Costa Rica Essentials

Breakfast at your hotel.

Morning drive to the pier, passing through the Braulio Carillo National Park and the vast banana plantations of the region. Navigation in collective boat until the national park of Tortuguero, among its numerous channels winding the heart of the tropical forest where you can already observe its rich flora and fauna (monkeys, green ibis, crocodiles, jacanas of Mexico, toucans...).

Continuation towards your Lodge, and lunch.

Boat trip to the small Caribbean village of Tortuguero and visit of the latter.

OPTIONAL: Donation to the school of Tortuguero and meeting with the school children! 
The small village of Tortuguero, populated largely by immigrants from Nicaragua, lives almost exclusively from tourism, and remains one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in the country. The School of Tortuguero is one of the institutions of the village in great need of funds in order to offer the best possible conditions of reception and education to the children. We suggest that you help the school with a donation of the amount of your choice. Depending on the needs of the school at the time of the trip, this donation can be put back into the school's aid fund to finance projects, or given in kind (books, toys, uniforms, school materials, etc.) to the school when the group visits. If the school calendar and the parent council allow it, the children will be delighted to come and meet you for a little snack on the school grounds. (Rates available on request).

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

OPTIONAL (FROM JULY TO OCTOBER - TO BE RESERVED ON THE SPOT): night excursion to observe the laying of the green turtle! Between July and October many green turtles come to lay their eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park. It is an exceptional phenomenon not to be missed! For the well being of the turtles, this activity is highly regulated by the authorities and can only be done with a specialized guide. The activity is done at night, and is not rebookable in advance. Please contact the lodge reception upon arrival to book. (Rates available on request).

Day Highlight: Visit of Tortuguero village

Hotel/Other Details: Hotel (or similar) : PACHIRA LODGE***

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Breakfast at the lodge.

Boat trip to visit the canals of Tortuguero Park to discover the nature at its awakening. Frequent stops to observe a great variety of birds, monkeys, crocodiles and caimans...

Stroll along the paths of the Lodge to discover its fauna and flora. Your guide will familiarize you with the inhabitants of this exuberant secondary forest (boots and ponchos lent on site if necessary).

Return to the Lodge at the end of the morning for lunch.

Free afternoon to enjoy the beach, the facilities of the Lodge (swimming pool, ...) or optional activities, on site: fishing, kayaking, additional tour in the canals ...

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

OPTIONAL: Have dinner on the water! Dinner on the Tortuguero Lagoon: Enjoy dinner on board a floating restaurant (10-24 pax) or on a floating platform (+10 pax), on the Tortuguero Lagoon in the middle of nature. Subject to availability and weather conditions. (Rates available on request).

Day Highlight: Tortuguero National Park Excursion enroute the trails around the lodge

Hotel/Other Details: Hotel (or similar) : PACHIRA LODGE***

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Breakfast at your lodge.

Transfer by boat to the pier, you will find your bus. Road to Sarapiquí, rich agricultural region (pineapple, palm trees for the heart of palm and the fruit of the pejibaye, guanabana ...).

Lunch on the way in a restaurant of the lodge, then continuation towards the north of the country to reach La Fortuna.

OPTIONNAL : Visit of a heart of palm plantation and tasting Stop at a heart of palm plantation. Doña Maria, the owner of the plantation, will show you around the property and explain to you all about the heart of palm cultivation process. You will then taste some of the recipes created by Doña Maria, all made with fresh heart of palm!

You'll then head to Baldi Hot Springs: relax and dine at this family-friendly resort featuring 25 pure mineralized hot and temperate pools (4 of which are at room temperature), a large natural sauna and spa for Jacuzzi use, three minibars, two gourmet restaurants, 3.5 kilometers of trails and 3.4 hectares of picturesque tropical gardens. (Rates available on request).

Return and overnight at the hotel.

Day Highlight: Evening and dinner in the hot springs

Hotel/Other Details: Hotel (or similar) : ARENAL MONTECHIARI***

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Breakfast at your hotel.

Drive to the suspension bridges! The suspension bridges are located in the 250Ha private nature reserve of primary tropical rainforest. You will pass by 15 bridges, all at different heights (from 10 to 100 meters!), and you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Arenal volcano and the surrounding area from some of them! You will have a front row seat to observe the fauna and flora at the canopy level. The total route is about 3km, accessible to all.

