itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT SAN JOSE
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and make the 20 minute transfer to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free to recover from your flight amidst the attractive gardens and swimming pools of Xandari. If you want to stretch your legs, there is a lovely trail on the property to a series of impressive waterfalls.
Accommodation: Xandari Resort and Spa, San Jose
DAY 2: TRANSFER BY ROAD AND BOAT TO TORTUGEURO NATIONAL PARK (4.5HRS)
Today take a 3 ½ hour shared coach journey, stopping en route for breakfast, followed by a one hour journey by motorised canoe, to Tortuguero National Park. Arrive at your accommodation in time for lunch. Known as the ‘Little Amazon’, Tortuguero is home to a strong concentration of wildlife, and during your stay you should have a good chance of viewing howler and capuchin monkeys, caiman, and macaws. Several activities are included during your stay at Tortuguero; these comprise a guided jungle walk, a visit to the local village and a boat excursion along the national park’s labyrinth of canals. Activities and transfers take place in small shared groups with other guests from the lodge.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge, Tortuguero
DAY 3: JUNGLE HIKE AND BOAT TOUR OF TORTUGEURO NATIONAL PARK
Today perhaps enjoy a guided hike in the jungle around the lodge and a boat tour along the national park canals. Tortuguero’s big draw for wildlife lovers is the turtle hatching and nesting season, which runs from late July to September. Although some stragglers might be seen during the day, all the action happens at night when hundreds of turtles emerge from the sea to lay their eggs in the sandy beach. If you are extremely lucky you might see the hatchlings emerge from their eggs and make their own way back down to the ocean. This activity is seasonal and subject to permit availability – note that allotted time slots may be in the middle of the night.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge, Tortuguero
DAY 4: DRIVE TO ARENAL (4HRS)
Today take a one hour boat journey followed by a shared one hour road transfer to Guapiles. Here you can pick up your hire car before embarking on a two hour drive to Arenal. Arrive at your accommodation and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Accommodation: Casa Luna, Arenal
DAY 5: ARENAL - WATERFALLS, ZIPWIRES, VOLCANOES AND HOT SPRINGS
With your own car you can be free to explore independently and take your pick of the various tours and attractions in the area. In terms of activities, our highlights for families include the hot springs at Baldi, the skytrek zipwire, wild swimming at Fortuna Waterfall, hikes in the Arenal National Park (guided or independent) and rafting. The guided tours here can add up and have a big impact on costs for a family, so we will discuss the options with you and prepare a quote based on your preferences.
Accommodation: Casa Luna, Arenal
DAY 6: ARENAL - WATERFALLS, ZIPWIRES, VOLCANOES AND HOT SPRINGS
The skytrek zipwire hosts seven zip lines covering a massive distance in a zig zag over a vertiginous canyon. Teenagers and brave younger kids will love this, those who are scared of heights or who don’t like to be out of their comfort zone will not! Fortuna Waterfall is a lovely half day activity, an easy 10 minute drive from town. It is a short but steep trail to the falls, which drop about 75m from the tropical rainforest into a swimmable pool - get there early and remember to bring your swimming costumes. The trails of Arenal Volcano National Park provide an opportunity to learn the history of this stunning volcano. Weather allowing there will be stunning views of the volcano, the opportunity to walk on the (thankfully) now dry lava fields, and good chances of seeing wildlife, as the ash layer in the soil prevents the growth of large trees. Although the volcano hasn't erupted in recent times, you still occasionally hear it rumbling and see small clouds of vapour emerging from the crater. Independent hiking is possible on marked trails, or we can arrange a guided hike. There are a number of hot spring resorts available locally, ranging from the peace and quiet of Eco Termales to the crazy waterslides of Baldi. We've tried most and think Baldi is the most fun for a family. For rafting there are float trips (4yrs+), Grade 2-3 rafting (8yrs+) trips available close to Arenal as well as longer day tours out to the famous Grade 4-5 Paquare and Sarapiqui Rivers (both 12yrs+)
Accommodation: Casa Luna, Arenal
DAY 7: DRIVE ARENAL TO MONTEVERDE (2.5HRS). CLOUD FOREST NIGHT WALK
The quickest and most enjoyable way to travel from Arenal to Monteverde is by boat across the lake as this avoids the long and winding road round the water’s edge. The journey takes approximately two hours. On arrival, enjoy an afternoon at leisure at the lodge, before setting out in the evening for an exciting night walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This guided experience begins at sunset, when wildlife is at its most active. You will have the opportunity to hear and observe an impressive array of animals including sloth, coati, agouti, porcupine, and grey fox, along with numerous insects and hosts of sleeping birds.
