Costa Rica Highlights Tour

Costa Rica Destination Guide.

Day 1: Arrival San Jose, Costa Rica.

Upon arrival in San José, home to over one third of all Ticos, you will be met by our agents and transferred to your hotel on the edge of this sprawling metropolis. The city's markets are colorful and vibrant, and its nightlife is as sophisticated (or not!) as you want it to be. We recommend a hotel such as the Ramada Herradura for its excellent facilities and location.

Day 2: Free day in San Jose

San José is home to a number of galleries and museums, and there are a few neighborhoods in the city still radiating colonial style. The assault on the senses that is Chepe is perhaps your best opportunity for understanding the complexities of modern-day Costa Rica. Take this day to get to know the place and recover from your international flight.

Day 3: Transfer to the Tortuguero National Park.

Early after breakfast a bilingual guide will meet you at your hotel and you will be transferred by bus to the north of the country. This is the start of a 3 day adventure in the Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.

You arrive in the park after a road and boat trip along a navigable network of lakes and canals that criss-cross the National Park. We recommend a lodge such as the Pachira Lodge where activities include day excursions within the Tortuguero National Park, boat tours along the canals (or even beyond), walking along pristine beaches, or visiting the interesting Tortuguero village and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s visitor center with its turtle museum.

Day 4: Tortuguero National Park

Today to have the opportunity to explore the Tortuguero National Park area more. Hiking and boat trips are included, plus you can relax on the beach or by the pool. During the turtle nesting season (July to October) there is an optional tour at night available (not included).

Day 5: Selfdrive to the Arenal Volcano area.

Today you will leave the lodge and returning along the river to where the road starts. You will then have lunch and pick up your hire car, a small 4x4. This vehicle is ideal for the driving around the country that you will do over the next few days.

Nothing short of awesome is the only way to describe the feeling you will experience when seeing the Arenal Volcano for the first time. Driving through the valleys of the agriculturally rich northern zone up through San Carlos and into the towering cloud forest, this is one of the most inviting regions in Costa Rica. You will be staying at a lodge such as the Arenal Paraiso which serves as your base for exploring the area. There are many optional excursions you can take such as horse riding and zip line adventures. This lodge has its own hot springs with a view of the volcano (mist permitting of course!).

Day 6: Arenal Volcano area

Today you will have a free day to enjoy Arenal and the surrounding area and there are a variety of tours to keep you busy if you wish; Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, a tour to the Arenal volcano and Tabacón resort hot springs, sport fishing in the Arenal lake, Arenal volcano hike, mountain biking, Venado Caves tour, horseback riding, zip lines, the Peñas Blancas safari float and much more.

Day 7: Selfdrive to Tamarindo

Today you will drive across the country to the Pacific Coast. Enjoy the scenery as you drive to the small laid back resort area of Tamarindo. We highly recommend the lovely Cala Luna hotel. With its exclusive location and excellent facilities you will really be able to relax and enjoy the sun and sand.

Day 8:  Free day in Tamarindo

Today you can j ust kick back, or enjoy something more active, as there are plenty of options. We enjoyed exploring other local beaches and towns along the Pacific coast.

Day 9: Free day in Tamarindo

Another day to relax before you have to start to think about going back to work (what a terrible thing!). Enjoy the beach and top up your tan.

Day 10: Selfdrive back to San Jose

Today you will have a fun drive back to San Jose which takes a good part of the day, depending on traffic of course. When you arrive in San Jose you will have the option of staying in a hotel overnight or connecting directly with your flights home after dropping off the hire car. Ask us for details and of how you could combine this tour with another Escaped to Latin America tour.  

Remember: You can modify this tour in any way, for example by adding extra days, just ask us to help. You can also combine this tour with any of our other Latin American vacations as we will book all the flights to connect with another destination.