Duration:
15 days / 14 nights. Additional nights can be added or we could also shorten the trip if you don’t have enough time. Please let us know!
Cost per person:
Prices from $1,859 per person in Low season based on double occupancy
Includes:
• Airport pickup/dropoff
• Transportation inside Costa Rica
• Standard Hotels listed in the package (advertised prices are based on double occupancy, but please let us know what type of rooms you’d like). It includes 2 nights Garden Inn La Sabana (One night in beginning, one night at the end), 3 nights Banana Azul, 1 night Tortugero Pachira or Evergreen Lodge, 3 nights Arenal, 2 nights Monteverde, 3 nights Samara.
• One of our CFT Daily Tours! (Tour selection will vary depending on day of the week)
• Breakfast at most hotels daily, some other meals where indicated
• Tours and activities as indicated in itinerary
Not Included:
• International flights
• Beverages, most lunches and dinners
• Optional gratuities
• National park entrance fees ($10) and optional night turtle tour in Tortuguero (July-Occtober $35)
• Taxes
Day 1
Arrival: San José International Airport (other possible option: Liberia Airport)
First, head to Garden Inn La Sabana or other select hotel for 1 night in the San Jose area. Spend the rest of the day by the pool, or take a cab into central San José and explore the city. If you arrive early in the day, there are many additional activities we can suggest.
We also have many other hotel options if you prefer, such as Hotel Don Carlos or Grano de Oro
Day 2
Puerto Viejo
On the next day you have two choices for transportation. You can take a comfortable shared shuttle ride that picks you up at your hotel in San José and drops you off at your Puerto Viejo accommodation.
Or you can start your adventure with a Whitewater Rafting trip on Rio Pacuare that includes transportation between San Jose and Puerto Viejo. We’ll pick you up early in San Jose for an all-day adventure on Costa Rica’s most popular river. A hearty breakfast is provided at the rafting center where your luggage is stored in a locked container. Then it’s a full day river trip with lunch on the river banks. At the end of the day, you are transported to Puerto Viejo for a 3 night stay at Banana Azul (Other optional Hotels are Cariblue and Namuwoki Lodge)
Day 3
Puerto Viejo
Today you can choose one of our exciting CFT Daily Tours! Choose from one of these popular tours like our newest Caribbeans Chocolate and Historical trail Tour on Mondays, or Cahuita National Park Hike and Waterfall Tour Tuesdays and Thursdays. or The Animal Rescue Center and Punta Uva on Wednesday and Friday , Manzanillo Reserve and Monkey Trail.on Saturdays!
Day 4
Puerto Viejo – Cahuita
You can either use this day to to explore the exotic jungle lined beaches around Puerto Viejo or go for a snorkel and hike tour. See the interesting and colorful underwater world along Cahuita’s coastline followed by a hike in Cahuita National park, where an abundance of wildlife is available for viewing.
Another option is the Full-day Jungle Adventure, where you can explore the mountain region surrounding Puerto Viejo, go rappelling, zipline, tree climbing and swim in the river. A third option is a hike through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge with our knowledgeable, entertaining local guide who is famous for spotting animals and rare birds
Day 5
Tortuguero National Park
We’ll pick you up at your Puerto Viejo hotel, bring you to Tortuguero by mini-bus and boat for a 1 night stay at a local lodge. (Pachira or Evergreen Lodge) All your meals are included as are tours of the canals and town.
Tortuguero National Park is an isolated area on the north part of the Caribbean coast reachable only by boat or airplane. Pure and untouched nature, turtle watching and jungle canals await you.
Day 6
Arenal la Fortuna
On this day after lunch you will be brought to Arenal Volcano by shuttle and boat for a 3 night stay in the town of La Fortuna at San Bosco .
The evening is yours to explore the town.
Day 7
Rio Celeste
On this day we recommend the amazing and very popular Rio Celeste tour. Hike through the lush Costa Rican rainforest through well maintained paths that lead to the majestic Rio Celeste.
You will know when we’ve reached it because the water is a divine turquise blue color – it is beautiful and simply unforgettable! You’ll also get to see the spectacular Rio Celeste waterfall which is the perfect place to relax, take photos, and soak in the beauty around you! Includes: Transport, bilingual guide, entrance to Rio Celeste National Park and lunch.
Day 8
Arenal la Fortuna
In the morning you can either take some free time or have the choice between any of the following half-day activities: canyoning, mountain bike tour along the volcano, a horseback ride to the La Fortuna waterfall, or a guided walk on the Arenal Hanging Bridges. In the afternoon we will take you on a 2.5 hour-long Volcano Hike , followed by a a visit to The Springs Resort for a natural thermal bath.There are lots of hot and cold free form pools with naturally-heated waters that have an ideal mineral content high in bicarbonate and chlorides, but low sulfur content. There are a wet bars throughout the facilities that serve all types of refreshing drinks. When you’re ready to eat, you may proceed to the restaurant for a delicious dinner. The meal is automatically included with your entrance fee.
