Costa Rica Essentials

Breakfast in the lodge.

This morning you will walk along the lodge’s private trails with a naturalist guide, and then have free time to enjoy the facilities before lunch. In the afternoon, you will go on a boat tour through the canals of the Tortuguero National Park. Called Costa Rica’s “little Amazon”, Tortuguero National Park is one of the country’s wilderness areas with the greatest biological biodiversity. The canals are surrounded by lush tropical forest filled with abundant wildlife, and the beaches are famous for being the habitat of seven species of sea turtles. We highly recommend the nocturnal turtle nesting excursion (extra cost applies). Dinner is included at the lodge.

Accommodation is in the lodge of your choice.

Breakfast in the lodge.

Mid-morning you will depart by boat back to the main dock and then travel by ground transportation to Guápiles, where you will have lunch. Afterward, you will receive your 4×4 rental car, or continue by private transfer to the Arenal Volcano in the Northern Plains region. Majestic in its grand stature, the volcano is one of the country’s natural wonders. Along your journey to the town of La Fortuna, at the base of the volcano, you will see agricultural plantations, large ornamental plant nurseries, and cattle farms.

Accommodation is in the hotel of your choice.

Breakfast in the hotel.

You will visit a local farm in the morning where they grow organic crops and follow environmentally-friendly practices. You will learn about the importance of preserving Costa Rican rural culture and traditions and the main crops that have strengthened its economy. Then, you will enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch. In the afternoon, you will hike trails in the Arenal Volcano National Park. You will see how the forest vegetation and terrain have been affected by volcanic activity, including old lava flows.

Accommodation is in the hotel of your choice.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you will travel to the warm coast of the Central Pacific. If your choice is Manuel Antonio, you will enjoy being next to one of Costa Rica’s favorite national parks. Manuel Antonio is one of the smallest parks yet is the most visited for its beautiful beaches between coastal foothills, lush forest, and abundant wildlife.

If Punta Leona is your choice, you will enjoy a fascinating place for nature and bird-watching, with beautiful beaches and calm coves perfect for swimming.

Accommodation is in the hotel of your choice.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you will visit the Manuel Antonio National Park. In addition to several hiking trails, there are beautiful beaches, picturesque viewpoints, and a high probability of seeing animals, especially the four species of monkeys in Costa Rica, sloths, coatis, and raccoons.

Accommodation is in the hotel of your choice.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you have free to enjoy your hotel’s facilities and the spectacular beaches.

Accommodation is in the hotel of your choice.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you depart to the Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose. If you have a rental car, you will need to return it to the agency before your flight. If you are traveling by shared transfer, and your flight leaves before 16:00, you will require a private transfer for an additional amount.

Happy return trip! We hope to have you visit us again.

Included

• Airport transfers
• Ground transfers between destinations or car rental from Day 4, for 7 days with basic insurance included
• 8 nights’ accommodation with breakfast included
• Full board during your stay in Tortuguero
• Round-trip boat transfer to Tortuguero
• Regular excursion: Walk to the town of Tortuguero
• Regular excursion: Hike the private trails of the lodge in Tortuguero
• Regular excursion: Explore the Tortuguero Canals by boat
• Entrance to Tortuguero National Park
• Regular excursion: Hike in Arenal Volcano National Park
• Regular excursion: Finca Vida Camepsina with lunch included
• Value added tax
• Infants from 0 to 2 years do not pay
• Children’s rate applies for ages 3 to 11 years. Maximum 2 children sharing a room with their parents

Not included

• Activities not indicated in the program
• Meals not indicated in the program
• Tips for bellhops
• Tips for housekeeping
• Full protection insurance for the rental car
• Mandatory dinners during Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Requirement for the rental car

• The driver must have a valid driver’s license from their country of origin. Foreign licenses are valid in Costa Rica for 90 days starting from the date of entry into the country
• Minimum age of the driver is 23 years
• The driver must present a valid passport
• The driver must present a credit card in their name (AMEX, VISA, MASTERCARD) that has an available balance of approximately $750.00 USD for the security deposit

What to Bring?

• Passport with no less than 6 months of validity
• Travel alarm clock (some hotels have them, others do not; so, it’s a good idea to bring one)
• Sun block and insect repellent
• Shirts: cotton or light synthetic, long and short sleeves
• Pants: lightweight cotton or synthetic pants. Bring at least 2 sets of clothes that dry quickly (jeans are not recommended; too slow to dry)
• Footwear: lightweight waterproof hiking boots, river sandals (Teva type sandals), tennis shoes
• Running shoes / sneakers. If you are not wearing hiking boots, be sure to bring TWO pairs of tennis shoes. As soon as a pair gets wet, wear them when your feet are likely to get wet. Make every effort to keep the other pair dry!
• Socks: bring extra pairs in case your feet get wet
• Swimsuit
• Rainwear: poncho, raincoat, and umbrella
• Hat(s) with a brim for protection against rain and sun
• Reusable water bottle for walks
• Also, extra batteries, mobile device charger and plenty of memory
• Cell phone – you can purchase a local phone service chip upon arrival. Be sure also to bring your cell phone charger
• Plastic resealable bags for spillable toiletries and plastic trash bags for wet items
• Prescription glasses and prescription medications (if applicable)
• Small backpack or fanny pack for hiking
• Foldable luggage in case you need to store additional items