Your itinerary
Day 1
Adventure starts in San José
Begin your adventure in San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. A complimentary transfer from the airport to the hotel is available. Check in and take it easy, there’s plenty of excitement on this trip, so today’s all about relaxing and easing ourselves into the adventure.
Around 7.30pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers when we gather as a group for a short briefing. Our main briefing takes place tomorrow afternoon in Tortuguero due to the late arrival of some flights today.
Want to explore San Jose further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
To Tortuguero National Park
Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San José as we travel to the northeast of Costa Rica to Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only by boat, Tortuguero has a vast network of waterways, canals and swamps that is remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the journey to our lodge (up to 1hr 30min), which is a short distance from the main lagoon. Please note the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for our groups.
This afternoon your tour leader will host the main welcome briefing when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. We also visit Tortuguero village, where it’s possible to enter the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation is requested at the entrance).
Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for the endangered green turtle, which can be seen coming ashore to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, loggerhead, and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region, and from late August through to November, baby turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean. Today’s travel time will be in the region of six hours including a stop for breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 3
Boat tour around Tortuguero waterways
A morning boat trip enables us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero, passing serenely along the waterways. At this time of day, wildlife is usually at its most active, and with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caimans, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. The lodge is a tranquil spot to relax this afternoon if you want to take time out to enjoy the facilities, or you can join a second boat trip or follow a short walking trail through the forest.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 4
To La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano
We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived by taking a small boat to the pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the Arenal region, passing huge banana, pineapple and sugarcane plantations on the way.
Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until fairly recently when it entered a resting phase, and can no longer be seen spitting ash, smoke or lava. However, there is still a lot of geothermal activity and we recommend visiting one of the excellent hot springs whilst in the area.
In clear weather, there are great views of the volcano from our overnight base in the nearby town of La Fortuna. This afternoon, there’s time to relax after our journey or join an optional chocolate and coffee tour.
Today’s travelling time is around 5hr 30min including a lunch stop.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 5
Scenic hike through secondary rainforest • Visit La Fortuna waterfall
Enjoy a scenic walk through a protected area in the Arenal region this morning, following well-maintained trails that wind through lush secondary rainforest. Surrounded by vibrant vegetation, the experience immerses us in the rich biodiversity of the tropics, where birdsong and the sounds of nature accompany every step.
Later, we visit La Fortuna, a 213ft (65m) waterfall plunging into an emerald pool. A short trail through the rainforest brings us to a relatively steep set of steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to the exit – the hike/climb takes around 20-30 minutes and is within the capabilities of anyone with reasonable fitness. Reward your efforts with a cooling dip in one of the natural pools punctuating the foliage. Alternatively, you could visit the lookout point and wait for the group.
After, the rest of day is at leisure to enjoy optional activities such as a chocolate tour or relax at Ecotermales Hot Springs.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
To Monteverde in the Tilaran Mountains
From Arenal, we travel to the Tilaran Mountain Range in the central highlands for our first taste of a Costa Rican cloud forest. The journey provides breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below as we ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region whose name literally means Green Mountain.
The high altitude supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are more than 400 varieties here. Today’s drive is around four hours — the last 25mi (40km) of road is gravel and can be bumpy, particularly following heavy rain.
The rest of the day is free to relax in our hotel or enjoy one of the many optional activities available in Monteverde, including a night walk to encounter nocturnal wildlife such as sloths, frogs, and the elusive kinkajou – a magical experience under the stars.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
This morning, we have a guided walk in Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the first community-managed reserves in Costa Rica and an area celebrated for its biodiversity. To this day, the reserve is managed by the Santa Elena High School with funds channelled into protecting the reserve and providing environmental education classes within the community.
Thanks to its high elevation, Santa Elena is bathed in thick misty clouds, which support a huge range of flowers, ferns, mosses, vines and orchids. Birdlife thrives in the cloud forest with more 425 species recorded here. Santa Elena is also one of the best places to spot noisy howler monkeys swinging through the trees.
