San Jose Trip Overview
Enjoy the many highlights of Costa Rica on this 10-day itinerary, including wonderful rainforests, volcano, cloud forests and the exotic North Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Discover a country of great natural beauty, whether you are watching the Arenal volcano whilst bathing in hot springs, walking in the canopy of Monteverde’s cloud forest, relaxing on the pristine jungle of Tortuguero or enjoying the warm waters of the Pacific Coast. This is the real nature lover’s paradise.
Additional Info
Duration: 10 days
Starts: San Jose, Costa Rica
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Nature & Wildlife
Explore San Jose Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting San Jose, Province of San Jose, Costa Rica
Enjoy the many highlights of Costa Rica on this 10-day itinerary, including wonderful rainforests, volcano, cloud forests and the exotic North Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Discover a country of great natural beauty, whether you are watching the Arenal volcano whilst bathing in hot springs, walking in the canopy of Monteverde’s cloud forest, relaxing on the pristine jungle of Tortuguero or enjoying the warm waters of the Pacific Coast. This is the real nature lover’s paradise.
Itinerary
Day 1: Day 1 : ARRIVAL SAN JOSE
Stop At: Juan Santamaría International Airport, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Upon arrival to bustling San Jose, our representative will meet and greet you and then direct you to your private transport, which will drop you off at your hotel in San Jose for your night in Costa Rica.
Overnight in San Jose.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Category Standard = Tryp Sabana or similar 4*
Day 2: Day 2 : SAN JOSE – TORTUGUERO (135km – 4 hrs by road / 2 hrs by boat)
Stop At: Pachira Lodge, Canals, Limón Province, Pococí, 70206, Costa Rica
Your day begins early with a pick up at the hotel approximately 6.30 am. Embark on the shared bus transfer and travel through the Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean plains to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and quaint villages. Indulge in a tasty breakfast en route at around 8.30 am in a restaurant in Guapiles and continue through the jungle by boat, cruising the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park. Arrive at your eco-lodge in time to enjoy a tasty lunch. After lunch, your guide will invite you to go for a hike around Tortuguero town. Visit the Turtles Museum ($1 donation) and come back for dinner at your hotel.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Category Standard = Pachira Lodge or similar Lodge Standard
Day 3: Day 3 : TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Stop At: Pachira Lodge, Canals, Limón Province, Pococí, 70206, Costa Rica
Make most of your stay in Tortuguero and wake up early to meet your guide at 6 am for an early bird walk around the grounds through the trails and gardens of the Lodge. After breakfast, at 9 am join a tour for 2 hours boat trip on the Tortuguero canals, an essential activity while in Costa Rica. Discover its network of canals, lagoons and dense rainforests through a 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.
Rest of day at leisure or possibility to join some optional tours available in destination. Dinner is served at the hotel.
Overnight in hotel in Tortuguero.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Category Standard = Pachira Lodge or similar Lodge Standard
Day 4: Day 4 : TORTUGUERO – ARENAL (210km – 5 hrs by road / 2 hrs by boat)
Stop At: Arenal Springs Resort, Alajuela Province, Palma, Costa Rica
After breakfast, we depart Tortuguero at approximately 9 am, by shared boat and land transfers back to Guapiles, where we stop for lunch in a local restaurant at around 1 pm. After a tasty meal, you will be picked up by a shared transfer and taken to the Arenal area. Arrive at Arenal at 5 pm for check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Arenal.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Category Standard = Arenal Springs Resort or similar 5*
Day 5: Day 5 : ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Stop At: Arenal Springs Resort, Alajuela Province, Palma, Costa Rica
Today after breakfast, meet your guide at approximately 8.00 am, to start a 4-hour guided walking tour in Arenal Volcano National Park. During the tour, the guide will explain the periods of activity the once very active volcano experienced. Enjoy the verdant landscapes and the backdrop of the now-dormant volcano, as you keep a lookout for the wild animals living in this national park. You will have the chance to spot sloths, howler monkeys, anteaters and many others. Afterwards, return to the hotel at 12.30 pm and spend the afternoon at leisure or participate in an optional activity:
Naturalist Guided Walk at Hanging Bridges of Mistico Park: Enjoy a magical experience visiting the hanging bridges. This is a great combination of suspension bridges and platforms built in the forest that offers you an opportunity to explore the forest canopy in a safe and easy manner. An expert guide will take you through the natural history and open for you the doors of a fascinating and colourful tropical rainforest world. You will not forget the imposing vistas of the Arenal Volcano from the hanging bridges. Duration approx. 2.5 hours.
