Essential Costa Rica - Package With Guanacaste Tour with 3 Reviews by Destination Services

10 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

30 peopleMaximum group size

6 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

English, SpanishGuide language

Relaxed

Minimal physical effort, perfect for travelers seeking an easy-going experience.

Starts

San Jose, Costa Rica

Ends

San Jose, Costa Rica

Highlights

Tortuguero: This park is home to the nesting grounds of the green sea turtles, offering spectacular beaches and fantastic opportunities to spot wild animals and birds.

Arenal: Admire one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the country and its mesmerising park, dotted with trails and rich in wildlife.

Monteverde: Settled by American Quakers in the 1950s, this primary cloud forest is made out of six unique ‘life zones’, hosting many endangered species, as well as a variety of fascinating plants.

Tamarindo: This busy beach resort is great for a night out, surfing, and exploring the bustling restaurant scene.

Itinerary

Uncover essential Costa Rica during this 10-day exotic adventure. Beginning and ending in the capital, San Jose, this tour offers you the chance to discover different aspects of this emblematic destination. Visit the most predominant natural areas of Costa Rica, including Arenal Volcano National Park, and the cloud forest of Monteverde. Spend precious time in mesmerising Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches, indulging in the fun surf town atmosphere and getting closer to the inspiring local culture and adventurous spirit.

day 1 - Arrival San Jose

Upon arrival to bustling San Jose, our representative will meet and greet you and then direct you to your transport, which will drop you off at your hotel in San Jose for your night in Costa Rica.
Overnight in San Jose.

day 2 - San Jose – Tortuguero (135km – 4 Hrs By Road / 2 Hrs By Boat)

Your day begins early with a morning departure, travelling by bus through the Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean plains to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and quaint villages. Indulge in a tasty breakfast en route and continue through the jungle by boat, cruising the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park. Arrive at your eco-lodge and enjoy a tasty lunch. Board the boat again for a visit to Tortuguero village, where you will get to walk around town, stroll along the beach, and experience the locals’ way of living. During the turtle hatching season, we will look for the baby turtles trying to find their way down to the ocean. Nesting is from July to September and hatching from September to December. Enjoy the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel, surrounded by the beautiful tropical forest and wildlife. Lunch and Dinner included
Overnight in Tortuguero.

day 3 - Tortuguero National Park

Today you will have some free time to relax by the pool and experience the Tortuguero National Park on a three-hour trip. Observe over 350 protected species of birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and sloths, as well as lush vegetation. During the July to September season, you can join an optional late night turtle nesting tour, purchasable directly at the lodge. Lunch and dinner included.
Overnight in Tortuguero.

day 4 - Tortuguero – Arenal (210km – 5 Hrs By Road / 2 Hrs By Boat)

Early in the morning depart by boat back to Guapiles. From there, take the ground transportation to the restaurant for lunch. After a tasty meal, you will be picked up in a shared transfer and taken to the Arenal area. Enjoy the day at leisure to explore on your own or participate in an exciting optional activity.
Termas de Tabacón Option: Live the Tabacón experience that has swimming pools and a river of hot springs that come from the veins of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Explore the wonders of the tropical forest surrounding this beautiful resort and enjoy mineral waters with different temperatures, surrounded by warm waterfalls and tropical gardens. The Tabacón hot springs are recognized throughout the world, and without a doubt, immersing yourself in them will make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated, due to the minerals present in the volcanic waters.
Includes: transportation, bilingual guide, entrance, dinner
Ecotermales Hot Springs Option: Escape to the natural paradise, with all the necessary amenities to make your experience a memorable experience, surrounded by the peace and serenity of the rainforest, and protected by the impressive Arenal Volcano, which heats and nourishes the waters of Ecothermal During your stay, you will enjoy the pleasure of feeling the natural energy coming from the veins of the Arenal Colossus; heats the fountains where thermal water pools are born, ranging from 37 ° C to 41 ° C (99 ° F to 106 ° F). That when combined with the pool and the cold water waterfall, they perform a relaxing massage throughout the body.
Includes: transportation, bilingual guide, entrance, dinner
Departure approx: 15:00 hrs | Duration approx: 6 hrs
Overnight in Arenal.

day 5 - Arenal Volcano National Park

Today after breakfast, take a guided walking tour in Arenal Volcano National Park. During the tour, the guide will explain the periods of activity the once very active volcano experienced. Enjoy the verdant landscapes and the backdrop of the now-dormant volcano, as you keep a lookout for the wild animals living in this national park. You have the chance to spot sloths, howler monkeys, anteaters, and many others.
Afterwards, return to the hotel with the afternoon at leisure to participate in an optional activity, either adventure or nature.
Optional extras:
Zipline Adventure: Costa Rica zip line tour is a genuine must in a vacation. You will have doses of fun and adrenaline filled adventure that you will remember forever. You will start the tour as you arrive at the base of the Ecoglide Arenal Park and your professional guide give you the instructions and some safety tips. The zipline tour consists of 13 cables of two wires traveling in parallel and 15 platforms, most of which are in the trees so that visitors can have more contact and closeness with nature, flora, and fauna of the rainforest. Within the tour, you will also discover the Tarzan Swing where you will swing from a platform into the forest feeling the adrenaline raising levels.
Inclusions: Transportation, Bilingual Guide, Entrance Fee, Equipment
Departure aprox: 07: 40 hrs / 09:40 hrs / 11: 40 hrs / 13:40 hrs / 15:20 hrs | Duration aprox: 3 hrs.
La Fortuna Waterfall: This tour begins by descending the 500-meter trail to the magnificent Waterfall, renowned for its 60 meter (197 feet) high falls and its crystal-clear waters. Along the trail, you will observe plants, trees, and animals, which inhabit the area. You can choose to swim in its refreshing waters, take amazing photographs, or simply relax and take in all the beauty of the La Fortuna Waterfall. When you visit the La Fortuna Waterfall you not only get to enjoy this marvellous natural wonder, you will be helping to Support the Development Association of the community 100% of the entrance fee goes towards social projects to benefit schools, nutritional centres, the orphanage, our roads and more.
Inclusions: Transportation, Bilingual Guide, Entrance Fee
Departure aprox: 08:00 hrs / 13:00 hrs | Duration aprox: 3 hrs.
Overnight in Arenal.