In the afternoon, it’s possible to join an optional coffee tour to learn about the importance of this crop to the socio-economic development of the country or join a canopy tour to get a different view of the forest.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
To Manuel Antonio
Our journey takes a southeasterly turn today as we follow the Pan-Am Highway along the coastline to Manuel Antonio, passing African oil palm and teak plantations on the way. Manuel Antonio National Park consists of a vast marine reserve, plus 1,700 acres (690ha) of mangrove swamp, primary and secondary rainforest. The forest vegetation stretches as far as the high-tide line and provides a stunning backdrop to the expansive sandy beaches, forested islands and dramatic rocky headlands. Our drive to Manuel Antonio takes around four hours (not including rest stops and lunch). We settle into our accommodation and, depending on our arrival time, can make use of the hotel facilities.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
Discover Manuel Antonio National Park
A guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park this morning should enable us to have close wildlife encounters. White-faced capuchin monkeys play in the trees and are frequently sighted on the beaches, while noisy howler monkeys are usually heard moving through the trees and calling to each other before they are seen. The endangered titi monkey (squirrel monkey) is fewer in number but can sometimes be spotted in this area. Iguanas, agouti and two- and three-toed sloths are also commonly sighted in the national park. Manuel Antonio’s beaches rank among the most beautiful in the country and we have all afternoon to enjoy them or try one of the optional activities in this region.
Please note, Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays. If your visit falls on a Tuesday, the timing of this activity will be adjusted so you visit the park on the previous day and today will be at leisure to enjoy the many optional excursions of the region.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10
To Dominical or Uvita
Transfer south to either Dominical or Uvita. After settling into our hotel, we visit one of the most beautiful lookout points in the area, which is on a forested mountainside overlooking the coastal plains of Uvita and surrounded by rainforest.
Relax and enjoy a tropical drink as you admire the forest around you, Marino Ballena National Park from above.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 11
Explore Marino Ballena National Park
Spend the morning at Marino Ballena National Park, where we enjoy a walk through this natural conservation area.
Along our route, we have the chance of seeing howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, sloths, bats, raccoons, birds (including scarlet macaws) and other wildlife. Plants and trees, including the wonderful mangrove tree, are also part of the trail.
There are also long whale-watching seasons here too (July–October and December–March) providing exceptional opportunities to observe migrating humpback whales.
In the afternoon, we return to the hotel where there is time to enjoy the facilities, visit the beach or join an optional activity such as a whale and dolphin tour.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 12
To Savegre Valley cloud forest
Our journey takes a northwesterly turn through San Isidro and up and over the Cerro de la Muerte mountains to our next destination, the Savegre Valley, around a 4hr 30min drive from Golfito (not including stops).
The Savegre Valley cloud forest is said to be one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the beautiful, colourful and notoriously shy resplendent quetzal and we have two nights here to discover the region. These endangered birds rely on the cloud forest for their habitat; the males are particularly striking with a green crest, red breast and tailfeathers that can reach a metre long.
A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for quetzal-spotting as these birds camouflage themselves well among the wet leaves of the forest. In the afternoon, we take a short walk from our lodge into the cloud forest.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 13
Free day to explore Savegre Valley
Today is free to relax and explore Savegre Valley. Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the tropical cloud forest or simply enjoy the incredible view from the lodge. You may even wish to wake early to search for the quetzal!
Your tour leader will suggest walks for today, which will involve steep routes, so you can discover the tropical cloud forest and sub-Andean vegetation of the area.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 14
Visit the village of Copey • To San José
Visit the Copey valley this morning to step momentarily into the agricultural lives of those living in the highlands of the Central Mountain Range. We take a short walk through this picturesque area stopping for snacks prepared for us with a local family, which is sure to be a memorable touch of Costa Rican hospitality. A 2hr 30min journey takes us back to San José, where there is time to explore the modern capital.
