Between beach, jungle and volcanoes - 15 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Welcome to San José

  Welcome to Costa Rica! Meet and greet by our French-speaking representative and transfer to your hotel located in the capital, San José. Delivery of your travel booklet.

• day 2

  Direction Tortuguero

  Meet your local Spanish-English speaking driver at your hotel reception, then head towards the Tortuguero dock in a semi-shared transfer (only with guests staying at the same Lodge as you in Tortuguero). Arrival in the town of Guápiles and breakfast in a local restaurant, before boarding a boat to Tortuguero National Park. You will wind through the canals, in the heart of the rainforest. Continue by boat to the small Caribbean village of Tortuguero and visit it, before heading to the Lodge. Free afternoon to enjoy the facilities and walk around the surroundings. Between March and October, you can join a night excursion to observe the nesting of green, lora, or baula turtles.

• day 3

  Discovery of the village and Tortuguero National Park

  Boat trip to visit the canals of Tortuguero Park: it is a different and very fun way to discover this impressive panorama. Later, you can visit the surroundings of the Lodge accompanied by the local guide to discover this very humid tropical forest, its fauna and flora. Return to the Lodge for lunch. You have the rest of the day free to enjoy the Lodge's facilities and the activities offered on site.

• day 4

  On the way to the Southern Caribbean

  Return to Guápiles by boat, then have lunch in a local restaurant. The car rental agent will meet you at the restaurant to hand over your rental vehicle. Continue towards the Southern Caribbean. You will pass through Siquirres and the port city of Limón before reaching the seaside, where the villages of Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo... are located. Settle into your room in the small town of Cahuita.

• day 5

  The riches of the Cahuita area

  Free day to enjoy the beautiful beaches in the area. The best way to get around is by bike, which you can rent in the village. You can also take an optional excursion in the region: Visit to an animal refuge with a local Spanish/English-speaking guide. Visitors will have direct contact with the animals, especially monkeys. You can also observe Costa Rican venomous snakes in terrariums that replicate their natural habitat. Visit to Cahuita National Park with a local Spanish/English-speaking guide, one of the must-see natural sites on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Walk along the seaside trails, dotted with pretty little bays lined with coconut trees and protected by coral reefs. Wildlife is easy to spot: monkeys (howler and capuchin), all kinds of birds (tanagers, green ibis, trogons...), iguanas, raccoons, agoutis, sloths... The Manzanillo reserve is an ideal place for the nesting of giant leatherback turtles. Excursion to the Bri-Bri indigenous community with a local Spanish/English-speaking guide. You will visit the iguana farm and the medicinal plant garden of the Kekoldy indigenous reserve, where a small indigenous family is dedicated to breeding the green iguana. You will also learn more about cacao, a very important plant in the culture of the Bri-Bri Indians. Finally, you will go to a small waterfall in the forest where you can swim. Typical Caribbean lunch with the community. Snorkeling trip in Manzanillo. You will go with a local guide (ESP/ENG) in search of colorful fish and marine life unique to the Caribbean Sea. Stop at "Sunny Boy" beach to enjoy a refreshment. Your activity includes entrance to Manzanillo, mask and snorkel equipment, life jacket, boat transfer, and a refreshing drink.

• day 6

  Sarapiquí Region

  Departure towards the northeast of the country, to Sarapiquí, a rich agricultural region (pineapple, heart of palm, pejibaye, guanabana…). Free afternoon to enjoy the hotel or take an optional excursion in the region: Chocolate tour at Tirimbina! You will take a guided walk in the forest and cross the longest suspension bridge in the country to reach ancient wild cacao plantations. Your local Spanish/English-speaking guide will explain the ancestral methods of chocolate making, followed by a tasting of the drink of the gods and delicious chocolate (about 3h). Rafting on the Sarapiquí River: the excursion (2h) on the Sarapiquí River is ideal for beginners (Class II & III) who want to discover the beauty of this region in a fun and refreshing way. The excursion is supervised by a specialized local Spanish/English-speaking guide. Canopy: this is another way to experience the forest. You will discover a breathtaking panorama by taking the path of the birds. Glide from tree to tree, accompanied by your guides and fully equipped for safety; it is not unusual to encounter monkeys, sloths, and other animals hidden in the canopy or treetops. The excursion is supervised by a specialized local Spanish/English-speaking guide.

