Discover Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcano Trails & Pacific Coast – 11 Nights

Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport, you will be greeted by a local representative and transferred to your hotel in San José, the country’s vibrant capital city.

If time permits, you may wish to explore some of San José’s cultural highlights, lively cafés and local markets.

Overnight stay in San José

Your adventure begins with an early morning journey through the lush landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse rainforest reserves.

6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. A driver will pick you up at your hotel in San Jose. For an hour and a half admire the biodiversity of a protected area, while we pass through Braulio Carrillo's National Park. 

8:30 a.m.  Enjoy breakfast en route. 

10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.  You will arrive at the marina dock, then, you will board a comfortable boat, and thus the adventure will begin to enjoy this enchanting paradise while navigating through beautiful rivers, canals, and lagoon 

1:00 p.m.  Arrival at the Lodge, and enjoy a refreshing welcome cocktail and a delicious lunch. 

2:45 p.m.  You will visit the small town of Tortuguero, with all its Caribbean charm.  

7:00 p.m.  Dinner at the Lodge. 

Overnight stay in Tortuguero National Park

Today you will explore the extraordinary waterways of Tortuguero National Park on a guided boat safari. Cruise through narrow jungle canals where your expert guide will help spot wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, caimans, iguanas and colourful tropical birds. The park is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Costa Rica. The remainder of the day is free to relax at the lodge, enjoy the surrounding rainforest or take advantage of the lodge facilities.

Overnight stay in Tortuguero National Park

Today in the morning, after breakfast, it's time to say bye to Tortuguero and get ready to continue your adventure. You will travel back to the dock, and you will continue by bus to Guápiles, where you will enjoy lunch. After lunch, transportation will pick you up and take you through the northern plains of the country with its exotic tropical flora and different plantations before you get to La Fortuna, the little town located by the impressive Arenal Volcano. 

Overnight stay in La Fortuna

Today, you'll explore the surroundings of Arenal Volcano from within the Arenal Volcano 1968 Park and other nearby nature reserves. The trails in the area are generally not strenuous—perfect for a leisurely and informative hike with a naturalist guide. 

The tour starts with a transfer from your hotel to the entrance of the 1968 Trail. Here, you can use the facilities and read up on the history of the area before you head out on your hike. Then, it's time to hit the well-maintained trails that skirt the base of the Arenal Volcano as well as Lake Arenal. Your guide will explain the history of the area both pre- and post-1968 eruption, while also pointing out the unique flora and fauna you will encounter.  Of course, the trail also provides magnificent views of the massive Arenal Volcano for perfect photos. 

Overnight stay in La Fortuna

Today after a delicious breakfast a transportation service (car-boat car)  will take you crossing the Arenal lake by boat and up a bumpy road by car until you reach the town of Santa Elena, where the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is located.  Green, breezy and cool, Monteverde Cloud forest is one of the most exciting destinations in Costa Rica. Set on a high mountain ridge, its tiny village, Santa Elena, was founded in the 50s by a small group of conservation-minded Quakers who were looking for a peaceful place to live.  

In the evening you will have an amazing experience, a night walk tour, during the night walk tour, you will learn about the nocturnal life of the forests.  Depending on the season you may see sleeping birds such as the famous Quetzals, Toucans, Bellbirds, and visiting migratory birds. Frequently observed are the cute Kinkajous and other mammals such as Sloths, Olingos, and Monkeys. Other night creatures are snakes, tarantulas, frogs, and amazing insects.   

Overnight stay in Monteverde

Hotel: Sibu Boutique Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★
Room: Double Room
Meals: Breakfast

Transportation service will pick you up to enjoy the Hanging Bridges tour, it consists of 1.9 miles of trails, in which our visitors will encounter eight bridges of various lengths ranging between 170 feet and 560 feet. Each bridge has a width of 5 ft and the largest capacity in Costa Rica of up to 80 people per bridge; which makes the treetop walkways at Selvatura Park, not only the longest bridge system in Costa Rica but also the safest and strongest. 

Walking through the bridges, visitors have the opportunity to appreciate the wide variety of flora and fauna of Monteverde and observe the endemic biodiversity of the cloud forest canopy which is not found anywhere else in the world. The treetop walkways provide the best vantage point to observe the beauty of the cloud forest at all its levels. Once you finish the visit to this amazing park you will be transferred back to the hotel. 

Overnight stay in Monteverde

Hotel: Sibu Boutique Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★
Room: Double Room
Meals: Breakfast

At the appropriate time, a transportation service will take you for a 3.5-hour drive west through Guanacaste, past volcanic mountain ranges, flatlands, and villages as you head toward the fabulous Pacific Coast. 

Tamarindo Beach is one of the best destinations to end your travel, there you can enjoy surfing, other beach-related activities, good food, and many activities to discover in couple or family. Once you arrive, you can rest up at your hotel or spend the afternoon exploring.   

Overnight stay in Tamarindo

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Tamarindo. Relax on the beach, swim in the warm Pacific waters or join optional activities such as surfing lessons, snorkeling, kayaking or ATV adventures along the coastline. Allow yourself to admire a sunset nature while you enjoy your favorite cocktail. 

Overnight stay in Tamarindo

Another day to soak up the beauty of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Enjoy beach relaxation or consider optional excursions such as fishing trips, scuba diving or exploring nearby beaches and national parks. In the evening, watch a spectacular Pacific sunset: one of Tamarindo’s most memorable experiences.

Overnight stay in Tamarindo

After breakfast, transfer back across the country to San José. Enjoy your final evening in Costa Rica, reflecting on your journey through rainforests, volcanoes and beautiful beaches.

Overnight stay in San José

After breakfast, transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your onward flight. Depart with unforgettable memories of Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife, volcanoes and tropical landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast