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The "Costa Rica 3 Essentials" program offers you the opportunity to visit three of the country's most emblematic destinations in one trip, combining nature, adventure and comfort. During 8 nights / 9 days, you will enjoy the vibrant city of San Jose, the mystical Tortuguero National Park, the majestic Arenal Volcano, and the paradisiacal beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park.

The trip begins in San Jose, where you will stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Cariari, ideal for resting after your arrival. From there, you will travel to Tortuguero National Park, a unique place full of navigable canals and tropical rainforest where you will have the opportunity to observe sea turtles during the season and a great variety of wildlife. Afterwards, you will head to the Arenal area, where you will enjoy the majesty of the volcano, hot springs and a hike along the 1968 Trail, where you will walk among ancient lava flows. Finally, you will end your trip in Manuel Antonio, where its dreamy beaches and the rich biodiversity of the national park await you for a few days of relaxation and adventure.

This itinerary is designed for those who wish to explore the best of Costa Rica, combining adventures in nature and moments of relaxation in high quality accommodations, with activities guided by expert naturalists that will allow you to discover every corner of these incredible destinations.

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in San José

  • Location: San José.
  • Lodging: Doubletree by Hilton Cariari (1 night).
  • Service: Private transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Day 2

Transfer to Tortuguero National Park

  • Location: Tortuguero National Park.
  • Lodging: Pachira Lodge (2 nights).
  • Activity: Transfer by boat and land to Tortuguero. Enjoy a tour through the canals to observe wildlife.

Day 3

Tortuguero National Park

Activity: Tour through the canals of Tortuguero National Park, where you can see turtles, monkeys, birds and other species of tropical fauna.

Day 4

Transfer to Arenal

  • Location: Arenal Volcano.
  • Lodging: Volcano Lodge Hotel & Thermal Experience (2 nights).
  • Activity: Transfer from Tortuguero to Arenal, with a stop in Guápiles for lunch. Free afternoon to enjoy the hot springs at the hotel.

Day 5

Arenal Volcano Hike

Activity: Guided hike along the 1968 Trail, following ancient lava flows with impressive views of the volcano.

Day 6

Transfer to Manuel Antonio Beach

  • Location: Manuel Antonio Beach.
  • Lodging: San Bada Resort & Spa (3 nights).
  • Activity: Transfer from Arenal to the Pacific coast, in Manuel Antonio.

Day 7

Hike through Manuel Antonio National Park

Activity: Enjoy a free day on the beaches of Manuel Antonio, with optional activities such as snorkeling or kayaking.

Day 8

Free day in Manuel Antonio

Activity: Enjoy a free day on the beaches of Manuel Antonio, with optional activities such as snorkeling or kayaking.

Day 9

Return to San José

Service: Shared transfer from Manuel Antonio to Juan Santamaría International Airport.

Accommodation (Superior Class):

 

Doubletree by Hilton Cariari in San José (1 night).
Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero (2 nights).
Volcano Lodge Hotel & Thermal Experience in Arenal (2 nights).
San Bada Resort & Spa in Manuel Antonio (3 nights).

Transportation:

 

Private and shared transfers between destinations.
River transportation in Tortuguero.


Food:

Daily breakfast in all accommodations.
Lunch and dinner included at Pachira Lodge.


Activities:

Tour of the canals of Tortuguero National Park.
Hike along the 1968 Trail in Arenal.
Guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park.
Guides and entrances:

Naturalist guides during activities.
Entrances to national parks and nature reserves.

  • International flights.
  • Activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff.
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Travel insurance and rental car insurance (if applicable).
  • Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry and phone calls.
  • Mandatory dinners on special dates such as Christmas and New Year's Eve (if applicable).

Yes, a valid passport is mandatory to enter Costa Rica.

Depending on your country of origin, you may enter Costa Rica without a visa. Citizens of the USA, Canada and most European countries enjoy this privilege.

The colón is Costa Rica’s currency. U.S. dollars are also widely accepted.

All major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are located throughout the country.

No, with a legal driver’s license you can drive for three months in Costa Rica.

Departure tax is US$29.00, which can be paid in U.S. dollars, colones or with a credit card.

Sales tax is 13%.

Outlets are 110 V, with standard U.S. two prong plugs

We’d love it! Anyone getting married here must be 18 or older. Nonresidents need the following documents to get married here: original birth certificates, affidavit of single status, police record, valid passport and a divorce decree (if applicable). These documents must follow the authentication procedure before you bring them to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica’s digital nomad program invites international residents to work remotely from the land of Pura Vida. This program extends a 90-day tourist visa to a full year, with the option to renew for an additional year (conditions apply).

Costa Rica offers different ways to legalize your status: temporary resident, pensioner or foreign government mission. For more legal information, contact the Costa Rican consulate or the Association of Residents of Costa Rica at https://arcr.cr.

Dogs and cats entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, endorsed by a veterinarian service. The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to traveling to Costa Rica. The required vaccinations are: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and rabies (for animals 4 months or older).

The Tico Times – www.ticotimes.net

Yes, the water is potable in most of the country. We would only recommend bottled water for a few rural areas. Bring your reusable water bottle to decrease your footprint while you’re here. When starting your adventure for the day, fill up your bottle before you leave because refill stations may be a long trek to locate.

Travelers from the following countries must have received a yellow fever vaccination certificate: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and the Republic of Guyana.

• Keep your belongings somewhere safe while enjoying the sea or leave them somewhere they can be watched.
• Always use reef-safe sunscreen to avoid sunburns.
• When possible, don’t swim on your own.
• Consult the authorities about the current beach conditions.
• Be aware of warning flags on the beach.
• Do not enter the ocean if you don’t know how to swim. If you’re surfing as a beginner, stay under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

The main difference is the amount of rain. It doesn’t rain as much in the cloud forest as it does in the rainforest. The species of flora and fauna may also differ.

Be sure to bring insect repellent, a raincoat with a hood and a comfortable pair of hiking boots.

You can practice at Pacuare, Reventazón, Corobici, Sarapiqui, Naranjo and Savegre rivers.

You can see sea turtles in Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast or Las Baulas National Marine Park on the Pacific coast.

Cahuita National Park, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Irazu Volcano National Park, Poás Volcano National Park, Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, and Caño Negro Mixed National Wildlife Refuge offer wheelchair access.