Beaches and Adventures in Costa Rica – Rented Car

DAY 1: SAN JOSE

Welcome to San Jose, Costa Rica!

Reception at the Juan Santamaria International Airport and transfer to your hotel in San Jose.

The capital city of San Jose, considered to be one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America, is located in the middle of the Central Valley in the center of the country. The city features popular tourist attractions, such as historical buildings, museums, theaters, artisan markets, beautiful parks, shopping centers, and a varied gastronomic scene.

Accommodation: Chosen hotel (or similar)

DAY 2: SAN JOSE - TORTUGUERO (6 HRS. APPROX.)

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you will travel from San Jose by ground transfer, crossing the immense Braulio Carrillo National Park, to reach Guapiles. There you will enjoy a delicious typical breakfast. Afterward, you will continue driving past banana and pineapple plantations until you reach the pier where you will board your boat to Tortuguero. The boat ride along rivers and canals takes approximately an hour and a half to arrive at your lodge. You will be just in time for lunch! In the afternoon, you will enjoy a guided visit to the picturesque town of Tortuguero. Dinner is included at the lodge.

Accommodation: Chosen hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

DAY 3: TORTUGUERO

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: Chosen hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

DAY 4: TORTUGUERO - PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON (6 HRS. APPROX.)

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 4x4 Rental Car to go to the southern Caribbean coastal town of Puerto Viejo de Limón. The Caribbean region is characterized by its rich cultural mix of Afro-descendant and indigenous peoples. Together with a host of residents from many other countries, they form a unique cultural community in Costa Rica.

Accommodation: Chosen hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch

DAY 5: PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you are free to enjoy the area’s beautiful beaches that are fringed with lush tropical vegetation and feature multicolored sand (from black to yellow and gray), clear warm ocean, and spectacular coral reefs. There are a variety of adventure activities, cultural tours, and gastronomic delights to enjoy, in addition to lively Caribbean music.

Accommodation: Chosen hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 6: PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON - ARENAL VOLCANO (5 HRS. APPROX.)

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you will 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: Chosen hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 7: ARENAL VOLCANO

Breakfast in the hotel.

This morning, 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. Afterward, you will visit the Río Fortuna Waterfall, located in a biological reserve of transitional humid tropical forest that is part of the Arenal Volcano National Park. The path to the waterfall’s base winds down 530 steps, and there are several areas along the way where you can stop and rest. At the bottom, you can take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of the Fortuna River. Lunch will follow the tour.

Accommodation: Chosen hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch

DAY 8: ARENAL VOLCANO - MANUEL ANTONIO (5 HRS. APPROX.)

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you will travel to the warm coast of the Central Pacific. In 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.

Accommodation: Chosen hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 9: MANUEL ANTONIO

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you have a free day to enjoy the beach, the sun and the sea and the chance to come across different species of animals in their natural habitat. Relax on the beach feeling the breeze and listening to the sounds of the sea.

One recommendation is to walk the trails in the Manuel Antonio National Park, often called a natural jewel for its picturesque beauty and abundant diversity of wildlife. There are several trails for walking with many viewpoints, and there is a high probability of seeing animals in their natural habitat. At various points, the trails branch off and lead to four separate beaches: Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondida, and Playita, where you can swim in crystal clear, warm water. (Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park is an optional tour.)

Accommodation: Chosen hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 10: MANUEL ANTONIO - SAN JOSE (3.5 HRS. APPROX.)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today you return to the Central Valley. You can enjoy your last morning in this tropical paradise before heading to San José. In the evening, you can dine in a typical Costa Rican restaurant that offers live music and a traditional dance show; or try national and international cuisine in one of the excellent restaurants in the city.

Accommodation: Chosen hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 11: SAN JOSE

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you depart to the Juan Santamaria International Airport. If you have a Rental Car, you will need to return it to the agency before your flight. Please note that you should be at the airport at least three hours before your flight departs.

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

Meals Included: Breakfast