Tonight we have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, a chance to toast the end of our adventure and look back on the highlights of the trip.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 15
Adventure ends in San José
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before we start saying our goodbyes.
If you aren’t quite ready to leave, speak to your sales representative about extending your adventure – relax on the beach, treat yourself to some spa time, or discover more nature. To ensure total relaxation, you can stay for as many nights as you wish in a range of hotels, and we’ll organise airport transfers in either direction for you.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Food
Hotel breakfasts are normally buffet style, and lunches and dinners at Tortuguero and Esquinas Rainforest Lodge are also buffet style. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish and a staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time here.
Marino Ballena National Park Coastal Walk
Follow sandy paths and beach stretches within this protected shoreline, keeping eyes peeled for scarlet macaws, howler monkeys and sloths in the littoral forest. At low tide, admire the Whale Tail tombolo at Punta Uvita, where two curving beaches meet in a perfect silhouette.
Named for the migrating humpback whales that frequent these waters (July–October and December–March), the park shelters mangroves, coral remnants and nutrient-rich shallows that attract marine life and coastal bird species year-round.
Savegre Valley Cloud Forest Walk & Quetzal Search
Venture along cool, mossy trails in the highlands of the Talamanca range, listening to river murmur and rustling oaks as you search for the resplendent quetzal. With luck, glimpse its emerald-and-crimson plumage among wild avocado trees on serene cloud-forest trails.
This high-mountain cloud forest hosts a remarkable roster of birds and epiphytes sustained by constant mist. The combination of towering oaks, bromeliad gardens and clear streams makes Savegre a Costa Rican classic for patient wildlife watchers.
Marino Ballena Whale & Dolphin Boat Tour
Head offshore aboard a stable vessel to head offshore by boat in search of migrating humpback whales (seasonal) and playful dolphins that ride the bow. A naturalist explains behavior and migration as you scan for blows, flukes and acrobatic breaches.
Operating in long whale seasons (July–October; December–March), this tour is at additional cost, bookable on tour. Lifejackets are provided; sightings, sea conditions and routes vary with the day’s ocean moods.
Tortuguero Village Stroll & Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum
Visit Tortuguero’s colorful Caribbean village to glimpse daily life between river and sea, then step inside the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum. Engaging exhibits illuminate the green turtle nesting cycle, local conservation efforts and the challenges turtles face from egg to ocean.
These beaches are a global nesting hotspot, protected since pioneering research began in 1959. Your time here supports ongoing community-led conservation, with optional donations helping fund patrols, research and education that safeguard future generations of turtles.
Arenal Rainforest Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Walk well-maintained trails through lush secondary rainforest in the Arenal foothills, tuning in to birdsong, orchids and the earthy scent of leaf litter. Continue to La Fortuna Waterfall, where a 213ft (65m) cascade plunges into an emerald pool. Descend at your own pace and reward the effort with a cooling swim below the falls.
Shaped by eruptions through the late 20th century, the Arenal landscape blends lava fields with thriving forest. Even in repose, the volcano’s geothermal heart animates rivers and hot springs, creating a region where rainforest and volcanic drama meet.
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Walk
Explore mist-wreathed paths on a guided walk in Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, where tree ferns, bromeliads and orchids cloak every surface. Listen for distant howler calls and the bell-like notes of cloud-forest birds as you follow trails beneath a cloud-drenched canopy of moss-draped branches.
Managed by the local high school, this community-managed reserve channels visitor fees into conservation and education. Constant moisture at elevation nourishes exceptional biodiversity, from epiphyte gardens to darting hummingbirds, revealing a living classroom of highland ecology.
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Wildlife Walk
Join a guided wildlife walk along gentle trails where rainforest meets the Pacific. Scan for white-faced capuchins, iguanas and the endearing two- and three-toed sloths, and pause at pristine coves such as Playa Manuel Antonio to admire turquoise water framed by jungle.
