BEST OF
Costa Rica
EXTENSIONS POSSIBLES: Manuel Antonio/ Puntarenas
8 nights program – Season 2017
SAN JOSE/ TORTUGUERO/ ARENAL/ RINCON DE LA VIEJA
3 reasons to sell this circuit
- Possible extensions of 2 nights in Manuel Antonio Park (Discovery + range) and Puntarenas (beach).
- English-speaking guides throughout the tour.
- Land transport of short duration during the tour.
What there is to know
Climates vary widely between regions visited. Better period from November to March
Daily transport time
Day 1: Arrive in San Jose.
Day 2: San José / Tortuguero (4 hours drive).
Day 3: Tortuguero National Park.
Day 4: Tortuguero / Arenal (4 hours drive).
Day 5: National Park Arenal Volcano.
Day 6: Arenal / Rincon de La Vieja (4 hours drive).
Day 7: Rincón Volcano National Park of La Vieja.
Day 8: Rincon de La Vieja / San Jose (5h30 drive).
Day 9: San Jose / Poas Volcano National Park (2h30 drive) / San Jose/ flight Europe (flight not included).
Extension Manuel Antonio:
Day 9: San Jose / Poas Volcano National Park (2h30 drive) / Manuel Antonio (3h30 drive).
Day 10: Manuel Antonio.
Day 11: Manuel Antonio / San José (4 hours drive)/ flight Europe (flight not included).
Extensions Puntarenas:
Day 9 : San Jose / Poas Volcano National Park (2h30 drive) / Puntarenas (2:45 drive).
Day 10: Puntarenas.
Day 11: Puntarenas / San Jose (1h30).
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Air : Please book international flights arriving in the afternoon of day 1 and leaving San Jose on the evening of day 9.
- Formalities: The passport must be valid six months after the return date.
- Health: No vaccinations are required. However, anti-malarial treatment is recommended.
- Climate: Tropical in the whole territory, except in the mountain region where the climate is temperate. Normally the dry season is from December to April and the rainy season from May to November.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TRIP
- The assistance throughout the journey of our local team, all English speaking professionals.
- Accommodation in lodges set amongst the unspoilt nature.
- Exploring the Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast.
- Navigation through the canals of Tortuguero Park to observe the fauna and flora of the Caribbean.
- Crossing suspension bridges to admire the Arenal Volcano National Park.
- Typical meals to taste the cuisine of Costa Rica with a homestay.
- Visit a large landowners specializing in cattle breeding and observing the work of the boys from the farm, the real “cowboys”.
- Observation of wild orchids of the Rincon de la Vieja Park.
- Walking in the park Rincon de la Vieja and observation of craters and fumaroles.
- Visit the historic San Jose and contemplation of buildings constructed during the period of the coffee barons.
- Extension Manuel Antonio: Personal Discovery of the most beautiful national parks of Costa Rica.
- Extension Puntarenas: A paradise on earth, blending beautiful beaches and relaxing all inclusive.
HOTELS
San Jose
SLEEP INN ****
Situated opposite España Park and the Modern Art Museum, 86 comfortable rooms with free WiFi, private bathroom and a safe. Restaurant, bar.
Web Site : www.sleepinnsanjose.com
Tortuguero
LAGUNA LODGE
This very comfortable lodge was constructed with the ideals of ecotourism. Ideally located between the Tortuguero Lagoon and the beachfront, it has 106 rooms with private bathrooms and fan. The lodge also has a restaurant, bar and a huge tropical garden.
Web Site: www.lagunatortuguero.com
Arenal National Park
ARENAL MONTECHIARI
Surrounded by exotic tropical gardens, this place offers 21 wooden bungalows, air-conditioned and beautifully decorated. Restaurant, bar and two pools. Charming welcome and quality service.
Web Site: www.hotelarenalmontechiari.com
Rincon de la Vieja National Park
HACIENDA GUACHIPELIN
The hotel is surrounded by lush gardens and has 50 comfortable rooms with a ceiling fan, surrounding a lovely pool. A restaurant facing the garden, views of the volcanoes park.
Web Site: www.guachipelin.com
Manuel Antonio Extension
CASITAS ECLIPSE***
30 comfortable rooms in a facility with all the necessary services for a stay that combines exploration and the beach. Restaurant, bar, 3 swimming pools.
WebSite: www.hotelcasitaseclipse.com
Puntarenas Extension
DOUBLE TREE by Hilton****
408 rooms recently renovated in a very modern style. All inclusive including sports activities. Beautiful location on the Pacific.
Web Site : www.doubletreecentralpacific.com
Day 1 – Arrival in San José
Reception on arrival by your guide and transfer to hotel SLEEP INN **** or SIMILAR
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – San José / Tortuguero National Park
Early departure to Guápiles, in the Tortuguero area.
