Fauna, flora and relaxation – a varied and economical stay

Change of scenery and off-the-beaten-path sites

Faune, flore et détente – Un séjour varié et économique

A stay that we wanted to be economical, in well-located establishments. This program allows you to easily observe the wildlife and flora of Costa Rica, while enjoying moments of relaxation.

Trip Description

The program for this trip lets you discover most of Costa Rica. It starts on the Caribbean coast and ends on the Pacific coast. The Tortuguero region is an opportunity to witness the nesting of sea turtles and to discover the little Amazon of Costa Rica. Boca Tapada, off the beaten path, is a beautiful nature stop in contact with rural Costa Rican life. A place highly sought after by birdwatchers. The Arenal volcano region is a more playful stop with activities such as hanging bridges, zip lines, hot springs, and always plenty of animals. Each stop is different, none are alike. Monteverde, with its cloud forests, is unique. A small mountain village where you can walk in nature reserves. The Nicoya Peninsula offers moments of relaxation on the Pacific beaches, known for the quality of the waves and surfing. There are still a few trails inland that allow access to small villages and superb viewpoints. The trip ends on the central Pacific coast, where you can choose between the Manuel Antonio region and that of Uvita. In Manuel Antonio, the national park is world-renowned for its wildlife and pristine beaches. In Uvita, don't miss the Marino Ballena Marine Park and its rich marine life. It is notably a place for observing humpback whales.

Accomodation

The accommodations we offer are small establishments. They are well located and allow you to be in contact with the wildlife and flora of Costa Rica. Their comfort is good without being luxurious. They can be classified as three stars. They are most of the time close to points of interest, such as national parks, nature reserves, or activities such as hanging bridges, zip lines, rafting, and Costa Rican beaches. Each room has its own bathroom with hot water and air conditioning if necessary.

