Costa Rica Highlights Upgrade
Walk among the natural wonders of Costa Rica
Wander through the stunning and diverse landscapes of Costa Rica as you explore verdant rainforests, impressive volcanoes, and mysterious clouded jungles. Enjoy a boat ride to and from Tortuguero National Park, hike Arenal Volcano to soak in the hot springs near the top, and keep an eye out for native mammals while trekking through the jungle of Monteverde. This Costa Rica vacation package includes upgraded hotels in all locations!
What's Included
- Roundtrip economy class airfare to San Jose (SJO)
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- 1 night in San Jose at the Crowne Plaza Corobici, or similar
- Ground & boat transportation from San Jose to Tortuguero National Park
- 2 nights in the Tortuguero National Park area at the Pachira Lodge, or similar
- Visit to the Tortuguero Village and secondary canals
- Transfer from Guapiles (Tortuguero) to the Arenal Volcano area
- 2 nights in the Arenal Volcano area at the Arenal Springs Resort, or similar
- Half-day Arenal Volcano Hike & Tabacon Hot Springs
- Transfer from the Arenal Volcano area to the Monteverde area, including Arenal Lake crossing by boat
- 2 nights in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, at the El Establo Mountain Hotel, or similar
- Half-day tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest Private Reserve
- Transfer from Monteverde area to San Jose
- 1 night in San Jose at the Doubletree by Hilton Cariari, or similar
- Daily breakfast, 3 lunches & 3 dinners
Great Ways to Explore
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Start and end your amazing journey in San Jose, coming full circle through a variety of surroundings.
- Board a boat to Tortuguero National Park and spend your time on the island sailing along the canals and visiting Tortuguero Village.
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Hike up Arenal Volcano to the natural hot springs waiting for you at the top.
-
Enjoy the lush surroundings of dewy rain forest, arid volcanoes, and mysterious cloud forest.
-
Get a deeper understanding of the various ecosystems that live harmoniously among one another within the region.
Enter the vibrant life that inhabits Costa Rica on this 8 night adventure. Begin in San Jose with a quick overnight, then move on to Tortuguero, admiring the lush jungle waterfalls, banana farms, and volcano ranges as you make your way to the docks.
Tour Tortuguero National Park, watching turtles, birds and small mammals, and identifying rare and unique greenery that is protected over the island. You'll also get to cruise along the smaller canals and visit Tortuguero Village. Next, you'll move from humid jungle to steamy volcanoes.
Engage in an invigorating hike up Arenal Volcano to the hot springs at the top, passing through vegetation and cooled lava rock formations on the way. After your hike, you'll get a chance to relax in the springs.
From your sulfurous stay, you'll move on to misty, cloudy forest packed with dense vegetation and majestic trees. Monteverde is home to a plethora of animals and offers the chance to see the difference between a cloud forest and a rain forest. With so many varied and unique ecosystems so close to one another, this trip brings you the best that Costa Rica has to offer.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Roundtrip economy class airfare to San Jose (SJO)
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- 1 night in San Jose at the Crowne Plaza Corobici, or similar
- Ground & boat transportation from San Jose to Tortuguero National Park
- 2 nights in the Tortuguero National Park area at the Pachira Lodge, or similar
- Visit to the Tortuguero Village and secondary canals
- Transfer from Guapiles (Tortuguero) to the Arenal Volcano area
- 2 nights in the Arenal Volcano area at the Arenal Springs Resort, or similar
- Half-day Arenal Volcano Hike & Tabacon Hot Springs
- Transfer from the Arenal Volcano area to the Monteverde area, including Arenal Lake crossing by boat
- 2 nights in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, at the El Establo Mountain Hotel, or similar
- Half-day tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest Private Reserve
- Transfer from Monteverde area to San Jose
- 1 night in San Jose at the Doubletree by Hilton Cariari, or similar
- Daily breakfast, 3 lunches & 3 dinners
-
Start and end your amazing journey in San Jose, coming full circle through a variety of surroundings.
- Board a boat to Tortuguero National Park and spend your time on the island sailing along the canals and visiting Tortuguero Village.
-
Hike up Arenal Volcano to the natural hot springs waiting for you at the top.
-
Enjoy the lush surroundings of dewy rain forest, arid volcanoes, and mysterious cloud forest.
-
Get a deeper understanding of the various ecosystems that live harmoniously among one another within the region.
Enter the vibrant life that inhabits Costa Rica on this 8 night adventure. Begin in San Jose with a quick overnight, then move on to Tortuguero, admiring the lush jungle waterfalls, banana farms, and volcano ranges as you make your way to the docks.
Tour Tortuguero National Park, watching turtles, birds and small mammals, and identifying rare and unique greenery that is protected over the island. You'll also get to cruise along the smaller canals and visit Tortuguero Village. Next, you'll move from humid jungle to steamy volcanoes.
