14N-15D Costa Rica, Undiscoverd Nature
(1N SAN JOSÉ / 2N TORTUGUERO / 2N PACUARE / 1N TURRIALBA / 2N SAN GERARDO DE DOTA / 2N BAHIA BALLENA / 3N PENINSULA DE NICOYA / 1N SAN JOSÉ)
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DAY 1. SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA (20 MINUTES)
Welcome to San Jose, Costa Rica. Discover Costa Rica’s exceptional nature on our two-week trip to see famous sea turtle beaches, a top scenic river, dazzling cloud forest, whale-watching coasts and sublime tropical beaches. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. You have the rest of the day free. The capital city of San Jose is located in the middle of Costa Rica’s central valley, making it a strategic place for day trips. In addition, there are numerous cultural attractions to visit, like theaters, museums, historic buildings and beautiful parks. Other ideas for things to do include shopping at one of the craft markets, or going out to dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants, some of them with stunning views of the valley. Accommodation: Hotel Grano de Oro. -
DAY 2. SAN JOSÉ – TORTUGUERO (6 HOURS)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will cross the majestic Braulio Carrillo National Park heading east toward the Caribbean town of Guápiles, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then you’ll continue to the pier where your boat to Tortuguero will depart. Your boat tour will take you along the rivers and canals about 90 minutes to the hotel, providing an excellent opportunity to see wildlife and the jungle scenery. After lunch, you will visit the village of Tortuguero. Dinner is included at the hotel. Accommodation: Mawamba Lodge. -
DAY 3. TORTUGUERO
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you will go on a guided walk along the private paths of the hotel. After lunch, you will take a boat tour through the Tortuguero National Park canals. The Tortuguero National Park is famous for being the habitat of five species of sea turtles, and a great diversity of birds, amphibians and other animals. We recommend the optional night excursion to see turtle nesting. Dinner is included at the hotel. Accommodation: Mawamba Lodge. -
DAY 4. TORTUGUERO – PACUARE (4.5 HOURS)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will return by boat back through the Tortuguero canals until you reach the pier, where you will continue by ground transportation to Guapiles for lunch. Afterward, you will be transferred to the Pacuare Lodge. A visit to the Pacuare Lodge means a trip to a magical place in the middle of virgin rainforest along one of Costa Rica’s most famous rivers, the Pacuare. You will be delighted by the beauty and diversity of the tropical nature, and thrilled by adventure activities, while authentic Costa Rican hospitality will make you feel like part of the family. The cozy lodge rests in the middle of a private reserve next to the Pacuare River, considered one of the 10 most scenic rivers in the world, bordered by tropical jungle where colorful birds and butterflies fly among exuberant vegetation. The song of toucans and oropendulas complement the relaxing sounds of the river. Accommodation, lunch and dinner at Pacuare Lodge. -
DAY 5. PACUARE
Wake up to birds singing and the rushing sounds of the river. Then head to the main lodge for a delicious breakfast made with fresh ingredients. You can choose any of these optional tours to do today: guided walks through the emerald rainforest, a visit to the Cabecar indigenous people (cultural exchange with a Shaman), and the zip line. Accommodation, lunch and dinner at Pacuare Lodge. -
DAY 6. PACUARE – TURRIALBA (2 HOURS)
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your day with the unparalleled adventure of rafting down the Pacuare River, descending class 3 and 4 rapids through a spectacular rainforest gorge to your finish in the town of Siquirres. There, you will receive your rental car. Your destination this afternoon is the town of Turrialba, an area with important cultural and natural attractions. Accommodation: Casa Turire Hotel. -
DAY 7. TURRIALBA - SAN GERARDO DE DOTA (2,30 HOURS)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will drive to the lands of the Quetzal, the sacred bird of the Maya. On your very scenic journey, you will enjoy impressive tall mountains covered by lush green cloud forest. Tucked between the mountains in a narrow valley and surrounded by extensive forests, San Gerardo de Dota offers a paradise of flora and fauna in its purest state. Due to its elevation at more than 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level, it enjoys a temperate and cool climate. Combined with the fascinating cloud forest, it is a perfect destination for nature lovers. Accommodation: Savegre Lodge. -
DAY 8. SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
Breakfast at the hotel. You have a free day to relax in the cloud forest. Bird watching, hiking, exploring the region, or visiting waterfalls are some of the optional tours you can do. Accommodation: Savegre Lodge. -
DAY 9. SAN GERARDO DE DOTA – COSTA BALLENA (3,30 HOURS)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will drive down to the “Ballena Coast”, or Whale Coast, in the southern Pacific region. The Ballena Marine National Park in this area was created to preserve various coastal habitats, such as beaches, estuaries, mangroves, islands and coral reefs. The park also protects marine life like the endangered humpback whales that migrate to Costa Rica’s coasts to mate and have their calves. Accommodation: Tiki Villas Lodge. -
DAY 10. COSTA BALLENA
Breakfast at the hotel. In this region, there are many activities to enjoy: dolphin and whale watching, horseback riding, bird watching, scuba diving, snorkeling, sport fishing, sea kayaking, and hiking through the rainforest to waterfalls. Have your camera ready to capture the most beautiful natural details of our country. Accommodation: Tiki Villas Lodge. -
DAY 11 COSTA BALLENA– PENINSULA DE NICOYA (6 HOURS)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will travel by car and ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula, where you will enjoy countless beaches with spectacular coastal landscapes and small towns, each with its own charm. Accommodation: Tango Mar Hotel. -
DAY 12. PENINSULA DE NICOYA
Breakfast at the hotel. You have a free day to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the area. We also recommend visiting the Barra Honda National Park, which has a unique underground cave network, the nearby Curu National Wildlife Refuge, and taking a boat tour around the islands of the peninsula. Accommodation: Tango Mar Hotel. -
DAY 13. PENINSULA DE NICOYA
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to enjoy activities around the Nicoya Peninsula. Accommodation: Tango Mar Hotel. -
DAY 14. PENINSULA DE NICOYA – SAN JOSÉ (5 HOURS)
Breakfast at the hotel. You can enjoy your last morning in this tropical paradise, and then drive back to the Central Valley and San José in the afternoon. In the evening, you can visit a traditional Costa Rican restaurant offering live music and a dance show, or try international cuisine in one of the excellent restaurants of the area. Accommodation: Hotel Grano de Oro. -
DAY 15. SAN JOSÉ. END OF SERVICES (20 MINUTES)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to the airport. You must be at the airport three hours before your flight departure time. Your rental car can be returned at the agency’s office near the airport. Happy return trip home! We look forward to having you visit us again.
Tranportation Type: RENT A CAR