Stay program

day 1
Arrival in Costa Rica
Arrival of your international flight, welcome by your driver and private transfer to your hotel. I will be present to welcome you and give you your vouchers, a map of Costa Rica, access maps for each hotel as well as my advice. Your choice: Night at Costa Rica Studio Hotel – Standard room with breakfast. www.costaricastudiohotel.com. Located in the large village of Santa Ana, 20 minutes from San José. A livelier area than downtown San José, which tends to empty out after 7pm. Night at Presidente Hotel – Standard room with breakfast. www.hotel-presidente.com. Located in the very center of San José. However, it is not recommended to walk around this area at night.
day 2
From San José to Tortuguero
Departure from your hotel around 6am aboard your lodge's minibus. Journey through the central mountain range and Braulio Carrillo National Park. Around 7:30am, stop for breakfast. Continue the trip by crossing banana plantations, then transfer by boat from the La Pavona dock to your lodge. Lunch at Turtle Beach Lodge. In the afternoon, visit the village of Tortuguero and its beach. Dinner and overnight at Turtle Beach Lodge – www.turtlebeachlodge.com. Optional with supplement: Manatus Hotel, a small establishment offering excellent comfort.
day 3
The little Amazon of Costa Rica
After breakfast, departure for a guided boat excursion to discover the wildlife of Tortuguero National Park, accompanied by your guide. A unique opportunity to observe caimans, otters, howler monkeys and spider monkeys, toucans, sloths, and a wide variety of birds. Lunch at the lodge. Free afternoon to enjoy the hotel facilities and canoes. Dinner and overnight at Turtle Beach Lodge – www.turtlebeachlodge.com. Optional with supplement: Manatus Hotel, a small establishment offering excellent comfort.
day 4
Towards Boca Tapada
Breakfast, then return by boat to La Pavona, followed by a road trip to Guápiles, where your lunch is included. At 1pm, your rental vehicle arrives at the restaurant and the keys are handed over. Departure towards the north of the Caribbean plain, passing through Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, Pital, and El Saíno. From Pital to Boca Tapada, the road crosses vast pineapple plantations. Overnight at Pedacito de Cielo Lodge, room with breakfast. Option with supplement: Maquenque Eco Lodge, treehouse room with breakfast. An ideal site for birdwatching, especially toucans.
day 5
Fauna and flora
Free day in the Boca Tapada region. The lodge takes care of organizing activities, at your own pace. Included: night excursion with a guide to observe local wildlife (frogs, insects, mammals, reptiles...). Night at Pedacito de Cielo Lodge, room with breakfast. Option with supplement: Maquenque Eco Lodge, treehouse room with breakfast. Possible activities: - Canoe or kayak safari on the Rio San Carlos, wildlife observation - Boat excursion on the Rio San Carlos - Birdwatching with a guide - Discovery of the tropical forest with a guide - Night exploration of the tropical forest with a guide
day 6
From Boca Tapada to the Arenal volcano
Route towards the Arenal volcano, passing through Pital, Muelle, and La Fortuna, charming Costa Rican villages. In the afternoon, depending on your accommodation, you can discover: The Arenal Volcano National Park The Arenal Observatory Lodge Nature Reserve The "Eterno de los Niños" Nature Reserve The Arenal 1968 Reserve, where you can access old lava flows and a viewpoint offering a breathtaking view – www.arenal1968.com Choice for your overnight stay: - Hotel Linda Vista – Junior suite room with breakfast. www.hotellindavista.com. Panoramic view of the volcano and Lake Arenal. - La Tigra Rainforest Lodge – Room perched at canopy level with breakfast. www.latigralodge.com. Located 25 km south of the Arenal volcano, near the El Bosque Eterno de los Niños reserve. Option with supplement: Night at the Arenal Observatory Lodge or at the Paradise Hot Springs hotel.
day 7
Canopy and hot springs
Included in your day: At 9am: Access to the Arenal Volcano hanging bridges (Sky Adventure). An immersive 4-kilometer hike through the jungle, featuring impressive hanging bridges, some of which reach over 100 meters in length and 70 meters in height. From 1pm: Entry and dinner at Paradise Hot Springs, a well-deserved moment of relaxation. Your choice for the overnight stay: - Hotel Linda Vista – Junior suite room with breakfast. Panoramic view of the volcano and Lake Arenal. - La Tigra Rainforest Lodge – Room perched at canopy level with breakfast. Located 25 km south of the Arenal Volcano, near the El Bosque Eterno de los Niños reserve. Optional with extra charge: Night at the Arenal Observatory Lodge or at the Paradise Hot Springs hotel.
day 8
From the Arenal volcano to the Monteverde region
After breakfast, departure for the Monteverde cloud forest, skirting Lake Arenal, then passing through Nuevo Arenal and Tilarán. Night of your choice: B&B Mariposa – Room with breakfast With supplement: Trapp Family Hotel – Room with breakfast
day 9
Monteverde Nature Reserve
Included: At 8am, entry to the Monteverde nature reserve. Monteverde offers a multitude of activities to discover. You can choose directly on site or we can discuss them together in advance. All activities can be booked on site via your hotel or directly with the organizers. Night of your choice: B&B Mariposa – Room with breakfast Trapp Family Hotel – Room with breakfast