Engage in an invigorating hike up Arenal Volcano to the hot springs at the top, passing through vegetation and cooled lava rock formations on the way. After your hike, you'll get a chance to relax in the springs.
From your sulfurous stay, you'll move on to misty, cloudy forest packed with dense vegetation and majestic trees. Monteverde is home to a plethora of animals and offers the chance to see the difference between a cloud forest and a rain forest. With so many varied and unique ecosystems so close to one another, this trip brings you the best that Costa Rica has to offer.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Departure Airport:
Departure Month:
Prices From:
Day 1. Welcome to San Jose!
Touchdown in sunny Costa Rica to meet with your representative who will supply you with all necessary documentation and your itinerary, as well as any other information you might need. Then you'll be transferred to your hotel to check-in for one night in preparation for the rest of your trip!
Transfer to hotel
Check-in - Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici, an IHG Hotel
Kick back and relax at the contemporary Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici! Feel your eyes widen as you walk through the atrium, which boasts sky-high ceilings, stylish seating areas, and flooding natural light. Check-in with the friendly reception team, then mosey through the halls and find your room. Open the door to plush beds, WiFi, flat-screen TV, sparkling bathrooms, and more. Take a quick nap, then unpack your swimsuit and head for the pool! Take a refreshing dip or lounge in the warm sun with a drink in-hand. Work all your stresses away at the on-site state-of-the-art fitness center, melt your worries away in the sauna, or sink into the steamy Jacuzzi.
When you work up an appetite, decide between El Tucan Restaurant, which serves sophisticated Costa Rican cuisine near the pool, or Fuji Restaurant, which serves traditional Japanese cuisine in a hibachi-table setting. After a delicious dinner, unwind with a drink at the lobby bar!
Day 2. San Jose - Tortuguero National Park
Rise early for a day of travel, beginning with a trip through the North Caribbean Plains where volcanic mountain ranges and jungle-enclosed waterfalls are on all sides, to the docks where you'll board a boat to sail to Tortuguero National Park, which sits comfortably on an island that can only be accessed by boat or aircraft.
Enjoy the leisurely boat ride through canals shaded by the rain forest as you make your way to Tortuguero. You'll have time to admire the unique birds that call the regional flora home before disembarking and making your way to the lodge where you'll spend the next two nights. You'll have the opportunity to stay in the lush national park, visit the village of Tortuguero to gain a deeper understanding of its colorful history, and learn about the the time and energy that goes into the conservation of the park, especially for the turtles that come to spawn each year.
Sail to Tortuguero National Park!
Transfer to hotel
Check-in - Pachira Lodge
Pachira Lodge is a 4-star hotel located just minutes' away from Tortuguero National Park. On-site guests can enjoy exploring the rainforest, encounter wildlife, and witness unforgettable events such as sea turtle nesting.
Guests have access to the hotel's buffet-style restaurant that serves Costa Rican and Caribbean cuisine. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a bar, and spa services.
Guest rooms are bright and spacious, with views of the hotel's gardens. Amenities include a private bathroom, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi, and an in-room safe.
The hotel is conveniently situated facing the main lagoon, only a brief 5-minute boat ride from the National Tortuguero Park and just 3 minutes from the charming town that shares its name.
Day 3. Tortuguero National Park
Today you'll get to navigate along the secondary canals by boat while experiencing a closeness to nature with your expert guides. Get the chance to encounter a variety of birds, reptiles, turtles, and forest mammals that call nearly 300 square miles of protected park home.
During certain times of the year, you can also choose to go on a separate nighttime excursion to watch newly-hatched baby turtles make their way to the water.
Visit to Tortuguero Village
Visit the village of Tortuguero, a bustling and colorful town with strong Afro-Caribbean roots that's best known for attracting nesting sea turtles. Learn about the lifestyle of local residents and the significant conservation efforts that some NGOs have developed to protect turtles that come to spawn each year along the 22 miles of protected coastline.
Secondary Tortuguero Canals Tour
Enjoy a scenic two and half hour boat ride through canals sheltered in the jungle of the Tortuguero rainforest. From the boat, admire the unique flora and fauna of this region. The maze of freshwater creeks and lagoons behind the beaches of Tortuguero are home to seven species of river turtles, crocodiles, otters, crustaceans, and over 50 species of freshwater fish. You are also likely to see at least three species of monkeys and dozens of species of birds!
Day 4. Tortuguero National Park - Arenal Volcano
After breakfast, return to the mainland by boat and continue on through beautiful scenery and rural towns to La Fortuna de San Carlos. Look out to see the mighty Arenal Volcano standing over the town to welcome you. Check into your hotel and prepare for your upcoming adventure.
