Day 1-4
1st Day: Arrival, Santa Ana, Central Valley (-, -, D)
Arrival at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela and drive to our nearby hotel in Santa Ana.
After a tasteful dinner we will provide you with some information and instructions about the travel documents and explain peculiarities of the tour. There will also be time to answer any questions that you may have.
Overnight in Superior- room, Posada Nena with half board
2nd Day: Santa Ana, Central valley (B, -, D)
We have experienced that some of our guests had to cancel their plans for the first day, due to missing flights or trouble with connecting flights. This is why we prefer to leave the first day in Costa Rica open for an individual program depending on your condition. You can relax in our friendly Posada or go to San José on your own. We can provide you with maps, information, timetables and ideas.
Overnight in Superior- room, Posada Nena with half board
3rd Day: The nebulous Irazú Volcano: (B, L, -)
The active volcano “Irazú”, located in the “Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú”, is the highest volcano in Costa Rica, with over 3600 m above sea level.
The National Park is located approximately 1.5 hours east of the Posada. There are also two secondary craters.
With a good weather, you will have an amazing view into the bubbling inside of the volcano and a look at the two seas: The Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. There is no guarantee, of course, but despite the fog, there is a chance to take a look at the sulfur-colored water in the huge crater with fumaroles.
The laborious ascent is eliminated, because a well-built footpath leads from the visitor center to the crater.
The day trip also includes a visit to the Lankester botanical Gardens near Cartago as well as the city of Cartago and Orosi.
Overnight in Superior- room, Posada Nena with half board
4th Day: Adrenaline rafting and Canopy on one day (B, L, -)
What could be more exciting? Driving on a lazy river through the evergreen rain forest along the Rio Sarapiquí in an inflatable boat. Monkeys screaming in the woods, dozens of different species of birds can be observed at close range. Suddenly appears the first rapids. Fortunately, before starting there you will get a comprehensive introduction and a safety briefing. Also the security standard on our tours is extremely high. The Rio Sarapuiqui has rapids of Class 1 - 3 and is therefore a bit challenging. Children under 9 will not be taken, however, as an alternative, we can offer horseback riding. In the afternoon there is a great Canopy tour over the top of the jungle.
Overnight in Superior- room, Posada Nena with half board
Day 5-7
5 - 7th Day: Tortuguero National Park (B, L, D)
The flora and fauna from the National Park are unique in this world. Our guides have the knowledge and the experience to match people's requests.
The tour begins early in the morning. We drive through various kinds of nature on our way to “Caño Blanco” by bus. At the end we will continue by boat. Depending on how many wild animals can be seen on the road, it can take a long time until we get to the lodge.
Once there, and after a welcome drink, there is a powerful lunch before the first tour starts. Frogs, butterflies and gardens are on the itinerary. After dinner, you will also book an optional night tour.
Early in the morning, before the rich breakfast, you will enjoy a guided tour by boat through the Tortuguero National Park, where you can see and meet a variety of animals and plants. Particularly the bird life is very active at this time and you will get to see many of the more than 300 species of the National Park.
Optional:
Kayak tour: After already receiving a detailed knowledge of the flora and fauna you can do a kayak tour to look up close at things again in peace. Here you will be with a small group going upstream, so you can easily return to the lodge within three hours.
Turtles spawn:
This tour is only available during the spawning season, from July to October, and it provides an unforgettable experience. If you go to the beach at night, you may watch one of the giant tortoises as it digs a nest and lays its eggs in it. The whole thing is strictly monitored by volunteers, so that the turtles are not disturbed during their work. Photographing and white lights are strictly prohibited, dark clothing is recommended.
Overnight in Standard- room, Mawamba Lodge with full- board
Day 7-9
7th day, Puerto Viejo (B, L, -)
The lunch in the seventh day will be taken in a nice restaurant outside the Tortuguero national park. Here you will get your rented car. We provide a programmed GPS, where you will find all points of interests of your trip.
It is only a short journey to the Caribbean coast and the nice town of Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo is well known for the Caribbean flair, the Reggae music and the nice, white beaches nearby. After the days of adventure and jungle you can enjoy the nightlife with music and freshly made cocktails.
Overnight in Bungalow, Coco Loco Lodge with breakfast
8th and 9th day, Puerto Viejo, Cahuita Nationalpark (B, -, -)
You will stay in the comfortable Coco Loco Lodge in the town of Puerto Viejo.
