit the local town, learning about the cultural traditions of the local community from your knowledgeable guide.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight: Laguna Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar) in Tortuguero
Day 3: Tortuguero Adventure
Stop At: Tortuguero, Tortuguero, Province of Limon
Enjoy an exceptional visit to the nearby Tortuguero National Park, exploring the wildlife sanctuary by boat. Discover the lush vegetation that abounds in the tropical rainforest, a natural habitat for more than 300 species of birds plus a wide incredible array of other wildlife, such as monkeys, iguanas and crocodiles.
Tortuguero National Park entrance fee is NOT included.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time at your leisure. Swim or lounge by the pool, check out the souvenir shop, walk the nearby trails or just lie in a hammock and relax.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight: Laguna Lodge or Pachira Lodge (or similar) in Tortuguero
Day 4: Arenal Area
Pass By: Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Province of Alajuela
After breakfast, depart again for the canals to transfer by car to Arenal. Later, enjoy a delicious lunch back in the town of Guapiles and arrive at your selected hotel around 4pm to check in.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight: Arenal Paraiso or Arenal Kioro Hotel (or similar) in La Fortuna
Day 5: Arenal Area
Stop At: Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Province of Alajuela
In the afternoon, head with your guide to Arenal Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal) and take a short hike around to check out the breathtaking views. The impressive Arenal Volcano is a natural phenomenon that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
In the afternoon, unwind in one of the best thermal baths in the area at The Hot Springs. Later, get ready to dine on a sumptuous feast while taking in spectacular views of the volcano. Afterward, relax at your hotel.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight: Arenal Paraiso or Arenal Kioro Hotel (or similar) in La Fortuna
Day 6: Monteverde Area
Stop At: Monteverde, Monteverde, Province of Puntarenas
Transfer to Monteverde, including a 30-minute boat tour across Arenal Lake. Along the way, spot several small islands and enjoy panoramic views of the natural surroundings. Once you’ve arrived on the other side, ride in a comfortable van directly to your hotel.
After checking in, explore the area at your leisure or just enjoy the breathtaking views while you relax. You’ll have several options (own expense), including a canopy tour, frog pond or butterfly garden.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Monteverde Cloud Forest Lodge or El Establo Hotel (or similar) in Monteverde
Day 7: Monteverde Area
Stop At: Monteverde, Monteverde, Province of Puntarenas
2-hour Sky Walk tour – a series of suspension bridges and well-maintained walking trails built 984 feet (300 meters) above the tropical forest canopy of Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Explore the forest safely and easily as you admire the area’s flora and fauna with commentary by an expert guide. After you descend, enjoy the rest of the afternoon relaxing at your leisure.
You’ll have the additional option to go on a canopy tour, frog pond or butterfly garden (own expense).
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Monteverde Cloud Forest Lodge or El Establo Hotel (or similar) in Monteverde
Day 8: Manuel Antonio
Stop At: Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Province of Puntarenas
After breakfast, board the coach for a 4-hour drive toward your last destination, Manuel Antonio National Park (Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio), known for its pristine beaches bordered by tropical rain forest that edges right up to shore.
When you arrive, visit one of Costa Rica’s most popular beaches and relax on the soft white sand while taking in the beautiful surroundings. Although the smallest of Costa Rica’s 20 national parks, Manuel Antonio is one of the most stunning with its coves of crystal clear water along the bright blue Pacific Coast.
After you settle into your hotel, enjoy a relaxing evening in Quepos, named after the indigenous people who inhabited the region in the colonial era. Gateway to the national park, the town supports a spirited nightlife with its many bars and restaurants.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Tabulia Tree House Hotel or Parador Hotel (or similar) in Quepos
Day 9: Manuel Antonio National Park
Stop At: Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Province of Puntarenas
Experience more of Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most famous, on this day tour with your group. Be amazed by the natural beauty and abundant animal life as you take in the peaceful atmosphere of a tropical forest during a walk with your guide.
Learn about the life cycles, behaviors and other special adaptations of the flora and fauna, including numerous types of colorful butterflies, birds, snakes and orchids. You’ll be awed by the wonders you discover in this marvelous environment.
Keep an eye out for the endangered squirrel monkey and the white faced capuchin monkey, 3- and 2-toed sloths, white-nosed coatis and black-collared hawks as you pass cedar trees, bully trees and silk cotton trees, as well as swamps of red, buttonwood white mangrove.
This National Park is closed on Tuesdays, we will coordinate the date according to schedule.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Tabulia Tree House Hotel or Parador Hotel (or similar) in Quepos
Day 10: San Jose
Stop At: San Jose, San Jose, San Jose Metro, Province of San Jose
Set out on a 3-hour return trip to San Jose, arriving at your hotel in the afternoon. You’ll have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure, just relaxing or exploring on your own.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Country Inn and Suites or Presidente Hotel (or similar) in San Jose
Day 11: Departure
Stop At: San Jose, San Jose, San Jose Metro, Province of San Jose
After your final breakfast (depening on departure time), you’ll receive complimentary pickup from the hotel lobby with a transfer to the San Jose airport.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
