Costa Rica Packages: Discover Costa Rica

You will be picked up from the airport and enjoy the city scenes as you are transferred to one of our many fine San Jose hotels in the thriving heart of the Central Valley. You will have some free time to explore the city, or take part in one of our many excursions below including a city tour of San Jose. If you would like to book an organized tour, please review the optional packages below or speak to one of our Costa Rica travel experts.

Breakfast at your San Jose hotel will be followed by a trip through Alajuela, the birthplace of Costa Rica’s national hero, Juan Santa Maria.  This will be a nice break to stretch your legs while en route in a steady climb through spectacular landscape to the top of Poas Volcano. At the 8800-foot summit, you will have the opportunity to hike through a cloud forest teeming with native plant species and enjoy the breathtaking scenery at the main crater, considered one of the largest in the world!

After a delicious lunch, your Costa Rica vacation will highlight some of the interesting cultural and architectural elements of the region.  You will travel through the town of Grecia where you will visit the famous metallic church, brought over from Europe piece by piece. Next, you will arrive in Sarchi, a colorful town famous for its original and creative woodwork that is carefully crafted by Costa Rica’s finest artisans. Visit the artists and their wares, and watch them hand-paint the famous wooden oxcarts, a classic symbol of Costa Rica.

You will return to your hotel where you will have the rest of the evening to explore the city, indulge in one of its many fine restaurants and sample the San Jose nightlife!

After breakfast at your comfortable San Jose hotel you will leave the Costa Rica capital to set off on a journey through the Central Valley, skirting the impressive Poas and Irazu Volcanoes before descending to sea level and approaching the beautiful Caribbean coast.

Arriving at the Caribbean you will take a boat transfer to your lodge in Tortuguero National Park, which has no road access and can only be reached by water. To get to the lodge you will glide through some of the park’s endless network of canals, channels and lagoons which provide a home to countless creatures, including the endangered manatee.

After lunch you will take your first trip into the surrounding area, visiting the colorful Tortuguero village which has remained untouched and isolated from the outside world, enclosed by protected forest and unreachable by road. From the village you will make the short journey to the Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s museum devoted to the extraordinary life of the region’s most famous resident: the green sea turtle, whose habitat has been successfully protected by the CCC working in close partnership with local villagers.

Returning to the lodge for some rest and relaxation you will be able to make use of the hotel’s excellent facilities, indulge in its spa services or simply rest by the pool side before joining your fellow travelers for dinner at the restaurant.  The lodge´s restaurant offers a wide ranging menu with both local and international specialties.

That evening you will have the option to join a night time tour back into the park to witness the spectacular sight of adult female green turtles returning to the beach of their birth to lay their eggs, before disappearing back into the ocean.*

*Note: The nesting tour is generally available between July-October and the most active season is between July and August. Availability will be confirmed upon arrival.

After another full breakfast in your comfortable lodge you will leave Tortuguero National Park and be transferred down the Caribbean coast, stopping for lunch in Squirres. From there the road takes you back to the coast and you will skirt past beautiful Costa Rica beach views before you arrive at your comfortable and high quality Puerto Viejo hotel.

After a scrumptious breakfast, you will be transported to Cahuita National Park which stands out for the beauty of its beaches, coral reefs, and tropical forests - all vibrant with life. Its extraordinary biodiversity is comprised of many ecosystems of great importance.

You will hike through the refuge which is covered by thick forests composed primarily of holillo palm, sajo and cativo, coconut palm, sea grape and heleconia (a plant that grows two meters tall and has very conspicuous and beautiful, brightly colored bractlets of red and yellow). Hidden in this tropical wilderness are countless animal species, many of which are endangered, such as the manatee, crocodile, tapir, caiman and paca. Above you in the dense tree growth will be hanging monkeys and sloths as well as a vast array of bird species include the crested-mandible toucan, ornate hawk-eagle, red-lored amazon, manakins, parakeets, motmots, aracari and woodpecker.

