Itinerary
- Day 1
San Jose
You'll land in San Jose and meet your representative who'll get you sorted for the drive to your hotel. This is your first night settling in, so take it easy and get some rest before the real adventure starts tomorrow.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO), Ruta Nacional 1, Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica (Pick up at San Jose Airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sleep Inn), Hotel (Park Inn), Hotel (Hilton San Jose La Sabana)
- Day 2
San Jose to Tortuguero
Start early with a bus ride through Braulio Carrillo National Park, grabbing breakfast along the way. After that, you'll switch to a boat and travel through Tortuguero National Park's rivers and canals. Once you reach the eco-lodge and have lunch, there's time to walk through Tortuguero village and see how locals live. If you're visiting during turtle season (September-December), keep watch for baby turtles making their way to the ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast en route), Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Turtle Beach Lodge), Hotel (Laguna Lodge), Hotel (Pachira/ Evergreen/Aninga Lodge)
Included Activities
- Guided boat tour through Tortuguero National Park canals
- Entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park
- Guided visit to Tortuguero village
- Beach walk and local experience in Tortuguero village
Landmarks Braulio Carrillo National Park Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero village 
- Day 3
Tortuguero
You've got the day to yourself here. Hang out by the pool if you want, or join a three-hour guided walk through Tortuguero National Park. You'll see over 350 protected species if you go that route, including birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and sloths doing their thing in the wild.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Turtle Beach Lodge), Hotel (Laguna Lodge), Hotel (Pachira/ Evergreen/Aninga Lodge)
Included Activities
- Three-hour guided trip through Tortuguero National Park
Optional Activities
- Optional late night turtle nesting tour (purchasable directly at the lodge; available July-September)
Landmarks Tortuguero National Park 
- Day 4
Tortuguero to Arenal
Early morning brings a boat trip back to Guapiles, then you'll travel by road to a restaurant for lunch. From there, it's off to the Arenal area where your afternoon and evening are free. You can explore on your own or sign up for optional activities if something catches your interest.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arenal Montechiari), Hotel (Arenal Springs), Hotel (Arenal Kioro)
Optional Activities
- Ecotermales Hot Springs: Experience natural thermal pools heated by Arenal Volcano, ranging from 37-41°C (99-106°F), with cold water waterfall (includes transportation, bilingual guide, entrance, and dinner; departure approximately 15:00 hrs; duration approximately 6 hours)
Landmarks Arenal Volcano Ecotermales Hot Springs 
- Day 5
Arenal
After breakfast, head out on a guided walk through Arenal Volcano National Park. Your guide will talk you through the volcano's history and how the landscape was shaped. Watch for sloths, howler monkeys, anteaters, and other creatures along the way. The afternoon gives you time to relax back at your lodge or try one of the optional activities available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arenal Montechiari), Hotel (Arenal Springs), Hotel (Arenal Kioro)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour in Arenal Volcano National Park with nature guide
Optional Activities
- Zipline Adventure: 13 cables with 15 platforms including Tarzan Swing through the rainforest canopy at Ecoglide Arenal Park (includes transportation, bilingual guide, entrance fee, and equipment; departures approximately 07:40 hrs, 09:40 hrs, 11:40 hrs, 13:40 hrs, 15:20 hrs; duration approximately 3 hours)
- La Fortuna Waterfall: 500-meter trail descent to 60-meter (197 feet) high waterfall with crystal-clear waters; option to swim, photograph, or relax; 100% of entrance fees support community development (includes transportation, bilingual guide, entrance fee; departures approximately 08:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs; duration approximately 3 hours)
Landmarks Arenal Volcano National Park La Fortuna Waterfall Ecoglide Arenal Park 
- Day 6
Arenal to Monteverde
Eat early and check out, then transfer to Arenal Lake for a boat crossing toward Monteverde. Once you land, a vehicle takes over and drives you upward into cloud forest, reaching 1,200 meters elevation. Spend your free afternoon in the small town of Santa Elena checking out restaurants and artisan shops, or you can do an optional activity if something interests you.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Monteverde Country Lodge), Hotel (Poco a Poco), Hotel (Fonda Vela Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour: 3-hour hike along network of trails and eight suspension bridges (3 km total) through Monteverde cloud forest; bird's-eye view of rainforest canopy with opportunities to spot birds, monkeys, sloths, insects, and plants
- Coffee Tour: Learn about Costa Rica's coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane production with emphasis on coffee; experience fascinating Costa Rican folklore
Landmarks Arenal Lake Monteverde Cloud Forest Santa Elena 
- Day 7
Monteverde
After breakfast, you're hiking through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, established back in 1972. The place holds about 2.5% of the world's biodiversity with hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and arachnids. If optional tours appeal to you, they're available to join today or if you skipped them yesterday.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Monteverde Country Lodge), Hotel (Poco a Poco), Hotel (Fonda Vela Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided hike in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Optional Activities
- Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour: 3-hour hike along network of trails and eight suspension bridges (3 km total) through Monteverde cloud forest
- Coffee Tour: Learn about Costa Rica's coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane production with emphasis on coffee
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve 
- Day 8
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Following breakfast, you'll head down from the cloud forest toward Manuel Antonio National Park on the coast. Once there, the rest of your day is yours to spend relaxing on the beach or hanging out at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Bosque), Hotel (San Bada Hotel), Hotel (Parador)
Landmarks Manuel Antonio National Park 
- Day 9
Manuel Antonio
Have breakfast, then transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park for a guided hike with someone who knows the area well. The trail's flat and runs about two miles in a loop through the park. Halfway through, there's a 20-minute break at Third Beach. Along the way, spot sloths, birds, reptiles, wild orchids, butterflies, and tropical plants. Your guides carry telescopes for getting a better look at wildlife and taking photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Bosque), Hotel (San Bada Hotel), Hotel (Parador)
Included Activities
- Guided hike in Manuel Antonio National Park
- Stop at Third Beach (approximately 20 minutes)
Landmarks Manuel Antonio National Park Third Beach 
- Day 10
Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Start with a good breakfast on your last morning. When it's time, head to Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight home or wherever you're headed next.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO), Ruta Nacional 1, Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica (Drop off at San Jose Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Juan Santamaria International Airport 