Breakfast at Selva Tropical Restaurant.
During the trip, the first contact with the nature of Costa Rica through banana plantations.
Arrival to Caño Blanco / La Pavona, boarding a large motorized canoe collective service to go up the main channel that runs along the coast to Tortuguero National Park in the heart of the rainforest.
Installation and lunch at the lodge LAGUNA LODGE or SIMILAR.
In the afternoon, walk in the village in the Caribbean coast.
Return to the hotel by the beach.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Information on the program development:
- We advise you to have a small travel bag (12kgs).
- All boat transfers during your stay in Tortuguero are collective service. Visit to the village is done on foot along the beach of Laguna Lodge.
The order of excursions to Tortuguero can change according to local requirements.
Day 3 – Tortuguero National Park
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning visit the canals of Tortuguero National Park jungle where you can meet many animals including crocodiles, turtles, sloths, monkeys, iguanas, toucans, parrots and birds of all species. Discover the jungle by taking the marked trails accompanied by your guide.
Lunch at the lodge.
In the afternoon, discovery of this national park worthy of the Amazon by boat. Back at the lodge you will enjoy the pool and visit the botanical garden.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 4 – Tortuguero / La Fortuna / Volcan Arenal
Breakfast at the lodge.
Return by boat to Caño Blanco / Pavona and road to Guápiles.
Lunch in a typical restaurant.
Departure north-west to the town of La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal Volcano, iconic image of Costa Rica with its perfect conical shape. Free time to stroll to the village of La Fortuna.
Installation at the hotel ARENAL MONTECHIARI*** or SIMILAR.
THE EXCLUSIVE OF QUIMBAYA LATIN AMERICA !
Visit a Costa Rican family to know their lifestyle and learn about their traditions and the preparation of local specialties.
Dinner with the family. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 – Arenal Volcano National Park
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning devoted to visiting the Arenal Volcano National Park, Walk on marked trails of this active volcano since 1968 to reach the dry lava flows. This is done crossing the suspension bridges that will let you enjoy from far the natural beauty of the park and the enchanting sounds of the forest.
Lunch at the hotel.
By late afternoon, swimming in the hot springs Baldi. These pools of water heated naturally with medicinal qualities, are located facing an impressive view of the park and volcano.
Dinner in the restaurant near the hot pools. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 – Arenal / Rincon de la Vieja
Breakfast at the hotel.
Road to the Guanacaste region, tropical lowland among the hottest in the country. It is a farming region of cattle in large properties. You’ll probably see the farm boys who look like real “cowboys”.
Lunch in a typical restaurant en route.
Arrival at Rincón de la Vieja National Park, home to the most beautiful species of orchids from Costa Rica.
Discovery of thermal waters of Río Negro, known by its volcanic mud baths in the wilderness.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel HACIENDA GUACHIPELIN*** or SIMILAR.
Day 7 – Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Breakfast at the hotel.
Early departure to visit the volcano Rincón de la Vieja National Park, declared a natural heritage site by Unesco. Walking in the vast expanse of the park, rare geological splendor of our planet. The earth opens bubbling craters that reflect the current activity of the volcano. The landscape, high contrast, incorporates a thick rainforest inhabited by howler monkeys and rich lush vegetation lies the “Guaria morada” national flower of Costa Rica.
Lunch en route as a box lunch picnic.
On the way back, stop to admire the magnificent waterfall Chorreras. This waterfall binds to Rio Blanco and together they form a blue and transparent water pool. This is a great place to enjoy the scenery and if you wish, you dip in the natural pool.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 – Rincon de la Vieja / San José
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to San Jose.
Lunch at local restaurant during the excursion.
Continuation to San Jose and in the afternoon, visit San Jose, a perfect example of the capitals of Central America with its architectural ensemble bringing together modern buildings and the Republican style of the late nineteenth century. In the barrio Amon, visit old mansions of coffee barons showing the great wealth of the country.
Then visit outside the main areas and buildings in the capital, such as the famous Teatro Nacional. Stroll through the Parque Sabana where los ticos, nickname for Costa Ricans, come to walk.
Installation at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel SLEEP INN**** or SIMILAR.
Day 9 – San José / Volcan Poas / Sarchi
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to the Poas Volcano National Park whose crater is the largest in the country. Observation of the vast desert area where the fumaroles of the volcano untap. Walk to the Botos Lagoon formed in the crater of an extinct volcano.
Visit the village of Sarchí, famous for its handicrafts made with precious woods and colorful in the region.
Lunch not included.
Transfer to airport and flight back (flight not included).
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: – The planned visits of the day depend on the schedules of return flights, knowing that passengers should arrive at the airport 3 hours before takeoff. The indicated tours are planned according to international flights leaving in the early evening.