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Tour Overview
Welcome to beautiful Costa Rica! You will fall in love with this tropical paradise. Find the balance between mind, body and spirit surrounded by nature thanks to the lush jungle and the imposing Arenal Volcano. Discover Tortuguero National Park located in the North Caribbean side of Costa Rica, an incredible opportunity to see wildlife and cultural experiences to get closer to the Costa Rican essence. Relax at the vibrant beach of Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica's best-known surf spots, a wonderland of adventure with the serenity of a tropical getaway. ...more ...less
Highlights
Tortuguero: Discover its network of canals, lagoons, and dense rainforests
Arenal: Experience the extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano on a hike along its base
La Fortuna: Known worldwide for being a prominent wellness tourism destination
Monteverde: Explore the cloud forest canopy through a combination of suspension bridges and platforms
Tamarindo: Enjoy great swimming, surf, fishing, and water sports, along with a buzzing nightlife
Itinerary
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Accommodation Name: Wyndham Herradura or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Welcome to San Jose, Costa Rica! Our representative will greet you at the airport; assist you with your luggage and transfer to the hotel in San Jose.
Overnight in San Jose.
Day 2
:
SAN JOSE – TORTUGUERO (120km – 3hrs)
Location: Costa Rica
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Pachira Lodge or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At the agreed time, shared transportation will pick you up and transfer you to your next destination, the wonderful area of Tortuguero located in the North Caribbean to board the boat that will take you to the lodge where you will immerse yourself in a perfectly quiet, laid back and tranquil stay. Upon arrival, get comfortable in your hotel room and enjoy lunch (included). Afterwards, enjoy a nature walk through the private tropical trails of the Lodge. You can discover the local species such as reptiles, birds and some mammals; monkeys are abundant in this region. In the evening, savour dinner at the lodge.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Day 3
:
TORTUGUERO
Location: Costa Rica
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Pachira Lodge or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up early and meet your guide for an early morning tour through the Tortuguero Canals, a must activity while you are in Costa Rica. Discover its network of canals, lagoons and dense rainforests through an early boat tour guided by an expert naturalist guide. Abundant wildlife inhabits Tortuguero, including 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles, and 60 species of mammals. Return to the Lodge for breakfast. In the afternoon, visit the enchanting village of Tortuguero; the town a small population of around 500, no cars, and is located on a relatively narrow spit of land between the beach and a canal. Take a closer encounter with the Caribbean culture; discover its people and lifestyle walking through this colourful town.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Day 4
:
TORTUGUERO – ARENAL
Location: San Carlos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lomas del Volcan or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast included at the lodge and then proceed to checkout. Afterwards, be ready to continue your trip. Shared transfer by boat and land from Tortuguero to Guapiles region. Afterwards, continue on a shared transfer to your next destination: La Fortuna de San Carlos, home of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Lunch included. Upon arrival get comfortable in your room and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Overnight in Arenal.
Day 5
:
ARENAL
Location: San Carlos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lomas del Volcan or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast included at the hotel. Today enjoy the most extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano on a hike along the base and flanks of this giant on the Arenal 1968 park. During the hike, the expert guide will explain to you all about the volcano: its activity periods, a little bit of history related to it and will show you some landmarks that have left over the years. Astonishing views, ear-catching information, unbelievable stories and the chance to meet the local wildlife, will remain as your favourite memories of Costa Rica after this experience. During the late afternoon, be ready to slip into sublime waters of varying temperatures for extended soaking intervals. Often, a cold pool lies adjacent to a warm pool, which allows you to cool down or heat up as you please. Enjoy and relax in this Thermal Paradise.
Overnight in Arenal.