Though compact, Costa Rica’s most famous park protects an outsized slice of biodiversity. Mangroves, beach almond trees and coastal forest create vital habitat in one of the country’s most photogenic rainforest-meets-sea landscapes.
Dominical–Uvita Rainforest Lookout Sundowner
Ascend to a forested ridge above the South Pacific coast and soak in panoramic views as the light softens over Marino Ballena National Park. With a refreshing tropical drink in hand, trace the famous Whale Tail sandbar far below and watch the ocean shift from cobalt to copper.
Perched amid rainforest alive with parrots and cicadas, this vantage point captures the coast’s drama and calm in one frame—the breeze cooler, the colors richer, and the horizon stretching endlessly toward a golden Pacific sunset.
Copey Valley Village Walk & Local Family Tasting
Visit the village of Copey to stroll past orchards, kitchen gardens and pocket coffee plots in a tranquil highland valley. Pause to share homemade snacks with a welcoming family and hear about highland farming traditions shaped by cool mountain air.
Known for apples, blackberries and small-scale agriculture, the valley offers a candid snapshot of rural life. It’s a gentle cultural encounter imbued with everyday pura vida hospitality and sweeping views down folded green slopes.
Tortuguero Turtle Nesting Night Walk (Seasonal)
When in season, join a guided night patrol to witness the ancient ritual of green turtle nesting (late July–October) or hatchlings making for the surf (late August–November). Move quietly along the beach under a strict red-light protocol that protects the turtles’ natural behavior.
Led by licensed local guides under Sea Turtle Conservancy rules, this experience is at additional cost, bookable on tour, and subject to weather, tide and ranger authorization. As with all wildlife, sightings are not guaranteed.
Arenal Chocolate & Coffee Farm Experience
Trace cacao’s journey from pod to bar and coffee’s path from cherry to cup on an interactive farm visit. Taste bean-to-bar chocolate, grind roasted nibs, and sample Costa Rican coffee while learning how these crops shaped local livelihoods.
Set amid rich volcanic soils, the plantations reveal terroir and tradition in every sip and bite. This experience is at additional cost, bookable on tour, with tastings guided by passionate producers.
Ecotermales Hot Springs Evening (Arenal)
Ease into a series of terraced, forest-framed pools and soak in natural hot springs as steam curls into the night air. Rotating between geothermal pools of varying temperatures, unwind to the soundtrack of tree frogs in a lush rainforest setting.
Heated by Arenal’s underground energy, this restorative evening is at additional cost, bookable on tour. Transfers are included; towels and lockers are typically available onsite.
Monteverde Night Wildlife Walk
Step onto reserve trails after dark to experience the cloud forest at night. With your guide’s trained eye and guide’s flashlight, look for nocturnal wildlife such as kinkajous, sleeping toucans, glass frogs and impressive tarantulas amid dew-lit leaves.
Cooler temperatures awaken new sounds and movements in the canopy. This small-group walk is at additional cost, bookable on tour, and reveals creatures seldom seen by day.
Monteverde Canopy Zipline Adventure
Clip into a secure harness and fly along zip lines stretched between forested ridges, savoring canopy-level views over valleys veiled in cloud. Platforms and cables deliver a thrilling yet controlled perspective on the green world above the forest floor.
A signature Monteverde experience, tours are run by established operators with safety briefings and gear checks. This activity is at additional cost, bookable on tour; weight and age limits may apply.
Tortuguero Waterways Wildlife Boat Safari
Cruise the mirror-still canals of Tortuguero National Park with a naturalist guide, scanning for caimans, iguanas and the water-running basilisk. Overhead, herons and toucans stir while troops of howler monkeys move through the canopy. Settle into the hush as you cruise the waterways and watch for howler monkeys and sloths along this emerald corridor.
Accessible only by boat, Tortuguero is a mosaic of rainforest, mangrove and black-water canals shaped by Caribbean currents. The absence of roads heightens the sense of immersion in a tranquil, roadless forest, where ripples and birdsong replace traffic and the jungle’s rhythms take over.
