Tour Journeys: Explore Costa Rica National Geographic Journeys

Transport

Private vehicle, shuttle van, boat, walking.

Accommodation

Hotels (11 nts), rustic jungle lodge (2 nts).

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Others

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Sea Turtle Conservancy Experience, Tortuguero Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Tortilla Making and Home Dinner, La Fortuna Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Monteverde Institute Lecture & Reforestation Project Your G for Good Moment: Mi Cafecito Coffee Cooperative Tour, Sarapiquí Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna Your Discover Moment: Monteverde Your Discover Moment: Manuel Antonio. Arrival transfer. Boat tour and wildlife viewing in Tortuguero National Park. Guided nature walk in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Guided excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Hygieneprotocol

As of October 1, 2021 G Adventures’ Vaccinated Tours Policy applies:  All travelers must meet the G Adventures requirements for joining their tours. The majority of tours require travelers to be fully vaccinated and the full/final COVID-19 vaccination must be at least 14 days before the first day of the tour. There are some tours and departures that are only ‘Travel-Ready’ which means all travelers must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours before the first day of the tour. Please, double check with the G Adventures Support Team about the requirements of your tour and departure date.

Meals

13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights not included.

Others

1. PROOF OF DEPARTURE Costa Rica will not be allowing anyone to enter the country without proof of a departure ticket (bus, airplane, boat, etc.). If you are travelling through a few countries in Central America, you will need to show proof of your itinerary and a departure ticket from your last destination. Please print the itinerary and voucher and bring it with you. 2. WEATHER Be prepared for rain and lower temperatures during the winter season (June-November), especially in Costa Rica’s central valley. 3. EXTRAS Looking to add to your experience? Check out our Extras! Specially designed for travellers with unique interests, Extras are optional add-ons to your G adventures trip that make your adventure more you-centric. Extras must be booked prior to departure, please see details in our optional activities field and ask your sales GCO or travel agent about booking. 4. ACCOMMODATION NOTE: Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.Tortuguero National Park - Turtle Nesting Night Excursion (Seasonal) (51USD per person) Tortuguero - Guided Kayak Excursion (60USD per person) Arenal - Baldi Hot Springs (64USD per person) - Stand Up Paddle (Lesson and Tour) (65USD per person) - Mountain Biking (79USD per person) - Hanging Bridges (75USD per person) - Kayaking (65USD per person) - Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Tour (65USD per person) La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall Swim (20USD per person) Arenal Volcano - Hot Springs (42-84USD per person) Monteverde - Guided Cloud Forest Night Walk - Monteverde Horseback Riding (45USD per person) - Ziplining (60USD per person) - Monteverde Butterfly Garden Visit (20USD per person) - Hanging Bridges Monteverde (47USD per person) - Monteverde Coffee Plantation Tour (40USD per person) Manuel Antonio - Whale and Dolphin Watching (65-80USD per person) - Horseback Riding (69USD per person) - Snorkelling - Whitewater Rafting Manuel Antonio (75-98USD per person) Manuel Antonio National Park - Hiking - Surfing (55-75USD per person) - Kayaking (70USD per person)

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: San José
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: San José

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
If you arrive early enough, you’ll have time to head into the city to visit a museum or the main plaza in the city center.

The plaza is a good place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere.

Transport:
- Private Vehicle: Juan Santamaría International Airport to San José

Included Activities:
- Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting

Additional Notes: Costa Rica has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and is a top destination for nature lovers. As such, there is a lot of rain, regardless of the season, allowing for its lush green rain forests and cloud forest, in which flora and fauna thrive. Please come prepared for the possibility of wet weather and variations in temperature.
Day 2 Day 2: San José/Tortuguero (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: San José/Tortuguero (1B, 1L, 1D)

Travel by land and motorized canoe to Tortuguero National Park. Located on the Caribbean coast, Tortuguero—translated as “land of the turtles”—is one of the world’s most important nesting sites for the endangered green sea turtle. Settle into our secluded lodge, then enjoy a guided boat trip along Tortuguero’s tropical waterways. Afterward, visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy, the world’s oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting sea turtles. Founded in 1959, the organization was inspired by the work of pioneering conservationist and National Geographic Grantee Archie Carr. Later, enjoy time to relax at the lodge pool, take a stroll along the beach, or head out on a kayaking excursion.
Enjoy a delicious Costa Rican breakfast en route as we transfer by road then boat through the famous canals of Tortuguero. This tropical eco-paradise is home to countless bird and animal species, and you will have many opportunities to view and photograph wildlife.

