Costa Rica Manuel Antonio Journey - 10 Days

Upon arrival in vibrant San Jose, you will be met by our representative who will assist you to your transfer vehicle. This will take you directly to your hotel, where you will spend your first night in Costa Rica. The rest of the day is at your leisure to settle in and prepare for the journey ahead. Overnight in San Jose.

We start early, travelling by bus through Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean plains, taking in impressive mountain views and charming villages along the way. En route, we stop for a delicious breakfast before continuing through the jungle by boat, cruising the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park.

Upon arrival at our eco-lodge, we enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. Afterwards, we board the boat again to visit Tortuguero village, where you can explore the town, stroll along the beach, and experience local life. If travelling between September and December, we may have the chance to see baby turtles making their way to the sea during hatching season. The remainder of the day is yours to relax at the lodge, surrounded by tropical forest and abundant wildlife. Lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Tortuguero.

Today is a relaxed day to enjoy the surroundings of Tortuguero National Park. We begin with a three-hour guided boat tour through the park's waterways, where you can observe over 350 protected species including birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and sloths amid lush tropical vegetation.

The rest of the day is yours to unwind by the pool or explore at your leisure. During the turtle nesting season from July to September, you may choose to join an optional late-night turtle nesting tour, available to book directly at the lodge. Lunch and dinner are included. You will spend a second night at the eco-lodge in Tortuguero.

We depart early by boat back to Guapiles, where ground transport will take us to a local restaurant for lunch. After a satisfying meal, a shared transfer will bring you to the Arenal area.

The afternoon is yours to relax and explore independently or to join an optional excursion. One popular choice is the Ecotermales Hot Springs, a natural retreat set against the backdrop of the impressive Arenal Volcano. The thermal waters, heated by volcanic activity to between 37°C and 41°C, offer a soothing experience with pools and a cold-water waterfall providing a gentle massage. This option includes transportation, a bilingual guide, entrance fees, and dinner. Departure is around 15:00, with the experience lasting approximately six hours. Overnight accommodation is in Arenal.

After breakfast, we take a guided walk through Arenal Volcano National Park. Your guide will explain the volcano's history, including its periods of activity, while you enjoy the lush surroundings and views of the now-dormant volcano. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as sloths, howler monkeys, and anteaters that inhabit the park.

After the tour, return to the hotel for a free afternoon. You may choose to join one optional activity - either an adrenaline-filled zipline adventure through the rainforest canopy or a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can explore the trail, swim in the clear waters, and support local community projects. Please note you can select only one optional experience today. Overnight in Arenal.

Begin the day with an early breakfast before checking out and travelling towards Monteverde. You will transfer to Arenal Lake, where you board a boat to cross the lake. On the opposite shore, a vehicle will be waiting to take you up to Monteverde. As you ascend to 1,200 metres above sea level, observe the shift from rainforest to cloud forest. Monteverde, located in Puntarenas province, is known for its misty cloud forests, coffee plantations, and abundant wildlife. The nearby town of Santa Elena offers charming restaurants and artisan shops.

Spend the day at leisure to explore independently or join an optional activity such as the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour - a three-hour hike along trails and suspension bridges that provide a bird's-eye view of the cloud forest canopy, with opportunities to spot birds, monkeys, sloths, and diverse plant life. Alternatively, you may prefer the Coffee Tour, which offers insight into Costa Rica's coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane production, with a focus on coffee and local folklore. Optional tours are not included. Overnight in Monteverde.

After breakfast, we set out for a hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Established in 1972, this renowned reserve protects 2.5% of the world's biodiversity and is a vital site for conservation and scientific research. As we explore, you'll encounter a rich variety of wildlife including mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids, alongside diverse plant life such as mosses, vines and native cloud forest trees.

If you wish, you can enhance your day by joining one of the optional tours you may have missed yesterday - the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour or the Coffee Tour - both offering unique perspectives on the forest and local culture. These tours are not included. We spend the night in Monteverde.

After breakfast, we travel to the beautiful coastal area of Manuel Antonio National Park. Upon arrival, you have the remainder of the day at your leisure to relax on the beach, explore the local surroundings, or enjoy the facilities of your hotel. Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

After a hearty breakfast, we will collect you from your hotel for a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. Your knowledgeable nature guide will lead you along a flat, scenic two-mile loop trail, sharing insights into the park's rich natural history. Along the way, you'll learn about the diverse plants and animals that inhabit this rainforest, including three of the four tropical primate species found in Costa Rica.

Midway through the walk, we will pause for around 20 minutes at the renowned "Third Beach", where you can relax on the soft sand or enjoy the waves. Keep an eye out for sloths, birds, reptiles, wild orchids, butterflies and other tropical flora. Your guides will provide Pentax and Swarovski monoculars and telescopes to enhance wildlife viewing and photography. After the tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Enjoy a final breakfast in Costa Rica before your transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport for your onward flight home or to your next destination.