San Jose Trip Overview
Enjoy the many highlights of Costa Rica on this 14-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: 14 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 14-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 shared 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: Standard Hotel Category= Sleep Inn or similar 3*
Day 2: Day 2 : SAN JOSE – TORTUGUERO (135km – 4 hrs by road / 2 hrs by boat)
Stop At: Rana Roja, F89Q+G89, Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Day 2 : SAN JOSE – TORTUGUERO (135km – 4 hrs by road / 2 hrs by boat)
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category= Rana Roja or similar 3*
Day 3: Day 3 : TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Stop At: Rana Roja, F89Q+G89, Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, 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. Board the boat again for a visit to Tortuguero village, where you will get to walk around town, experience the locals’ way of living, and stroll along the beach. Dinner is served at the hotel.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category= Rana Roja or similar 3*
Day 4: Day 4 : TORTUGUERO – ARENAL (210km – 5 hrs by road / 2 hrs by boat)
Stop At: Montaña de Fuego, 5 miles west from La Fortuna Central Park 142 route, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, 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: Standard Hotel Category= El Bosque or similar 3
Day 5: Day 5 : ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Stop At: Montaña de Fuego, 5 miles west from La Fortuna Central Park 142 route, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Today after breakfast, relax in the hotel’s hotsprings. Escape to a natural paradise at the hotel with all the necessary services to make you feel relaxed surrounded by the peace and serenity of the rainforest. Sheltered by the impressive Arenal Volcano, enjoy the natural hot springs thanks to the geothermal activity of the volcano. Immerse yourself in the rainforest and live an experience of a sanctuary of relaxation, privacy and tranquility.. Rest of day at leisure.
Overnight in Arenal.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category= Montaña de Fuego or similar 3*
Day 6: Day 6 : ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Stop At: Montaña de Fuego, 5 miles west from La Fortuna Central Park 142 route, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel to start Hikking Lava Trails. Explore the Arenal Volcano on a hike along the lava trails of this giant. During the hike, the expert guide will explain you all about the volcano: its activity periods, a little bit of history related to it and will show you some landmarks that were left over the years. Admire its particular vegetation and watch some wildlife.
Return to the hotel and relax in the hotsprings. Escape to a natural paradise at the hotel with all the necessary services to make you feel relaxed surrounded by the peace and serenity of the rainforest.
Overnight in Arenal
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category= Montaña de Fuego or similar 3*
Day 7: Day 7 : ARENAL – MONTEVERDE (60km – 2.5 hrs by road / 45 min by boat)
Stop At: Monteverde Tours, Carr. a Reserva de Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, 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: Standard Hotel Category= El Bosque or similar 3*
Day 8: Day 8 : MONTEVERDE
Stop At: Monteverde Tours, Carr. a Reserva de Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, Costa Rica
After a nourishing breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide to start the visit Hummingbird Garden, where you will observe more than 14 different species of hummingbirds flying cheerly aroud you including species that are not commonly seen in other areas o Monteverde. Witnessing these tiny birds in action is one of the true delights of Cloud forest. They are appreciated for their beautiful colours and remarkable acrobatics. This hummingbirds sanctuary has a relaxing atmosphere and beautiful vegetation providing a perfect setting for photography lovers and nature lovers.Rest of day at leisure
Overnight in Monteverde
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category= El Bosque or similar 3*
Day 9: Day 9 : MONTEVERDE
Stop At: Monteverde Tours, Carr. a Reserva de Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, Costa Rica
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure to rest or knowing on your own everything that Monteverde offers, such as its Cloud Forest, book an optional excursion or just relax at the hotel
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category= El Bosque or similar 3*
Day 10: Day 10 : MONTEVERDE – TAMARINDO (190km – 4 hrs)
Stop At: Hotel Pasatiempo, 350 Av Central, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 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: Standard Hotel Category= Pasatiempo or similar 3*
Day 11: Day 11 : TAMARINDO
Stop At: Hotel Pasatiempo, 350 Av Central, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 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: Standard Hotel Category= Pasatiempo or similar 3*
Day 12: Day 12 : TAMARINDO
Stop At: Hotel Pasatiempo, 350 Av Central, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
After breakfast, have the day at leisure to explore the area or relax at the hotel, enjoying the facilities.
Overnight in Tamarindo
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category= Pasatiempo or similar 3*
Day 13: Day 13 : TAMARINDO – SAN JOSE (265 Km – 4.5 hrs)
Stop At: Sleep Inn Hotel Paseo Las Damas, 3rd Avenue 9 & 11, El Carmen, San José, 10101, Costa Rica
Standard Hotel Category= Sleep Inn or similar 3*
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category= Sleep Inn or similar 3*
Day 14: Day 14 : DEPARTURE SAN JOSE
Stop At: Juan Santamaría International Airport, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Begin your last day in spectacular Costa Rica with a delectable breakfast and then, at the appropriate time, transfer 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.