Discovery of Costa Rica's Caribbean, Highlands and Pacific Ocean
Discover Costa Rica’s Diverse Landscapes:
Caribbean Beaches, Alpine Mountains, Cloud Forests and National Parks
- Accommodation for 16 nights
- Car Rental for 15 days
- Activities: Guided tours in the National Parks of Tortuguero and Corcovado (admission to National Parks not included), White Water Rafting on the River Pacuare, Quetzal Birdwatching
(a minimum of 2 pers. is required for this offer)
Begin your holiday in Costa Rica with a trip to the famous canals of Tortuguero on the Caribbean. Discover two more Caribbean National Parks (Cahuita & Manzanillo) and relax at beautiful tropical beaches. After white-water rafting on the river Pacuare, drive through the highlands to the National Parks of Corcovado and Manuel Antonio. After a stay in the cloud forest nature reserve of Monteverde, visit the Volcanoes Arenal and Poas, and conclude your travel in San José.
Your trip will lead you to:
San José | Tortuguero | Playa Cocles | Rafting Rio Pacuare | Turrialba | Irazu Volcano | San Gerardo de Dota | Dominical | Corcovado National Park | Manuel Antonio National Park | Monteverde | Arenal Volcano | Poas Volcano | San José
Day 1: San José
Arrival at San José's airport and private transfer to the hotel Fleur de Lys.
Accommodation at the charming Hotel Fleur de Lys
Day 2: San José - Tortuguero
Departure to Tortuguero National Park – one of Costa Rica’s most renowned destinations (The transfer is usually organized in groups, which is inevitable, so that nature is better protected). The trip leads you through the rainforest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, offering beautiful views. Pass the mystically two-colored river Rio Sucio before eating breakfast on the way to Puerto Limon. At Caño Blanco you visit a banana plantation before boarding a motorboat to continue the trip on the coastal canals of Tortuguero. The boat ride leads through lush vegetation and dense forests. The fauna consists of monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, sloths, toucans, parrots and numerous sea birds. You will be received with a welcome-cocktail and lunch.
In the afternoon there are guided tours to the Caribbean village of Tortuguero where you can visit the small turtle museum. Or rent a kayak to discover the Tortuguero's canals individually. Depending on the weather conditions, a boat trip will be made, to immerse in the wildlife and flora of the Caribbean Coast. Watch monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, sloths, toucans, parrots, and many marine birds in the jungle canopy.
Dinner and Accommodation at the Flor de Tortuguero Nature Hotel
Day 3: Tortuguero - Playa Cocles (Caribbean Coast)
Continue to the Caribbean coast and discover Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches. Pass Puerto Limon, the Atlantic port with an undeniable charm, reflected by the Caribbean style of the colorfully painted wooden houses. The town’s ambience is defined by the rhythms of reggae and calypso music, imported by African descendants from various Caribbean islands. Continue along the coast to Playa Cocles.
Accommodation at the charming Hotel Cariblue
Day 4: Playa Cocles and the Caribbean Coast
For a special experience of Gandoca-Manzanillo’s Wildlife Refuge we suggest hiring a boat tour to discover the picturesque coast (with snorkeling opportunities at Punta Mona).
Accommodation at the charming Hotel Cariblue
Day 5: Playa Cocles and environs
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at your disposal: Relax at the country’s most scenic Caribbean beaches.
- Activity suggestions:
- Visit Cacao Trails to learn about the history and production of cocoa. On the site you can also visit the Orchid Garden to see orchids, bromeliads and heliconias. At the adjacent organic farm there are yucca, pineapple, sugar cane, and cotton plantations to be seen.
- Make a canoe trip on the Rio Carbon to Cahuita National Park to discover its nature. Lunch suggestion: restaurant Cacique. Duration of the diversified tour: about 6 hours.
- The village of Bribri is mainly inhabited by the indigenous tribe of the Bribri. From Bribri the road continues to the border to Panama, where you can walk over the river Sixaola on a railway bridge to cross the border to Panama.
Accommodation at the Hotel Cariblue
Day 6: Playa Cocles - Rafting Pacuare - Turrialba
Departure for White-Water Rafting on the Rio Pacuare (level III-IV, possible for beginners in good shape), an unforgettable experience. Quiet sections alternate with river rapids; the Pacuare River is known to be one of the world’s most scenic rivers for white water rafting. Paddle through dense forest, accompanied by a diverse wildlife (herons, toucans and many other birds). The equipment will be provided and the professional bilingual crew (Spanish/English) will guarantee your safety. Enjoy a picnic lunch (incl.) on the riverbank.
Continuation to Turrialba by car.
Accommodation at the rustic Turrialtico Lodge
(Mainhouse Room incl. breakfast)
Day 7: Turrialba - San Gerardo de Dota
Discover the Eastern Central Valley before continuing to San Gerardo de Dota.
- Activity suggestions:
Early departure to visit Irazu Volcano. Costa Rica’s highest active volcano (3’432m), Irazu is surrounded by a national park of 2´300 hectares. There are splendid views in the morning, when the weather conditions are best. On a clear day you can see both the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans from the volcano’s peak. - A hike around Turrialba Volcano. Turrialba is more active and remote than Irazu volcano.
- Go visit Guayabo National Monument (Guided tours in English or Spanish on request), one of the few archaeological excavations of Costa Rica and the country’s most eminent pre-Columbian site. Stroll through the pleasant park on 1200 m over sea level and follow the traces of a mysteriously lost civilization. Calculate 1-2 hours for this visit.
- Visit the village of Orosi, in the heart of the green Orosi valley. This is where the first settlers established themselves, impressed by the agreeable environment. Orosi’s small museum and its colonial church are the village’s most interesting sights.
