Colorful Costa Rica (2023)

Passengers who purchase flights will depart the same day as the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.

For flight details, see Before You Depart.

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.

We'll leave the Central Valley this morning for the lush northern lowlands where Sarapiqui is located on the banks of the Sarapiqui River and next to the Braulio Carrillo National Park - making it a nature lover's paradise and a gateway to many thrilling adventures and nature activities. We'll visit a family-run organic farm where we'll gain insights about organic and sustainable agriculture as well as the history of traditional products and how they've influenced the local economies and communities. During our visit, we'll also learn about a great variety of crops that have not only been infused into Costa Rican cuisine but transcend borders to other countries and continents like sugar cane, papaya, pineapple, banana, cocoa tunnel (chocolate making process), and more! After our delicious farm-to-table lunch, we'll check into our eco-loge located in the midst of the rainforest. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner at our lodge.

After breakfast, we'll begin our journey into Tortuguero National Park. This Caribbean Delta is a key nesting site for Costa Rica's turtles and is known for its lush rainforest and tropical wildlife. At the port, we'll board a motorboat and travel through the Tortuguero rainforest via its canals to our lodge where we'll have time to rest and enjoy lunch. This afternoon, we'll visit the colorful village of Tortuguero to learn the lifestyle of locals and their Afro-Caribbean handicraft shops. The village of Tortuguero depends on eco-tourism and the conservation of sea turtles so everything we purchase helps sustain the local community and turtle protection project. Returning to the lodge, the rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the lodge's amenities.

Today we'll explore the area's wildlife through the creeks and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park spotting birds, monkeys, caiman, and river turtles. Tortuguero is the primary nesting site for the Green Turtle from July through 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 turtle 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.

This morning we'll continue our adventure by traveling to the Guapiles area where we'll break for lunch at a traditional Costa Rican restaurant. After lunch we'll continue to the northern lowlands, enjoying the beautiful scenery and amazing views of the mountains as well as views of the agriculture, a major source of revenue in the area.  After we arrive in La Fortuna de San Carlos, we'll have time to relax before sundown. The evening is at leisure to explore independently or you may join the optional half-day Paradise Hot Springs tour.

This morning we'll embark on a hike high into the verdant 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 this morning's excursion, we'll gain insight into the native flora and fauna of the area 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 and rainforest. We'll explore the trails as the sun sets, spotting nocturnal wildlife at this magical time of night. We'll also enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared on a wood-burning stove before returning to our hotel.

Today we leave Arenal behind as we continue towards Tamarindo. En route, we'll 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 threats and measures Costa Rica faces in the country's conservation efforts. We'll see how staff and volunteers work to rehabilitate injured animals like monkeys, deer, pigs, otters, birds, and especially the wild cats. After lunch, we'll continue to Tamarindo where we'll check in at our hotel. Tamarindo has some of the best beaches on Costa Rica's Pacific coastline and the neighboring beach is a protected nesting ground for the endangered Leatherback Turtle during the breeding season.

Today is our free day to rest and relax or explore Tamarindo independently. You also have the option to enjoy a half-day Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling Tour. This evening we'll enjoy a farewell dinner together.

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!