SARAPIQUI TROPICAL FOREST, TORTUGUERO, ARENAL VOLCANO, & TAMARINDO BEACHES
On this exotic adventure with airfare included, be dazzled by Costa Rica’s vibrant beauty and culture. Begin with an eco-farm experience at Sarapiqui’s tropical forest. Then head out on a captivating boat ride through the rainforest and arrive at Tortuguero National Park where you’ll discover beautiful flora and fauna, and pristine beaches. On your way to Arenal, admire the agricultural landscapes and pineapple plantations. The following day, visit the Arenal Volcano area to admire breathtaking views and spectacular scenery and partake in fun activities like traversing suspension bridges, soaking in the hot springs, spotting colorful dart frogs, and other fun options. On our way to the beautiful Pacific beaches of Tamarindo, we’ll have a cultural experience and visit a traditional Guanacaste home and kitchen where we learn how to make tortillas and enjoy some Costa Rican delicacies. Finally, enjoy the Pura Vida at Tamarindo’s beaches with its great sunsets. 4/5 stars on Tripadvisor!
For COVID-19 updates, please scroll down to our Before You Depart section.
Did you know that you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options for groups of 10 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
2022 Itinerary:
- 2 nights in Sarapiqui
- 2 nights in Tortuguero
- 2 nights in Arenal
- 2 nights in Tamarindo
2023 Itinerary:
- 1 night in San José (Central Valley)
- 1 night in Sarapiqui
- 2 nights in Tortuguero
- 2 nights in Arenal
- 2 nights in Tamarindo
Tour
Highlights
- Visit to Finca Ecoorganica – a family operated organic farm (Sarapiqui)
- Tortuguero Village
- Arenal Volcano
- Make tortillas and enjoy traditional Costa Rican coffee (Arenal – 2022 Departures Only)
- Tamarindo Beach
NEW in 2023:
- Central Valley art experience (outskirts of San José)
- Pumas Rescue Center and Animal Sanctuary (Arenal)
Your Tour
Includes
- Round-trip international airfare from Miami (passengers may also book this tour without flights)
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Ground transportation
- Accommodations in First Class hotels
- 19 Meals: 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours as per itinerary
- English-speaking Tour Director throughout
2022 Tour Itinerary
Map
Click the Day by Day itinerary above (or swipe on mobile devices) to see the experiences that await on each day of your tour.
Day 1: USA to Sarapiqui
Day 2: Sarapiqui
Day 3: Sarapiqui/Tortuguero
Day 4: Tortuguero
Day 5: Arenal
Day 6: Arenal
Day 7: Arenal/Tamarindo
Day 8: Tamarindo
Day 9: Tamarindo to USA
2023 Tour Itinerary
Map
Click the Day by Day itinerary above (or swipe on mobile devices) to see the experiences that await on each day of your tour.
Day 1: USA to San José
Day 2: San José/Sarapiqui
Day 3: Sarapiqui/Tortuguero
Day 4: Tortuguero
Day 5: Arenal
Day 6: Arenal
Day 7: Arenal/Tamarindo
Day 8: Tamarindo
Day 9: Tamarindo to USA
Guided Tour Pricing
Prices and dates below include round-trip airfare from Miami (MIA). Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only, and arrange their own arrival in destination.
| 2022 Tours | Tour Only | With Flights | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Monday
November 21 Tuesday
November 29 |
From
$2,149
$1,749
|
From
$2,649
$2,249
|
Select |
| 2023 Tours | Tour Only | With Flights | |
|
Monday
January 9 Tuesday
January 17 |
From
$2,299
$1,899
|
From
$2,899
$2,499
|
Select |
|
Monday
February 6 Tuesday
February 14 |
From
$2,299
$1,899
|
From
$2,799
$2,399
|
Select |
|
Monday
March 6 Tuesday
March 14 |
From
$2,399
$1,999
|
From
$2,799
$2,399
|
Select |
|
Saturday
May 6 Sunday
May 14 |
From
$2,299
$1,899
|
From
$2,799
$2,399
|
Select |
|
Saturday
July 1 Sunday
July 9 |
From
$2,299
$1,899
|
From
$2,699
$2,299
|
Select |
|
Saturday
October 7 Sunday
October 15 |
From
$2,299
$1,899
|
From
$2,699
$2,299
|
Select |
|
Monday
November 20 Tuesday
November 28 |
From
$2,199
$1,799
|
From
$2,599
$2,199
|
Select |
* Departures designated as "Guaranteed" may be canceled or rescheduled only under Extraordinary Circumstances, for example in situations deemed to be unsafe or nonviable due to local conditions. See Terms & Conditions for full details.
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.
Costa Rica Departure Tax ($29) not included. Departure Tax must be paid on departure directly by each traveler.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am – 5:30pm EST) 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.
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.