La Fortuna Waterfall: This tour begins by descending the 500-meter trail to the magnificent Waterfall, renowned for its 60 meter (197 feet) high falls and its crystal-clear waters. Along the trail, you will observe plants, trees and animals which inhabit the area. You can choose to swim in its refreshing waters, take amazing photographs, or simply relax and take in all of the beauty of the La Fortuna Waterfall. When you visit the La Fortuna Waterfall you not only get to enjoy this marvellous natural wonder, you will be helping to Support the Development Association of the community as 100% of the entrance fee goes towards social projects to benefit schools, nutritional centres, the orphanage, roads and more. Duration approx. 3 hours.
Tabacon Hotsprings with Dinner: Live the experience of Tabacón which has pools and a river of thermal waters coming from the veins of the majestic Arenal Volcano that predominate in the place. Explore the wonders of the tropical forest surrounding this beautiful resort and enjoy mineral waters with different temperatures, surrounded by warm waterfalls and tropical gardens. Tabacón Hot Springs are recognized worldwide, and undoubtedly immersing yourself in them will make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated due to mineral presence in volcanic waters. Duration approximately 4 hrs. Start time: 5 pm
SkyTrek (Zipline) at SkyAdventures Park: At the Sky Trek, you ride the tram up the mountain, and then get back to the base riding our thrilling ziplines, making it a perfect adventure activity with no walking segments – get off and jump on to the next cable. You’ll ride 7 cables that go up to 200m (656ft) in height and 750m (2460ft) in length where you will be astounded by its impressive heights, speeds that go up to 70km/h (43.5mph), views, and because you will be able to admire the surrounding mountains like in no other place. Duration approx. 2 hours.
Overnight in Arenal.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Category Standard = Arenal Springs Resort or similar 5*
Day 6: Day 6 : ARENAL – MONTEVERDE (60km – 2.5 hrs by road / 45 min by boat)
Stop At: Hotel El Establo Road, Hotel El Establo Rd, Puntarenas Province, Monteverde, Costa Rica
Begin the day with an early breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out and then meet your guide at approximately 7.30 am to head towards Monteverde. Transfer down to Arenal Lake where you will board a boat that will take you across towards Monteverde, where you will arrive at approximately 11.30 am. Once on the other side, a vehicle awaits to take you up to Monteverde. Admire the transition of the rainforest to the cloud forest where you will reach an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level. Located in the Puntarenas province, Monteverde is a place of cloud forests and mist, coffee plantations, monkeys and friendly locals. The town of Santa Elena is small and quaint, filled with inviting restaurants and folksy artisan shops, while the nearby rainforest hosts a remarkable amount of biodiversity. Enjoy the rest of day at leisure.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Category Standard = El Establo or similar 3*
Day 7: Day 7 : MONTEVERDE
Stop At: Hotel El Establo Road, Hotel El Establo Rd, Puntarenas Province, Monteverde, Costa Rica
After a nourishing breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide between 7 and 7.30 to start the hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is world-famous for its outstanding biodiversity, conservation actions and contributions, as well as scientific research. The reserve is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and it is one of the most important private reserves, not just in Costa Rica but the world. It hosts hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids, as well as a large variety of flora, such as mosses, vines or the autochthonous trees of the cloud forest. The hike lasts for 4 hours and you will be back at the hotel at approximately 12.00 pm. Rest of day at leisure.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Category Standard = El Establo or similar 3*
Day 8: Day 8 : MONTEVERDE – TAMARINDO (190km – 4 hrs)
Stop At: Tamarindo Diria, C. Central, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica
This morning after breakfast, pick up at approximately 8.30 to head towards the stunning beachside destination in the mesmerising area of Guanacaste. After a 4-hour transfer arrive in Guanacaste area and spend the rest of the day to explore the surrounding, to stroll the beautifully arranged streets of Tamarindo, a lovely beach town in Guanacaste or to relax while enjoying hotel facilities.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Category Standard = Tamarindo Diriá or similar 4*
Day 9: Day 9 : TAMARINDO
Stop At: Tamarindo Diria, C. Central, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica
Tamarindo is a lively destination where you can have some fun, enjoy the warm sun and relax on the spectacular beach. If you are feeling adventurous, jump on a board and try your hand at surfing Tamarindo’s famous waves. Have the day at leisure to explore the area or relax at the hotel facilities.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Category Standard = Tamarindo Diriá or similar 4*
Day 10: Day 10 : TAMARINDO – SAN JOSÉ (250km – 4.5hrs)
Stop At: Juan Santamaría International Airport, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Begin your last day in spectacular Costa Rica with a delectable breakfast. Then, at the appropriate time, you will be picked up by shared transfer and taken to Juan Santamaria International Airport to catch your flight back home or on to your next destination
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
