San Jose & Tamarindo Beach Break

Welcome to San Jose. On arrival, make your own way to the hotel, and spend the rest of the day at leisure in the Costa Rican capital.

San Jose - Tamarindo. After breakfast, a representative will collect you for a shared transfer to your next destination, Tamarindo. On arrival check in, and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure - relaxing on the beach, taking a dip in the Pacific, or browsing the shops along the town's main boulevard, where you will also find a good selection of restaurants offering varied local and international cuisine.

Optional: Afternoon ATV Adventure from Tamarindo
On this optional off-road ATV experience, you explore Tamarindo's beaches and dry forest, navigating river crossings and rugged trails with mountain views. After learning how to handle the vehicle, you follow your guide through a route rich in tropical scenery, keeping an eye out for local wildlife, including birds and monkeys. You may also upgrade the experience to include activities such as snorkelling, driving a UTV, ziplining, or exploring additional areas by ATV.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Tamarindo, a beautiful corner of the tropics. You may select from a range of optional excursions or simply relax on the beach. Tamarindo Beach sits within a bay formed by Cabo Velas, with Playa Grande to the north, separated by Estero de Tamarindo - the largest mangrove estuary in Central America. To the south, Estero de San Francisco leads to the striking Playa Langosta. These coastal areas form part of Las Baulas National Park, an important nesting ground for leatherback turtles.

Optional: Sunset Cruise Pura Vida
Beginning at midday and lasting around seven hours, this relaxed catamaran experience takes you along Costa Rica's Gold Coast, with transportation provided to and from the harbour. A bilingual crew welcomes you on board with cold tropical drinks as we sail past sheltered bays, white-sand beaches, and stretches of tropical forest. Throughout the afternoon you scan the water for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and, with luck, a breaching whale. The boat anchors in a tranquil bay where you can swim, snorkel, or stroll along a quiet beach. While you enjoy the water, the crew prepares a selection of snacks to round off the day before we return to Tamarindo.

Optional: Snorkelling Adventure in Tamarindo
Departing at approximately 7:00 a.m. from Zone 1 or 8:30 a.m. from Zone 2, this six-hour coastal outing introduces you to some of Guanacaste's most iconic beaches. With transportation, equipment, lunch, and the support of a bilingual guide included, you visit Flamingo Beach with its white sand and developing coastline, then continue to Playa Grande, a key nesting site for turtles. We also pass Tamarindo Beach, a renowned spot for beginner surfers, before reaching Conchal Beach, where clear waters offer excellent snorkelling among colourful marine life. For comfort throughout the day, you should bring sunblock, insect repellent, light clothing, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, and your camera.

Optional: Palo Verde National Park Boat Tour with Lunch
This full-day excursion begins with an early pick-up at around 7:00 a.m. from Zone 1 or 6:30 a.m. from Zone 2. Transportation, a bilingual guide, entrance fees, and lunch are all included as we travel towards Palo Verde National Park, a Ramsar-listed wetland shaped by the Tempisque River. A two-hour boat journey takes us deep into this remarkable ecosystem, where we watch for crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and a wide range of birds, from ospreys and white ibises to tiger herons and scarlet macaws. After the cruise, we enjoy a traditional meal at a rustic local restaurant before returning to Tamarindo. Bringing sunblock, insect repellent, light clothing, a hat, and a camera is recommended.

Tamarindo - San Jose. Today, transfer back to San Jose, where you have the remainder of the day at leisure. You may also choose to join one of the below optional tours.

Optional: Classic San Jose City Tour
Beginning at 12:30 p.m. and lasting around four hours, this guided introduction to Costa Rica's capital includes transportation and visits to some of the city's most significant cultural landmarks. You start at the National Theater, often called the Jewel of San Jose, an architectural treasure completed in 1897. From here, continue to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and then into the lively Central Market, where you can browse local crafts and experience a slice of daily Tico life. The tour also includes the Metropolitan Cathedral and a panoramic journey through the city, where you will see notable buildings such as the University of Costa Rica, the Old Train Station, the National Liquor Factory, the National Supreme Election Bureau, the Legislative Assembly, and the distinctive Metallic Building. The tour ends with a visit to a local art gallery, offering an opportunity to pick up souvenirs before returning to the hotel.

Optional: Gourmet Coffee Tasting & Walking Tour
Starting at 3:00 p.m. and running for approximately three hours, this engaging walking tour operates Monday to Saturday and explores Costa Rica's long-standing coffee culture. As transportation and the guidance of a coffee expert are included, you are introduced to the country's main coffee-producing regions and learn how altitude, soil, and climate shape the flavour profiles of each variety. Along the way, you stop at three different cafés to experience contrasting extraction methods, enhancing your understanding of how Costa Ricans prepare and appreciate their world-renowned coffee.

Your holiday comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check-out. Make your own way to the airport or your next destination.