In the heart of Costa Rica's national parks

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Paris - San José

  Takeoff from Paris to San José. Economy class flight with the airline Air France. Upon arrival at the airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel, delivery of your travel booklet. If your flight schedule allows, you can enjoy a cultural outing in San José in the afternoon (Gold Museum, National Museum, National Theater, etc.). 1 night at the Aranjuez hotel in a superior room with breakfast.

• day 2

  Route to the little Amazon: Tortuguero

  Departure early in the morning to Tortuguero, commonly known as the "little Amazon". This name is due to the impressive vegetation that lines its network of canals and lagoons. Tortuguero is also the main nesting site in the northern hemisphere for the green turtle. In season (from July to October for the green turtle), you will have the opportunity to observe this phenomenon, which is as astonishing as it is moving. 1 night at the Evergreen Lodge in a standard room, full board.

• day 3

  Visit to Tortuguero National Park

  Early in the morning or during the day, depending on the weather, you will set off to discover the canals of Tortuguero National Park, with the pleasure of encountering caimans, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, sloths, toucans, iguanas, basilisks, and birds of all colors... The morning or afternoon is free: you can choose to relax by the hotel pool, walk along the hotel trails, or take part in one of the activities offered by the establishment. 1 night at the Evergreen Lodge in a standard room, full board.

• day 4

  Arrival in the Northern plains

  Breakfast and departure from Tortuguero by boat. Arrival at the port of La Pavona / Cabo Blanco and transfer by bus to Guapiles. Lunch, pick up of the rental car and drive to the Arenal volcano. The Arenal volcano has had one of the most eventful volcanic histories of the last century in Central America. A perfect cone at 1633 m in altitude, next to the lake of the same name, it offers spectacular landscapes that make it one of the must-see destinations in Central America. Recommended activities: - Hot springs - Hanging bridges - National park - La Fortuna waterfall 1 night at the Arenal Oasis Ecolodge hotel in a standard room with half board.

• day 5

  Visit to Arenal Volcano National Park

  In the Arenal Volcano National Park, you will have the opportunity to access the famous 1992 lava flow and thus be both as close as possible to the volcano and enjoy superb views of Lake Arenal and the Tilaran mountain range. You can also enjoy the exceptional panorama offered from the observation tower, located on the peninsula trail. Free afternoon, your choice: visit the La Fortuna waterfall, ziplining, hanging bridges, visit a biological garden... 1 night at the Arenal Oasis Ecolodge hotel in a standard room with breakfast.

• day 6

  Arrival in the tropical forests of Tenorio / Rio Celeste

  You will leave today for the Tenorio volcano region, renowned for its sky-blue river that flows into a very beautiful waterfall, all set in a tropical forest environment still very well preserved from human impact. In Tenorio National Park, you can take the trail that leads to the Rio Celeste waterfall. You can also see the famous "teinturier," the place where the two rivers mix to create the perfect alchemy that gives the Rio Celeste its unique color (between 2 and 3 hours of hiking). 1 night at the Sueño Celeste hotel in a bungalow with breakfast.

• day 7

  Discovering the Central Pacific: Manuel Antonio and Dominical

  You will head towards the famous seaside resort of Manuel Antonio, which was recently ranked in the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. There is more to visit than just the beach: Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the country's most popular stops due to the richness of its wildlife and flora. White-faced capuchins, the famous squirrel monkey, and even sloths have made their home here for a long time and delight tourists who come to photograph them up close. The National Park also contains several beaches, all as beautiful as each other. Relaxation and swimming are on the agenda. 1 night at the Villas Rio Mar hotel in a superior room with breakfast.

• day 8

  Between Dominical and Uvita, the marine paradise

  From Manuel Antonio, you are only a 45-minute drive from Marino Ballena National Park, known for its wild beaches and its famous whale tail-shaped tombolo. You can take a boat trip there to observe dolphins and humpback whales in season. Not far from there are the Nauyaca waterfalls, as well as the Baru refuge, which is of great biological importance as it is home to several different tropical habitats (mangroves, primary and secondary forests, beaches, rivers). 1 night at the Villas Rio Mar hotel in a superior room with breakfast.

