The “Costa Rica Bucket List” Vacation Experience

Experience the must-visit destinations of the Caribbean coast and the Pacific in just one week and a half. Join us on a thrilling tour filled with diverse landscapes and vibrant culture.

San Jose – Tortuguero NP – Arenal Volcano – Monteverde – Manuel Antonio National Park
10 days / 9 nights

From $1,989 per person

Day 1: San Jose
Arrival at Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose (SJO). Meet & Greet outside the airport terminal and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at Gran Hotel Costa Rica

Day 2: San Jose – Tortuguero
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your first excursion takes you to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Depart early in the morning through the tempestuous Braulio Carrillo National Park to the placid lagoons of Tortuguero National Park. You’ll navigate through the park until you reach Tortuguero Village, a remote community bordered by the river on one side and the beach on the other.
Overnight at Pachira Lodge

Day 3: Tortuguero
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you’ll return to the river for a guided boat tour through the canals, early in the morning as the forest awakens.
Afterwards, you’ll visit the local village, where you’ll learn about the sea turtles that come to lay their eggs on the beach and give Tortuguero its name.
Overnight at Pachira Lodge

Day 4: Tortuguero – Arenal
Breakfast, Lunch
Today you’ll continue on to La Fortuna, nestled at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano. You’ll notice the difference from the rainforest on the Caribbean coast to this lowland rainforest, where roaring rivers, natural hot springs, and diverse wildlife abound.
Overnight at Arenal Manoa

Day 5: Arenal
Breakfast, Lunch
This morning you’re invited into the home and farm of a Costa Rican family from the countryside. Here, you’ll get a tour of their traditional farm, where the family seeks to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and local farming customs. You’ll also learn to milk the cows, try fresh milk and chocolate, and extract juice from sugar cane.
When you return to the hotel you can enjoy a relaxing soak in volcanic thermal springs.
Overnight at Arenal Manoa

Day 6: Arenal – Monteverde
Breakfast
In the morning, you’ll hike along the base of the Arenal Volcano to the 1968 lava flows. This is one closest glimpse you’ll get of the looming volcano.
In the afternoon, a car-boat-car transfer will take you across the lake, from the rainforests of Arenal to the cloud forests of Monteverde. As you ascend these mountains, you’ll either see valleys full of impenetrable clouds and mist or breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya below.
Overnight at Senda Monteverde

Day 7:  Monteverde
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, you’ll set off on a 1.5 mile (2.5km) hike through the cloud forest, crossing hanging bridges that take you eye level with the vibrant canopy. After that, open-air gondolas will take you up the side of the mountain. Once at the top, you’ll get a spectacular view of the mountains, canyons, and treetops that are so unique to this area.
During the afternoon, you can choose to join one of the many optional tours in the area or enjoy the hotel’s facilities, which include complimentary hiking access to the neighboring Aguti Wildlife Reserve.
Overnight at Senda Monteverde

Day 8: Monteverde – Manuel Antonio
Breakfast
It’s back to the rainforest, but on the Pacific coast this time. A private transfer will take you from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio on the mid-Pacific coast. Upon arrival, you’ll have the rest of the day to get to know the area or relax at the resort, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
Overnight at Parador Resort

Day 9: Manuel Antonio
Breakfast
This morning, you’ll get a chance to visit the Manuel Antonio National Park. This protected land forms around the Punta Cathedral, which often looks like a whale’s tale. Here, you’ll find three unique beaches and a wide variety of protected flora and fauna. There’s a trail to the highest point in the park, where you can see the ocean and rainforest from up high, before enjoying some time relaxing on the beach.
Overnight at Parador Resort

Day 10: Departure transfer
Breakfast
You’ll depart on a transfer from Manuel Antonio to the Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose (SJO).

Accommodations:

• 1 night at Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton
• 2 nights at Pachira Lodge Tortuguero
• 2 nights at Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
• 2 nights at Senda Monteverde
• 2 nights at Parador Resort & Spa

Guided tours/activities:

• Tortuguero National Park (3-day/2-night package, including local tours)
• Campesino Farm Experience
• Arenal Volcano Hike
• Monteverde Sky Walk & Sky Tram
• Manuel Antonio National Park
• Hike in Aguti Wildlife Reserve (self-guided)

Transfers and transportation:

• Coach and boat transfer from San Jose to Tortuguero
• Transfer from Tortuguero to Arenal
• Transfer to Monteverde on a shared car-boat-car logistic across Arenal Lake (approx. 3.5 hrs)
• Private transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio (approx. 3.5 hrs)
• Private transfer from Manuel Antonio to Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose (SJO) (approx. 3 hrs)

Meals as specified

Dedicated 24/7 in-country support and emergency assistance

Optional activities are not included

• *Price is based on a minimum of 2 people occupancy
• Local taxes are included in prices
• Accommodations will be in the above-mentioned hotels or alternative properties of similar style and ambience, according to availability at the time of booking.
• Tours on the package may be adapted according to traveler preference.
• The itinerary can be adjusted based on the arrival and departure airports (San Jose/SJO or Liberia/LIR).
• You will receive a 100% accurate price when you inquire with us and share your travel dates.