Transfer to boat
Sail to mainland
Transfer to Arenal Volcano
Check-in - Arenal Springs Resort & Spa
Hotel Arenal Springs is located near natural hot springs in Fortuna, a 20 minute drive from the Arenal Volcano site. Soak in rich mineral waters in the middle of Costa Rica's beautiful tropical rainforest! You'll never be bored because this hotel offers a wide variety of activities from zip lining to river rafting to mountain biking.
In addition to the hot springs, the hotel features three outdoor swimming pools including a children's pool. Unwind with a drink at one of the hotel's bars, including a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. Dine on international, Italian, and Japanese cuisine at three on-site restaurants. Bright and airy rooms feature flat-screen cable TV, air conditioning, terraces, private bathrooms and views of the garden and Arenal Volcano and the garden.
Day 5. Arenal Volcano
Take the morning to enjoy breakfast or sleep in, and then put on your hiking boots, because you'll be climbing through the Arenal Volcano trails to the Tabacon Hot Springs.
Hike past an amazing variety of flora and fauna as you climb among rocks that are composed of cooled lava. Enjoy the victory of climbing the volcano by soaking in the natural hot springs, then enjoying a delicious dinner before being transported back to your hotel.
Arenal Volcano
Spend the afternoon hiking up the active Arenal Volcano. While following the trails, you'll get the opportunity to see the wide variety of flora and fauna that thrives among the rich volcanic soil, as well as rock formations that have formed from lava that has cooled.
At the end of your hike, you will also get to soak in the natural Tabacon Hot Springs, and enjoy transportation back to the hotel.
Day 6. Arenal Volcano - Monteverde
Set out in the morning, waving goodbye to Arenal Volcano, and continue on to the next stop of your adventure, touring along the way.
Cross Arenal Lake, the largest and most important lake in Costa Rica, meander through the Tilaran Mountain Range, and finally enter the region known for its tropical cloud forests: Monteverde.
Stay two nights here, picking out activities in the area to try, like the Sky Walk, the Trapiche cultural tour, Horseback riding, the Butterfly Garden, and more.
Transfer from Arenal Volcano to Monteverde
Boat across Arenal Lake!
Check-in - El Establo Mountain Hotel
In addition to a full-service spa, El Establo Mountain Hotel features an outdoor tennis court and an outdoor pool. Dining is available at one of the hotel's 2 restaurants. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. A complimentary breakfast is offered. Public areas are equipped with complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access.
Laid-back, comfortable rooms include all the necessities to make a traveler comfortable. There is a flat-screen TV, minifridge, safe, and balcony or terrace.
Arenal Volcano - Monteverde
Travel across Arenal Lake, through the beautiful scenery of the Tilaran Mountain Range, and finally arrive at the cloud forest of Monteverde.
This private sanctuary is known for its rich and diverse inhabitants, including majestic trees entangled with orchids, ferns, vines, and mosses, as well as a multitude of bird species and wildlife.
Day 7. Monteverde
Set out on a tour through Monteverde's Cloud Forest Private Reserve. Wander through and spot a beautiful array of bird species, stand in awe under majestic trees, and make your way through dense vegetation that provides a habitat for many animal species.
Learn about the different types of ecosystems in the region, the unique wildlife in the area, then spend the afternoon at leisure while mulling over your new information.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Private Reserve
Hike among a huge variety of plants, over 450 species of birds, and the solemn majesty of stoic trees as you discover the Monteverde Private Reserve for yourself. Providing a habitat for hundreds of species of flora and fauna, the reserve is an important link in the growing network of protected areas in Costa Rica.
Discover the amazing ecosystems that can thrive all within one region and admire the unique life that coexists with one another.
Day 8. Monteverde - San Jose
Make your way back to San Jose, traveling along sparkling coastlines, through imposing mountain ranges, and among thriving rain forest. Check into your hotel and spend your last full day picking out souvenirs and snapping photos!
Transfer to San Jose
Check-in - Doubletree by Hilton Cariari
Doubletree by Hilton Cariari is a 4-star hotel in beautiful San Jose, Costa Rica. The hotel features a heated outdoor pool, a spa, and several restaurants including a poolside bar. There is also an on-site fitness center open 24-hours. The front desk is available 24-hours to assist with guests' needs around the clock.
Guest rooms are bright and spacious with black-out curtains to ensure a restful night's sleep. There is a private bathroom with a hair dryer. Other amenities include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a desk, a TV, in-room safe, coffee maker, iron/ironing board, and room service.
The hotel is in an ideal location, just about 5.5 miles from the National Museum of Costa Rica and from the National Stadium at La Sabana Metropolitan Park.
Day 9. Depart San Jose
Pack your souvenirs safely and transfer to the airport for your flight home!
Transfer to airport
Fly home!
We have selected the most economical flight schedule for you. Please note that shorter and more convenient flight options may be available at an additional cost.
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