• 5 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Dinner (D)

• Tortuguero National Park: Flexibility is key when you’re travelling in Costa Rica. The itinerary will give you a good idea of what your trip is gonna look like. But routes, schedules, hotels & modes of transportation may be subject to change without prior notice because of local circumstances or events beyond Contiki’s control. 
• Mexico City: You’ll now book and pay for your Free Time Add-Ons through WeTravel — a simple website link where you can browse all the FTAs, pick what you’re keen on, and pay directly by card, in any currency. You’ll get the link in your Welcome Email, usually 3–5 days before your trip starts. Once you’re in, it’s easy: check out the pics, descriptions and prices, add your chosen experiences to your cart, then check out online. You can book before your trip starts or while you’re on the road, up until each activity’s booking deadline.Missed the link? No stress. Your Trip Manager can share it with you on trip too.
• Iguazú Falls: You’ll need to bring USD cash with you, as it’s the only way to pay for the Free Time Add-Ons on this trip. You’ll receive the cost of each option in your Welcome Email. Plus, we recommend you bring Visa and/or Master Card (American Express or Discover cards aren’t widely accepted).  
• Iguazú Falls: You’ll usually receive a 10% service charge on your restaurant bill. But tipping isn’t a requirement. Either way, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip will always be appreciated! We recommend tipping 12% of the total bill. 
• San Isidro: Yup, Costa Rican cities have lots of ATMs (just be wary of those sneaky fees). But in more rural places you’re better off carrying cash.
• Iguazú Falls: Your Trip Manager brings the group together with all the info, fun facts and food recommendations you’ll ever need. Plus, they’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and address any issues. They’ll be there with you throughout the trip and will be your go-to person if you need anything. They’ll also fill you in on the cultural and historical context of the places you visit with some informal talks when relevant. 
• Tortuguero National Park: Costa Rica’s tropical climate has two seasons: dry and rainy (or “green,” as locals say). Microclimates vary, but temperatures stay between 70–80°F year-round. Higher elevations dip to 50°F, while Pacific beaches can hit nearly 100°F. With no Daylight-Saving Time, expect sunrises around 5 AM, and sunsets by 6 PM! 
• Lake Arenal: Please check the latest travel info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if you’re travelling to Costa Rica. We also recommend that you consult your local health clinic or doctor for more details.
• Iguazú Falls: Drinking tap water isn’t recommend. So, please stick to bottled water (even when brushing your teeth). There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase bottled water during the trip. 
• You can bring 1 hand luggage + 1 suitcase or backpack per person. The maximum suitcase size is 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”) & weight of 20kg (44lbs). Remember to keep it light as you’ll have to carry and lift your own luggage at times and even walk short distances with it. 
• Iguazú Falls: Most places use similar plugs to the US and Europe, but it’s a good idea to bring a circular two-prong adapter just in case. No voltage converter is needed for devices like phones and laptops, but you may need one for high-powered devices (e.g., hairdryers).
• Buenos Aires: Pack light, but smart. Think: layers for all types of weather, comfy walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), a daypack, any meds, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, and even a circular two-prong power adapter. Don’t worry tho, your Trip Manager will send a full list of things you should pack before your trip starts. 
• Lima: Safety: You’ll stay in expert-picked areas that are safe and convenient. While you’re on your own, it’s best to stick to safe areas, follow your gut & of course, use your common sense (avoid dark alleys, don’t leave valuables unattended, use crosswalks).  Water & Food: It’s best to avoid drinking tap water in any of these countries. Stick to bottled water (even for brushing your teeth!). You’ll have plenty of opportunities to purchase them on your trip.  Toilets: We’ll make a service stop along the way where you can use a toilet. But remember to toss used toilet paper in the trash, not the toilet (don’t wanna clog it up!)  WiFi/Cell Service: WiFi is available at most accommodations and restaurants, but it can be slow. It’s best to check with your phone provider about international plans. 

• Arenal: Grab your camera, as you’re about to experience a live (and very photogenic) volcano in the Costa Rican rainforest. 
• Insta-op! Trek around the jungle and admire this sparkling tower of water. Then cool off with a dip in the pool.
• Wanna do your bit to help the planet while out on the road? This is your chance to help support the local ecosystem. As you work, you’ll learn all about the local trees, and the benefits that replanting them has for the ecosystem and the wildlife that lives here.