• day 7

  La Fortuna Region - Arenal Volcano

  Continuation northwards in the country to reach La Fortuna, a town located at the foot of the Arenal volcano. Despite a decrease in volcanic activity over the past 3 years, the Arenal volcano offers an unforgettable spectacle to its visitors, who can see fumaroles escaping from the crater on clear days. Rest of the day free to enjoy the lodge or walk around the surroundings.

• day 8

  Discovery of the Arenal area.

  Free day to enjoy the Lodge or take an optional excursion in the region: Arenal Volcano National Park: walk along the national park trail. Walk on hanging bridges for different viewpoints of the volcano. 3 km of easy trails, accessible to everyone. You will cross 15 bridges at different heights, measuring from 5 to 100 meters. La Fortuna River Waterfall. Walk down (500 uneven steps in the forest) to a superb waterfall over 70 m high. You will find yourself in a lush setting and can swim in this luxuriant environment. Relaxing evening in the region's hot springs, followed by a delicious buffet dinner. Kayak or stand up paddle tour on Lake Arenal. Costa Rican cooking class with dinner on site (tour at 5pm – duration about 4h – with local Spanish/English-speaking guides). RAINFOREST CHOCOLATE TOUR: Chocolate tour near the Arenal volcano. The Sky Trek begins with a cable car ride to reach the treetops of the Arenal reserve. The adventure begins here. This adrenaline-filled tour consists of a zipline system that lets you discover the rainforest and its landscapes from another point of view.

• day 9

  Tamarindo seaside resort

  Continuation to the seaside resort of Tamarindo. The village of Tamarindo is one of the most accessible and lively in the area; you will find all kinds of activities, restaurants, shops... The beaches of Tamarindo and Grande form a bay in the north of the Nicoya Peninsula and are part of the Las Baulas Marine National Park (nesting site for sea turtles, such as the Leatherback turtle). These two beaches are separated by a mangrove (a unique and very rich ecosystem, stabilizing coastal areas) and its estuary. Free afternoon to enjoy the lodge and the nearby beach.

• day 10

  Tamarindo

  Free day to enjoy the hotel, Tamarindo beach, or to take an optional excursion on site, such as: Sea observation: you can go snorkeling or scuba diving, or simply take a boat. Surf lesson. Horseback riding, cycling, or quad biking: visit the nearest beaches in an original and fun way. Kayak or boat in the mangrove. Visit the surrounding national parks or the beautiful beaches in the area.

• day 11

  Expedition within the Monteverde cloud forest

  Departure to the locality of Monteverde, on the slopes of the Tilarán mountain range, first taking the Pan-American Highway, then a rather picturesque road. Monteverde was founded in the mid-20th century by American Quakers who immigrated at the time of the Vietnam War because they shared Costa Rica's pacifist values. Rest of the day free to enjoy the lodge or take an optional excursion in the region.

• day 12

  Monteverde

  Free day to enjoy the Lodge or take an optional excursion in the region: The Children's Eternal Rainforest: this is the largest private reserve in Costa Rica with an area of 20,000 hectares of protected tropical forest in the northeast of Costa Rica. Night excursion in the forest: this is a magical experience during which you discover the nocturnal activity of this lush forest. Canopy: this is another way to experience the forest. You will discover a breathtaking panorama by taking the path of the birds. Glide from tree to tree, accompanied by your guides and equipped in complete safety. Discovery of a ranarium: the Monteverde Ranarium is managed by a group of biologists, naturalist guides, and environmental protectors, committed to protecting amphibians by dedicating part of the entrance fees to research and conservation.

• day 13

  Manuel Antonio Region

  Continuation to the center of the Pacific coast. Ideally located, you will have easy access to all the activities in the area: among others, you are close to Marino Bahia Ballena National Park, Corcovado, and Manuel Antonio. Each of them is known for its great natural wealth. Free afternoon at the hotel or to stroll around the surroundings.

• day 14

  Relaxation in Manuel Antonio

  Free day to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the national park (the most beautiful on the Pacific coast!) or to go on an excursion in the region. Some examples of excursions below Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park. It is home to monkeys, sloths, coatis, toucans, and iguanas… Kayak or boat tour in the Las Damas islands (mangroves).

• day 15

  Return to San José - Airport

  Continuation to Juan Santamaria International Airport.