Day 6
:
ARENAL – MONTEVERDE
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Hotel Monteverde Country Lodge or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and then proceed to checkout. At the agreed time, continue to your next destination: the magical Monteverde cloud forest. This service, half tour – half-shared transfer is a scenic and fast way to go from La Fortuna to the Monteverde area. You will board into a very comfortable and safe pontoon boat for a 30 to 40 minutes (approx.) ride to Rio Chiquito, a little town on the other side of the lake. Once at Rio Chiquito, we will leave the boat and take a short break to stretch the legs, after, another 1.5hr bus ride to get to the hotels in the Monteverde area (during the rainy season this transfer could take longer) Duration approx. of 3.5 hours (Land and boat). Once in Monteverde, spend your afternoon at Selvatura Park. Here you will experience closer the mysteries of the cloud forest by enjoying a great combination of suspension bridges and platforms that offers you an opportunity to explore the forest canopy in a safe and easy manner.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 7
:
MONTEVERDE – TAMARINDO
Location: Tamarindo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Tamarindo Diria or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and then proceed to checkout. At the agreed time, shared transfer to Tamarindo.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
Day 8
:
TAMARINDO
Location: Tamarindo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Tamarindo Diria or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast included at the hotel. Enjoy your free time to relax under the sun and palm trees or discover the Tamarindo area and its surroundings.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
Day 9
:
TAMARINDO – DEPARTURE SAN JOSE
Location: San José
At the appropriate time, departure private transfer from your hotel to Juan Santamaria International Airport to take your flight back home.
What's Included
TOUR GUIDE:
Operated with English- and Spanish-speaking local guides during the scheduled activities (Day 3, 5, 6). Please note you will be accompanied by local guides for the activities only. There is no guarantee that you will be part of a group, or part of the same group during the tour.
ACCOMMODATION:
8 night’s accommodation
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 San Jose
Standard Hotel Category = Wyndham Herradura or similar 3*
Day 2, 3 Tortuguero
Standard Category = Turtle Beach Lodge or similar (Lodge Standard)
Day 4, 5 Arenal
Standard Hotel Category = Lomas del Volcan or similar 3*
Day 6 Monteverde
Standard Category = Hotel Monteverde Country Lodge or similar (Lodge Standard)
Day 7, 8 Tamarindo
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Tamarindo Diria or similar 3*
MEALS:
8 Breakfasts
3 Lunches (Day 2-4)
2 Dinners (Day 2, 3)
TRANSPORT:
Arrival shared transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport (Day 1)
Shared transfers between areas including Land and Boat ride to Tortuguero and Lake Crossing Arenal-Monteverde
Departure private transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport (Day 9)
ENTRANCE FEES & ACTIVITIES:
All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Tortuguero Canals boat tour, Tortuguero village (Day 3); Arenal Volcano trail 1968 hike; Baldi Spa hot springs (Day 5); Monteverde Hanging Bridges (Day 6)
OTHER:
Meet & Greet
Hotel taxes
What's Not Included
Visa fees
Domestic flights
International flights
Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
Optional tours (if any)
Any visit not mentioned in the program
Porterage and gratuities
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.
Requirements
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Costa Rica. Sun protection, sunglasses, bathing suit, hiking or tennis shoes, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Please Note
It is advisable to arrive no later than 20:00 in San Jose since pick-up day 2 is early in the morning around 05:30
Due to the scheduled private transfer to the airport, a set time for departure is not recommended. The transfer will be adjusted to the time of the flight. Otherwise recommended not to leave before noon
We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
Children can be added to the booking when sharing a room with at least 2 adults, if not they must be added to the booking with the adult rate. Maximum 2 children per room
Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
In many hotels in Costa Rica, the triple rooms are double room with an additional bed or sofa bed. Their comfort conditions are lower than the international standards of the triple room
No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed
Please note single are available to book under request.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 San Jose
Standard Hotel Category = Wyndham Herradura or similar 3*
Day 2, 3 Tortuguero
Standard Hotel Category = Pachira Lodge or similar 3*
Day 4, 5 Arenal
Standard Hotel Category = Lomas del Volcan or similar 3*
Day 6 Monteverde
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Monteverde Country Lodge or similar 3*
Day 7, 8 Tamarindo
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Tamarindo Diria or similar 3*
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 San Jose
Standard Hotel Category = Wyndham Herradura or similar 3*
Day 2, 3 Tortuguero
Standard Category = Turtle Beach Lodge or similar (Lodge Standard)
Day 4, 5 Arenal
Standard Hotel Category = Lomas del Volcan or similar 3*
Day 6 Monteverde
Standard Category = Hotel Monteverde Country Lodge or similar (Lodge Standard)
Day 7, 8 Tamarindo
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Tamarindo Diria or similar 3*
Check out our Q&As
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Easy
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, English speaking local guide on this tour.