Contiki

Admire Arenal Volcano rising above the rainforest, its steep, near-symmetrical cone one of Costa Rica’s most recognisable sights. Bring your camera for views of the volcano against the surrounding green landscape.

Arenal’s volcanic history has shaped the region, from its rugged terrain to the geothermal waters found nearby. This included experience centres on seeing and photographing the volcano; a summit hike or hot-spring visit is not part of it.

Plant a tree near Monteverde as part of a local forest-regeneration experience. Learn about the trees growing here, the benefits of replanting them and the wildlife that depends on a healthy ecosystem. You can even give your tree a name.

Monteverde is known for its misty highland forests and rich biodiversity. This hands-on activity offers a way to engage with the landscape beyond sightseeing, while supporting efforts to protect and restore it.

Walk through Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, keeping watch for wildlife among the trees. Bring your camera for the contrast of dense rainforest and pale-sand beaches that makes this protected area so distinctive.

The park shelters a varied mix of habitats in a compact coastal setting. Slow down along the trails to look for movement in the canopy and appreciate where tropical forest meets the sea; wildlife sightings depend on nature, not a set schedule.

Rappel into a rainforest canyon in the Arenal region for an active encounter with Costa Rica’s tropical landscape. Descending alongside steep, green canyon walls puts you close to the textures and sounds of the forest.

This is an adventure-focused alternative to a slower-paced outing in the area, with a different perspective from walking a trail. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Your tour team can provide the practical details before you choose.

Soak in geothermal hot springs in the Arenal region, where naturally heated water offers a relaxed way to enjoy the volcanic surroundings. Settle into the warmth and take in the tropical atmosphere at a gentler pace.

Arenal’s volcanic geology is closely tied to the area’s thermal waters, making a soak a distinctive local experience rather than an ordinary pool visit. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. The specific hot-spring venue is not named in the itinerary.

Visit a local chocolate farm to explore a sweeter side of Costa Rica and sample chocolate close to where cacao is grown. The itinerary offers this experience as an option during the Arenal or Tamarindo portion of the trip.

Cacao has deep roots in Central American food culture, while small-scale farms connect that heritage with present-day production. This visit offers a chance to learn about the crop behind the finished treat. It is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Cruise by catamaran off Tamarindo for a sea-level perspective on Costa Rica’s Pacific shoreline. Leave the bustle of the beach behind and take in the open water, coastal views and warm ocean air.

Tamarindo’s appeal extends beyond its surf breaks, and time aboard offers a more relaxed way to experience its marine setting. This optional cruise is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Your tour team can confirm the sailing details and what is included aboard.

Walk across hanging bridges among Monteverde’s cloud-forest treetops. Elevated pathways offer views into the canopy while allowing a quieter, walking-paced encounter with the lush surroundings.

Mist, moss-covered vegetation and layered greenery give this highland forest a character unlike Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches. Look out across the foliage and appreciate the habitat from above the forest floor. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Walk through Costa Rican jungle to a waterfall, with time to admire the cascade and photograph its forest setting. Cool off with a dip in the pool beneath the falls, a refreshing contrast to the warm tropical air.

Listen for birds and take in the layered greenery on the approach. The supplied tour details do not name the waterfall, so this experience is best understood as a hosted waterfall outing rather than a visit to a particular named site.

Snorkel in the waters off Tamarindo and look for marine life beneath the surface of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Time in the water offers a different view of this beach destination from its shoreline and surf breaks.

Conditions and sightings vary with the sea, so the experience is about observing what the coastal environment reveals on the day. This optional activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Check the available arrangements with your tour team before taking part.

Give surfing a try at Playa Tamarindo, a Pacific beach town known for its waves and lively surf culture. Spend time in the water experiencing the coastline from a board rather than the sand.

Surfing is part of Tamarindo’s identity, and its broad, golden beach draws travellers keen to get out among the breaks. This optional activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Ask your tour team what equipment or instruction is available for your chosen session.

Zipline through the treetops at Selvatura Park in Monteverde, taking in views over the green canopy as you travel between platforms. It is an active way to experience the scale of Costa Rica’s cloud-forest landscape.

Monteverde’s higher elevation brings cool air and frequent mist, giving the forest its distinctive atmosphere. The zipline puts that setting at the heart of the adventure. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.