Enjoy the natural and cultural contrast that you will find in Costa Rica from Caribbean Coast to Pacific Coast. South Caribbean coast is a wonderful and very special destination that offers each visitor a unique blend of beaches, natural resources and Afro-Caribbean culture. In the northern part of the Costa Rican Caribbean, you will enjoy on boat through access channels to Tortuguero, surrounded by lush rainforest that will enable you to enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna. You can feel a pure contact with nature in a paradise that offers visitors 2000 species of plants and 400 species of trees, just as you can observe some of the 405 bird species. Continuing to the north plains where the impressive Arenal Volcano will welcome you with its majestic, almost perfect volcanic cone. Then will be time to enjoy at Rincon de la Vieja, this area is famous for its cowboys and cattle breeding. After that will be time to explore Monteverde Cloud Forest an area of great wealth where 3,021 species are known, including a total of 755 species of trees, besides being considered site on the planet with the greatest diversity of orchids, over 500 species, of which there are 34 endemics, making Monteverde a paradise for nature lovers. In addition, it is the ideal place for bird watching, being the most famous of these the beautiful quetzal. Finally, you will visit the beach area in the Costa Rican pacific that mixes lovely white sand beaches with jungle and rain forest full of wildlife

Program Summary:

Day 1:  San José

Day 2:  Puerto Viejo de Limón

Day 3:  Puerto Viejo de Limón

Day 4:  Tortuguero // Visit to Tortuguero Village

Day 5:  Tortuguero // Visit to Tortuguero National Park

Day 6:  Arenal Volcano

Day 7:  Arenal Volcano

Day 8:  Rincón de la Vieja

Day 9: Rincón de la Vieja

Day 10: Monteverde

Day 11: Monteverde

Day 12: Leisure Day

Day 13: Leisure Day

Day 14: Leisure Day

Day 15: Departure SJO

Day 1:  SJO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT– SAN JOSE

Upon your arrival at SJO International Airport, a Swiss Travel representative will meet and greet you, and he will provide you with all the necessary documentation you will need during your vacation; then, you will be transferred to your selected hotel in San Jose.

Day 2:  SAN JOSE – PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON                                                                Breakfast

This day will be time to move to the paradisiacal Costa Rican South Caribbean coast, a wonderful and very special destination that offers each visitor a unique blend of beaches, natural resources and Afro-Caribbean culture. During the transfer, after leaving San José along Route 32, you will see the beauty of the Braulio Carrillo National Park, a sanctuary of flora and fauna covered by dense vegetation, which is a sign of our Costa Rican biodiversity.

Upon completion of the route through the national park, we will pass through the picturesque towns of Guapiles and Siquirres to approach the coast. Where you will catch sight of the wonderful sea until the arrival at Puerto Viejo de Limon, where some of the most spectacular beaches in Costa Rica are located and where you will enjoy two nights at the selected hotel.

Day 3:  PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON                                                                                     Breakfast

Today is at your leisure to enjoy the natural surroundings, relax on the beach, swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea or visit the town of Puerto Viejo de Limon and get a souvenir at a good price. If you wish to continue discovering the natural beauty of the South Caribbean of Costa Rica, we recommend visiting Cahuita National Park or Wildlife Refuge Gandoca – Manzanillo, which are well known, not only for their natural beauty and optional activities, but also because they have raised awareness in local people about the importance of preserving natural resources for future generations.

Day 4:  PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON – TORTUGUERO                                Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This day we will continue to the northern part of the Costa Rican Caribbean. Passing across the town of Guapiles to continue to the local pier, where we will take a relaxing trip of more than an hour by boat through access channels to Tortuguero. Surrounded by lush rainforest that will enable you to enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna. During the trip, you will observe various types of birds, reptiles, monkeys, among other animals. Upon arriving at the selected Lodge, you will receive a brief of the activities to follow and recommendations to be taken into consideration when staying in the area.

In the afternoon, we will visit the picturesque village of Tortuguero where you will learn about the lifestyle of local residents who use bicycles as a means of transport within the small town and who have made tourism its main source of income. In addition, you will learn important conservation efforts that have developed some NGOs to protect the most important nesting site of the Caribbean green turtle, the leatherback and the hawksbill turtles that come to nest each year. During the months of July to September, you can take the optional excursion (extra cost) that is coordinated directly with the Lodge to enjoy during the night one of the most impressive natural events: the massive arrival of turtles to lay their eggs after their long journey through the Caribbean Sea along the 22 kilometers of protected beach.

Day 5:  TORTUGUERO                                                                                         Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we will visit Tortuguero National Park that will dazzle you with its enormous biodiversity.

From the boat, you can feel a pure contact with nature in a paradise that offers visitors 2000 species of plants and 400 species of trees, just as you can observe some of the 405 bird species.

Among mammals is white-faced monkeys and howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, plus some endangered species such as the jaguar, ocelot and the tapir, which is the largest in the rain forests of Latin America. There is also presence of crocodiles, different species of turtles and freshwater fish. Tortuguero will definitely offer a unique and unforgettable experience.

Day 6:  TORTUGUERO – ARENAL VOLCANO                                                      Breakfast & Lunch

By midmorning, we will board again from the selected lodge through the local pier, enjoying again the biodiversity present along the canals. Then, we will continue by road to the town of Guapiles where you can enjoy a delicious lunch and then continue to the northern plains of Costa Rica.