Later, you will be shuttled back to your beach hotel where you will spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Read our newsletter article about Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean Coast.

You will enjoy another breakfast in your fine Puerto Viejo hotel before spending the day at your leisure. This delightful town with its engaging Caribbean vibe is sure to keep you entertained; relax under the tropical Costa Rica sun on the white and black sand beaches with perfect body-temperature waters, or explore the many bars, restaurants and diversions scattered throughout the happening town. The idyllic location lends itself to any number of activities and excursions, ranging from sport fishing, snorkeling and kayaking to hiking, bird watching and visiting the local indigenous reserve. See the full list of excursions below or speak to one of our Costa Rica Travel Advisors about tours and packages available for your free day.

After your last breakfast on the Caribbean you will meet your transfer for the journey north, following the coast for a while before diverting inland and climbing high into the mountains. You will be given a packed lunch for the journey and the route offers a steady stream of breathtaking views as you bypass volcanic peaks and approach the high altitude cloud forests that are dense with vegetation and packed with wildlife. You will be taken to your comfortable La Fortuna hotel where you will relax, unwind and explore the traditional town that lies under the shadow of Arenal Volcano.

Following a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken on a short drive to the active western side of the Arenal Volcano. Once there, you will embark on a hike along the Toucans Trail which traverses the rainforest and crosses over a large lava flow from the 1992 eruption. You’ll be able to observe a great variety of plants, wildlife and magnificent lava rock formations and will be rewarded by a beautiful panorama of Lake Arenal. The hike ends at a viewing area where, weather and time permitting, you will be able to see red hot lava rolling down the side of the volcano. During the tour, our experienced guides will provide interesting educational information regarding the history of the majestic mountain and the Arenal Volcano National Park. Read our newsletter article about the Arenal volcano.

We highly recommend that you stay at one of our ‘luxury’ hotels that feature hot springs on the premises where we will shuttle you back after your hike, giving you the remainder of the day to relax in the thermal waters and spa. Otherwise, you will be treated to a tasty lunch before enjoying a relaxing visit to nearby mineral hot springs. You will then be transported back to your preferred hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred the short distance to the world famous Santa Elena & Monteverde cloud forest reserve. This journey is part of the excitement, taking you around the vast Laguna de Arenal and back up to the high altitudes of the cloud forest, giving you some spectacular views along the way. You will be taken to your comfortable Santa Elena & Monteverde hotel and you will have some free time to explore this quaint and isolated settlement high up in the mysterious and other-worldly Costa Rica cloud forest.

After an early start and full breakfast at your Monteverde hotel, you will be taken on one of Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse natural history walks. Your early start will give you the best chance of catching some of the forest’s many inhabitants in their natural habitat including blue quetzals and bell-birds soaring above the trees and iridescent hummingbirds buzzing around you in their search for nectar.

Such an astonishing array of natural life is possible thanks to the forest’s unique position along the continental divide, the meeting place for the vast ecosystems of North and South America. The resulting combination of climatic and geographic factors create temperature and humidity gradients which change dramatically over relatively short distances creating a unique ecosystem for you to explore.

After your invigorating hike, you will return to your hotel where you will have the rest of the day to do as you wish. We highly recommend taking advantage of our additional services for a complete cloud forest adventure!

After breakfast at your Monteverde hotel you will set off on the journey down from the cloud forests and onto the Nicoya Peninsula, enjoying some breathtaking scenery on the way. Arriving at your comfortable Tamarindo hotel you will have the remainder of the day free, to relax on this world famous Costa Rica beach.

After a full breakfast in your excellent Tamarindo hotel you will be able to spend the day at your leisure. A world famous Costa Rica beach town, Tamarindo has a vast number of attractions to keep you entertained and is a top destination for surfing, sport fishing, horseback riding and sailing. A shopping tour to Liberia, the regional capital, is just a short journey away, or alternatively, the rugged countryside dotted with traditional rural towns makes a perfect landscape for horseback riding. Please see the full list of excursions below or contact one of our Costa Rica Travel Advisors.

