Signature Costa Rica: The natural highlights

Day 1

Arrive in San José and transfer to your hotel.

You will be met at the airport by our local representative who will take you to your hotel in the modern capital.

Stay at - Presidente

Day 2

Transfer by road and boat to Tortuguero National Park.

Depart San José early in the morning for the three-hour drive towards the Caribbean Coast. It’s a scenic journey: the highway begins in the mountains which define Costa Rica’s central spine and winds its way through the misty cloud forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park before descending to the sultry coastal lowlands where banana and pineapple plantations abound. You’ll stop for breakfast en route and then continue to the small dock at La Pavona. The 1½ hour boat trip to your lodge in Tortuguero National Park is an experience in itself, with opportunities to spot birds, sloths, monkeys, and occasionally crocodiles.

Day 3

Wildlife spotting excursions in Tortuguero National Park.

Included in your stay are two boat trips exploring the creeks and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park and discovering its extraordinary biodiversity. Accompanied by a naturalist guide and an experienced boatman you’re likely to spot a lot of wildlife, including dozens of species of bird, river turtles, caiman, otters, iguanas, sloths, Spider, Howler and Capuchin monkeys.

A visit to the nearby Tortuguero village and the Sea Turtle Conservancy Visitor Centre is also included. Other excursions such as a guided night-time walk, kayaking or watching Green Sea and Hawksbill turtles nest (July – October) cost extra.

Day 4

Transfer to Arenal volcano.

After breakfast you’ll return to La Pavona by boat (1½ hours) before continuing by road to La Fortuna, in the shadow of Arenal Volcano (3 hours).

Stay at - Arenal Manoa

Day 5

Excursion to Arenal Volcano & Ecotermales Hot Springs.

The 225-hectare El Silencio Private Reserve is a short drive from La Fortuna and offers a selection of hiking trails in the foothills of Arenal Volcano. Accompanied by a guide who will tell you all about the area’s history and geology, you’ll follow the 1km Lava Field’s trail which climbs up to a viewpoint overlooking the volcano. Although very short, the trail is quite steep in places and generally uneven due to the black jagged rocks which once exploded out of the volcano, most notably in 1968.

After the hike, you’ll be taken to Ecotermales hot springs to relax and enjoy the waters which are naturally heated by the volcano. The natural-looking pools, lined with stone and filled with crystal-clear water, are set in a river gorge surrounded by lush vegetation, and vary in temperature from 38ºC to 43ºC.

Stay at - Arenal Manoa

Day 6

Excursion to the Hanging Bridges

Experience the rainforest from a completely different perspective on today’s excursion. A 3km trail is linked by six elaborate suspension bridges – some measuring almost 100m in length and 50m off the ground – and ten smaller fixed bridges. Constructed from galvanized steel and aluminium, the bridges are strategically placed in the jungle canopy so you can expect to spot a wide range of birds (350 species have been recorded), plants, and insects.

Stay at - Arenal Manoa

Day 7

Transfer by land and ferry to Monteverde.

From your hotel it’s a short drive to the shores of Lake Arenal where you embark a boat to take you across the lake (30-40 minutes) to Rio Chiquito. As you cross the lake there are beautiful views of the mountains and the colossal Arenal volcano itself. From the other side of the lake it’s a further 2 hours to Monteverde.

Stay at - Monteverde Lodge and Gardens

Day 8

Excursion to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was founded in 1972 and extends down both slopes of the Tilarán Mountains. It is home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 of birds and 1,500 of plants. Walking along the well-marked trails, amidst dense, dripping foliage, you are likely to encounter the Resplendent quetzal. Other species include the Three-wattled bellbird, the Emerald toucanet, and White-faced and Howler monkeys.

Stay at - Monteverde Lodge and Gardens

Day 9

Transfer to Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Travel by road (4 hours) to Nosara, a small town on the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific coast. Secluded and tranquil, this stretch of Pacific coast is popular with surfers and those looking to ‘get away from it all.’ The surrounding tropical dry forest attracts nature lovers with hiking trails to explore by foot or horseback.

Stay at - Lagarta Lodge

10 - 11

At leisure on the beach.

Spend your time relaxing beside the pool, walking along the endless sandy beaches or watching tangerine sunsets over the Pacific ocean. Those looking for something more active can go surfing at nearby Playa Guiones, or hiking and birdwatching in local nature reserves.

Playa Ostional, a short drive from Nosara, is also one of the world’s largest nesting grounds for olive ridley sea turtles. Watching innumerable turtles come ashore to lay their eggs is quite the spectacle between July and December and can be arranged as part of a guided tour.

Stay at - Lagarta Lodge

12

Transfer to San José airport for international flight home.