Hidden Jewels Of Costa Rica

DAY 1: Welcome to Costa Rica!
Regular group arrival transfer to San Jose downtown hotels Upon arrival in Costa Rica, through immigration, baggage claim, and customs, you will get to the arrival exit where you will meet and greet with our representative (holding a sign bearing your name). Our guide will run through your travel details, then transfer you to your hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel takes approximately 30 minutes.
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica, and the province where most of the economic activities of the country such as business and educational centers are concentrated. It belongs to the Central Valley, together with Cartago - the ancient capital - and the provinces of Alajuela and Heredia. This is the perfect place for those who enjoy art, music and history; since is full of popular attractions such as the National Theater - one of the most important pieces of the country's cultural heritage, the National Museum, and the Gold and Jade Museums - which have transcendent stories to tell. Besides, San Jose is a place where gastronomy and culture converge. The Central Market, for example, is a must if you want to taste the most delicious Costa Rican dishes, but also be in contact with locals and buy an authentic souvenir. Walking around downtown, you will discover the predominant colonial architecture and the colorful public parks and gardens; and when the night comes, the city awakens with endless night life options to go dancing, drink something or enjoy live music presentations as well as street art spectacles. San Jose is also the perfect stop to shorten distances between places, and a convenient destination for the first or last night in the country.

DAY 2: San Jose City Tour
Hotel Sleep Inn: Breakfast
After breakfast, meet your private English-Speaking Guide and visit the National Theatre. In the heart of San Jose, Costa Rica, the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional) remains one of the capital city’s most popular tourist attractions. The ornate Neo-Classical theatre is considered the finest historic building in San Jose and is known for its exquisite interior decorated with lavish furnishings and beautiful murals. One of the theatre’s main ceiling murals, in fact, was named one of the “10 great ceilings around the world” - the famous painting is entitled the “Allegory of Coffee and Bananas” (Alegoría al Café y al Banano) by Italian artist J. Vila and used to grace the back of the five colón bill that is no longer in circulation. The National Theater was constructed between 1891 and 1897, opening in October 1897. Copied after the famous Paris Opera House, the theatre was built at a time when upper-class Costa Ricans wanted to transform the capital from a sleepy town of 17,000 people into a stop on the world opera circuit. Costa Rican citizens helped pay for the theatre.
Continue to the Gold Museum
The Museums of the Central Bank’s archaeological collection is one of the most relevant in Costa Rica. Its acquisitions began in 1950 and spanned until 1980, and include to date 3,567 gold, ceramic and stone objects. It also has a small collection of ethnographic objects from the different groups that have inhabited Costa Rican territory. The pre-Columbian gold collection is made up of 1,586 objects. Archaeological evidence in Costa Rica points to the appearance of its first metal objects sometime in 300 to 500 AD, and reached its peak from 700 AD until Spanish contact. Most of the metal objects recovered in Costa Rica come from the South Pacific, due to the natural gold and copper deposits in the region, but were also found in the Central Caribbean.
Then, visit the San Jose Central market
The San Jose Central Market is part of Costa Rica cultural heritage. This jewel was built in 1880 and is the largest in the capital. During your visit you will know important information about the history, culture and you will also have the opportunity to share with locals; this is a perfect place to learn about the language, traditions, taste authentic typical food or buy some fresh products like vegetables or fruits.

DAY 3: San Jose – Monteverde
Hotel Sleep Inn: Breakfast
Shuttle from San Jose to Monteverde Distance and transfer time: 182 km / approx. 4.5 hours, with a Spanish-speaking driver and multiple stops en route for pick up or drops. Monteverde area description Monteverde is located in the North side of Puntarenas province. However, it is not a coastal downtown because it is situated in the mountains and is part of the Costa Rica cloud forest, where you can find incredible landscapes, abundant natural resources and it is the home of many plant and animal species. It is a small and authentic place offering marvelous attractions; its forests enclose many secrets and it becomes the habitat of varied flora and fauna species. This place is of great importance due to the strong conservation efforts of the environment that are carried out, for this reason it becomes a natural laboratory where different studies and investigations are constantly carried out. Monteverde offers the option of taking several activities for everyone, not only in nature but educational, cultural and adventure. Although it is a touristy place, Monteverde is still a rural area, not very developed in terms of infrastructure and facilities, but it offers visitors the opportunity to be in contact to locals, culture, know how these communities live while enjoying the attractions. Lodging is varied from big resorts to small boutique hotels. Afternoon at leisure