day 6 - Arenal – Monteverde (60km – 2.5 Hrs By Road / 45 Min By Boat)

Begin the day with an early breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out and head towards Monteverde. Transfer down to Arenal Lake where you will board a boat that will take you across towards Monteverde. Once on the other side, a vehicle awaits to take you up to Monteverde. Admire the transition of the rainforest to the cloud forest where you will reach an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level. Located in the Puntarenas province, Monteverde is a place of cloud forests and mist, coffee plantations, monkeys, and friendly locals. The town of Santa Elena is small and quaint, filled with inviting restaurants and folksy artisan shops, while the nearby rainforest hosts a remarkable amount of biodiversity. Enjoy the day at leisure to explore on your own. Enjoy the day at leisure to explore on your own or participate in an exciting optional activity like the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour, what includes a 3-hour hike along a network of trails and suspension bridges in the cloud forest of Monteverde. Be on the lookout for birds, monkeys, sloths, insects, and interesting plants of all shapes and sizes. The Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour takes you through and above the rainforest. A series of eight suspension bridges, connected by trails for a total 3 km in length, provides a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy!
If adventure is not something you are interested in, join the interesting Don Juan Coffee Tour to understand Costa Rica´s coffee, chocolate and sugar cane production (with the emphasis on coffee!). The tour offers an interesting opportunity to learn about coffee and its production as well as to get close to the fascinating Costa Rican folklore
The optional tours are not included
Overnight in Monteverde.

day 7 - Monteverde

.After a nourishing breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is world-famous for its outstanding biodiversity, conservation actions and contributions, as well as scientific research. The reserve is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and it is one of the most important private reserves, not just in Costa Rica but the world. It hosts hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids, as well as a large variety of flora, such as mosses, vines or the autochthonous trees of the cloud forest. You can enhance today´s experience by joining one of the memorable tours you missed yesterday. Whether you choose to explore the cloud forest during the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour, or you prefer getting closer to the fascinating Costa Rican culture while on the Don Juan Coffee tour, your day will be unforgettable. Selvatura Treetop Walkaway and Don Juan Coffee tours are not included.

Overnight in Monteverde .

day 8 - Monteverde – Pacific Coast (190km – 4 Hrs)

This morning after breakfast, head towards a stunning beachside destination, in the mesmerising area of Guanacaste. On arrival, take the rest of the day to explore the surrounding, to stroll the beautifully arranged streets of Tamarindo, a lovely beach town in Guanacaste or to relax while enjoying hotel facilities.
Overnight in Pacific Coast.

day 9 - Pacific Coast

Tamarindo is a lively destination where you can have some fun, to enjoy the warm sun, and relax on the spectacular beach. If you are feeling adventurous, jump on a board and try your hand at surfing Tamarindo's famous waves. Have the day at leisure to explore the area or relax at the hotel facilities.
Overnight in Pacific Coast.

day 10 - Pacific Coast – Depart San Jose (260km – 4.5 Hrs)

Begin your last day in spectacular Costa Rica with a delectable breakfast. Then, at the appropriate time, transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport to catch your flight back home or on to your next destination.

Breakfast included.

Essential Costa Rica - Package With Guanacaste

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What's Included

Accommodation

9 nights' accommodationHotel taxesStandard Hotel Category = Sleep Inn or similar 3*Superior Hotel Category = Park Inn or similar 4*Deluxe Hotel Category = Hilton San Jose La Sabana or similar 5*Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Faro Arenal or similar 3*Superior Hotel Category = Arenal Springs or similar 4*Deluxe Hotel Category = Arenal Kioro or similar 5*Standard Hotel Category = Monteverde Country Lodge or similar 3*Superior Hotel Category = Poco a Poco or similar 4*Deluxe Hotel Category = Fonda Vela Hotel or similar 4*Standard Hotel Category = Arco Iris Tamarindo or similar 3*Superior Hotel Category = Wyndham Tamarindo or similar 4*Deluxe Hotel Category = Tamarindo Diria or similar 5*

Meals

9 breakfasts, 2 dinners on days 2, 3

Transport

Air-conditioned transportation as indicated in the itinerary on a shared basisPrivate return transfer from/to the San Jose airportTour guides do not accompany guests during transport

Guide

Operated with Bilingual Spanish and English-speaking licensed local guides on a shared basis. Please note you will be accompanied by local guides for the activities only. There is no guarantee that you will be part of a group, or part of the same group during the tour.

Others

3 lunches on days 2, 3, 4All monuments and visits as indicated: Guided visit to Tortuguero village plus guided boat tour through Tortuguero National Park canals and entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park, guided hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, guided hike in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.Meet and greet on Day 1Standard Category = Turtle Beach Lodge or similar (Lodge Standard)Superior Category = Laguna Lodge or similar (Lodge Standard)Deluxe Category = Pachira/ Evergreen/Aninga Lodge or similar (Lodge Standard)Post - night in San Jose:

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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