Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes
8 Day Costa Rica Tour from San Jose to Arenal | Operated by Trafalgar
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8 Days
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1 Country
Costa Rica -
8 Cities
San José, Braulio Carrillo National Park, Tortuguero, Tortuguero National Park, Horquetas, Sarapiqui, Arenal Natura Ecological Park, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio -
16 Meals
1 Kickoff Party, 7 Breakfasts, 4 Lunchs, 4 Dinners -
Pace: Comfortable
Mainly 2–3-night stays in each location. Comfortable travel days with numerous stops. Requires 1-3 miles of walking per day that might involve some uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones and stairs.
Trip Itinerary
Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Cute sloths, boat rides and ziplines are waiting in the Pura Vida playground of Costa Rica and we can't wait to show you them all. On arrival, a local host will greet you at the airport and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Relax or hit the pool for a swim before meeting your Travel Director and fellow adventurers for some fiesta fun at our Kickoff Party.
Rise this morning and head east through Braulio Carrillo National Park, where we’ll embark on a river journey with a Local Specialist through protected wetlands to secluded Tortuguero as we glide through canals, lagoons and lowland rainforest. Then continue to your Stays with Stories at Laguna Lodge, where you’ll learn the story of how the lodge was built with materials that protect this biodiverse environment and natural habitat. For dinner tonight enjoy a buffet at the resort's open-air restaurant.
There's nothing like the wake-up call of a troop of howler monkeys to start your day. Set off on a Family Fun cruise through the park's canals with your Local Specialist and guide to explore the lush waterways of Tortuguero National Park. You may want to start a tally of all the types of wildlife you'll see. Look out for sloths, green iguanas, caiman, crocodiles and colorful toucans. Of course, you'll spot tons of monkeys - agile howler and spider monkeys and white-faced capuchins swinging through the dense rainforest canopy. This afternoon, venture back out on the canals to add to your wildlife tally or relax back at the lodge, the choice is yours. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience awaits this evening as you enjoy dinner while the young musicians of Tortuguero Music School entertain you with the joyful sounds of the Caribbean.
Bid adiós to the monkeys for now as you boat back to the mainland and travel to Horquetas. Here you'll Make Travel Matter and visit a local Tico family's palm plantation to learn how they grow this exotic vegetable. Taste something you've probably never tried before, the delicate heart of palm. After, head to a local restaurant for some refreshing passion fruit sorbet and view some of the huge green iguanas that hang around. This evening, enjoy a pizza party in an open-air kitchen where kids get to make their own pizza.
Rise and shine as the forest and volcano call you back. Start the day with a guided trek around the quiet side of the volcano at Arenal National Park. Walk through the old lava rocks and learn about the powerful forces behind the volcano's past eruptions. Then, head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges to walk eye-level with the lush canopy, observe the monkeys, sloths and chattering birds up close, and look out to see towering Arenal Volcano. Meet our hosts Rodrigo, Ana Julia and their family, for a Be My Guest experience hearing the amazing stories of the volcano eruptions. Explore the beautiful botanical garden and finish with lunch at the family ranch. Later, relax in the thermal springs or take a swim in the pool back at the hotel.
Imagine yourself soaring high above the jungle floor as you zipline (Waiver Required) through the treetops, eye-to-eye with the lush foliage and ocean views. Later, head south to Manuel Antonio, renowned for its warm blue waters, beautiful beaches and abundant exotic wildlife.
Walking deep into the national park with your Local Specialist guide, you'll definitely check off a few more creatures on your wildlife list-at last count, there were 109 different animals and 184 species of birds living here. Listen to the whooping bark of howler monkeys and the chattering of mischievous squirrel and white-faced monkeys. Then, it's time to hit the beach. Laze in the warm Pacific or choose an optional Mangrove Kayak tour^ or Open Sea Kayak and Snorkel tour^ where you may see various bird species, reptiles, anteaters and white-faced monkeys. This evening, join your fellow explorers to celebrate new friendships over a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.
Travel back to San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight home or consider extending your stay at the Sheraton San Jose. Airport arrival will be at approximately 11:00 am, please be aware when booking your flights.