• day 9

  Assault on the Corcovado - Drake Bay

  Currently, Corcovado National Park is considered a true green lung in Central America. It covers 27,000 hectares of virgin forest and is home to 5% of the world's biodiversity, which delights adventurers braving the humid heat of the tropics to discover these natural wonders. Possibility of scuba diving, snorkeling or tank diving, at Isla del Cano. 3 nights at the Pirate Cove hotel in a bungalow, full board.

• day 10

  Assault on the Corcovado - Drake Bay

  Currently, Corcovado National Park is considered a true green lung in Central America. It covers 27,000 hectares of virgin forest and is home to 5% of the world's biodiversity, which delights adventurers braving the humid heat of the tropics to discover these natural wonders. Possibility of scuba diving, snorkeling or tank diving, at Isla del Cano. 3 nights at the Pirate Cove hotel in a bungalow, full board.

• day 11

  Assault on the Corcovado - Drake Bay

  Currently, Corcovado National Park is considered a true green lung in Central America. It covers 27,000 hectares of virgin forest and is home to 5% of the world's biodiversity, which delights adventurers braving the humid heat of the tropics to discover these natural wonders. Possibility of scuba diving, snorkeling or tank diving, at Isla del Cano. 3 nights at the Pirate Cove hotel in a bungalow, full board.

• day 12

  In Search of the Quetzal

  You will travel up the Pan-American Highway to the small mountain village of San Gerardo de Dota. This small village is completely isolated in the Talamanca mountains, in the middle of a precious ecosystem. Here, visitors will find a deep cloud forest, filled with mountain almond trees, massive oaks, and other native species. The forests serve as a refuge for a large number of mammals and countless species of insects, amphibians, amazing plants, and colorful birds! San Gerardo is a true paradise for birdwatchers... More than 170 species of birds have been recorded in the region. This place is also renowned as one of the best places in the world to observe Quetzals, which live here all year round. 1 night at the Trogon Lodge in a standard room with breakfast.

• day 13

  Farniente on the Southern Caribbean - Cahuita and Puerto Viejo

  Bordered by white sand and black sand beaches, this small Caribbean village is located 15 km north of Puerto Viejo de Limón. The beaches stretching from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo are all as beautiful as each other. Here, you can breathe in the scent of coconut and the laid-back, gentle warmth of the Caribbean. We recommend visiting Cahuita National Park. In this coastal national park, you can hike, observe sloths, monkeys, and toucans, but also enjoy the beach and treat yourself to a well-deserved swim. There is also the possibility of meeting the indigenous Bri-Bri community. 3 nights at Shawandha Lodge in a bungalow with breakfast.

• day 14

  Farniente on the Southern Caribbean - Cahuita and Puerto Viejo

  Bordered by white sand and black sand beaches, this small Caribbean village is located 15 km north of Puerto Viejo de Limón. The beaches stretching from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo are all as beautiful as each other. Here, you can breathe in the scent of coconut and the laid-back, easygoing warmth of the Caribbean. We recommend visiting Cahuita National Park. In this coastal national park, you can both hike, observe sloths, monkeys, and toucans, as well as enjoy the beach and treat yourself to a well-deserved swim. Possibility to meet the Bri-Bri indigenous community. 3 nights at Shawandha Lodge in a bungalow with breakfast.

• day 15

  Farniente on the Southern Caribbean - Cahuita and Puerto Viejo

  Bordered by white sand and black sand beaches, this small Caribbean village is located 15 km north of Puerto Viejo de Limón. The beaches stretching from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo are all as beautiful as each other. Here, you can breathe in the scent of coconut and the laid-back, gentle warmth of the Caribbean. We recommend visiting Cahuita National Park. In this coastal national park, you can both hike, observe sloths, monkeys, and toucans, as well as enjoy the beach and treat yourself to a well-deserved swim. Possibility of meeting with the Bri-Bri indigenous community. 3 nights at Shawandha Lodge in a bungalow with breakfast.

• day 16

  Return to San José

  Last moments on the Caribbean coast and return to San José up to the hotel. Cultural outing in San José, shopping, souvenir purchases. Return of the rental car. 1 night at the Aranjuez hotel in a superior room with breakfast.

• day 17

  San José - Paris

  Depending on your flight schedule, a final activity may be planned. Do not hesitate to seek advice from our team. Transfer to the airport and flight to Paris (arrival on day 18).

• day 18

  San José - Paris

  Depending on your flight schedule, a final activity may be planned. Do not hesitate to seek advice from our team. Transfer to the airport and flight to Paris (arrival on day 18).