Day 1: Juan Santamaria Airport – San José

Arrival at San José airport. Welcome and private transfer to the hotel in San José.

Day 2: San José – Guapiles – Tortuguero B, L, D

Shared transfer from your hotel by minibus + boat to Tortuguero, with breakfast en route. Boarding by boat through the Tortuguero canals.

In the afternoon, visit the village and the Turtle Museum.

Stroll along the lodge’s trails or to the beach, or relax at the hotel…

Day 3: Tortuguero B, L, D

Explore the Tortuguero gallery forest with a local English-speaking guide. Numerous sightings are possible: monkeys, sloths, herons, toucans, iguanas, basilisks…

In the early afternoon, excursion to Cerro Tortuguero.

From July to October only: in the evening, walk on Tortuguero Beach at the hotel to try and observe the nesting of green turtles. An unforgettable experience!

Day 4: Tortuguero – Guapiles – Cahuita B, L

Depart for your return boat trip on the large Tortuguero canals to Caño Blanco, then by bus and arrive in Guapiles (lunch included).

Delivery of your rental car.

Drive to Limon and the Atlantic coast. Arrival in Cahuita / Puerto Viejo. Discover a Costa Rica with a Caribbean atmosphere.

Cahuita is a small village located at the gateway to the Caribbean that offers a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, ideal for enjoying a family vacation!

Day 5: Cahuita B, L

Discover Cahuita National Park with its coastal trail lined with coconut trees. Access from the village is free. Wildlife observation: capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, raccoons, etc…

In the late morning, hike in the Keköldi indigenous reserve with a local Bri-bri guide. Lunch in the community.

Day 6: Cahuita – Sarapiqui B

Departure to the agricultural valley of Sarapiquí. Check-in at a lodge in the heart of a nature reserve, surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens. In the afternoon, nature walks on the hotel’s trail.

In the early evening, a night tour in the hotel’s reserve, an unforgettable experience allowing you to discover nocturnal fauna and the sounds of the night.

Day 7: Sarapiqui – Arenal B, L

Visit to Finca Sura, off-the-beaten-path tour of an authentic organic pineapple farm. Typical lunch on-site, allowing you to taste fresh products from Finca Sura.

Drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos and the impressive Arenal Volcano.

Day 8: Arenal B, D

Free walk on the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park. The animal life is rich: you can see three species of monkeys, sometimes peccaries, toucans, and many birds.

In the late afternoon, access to the hot springs of Ecotermales for a relaxing swim. Dinner buffet is included on-site.

Day 9: Arenal – Bijagua B, L, D

Drive to the small village of Bijagua.

Self-guided visit to Tenorio Volcano National Park and the famous Río Celeste (river with astonishing blue color contrasting with the green of the jungle).

Stay for one night in a lodge wonderfully located above the Bijagua valley. Lunch and dinner at the lodge, where the owner, a gourmet enthusiast, will delight your taste buds with dishes inspired by Costa Rican cuisine with a French touch!

Day 10: Bijagua – Samara B

Departure to the Nicoya Peninsula and the beautiful Samara Beach. Stay for two nights in a beautiful hotel near the beach and the village, surrounded by a beautiful tropical garden.

Enjoy the magnificent sunsets!

Day 11: Samara B

A free day to relax and enjoy the beach and activities in the area: diving, deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, surfing, etc.

Possibility to visit the village of Matambu located in the Chorotega indigenous territory less than an hour from Samara.

Day 12: Samara – Monteverde B

After lunch, depart for Monteverde, the “Cloud Forest.” This region consists mainly of vast cloud forests and humid tropical rainforests.

Day 13: Santa Elena Reserve & Hanging Bridges B

Guided tour in English or Spanish of the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.

Explore the numerous trails of this unique reserve that houses extraordinarily rich flora, over 400 bird species, and over 100 mammal species (monkeys, tapirs, jaguars, ocelots).

In the afternoon, walk on the hanging bridges above the canopy. The adventurous can try the impressive canopy tour or continue the visit to Selvatura Park, including a butterfly garden, a live reptile exhibition, and an insect exhibition.

Day 14: Monteverde – Los Campesinos B, D

After breakfast, drive to the Central Pacific coast.

Continue south to Quepos and Manuel Antonio, an area specialized in palm oil production. Then take the road to the small community of Quebrada Arroyo and the Los Campesinos Reserve.

Arrival in the afternoon and check-in at the small lodge superbly located near waterfalls accessible by a suspension bridge. The lodge and reserve are managed by a dynamic association of vanilla producers converted to ecotourism. A great opportunity to encounter authentic and warm Costa Rica.

Day 15: Los Campesinos – Dominical B, L

Morning walk with a local private guide to explore the Los Campesinos Reserve. A 3.5 km hike to the Mirador. Swimming in natural pools.

Continue to Dominical and check-in at your lodge in the heart of the tropical jungle between the sea and the mountains.

Day 16: Dominical B

A free day between the tropical forest and the Pacific Ocean.

Activity suggestions:

Hike on foot or horseback to the magnificent Nauyaca waterfalls, entrance around $10 per person.

Visit to Marino Ballena Marine National Park and the possibility of a whale and dolphin watching tour. This 3-hour tour includes snorkeling, the whale-watching period is mainly from February to May and from July to November.

Day 17: Dominical – San José B

Return to San José.

Possibility to stop at the Tárcoles River for the observation of large crocodiles or to participate in a boat tour on the Tarcoles River with a local English-speaking Crocodile Man Tour guide. You will have the opportunity to observe impressive wildlife and flora, numerous birds, and crocodiles basking in the sun on the riverbanks! (Price per person: around $20. Hours: 8:00 AM / 10:00 AM / 12:00 PM / 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM).

Check-in at the hotel and return of your rental car in the late afternoon.

Day 18: San José – Juan Santamaria Airport B

If your flight is in the late afternoon:

We warmly recommend visiting the Chieton Moren Museum Store, which offers souvenirs from Costa Rica’s 8 indigenous ethnic groups following fair trade principles.

We also invite you to visit our offices, located in the Barrio Amon, in the heart of San José in an old house: Casa 936. This would be an opportunity to meet and debrief your trip.

Private transfer to the airport. Departure flight.