This route offers beautiful scenery accompanied by picturesque rural towns until reach La Fortuna de San Carlos. At this point, if weather conditions are favorable, you will be able to see one of the greatest natural attractions of the country: the impressive Arenal Volcano that will welcome you to the area with its majestic, almost perfect volcanic cone.

Registration and accommodation for the next two nights at the selected hotel will be done.

Day 7:  ARENAL VOLCANO                                                                                                Breakfast

This day is at your leisure to enjoy the tourist attractions (extra cost) around the Arenal Volcano. If you want to explore the area in a more exciting way, we recommend you the Sky Tram & Sky Trek. This tour combines the climbing to the top of the mountain by Sky Tram enjoying beautiful scenery of Arenal Lake, while pulleys subject to transverse cables make the descent from one mountain to another, to feel the adventure all over your body!

If you prefer a quieter excursion and admire the natural beauty of the northern plains, we recommend a visit to Arenal Hanging Bridges, a system of trails immersed in the rainforest where you will be able to walk along 16 hanging bridges. Bridges and trails were built considering all type of visitors and their security. This tour is adorned with magnificent views of the impressive Arenal Volcano and you will regularly find a huge variety of species such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects making it one of the most advantageous visits in the area.

Day 8:  ARENAL VOLCANO – RINCON DE LA VIEJA                                                           Breakfast

Today we will continue towards Rincon de la Vieja volcano surroundings, the first stage of the route is full of beautiful panoramic views of the largest lake in the country, which is used for power generation: Arenal Lake. Continuing with the trip, we can see in the distance the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes, when passing through towns like Cañas, Bagaces and Liberia, before reaching the area of Rincon de la Vieja volcano. This area is famous for its cowboys and cattle breeding. Therefore, you can see open fields of dry grass for cattle grazing, along with landscapes of tropical dry forest, with its variety of wildlife. Registration and accommodation for the next two nights at the selected hotel will be done.

Day 9:  RINCON DE LA VIEJA                                                                                           Breakfast

Day at your leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or consider taking an excursion (extra cost). We recommend that you visit Rincon de la Vieja National Park (closed on Monday) where you can see during the walks the bubbling mud pools and sulfur fumaroles, while exploring the trails in the tropical dry forest. When walking, a local guide will describe all the secrets of the ecosystem while looking at animals like monkeys, toucans, agoutis, coatis, among others. The park was created to protect the flora, (it has the largest existing population of the national flower, La Guaria Morada (Guariante skinerii)) the extensive wildlife, and the watersheds around the area.

Day 10: RINCON DE LA VIEJA – MONTEVERDE                                                                Breakfast

This day, during the morning, it will be time to continue to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. During the trip, you will enjoy the beautiful rural countries that adorn the gravel road and as they are approaching the high end, you can feel a slight change in temperature, since the place is more than 1300 meters above sea level. Costa Rica represents 4% of the plant species on the planet and highland cloud forests of Monteverde is an area of great wealth where 3,021 species are known, including 755 species of trees. Besides being considered site on the planet with the greatest diversity of orchids, over 500 species, of which there are 34 endemics, making Monteverde a paradise for nature lovers.

Registration at selected hotel where you will stay for the next two nights will be done.

Day 11: MONTEVERDE                                                                                                      Breakfast

Day at your leisure to explore on your own around the Monteverde Cloud Forest characterized by its spectacular protected forests, which are home to a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. If you prefer to add adrenaline to your trip, you can enjoy adventure activities like the Sky Walk, which is a network of hanging bridges built in the forest trails, horseback riding, or Sky Trek Canopy tour. In addition, you can enjoy a cultural experience by visiting the Trapiche, a butterfly garden, or CASEM, which is a women's cooperative in the area, offering crafts designed by housewives’ heads of household.

Also for nature lovers, it is the ideal place for bird watching, being the most famous of these the beautiful quetzal. Whatever your preference is, Monteverde will make your experience unforgettable and 100 % natural.

Day 12: MONTEVERDE – SELECTED BEACH                                  Breakfast

Today you will continue your journey to the beautiful and paradisiacal beaches of the Costa Rican Pacific, which are known throughout the world especially for their impressive combination of tropical forests and multicolored beaches.

You will have the option to stay either in the Guanacaste area or in the Manuel Antonio area.  

You will have some unforgettable days where you can relax and enjoy your 3-night stay at the  hotel.

Days 13 & 14:  LEISURE DAY - BEACH                                        Breakfast

These days are at leisure to rest, enjoy the sun and the beach and eventually explore on your own some of the optional excursions (extra cost) offered in the area.  Some of these activities are hiking in National Parks, Canopy, boat tours and many other activities.

Day 15:  LEISURE DAY- BEACH  – INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT        Breakfast

After enjoying some unforgettable days in Costa Rica, for this day is scheduled to return to the International Airport.

On the way, you will be able to admire various landscapes along the way.

Please consider that the Costa Rican immigration authorities recommend passengers to be at the International Airport 3 hours earlier in order to proceed with the registration procedures with the airline and with the immigration authorities, in addition to the transfer time, so it is suggested to book your flight departing in the afternoon.