The tropical rainforest gives way to prime secluded beaches, ideal nesting grounds for green turtles (nesting July through October), loggerhead, hawksbill, and leatherback turtles (nesting March through June). We cannot guarantee you will see turtles, but that odds are fairly good from July through October.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 04:00 - 05:00 Hr(s)
- Motorized canoe: Tortuguero 01:30 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Sea Turtle Conservancy Experience

Additional Notes: In Tortuguero National Park we stay in a remote jungle lodge that is only reachable by boat. Rooms are simple, with ensuite, electricity and hot water, but due to this remote location there can sometimes be interruptions to services. There is no A/C but each room has large-screened windows and ceiling fans to catch the breeze off the Caribbean Sea. While at the lodge during your downtime, you can enjoy the pool, bar or beach. The stunning location, wildlife and natural beauty of the location more than makes up for a few minor inconveniences.

Occasionally, the Sea Turtle Conservancy is closed to visitors as it is an active research facility. In the event this happens, you’ll visit the nearby Caño Palma Biological Station, which includes a sea turtle and marine conservation presentation, a hands-on turtle measuring experience on the beach, and optional beach clean.
Day 3 Day 3: Tortuguero (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Tortuguero (1B, 1L, 1D)

This morning, we’ll explore the wildlife-rich canals of Tortuguero National Park once more, seeking out howler, spider, and capuchin monkeys, sloths, and a variety of birds.
There’s plenty of opportunity to see a variety of birds, monkeys, and other wildlife. In your downtime, relax at the secluded lodge on a hammock or at the pool or beach. You also have the option to take a kayaking excursion.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Included Activities:
- Tortuguero National Park Guided Boat Tour
- Guided Jungle Walk
Day 4 Day 4: Tortuguero/La Fortuna (1B, 1L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Tortuguero/La Fortuna (1B, 1L)

Depart early for the town of La Fortuna, situated at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano. En route, visit a G Adventures–supported coffee cooperative to gain insight into the process of coffee production, from bean to cup. After a typical lunch—accompanied by an aromatic cup of coffee—continue to La Fortuna. Check in to your hotel and unwind by the pool, taking in views of the surrounding jungle, the verdant hills, and the dark silhouette of the volcano.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Transport:
- Boat: Tortuguero 01:30 - 02:00 Hr(s)
- Private Vehicle: Tortuguero to La Fortuna 06:00 - 07:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Mi Cafecito Coffee Cooperative Tour
Day 5 Day 5: La Fortuna (1B, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: La Fortuna (1B, 1D)

Spend the day exploring La Fortuna and its surrounding areas on your own. In 1968, the Arenal Volcano erupted after centuries of laying dormant, converting this quiet agricultural town into a hot spot for adventure travel. This evening, visit a local home to learn how to make tortillas. Chat with your welcoming hosts and dig into a traditional Costa Rican meal of black beans, plantains, and your own handmade tortillas.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Included Activities:
- Tortilla Making and Home Dinner
Day 6 Day 6: La Fortuna (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: La Fortuna (1B)

Enjoy a full free day in La Fortuna. Choose to go stand-up paddleboarding on the tranquil waters of Lake Arenal, or venture into a world of stalactites, stalagmites, and subterranean species on a visit to the Venado Caves. Take a boat tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, one of the world’s most important wetlands; and relax in the shadow of Arenal Volcano at a naturally heated outdoor spa.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Day 7 Day 7: La Fortuna/Monteverde (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: La Fortuna/Monteverde (1B)

From La Fortuna, we make our way by road and boat to the misty mountain region of Monteverde. Spend two days exploring this charming little town and the nearby cloud forest reserve—a nature lover’s paradise.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Boat: Arenal 01:00 Hr(s)
- Private Vehicle 02:00 Hr(s)
- Private Vehicle 01:00 Hr(s)

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Guided Cloud Forest Night Walk

Additional Notes: The town of Monteverde is fairly small with shopping and some great restaurants, but most of the upgraded accommodations in this area are located outside of the main town centre - to take better advantage of the natural beauty and stunning landscapes of the area. Taxis are readily available to take you into town and back and can cost approx. $10USD each way.