Then we head to Don Hubert's small organic farm! Don Hubert is a former traditional farmer, converted to organic farming, and then, through the detours of life, to ecotourism. His greatest pleasure is now to make visitors discover his little piece of paradise as he calls it: his farm and his plantations! Whether you spend a few hours or a full day at Don Hubert's, your visit will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your trip!

You'll have lunch with fresh products from the farm, then visit the plantations of tropical fruits and vegetables such as pineapples, bananas, cassava, and others so exotic that you'll certainly discover them for the first time! You will then take a tour of the medicinal herb garden. Have you ever wondered what stevia, quinine, cinnamon or turmeric looks like in its raw state? You will have the answer here! Then, you will go to the sugar cane mill where you will taste the freshly extracted sugar cane juice.

OPTIONAL: Visit the cocoa plantation and workshop! Visit the cocoa plantation of the farm. Don Hubert will explain the process of transforming the cocoa bean into chocolate. You will then have the opportunity to make your own chocolate bouché using pure cocoa and aromatic herbs from the farm (mint, cinnamon, etc.). Lunch at the farm with fresh and organic products. (Rates available on request).

Other services and activities available at the farm:

OPTIONAL: Zip line course! Costa Rica is the world pioneer in recreational zip lining! If you are an adrenaline lover you can't miss this activity that will take you to the treetops along cables up to 700 meters long at a height of over 250 meters! (Rates available on request).

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day Highlight: Hanging bridges Afternoon in an organic farm

Hotel/Other Details: Hotel (or similar) : ARENAL MONTECHIARI***

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Breakfast at your hotel.

Hike along the lava flow trail dating from the 1968 eruption. In this private reserve, adjacent to the National Park, there are several trails that allow you to admire much of the fauna and flora that are also present in the Park; you can also observe ancient lava flows from the majestic Arenal volcano whose perfect cone emerges from the surrounding plains.

Departure for the Guanacaste region and superb drive around Lake Arenal. Radical change of scenery, discovery of Guanacaste, a cattle-raising area with pampas and savannah landscapes. Cowboy and ranchero atmosphere and the road to Curubandé, which ends on the trail to the Rincón de la Vieja volcano.

Lunch in a local restaurant enroute.

Dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel and overnight at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day Highlight: Hike on Arenal 1968 trails

Hotel/Other Details: Hotel (or similar) : CAÑON DE LA VIEJA LODGE***

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Breakfast at your hotel.

Excursion to Rincón de la Vieja National Park (closed on Mondays), home to centuries-old trees and astonishing volcanic manifestations. The Rincón de la Vieja volcano, literally "old woman's corner", boasts 14,080 hectares of all kinds of vegetation. With an average altitude of 1,520 m, the park is made up of arid savannahs, mountainous rainforests and fog forests. On a clear day, visitors can enjoy a fabulous view of Guanacaste's dry landscapes.

Continuation to the Pacific coast. Stop in the city of Liberia, the main city of the region, for a guided tour and enjoy a walk in the main park "Mario Cañas" and refresh yourself under the shade of the trees like a real Liberian!

Lunch in Liberia.

Arrival at the hotel, and afternoon at leisure to enjoy the all inclusive services of the hotel. END OF THE BUS SERVICES.

Your all inclusive package includes the following: gym, aerobics and dance classes, animation program for children and adults, nightly shows, dance area, volleyball court on the beach, giant chess game, mini club, table tennis, safe deposit box, access to the swimming pool for adults, children's park.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day Highlight: Visit the Rincon de la Vieja National Park (closed on Mondays)

Hotel/Other Details: Hotel (or similar) :: OCCIDENTAL TAMARINDO****

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Breakfast, lunch and dinner at your hotel.

Day at leisure to enjoy the beach and excursions offered by the hotel.

Your all inclusive package includes the following: all meals at the buffet restaurant, snack bar, alcoholic or soda drinks, Jacuzzi, lobby bar, gym, aerobics and dance classes, animation program for children and adults, nightly shows, dance area, volleyball court on the beach, giant chess game, mini club, table tennis, safe, access to the swimming pool for adults, children's park.

Hotel/Other Details: Hotel (or similar) : OCCIDENTAL TAMARINDO****

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting at the hotel reception with your guide for the transfer to San José.

Lunch at leisure on the way. OPTIONAL: Lunch on route Supplement available on request.

Arrival at the airport of San Jose and boarding formalities.

Flight at the end of the day.

Meal Plan: Breakfast