Itinerary
- Day 1
San José
Your guide picks you up at San José airport and drives you about 15 km to the hotel. After the flight, take some time to settle in and freshen up. In the evening, grab a light snack at the hotel and relax for the night.
- Meals
- Snack (Light snack at the hotel in the evening)
- Day 2
San José to Selva Bananito
This morning you'll head through Braulio Carrillo National Park toward the Caribbean coast, traveling roughly 210 km. The route takes you to Selva Bananito Lodge in the lowland rainforest near La Amistad National Park. The last part of the journey uses an off-road vehicle. Keep in mind the lodge runs without electricity, so lanterns get provided in the evenings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour learning about the ecosystem of the Caribbean lowland rainforest
Landmarks Braulio Carrillo National Park La Amistad National Park 
- Day 3
Selva Bananito
After breakfast, you'll join a reforestation project where you learn about rainforest conservation and plant a tree yourself. From there, a two to three hour hike through the evergreen rainforest follows. You'll return to the lodge for lunch, then the afternoon is yours to rest and do as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Reforestation project with tree planting
- Guided hike through rainforest (two to three hours)
Optional Activities
- Early morning birdwatching tour (approximately $20 USD per person)
- Horseback riding across finca pastures for two to three hours (approximately $60 USD per person, minimum 2 people; available for beginners and experienced riders)
- 30-minute sightseeing flight in a gyrocopter (approximately $120-240 USD per person depending on duration; weather dependent and subject to pilot availability)
- Day 4
Selva Bananito to Tortuguero
You'll drive through banana plantations toward Limón, covering about 170 km partly by boat. Then you enter Tortuguero National Park by boat and check out the turtle research center. After that, walk along the beach to the car-free village of Tortuguero, keeping watch for wildlife along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to turtle research center
- Boat journey through Tortuguero National Park
- Walk through car-free village of Tortuguero
Landmarks Tortuguero National Park 
- Day 5
Tortuguero
Take a boat deep into Tortuguero National Park's rainforest and coastal areas. Watch for capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, crocodiles, pond turtles, poison dart frogs, and lots of bird species. Later, a guided walk around the lodge grounds teaches you about the local ecosystem. The afternoon is free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat tour through Tortuguero National Park
- Guided walk around lodge grounds learning about ecosystem
Landmarks Tortuguero National Park - Day 6
Tortuguero to Arenal
Travel toward Arenal volcano, about 190 km away. Stop in the Caribbean lowlands to visit an ant project studying leaf-cutter ants and their colonies. When you reach the foot of Arenal, unwind in the natural hot springs as evening comes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to ant project with observation of leaf-cutter ants
Optional Activities
- Relaxation in hot springs at the foot of Arenal volcano
Landmarks Arenal Volcano 
- Day 7
Arenal
Head through orange and sugar cane plantations to Tenorio volcano, known for its turquoise Río Celeste. Continue to Finca Educativa Ecológica in La Fortuna. You'll walk through the vegetable and herb garden with Don Juan, learning about organic pest control. Taste fresh fruits and herbs, then help make sugar cane juice. Lunch includes local specialties, and the rest of the day is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Finca Educativa Ecológica with local specialties)
Included Activities
- Visit to Tenorio volcano and Río Celeste
- Guided walk through Finca Educativa Ecológica garden
- Demonstration of organic pest control methods
- Sugar cane juice preparation experience
- Lunch at the finca with local specialties
Landmarks Tenorio Volcano Río Celeste 
- Day 8
Arenal to Monteverde
Hike across lava and stone at the foot of Arenal volcano, and you'll get special views even if fog rolls in. Visit the Bello family's organic coffee farm for a tour about coffee cultivation and its history. Enjoy fresh coffee and homemade traditional lunch with the family. After that, transfer to the cloud forest area of Monteverde, roughly 130 km away.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with Bello family featuring typical local delicacies), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike along Arenal volcano base
- Guided tour of Bello family organic coffee farm
- Coffee tasting experience
- Lunch with Bello family featuring traditional local specialties
Landmarks Arenal Volcano Monteverde Cloud Forest 
- Day 9
Monteverde
Start the day at Monteverde nature reserve where you'll walk across suspension bridges high above the cloud forest canopy. The bridges give you a real sense of being up in the trees, and the views through the mist are quite something. After that, head to the bat museum to learn how these creatures navigate and hunt using echolocation. The interactive exhibits let you actually experience their sensory world, so you get a feel for what it's like being a bat. It's a different kind of tour than just walking around looking at things.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Suspension bridge hike in Monteverde cloud forest
- Bat museum visit with guided tour
Optional Activities
- Two-hour evening cloud forest hike with nocturnal animal observation (approximately 35 USD per person, minimum 2 people, approximately 17:00-19:00)
- Butterfly garden visit (approximately 25 USD per person)
- Canopy tour on steel cables in harness (approximately 90 USD per person)
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 10
Monteverde to Nicoya Peninsula
Travel along the famous Panamerica and cross the newly opened Puente de la Amistad bridge to the Nicoya Peninsula, about 190 km total. You can test the water temperature on the Pacific coast. Ocean conditions change seasonally with stronger winds and swell from January to March, so it varies depending on when you visit.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Swimming in the Pacific Ocean (conditions permitting)
Landmarks Nicoya Peninsula Quizales Beach - Day 11
Nicoya Peninsula
Head to the Curá wildlife reserve about 40 km away to explore different ecosystems. Hike and watch for capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, red brocket deer, wild boar, and around 220 bird species. After hiking, cool off on the wonderful beaches which are perfect for swimming.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike through Curá wildlife reserve
Optional Activities
- Swimming at reserve beaches
Landmarks Curá Wildlife Reserve - Day 12
Nicoya Peninsula
Skip the alarm today and sleep in. The beach is right at your doorstep, so hang out there and grab a cocktail. Just relax and unwind at the resort without any plans.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Isla Tortuga with snorkeling (approximately $90 USD per person; minimum 4 participants; includes snorkeling equipment, sandwiches and fruit lunch under palms, afternoon return along coast; guided in English)
- Boat trip to Isla Tortuga with optional detour to Curá Nature Reserve (approximately $105 USD per person; minimum 4 participants; same services as Isla Tortuga excursion; guided in English)
Landmarks Isla Tortuga - Day 13
Nicoya Peninsula to San José
Say goodbye to the beach and wildlife as you head back to San José, about 160 km away including the ferry ride from Nicoya Peninsula to Puntarenas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 14
San José Departure
After landing, travel to your home with a suitcase full of memories from the trip.
