Itinerary
- Day 1
San Jose
Your driver meets you at Juan Santamaría International Airport and takes you to your San Jose hotel. After you settle in, the afternoon and evening are open for whatever you'd like to do. The city center has some good spots to walk around, and if you're interested in history, the Museo Nacional or Central Park are both worth checking out on your own.
- Start point
- San José, San José, Costa Rica (Airport Pick-up)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Gran Hotel Costa Rica Curio Collection by Hilton, San Jose or similar)
Optional Activities
- Visit Museo Nacional
- Explore Central Park
- Wander the city center streets
Landmarks Juan Santamaria International Airport Museo Nacional Central Park - Day 2
San Jose to Tortuguero
You'll be picked up early and driven about 1.5 hours through Braulio Carrillo National Park toward the Guapiles Region. After breakfast, you board a shared bus and then transfer to a boat arranged by your lodge for a 3-hour trip to Tortuguero. Once you arrive and have lunch, a group tour takes you through the Botanical Garden to get a feel for the local area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Laguna Lodge Tortuguero or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Botanical Garden in group
Landmarks Braulio Carrillo National Park Tortuguero Botanical Garden 
- Day 3
Tortuguero
After breakfast, your guide leads a group boat tour through Tortuguero Canal in Tortuguero National Park where you'll likely spot monkeys, herons, toucans, sloths, and anteaters. The afternoon brings a guided walk through Tortuguero town so you can see how people live here. If you want, you can arrange turtle nesting viewing in the evening from July through October, though it costs extra.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Laguna Lodge Tortuguero or similar)
Included Activities
- Group boat tour through Tortuguero Canal in Tortuguero National Park
- Guided trip to Tortuguero town
Optional Activities
- Watch green sea turtles nesting and laying eggs (July to October only, pay on the spot)
Landmarks Tortuguero Canal Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero town - Day 4
Tortuguero to La Fortuna
You return by boat and bus back to Guapiles, where your private driver picks you up for a 3.5-hour drive of about 210 kilometers to La Fortuna. Check into your hotel and take the rest of the day to relax and get oriented to the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa, La Fortuna or similar)
- Day 5
La Fortuna
This is a full day of activities. Start with a hiking tour on the suspension bridges at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridge Park to see wildlife and experience the rainforest. Then head to La Fortuna Waterfall. In the afternoon, hike the Arenal 1968 Trail for views of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake, and finish by soaking in Tabacon Hot Spring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa, La Fortuna or similar)
Included Activities
- Hiking tour in Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridge Park
- Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
- Hiking tour to Arenal Volcano, Arenal 1968 Trail, and Arenal Lake
- Bathing in Tabacon Hot Spring
Landmarks Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridge Park La Fortuna Waterfall Arenal Volcano Arenal 1968 Trail Arenal Lake Tabacon Hot Spring 
- Day 6
La Fortuna to Monteverde
Begin your morning with a Don Juan Coffee and Chocolate Tour where you'll learn to pick, clean, bake, and grind coffee beans and taste what you made. After that, head to Monteverde by jeep (60 kilometers, about 3 hours), taking a boat across Arenal Lake and then another jeep to Monteverde for check-in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco, Monteverde or similar)
Included Activities
- Don Juan Coffee and Chocolate Tour with tasting
Landmarks Don Juan Coffee and Chocolate Tour Arenal Lake 
- Day 7
Monteverde
In the morning, take a hiking tour through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to see the local wildlife and rainforest. Spend the afternoon on your own exploring the town at your pace. Later in the evening, a guided night tour lets you spot nocturnal animals like two-toed sloths and kinkajous with your driver as your guide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco, Monteverde or similar)
Included Activities
- Morning hiking tour in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Night tour with private driver guide
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 8
Monteverde to Tamarindo
Your driver takes you to Tamarindo in Guanacaste, a drive of about 162 kilometers that takes roughly 4 hours. From there, the rest of the day is yours. Tamarindo is known as one of Costa Rica's best beaches for beginner surfers, plus you can swim and dive. The town has plenty of bars, restaurants, and a pretty active nightlife scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Tamarindo or similar)
Optional Activities
- Surfing lessons
- Swimming
- Diving
- Explore bars and restaurants
- Enjoy nightlife
Landmarks Tamarindo Beach - Day 9
Tamarindo
After breakfast, you board a shared catamaran at Flamingo Marina and sail out about 5 miles for snorkeling with a guide who shows you starfish, sea turtles, dolphins, and other sea life. Kayaking and fishing are available if you want extras. You'll have a substantial buffet lunch, then spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach with drinks and watching the sunset from the catamaran.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hearty buffet lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Tamarindo or similar)
Included Activities
- Shared catamaran sailing trip
- Snorkeling with guide
Optional Activities
- Kayaking
- Fishing
Landmarks Flamingo Marina Tamarindo Beach - Day 10
Tamarindo
This day is completely yours to do what you want. You can spend it sunbathing on the beach, or walk around town checking out shops, restaurants, and local attractions at whatever pace feels right.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Tamarindo or similar)
Optional Activities
- Beach activities (sunbathing, swimming, surfing)
- Shopping
- Dining
- Explore local attractions
- Day 11
Tamarindo to Liberia
Your Costa Rica trip ends today. Your driver picks you up from the hotel at the scheduled time and drives you to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia so you can catch your flight home.
- End point
- Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (Airport See-off)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport
