Costa Rica: A Bit of Everything Vacation Trip9 days | 8 nights

Exceptional!

As its name says, this trip will show you a bit of everything. A potpourri of the most beautiful tourist destinations of Costa Rica.

Important notes about Tortuguero:

  • Three-day trip includes three different tours: visit to Tortuguero town and the Green Turtle Information Center on Day 1 and a guided walk on the private trails of the lodge and the guided visit to Tortuguero National Park on Day 2.
  • The order and logistics of the itinerary may change depending on weather conditions.
  • Alcoholic beverages, sodas or bottled water are not included
  • We recommend using dark color clothes when taking the night tour during the nesting season.
  • Luggage is limited to 25 pounds (12 Kg) per person.

This Costa Rica Vacation Package includes:

Not Included:

  • Departure tax (US$29 per person).
  • Tips.
  • Optional tours.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Air tickets to/from Costa Rica

Itinerary:

Day 1

Arrival Transfer from the International Airport to Hotel

Meet and greet at Juan Santamaría International airport and transfer to your hotel in San Jose.

Night in selected hotel in San Jose

Day 2

San José – Tortuguero (B, L, D)

The fascinating Afro-Caribbean culture, a combination of Jamaican, Italian and Chinese immigrants, predominates in this region and fills the atmosphere with warm fragrances, tropical rhythms and brilliant colors. After the South Pacific, this is the rainiest region in the country and this factor, combined with high temperatures, makes it a very humid area throughout the year.

Tortuguero is a natural zone of great importance not only for its rich biodiversity, but also because it hosts the largest green turtle (Chelonia mydas) rookery in the Western Hemisphere and also important nesting populations of leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles.

Early pick up from your hotel. Admire the biodiversity of an astonishing protected area in Costa Rica as the bus drives through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Stop on route to have a delicious typical breakfast. Be a special guest in a banana processing and packing plant and learn more about one of Costa Rica’s prime product (subject to availability). Board a comfortable boat upon arrival to Caño Blanco pier and let this extraordinary exotic paradise enchant you, as you travel along the Tortuguero canals.

Enjoy a refreshing cocktail and a delicious lunch as you arrive to the lodge. After lunch, visit to the picturesque town, the green turtle museum and the beach area. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

From July to September

Optional night tour (not included in the trip) to observe the turtle nesting This is a tour that the whole family will love.

Night in selected hotel in Tortuguero

Day 3

Tortuguero (B, L, D)

After breakfast, guided walking tour through the trails. Free time before lunch. In the afternoon, visit to Tortuguero National Park exploring the canals in small, open boats to allow a better visibility as part of thisCosta Rica vacation trip.

Tortuguero is a network of navigable lakes, rivers and canals (both natural and man-made) that are used for transportation and are a great place for observing local wildlife such as birds, monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, American crocodiles and caimans. The canals also provide shelter to endangered animals such as the Oriental Indian Manatee, crocodiles, a large variety of crustaceous and about 30 species of sweet water fish, including the Gaspar, considered as a living fossil. Free time before dinner is served.

Dinner included.

Night in selected hotel in Tortuguero

Day 4

Tortuguero – Arenal (B, L)

After breakfast, shared boat transfer back to Caño Blanco and then shared ground transfer to Siquirres where you will take a shuttle bus to Arenal/La Fortuna. Lunch is included along the way.

San Carlos offers a landscape of exceptional beauty with its forests, lagoons, fields of crops, rivers with hot springs, and one of the most active volcanos of Costa Rica: Arenal. In other words, sanctuaries where one can breathe peace, purity and the majestic power of nature.

Night in selected hotel in Arenal

Day 5

Arenal (B, D)

Breakfast in the hotel. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, take a shared tour to Arenal Volcano & Tabacón Hot Springs. Dinner is included.

Few sites in Costa Rica inspire more respect and admiration than Arenal Volcano. At 5437 feet, its tall and conical shape stands imposing over the pastured green hillsides that surround its base. Although currently in a resting phase, Arenal remains one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanos for the past 43 years. Its history is charged with eruptions – both major and minor – that have intimately affected the region and the people who live here.

This Costa Rica vacation tour trip will allow participants to enjoy the most extraordinary views of Arenal Volcano during a gentle hike along the lower slopes of the colossus. The walk begins in one of the trails close to the volcano and continues through the forest until reaching the area destroyed in its first eruption, back in 1968. This tour takes approximately 2 ½ hours.

After the hike, a relaxing soak into the natural mineral waters of the Tabacon Hot Springs will finish a perfect day.

Hot springs are considered a natural expression of Earth’s energy. Geologically, Tabacon Resort’s thermal natural springs are 97% rain-based and 3% magma-based. Rainwater enters the earth through fissures on the surface and is then heated by magma found in the earth’s core. Once heated, the waters rise to surface, taking with them minerals found in the earth’s rocky stratus.

Tabacon is a completely natural resort. There are five different springs in the property, with temperatures ranging from 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Water flows by gravity throughout the property, forming in-river pools, waterfalls, and cascades. Hot springs provide many benefits thanks to various chemical, physical and biological effects; the most notable is a sensation of wellbeing coming from relaxing tense and tired muscles. Shangri-La Gardens is a luxury area, exclusive for adults. It is a private area of lush gardens and six natural thermal mineral spring water pools, naturally heated.

