Highlights of Costa Rica
9 Days / 8 Nights

Day 01: Arrival

Meet and greet at Juan Santamaría International airport and transfer to your hotel in San Jose.

Overnight in San Jose: Best Western Irazu

Day 02: San José – Tortuguero (B, L, D)

Early pick up from your hotel. Admire the biodiversity of an astonishing protected area in Costa Rica as the bus drives through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Stop on route to have a delicious typical breakfast. Be a special guest in a banana processing and packing plant and learn more about one of Costa Rica’s prime product (subject to availability). Board a comfortable boat upon arrival to Caño Blanco pier and let this extraordinary exotic paradise enchant you, as you travel along the Tortuguero canals.

Enjoy a refreshing cocktail and a delicious lunch as you arrive to the lodge. After lunch, visit to the picturesque town, the green turtle museum and the beach area. Dinner included

Overnight in Tortuguero: Pachira Lodge

Day 03: Tortuguero (B, L, D)

After breakfast, guided walking tour through the trails.Free time before lunch.In the afternoon, visit to Tortuguero National Park exploring the canals in small, open boats to allow a better visibility.

Tortuguero is a network of navigable lakes, rivers and canals (both natural and man-made) that are used for transportation and are a great place for observing local wildlife such as birds, monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, American crocodiles and caimans. The canals also provide shelter to endangered animals such as the Oriental Indian Manatee, crocodiles, a large variety of crustaceous and about 30 species of sweet water fish, including the Gaspar, considered as a living fossil. Free time before dinner is served.

Overnight in Tortuguero: Pachira Lodge

Day 04: Tortuguero – Arenal (B, L)

After breakfast, shared boat transfer back to Caño Blanco and then shared ground transfer to Siquirres where you will take a shuttle bus to Arenal/La Fortuna. Lunch is included along the way.

San Carlos offers a landscape of exceptional beauty with its forests, lagoons, fields of crops, rivers with hot springs, and the most active volcano of Costa Rica: Arenal. In other words, sanctuaries where one can breathe peace, purity and the majestic power of nature.

Overnight in Arenal: Arenal Springs

Day 05: Arenal (B, D)

Breakfast in the hotel.Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, take a shared tour to Arenal Volcano &Tabacón Hot Springs. Dinner is included.

See from up close the activities of the great colossus, its constant emissions of gases, vapors of water and explosions of fireworks. Follow this with a fabulous and healthful bath in the hot springs.

Few sites in Costa Rica inspire more respect and admiration than Arenal Volcano. At 5437 feet, its tall and conical shape stands imposing over the pastured green hillsides that surround its base. Although currently in a resting phase, Arenal remains Costa Rica’s most active volcano for the past 43 years. Its history is charged with eruptions – both major and minor – that have intimately affected the region and the people who live here.

This tour will allow you to enjoy the most extraordinary views of Arenal Volcano during a gentle hike along the lower slopes of the colossus. The walk begins in one of the trails close to the volcano and continues through the forest until reaching the area destroyed in its first eruption, back in 1968. This tour takes approximately 2 ½ hours.

After the hike, a relaxing soak into the natural mineral waters of the Tabacon Hot Springs will finish a perfect day.

Hot springs are considered a natural expression of Earth’s energy. Geologically, Tabacon Resort’s thermal natural springs are 97% rain-based and 3% magma-based. Rainwater enters the earth through fissures on the surface and is then heated by magma found in the earth’s core. Once heated, the waters rise to surface, taking with them minerals found in the earth’s rocky stratus. Tabacon is a completely natural resort. There are five different springs in the property, with temperatures ranging from 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Water flows by gravity throughout the property, forming in-river pools, waterfalls, and cascades. Hot springs provide many benefits thanks to various chemical, physical and biological effects; the most notable is a sensation of wellbeing coming from relaxing tense and tired muscles. Shangri-La Gardens is a luxury area, exclusive for adults. It is a private area of lush gardens and six natural thermal mineral spring water pools, naturally heated.

Included: Entrance fee, guide, transfers and diner

What to bring: Camera, binoculars, light sweater, long pants, raincoat, hiking shoes, sun lotion and insect repellent and bathing suit.

Overnight in Arenal: Arenal Springs

Day 06: Arenal – Manuel Antonio (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a shared ground transfer (by shuttle bus) from Arenal to Manuel Antonio.

The Central Pacific possesses the beaches closest to the capital city. Among the most popular are Herradura, Jaco, Dominical and the ones at Manuel Antonio National Park. They enjoy the characteristics of a very hot and humid climate, with a season of brilliant sunshine from December through the end of April and warm waters all year long.

Hills covered with green forests compose the common landscape of the area. Some of the features which have made Manuel Antonio one of the places most preferred by the tourists are the white sand beaches, cliffs, rivers, rain forests, the large variety of animal life and climate. The Manuel Antonio National Park is home of the White Faced, Mantled Howler and Red-backed Squirrel monkeys, Two and Three Toad sloths, among other mammals, as well as a number of species of birds. Punta Catedral (cathedral point), the bay of Puerto Escondido (hidden port), and the beautiful beaches with blue green waters represent some of the main attractions of this park.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio: Parador Hotel

Day 07: Manuel Antonio (B)

Breakfast in the hotel. Morning shared tour to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Watch sloths and monkeys moving through the tree canopy, hunt for nocturnal silky anteaters, surprise iguanas resting on a tree and listen to the songs of the various birds. And if you are lucky, you might spot one of the 1,000 remaining endangered Mono Titi or squirrel monkey that live in Manuel Antonio National Park biological corridor. See how many different kinds of flora and fauna you can spot just in the span of a 2 ½ hour nature walk and enjoy some local fresh fruits and refreshments at the end of the trail. If you like, you can hike additionally through the trails and enjoy unspoiled, un-crowded, pristine beaches after or you can stay at the beach for a relaxing afternoon once the tour is over.

Includes: Transfers, bilingual naturalist guide, entrance fee, snacks and natural drinks

What to bring: comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes, bathing suit, sunscreen, towel, hat and sunglasses.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio: Parador Hotel

Day 08: Manuel Antonio – San José (B)

Breakfast in the hotel. At noon, take a shared ground transfer (by shuttle bus) from Manuel Antonio to San Jose.

Overnight in San Jose: Best Western Irazu

Day 09: Departure (B)

Breakfast.Private transfer to Juan Santamaría International airport.

 

* * * End of services * * *

 

Included:

  • Private arrival transfers with English speaking assistance
  • Daily breakfast
  • All meals, tours and entrance to the National Park while in Tortuguero
  • 2 nights at Best Western Irazu Hotel
  • 2 nights at Pachira Lodge
  • 2 nights at Arenal Springs Hotel.
  • 2 nights at Parador Hotel
  • All ground shared transfers within Costa Rica
  • Shared walking tour to Tortuguero village
  • Shared boat tour to Tortuguero National Park
  • Entrance fee to Tortuguero National park
  • Shared tour to Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Hot Springs. Dinner included
  • Shared tour to Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Private departure transfer
  • All hotel taxes

Not Included:

  • Air tickets
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional tours
  • Meals not mentioned above
  • Beverages

Price per person based on double occupancy: USD$ 1998

 

• At the time of booking, IF the originally quoted hotels are not available, similarly rated hotel will be booked.  Price is subject to change due to availability.

Toll Free: 800 823 0976
Telephone: 305 428 2753
Fax: 305 517 3640
renzo@biscaynetravel.com