Price Includes
What's Included- - An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- - Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- - All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- - All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- - Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- - Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- - Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- - All transport and transfers shown
- - Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- - Optional Experiences and free time
- - On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- - 1 Kickoff Party (KP)
- - 7 Breakfasts (B)
- - 4 Lunchs (L)
- - 4 Dinners (D)
- Welcome to Laguna Lodge Tortuguero, a remote 15-acre retreat which embraces the rich natural environment Costa Rica is known for. You’ll feel a part of nature among towering trees, exotic plants, and spacious gardens that host a number of birds and butterflies. Feel good knowing that the lodge itself protects this biodiverse environment by using alternate materials and structures that don’t permanently harm the land but instead preserve the natural resources you’ll come to appreciate. Take in this slice of paradise lounging by the pool, strolling in the garden or drifting off to sleep to the gentle sound of jungle rain.
- Cruise through Tortuguero's canals and lagoons both in the morning and in the evening, seeking out incredible tropical wildlife species such as monkeys in the treetops, toucans and egres flying through the air and crocodiles in the cool waters.
- Visit a wildlife center in Sarapiquí and interact with the resident reptiles and amphibians. Walk along the Arenal Hanging Bridges and go ziplining on the slopes of Arenal Volcano.
- Support the Cultural Association of Tortuguero while you are entertained by local musicians on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience with the Tortuguero Music School. The Cultural Association of Tortuguero is an NGO dedicated to promoting the cultural development in the region and works daily to generate opportunities for its inhabitants in educational, recreational and artistic programs that allow them to have a wider and more diverse knowledge along with enrichening experiences. The Tortuguero Music School advances this mission by empowering children from the community to explore their art skills through performances of Caribbean music. Your participation helps to build the Tortuguero House of Culture where the school and other cultural projects will be able to practice their arts.
- Meet a local Tico family at their palm plantation to learn about and sample the delicate heart of palm surrounded by tropical forest.
- Help to support a local community and the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor with a visit to the family run Snake Garden Wildlife Center.
- Discover the stories behind the Arenal Volcano with hosts Rodrigo, Ana Julia and their family -- both born and raised in La Fortuna where generations have watched this area develop. The family shares how locals used to think the world-famous volcano was a simple mountain, the amazing stories of the volcano eruptions and how their way of living has changed over the years. Explore the beautiful botanical garden that Ana Julia has created and sit down to lunch at the family ranch accompanied by the sounds of the river.
- Walking deep into the national park with your guide, you'll check off a few more creatures on your wildlife list.
Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Damas Island Estuary Boat Trip (Available on Day 7)Explore the Costa Rican mangrove ecosystem on a comfortable boat gliding along the water while birdwatching and admiring the verdant flora of the area. Wind through this natural sanctuary made up of canals and natural tunnels as your experienced guide spots flora and fauna along the way, watch for reptiles, anteaters, and monkeys. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the variety of Herons, Kingfishers, Ospreys, Frigate birds and more.
Adult Price: $86 Child Price: $89 Manuel Antonio Beach Kayak Tour (Available on Day 7)Kayak and snorkel exploring marine wildlife during this exciting excursion departing from the pier in Quepos. Paddle your kayak for a little over an hour navigating past tiny islands and observing marine birds and their nesting grounds. Conclude your adventure in Biesanz Bay, a hidden beautiful inlet where you can rest, enjoy a snack and snorkel.
Adult Price: $86 Child Price: $86 Catamaran & Snorkeling Adventure (Available on Day 7)Your naturalist guide will provide commentary as you sail by islands, cliffs, and rock formations while watching for bird nesting grounds and marine wildlife. After exploring the coastline, your captain will set anchor in a secluded bay, and there will be time to snorkel. Be on the lookout for parrotfish, angelfish, starfish and maybe a friendly dolphin! Beverages and snacks will be available onboard.
Adult Price: $114 Child Price: $75 Surfing Lessons (Available on Day 7)The beautiful beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park offer the perfect setting for your surfing classroom. Shortly after being picked up at your hotel, you will arrive at the beach and receive a short, 20-minute introduction prior to entering the water. Once in the water, the instructor will be with you at all times, and in between sessions, you can relax in a beach chair under the shade and enjoy available refreshments.
Adult Price: $95 Child Price: $83