Hike through Tapanti National Park – Macizo de la Muerte. This is a little-known reserve that stretches on the north-eastern slope of the Talamanca mountain range on a height between 700 and 3491 meters over sea level. Due to high rainfalls there is a most particular vegetation to be found. There are three well-marked hiking trails, one of which leads to a quaint waterfall close to the river Orosi. - Visit the Hacienda Real Coffee Plantation. The Golden Bean Tour is a great way to get to know the history, harvest and processing of the coffee bean. The tour is well-guided (English/Spanish) and, of course, includes a free coffee tasting.
Drive over Cerro de la Muerte to San Gerardo de Dota.
Accommodation at the rustic Savegre Lodge
Day 8: San Gerardo de Dota - Dominical
If you positively want to spot a quetzal, we recommend booking a guided tour. The tour is so well-organized that we can practically guarantee your spotting a quetzal.
The "Flight of the Toucan" is a kind of "Canopy Tour" on which you fly over the rainforest canopy, attached to zip lines. If you prefer to “travel comfortably” walk along the nature paths of the Hacienda’s reserve. The private nature reserve lies at a beautiful beach, on the mouth of the River Baru. It is ideal to watch the animals of the area (310 bird species), the plants, as well as pre-Columbian petroglyphs.
Accommodation at the rustic Hacienda Baru
Day 9: Dominical - Corcovado National Park
At the park entrance you start a walk (approx. 3h) through Corcovado’s dense jungle and along the Pacific beach. Accompanied by an experienced guide you will be able to spot a variety of wildlife on the forest trails: toucans, parrots, monkeys, tapirs, crocodiles and more. After lunch you will be able to swim in the ocean.
Return to Sierpe by boat; as there is a lot of wildlife to be seen on the way (bats, birds, snakes, etc) and you will stop whenever there is something interesting to see. Depending on the season you should also spot some dolphins and whales on the open ocean. Transfer to Hacienda Baru.
Accommodation at the rustic Hacienda Baru
Day 10: Dominical - Manuel Antonio
Accommodation at the Hotel Verde Mar
Day 11: Manuel Antonio National ParkDay at your disposal: Visit the National Park, enjoy the beach, your hotel's swimming pool, swim, fish or snorkel. Accommodation at the Hotel Verde Mar |
Day 12: Manuel Antonio - Tarcoles - Carara - Monteverde
On the way you can visit Carara Biological Reserve. Carara marks a transition area between wetlands and dry Guanacaste, hence it’s home to an interesting variety of wildlife and plants and a particularly good place to spot the famous scarlet macaw.
The Crocodile Safari on the Tarcoles river is also a great experience! Costa Rica’s largest crocodiles live here and can be watched from close distances on a pleasant boat tour. The tour is also interesting for birdwatchers.
Arrival at the cloud forest of Santa Elena/Monteverde Biological Reserve.
Accommodation at the Swiss Hotel Miramontes
Day 13: Monteverde Biological Reserve
Accommodation at the Swiss Hotel Miramontes
Day 14: Monteverde - Lake and Volcano ArenalDrive over Lake Arenal to Arenal Volcano. You will be greeted by the silhouette of the majestic Arenal Volcano (1’600 m) when you arrive in the lush San Carlos Valley. Arenal is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Since its explosive awakening on July 29, 1968 it is closely observed by volcanologists from all over the world. Its observation down Arenal’s slopes is particularly interesting at nighttime, when you see the lava streams glowing in the dark. Accommodation at the charming Hotel Arenal Linda Vista del Norte |
Day 15: Arenal Volcano
- Activity suggestions:
Zip-line canopy tours with Sky Adventures, Sky Tram and Sky Trek. - A tour of Arenal National Park and its the petrified lava fields. The path is easily accessible and flat. Only on the last stretch of 300 meters, there is a slight elevation. From there you have a clear view on the volcano and can closely inspect the old lava fields. You can do this tour without a guide.
- The Ecocentro Danaus, 2 km from La Fortuna, offers a botanical garden with a butterfly collection, frogs and snakes, gardens, a pleasant garden and an exhibition with indigenous Maleku art.
- Enjoy a stroll around Lake Arenal or visit the Waterfall of La Fortuna. As there are steady winds on Lake Arenal, it is a popular place for kite-surfing and windsurfing. Kayak, Bike and Quad Bike rentals are also available.
Arenal is well-known for its many volcanic hot springs. We recommend a visit of the magnificent Tabacon Hot Springs (open from 12pm). Arrive around 5pm, so you can enjoy the gardens at daylight. Relish a fantastic dinner and have another swim afterwards. The springs are open until 10pm, so you should have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the romantic gardens.
Accommodation at the charming Hotel Arenal Linda Vista del Norte
Day 16: Arenal - "Small Villages" Poas Volcano - San Jose
Continue your trip to Poás Volcano on 2’700 m. Poas is an active volcano with one of the world’s largest craters: an impressing diameter of 1.5 km and 300 m depth. Fumaroles and geyser activities can be observed on the volcano’s slopes. One of the water fountain eruptions can reach heights of up to 100 meters. The main crater is easily accessible. If you are interested in a longer hike you can also visit the secondary crater „Laguna Botos“ with its beautiful lagoon.
Drive on to San Jose (approx. 1.5h) where your rental car will be picked up at the hotel.
Accommodation at the charming Hotel Fleur de Lys
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We guarantee the same retail prices for hotels, rental cars and activities as direct suppliers. In addition, you get superior quality, as we only cooperate with approved and reliable partners. We assist you in planning, booking and provide English-speaking travel assistance around-the-clock. |