The nearby maritime Cahuita National Park is a colorful and has an easily accessible underwater world.
You can book an optional tour including snorkeling and hiking, but you can also do it on your own, except for the snorkeling, for which a guide is required. There are gorgeous white beaches, inviting you to go for a swim and the coral reefs are accessible by swimming. Anyone who brings something to eat, must take care of his belongings. The monkeys from the National Park are always hungry.
Overnight in Bungalow, Coco Loco Lodge with breakfast
Day 10-13
10th Day, Sarapiqui (B, L, -)
This days tour starts at the caribean coast until the dense rainforests from Sarapiquí. The Lodge is located close by to the river. The Day Tour leads to an unknown treasure- the Lago Jalapa. While walking through the dense rainforest there are several possibilities to see wild animals. Here starts the trip on a small boat over the quiet lake Jalapa. Nature pure, nobody around, only a lot of rare birds and small animals. After the boot tour you will come back to the trail inside the forest and continue the hike for another 45 minutes, until you reach a lovely restaurant where you will get a typical lunch with fresh harvest ingredients from local farms.
Overnight in Chilamata rainforest Lodge with breakfast (distance to drive this day: 220 km, 4 h, 30)
11th National Park Braulio Carrillo (B, L, D)
Located in the west of Sarapiqui is San Miguel, surrounded by rural wilderness, close to the border of the national park Braulio Carrillo. Here is our cordially accommodation located. The Lodge is the starting point for many tours around the close forest area. Clear waterfalls and lonely rivers are accessible by walking or horse riding. The tours are available in different levels and included in the price. Nature and a silent atmosphere is guaranteed at this insider tip.
Overnight in Albergue el Socorro with full board (distance to drive this day: 32 km, 1 h)
12th Day: North near the border of Nicaragua (B, -, -)
After bird watching in the early morning, you will continue driving north. The destination is the Laguna de Lagarto Lodge next to the Rio San Carlos. The Lodge is located at the edge of a 500 ha big tropical rainforest, far away from any civilization. In the afternoon you will explore the forest with a guide from the Lodge and after that you can explore the forest by yourself at any time. There is an existing trail that has a length of more than 10 km. 
An amazing adventure is a canoe tour. You can get close to the rainforest in one of the two Lagunas. In the jungle are amazing flowers and plants can be found. In the evening you can make a night-walk, where you are able to see caimans and other nocturnal animals.
Overnight in Laguna de Lagarto Lodge (distance to drive this day: 67 km, 2 h, 40)
13th Day: Rio San Carlos- Boca Tapada (-, -, -)
Early in the morning, we will take you to the pier, where your boat tour along the Rio San Carlos starts. The Rio San Carlos has it source at the volcano Arenal and opens up into the Rio San Juan, the border river between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
The tour will take around 4 hours and you can see many animals in their national habitat. Caimans are soothing in the sun, right next to water turtles. In the trees nearby the bank, you can see sloths and monkey families, with a bit of luck.
Overnight in Laguna de Lagarto Lodge
Day 14-18
14th day: Boca Tapada- Arenal Volcano (-, -, -)
On this day, there is the very special destination: the Arenal Volcano. The Arenal is considered the most active volcano in Central America and is also the youngest of Costa Rica. The Arenal is known as a layer or stratum volcano. Its perfect cone is usually surrounded by light smoke.
The last major eruption of the 1670 meters high volcano Arenal, was in 1968. It destroyed the villages of Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacón, the remains can still be seen today.
The journey it takes you from the east side to "La Fortuna", via Pital and "el Muelle de San Carlos", where you cross the famous river of iguanas. You will have enough time to make a stop here. Continue to the east through the plateau, heading towards the Arenal. "La Fortuna de San Carlos" is a very nice, small town and a beautiful place with a direct view of the Arenal Volcano. After lunch you have time to visit the waterfalls of Fortuna. A beautiful walk through the woods leads to a unique viewpoint, fifteen minutes further up the valley you can reach the 70-meter waterfall.
