The Ultimate Costa Rican Experience! Fly to San Jose for a short stay at Costa Rica’s capital and main gateway. Next, stay at an Eco-lodge enclosed by tropical rainforests and lush green canyons that serves as a rafting outpost along the Pacuare River. The world famous Pacuare River on Costa Rica’s Caribbean basin where heavy rainfall and dense vegetation retain its primitive nature.
Continue to Caribbean site and visit Puerto Viejo de Limon a vibrant seaside town with gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, and some of the most amazing surfing opportunities and then Tortuguero National Park, one of the most pristine Rain Forest areas of Costa Rica, with famous highlights of this beautiful country.
Continue to Arenal Volcano for the perfect introduction to countless outdoor activities and possibly a dip in its hot springs, Zip-lines adventure and the Rio Celeste that runs through the lush Tenorio Volcano National Park. The body of water’s moniker stems from its striking color, which is caused by the interactions of chemicals and minerals linked to the region’s volcanic activity. Finish your trip at the Guanacaste Beaches for fun in the sun and relaxation surrounded by vegetation.
Program summary:
Day 1: San Jose
Day 2: Pacuare River // Rafting Expedition Class III
Day 3: Puerto Viejo Limón // Rafting Expedition Class III & IV
Day 4: Puerto Viejo Limón // Snorkeling and walk at Cahuita National Park
Day 5: Tortuguero // Tortuguero Village
Day 6: Tortuguero // Tortuguero National Park by boat
Day 7: Arenal Volcano // Tabacon Hot Springs
Day 8: Arenal Volcano // Sky Tram & Sky Trek (Zip-lines)
Day 9: Arenal Volcano // Celeste River Hike
Day 10: Guanacaste Beaches
Day 11: Guanacaste Beaches
Day 12: Guanacaste Beaches
Day 13: Departure Transfer (SJO or LIR)
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: SJO INT’L AIRPORT – SAN JOSE
Arrival at the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). A Swiss Travel representative will meet and greet you upon your arrival and will provide you with all the necessary documentation you will need during your trip, itinerary and the main contact information and phone numbers in case further assistance is required.
Then, you will be transferred to San Jose area where you will be staying the first night in Costa Rica.
Day 2: SAN JOSE – PACUARE RIVER
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Early in the morning, you will be driven to the Pacuare River for a day of adventure and adrenaline. A professional guide and the right equipment will be waiting upon your arrival to the river; after some safety instructions, you will start on this incredible rafting journey. In the water, you will experience the exhilaration of riding the waves on this wild and scenic river, which passes through scenic canyons where crystal-clear waterfalls plummet down into the rapidly coursing river below. Tall trees and dense green vegetation come right down to the water’s edge. The thick undergrowth of this protected area provides shelter for a variety tropical animals and birds, including some endangered species. When you arrive at the selected Lodge, you will find a unique jungle oasis nestled in a most remarkable setting.
After a hearty lunch, you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax or enjoy the optional activities.
Day 3: PACUARE RIVER – PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON
Breakfast & Lunch
In the morning, you will awaken to a harmonious melody created by the sound of the river rushing by and the sweet songs of the tropical birds from the thick of the forest. After a delicious buffet breakfast, you will launch the rafts again for the second day of the river expedition. Rafting becomes even more thrilling as you begin to use the skills and experience gained the day before. You may stop to explore side streams that lead to striking waterfalls and pools with a natural waterslide that tempts you to jump right in. Lunch will be served along the river, and when reaching the take out, you can change into dry clothes and head to Puerto Viejo de Limon and stay two nights at the selected hotel.
The South Caribbean coast is a truly wonderful place and very particular, of the rest of the country. It has become a place of leisure for those looking to relax on your vacation and enjoy the sun, the beach and the sea breeze, but also offers to each visitor a cultural mix that is noticed in their small and rustic hotels and its varied and exquisite traditional Afro-Caribbean food.
Day 4: PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON
Breakfast & Lunch
Today you will visit the Cahuita National Park that features the largest coral reefs in Southern Central America as well as great hiking trails with lots of wildlife. The excursion combines a boat ride, snorkeling and hiking.
Once arrive to Punta Cahuita you can put on snorkel gear to explore first-hand the “under water tropical forest” with many varieties of corals and colorful fishes
You will then land for a guided rainforest hike, with comprehensive information on this particular area. Monkeys, sloth, several reptiles, frogs and beautiful insects are common sights.
Day 5: PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON – TORTUGUERO
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you will continue to the northern Costa Rican Caribbean, passing across the town of Guapiles to continue to the local pier, where we will take a relaxing trip of more than an hour by boat through access channels to Tortuguero, surrounded by lush rainforest that will enable you to enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna. During the trip, you will observe various types of birds, reptiles, monkeys, among other animals. Upon arriving at the selected Lodge, you will receive a brief of the activities to follow and recommendations to be taken into consideration when staying in the area.
In the afternoon, we will visit the picturesque village of Tortuguero where you will learn about the lifestyle of local residents who use bicycles as a means of transport within the small town and who have made tourism its main source of income.
In addition, you will learn important conservation efforts that have developed some NGOs to protect the most important nesting site of the Caribbean green turtle, the leatherback and the hawksbill turtles that come to nest each year. During the months of July to September, you can take the optional excursion (extra cost) that is coordinated directly with the Lodge to enjoy during the night one of the most impressive natural events: the massive arrival of turtles to lay their eggs after their long journey through the Caribbean Sea along the 22 kilometers of protected beach.
