Flying into SJO and out from Liberia Airport (LIR)
This itinerary packs a lot into a 10 days-long vacation. This route takes you to 3 celebrated tourist destinations in Costa Rica: Tortuguero Waterways, Arenal Volcano, and Golden Coast of Guanacaste. You can explore and enjoy lush tropical nature, witness endangered sea turtle nocturnal nesting, and indulge yourself in our Pacific Ocean coastline.
Day 1: Arrival and stay overnight in San Jose. Optional City Walk for early arrivals.
Day 2: San Jose to Tortuguero, also called “the Amazon of Costa Rica”, via scenic mountain range crossing and visiting a Banana Plantation on the way. Then enjoy a River Boat through gorgeous canals to reach Totuguero Village. (Optional night turtle watch from July to October).
Day 3: Jungle canals exploration early in the morning with great chances to spot caimans, tortoises, sloths, toucans, parrots, etc, and River Boat back to Guapiles, from where we will drive you to Arenal Volcano crossing the jungle and farm lands of Sarapiqui region. Rising above the rainforest that surrounds its base, this perfect cone shaped and inactive volcano frames the skyline with impeccable symmetry.
Day 4: Day trip in Arenal Volcano. We offer the service of one full day of transportation from your accommodation to selected variety of attractions, such as the magical Fortuna waterfall nested into a canyon covered by rainforest, hike old lava trails in the slopes of Arenal Volcano, take a horseback ride through impressive landscapes, enjoy a rainforest chocolate tour, immerse yourself into Costa Rican farm culture in an organic cultivate land, visit a wildlife refuge or take a rainforest canopy bird view through amazing walk ways hanging from the trees. Our staff will be available from 8 am until 5 pm to drive you around but the entrance fees are not included in this offer.
Day 5: From Arenal to your resort at Conchal Beach, one of the few Pacific Coast beaches with crystal clear water, due the billions of tiny crushed shells that composes its sand. On the way we will stop in the acclaimed Llanos del Cortéz Waterfalls and a Wildlife Rescue Center that provides a temporary home for wild cats and other animals that have been injured, orphaned, or confiscated in the illegal pet trade.
Day 6: You could either enjoy a laidback day on this magnificent beach or choose something more adventurous, such a day trip Horseback riding on dirt roads through hills, forests, pastures, and rivers. Then you’ll switch to modern ATV to discover the best routes in countryside that you never thought you’d see from the beautiful tropical dry forest to the altitudes of the mountains surrounded by panoramic views of the Northern Pacific coastline.
Day 7: Day trip through scenic countryside to Palo Verde National Park where you will delight cruise down the Tempisque River. Best known for its murky water and spectacular wetlands, this area acts as a sanctuary for both resident and migrating marine bird species, as well monkeys, iguanas, scarlet macaws, and crocodiles, which can often be seen lingering along the banks of the river. Later on there is a visit to the Guaitil indigenous village, where some of the country’s most spectacular pottery is made using ancient technics and materials to fancy replicas of prehispanic masterpieces.
Day 8: Half Day trip to Tamarindo in order to catch a Catamaran to silently glide along Guanacaste Gold Coast while passing some of exotic bays, white sand beaches and tropical jungles. Stop in a tranquil bay; drop anchor and frolic in the blue Pacific. Snorkel in the bay or run down the deserted white sand beach. If you prefer the afternoon trip, the Catamaran will set sail and you will hear the waves slide along as the sunsets, illuminating the clouds left in the sky.
Day 9: Leisure day in the most stunning beach of Nicoya Peninsula. If you missed the nocturnal turtle watch in the Caribbean side, you could experience the exhilarating natural phenomenon of sea turtles nesting at Costa Rica’s north Pacific coast. During rainy season (from May to November) and according to moon phases, ancient sea turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay hundreds of eggs beneath the sand.
Day 10: Depart from Liberia Airport.