Day 9
Arenal / Monteverde
On this morning you’ll travel by van and boat across beautiful Lake Arenal, you will get picked up at your Arenal Hotel and dropped off at your select hotel in Monteverde. Your luggage will be transported by shuttle to your destination hotel of Rustic Lodge in Monteverde for a 2 night stay.
After taking a little rest in your hotel, you will have the chance to spot some nightly wildlife during an easy 2 hour twilight hike through the ecological sanctuary in Monteverde.
Day 10
Monteverde
Enjoy a combination of canopy and cable car tour through the Monteverde Cloud Forest in the morning and stroll around the cozy mountain village in the afternoon.
Day 11
Samara
Another adventure awaits you on your way from Monteverde to Playa Samara. Try the newest and easiest paddle sport! Stand-up paddling (SUP). It has its roots in ancient Polynesia and looks exactly as it sounds: you stand up on a large, wide, super buoyant surfboard and use a long paddle.
Feel like you’re walking on water! After this tour you will check in for 3 nights to the quaint hotel of Samara Palms Lodge which is right near the center of town.
Day 12
Samara
Discover the large variety of colorful fish, starfish, snails and other forms of life within the coral reefs as you snorkel near the coast.
We like to call these reefs the “rain forests of the sea.” For additional fun you will explore these snorkeling spots by kayak!
Day 13
Samara
On this day a well deserved free day to relax is all that is planned. You can either stroll through the streets of Samara or maybe take a ride over the small town of Playa Carrillo and enjoy the amazing tropical beach which is almost always empty!
Day 14 & 15
Day 14
Morning or afternoon transportation to San Jose by minibus shuttle for a 1-night stay at Garden Inn La Sabana or Grano de Oro. Evening on your own to explore.
Day 15
Depart for San Jose Airport in one of our private taxis, this will all be arranged based on your departing flight times
Hotels options listed in the package
Hotel Options San Jose:
Garden Inn la Sabana
This upscale hotel, across the street from Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica stadium, is 4 km from live performances at the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica and 5 km from the exhibits at the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica. The modern rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows, free Wi-Fi and 102-cm flat-screen TVs, as well as mini fridges, and tea and coffeemakers. Upgraded quarters add balconies. Suites offer living rooms and wet bars. Room service is available.
Puerto Viejo Hotel Option:
Banana Azul
Banana Azul is a small hotel north of town beachfront on Playa Negra. This small boutique hotel has been created with care using local products and a philosophy that emphasizes relaxation. Blooming gardens adorn the property, as do several freely-hanging hammocks and a meandering pond inhabited by fish and turtles. There is a restaurant, bar, pool and beach club.
The hotel consists of fourteen beautiful guest rooms with private baths, fans, and free wireless internet. Most rooms are on the second floor of the main building, and open onto a large veranda with sweeping ocean views and of the garden.
Tortuguero Hotel Options:
Pachira Lodge
The lodge is strategically located only 5 minutes away from the extraordinary Tortuguero National Park, and right across the main “canal” facing the town of Tortuguero. Surrounded by a network of very scenic canals, this is considered one of the most exotic regions of the world, characterized by its rich flora and fauna.
Evergreen Lodge:
Evergreen is located in the northeastern corner of Tortuguero, 5 minutes by boat from the main entrance to Tortuguero National Park, and accessible only by air and water. Evergreen Lodge is the ideal location from which to explore this unique and magical area, surrounded by towering trees and exuberant vegetation.
Arenal/La Fortuna Hotel option:
San Bosco
San Bosco Inn is located in the center of La Fortuna, near the Arenal Volcano.. This is the ideal location from which you can explore and enjoy nearby waterfalls, caves, thermal hot springs, and of course the amazing Arenal Volcano.
Hotel in Monteverde:
Rustic Lodge
A charming mountain lodge with a cozy atmosphere. We are situated in the centre of Santa Elena town, in the heart of Monteverde; within walking distance from the Santa Elena town, nearby the famous Canopy Tours, lookouts, scenic mountain, waterfalls, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and much more. We offer a relaxed and friendly service as well as family hospitality. Monteverde has much to offer beyond mere escapism, as visitors will find when arriving to Monteverde a very rural and friendly atmosphere. Home to many natural museums, adventure tours, great home-made food and other attractions extolling the country’s history, Monteverde combines the best features of an international destination with the charming atmosphere of a natural eco-friendly town.
Hotel in Playa Samara:
Samara Palms Lodge
The Lodge is situated only a few minutes away from both the village of Sámara and nearby beach. We offer 8 comfortable and tastefully decorated rooms facing the garden, and with a view of the pool and the Lounge. All the rooms are equipped with A/C or a ceiling fan, private bathroom with hot water and Wireless internet.