Day 6: TORTUGUERO
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, we 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 7: TORTUGUERO – VOLCAN ARENAL
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
By midmorning, we will board again from the selected lodge through the local pier, enjoying again the biodiversity present along the canals. Then, we will continue by road to the town of Guapiles where you can enjoy a delicious lunch and then continue to the northern plains of Costa Rica.
This route offers beautiful scenery accompanied by picturesque rural towns like Rio Cuarto, Aguas Zarcas and arrive to La Fortuna Village late afternoon where the mighty Arenal Volcano will welcome you with its impressive perfect conic shape. This volcano has been active since 1969 and it has become one of the world’s most active volcanoes and one of Costa Rica’s main highlights.
Check In at the Arenal volcano selected hotel, where you will find a unique blend between the hospitality of the local culture and the warm tropical climate, making your escape an unparalleled experience for the next three nights.
During the evening, you will visit the world famous Tabacón Hot Springs. These natural hot springs features a hot river that flows through a series of pools. From cascading falls to tropical gardens, the hot springs are the result of rainwater heated by magma in the Earth’s interior. Once heated, the waters rise to surface, taking with them minerals found in the earth’s rocky crust; this way, waters become very benefic to your body because of its temperature that helps to relax muscles, clean pores and rejuvenate the skin. Tabacón has a unique location full of natural jewels that definitely you cannot miss staying at Arenal Volcano area.
Day 8: ARENAL VOLCANO
Breakfast
During the morning you will Visit to the Sky Adventures Park, where you will find the Sky Tram & Sky Trek. This tour combines the ascent to the top of the mountain by an aerial tram, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Arenal Lake, while the descent is through the famous canopy tour (Zip Lines), which goes from one mountain to another, making you feel the adventure and fun.
Additionally, to the sky Tram & Sky Trek, other attractions (at additional costs) are Sky River Drift, Sky Fly Board, Sky bike Park and Sky Walk.
Day 9: ARENAL VOLCANO
Breakfast
Today, you will take a hike to the Rio Celeste’s waterfall. Undoubtedly, as the name says, Celeste River is a natural wonder and unique in Costa Rica. Located at the Tenorio Volcano National Park, Rio Celeste gets its color from different volcanic minerals. Local legend says that when God finished painting the heaven, he washed the brush in the Rio Celeste saving the privilege of watching the enchanting river just for a few adventurers. Surely, this will be one of the most unforgettable highlights of your trip to of Costa Rica.
Day 10: ARENAL VOLCANO – GUANACASTE BEACHES
Breakfast
During the morning, you will have a short time to admire for the last time the Arenal Volcano. Later, our tourist transport will transfer you to the beautiful Guanacaste province, specifically to the Gulf of Papagayo that is located in the north pacific coast of Costa Rica. This journey is accompanied by incredible views of the Arenal Lake and quaint rural villages until you reach the Pan-American Highway, where you can notice the change between the tropical rain forest and tropical dry forest that characterizes the entire Guanacaste province.
Finally, upon reaching the coast you will enjoy three nights at the selected hotel.
Day 11 & 12: GUANACASTE BEACHES
Breakfast
Days at leisure for you to enjoy the hotel facilities and even consider on taking an optional (extra cost) day tour in the area. The region is known for its extensive nature reserves, which house an incredible concentration of flora, fauna and natural beauties. Therefore, there are several reserves, natural attractions and many activities that can be done from this area.
Some suggestions are Rincón de la Vieja National Park, which holds an active volcano, thermal mud baths, and a variety of forests; or Palo Verde National Park, which is a bird-watchers and nature-lover’s paradise; there are also canopy tours, river rafting, horseback riding, hiking and much more!
Day 13: GUANACASTE BEACHES – LIR or SJO* INT’L AIRPORT
Breakfast
Your amazing Costa Rica experience ends today. You will be transferred to selected Int’l Airport for your departure flight back home.
Liberia Int’l Airport (LIR) 30 minutes’ drive
Juan Santamaría Int’l Airport (SJO) 4.5 hours’ drive.
*Please note: Please notice that the regular transfer included only departs in the morning from Guanacaste arriving at Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport (SJO) at noon. When choosing your departure flight via SJO, select one that departs at afternoon, in order to accommodate the transfer time and the timing for check in at the airline and migration.
END OF SERVICES
Standard Category
| Location | Name of the Hotel | Category | Type of Room | CST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San José | Sleep Inn | 3 Stars | Standard | 4 |
| Pacuare River | Exploradores Outdoors | Camp | Tent | N/A |
| Puerto Viejo, Limón | Cariblue | 3 Stars | Standard | 1 |
| Tortuguero | Laguna Lodge | 3 Stars | Standard | N/A |
| Arenal Volcano | Magic Mountain | 3 Stars | Standard | N/A |
| Guanacaste | Mangaby | 3 Stars | Standard | N/A |
Superior Category
| Location | Name of the Hotel | Category | Type of Room | CST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San José | Crowne Plaza Corobicí | 4 Stars | Deluxe | 5 |
| Pacuare River | Ríos Tropicales | Lodge | Deluxe | N/A |
| Puerto Viejo, Limón | Namuwoki Lodge | Lodge | Deluxe | N/A |
| Tortuguero | Pachira Lodge | Lodge | Standard | N/A |
| Arenal Volcano | Volcano Lodge Springs | 4 Stars | Superior | 5 |
| Guanacaste | Bosque del Mar | Boutique | Jr. Suite | N/A |