San José, Tortuguero, Sarapiqui, Arenal & Tamarindo
On this exotic adventure, be dazzled by Costa Rica’s vibrant beauty and culture. Experience the traditional charm of a typical Costa Rican town and find rest and relaxation in San José. Enjoy local cuisine and embark on a captivating boat ride through the rainforest to reach Tortuguero National Park, where you’ll encounter a variety of wildlife. In Sarapiqui’s tropical forest, we’ll partake in an eco-farm experience. Admire breathtaking views and spectacular scenery at the Arenal Volcano while partaking in fun activities like traversing suspension bridges, soaking in hot springs, spotting colorful dart frogs, and other fun options. We’ll even get the chance to have an up-close animal experience with rescued Costa Rican wildlife at a Wildlife Rescue Center Sanctuary. Finally, enjoy the Pura Vida at Tamarindo’s beaches with their magnificent sunsets.
Itinerary at a Glance
2024 Tour Itinerary:
- 1 night in San José (Central Valley)
- 2 nights in Tortuguero
- 2 nights in Sarapiqui
- 2 nights in Arenal
- 3 nights in Tamarindo
Tour Highlights
- Central Valley art experience (outskirts of San José)
- Colorful Tortuguero Village
- Explore Tortuguero's National Park wildlife from the water, while enjoying the numerous canals in a boat
- Finca Eco Organica visit with farm-to-table lunch (family-operated organic farm in Sarapiqui)
- Arenal Volcano
- Hanging Bridges Experience (Arenal)
- Pumas Rescue Center and Animal Sanctuary (Arenal)
- Tamarindo Beach
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from Miami (MIA) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Ground transportation in an air-conditioned motorcoach
- Accommodations at first class hotels and eco-lodges
- 21 meals: 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 7 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees as per itinerary
- Experienced, English-speaking Tour Director
Passengers who purchase flights will depart the same day as the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.
Note: Flights are not available on departures.
You must book your own flights to the tour destination and you are responsible for making your own way to the tour starting point, where you will meet your Tour Director. This is normally the first hotel in your itinerary.
You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.
Our unforgettable adventure to Costa Rica begins today as we arrive in San José and check into our hotel in the Central Valley, an exclusive area of Santa Ana in San José's outskirts that still maintains its traditional feel of a typical Costa Rican town. After we check-in, we'll have time to rest and relax and might consider enjoying the hotel's art collection - the largest art collection of Costa Rican artists after the national gallery. This evening, we'll enjoy a welcome dinner together.
Accommodations: Studio Hotel Boutique or similar
Meals: Dinner
We'll depart early this morning and drive towards Tortuguero, stopping en route for a traditional breakfast of rice, beans, eggs, and fresh tropical fruit. From the port, we'll board a motorboat and navigate the Tortuguero canals to our hotel on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean side. After lunch, we'll visit the colorful village of Tortuguero where we'll learn more about the lives of the residents and shop for Afro-Caribbean handicrafts. Tortuguero depends on eco-tourism and sea turtle conservation so our visit and any purchases help to sustain this community and the turtle protection project. We'll return to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Accommodations: Laguna Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we'll discover the area's wildlife spotting birds, monkeys, caiman, and river turtles as we travel through the creeks and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is the primary nesting site for the Green Turtle (July–October). Arrive earlier in the season and we may be lucky enough to see the larger Leatherback Turtle come ashore to lay her eggs. Outside of nesting season, there is plenty of wildlife to keep us occupied. November through January we may miss the turtles nesting, but we might have the chance to see baby turtles make their first dash into the waves. This afternoon is free to relax or explore independently.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we'll depart Tortuguero, traveling by boat through the verdant waterways to the port where we'll board our bus. We'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near Guapiles before we continue to Sarapiqui. Located on the banks of the Sarapiqui River and next to the Braulio Carrillo National Park, this area is a nature lover's paradise and a gateway to many thrilling adventures and activities. Upon arrival, we can enjoy the rainforest around our lodge or consider visiting a pineapple farm.
