Value Costa Rica: The essential 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

By road and boat to Tortuguero National Park.

Drive from San José through the misty cloud forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park to the sultry lowlands of the Caribbean Coast and the small dock at La Pavona (3 hours). It’s then a 1 ½ hours boat ride along canals and through mangroves before you arrive in the small, ramshackle village of Tortuguero, which gives you an insight into the way of life in this remote region. Your lodge is a short distance away but only accessible by boat.

Tortuguero National Park was originally intended to conserve a major nesting beach of the Atlantic green sea turtle. Now it is one of the last protected areas of tropical rainforest in Central America, with 11 different natural habitats. 3 species of monkeys (Spider, Howler, and White-faced), Three-toed sloths, and river otters are frequently seen along the natural inland waterways and canals.

Caimans, iguanas, river turtles, basilisk lizards and poison-dart frogs inhabit the area, along with more than 320 species of birds including all 6 species of kingfishers, 3 species of toucans, 8 species of parrot, and other tropical species such as the Slate-tailed trogon, White-collared manakin, Purple-throated fruit crow, and White-fronted nun bird.

Stay at - Aninga Lodge

Day 3

Wildlife spotting in Tortuguero National Park.

The waters in the national park are black, owing to tannins from trees in the area, and flow slowly. Spend a couple of hours gently meandering the canals in a guided boat, spotting birds, mammals, and reptiles in beautiful scenery. The early start means you will see the wildlife at its most active. The remaining time can be spent relaxing at your lodge or participating in some of the activities available. These include a visit to Tortuguero village and the Sea Turtle Conservancy Visitor Centre, and, in season (July – October) watching Green Sea and Hawksbill turtles nest.

Stay at - Aninga Lodge

Day 4

By boat and road to Arenal.

Return to La Pavona by boat (1 ½ hours) before continuing by shared shuttle bus to your hotel close to La Fortuna, in the shadow of Arenal Volcano (3 hours).

Day 5

Hiking in the foothills of Arenal Volcano

Although eruptions and lava flows are infrequent these days – there hasn’t been any significant activity since 2010 – the perfectly conical Arenal Volcano is still an impressive sight. On a shared tour to the El Silencio Private Reserve you’ll hike across lava fields from previous eruptions (most notably in 1968) to a superb viewpoint overlooking the volcano. Keep an eye out for wildlife too with toucans, orioles, peccaries, and monkeys commonly seen.

Day 6

Optional excursions in Arenal

Today you have a free day to explore the region. There are many adventurous excursions on offer including: kayaking on Lake Arenal; whitewater rafting on the Río Balsa; walking through the rainforest canopy on a network of hanging bridges; ziplining; and canyoning. Alternatively, near the border with Nicaragua, you can take an enchanting boat trip through the Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve, a lowland forested wetland teaming with wildlife and hundreds of species of bird.

Day 7

Transfer by shuttle bus to Monteverde.

Take a ferry across Lake Arenal (40 minutes) and continue by road to Monteverde (2 hours). High up in the rolling Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range, Monteverde is surrounded by native cloud forest, a misty and magical ecosystem rich in wildlife.

Day 8

Guided excursion to the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.

The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve sits at a slightly higher elevation (over 1,500m) than the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Founded in 1992 by a group of Canadian volunteers, it receives far fewer visitors than its better-known neighbour but has just as many species: quetzals, deer, sloths, ocelots and howler and capuchin monkeys. There are 12km of trails, three lookout points, and an observation tower from which you can see five volcanoes on a clear day. It’s an atmospheric place with mosses, ferns and flowers embellishing the trees, while vines dangle over the trails.

Day 9

Transfer by shuttle bus to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast

Travel by shared shuttle bus to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast (4 hours). When we first went there 40 years ago, its beaches were visited only by monkeys and backpackers. Now you’ll find tourists from all over the world but it’s still a gorgeous place graced with exquisite natural beauty.

Stay at - Villa Bosque

Day 10

Guided excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the smallest but best regarded national parks in Costa Rica. Its setting is lovely – wild, tropical beaches and rocky outcrops backed by lush forest. It has a network of trails where you may see a variety of reptiles, as well as monkeys, sloths, armadillos, racoons and over 350 species of birds.

Stay at - Villa Bosque

Days 11

At leisure or optional excursions

Time to sit back and relax on the beach or by your hotel’s swimming pool. If you’re looking to do something more active, we can arrange for you to go kayaking through the mangroves of the Damas Island estuary, 15km north of Manuel Antonio.

Stay at - Villa Bosque

Day 12

Transfer by shuttle bus to San José airport for your international flight home.