Classic Costa Rica

Day 1: San Jose / Central Valley – Arrival
On arrival in Costa Rica’s capital city, you will be met at the airport & driven to your Central Valley hotel by Private transfer. The remainder of the day is for you to relax in preparation for your early start in the next morning.

Day 2: Central Valley – Tortuguero
This morning you will depart early for your journey to Tortuguero National Park, stopping for breakfast on the way. The journey route is a scenic one, passing through primary forest. You will then take a shared motorised boat transfer intime for Lunch in the afternoon, you may take a guided jungle hike or a guided visit to the tiny Tortuguero Village. The Tortuguero experiences are organised by the hotel and is weather permitting.

Tortuguero National Park: Far-removed from the city and composed of an extensive network of rivers and streams, access is possible only on small boats. This National Park is a place like no other, where small communities around the protected area – such as Barra del Tortuguero and San Francisco – still retain their traditions and move around on bicycles as the only means of transportation. All of this makes a trip to Tortuguero a genuine encounter with Caribbean culture.

Day 3: Tortuguero
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you may join the small groups guided trips organised by the hotel – exploring the landscapes of Tortuguero as well as learn about the abundance of tropical wildlife in this area.

Day 4: Tortuguero – Arenal
Today you travel from Tortuguero to Arenal by shared boat and coach transfer to the small town of la Fortuna, in the shadow if the impressive Arenal Vocano then onto your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at leisure for you to relax at your hotel or experience the Arenal Manoa’s thermal volcanic hot springs located on the property.

Day 5: Arenal/La Fortuna
The Morning you will visit the Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges. The tour begins once you get picked up at your hotel in La Fortuna. This walk is a fun and educative option to learn more about the forest and the local environment and enjoy close contact with nature. While walking along the trails, the fascinating world of the tropical forest will open to you. Along these three kilometers of trails, you will be immersed in the diverse fauna and flora of the rainforest, admiring colorful birds and tropical plant species that will be pointed out and explained by your naturalist guide. More than 50 species of birds have been counted in the area.
Schedule: 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 12:00, 13:00 & 14:00 hrs.
Length: 3.2 km (short version 1.9 km)
Duration: 2.5 hours approximately.

Day 6: Arenal/La Fortuna
Breakfast at hotel. Today is Free at leisure, relax by the pool or Marvel at the view of Arenal’s Volcano cone.

Day 7: Arenal/La Fortuna – Monteverde
This morning, enjoy some great views of Arenal Lake as you travel four hours to the Monteverde Cloud Forest by shared transfer. Enroute, take in the wondrous views of mountains and cloud forest.

Day 8: Monteverde Cloud Forest
The Morning enjoy a fascinating early morning excursion into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, you will meet your driver at your hotel lobby. Drive for a few minutes to the private reserve and then discover the several trails at this site. As an option, walk to the panoramic viewpoint La Ventana, where you can witness the natural contrast made by the Continental Division. This geographical feature defines the characteristics of the main mountain ranges of Costa Rica. Experience the force of the trade winds loaded with moisture that blow from the Caribbean coast. The north winds descend at great speed towards the Central Pacific and the coastal plains of northern Costa Rica. There’s a vast number of species of birds, including the slight possibility to observe the majestic Quetzal, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, more than 3000 plants and a large variety of orchids.

Day 9: Monteverde - Manuel Antonio
Drive from the cool temperatures of the cloud forest to the warmer Pacific coast. Stay in the town of Manuel Antonio beside the popular national park. The remainder of the day will be at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the hotel.

Day 10: Manuel Antonio National Park
Today discover the national park on a leisurely guided hike. Look out for toucans, brightly coloured macaws, sloths and troops of playful monkeys whilst taking in the breathtaking ocean views. The Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most famous in the country thanks to its wide variety of flora and fauna specimens, it is home to three of the four species of monkeys that exist in Costa Rica. The park has three different trails with different degree of difficulty, from flat to very steep. The path we take is flat and easily accessible and of about 3 km. along the walk we will be escorted by a naturalist guide who knows the area well, and who will explain the different animals and plants that can be seen on this tour. Upon reaching the third beach, we will take a 20-minute break to rest, sunbathe or take a dip in the ocean. During the tour you can see sloths, birds and reptiles, as well as admire the orchids, the butterflies and the tropical trees. The guide carries Pentax and Swarovski telescopes for better wildlife viewing or taking pictures from a different perspective. At the end of the tour, transportation will be provided back to the hotel.

Day 11: Manuel Antonio
Free At Leisure

Day 12: Manuel Antonio
After breakfast you will return to the city of San José Airport for your flight home. Alternatively you can extend your holiday by continuing south from Manuel Antonio to the beautiful Osa Peninsula.