Half-Day Floating Safari on Sarapiqui River
Half-Day Paradise Hot Springs
Half-Day Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling Tour
Featured Accommodations
Studio Hotel Boutique
Selva Verde Lodge & Reserve
La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge
Tirimbina Lodge Hotel
Laguna Lodge
Mawamba Lodge
Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa
Wyndham Tamarindo
Before You Depart
COVID-19 UPDATE
Departing the U.S.: For the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours has implemented COVID-19 travel requirements which apply to all tours regardless of destination. To learn more, click here.
Please note destination entry requirements are changing rapidly. smarTours will communicate entry requirements in your Tour Documents 10-14 days prior to departure. For up-to-date information, please click the links below.
- Entry requirements
- State Department Travel Advisory Updates (Costa Rica)
- Center for Disease Control Updates & Information (Costa Rica)
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your flights from the USA to Costa Rica and back are on the following airline with the corresponding schedules. We recommend that you check-in 3 ½ hours before departure.
| Departure Date | Airline | Depart Miami | Arrive in Miami |
| 2022: Oct. 10 | American Airlines | 10:41 AM | 5:01 PM |
| 2022: Nov. 21 | American Airlines | 10:30 AM | 7:09 PM |
| 2023: Jan. 9, Feb. 6, Mar. 6 | American Airlines | 10:30 AM | 7:25 PM |
| 2023: May 6 | American Airlines | 10:05 AM | 7:25 PM |
Please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs if you are planning a connecting flight. We recommend at least 3 ½ hours. Please keep in mind that flight schedules are always subject to change.
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
The above airlines do not assign seats in advance. Seat assignment can only be arranged upon check-in at the airport.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging the entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour: Land-only services start upon independent check in at the Sarapiqui hotel on Day 1 of the itinerary listed on the tour page. Land-only services end after breakfast at the Tamarindo hotel on Day 9 of the itinerary.
Please Note: If booking land only, please provide your flight information and intentions regarding your airport transfer in Costa Rica as the airport transfers are long distances.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. All visitors are required by the Costa Rican immigration authorities to have a minimum of one blank visa entry page in their passport. Insufficient pages in the passport normally results in denied boarding or denial of entry upon arrival and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin. Visas are not required for American passport holders for stays of less than 90 days. Non U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
COSTA RICA DEPARTURE TAX
Costa Rica Departure Tax ($29 USD) not included. Departure Tax must be paid on departure directly by each traveler by major credit card (service fee may apply), USD , or local currency. This cost of the departure tax is subject to change. It is the traveler’s responsibility to reconfirm the cost of the departure tax prior to travel.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Your airline tickets along with final instructions and additional travel tips will be sent to you 7-10 days before the scheduled departure of your tour.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Currently, there are no immunization requirements for Costa Rica. All travelers should be up to date on routine vaccinations. As always, please consult your personal physician for any recommendations prior to travel. You may also learn more about any recommended immunizations at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
CLIMATE
Please find the average highs and lows for different areas in Costa Rica below:
| Month | San José | Tortuguero | Arenal | Monteverde |
| Jan. | 79°F / 63 °F | 84°F / 73 °F | 91°F / 71°F | 79°F / 64 °F |
| Feb. | 84°F / 64 °F | 86°F / 73 °F | 93°F / 73°F | 81°F / 64 °F |
| Mar. | 86°F / 64 °F | 88°F / 75 °F | 95°F / 73°F | 82°F / 64 °F |
| Apr. | 86°F / 66 °F | 90°F / 75 °F | 93°F / 71°F | 84°F / 66 °F |
| May | 84°F / 64 °F | 88°F / 75 °F | 91°F / 70°F | 81°F / 66 °F |
| Jun. | 82°F / 64 °F | 86°F / 73 °F | 90°F / 73°F | 79°F / 66 °F |
| Jul. | 82°F / 64 °F | 86°F / 75 °F | 90°F / 73°F | 79°F / 66 °F |
| Aug. | 82°F / 64 °F | 84°F / 73 °F | 90°F / 71°F | 79°F / 66 °F |
| Sep. | 82°F / 64 °F | 84°F / 73 °F | 90°F / 73°F | 79°F / 66 °F |
| Oct. | 77°F / 64 °F | 84°F / 73 °F | 88°F / 73°F | 79°F / 64 °F |
| Nov. | 79°F / 64 °F | 84°F / 72 °F | 88°F / 71°F | 79°F / 64 °F |
| Dec. | 79°F / 64 °F | 84°F / 72 °F | 90°F / 70°F | 79°F / 64 °F |
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards like MasterCard and American Express. Discover is less frequently accepted. For “street shopping” cash is suggested. The local currency is the Costa Rican colón. US dollars are accepted, and any change is typically returned in the local currency which can be used for future purchases. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (suitcase), max. 44 pounds and one carry-on piece. Carry on must not exceed 18”x10”x8”. Please note that there is a checked bag fee imposed by the airlines that must be paid directly by you at the airport in Miami. Eligible AAdvantage® cardmembers may be able to have this fee waived. Please reach out to American Airlines directly for details. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of casual separates with climate and comfort in mind.