Costa Rica is recognized for its natural treasures and with this program; you will enjoy them, on boat through access channels to Tortuguero, surrounded by lush rainforest that will enable you to enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna. You can feel a pure contact with nature in a paradise that offers visitors 2000 species of plants and 400 species of trees, just as you can observe some of the 405 bird species. The Turrialba Valley which is a rural countryside zone, a quiet region, but very popular because of its good quality of coffee plantations and sugar cane fields that shows part of their culture and way of life.
The cloud forest area of San Gerardo de Dota, this area is one of the most important regions in the exportation and quality of coffee, however it is more known as per its cloud forest, which is the perfect habitat for different species of flora and fauna. A unique place in the whole world, Corcovado National Park surrounding, this area of the South Pacific of Costa Rica is currently called “The Final Frontier” or “The Navel of Life”, as described by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on Earth”. This region is home of 350 species of birds, 150 species of mammals, over 100 species of reptiles and amphibians, about 5500 insects, and 500 species of trees. Staying in this area will allow you to have a deeper contact with nature, especially for those seeking a unique and eco- tourism vacation. Finally, you will visit Manuel Antonio, a paradise that mixes lovely white sand beaches with jungle and rain forest full of wildlife. Manuel Antonio National Park, since it has a charming combination of lush tropical forest and beautiful beaches with clear waters listed on Trip Advisor (Travellers Choice 2013) as the best beach in Central America and its park was recognized in 2011 by Forbes Magazine as one of the twelve most beautiful national parks in the world.
Program Summary:
Day 1: San Jose
Day 2: Tortuguero // Visit to Tortuguero Village
Day 3: Tortuguero // Visit to Tortuguero National Park
Day 4: Turrialba
Day 5: San Gerardo de Dota
Day 6: San Gerardo de Dota
Day 7: Corcovado
Day 8: Corcovado
Day 9: Corcovado
Day 10: Manuel Antonio
Day 11: Manuel Antonio
Day 12: Manuel Antonio
Day 13: Departure SJO
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: SJO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – SAN JOSE
Upon your arrival at SJO International Airport, a Swiss Travel representative will meet and greet you, and he will provide you with all the necessary documentation you will need during your vacation. Then, you will be transferred to your selected hotel in San Jose.
Day 2: SAN JOSE – TORTUGUERO
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Early in the morning, you will depart from San Jose to the North Caribbean Plains, where the most important attraction is the Tortuguero National Park, one of the most exuberant national parks in Costa Rica. On the way, you will be ascending through the Central Volcanic mountain range where you will appreciate from the bus, beautiful waterfalls and the always-green forests, which adorn the Braulio Carrillo National Park. As you reach the Caribbean plains you will notice a change in the climate, as it becomes a bit warmer and humid but pleasant.
After breakfast on route, the journey will continue passing very likely through banana fields and getting deeper in the rural roads until reaching a local dock where the boats are waiting to transfer you to Tortuguero. An approximate one and half hour boat ride, will take you through the canals sheltered in the jungle of the rain forest. From the boat, you will be able to admire the unique flora and fauna of this area, along with different types of birds. Upon arrival and check in at your select lodge in the Tortuguero area, there could be a short briefing of the lodge, activities and afterwards lunch. Lodging for the next two nights at your selected lodge in the area.
In the afternoon you will visit the village of Tortuguero where you will learn the lifestyle of local residents as per example the different coloring of their homes surrounded by the gorgeous canals and in general also to know the significant conservation efforts that some NGOs (non-governmental organizations) have developed to protect the sea turtles that come to spawn each year along the 20 miles of the protected coastline.
Day 3: TORTUGUERO
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, you will visit Tortuguero National Park that will dazzle you with its enormous biodiversity.
From the boat, you can feel a pure contact with nature in a paradise that offers visitors 2000 species of plants and 400 species of trees, just as you can observe some of the 405 bird species.
Among mammals is white-faced monkeys and howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, plus some endangered species such as the jaguar, ocelot and the tapir, which is the largest in the rain forests of Latin America. There is also presence of crocodiles, different species of turtles and freshwater fish. Tortuguero will definitely offer a unique and unforgettable experience.
Day 4: TORTUGUERO – TURRIALBA
Breakfast & Lunch
By midmorning, you will board again from the selected lodge to the local pier, enjoying again the biodiversity present along the canals. Then, we will continue by road to the town of Guapiles or Siquirres where you can enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch you will be receiving a rented car (SUV Intermediate 4×4, Hyundai Tucson Manual Transmission or similar). This day you will drive to the Turrialba Valley, it is a rural countryside zone, a quiet region, but very popular because of its good quality of coffee plantations and sugar cane fields that shows part of their culture and way of life.
Estimated driving time: 1 ¾ hour
Estimated driving time with visits: 4 ½ hours
Places of interest to visit on route: CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) & Guayabo Archaeological National Monument.
