Day by day itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at San Jose, Costa Rica. Hotel Grano de Oro. Welcome to Costa Rica. Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport. After passing through Immigration you will be met by one of our representatives. He will take you to your hotel and give you your welcome kit.
Day 02: Transfer to Tortuguero National Park. Pachira Lodge. Early in the morning a bilingual guide will meet you at the Hotel. The park has a great biological variety, due to the existence within the reserve of eleven different habitats, including rainforest, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. The park is located on the Caribbean coast, and its beaches are key nesting ground for endangered sea turtles, such as Hawksbill, Loggerheads, Green and Leatherbacks. The rivers within the park are home to sensitive populations of manatees, as well as caimans, crocodiles, and Tropical Gar, which is considered a living fossil. The forests are home to jaguars, three-toed sloths, and three of Costa Rica's four species of monkey. Basilisk lizards and poisonous frogs also inhabit the area, along with 375 species of birds including kingfishers, toucans, blue herons, peacocks, and parrots. There are more than 400 species of trees and approximately 2,200 species of plants.
Day 03: Tortuguero National Park. Pachira Lodge. Opportunity to explore the Tortuguero National Park area. Hiking and boat trips are included. On turtle nesting season (July to October), there is an optional tour at night available upon request at the hotel (Not included).
Day 04: Reception rental car. Self drive to Arenal Volcano. Montaña de Fuego Hotel. The Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal lies within the Arenal Conservation Area, protecting eight of Costa Rica's 12 life zones and 16 protected reserves in the region between the Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges, and including Lake Arenal. Arenal Volcano has been constantly active since it woke up after 400 years. One of the world's most active volcanos; Arenal produces huge ash columns, explosions and glowing red lava almost every day. Fascinating fauna and flora exist here in amazing quantities making this a prime location for viewing many many different species of both plants and animals.
Day 05: Arenal Volcano. Montaña de Fuego.
Day 06: Selfdrive to Monteverde. Hotel Fonda Vela. The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a very important and popular ecotourism destination in Costa Rica. With its unique cloud canopy, this biological reserve located in Puntarenas province is 6 km east of the town of Santa Elena. Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is one of the most stunning and breathtaking nature reserves in the entire world. Unlike rainforests, cloud forests usually receive much less rain in comparison. However, because a cloud forest is situated at a higher altitude, it has more humidity and is therefore cloudier than a rainforest. This biological reserve sits at an elevation of between 1,200 m to 1,600 m, and is surrounded by a misty cover that supports a fantastic diversity of flora and fauna. Often creating a surreal environment, this reserve is considered to be among the most exceptional wildlife sanctuaries in the New World Tropics.
Day 07: Monteverde. Hotel Fonda Vela.
Day 08: Self Drive to Manuel Antonio. Hotel Parador. Manuel Antonio is located at the Pacific Coast with an estuary, mangroves, a lagoon, beaches and winding paths. Throughout the park, you will find the famous wildlife Costa Rica is known for, monkeys, sloths and lots of birds among others. A splendid combination of nature experience and beach fun!
Day 09 -10: Manuel Antonio National Park. Hotel Parador. Opportunity to visit the park. An abundant diversity of wildlife. Cathedral Point, with its forest topped cliffs was once an island, but is now connected to the coast by a thin strip of island. This land bridge now forms the spine separating the parks two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. The southern facing beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is a picturesque half mile long, white sand crescent bisecting deep green foliage to one side and a private, secluded cove to the other.
Day 11: Self Drive to San Jose. Drop Off Car. El Rodeo Country Inn.
Day 12: Transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport. Departure Flight or extension.