Accommodations: Sarapiquí's Rainforest Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we'll visit a family-run organic farm where we'll learn more about organic and sustainable agriculture as well as the history of the area's traditional products and how they've influenced the local economy and community. During our visit, we'll also learn about some of the crops that transcend borders like sugar cane, papaya, pineapple, banana, cocoa tunnel (chocolate-making process), and more! We'll also enjoy a delicious farm-to-table lunch before we enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we'll travel onwards towards the northern lowlands enjoying the beautiful scenery which includes amazing views of the mountains and the famous Arenal Volcano, and one of the major sources of revenue in the area: agriculture. Upon arrival, we'll have free time. We might relax at our hotel's pool or consider joining an optional excursion.
Accommodations: Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa or Arenal Country Inn or similar
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we'll embark on a hike into the forest of the Arenal Reserve. From the reserve's hanging bridges, we'll enjoy incredible views of the rainforest canopy, the Arenal Volcano, Arenal Lake, and the surrounding mountain range. During our excursion, we'll learn more about the native flora and fauna with plenty of opportunities to spot birds and howler monkeys in the surrounding canopy. This evening, we'll visit the home of Don Oscar and his family who own an amazing property with beautiful gardens. We'll explore the trails as the sun sets, spotting nocturnal wildlife at this magical time. We'll also enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared on a wood-burning stove before we return to our hotel for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we'll make our way to Tamarindo, stopping en route to visit a Wildlife Rescue Center & Sanctuary for an up-close animal experience with rescued Costa Rican wildlife. We'll learn more about eco-responsibility and the challenges the country's conservations efforts face. We'll see how the staff work to rehabilitate injured animals like monkeys, deer, pigs, otters, birds, and wild cats. After lunch, we'll continue to Tamarindo where we'll check into our hotel. Tamarindo is home to some of the best beaches on Costa Rica's Pacific coastlline and the neighboring beach is a protected nesting ground for the endangered Leatherback Turtle during breeding season.
Accommodations: Wyndham Tamarindo or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today is free to enjoy the beach, stroll through the beach town of Tamarindo, or enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
Meals: Breakfast
Today is free to enjoy the beach, stroll through the beach town of Tamarindo, or enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area. After our day at leisure, we'll come together at our hotel for a farewell dinner with our fellow travelers.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Travelers who purchased the air-inclusive package will depart our hotel early this morning as we make our way back to Liberia Guanacaste Airport for our return flight to the USA. We'll arrive home filled with memories from our Costa Rican adventure!
Meals: Breakfast
Plan ahead to maximize your savings!
Prices listed as “with flights” below include round-trip
airfare from one or more airports in the USA.
Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only,
and arrange their own arrival in destination.
Please note this may change your tour start date.
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a
date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please
contact us here
or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern)
at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone
(1.800.337.7773)
and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable,
non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the
time of reservation.
Deposits are $300 per person.
Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability.
Please see the
smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete
booking information.
Featured Accommodations
50mts North Cruz Roja,Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica.
Website
Tortuguero, Limón
Costa Rica
Website
CV9F+6XV, Heredia, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica
Website
7 Kms De Puerto Viejo De Sarapiqui (Chilamate, S.), Costa Rica, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
Website
At this recently renovated resort you'll feel like you're in paradise with beautiful surroundings and natural hot springs on the property. The waters spring from a natural underground river from the Arenal Volcano and carry a large variety of minerals which benefit the skin in different manners, in addition to providing the peace and relaxation that you need and desire.
142, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Website
1 km Sur de la Iglesia Católica de La Fortuna, sobre la ruta 702 Alajuela La Fortuna, San Carlos, 21007, Costa Rica
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00m al E y 800m al N del Bco. Ncal. de Tamarindo Guanacaste CR Tamarindo Provincia de Guanacaste CR, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website
What to Expect
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Level 2
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 4 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day). Included touring may feature light hiking, and/or stairs on some hilly and/or uneven terrain. Learn More
Pacing Level: Balanced
Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More
No Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Currently, there are no additional entry requirements for U.S. passport holders, but this can change at any time. Before travel, both U.S. and non-U.S. passport holders should visit our Passports & Visas page to reconfirm entry requirements.
The Hanging Bridges and the Night Walk are more advanced. Also important to note that two of the eco-lodges do not have air conditioning (none of the eco-lodges in this area do), although there are fans provided.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.