Tortuguero and Tropical Rainforest

Destinations Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Tortuguero National Park
Category Adventure
Duration 8 days / 7 nights
Location Costa Rica

Day 1 - San Jose
Day 1 - San Jose

Upon your arrival in San Jose, our local representative will meet you for your transfer to your hotel in the city.

Superior option: Park Inn (Standard room)

Standard option: Rosa del Paseo (Standard room)

Day 2 - Tortuguero
Day 2 - Tortuguero

You will be picked up early in the morning at your hotel for your guided tour of Tortuguero National Park – shared transfer. Your travel route will pass through the majestic forested mountain wilderness of Braulio Carrillo National Park just outside of San José, and then you will descend to the lowland plains stopping for a typical breakfast en route. In the lowlands, you will pass through banana plantations before boarding a boat for a river journey through farmlands and majestic forests on to Tortuguero.

You will arrive at your hotel and have lunch, and then you will visit the small town, walk around, or visit a little museum.

Superior option: Mawamba Lodge (Standard room)

Standard option: Evergreen Lodge (Standard room)

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Tortuguero National Park
Day 3 - Tortuguero National Park

Today, you will have a morning guided walk through the pathways around the hotel, free time for exploring or relaxing, and then after lunch enjoy an afternoon boat tour to Tortuguero National Park. Your keen-eyed boat driver and guide will point out wildlife that includes shorebirds, monkeys, caiman, toucans, parrots, iguanas, sloths and more! During July to September, sea turtles come ashore to nest on the beach at night, and guided tours to observe this ancient ritual can be arranged.

Superior option: Mawamba Lodge (Standard room)

Standard option: Evergreen Lodge (Standard room)

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Arenal Volcano
Day 4 - La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Arenal Volcano

From Tortuguero, you have a scenic 45 minutes flight to Arenal, where you will continue your journey into lowland plains amid tropical farmlands. A driver will pick you up at the airstrip and transfer you to the hotel.

At night, visit Ecotermales, soak into the most beautiful and relaxing natural hot springs in the area. Dinner included.

Superior option: Arenal Observatory Lodge (Smithsonian room)

Standard option: Casa Luna Lodge (Standard room)

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Arenal Observatory Lodge Trails & Lake Crossing transfer to Monteverde
Day 5 - Arenal Observatory Lodge Trails & Lake Crossing transfer to Monteverde

Arenal Observatory Lodge is the only lodge situated within Arenal National Park. Spend the morning walking in one of its private trails through tropical foothill rainforest await. You wil explore the trails in search of wildlife, enjoying views of the volcano along the way. This region hosts an amazing 400 bird species, including an incredible diversity of hummingbirds. There are opportunities to encounter spider monkeys, howler monkeys, coati, and peccaries.

After lunch, you will be picked up for the lake crossing to Monteverde; shared service. Monteverde is a breath-taking rainbow –covered valley in the clouds offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Arenal Volcano.

This deep green spot atop Costa Rica’s continental divide inspired a group of Quakers from Alabama to settle here with their families in the 1950s and give birth to what became the nature conservancy movement that has turned Costa Rica into the eco-conservation paradise it is today. In the afternoon, you will meet Rincardo Guindon, he is part of one of the quakers families who were inspired by Monteverde to make it their home and hear the amazing story behind this cloud-filled canopy first hand.

From above or below, discover the spellbinding beauty of the tropical cloud forest that inspired an entire country to preserve its nature.

Superior option: Belmar Hotel (Peninsula Superior room)

Standard option: Cloud Forest Lodge (Standard room)

Meals : Breakfast
Day 6 - Zip line Canopy Tour & Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve
Day 6 - Zip line Canopy Tour & Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve

Yes, you’ll scream. Yes, you’ll think twice before actually doing it, but one it’s over you’ll want to do it all over again. Gliding from one giant tree to the next is an amazing experience and Monteverde is the absolute perfect spot to do it. There are several zip-lines throughout the country, but this one is definitely our favorite.

After lunch, let one of our local experts walk you through the tropical cloud forest of Monteverde as you spot birds, plants and animals in some of the most unbelievable places. Seriously, these guys have developed an almost super-human power to spot mysterious creatures in the trees and clouds.

Superior option: Belmar Hotel (Peninsula Superior room)

Standard option: Cloud Forest Lodge (Standard room)

Meals : Breakfast
Day 7 - Shuttle to San José
Day 7 - Shuttle to San José

Shuttle transfer to the capital city of San José

Superior option: Park Inn (Standard room)

Standard option: Rosa del Paseo (Standard room)

Meals : Breakfast
Day 8 - Departure
Day 8 - Departure

This day you will be picked up at your hotel for a transfer to the International Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose. Check in must be at least 3 hours prior to the departure time.

Meals : Breakfast

Included

  • Applicable taxes and service fees
  • Entrance fees to National Parks and Private Reserves
  • Guide Services
  • In-country ground operator support
  • Lodging
  • Tours
  • Transportation and meals as specified in the above itinerary

 


 

Not Included

  • Airport departure taxes
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control
  • Extras in hotels (laundry - phone calls - room service)
  • Gratuities
  • International airfare
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Personal equipment