You will start the day with breakfast in your Tamarindo hotel before meeting your transfer to Jaco, a vibrant town on the central Pacific coast. You will be taken to your comfortable Jaco hotel and will have the remainder of the day to explore the area, enjoy the beach or try one of the many fine restaurants and bars that dot the town center.

After enjoying a tasty breakfast, you will set out to enjoy the day as you wish in the bustling beach town of Jaco. Whether you choose to relax under the glorious Costa Rica sun or ride the waves, Jaco is a bustling vacation town for Costa Rican and foreign holiday makers, meaning there is no end of activities to keep you entertained. Choose from our wide range of additional excursions below, from a sunset cocktail cruise to a crocodile spotting adventure. Whatever you do, you are sure to explore the true meaning behind the Costa Rica catchphrase ‘pura vida’.

Following a hearty breakfast you will make a short transfer down the Pacific coast to your Quepos / Manuel Antonio hotel. You will have plenty of time to explore the historical town of Quepos, relax on the outstanding beaches of Manuel Antonio, or take advantage of one of our guided excursions below.

After a delicious breakfast, you will make the journey into Manuel Antonio National Park where you can choose between a leisurely stroll or a more strenuous hike.  Both tours are escorted by a highly trained Costa Rica naturalist guide helping you spot the treasures hidden within the exotic and diverse tropical rainforest.

Watch sloths and numerous species of monkeys travel through the tree canopy, hunt for nocturnal silky anteaters and several types of non-poisonous snakes and listen to the songs of the various birds as they glide above your heads, filling the forest with a cacophony of song.

See how many different unique species you can spot during the 2 ½ hour nature adventure. Then, whenever you are ready, stop and enjoy some local fresh fruits and refreshments as you pause to savor the surroundings If you so desire, you can continue your Manuel Antonio tour by hiking through the trails and/or enjoy unspoiled, un-crowded, pristine beaches after your guided educational adventure ends. Learn about the Quepoa Indians and some of the cultural and natural history behind this stunningly beautiful Costa Rica paradise.

Later in the afternoon you will be transported back to your relaxing Manuel Antonio hotel to lay by the pool or relax on the white sands for the remainder of the day.

After another full breakfast in your comfortable Manuel Antonio hotel you will be able to spend the day exploring the area at your leisure. As a top Costa Rica vacation destination, Quepos offers a plethora of activities for every holidaymaker. This is one of the best Costa Rica fishing spots in the country, with sailfish a major draw for offshore sport fishers. From Manuel Antonio it is possible to explore the surrounding wilderness on a hiking tour or on horseback, and the attractive beaches are popular for snorkeling, diving and kayaking. Please see the full list of additional services below or speak to one of our Costa Rica Travel Advisors.

After breakfast, you will have the rest of the day to explore the area before we transfer you to the airport where you may continue your journey in Costa Rica, go on to one of our many South American destinations, or return home.

*Note: these prices are not valid for the high season and certain holidays. Please contact a Costa Rica Travel Advisor for prices based on your specific travel dates.

Upgrade your tour package by adding or replacing your beach visits to Quepos & Manuel Antonio with a trip to Gulf of Papagayo, the most beautiful and luxurious beach destination in Costa Rica. Please contact a Travel Advisor for further details.

Please note that the Tortuguero lodge itineraries mentioned above are based on our “Tourist Class” lodge. For a higher standard of accommodations and a variety of alternative excursions, upgrade to either our “Superior” or “Luxury” Class lodges.

• 17 nights at comfortable hotels based on US standards.
• Guided visits with English speaking tour guides.
• All transfers and entrance fees.
• All breakfasts and meals mentioned in the itinerary.

Available for guests at all Tortuguero lodges, depending on the season and local conditions. Entrance fee to be paid directly to the park authorities.

Manatus Luxury Lodge