Overnight in Hotel las Colinas with breakfast (distance to drive this day: 90 km, 3 h)
15th. Day: Fortuna- Rio Peñas blancas (B, -, -)
The inviolately Rio Penas blancas is fed by the many waters of the rainforest around Monteverde. The river is surrounded by lush rainforest, boiling springs and waterfalls with an altitude from 200 meters. The guided tour will start early from “la Fortuna”. There are 3 prospects to travel on the river; with the float, the canoe or with the kayak. You navigate the boat through a fantastic dark green rainforest and you will become calm, like the water. Sloths, crocodiles, caimans, turtles, saurian, 3 types of monkeys and many different kinds of exotic birds are inhabited here. The nature is unbelievably impressive. In the middle of the jungle, you will reach a traditional farm, where you get a local snack.
At the afternoon you will have leisure time to discover the national park Volcano Arenal on your own. You can make a hiking tour around the volcano, across lava flows, to a lava field. The landscape has a magical flair.
Overnight in Hotel las Colinas with breakfast
16th Day: Fortuna- caño negro
There is no place on earth where you can see so many animals in their natural environment. The Caño negro is perfect for lovers of nature. An unbelievable number of animal variety is waiting for you. Already the approach from la Fortuna to the Caño negro is absolutely interesting. You will drive through orchards of pineapple, sugar cane, yuka and papaya. The starting point of the tour will be a restaurant at the bank of the Rio frio. After a welcome drink, the nature exploration begins. Now you will get the chance to see caimans, monkeys, turtles, iguanas, lizards and many different birds. Every ornithologist loves the Caño negro with its rich bird life: Cormorants, storks, stilts, ibis, shovelers and many types of egrets are just a little selection of what you can be seen in the Caño negro.
Overnight in Hotel las Colinas with breakfast
17th Day: Fortuna- Rincon de la vieja: Costa Rican tropical cuisine (B, -, D)
Through dirty roads, we make our way to the next lodge. Wild nature, waterfalls and the direct proximity to the volcano Miravalles as well as Rincon de la Vieja, make this accommodation a real experience. With a little cooking course, the secrets of Costa Rican cuisine will be revealed to you. The freshly prepared dishes will, of course, be served afterwards.
Overnight in Finca la Anita with half board
18th day: Rincón de la Vieja (B, -, D)
Now it is time to explore the volcano Rincon de la Vieja and its national park. The volcano is not only very attractive and really big, after all, it has 9 craters and is temporarily active. Smoking chimneys and steaming mini-craters remind us that Costa Rica is located in a geologically active region.
Overnight in Finca la Anita with half board
Day 19+
19th day: Rincón de la vieja- Playa Samara (B, -, D)
Again a day of contrasts. After breakfast, we go leave the cold and rainy mountains and make our way down to the blue, warm sandy beach.
Samara Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. The kilometer-long white sand beach bay is ideal for swimming, surfing (suitable for beginners), sunbathing, beach walking and horse riding.
The hotel is located in the resort, very close to the beach. It is possible to relax at the pool or beach and enjoy a massage.
Overnight at Samara Palm Lodge with breakfast
20. + 21st day: Samara - great food, bathing and relaxing (B, -, -)
Samara has a lot to offer: Horseback riding, tours to nearby nature reserves, sailing trips, waterfalls and surf lessons. You could stay in this paradise forever.
Of course it is possible to book additional days.
Overnight at Samara Palm Lodge with breakfast
22nd day: Samara - Santa Ana (B, -, D)
Return to Santa Ana, assign of the rental car. In the evening, a delicious dinner in the Posada. The adventure is about to end.
23rd day: Santa Ana Airport - Home (B, -, -)
After breakfast we take you to the nearby airport.
Hasta luego Costa Rica. And we certainly hope to see you again soon.
tariffs & services
Service: 22 overnights in Hotels, Posadas or Jungle Lodges, 22* breakfast, 7 * lunch, 10 * dinner, Tour Volcan Poás, Tour Rafting & Canopy, 3 Tours in Tortuguero National park, Tour Lago Jalapa, 2 Tours el socorro, Tour Rio San Carlos, Tour Rio peñas blancas, Tour Caño negro, all mentioned Transfers, GPS,
Tariff for this Tour: 2039US$ per person, not including international flight and rental car
- If you are traveling alone, the cost will be a little higher, as there is a single- room charge and some transfers are more expensive. This tour works really well for single- travelers.
- A change of the trip and Hotels is always possible- please contact us for details.
- We can also provide you with a good offer for the rental car.
Costa Rica Individual