It includes: Entrance fee, dinner, guide and transfers.

What to bring? Camera, binoculars, light sweater, long pants, raincoat, hiking shoes, sun lotion, insect repellent and swimsuit

Night in selected hotel in Arenal

Day 6

Arenal – Manuel Antonio (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a shared ground transfer (by shuttle bus) from Arenal to Manuel Antonio.

The Central Pacific Coast has the closest beaches to the capital city. Among the most popular are Herradura, Jaco, Dominical and the ones at Manuel Antonio National Park. They enjoy the characteristics of a very hot and humid climate, with a season of brilliant sunshine from December through the end of April and warm waters all year long.

Hills covered with green forests compose the common landscape of the area. Some of the features which have made Manuel Antonio one of the places most preferred by the tourists are the white sand beaches, cliffs, rivers, rain forests, the large variety of animal life and climate. The Manuel Antonio National Park is home of the White Faced, Mantled Howler and Red-backed Squirrel monkeys, Two and Three Toad sloths, among other mammals, as well as a number of species of birds. Punta Catedral (cathedral point), the bay of Puerto Escondido (hidden port), and the beautiful beaches with blue green waters represent some of the main attractions of this park.

Night in selected hotel in Manuel Antonio

Day 7

Manuel Antonio (B)

Breakfast in the hotel. Morning shared tour to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Watch sloths and monkeys moving through the tree canopy, hunt for nocturnal silky anteaters, surprise iguanas resting on a tree and listen to the songs of the various birds. And if you are lucky, you might spot one of the 1,000 remaining endangered Mono Titi or squirrel monkey that live in Manuel Antonio National Park biological corridor. See how many different kinds of flora and fauna you can spot just in the span of a 2 ½ hour nature walk and enjoy some local fresh fruits and refreshments at the end of the trail. If you like, you can hike additionally through the trails and enjoy unspoiled, un-crowded, pristine beaches after or you can stay at the beach for a relaxing afternoon once the tour is over.

Includes: Transfers, bilingual naturalist guide, entrance fee, snacks and natural drinks.

What to bring? Comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes, bathing suit, sunscreen, towel, hat and sunglasses.

Night in selected hotel in Manuel Antonio

Optional suggested tours (not included):

  • Ocean Kayaking and Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio

A challenging open ocean paddle along one of the most beautiful coastline in Costa Rica and nearby islands where birds such as boobies and frigates are nesting. The adventure begins in Nahomi Cove, in the town of Quepos, and winds along the Manuel Antonio coastline to reach Biezans Bay, a nice and isolated beach. Stop for a refreshing swim and a delicious snack. You can also try snorkeling to observe three small but growing, active, and astounding coral reef systems nestled very close to the shore or just relax and enjoy the tranquility of a secluded white sand beach. Continue paddling towards Manuel Antonio National Park and wonder at the nearby islands to observe seabirds and local marine life.

Departure times: 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Includes: Transfers, bilingual naturalist guide, kayaks and all equipment needed, a meal, snacks and natural drinks.

What to bring? comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes that may get wet, bathing suit, sunscreen, towel, hat and sunglasses.

Recommended: Some experience in open-seat kayaking is preferred and a good physical condition is recommended.

Important notes:

  1. Children under 10 must paddle in a double kayak with an adult.
  2. Single or double open-seat kayaks available.
  3. Minimum age: 6 years old.

Whales and Dolphins in Marino Ballena National Park:

The humpback whales regularly pass through Costa Ballena’s Pacific Ocean between mid July and late October, and again from Mid December through late March as they migrate to and from feeding and mating grounds.

This is one of the best option to see the most of the Marino Ballena National Park. This boat tour departs from Punta Uvita Beach and visits the famous Punta Uvita Whale Tale, Ballena Island, Tres Hermanas Islets and Ventana Sea Caves. During the tour, we will search for Humpback and Pilot Whales as well as for the three different species of resident dolphins. When granted the opportunity, you might see and hear the Humpback Whales and observe the acrobatic displays of the dolphins. We also visit the coral and rock reefs to snorkel and observe the wonderful marine wildlife. While cruising in the boat, enjoy the scenic beauty of the coastline of Costa Ballena; observe the diversity of pelagic birds in the Islets and the amazing caverns of Ventanas Beach (if conditions permit, the captain will navigate the boat through these wonderful natural water passages to give you a spectacular view!)

Duration: 3h30 hours + transfer time from Manuel Antonio.

Tour Includes: Bilingual naturalist guide, Bottled water, box with tropical fruits, entrance fee to the park, snorkelling equipment.

What to bring?

  1. Small plastic bags to safeguard your personal belongings.
  2. Sun block.
  3. Shorts, bathing suit, towel and sandals.
  4. During the rainy months (June to November, we recommend to bring a rain coat.

Please note:

  1. Snorkelling is only available during the dry season, from late November to June.

Day 8

Manuel Antonio to San José

Breakfast in the hotel. At noon, take a shared ground transfer (by shuttle bus) from Manuel Antonio to San Jose.

Night in selected hotel in San José

Day 9

Departure Transfer

Breakfast. Private transfer to Juan Santamaría International airport.

Check in at airline counter must be done three hours prior to flight departure.

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