Natural Wonders of Costa Rica

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 - Tortuguero. Leave San Jose early, as you travel by bus through Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean Plains. Take in the striking mountain scenery and pass a series of small villages en route. After breakfast, continue towards Tortuguero, where you cruise through the region's winding rivers and canals that form part of Tortuguero National Park. Your boat brings you to the eco-lodge in time for lunch.

This afternoon, set out on a boating excursion through the surrounding canals before visiting Tortuguero Village. Here, you can walk through the community, stroll along the beach, and gain a sense of local life. During turtle-hatching season, you may witness baby turtles making their first journey to the sea. The remainder of the day is yours to relax at the hotel.

Today, you'll head out on a three-hour boat excursion through Tortuguero National Park. Travelling along its quiet waterways, you can observe the park’s remarkable wildlife, which includes more than 350 protected species of birds, as well as monkeys, crocodiles, and sloths, all set against dense tropical vegetation.

The remainder of the day is at leisure at the lodge. From July to September, you may choose to join an optional late-night turtle nesting tour, which can be arranged and purchased directly at the lodge.

Tortuguero - Arenal Volcano National Park. Begin the day with an early-morning boat ride to Guápiles. On arrival, you transfer to a local restaurant for lunch before continuing by shared transfer to the Arenal area. The remainder of the day is at leisure, giving you the option to relax or take part in one of the available optional activities.

Optional - Tabacón Hot Springs
This evening, you may choose to visit the renowned Tabacón Hot Springs, set at the base of Arenal Volcano. We travel to the resort, where you can soak in a network of natural thermal pools fed by mineral-rich volcanic waters flowing directly from the volcano. Surrounded by tropical forest, waterfalls, and landscaped gardens, you have time to relax in pools of varying temperatures and enjoy the calming atmosphere. The experience includes return transportation, entrance to the hot springs, the services of a bilingual guide, and dinner.

Optional - Ecotermales Hot Springs
Alternatively, you may opt to visit Ecotermales Hot Springs, a tranquil thermal complex nestled within the rainforest and warmed naturally by Arenal Volcano. Here, you can unwind in a series of thermal pools with temperatures ranging from 37°C to 41°C, complemented by cool waterfalls that create a naturally soothing effect. The peaceful setting and well-maintained facilities make this an ideal place to relax and recharge. Return transportation, entrance, the services of a bilingual guide, and dinner are included.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading out for a guided walking tour of Arenal Volcano National Park. As you explore the park’s trails, your guide explains the different phases of activity of this once highly active volcano. Take in the lush volcanic landscapes, with the impressive cone of Arenal forming a dramatic backdrop, while keeping watch for the wildlife that inhabits the area. With some luck, you may spot sloths, howler monkeys, anteaters, and a variety of birdlife along the way.

In the afternoon, return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, or you may choose to take part in one of the optional activities available.

Optional - Sky Walk Guided Tour
You may opt to join a guided Sky Walk experience through the rainforest. This tour follows a network of trails and eight suspension bridges, covering approximately 3 km in total. Walking both within and above the forest, you enjoy elevated views of the rainforest canopy while your guide shares insights into the surrounding flora and fauna. Transportation, entrance fees, and the services of a bilingual guide are included.

Optional - Zipline AdventureFor a more adventurous experience, you can take part in a zipline tour at Ecoglide Arenal Park. After a safety briefing from your professional guide, you set off on a course featuring 13 zipline cables and 15 platforms, many of them located high among the trees. The experience offers close contact with the rainforest environment and includes the exhilarating Tarzan Swing, where you leap from a platform and swing into the forest. Transportation, entrance fees, specialised equipment, and the services of a bilingual guide are included. Departures are available throughout the day, with an approximate duration of three hours.

Optional - La Fortuna Waterfall
Alternatively, you may choose to visit the spectacular La Fortuna Waterfall. The tour involves a descent along a forest trail to reach the base of the waterfall, which plunges 60 metres into a clear natural pool. Here, you can swim, take photographs, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Your visit also supports local community projects, as entrance fees contribute directly to social initiatives in the area. Transportation, entrance fees, and the services of a bilingual guide are included. Departures are available in the morning and afternoon, with an approximate duration of three hours.

Arenal Volcano National Park. This morning after breakfast, transfer to the Arenal Lake area and board a boat for the crossing to Monteverde. On arrival at the far shore, a vehicle awaits to take you up into the mountains. Along the way, you witness a striking change in scenery as the rainforest gives way to cloud forest, climbing to around 1,200 metres above sea level.

Located in the Puntarenas province, Monteverde is known for its mist-covered forests, coffee plantations, abundant wildlife, and welcoming local community. Nearby Santa Elena is a small, charming town with inviting restaurants and artisan shops, while the surrounding cloud forest is home to an exceptional level of biodiversity. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and long-standing commitment to conservation and scientific research. Protecting an estimated 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, it is considered one of the most important private reserves not only in Costa Rica, but worldwide. The reserve is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and arachnids, alongside a remarkable variety of plant life, including mosses, vines, and native cloud forest trees.

Today, you will embark on a guided hike through the cloud forest, where you explore this unique ecosystem and discover its rich wildlife and vegetation. The remainder of the day offers flexibility, and you may choose to enhance your experience by joining one of the optional tours available.

Leaving Monteverde behind, you travel to the beachside town of Tamarindo, located in the Guanacaste region. On arrival, you check in to your hotel and have time to settle in. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may choose to explore Tamarindo at your own pace, stroll along its lively streets, or simply relax and make use of the hotel’s facilities.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Tamarindo, a beautiful corner of the tropics set along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Tamarindo Beach sits within a broad bay formed by the headland of Cabo Velas, while Playa Grande lies to the north. The two beaches are separated by Estero de Tamarindo, the largest mangrove estuary in Central America.

To the south, you may wish to explore the Estero de San Francisco and the scenic shoreline of Playa Langosta. These beaches and estuaries form part of Las Baulas National Park, an important protected area known for its coastal ecosystems and wildlife. The day is yours to relax, explore, or simply enjoy the laid-back beach atmosphere at your own pace.

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast and check-out. No transfer is included so you can make your own way to the airport or your next destination.