Costa Rica Adventure with Tortuguero and Guanacaste

Let the Pura Vida way of life take over as you arrive in Costa Rica's cultural capital, San José. Affectionally known as 'Chepe', exploring San José reveals that it is a charming and vibrant capital. Built on the profit of a roaring coffee trade, this a city overflowing with museums, parks, theatres and innovative restaurants. Arriving today, settle in to your hotel and then head out to explore. Trendy Barrio Amón offers a wonderful glimpse into the history of the city with vast colonial mansions converted into art galleries, whilst Barrio Escalante is the gastronomic epicentre and the best place to grab dinner.

Travelling to Guapiles this morning, you'll hop on board a boat bound for Tortuguero. A place only accessible by air or water, float through miles of protected canals and listen for the sounds of birdsong as you venture into the Parque National Tortuguero. After settling in, meet up with a Local Specialist for a wander around the bustling little village, learning about its afro-caribbean roots and why it lives up to the meaning of its name, 'turtle catcher'. Wildlife aficionados, the fact that you've just arrived at the Western Hemisphere's largest rookery for Green Turtles is a piece of knowledge probably not lost on you, and you'll be learning more about the green, leatherback and hawksbill turtles who nest in the park on a visit to the Green Turtle Research Station later today.

You'll be up bright and early today to enjoy this beautiful region at its very best. As the sun slowly rises you'll cruise the canals of the national park, keeping a keen eye out for jaguars, macaws, tapirs and over 300 different species of birds, whilst also enjoying the sensation of the park waking up for another day. Basking in a smug sense of having seized the day before others have even woken up, you'll head back to the hotel for breakfast and a relaxing morning to enjoy the hotel facilities. This afternoon, join a Local Specialist for a guided jungle hike to discover the rare and beautiful flora and fauna of the region, as well as the conservation efforts currently being implemented to protect the region's delicate bio-diversity. Tonight, it's then the main event. Operating seasonally, opt to join a trip to watch a beautiful sea turtle laying her eggs on the beach. A real once in a lifetime experience, and a very special moment.

Waking to the sounds of the jungle, you'll travel back to San Jose today. En route you'll pass through Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of Costa Rica's most extensive national parks that covers a staggering 44,099 hectares and is home to seven diverse types of habitat. Arriving back into the capital, you'll meet up with your Travel Director and continue your Costa Rica Adventure.

Finishing up your final morning in San José with a quick sightseeing tour of the city’s most iconic sights, you’ll then travel north towards the creative little town of Sarchí. Widely regarded as the cradle of Costa Rican artisanship, this is the place to buy intricate arts, crafts and souvenirs. The finest display of Sarchí’s creative offering comes courtesy of the highly decorative oxcarts that are displayed here. Elegantly carved and hand painted in bright colours, the oxcart is a national symbol of Costa Rica and a beautiful reminder of its humble beginnings. Take your time browsing the shops and stalls here, before continuing your journey through the Tilaran Mountain range. Climbing higher and higher, we’ll be listening out for the collective sighs of appreciation as you enter the mysterious and misty Cloud Forest.

Meeting up with a Local Specialist this morning, you’ll seemingly step into another world as you enter the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Home to a variety of different eco-systems, you’ll learn about the thousands of different plant and animals species that thrive in this area, many of which only exist right here. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears poised for the sounds of hummingbirds, howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, and if you’re really lucky, the Quetzal bird. Costa Rica has a big reputation as a nature lover’s paradise, and this place won’t let you down. Leaving the forest on a real nature high you’ll have time to relax this afternoon, or join our ‘El Trapiche’ Optional Experience tour where you’ll get to visit sugarcane, banana, orange and coffee plantations.

Enjoy the ride this morning as you travel past cattle ranches and coffee plantations on your way to Arenal Volcano National Park. One of the shining jewels in Costa Rica’s already bedazzling crown, the national park is best known for its bubbling hot springs and geothermal activity, wide variety of wildlife and of course the sleeping giant, Arenal Volcano. As exciting as this all is, your attention upon arrival will likely be taken up by your gorgeous and secluded resort, nestled on the banks of the San Carlos River. Boasting outdoor pools, a butterfly garden, botanical gardens growing all manner of fruit trees and tame iguanas roaming the grounds, you’ll likely feel like you’ve entered a little corner of heaven. Settle in and enjoy relaxing in paradise this afternoon, before joining your fellow travellers for an included dinner at the resort restaurant this evening.

A guided hike through Arenal 1968 is first up on today’s action packed agenda. Denoting its name from the year Arenal Volcano created its most catastrophic eruption, this private reserve gives you the chance to walk through lava fields, observe leftover lava rocks and boulders and walk through forest land for wonderful views of both the volcano and Arenal Lake, the largest lake in Costa Rica. After a browse around La Fortuna town and a spot of lunch, this afternoon you’ll then head to the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Meeting up with a Local Specialist, you’ll ‘sky walk’ your way through the jungle canopy, testing your head for heights on the 6 suspension bridges while spotting a whole manner of birdlife. This evening and to round off an incredible day, let your worries and stresses drift away as you relax in the mineral rich pools of a hot springs resort.

Another day, and another chance to explore this natural wonderland. Your morning will begin with a safari float down the Peñas Blancas River, where you’ll join a Local Specialist and get to experience the peaceful tranquility of the rainforest whilst looking for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, caimans and tropical birds. On the way you’ll visit a local family who live and work on the river, gaining an appreciation for how connected the people of Costa Rica are to the natural environment. Back at your resort and with the afternoon free, enjoy going for a dip in the pool, play tennis, or join an optional horseback riding excursion through the rainforest.

From tropical rainforests to golden beaches, it will be a complete change of scenery today as you travel towards the 'golden coast' in the northwest of Costa Rica, arriving into the province of Guanacaste. A region loved for its glorious beaches, biodiverse parklands and fun surf, there's no better place to spend a couple of days than on the sun drenched shores of Playa Tamarindo.

With an entirely free day, how you explore is completely up to you. Keep it low key with a book and a cold beer at your resort, or choose to join one of our optional experiences. Choose to explore Palo Verde National Park with an optional boat tour inside the park. Get a close view of the amazing habitat, where hundreds of species of birds, animals and trees coexist. If you would rather be by the coast, join our Sunset Cruise optional and discover exquisite beaches of white sand and blue-green waters. This tour is ideal for swimming in the calm waters, or for snorkeling amongst the coral. Our last optional, the Mega Combo, is for those who are looking for something more active. Enjoy Zip Lines, hiking and a ride along Costa Rica's longest water slide. Natural hot springs and volcanic mud bath in the middle of a beautiful forest will take you a new level of peace and relaxation to complete the picture. However you choose to explore today, make sure you spend this evening surrounded by new friends, toasting to a final Costa Rican sunset.

Perhaps catching sunrise and after enjoying a final dip in the sea, your trip will come to an end after breakfast. Travelling to the airport and then on to your respective corner of the world, we wish you a safe journey and look forward to seeing you again some time soon!