INDEPENDENT TOUR OF COSTA RICA
Costa Rica is an outdoor adventurer's dream destination. Enjoy the rainforest and volcano hikes, fly through the rainforest on a zip line, find some hidden waterfalls.
The dry season from December to April (dry season) is an ideal time to visit this incredible country, but Costa Rica is a year-round destination. During the wet season, Costa Rica's forests burst with green foliage.
Choose your own travel dates, and let us help you plan an adventure of a lifetime to this unspoiled paradise!
Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol
Day 1: Departure the U.S.
U.S.A. to San Jose, Costa Rica
Depart your home city to San Jose. Upon arrival, a local representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you from the Juan Santamaría International Airport to San José. Accommodations at Hotel Wyndham Garden San Jose Escazu or similar.
Meals : In-flight
Day 2: Doka, Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls
Doka Estate - Poas Volcano - La Paz Waterfalls Garden
Today's tour will take you along the Pan-American highway, through the town of Alajuela, passing by the Agriculture Monument, Juan Santamaría statue and the famous Mangos’ Park. During the ascend to the volcano you will stop at a coffee plantation and next you will pass through strawberry plantations and fern and flower farms. On the top of the volcano, you will spend enough time to observe the principal crater and its sulfuric fumaroles.
As you continue towards the Caribbean area, you will stop to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a Nature Park where you will walk on the truly spectacular trails leading us to La Paz Waterfall (the largest and the most spectacular of the falls in the area). In the park you will also visit one of the largest butterfly observatories in the country, which contains a fascinating collection of these tropical gems and the impressive gallery of hummingbirds. A buffet lunch will be ready for you after the tour. After lunch you will be ready to go back to San José. Accommodations at Hotel Wyndham Garden San Jose Escazu or similar.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: San Jose to Tortuguero
San Jose - Tortuguero
Early morning, departure towards Tortuguero National Park. Breakfast on route.
Tortuguero is one of the most popular ecological destinations, a wonderful network of scenic canals, considered one of the most exotic and rich areas of flora and fauna of the country. It is the most important nesting site, in the western Caribbean, for the great green sea turtle. Nesting period is between the months of July and October.
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the Lodge’s Restaurant. Afternoon tour to the town of Tortuguero. Dinner at the Lodge.
Accommodations at Pachira Lodge or similar.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Tortuguero
Tortuguero
Morning guided walk around the Lodge’s trails. Rest of the morning free to enjoy the Lodge’s facilities or take any of the optional tours offered around the area. Afternoon visit to the Tortuguero National Park canals. Breakfast, Lunch and dinner included. Accommodations at Pachira Lodge or similar.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Tortuguero to Arenal
Tortuguero to Arenal
Get ready to leave Tortuguero, there is a stop in Guápiles for lunch. At set time, transfer from Guápiles to La Fortuna, Arenal. In La Fortuna is the majestic Arenal Volcano active since 1968, a Cloud Forest, a world- famous lake for windsurfing and an incredibly diverse population of wildlife are part of what you will find in this amazing area of Costa Rica. Accommodations at Hotel Arenal Volcano Inn or similar category.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 6: Arenal
Arenal - Hanging Bridges & The Springs Resort
Breakfast in the hotel. The Hanging Bridges Forest Reserve covers an area of 243 hectares (600 acres) of protected forest. This adventure is ideal for those who want to take in the characteristics and beauty of the tropical rainforest on foot.
The 3.1 km (2 mi.) circuit trail will cross 15 impressive bridges, some suspended over the forest canopy and others, which are stationary. The bridges have different lengths and altitudes and were designed to offer different perspectives from which to observe the flora and fauna, as you pass through several levels of the forest. From the bridges, you will have views of the treetops making it easier to locate animals and birds. The topography of the terrain is relatively simple with some short slopes, suitable for all ages and ability levels. Some of the animals that we may observe in this type of forest are 3 different species of monkeys, multiple species of birds, snakes, peccaries, and frogs, among others. At the end of the tour, we will enjoy a delicious snack of tropical fruit with a view of the Arenal Volcano, before taking our transportation back to La Fortuna.
In the afternoon enjoy the Arenal hike. This amazing hike will take you to the very base of the volcano (still at a safe distance), to witness the magnificence of the almost perfectly conical 5479 ft. tall Arenal Volcano. This giant is active since 1968, and even though it has been calmer lately it’s an outstanding adventure. Later, we will visit “The Springs Resort” Hot Springs, where you can bath in the natural pools and hot springs. An extraordinary relaxing experience. Dinner at The Springs Thermal Resort. Return to your hotel. Accommodations at Hotel Arenal Volcano Inn or similar category.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Arenal to San Jose
Arenal to San Jose to U.S.A.
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, departure transfer directly to Juan Santamaria International Airport in time for the return flight home.
For those who make a beach extension, transfer to the chosen hotel (the hotel is not included).
Meals : Breakfast
Price includes:
- Round trip transfers Airport / Hotel/ Airport
- Meals as mentioned in the program (Daily breakfast/4 Lunches/3 Dinners)
- 3 nights accommodations in San Jose with daily breakfast
- 3 Days/2 Nights Tortuguero National Park (full board, regular tours with bilingual guide)
- 2 nights in Arenal with daily breakfast
- Regular tours: Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs, including bilingual guide
- Entrance fees to the National Parks
- Local hotel taxes
Price does not include:
- International airfare
- Meals and services not mentioned in program
- Beverages
- Additional nights or sightseeing tours not included
- Items of a personal nature (room service, phone calls, internet, etc.)
- Medical Coverage and Trip Interruption coverage
Payment information:
- Deposit due at time of booking $500.00 p/p
- Final payment due 90 days prior to departure