Day 5: TURRIALBA – SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
Breakfast
Today’s driving experience will be taken you to different rural towns and through the Cartago city, in the long past the capital city of Costa Rica. This city is home to the Lady of our Angels church, the most catholic religion place for Costa Rican’s and where large peregrinate take place.
Afterwards you will be ascending into the Talamanca Mountain range until reaching the cloud forest area of San Gerardo de Dota. This area is one of the most important regions in the exportation and quality of coffee, however it is more known as per its cloud forest, which is the perfect habitat for different species of flora and fauna.
You will be checking in for the following two nights at selected hotel in the area.
Estimated driving time: 3 hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 6 hours
Places of interest to visit on route: Cahi Lake, the Virgin of the Angels Basilica, the most important peregrination site for many Catholic believers, Lankester Garden & Irazú Volcano National Park.
Day 6: SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
Breakfast
Day at leisure in the area. You can enjoy the Cloud Forest and the surroundings on your own in which you will discover the charm of this zone.
There is also a large number of birds, since San Gerardo de Dota is located in a biological corridor that serves as a bird sanctuary for the over 170 species of birds found in the area.
Day 7: SAN GERARDO DE DOTA – CORCOVADO
Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast, you will continue to the South Pacific area of Costa Rica, you will stay in the next three nights in Corcovado. This area of the South Pacific of Costa Rica is currently called “The Final Frontier” or “The Navel of Life”, as described by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on Earth”. This region is home of 350 species of birds, 150 species of mammals, over 100 species of reptiles and amphibians, about 5500 insects, and 500 species of trees. Staying in this area will allow you to have a deeper contact with nature, especially for those seeking a unique and eco- tourism vacation.
Estimated driving time: 5 ½ hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 7 ½ hours
Places of interest to visit on route: Nauyaca Waterfalls.
Days 8 & 9: CORCOVADO
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
These days are at your leisure to explore the area and its wonderful natural treasures, relax at your room with the sounds of the Mother Nature or take an optional tour (extra cost).
Some activities you could enjoy in the area are waterfall rappelling, guided hikes, birdwatching, horseback riding, dolphin watching, surfing, kayaking, tree climbing and yoga classes.
Definitely, you will love to combine this paradise with the adrenaline of these tours.
Day 10: CORCOVADO – MANUEL ANTONIO
Breakfast
This day you will continue to one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica’s central Pacific, Manuel Antonio area. The landscapes will be adorned by various beaches along the Pacific coast to Manuel Antonio, which is a paradise that mixes lovely white sand beaches with jungle and rain forest full of wildlife. The vast variety of activities to do and places to visit in the area definitely adds value to your experience. This tropical place is one of the main attractions in Costa Rica, being the highlight the Manuel Antonio National Park, and one of the icons of ecotourism in the country.
Registration and accommodation for the next three nights at the selected hotel will be done.
Estimated driving time: 4 ¼ hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 5 ½ hours
Places of interest to visit on route: Marino Ballena National Park
Days 11 & 12: MANUEL ANTONIO
Breakfast
These days are at your leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or take an excursion (extra cost). We recommend visiting the Manuel Antonio National Park (closed on Mondays) since it has a charming combination of lush tropical forest and beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters listed on Trip Advisor (Travellers Choice 2013) as the best beach in Central America and its park was recognized in 2011 by Forbes Magazine as one of the twelve most beautiful national parks in the world. Inside the park, there is a wide variety of vegetation, lagoons, mangroves, 109 species of mammals and 184 bird species. You can see several species of birds, reptiles and monkeys including the three-toed sloth. Among other activities in the area are horseback riding, surfing lessons, canopy, kayaking, fishing and mask diving.
Day 13: MANUEL ANTONIO – SJO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Breakfast
After enjoying unforgettable days, will be the moment to return to SJO International Airport to board your flight back home. Estimated driving time: 2 ¾ hours
Please take into consideration that for International Departure Flights, passengers are highly requested to be 3 hours before flight departure time at the airport for check in procedures, this according to airport and airline authorities.
END OF SERVICES
Standard Category
| Location | Hotel Name | Category | Type of Room | CST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San José | Sleep Inn San Jose | 3 Stars | Standard | 4 |
| Tortuguero | Laguna Lodge | Lodge | Standard | N/A |
| Turrialba | Villa Florencia | 3 Stars | Standard | 5 |
| Quetzal Valley | Savegre | 4 Stars | Standard | 5 |
| Corcovado | Bosque del Cabo | Lodge | Bungalow Classic | 5 |
| Manuel Antonio | Villa Bosque | 3 Stars | Standard | 3 |
Superior Category
| Location | Hotel Name | Category | Type of Room | CST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San José | Crowne Plaza Corobicí | 4 Stars | Deluxe | 5 |
| Tortuguero | Evergreen Lodge | Lodge | Standard | N/A |
| Turrialba | Casa Turire | Boutique | Standard | 4 |
| Quetzal Valley | Trogon Lodge | Boutique | Standard | 5 |
| Corcovado | El Remanso | Lodge | Deluxe | 5 |
| Manuel Antonio | Si Como No | 4 Stars | Standard | 5 |