• 650 384 0033 M-F 9-5 PST or speak to your travel professional

Natural Wonders of Costa Rica

  • Private Journey
  • 12 days Please contact us for customized tour price

  • Call 650 384 0033 M-F 9-5 PST or speak to your travel professional

Highlights of the Tour

  • Cruise through Tortuguero National Park’s canals and backwaters, watching monkeys, birds and marine life in their natural habitat.
  • Learn about the sea turtle conservation efforts at the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Observe turtles nesting on the beach. (July to September)
  • Relax in the hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano.
  • Walk across suspended bridges and hike among native flora at Monteverde Cloudforest.
  • Enjoy the beautiful beaches and tropical forests of Manuel Antonio National Park.
        RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
    Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainability is exemplary. Between 98-99% of the country’s electricity comes from renewable resources, and nearly 30% of the country’s land is preserved in national parks and wildlife reserves. Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve is run by the Tropical Science Center, a historic non-government that has pioneered conservation efforts, research, ecotourism, and sustainable development initiatives throughout the country. Manuel Antonio National park has received the ICT Elite Certificate of Sustainable Tourism in 2021. Tortuguero National Park works with Sea Turtle Conservancy and research, the world’s oldest international nonprofit. We plan your journey using small, family-run establishments to benefit the local communities and, wherever possible, use accommodations that practice sustainable tourism.

San José | Torguguero | Arenal Volcano | Monteverde Cloud Forest | Manuel Antonio

Explore Costa Rica’s incredible natural wonders – rainforest, cloud forest, volcano, and beaches! Located on the lush Caribbean coast, Tortuguero National Park is home to nesting sea turtles and beautiful rivers that meander through the wildlife-rich jungle. Proceed to Costa Rica’s most famous volcano, Arenal, a perfect place for outdoor adventures. Hike, zipline, and explore diverse birds and wildlife through the magical shrouds of mist at Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve that supports six different ecosystems. End your vacation with a few days at the beautiful, untouched beaches that border a rainforest teeming with various species of monkeys at Manuel Antonio.

Itinerary at a Glance

  • Day 1
    Arrive in San José
  • Day 2
    San José - Tortuguero National Park
  • Day 3
    Tortuguero National Park
  • Day 4
    Tortuguero – Arenal National Park
  • Day 5
    Arenal National Park
  • Day 6
    Arenal National Park
  • Day 7
    Arenal – Monteverde Cloud Forest
  • Day 8
    Monteverde Cloud forest
  • Day 9
    Monteverde – Manuel Antonio
  • Day 10-11
    Manuel Antonio
  • Day 12
    Return home or extend your journey
CDC Information
Day 1

Arrive in San José

Upon arrival in San José, you will be welcomed by your Recherché Journeys local representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Hotel Grano De Oro (4 Star)
Day 2

San José - Tortuguero National Park

Shared overland transfer to Caño Blanco on the Caribbean coast. Cruise through the canals and backwaters that lead to Tortuguero, looking for birdlife, monkey, sloth, and other wildlife en route.
Tortuga Lodge & Gardens (3 Star)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3

Tortuguero National Park

Travel by boat to Tortuguero National Park. Stop by the Tortuguero Village. Its Caribbean-style cuisine is distinct from the food in the rest of Costa Rica. Jamaican jerk, coconut milk curry, and red beans and rice are local specialties. Continue to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, an educational center working to study and protect green turtles in Tortuguero since 1959. From July to September, observe turtles nesting on the beach.
Tortuga Lodge & Gardens (3 Star)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4

Tortuguero – Arenal National Park

Travel from Tortuguero to Arenal by shared boat and coach transfer. Stop for lunch at Guápiles and take a three-hour private transfer to the Arenal Volcano National Park, a region spanning 500,000 acres of rainforest filled with rivers, lakes, and old volcanic lava fields. Spend the rest of your day enjoying a soak at the natural hot springs.
The Springs Resort & Spa (5 Star)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5

Arenal National Park

Discover the diverse wildlife of Caño Negro, a critical wetland habitat for a range of bird species, and the Rio Frio on a full-day tour. Travel by boat to get up-close views of monkeys, iguanas, egrets, herons, and other wildlife.
The Springs Resort & Spa (5 Star)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6

Arenal National Park

Visit the Arenal Hanging bridges this morning and enjoy a canopy walkway tour with your private guide. Join a small group tour to explore the National Park further and visit a lava wall. Spend the evening at leisure.
The Springs Resort & Spa (5 Star)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7

Arenal – Monteverde Cloud Forest

A boat across Lake Arenal and a private jeep transfer take you to the misty cloud forests of Monteverde. Proceed for a visit to Life Monteverde, a coffee cooperative dedicated to sustainable farming and conservation. After a delicious farm-to-table lunch, walk through the plantations and learn about the growing and production of coffee. Join a traditional Costa Rican cooking class and a coffee-making demonstration. Your visit directly benefits Monteverde's educational programs that provide free access to local school groups and training for locals.
Hotel Belmar (4 Star)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8

Monteverde Cloud forest

This morning head out on a guided walking tour with a Naturalist to learn about the biodiverse environment of the cloud forest. A lush area of mosses, ferns, flowers, and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree and home to over 600 species of butterflies, 400 species of birds with 100 reptile, and 120 mammal species. In the afternoon, visit the Selvatura treetop suspension bridge walkways that provide the best vantage point to observe the beauty of the cloud forest. Spot the wildlife in their natural habitat, and experience the forest from up to 180 feet above the forest floor. Proceed to the beautiful hummingbird garden, home to 14 different species of hummingbirds.
Hotel Belmar (4 Star)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9

Monteverde – Manuel Antonio

Travel on a shared coach to the beautiful Central Pacific coast. Arrive at Manuel Antonio in about five hours. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Tulemar Resort (4 Star)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10-11

Manuel Antonio

Spend a couple of days exploring the stunning coastline at your own pace. Take optional excursions, including rainforest walks, kayaking, or boat tours.
Tulemar Resort (4 Star)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12

Return home or extend your journey

Take a private three-hour transfer back to San José in time for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast

Pricing Details

Price available on request. Please email info@rjourneys.com or call 1-650-384-0033.

 

 

Accommodation:

For your holidays, we choose environmentally sustainable accommodations that implement green initiatives by actively reducing energy and water usage and help the guests keep their impact to a minimum, like not changing towels and linens daily unless requested. Some of these hotels operate with renewable energy, bring farm-to-table food from onsite organic gardens, and even build with recycled building materials.

This tour can be customized to fit into your pace and budget. Please contact us for a customized itinerary.

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