Accommodation: Cloud Forest Lodge, Monteverde
DAY 8: MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST TOUR
Founded in 1972, the 3,500 hectare Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is internationally renowned for its dramatic biodiversity, and for its contributions to conservation and scientific research. Today you will hike through the well-marked trails, waterfalls, rivers, and observation areas of this prestigious reserve. Acclaimed as one of the ‘seven wonders’ of Costa Rica, the Cloud Forest’s geographical, topographical, and climatic conditions have spawned a remarkable diversity of wildlife. The reserve’s forests house numerous ecosystems inhabited by mammals, birds, reptiles, spiders, and insects, along with indigenous trees, plants, mosses, and tropical epiphytes and lianas. You may be lucky enough to spot the splendidly exotic Quetzal.
Accommodation: Cloud Forest Lodge, Monteverde
DAY 9: DRIVE FROM MONTEVERDE TO NOSARA (4HRS)
It is a picturesque drive West to the Pacific Coast. Our favourite beach town on the Pacific Coast is Nosara. Nosara combines superb beaches with a laid-back atmosphere and its unique offering of world class surf, yoga, great food, coffee and craft beer is hard to beat. Playa Pelada is best for swimming and enjoying the sunsets, while Playa Guiones is the main surf beach with miles of golden sands lapped by consistent and clean 3-5 foot waves, ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers and anyone who likes playing in the waves. There are a handful of surf hire shops in town and lessons are easy to arrange.
Accommodation: The Gilded Iguana, Nosara
DAY 10: NOSARA, PACIFIC COAST
If surfing’s not for you, then it’s possible to rent a body-board and play around in the waves. Nosara also has miles of mountain biking trails to explore, plus it’s known for being Costa Rica's premiere yoga location. Yoga is on offer not only at the hotel but also at the renowned Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort which offers daily classes to anyone who wishes to sign up. The nearby Ostional Beach offers some of the best turtle viewing in Costa Rica (seasonal). Turtles return to land to nest in the evenings, particularly during full moons. Ask at your hotel and they will let you know the best time to visit and arrange a tour for you.
Accommodation: The Gilded Iguana, Nosara
DAY 11: NOSARA, PACIFIC COAST
Another full day at leisure. Eating out in Nosara is fantastic fun, with half a dozen good restaurants to choose from, each with a buzzing atmosphere. 10 Pies (pizzas and swing chairs), Burgers & Beer (craft beer and burgers), El Chivo Cantina (tex mex & live music), La Luna (beachfront fine dining & sunsets) and Beach Dog Cafe (live music, tacos and cocktails) are all great options.
Accommodation: The Gilded Iguana, Nosara
DAY 12: NOSARA, PACIFIC COAST
Another full day at leisure.
Accommodation: The Gilded Iguana, Nosara
DAY 13: DRIVE TO MANUEL ANTONIO (6HRS)
Today you will drive to Manuel Antonio National Park. It is a reasonably long journey, so we recommend starting early.
Accommodation: Hotel Si Como No, Manuel Antonio
DAY 14: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
Manual Antonio National Park is a small, busy, and incredibly picturesque national park with a fantastic density of wildlife, which pretty much guarantees monkey and sloth bear sightings. The park is located around a point, fringed on both sides by golden sand beaches. We recommend packing a picnic, hitting the park early or late in the day to avoid the crowds, and combining it with a cooling swim in the sea. Keep your eyes peeled for sloth bears, toucans, macaws and white faced monkeys. We have included a guided hike to give you the best chances of spotting the wildlife, or choose to explore independently on the well-marked trails.
Accommodation: Hotel Si Como No, Manuel Antonio
DAY 15: DRIVE TO AIRPORT (2-3HRS)
Today you will drive to San Jose to return your hire car, before your flight home.