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As details in itinerary.
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Arrival shared transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport and Departure private transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport included.
Are flights included in this tour?
No, International and domestic flights are not included.
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Tortuguero Canals boat tour, Tortuguero village (Day 3); Arenal Volcano trail 1968 hike; Baldi Spa hot springs (Day 5); Monteverde Hanging Bridges (Day 6) included.
Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client´s arrival
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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Reviews of this operator
Brian
Exotic Costa Rica
12-Feb-2022
We were delayed a couple of times in getting to Costa Rica and our tour operator, Roy, was extremely accommodating of the changes. The trip was partially guided, so though lodging and transportation were covered there were a few days where I could have used help coordinating afternoon activities.
...more ...less
Peter Herbert
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste
11-May-2022
A little aprehensive on 1st day with no tour leader... but ran better that clockwork, a few natural obstacles overcome. Good hotels, transport , drivers AND OUTSTANDING GUIDES.....A THEN THERE WAS THE WILDS OF COSTA RICA AND ITS PEOPLES ....
Jean Walsh
Exotic Costa Rica
17-Mar-2022
This trip was much anticipated and lived up to all of our expectations. We had a wonderful experience. If we had questions, Andres was immediately responsive. It was such a nice feeling to know we could reach him.
Susan Langton
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
06-Jan-2022
Our trip was well organized, all of the service providers ( transfers, guides, accommodations) we friendly and professional, and each location was as promised. A bit more local information would have been useful in preparing for the trip, but nothing that wasn't able to be accommodated on the fly.
...more ...less
Marianne Brownell
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
03-Oct-2022
Terrific experience!
Debra R
PURAVIDA CR
26-Jun-2023
Great staff taking care of us along the way! Hotel choices were unique and beautiful and accommodating.
Keith
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste
08-Mar-2022
A good tour with 4 completely different ecosystems. A couple of long travel days.
Destination Services Costa Rica requires a minimum deposit of
20%
or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services costa rica charges.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Pura Vida Experience
9 Days Starting and ending in San José
Visiting:
San José, Costa Rica, San Carlos, Monteverde, Tamarindo
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You can discover the local species such as reptiles, birds and some mammals; monkeys are abundant in this region. In the evening, savour dinner at the lodge. </p><p></p><p><strong>Overnight in Tortuguero. </strong></p>","lat":"10.542484","lng":"-83.502355"},{"title":"Day 3: TORTUGUERO","name":"Costa Rica","description":"<p>Wake up early and meet your guide for an early morning tour through the Tortuguero Canals, a must activity while you are in Costa Rica. Discover its network of canals, lagoons and dense rainforests through an early boat tour guided by an expert naturalist guide. Abundant wildlife inhabits Tortuguero, including 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles, and 60 species of mammals. Return to the Lodge for breakfast. In the afternoon, visit the enchanting village of Tortuguero; the town a small population of around 500, no cars, and is located on a relatively narrow spit of land between the beach and a canal. 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Today enjoy the most extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano on a hike along the base and flanks of this giant on the Arenal 1968 park. During the hike, the expert guide will explain to you all about the volcano: its activity periods, a little bit of history related to it and will show you some landmarks that have left over the years. Astonishing views, ear-catching information, unbelievable stories and the chance to meet the local wildlife, will remain as your favourite memories of Costa Rica after this experience. During the late afternoon, be ready to slip into sublime waters of varying temperatures for extended soaking intervals. Often, a cold pool lies adjacent to a warm pool, which allows you to cool down or heat up as you please. 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