DAY 4: Monteverde
El Establo Mountain Hotel: Breakfast
Sky Adventures Monteverde: Regular Monteverde Sky Walk tour
Discover the beauty of Costa Rican forests on the first hanging bridge of the country, Sky Walk. This is a guided experience on natural trails and amazing hanging bridges through the dense forests of Monteverde. Trails and hanging bridges are designed and maintained to cause the lowest impact on nature, trying always to keep the forest intact for everything living in it. Sky Walk hanging bridges not only have impressive views, but they are also impressive by themselves, with distances up to 236m (774ft) and heights up to 70m (230ft). You will go on a hike to have a one-on-one experience with the flora and fauna at every level of these magical tropical forests. On Sky Walk, you can admire natural beauties from the ground on the nature trails or discover unique life systems from the forest canopy. Crossing our hanging bridges is a unique experience where you will have complete views of the forest canopy and access to a completely different ecosystem that can only be discovered at the highest points of trees. While on our Sky Walk tour, a naturalist guide will point out the intriguing plant and animal life, so you won’t miss out on the amazing details these forests offer. Trails include some uneven surfaces and several ascents and descents. Duration: 2hrs approx.
Includes: regular transfers, entrance fee, and local Guide.
What to bring? comfortable and light clothes (better if they are breathable), a jacket or raincoat, hiking or tennis shoes (comfortable and enclosed), sunscreen, and insect repellent (preferably biodegradable).
Important: Check-in is 15 minutes before the booked tour starts time.
Pick-up time and the transfer duration will depend on the hotel you are staying in.Times may vary due to the physical condition of the group, and other environmental circumstances.This activity is, snack and water-bottle-friendly, meaning you can bring them with you on tour to keep your strength and energies up (just remember to take back anything you brought with you and keep nature as it is). Remember to always bring a copy of your passport with you while touring Costa Rica.

DAY 5: Monteverde – Rincon de la Vieja
El Establo Mountain Hotel: Breakfast
Shuttle Monteverde - Rincón de la Vieja
Distance and transfer time: 138 km / approx. 4.5 hours, with a Spanish-speaking driver and multiple stops en route for pick up or drops
Rincon de la Vieja is the name of one of the most popular volcanoes in Costa Rica, but also an area of dry forest that constitutes an important national park protected by the Costa Rica Government The area is located in Guanacaste province, close to Liberia town and Daniel Oduber International Airport, so it's perfectly combinable with some of the best beaches of the country. Additionally, it's perfect for those looking for nature and adventure but away from the hustle - beautiful landscapes and thrilling experiences are complemented with relaxing hot springs that come directly from the depths of the earth. In Rincon de la Vieja, lodging options are more rustic than in other Guanacaste spots, but all of them have a charming and unique personality; since within the properties the “Costa Rican sabanero” style is very marked in every detail using stone, wood, and iron.

DAY 6: Rincon de la Vieja
Hacienda Guachipelin: Breakfast
One day adventure pass with lunch
Experience one of the best and most complete canopy in the area, which includes rappelling zip lines, a climbing wall, the famous “Tarzan swing” and suspension bridges, all in a majestic canyon. After lunch, the adventure continues with a 45-minute horseback ride through the dry tropical forest and a short walk to La Victoria Waterfall, from where you start the descent through the rapids of the Río Negro, in your own circular raft, adrenaline guaranteed! End the adventure by relaxing in the thermal pools from the volcano. Enjoy a healthy therapeutic bath, surrounded by the exuberant nature. This tour offers spectacular views of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and also on the Pacific Ocean.
What is included? Local guide, canopy, tubing, horseback riding, hot springs and lunch.
What to bring? Waterproof sandals or shoes, sunscreen, repellent, camera, binoculars, swimsuit, towel and change of clothes.
DAY 7: Rincon de la Vieja – Tamarindo
Hacienda Guachipelin: Breakfast
Shuttle from Rincón de la Vieja to Tamarindo
Distance and transfer time: 137 km / approx. 2.5 hours, with a Spanish-speaking driver and multiple stops en route for pick-up or drops
In the North Pacific of Costa Rica, in Guanacaste province we find some of the pretties and most gorgeous beaches such as Tamarindo and Mansita. These areas are characterized by the dry weather, crystalline water and exuberant vegetation in the surroundings. What is amazing about these spots is the proximity to each other, so you can explore multiple destinations in the same day. Tamarindo is more touristy and well known as a good surfing beach; in the main village there are a wide variety of restaurants, bars and other facilities like ATM, drugstores, supermarkets and much more.The lodging options are really varied, from all-inclusive resorts to small charming boutique hotels. The activities include nature, wildlife, adventure and relaxation; there are something to do for each family member. On the other side is Pinilla, a very small colonial style “residential complex” that belongs to Tamarindo, it is secluded and private. Hacienda Pinilla is a perfect place for those looking for luxury vacation; it offers one of the best hotels in the area, an exclusive golf course, beach club, condos and houses for rent.

DAY 8-10: Tamarindo at leisure
Hotel Wyndham Tamarindo: Breakfast

DAY 11: Tamarindo – San Jose
Hotel Wyndham Tamarindo: Breakfast
Shuttle from Tamarindo back to San Jose Distance and transfer time: 258 km / approx. 5.5 hours, with a Spanish-speaking driver and multiple stops en route for pick up or drops

DAY 12: Hasta Pronto!
Regular departure transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose
Today we will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the international airport on time to board your flight.
We wish you a safe and pleasant flight back to your home.
¡Hasta Luego!
Important: based on the Airport policies, all travelers must be 3 hours ahead of their departure flight time.