Costa Rica Travel Ideas

Itinerary:

Day 1. San Jose

On arrival into San Jose you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Costa Rica's "Valle Central" and surrounding highlands form the cultural and geographical base of the country. It consists of a fertile upland basin inhabited by approximately two-thirds of the country's population. It is also home to the four most important cities in the country: San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, and the provincial capitals of Cartago, Heredia and Alajuela, each with its own character and sense of identity, together providing the most economically productive region.

The average temperature in the valley is 24ºC (77ºF) and the altitude oscillates from 2000 to 5000 feet (600 to 1500 m). Mountains and volcanoes enclose this land, and are, in turn, some of the main attractions. In just 20-40 minutes you can find yourself in the uplands, enjoying the beautiful view of San Jose and the fresh mountain breezes. Volcanoes are also well worth visiting: Poas and Barva in the northwest, Irazu in the southeast, and Turrialba in the east.

Due to its strategic location in the middle of the country, the Central Valley allows you to choose from a variety of activities, such as visiting the National Theatre, and museums (Gold Museum, Jade Museum, National Museum), white water rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, rain and cloud forest hiking and mountain biking, as well as visits to butterfly farms, botanical gardens, picturesque towns, and coffee plantations. Besides all this, the city also provides a good opportunity for shopping, sightseeing and enjoying the nightlife. Without a doubt, it is the perfect "base" for exploring the rest of the country.

The evening is free to explore.

Day 2. San Jose - Tortuguero

Early in the morning, you will travel by bus through the mountains and rainforest of the Braulio Carrillo National Park to the Caribbean lowlands. Once there, you will board a motorised canoe and continue along the canals that make this region famous. Tortuguero National Park will be your final destination. After checking in and in the afternoon sun you visit the Turtle Museum and the picturesque Tortuguero village. Overnight at Pachira Lodge. (Upgrade available - please enquire) BLD

Days 3 - 4. Tortuguero

After breakfast navigate along the Tortuguero Canals which are ideal to spot the diverse and varied wildlife of the area. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the private trails of the lodge, ride a boat through the canals (at an additional cost) or just relax by the swimming pool. Overnight at Pachira Lodge. BLD x2

Day 5. Tortuguero - Arenal

After breakfast you return by boat to Matina, from where you will be transferred by land to the Arenal Volcano area in the northern lowlands (4 hours drive).

Arenal Volcano is one of the world's most spectacular volcanoes. In addition to huge ash columns and eruptions of glowing rock, the volcano occasionally sets off pyroclastic avalanches- a dramatic flow of fast moving hot gas and rock. Arenal has been in constant activity since it re-awoke, after a span of nearly 400 years, with a huge eruption in 1968.

Arenal eruptions are of the strombolian type - they are frequent and moderate - and pose no danger.

There are a wide variety ofactivities to choose from in the Arenal area: rafting, hiking trails, horseback riding, mountain biking, waterfall rappelling, hot springs, hanging bridges, canopy tours, zip lines, wildlife viewing, and even cave tours. Our Flexi Touring system is the perfect idea to accommodate all of the possible activities.

Ask one of our experts for advice on any of these and other activities. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Springs. BL

NOTE: The Arenal volcano is undergoing a "quiet" period. While eruptions may occur their frequency has dramatically dropped. This is part of a 12 year cycle.

Day 6. Arenal

A free morning for optional activities. Late in the afternoon tour to the Arenal Volcano National Park where you will observe the impact of recent volcanic eruptions on the vegetation and pasturelands on the base and surrounds of the volcano. The Arenal volcano has been in constant activity for more than 30 years is definitively the main attraction in this area. After visiting the volcano you will have the option to take a relaxing dip at Ecotermales Hot Springs.  B

Day 7. Arenal Volcano - Monteverde

After breakfast you are picked up for your transfer to Monteverde by minibus and boat, crossing the Arenal Lake. Your transfer starts by crossing Arenal Lake the largest lake in the country. The boat ride takes 30 minutes and if weather permits it, you will enjoy great views of the Arenal volcano as well as the forest and small lsletas located along the lake. Upon arrival at Rio Chiquito Pier you board a mini-bus for the ground transfer to Monteverde.

Once in Monteverde check we check in at the hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

Some recommended activities for this afternoon are the zipline tour or the hanging bridges canopy tour.

Monteverde, means "Green Mountain". This community secluded on a 1400 meter-high plateau, was founded in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers. Although some of the original virgin forest was cleared for dairy farming, the founder's environmental consciousness, together with help from private organizations, led to the creation of a biological preserve that hosts one of the richest ecological systems in the country. Due to its location on a relatively high altitude, Monteverde's climate is rather fresh. B

Day 8. Monteverde Cloud Forest

This morning you will be picked up for the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Tour.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to over 100 species of mammals, more than 400 species of birds, including the Quetzal and 30 local hummingbird species, and 120 species of amphibians and reptiles. The reserve hosts one of the richest ecological systems and one of the most important virgin cloud forests in the country. A well-developed system of trails of varying levels of difficulty leads visitors throughout primary cloud forest for a close encounter with nature. After this guided walk transfer back to the hotel.