day 10
To the south of the Nicoya Peninsula
Continuation of the journey towards the south of the Nicoya Peninsula, passing through Nicoya, then along the Gulf of Nicoya via Jicaral and Paquera. In Paquera, head towards the ferry and Organos beach. Night at the Vista Las Islas hotel – Deluxe room with a view of the Gulf of Nicoya and breakfast. This establishment, nestled in the heart of nature, offers a breathtaking view of the gulf and its islands, just 10 minutes from the ferry. You can also ask the hotel to organize a night excursion to observe the fascinating phenomenon of bioluminescence. Option with extra charge: Tango Mar Hotel, directly on the seafront. Calamocha Lodge, a charming establishment made up of five cottages.
day 11
The south of the Nicoya Peninsula
Free day to enjoy the beaches of Gigante, Quesera, and Curu, as well as Tortuga Island, which is best visited early in the morning to avoid the influx of visitors arriving from Puntarenas from 11am onwards. You are also close to Cabo Blanco National Park and the Curu Nature Reserve. Note that Cabo Blanco is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Optional (Hotel Vista Las Islas or Tango Mar): In the evening, possibility of a kayak excursion to observe the natural phenomenon of bioluminescence. Night at Hotel Vista Las Islas – Deluxe room with a view of the Gulf of Nicoya and breakfast. This establishment, nestled in the heart of nature, offers a breathtaking view of the gulf and its islands, just 10 minutes from the ferry. You can also ask the hotel to organize a night excursion to admire the bioluminescence. Option with supplement: - Hotel Tango Mar, directly on the seafront. - Calamocha Lodge, a charming establishment made up of five cottages.
day 12
Relaxation under the Pacific sun
Free day to enjoy the beaches of Gigante, Quesera, and Curu, as well as Tortuga Island, which is best visited early in the morning to avoid the influx of visitors arriving from Puntarenas from 11am onwards. You are also close to Cabo Blanco National Park and the Curu Nature Reserve. Note that Cabo Blanco is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Things to do: explore the south of the peninsula by passing through the villages of Montezuma and Cabuya, then take the trail offering superb panoramas leading to Malpaís and Santa Teresa. Optional (Hotel Vista Las Islas or Tango Mar): In the evening, possibility of a kayak excursion to observe the natural phenomenon of bioluminescence. Night at Hotel Vista Las Islas – Deluxe room with a view of the Gulf of Nicoya and breakfast. An establishment nestled in the heart of nature, offering a breathtaking view of the gulf and its islands, just 10 minutes from the ferry. You can also ask the hotel to organize a night excursion to admire the bioluminescence. Option with supplement: - Hotel Tango Mar, directly on the seafront. - Calamocha Lodge, a charming establishment made up of five cottages.
day 13
Towards Manuel Antonio and Uvita
Departure from your hotel towards Puntarenas. 8:30 am: Arrival at the Paquera ferry. 9:00 am: Departure of the ferry to Puntarenas and crossing of the Gulf of Nicoya. 10:30 am: Arrival of the ferry in Puntarenas. Continuation of the journey towards the central Pacific coast, passing through Puntarenas, Caldera, Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Dominical, and Uvita. Your choice for the overnight stay: - Plaza Yara Hotel – Room with breakfast, located in Manuel Antonio. - Hacienda Barú – Room with pool access, 4 km north of Dominical. The establishment has its own nature reserve and offers activities such as ziplining. - Yaba Chigüí Lodge, on the heights of Ojochal. Option with supplement: La Cusinga Lodge In Manuel Antonio, the national park, although very busy and modest in size, offers accessible and beautiful beaches. In Dominical and Uvita, don't miss the Marino Ballena Marine Park, renowned for marine mammal watching. Humpback whales are present off Marino Ballena National Park and north of Drake Bay, on the Osa Peninsula, between June and October, as well as from December to February.
day 14
The national parks of Manuel Antonio and Uvita
Recommended activities according to your location: In Uvita: At 8:30 am, boat excursion in Marino Ballena National Park to observe marine mammals, including humpback whales (depending on the season). In the afternoon, enjoy the central Pacific coast. We recommend: - The Hacienda Barú nature reserve - The beaches of Ventana and Piñuela - The waterfalls of the hinterland In Manuel Antonio: Discover the national park, its exceptional fauna and flora, as well as its small sheltered beaches. Reservation required. Closed on Tuesdays. Choice for your overnight stay: - Hotel Plaza Yara, room with breakfast, located in Manuel Antonio - Hacienda Barú, room with pool access, 4 km north of Dominical, with its nature reserve and activities such as ziplining - Yaba Chigüí Lodge, on the heights of Ojochal Optional with supplement: La Cusinga Lodge
day 15
Departure from Costa Rica
Return to the Central Valley via Jacó and Orotina. International flights generally leave Costa Rica in the evening. You can therefore enjoy your morning on the Pacific coast before your departure. Return your vehicle to the rental agency, then transfer to the airport for your international flight.