My Journey Through Costa Rica’s Ecosystem

Welcome to San José, the capital of Costa Rica

Our driver will pick you up atthe airport, and then we ’ll meet you at your hotel to get to know you and go over the rest of your itinerary.

Overnight stay at a beautiful hotel in San José.

Costa Rica’s Little Amazon.

Early in the morning, depart on a shared shuttle to the must-see Tortuguero region on the Caribbean coast.

Along the way, you’ll first pass through the lush Braulio Carrillo Park, covered in dense tropical rainforest drenched by torrential rains, before traveling alongside banana plantations—Costa Rica is one of the world’s leading exporters of bananas.

At Caño Blanco or La Pavona, you’ll board a motorboat to navigate through the tropical flora and fauna to the lodge.

In the afternoon, you can enjoy the gardens and the pool or visit the Caribbean village of Tortuguero.

Overnight at a charming eco-lodge in Tortuguero.

Costa Rica’s Little Amazon

Today, enjoy a half-day exploring the canals of Tortuguero National Park. This vast water park consists entirely of canals and lagoons nestled in the heart of an impressive jungle, which is why it’s nicknamed the “Amazon of Costa Rica.”

So, it’s through this unique and extraordinary network of canals, rivers, and marshes in the heart of the jungle that you’ll set out with your guide to discover caimans, toucans, turtles, howler monkeys, parrots, sloths, iguanas, and multicolored birds.

For the rest of the day, you can enjoy the lodge’s pool and trails, or participate in activities organized by the lodge.

Overnight stay at a charming eco-lodge in Tortuguero.

Transportation from Tortuguero to Guápiles, then on to the La Fortuna region.

In the morning after breakfast, you’ll sail to the Caño Blanco or La Pavona landing, before continuing by road to Guápiles.

You’ll then pick up your rental car to head to the La Fortuna region and the majestic Arenal Volcano (1,635 meters).

Approximate driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Overnight stay at a beautiful hotel in La Fortuna.

Visit to a Foundation and Volunteer Work.

This morning, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a foundation with your guide to learn about each animal and its story. You’ll learn why animal conservation is important, how it’s done, and the impact you can make—all while having fun with our friendly guides, who will engage you and help you think about conservation in a new way.

Next, you’ll have the chance to learn how to prepare food to increase engagement, feed the animals, and create fun and enriching activities for them to enhancetheir daily routine—which will be the highlight of your visit.

Approximate duration: 3.5 hours.

In the afternoon, you’ll take a walk along the suspension bridges.

You’ll enjoy a trail of about 3 kilometers through the primary forest and across some fifteen suspension bridges high above the canopy, offering breathtaking views of the tropical vegetation and Arenal Volcano!

Approximate duration: 2-hour hike. You’ll be accompanied by an English-speaking guide during this hike.

Overnight stay at a beautiful eco-lodge in La Fortuna.

Cocoa Tour: Learn, Savour, and Taste!

Today, discover the secrets and wonders of one of humanity’s favorite foods: chocolate.

You’ll learn everything about chocolate— from planting cacao beans, through the processing and history, all the way to making chocolate bars!

You’ll get to taste the traditional local chocolate drink, as well as chocolate bars made from organic cacao. At the end of the tour, you’ll have the chance to make your own chocolate bar to take home with you.

Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Overnight stay at a beautiful eco-lodge in La Fortuna.

Routefrom Arenal to Tarcoles

Today, after a delicious breakfast, we’ll set off for Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.

Approximate travel time: 4 hours.

Once you arrive, you can relax at your hotel.

Overnight stay at a charming hotel in Tarcoles.

Today’s plan: a crocodile tour!

Today, you’ll board a motorboat for an excursion through the mangroves of the Tarcoles River and the Guacalillo Canal, during which you’ll spot many birds (egrets, roseate spoonbills, and more) but, above all, enormous crocodiles.

Crocodiles are very abundant in the Tarcoles region, with more than 25 per kilometer—some of which can grow up to 8 meters long!

Approximate duration: 1.5 hours.

Overnight stay at a cozy hotel in Tarcoles.

The Road from Tarcoles to Manuel Antonio.

On this day, you’ll hit the road and visit Carara National Park, which, although fairly small (52 km²), boasts one of the country’s greatest levels of biodiversity .

You’ll reach Quepos, a major center for sport fishing andpalm oil production, and then Manuel Antonio, a beautiful park named after a Spanish conquistador.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours.

Overnight stay at a quiet hotel in Manuel Antonio.

Manuel Antonio National Park.

Today, swimming in crystal-clear waters, relaxing on fine sandy beaches, strolling through the tropical vegetation…

The area is ideal for spotting many animals, such as sloths and squirrel monkeys.

Overnight stay at a quiet hotel in Manuel Antonio.

A free day to enjoy the region’s beaches.

Enjoy a relaxing day and explore the country’s ecosystem.

Overnight stay at a pleasant hotel in Manuel Antonio.

Route from Manuel Antonio to Turrialba.

This morning, you’ll set out for the Cartago region and Turrialba. You’ll stay at a charming hacienda.

Approximate travel time: 5 hours.

Overnight stay in a unique accommodation in Turrialba.

Horseback ride in the heart of nature.

During this ride through the Turrialba Valley, you’ll pass through farms (coffee and sugarcane plantations, etc.) and a wide variety of tropical natural landscapes.

From the heights, you’ll also have the chance to take in the entire Turrialba Valley.

Approximate duration: 3 hours, beginner level.

Overnight stay in unique accommodations in Turrialba.

Heading to the Caribbean Coast!

The Route from Turrialba to Puerto Viejo

Along the way, you’ll see magnificent scenery and can stop in various traditional villages.

You’ll then settle in near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a colorful village nestled between the sea and the mountains, which owes its charm to its residents, who live in brightly painted wooden houses—some of which are perched on stilts.

Approximate travel time: 3 hours

Overnight stay in a superb accommodation in Puerto Viejo.

Self-guided tour of Cahuita National Park.

Today, you’ll alternate between walks through lush tropical vegetation and moments of relaxation and swimming in the Caribbean Sea.

In addition to seeing medicinal plants and orchids, you’re sure to come across snakes, sloths, several types of monkeys, agoutis, and coatis, as well as toucansalong the way .

Overnight stay at a superb hotel in Puerto Viejo.

Visit to an animal rescue center.

During your visit to the Jaguar Rescue Center, you’ll have the chance to see many animals, including monkeys, sloths, big cats, raccoons, marsupials, reptiles, amphibians, deer, and various birds! Many of them roam freely in the garden!

Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Overnight stay at a superb hotel in Puerto Viejo.

Route from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San José.

Today, you’ll drive along the Caribbean coast to San José, the country’s capital.

Three hours before your departure, return your rental car at Juan Santamaria Airport for your international return flight.

Approximate driving time: 4.5 hours.

Have a safe trip home!