Early afternoon you visit a Costa Rican Family project the Trapiche Tour. Trapiche mean sugarcane mill machine. On this tour you learn about the production of sugarcane, coffee, and the traditional ways of cultivating bananas, arracache (a local legume), avocado, macadamia nuts as well as other products.

You also observe the Tilapia fish project and a small-forested area where it is possible to see various flora and fauna. Also on offer are oxen with a traditional cart waiting to transport you to the sugarcane mill where a demonstration the process of making brown sugar is held.

You can also enjoy guaro (optional), a Costa Rican alcohol made from sugarcane. To end this eventful day you can choose a (optional) "picadillo de arracache", a traditional vegetable hash, accompanied by a cup of coffee or lemonade. Transfer back to your hotel after the tour. B

Day 9. Monteverde Cloud Forest - Tamarindo Beach

After breakfast, transfer to Tamarindo Beach, a superb sun location on the North-Pacific coastabout 4 hours drive from Arenal. Overnight at Hotel Tamarindo Diria.

Tamarindo has all the amenities of a Costa Rican beach town: surf, sand and sun, sun, sun. But it offers much more. It is the ideal place for honeymoons and weddings, couples, and families, and wonderfully suited to eco-adventures.

Tamarindo offers first class sport fishing, sailing, surfing, golf, ATV tours, turtle watching, diving, horseback riding, canopy tours, jungle boat rides, beauty spa, an art gallery and crafts and pottery stores. A multi-cultural community, Tamarindo boats several bakeries, an outdoor vegetable market and more than 40 restaurants. Whether you like to eat Vegetarian, 'Tipico' Costa Rican, Italian or Sea Food, it is all here. B

Days 10 and 11. Tamarindo Beach

Days at leisure in Tamarindo for optional activities such as fishing, diving, horseback riding, hiking or just relaxing on the beach. Overnights at Hotel Tamarindo Diria. B

Day 12. Tamarindo Beach - Liberia

Based on your international flight departure time you will be transferred to Liberia airport for your onward travels. B

Additional nights are available on request.

PRICES FROM:

Exchange rates differ from time to time. For the most up-to-date prices of this holiday idea please fill out our Latin America Travel Quote form.

NOTES:

GOWAY VIP MEET AND GREET SERVICE

As part of your tour price you receive a VIP Meet & Greet Service which includes:

Meet & Greet service San José by an English - Speaking guide
The guide will do a general introduction of Costa Rica, pointing out the essential information for first time visitors, including tips, routes and recommendations and will review the program in detial in order to clarify any doubts or questions they might have.

Information Package:
Detailed program including the route descriptions and the activities included per day depending on the client itinerary. It also includes also security tips and important information while traveling in Costa Rica and brochures of the different visited hotels visited.

VIP service San José Airport:
Upon arrival clients are welcome at the gate inside the airport terminal with a sign with their names on it. They will be given a sticker to wear through immigration and customs to speed up the procedures inside the restricted areas.

Please obtain your sticker which designates you as a Goway VIP from the person holding the sign. The sticker will also help our guides and drivers to identify you when you are outside the terminal.

Costa Rica Map
A full color Costa Rica map will be included in the information package of the client tourist attractions, national parks, Pacific and Caribbean beaches, main roads and highways and GPS locations.

• Costa Rica international departure tax $26 USD
• Local currency is Colons
• Time Zone: GMT/UTC -6
• Dialing Code: 506
• Electricity: 120V, 60Hz
• Weights & measures: Metric

DEPARTURE:

Departs daily

PRICE INCLUDES:

• 1 night at Hotel San Jose
• 3 nights Tortuguero
• 3 nights Arenal
• 4 nights at Hotel Tamarindo Diria
• Taxes
• VIP Meet and Greet Service San Jose
• All tours as listed
• All meals as listed B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

NOT INCLUDED

• Visa fees (if required)
• Passport & Visa Costs
• Vaccination Costs
• Personal Spending Money
• Meals where not listed
• Drinks
• International Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Airport departure taxes
• Border taxes or fees

Package Departures

Please call us to inquire about departure dates

8 - Our Antarctic adventure begins. Flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands).
The flight takes a little under 2 hours. Upon arrival we will be able to tour around the area where the "Presidente Eduardo Frei M." Chilean Base and "Bellinghausen" Russian Base are located. We will gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation, by Zodiac boats, to M/V "Ocean Nova". BLD

9 - Our Antarctic adventure begins. Flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands).
The flight takes a little under 2 hours. Upon arrival we will be able to tour around the area where the "Presidente Eduardo Frei M." Chilean Base and "Bellinghausen" Russian Base are located. We will gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation, by Zodiac boats, to M/V "Ocean Nova". BLD

10 - Our Antarctic adventure begins. Flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands).
The flight takes a little under 2 hours. Upon arrival we will be able to tour around the area where the "Presidente Eduardo Frei M." Chilean Base and "Bellinghausen" Russian Base are located. We will gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation, by Zodiac boats, to M/V "Ocean Nova". BLD