Depart from your home to San José. Arrive in the afternoon and meet your private French-speaking chauffeur-guide at the airport. Transfer by private vehicle to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, spending the night in the capital.
This morning, take the Pan-American Highway to the Poás Volcano. Pass through fern, flower, and strawberry plantations, noticing the change in vegetation as you ascend into the lush Poás Volcano forest. Known for having the world’s largest crater (1.5 km in diameter and 300 meters deep), you’ll witness the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles. Afterward, walk along trails to the Botos Lagoon. Continue to La Paz, a beautiful natural park where you'll discover spectacular waterfalls, visit a butterfly, hummingbird, and frog sanctuary. Return to San José in the afternoon, stopping along the way to visit a coffee plantation.
Depart this morning to the northern Caribbean coast and Tortuguero National Park, where you’ll get a first glimpse of Costa Rica’s “Green Gold.” Board a motorboat for a tour through the park’s canals, observing the wildlife, including monkeys, iguanas, sloths, parrots, and other birds. Upon arrival at your lodge, settle in and enjoy lunch before visiting Tortuguero, a small village on the edge of the natural reserve. The village thrives mainly on tourism, fishing, and subsistence farming, creating an interesting blend of indigenous heritage and modern developments.
Enjoy a full day discovering Tortuguero National Park, known as the “Little Amazon.” In the morning, take a guided walk through the lodge’s trails. In the afternoon, embark on a scenic boat tour through the park’s canals. Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse wild areas, with beautiful canals, lagoons, and rivers to explore by boat or kayak.
In the morning, return by boat to the dock, then drive towards Arenal Volcano. In the late afternoon, arrive in the lush San Carlos Valley, where the majestic Arenal Volcano rises, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with its perfect cone emerging from the clouds.
This morning, immerse yourself in authentic Costa Rican culture. Visit a local school where children will share their daily lives and culture with you. Then, visit a fruit plantation where the owner will explain the various uses and health benefits of the fruits. You’ll also visit a “trapiche,” a sugarcane mill, where you’ll observe the juice extraction process, taste the juice, and sample its spirit. In the afternoon, enjoy a hike through the trails of Arenal National Park, leading you over recent lava flows and the devastated area from the 1968 eruption, now regenerating.
Today, head south along the Pacific coast. Stop at the mouth of the Tarcoles River for a wildlife observation cruise, where you can spot crocodiles. Continue to Jaco, one of the country’s first beach resorts, before heading to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s natural gems.
This morning, depart for the Quepos marina, meet your captain, and board for a marine mammal watching cruise in Costa Rica’s warm waters. You’re likely to spot dolphins near your boat. The rest of the morning is at leisure for wildlife observation or a swim. You can also try kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, or fishing. Fresh fruit and ceviche will be served aboard. In the afternoon, explore Manuel Antonio National Park, which features pristine beaches bordered by forest and abundant wildlife, including 109 mammal species and 184 bird species. Your expert guide will share the history of the park’s nature during your walk.
Enjoy a free day to relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings of your hotel.
Enjoy a free morning before returning to San José for your flight back home. Overnight aboard.
Arrival at home.
SAN JOSE: Grano de Oro Hotel ****
TORTUGUERO: Tortuga Lodge ****
ARENAL VOLCANO: Tabacan Grand Thermal Resort *****
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK: Arenas del Mar Hotel ****