Accommodations tend to be a bit more simple here, with fewer amenities. Its important to remember that the cloud forest sits at a higher elevation and offers a cooler but humid climate - which is why hotels in this area do not have A/C. It can also feel damp in rooms which is unavoidable in such a climate.
Day 8 Day 8: Monteverde (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Monteverde (1B)

Set out on a hike in the stunning Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, treading past giant ferns and vibrant orchids. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the resplendent quetzal—a sacred bird in Maya and Aztec cultures. In your free time, embark on a zip-lining adventure, gliding high above the treetops and zooming through the misty foliage.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Included Activities:
- Santa Elena Cloud Forest Guided Tour
Day 9 Day 9: Monteverde (1B, 1L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Monteverde (1B, 1L)

Pay a visit to the Monteverde Institute, a research and educational organization supported by National Geographic. Hear from a researcher about some of the institute’s conservation initiatives, including a successful reforestation project; then roll up your sleeves and head to the nursery to help plant trees and collect data for the project. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, opting to visit the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens to see dozens of local species, explore forest trails, or go zip-lining.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Included Activities:
- Monteverde Institute Lecture & Reforestation Project
Day 10 Day 10: Monteverde/Manuel Antonio (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Monteverde/Manuel Antonio (1B)

Leaving the cloud forest behind, travel to Costa Rica’s sweeping Pacific coast and settle into your hotel in the seaside village of Manuel Antonio. Soak up the laid-back atmosphere of the area, and opt to spend the remainder of the day relaxing on the beach.
The white-sand beaches and warm Pacific waters are the ideal atmosphere to relax at the end of your adventure. If you opt to chill out at the beach, be sure to walk out into the sea on the incredible natural sand formation that is shaped like a whale’s tale when the tide goes out.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Private Vehicle: Monteverde to Manuel Antonio 06:00 Hr(s)

Additional Notes: Hotels in Manuel Antonio are not located on the beach, they are scattered along the cliffside road, overlooking the stunning coast line and lush jungle. The beach, National Park, markets, shops and restaurants are easily accessible by frequent public bus (safe and easy to use) or taxi.
Day 11 Day 11: Manuel Antonio (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Manuel Antonio (1B)

Discover the lush tropical forests and white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park on a guided day trip. Costa Rica’s smallest national park—yet one of the most spectacular—boasts an abundance of wildlife, including monkeys, armadillos, sloths, iguanas, and countless species of birds. Hike through the dense forest, climb up to rocky outcrops for views of the dazzling Pacific Ocean, and go swimming in the park’s lovely lagoons and tidal pools. Later, enjoy some free time at the beach.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Included Activities:
- Manuel Antonio National Park Visit
Day 12 Day 12: Manuel Antonio (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Manuel Antonio (1B)

Spend a full day exploring Manuel Antonio on your own. Walk along lush jungle trails looking for toucans in the treetops. Opt to take a surfing lesson, or head out for a snorkelling excursion on the nearby reef. Kayak amid the coastal mangroves or in the open sea, keeping an eye out for dolphins and whales.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Day 13 Day 13: Manuel Antonio/San José (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Manuel Antonio/San José (1B)

Return to San José. Tonight, choose to join the group for a farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 05:00 Hr(s)
Day 14 Day 14: San José (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: San José (1B)

Depart at any time.
Departure day, depart at any time.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Included Activities:
- Departure Day

+11

14 days tour

Journeys: Explore Costa Rica National Geographic Journeys

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Journeys: Explore Costa Rica National Geographic Journeys

Day 1: San José

Day 2: San José/Tortuguero (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 3: Tortuguero (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 4: Tortuguero/La Fortuna (1B, 1L)

Day 5: La Fortuna (1B, 1D)

Day 6: La Fortuna (1B)

Day 7: La Fortuna/Monteverde (1B)

Day 8: Monteverde (1B)

Day 9: Monteverde (1B, 1L)

Day 10: Monteverde/Manuel Antonio (1B)

Day 11: Manuel Antonio (1B)

Day 12: Manuel Antonio (1B)

Day 13: Manuel Antonio/San José (1B)

Day 14: San José (1B)

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