Complete Costa Rica 15 Days

Uncover essential Costa Rica during this fifteen-day exotic adventure. Beginning and ending in the capital, San Jose, this tour offers you the chance to discover different aspects of this emblematic destination. Visit the most predominant natural areas of Costa Rica, including the Arenal Volcano National Park, and the cloud forest of Monteverde. Spend precious time visiting the Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most stunning conservation areas on the planet. During the trip, keep an eye out for a variety of animals, bugs, as well as plants and don’t forget to mingle with the friendly locals for a versatile experience.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Tortuguero: This park is home to the nesting grounds of the green sea turtles, offering spectacular beaches and fantastic opportunities to spot wild animals and birds.

Arenal: Admire one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the country and its mesmerising park, dotted with trails and rich in wildlife.

Monteverde: Settled by American Quakers in the 1950s, this primary cloud forest is made out of six unique ‘life zones’, hosting many endangered species, as well as a variety of fascinating plants.

Manuel Antonio: This picturesque national park is the smallest one in Costa Rica but it is full of wild animals, lush vegetation, and beautiful beaches.

Day 1: ARRIVAL SAN JOSE

Upon arrival at San Jose Airport, our representative will meet and greet you and then direct you to your transport, which will drop you off at your hotel in San Jose for your first night in Costa Rica.

Overnight in San Jose.

Day 2: SAN JOSE – TORTUGUERO (135km – 4 hrs by road / 2 hrs by boat)

Your day begins early with a morning departure, travelling by bus through the Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean plains to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and quaint villages. Indulge in a tasty breakfast en route in Guapiles and continue through the jungle by boat, cruising the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park. Arrive at your lodge and enjoy a tasty lunch.  Afterwards, enjoy a boat trip on the Tortuguero canals, an essential activity while in Costa Rica. Discover its network of canals, lagoons and dense rainforests through a boat tour guided by an expert naturalist guide. Abundant wildlife inhabits Tortuguero, including 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles, and 60 species of mammals. The rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Tortuguero.

Day 3: TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast enjoy a walk through the Tortuguero village and visit the Turtle Museum. Afterwards, return to the lodge to relax and explore the area on your own. Lunch and dinner included at the lodge. 

Overnight in Tortuguero.

Day 4: TORTUGUERO – PUERTO VIEJO (206km – 4hrs by land / 1.5hr by boat)

Breakfast at the lodge and check-out. Depart on a shared transfer by boat and land from Tortuguero to the Restaurant located in Guápiles city, where you will enjoy lunch. After lunch, meet a local representative who will take you on a shared transfer to your next destination: the Caribbean beach town of Puerto Viejo. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel in Puerto Viejo and have free time to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. 

Overnight in Puerto Viejo.

Day 5: PUERTO VIEJO

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy leisure time to simply relax or explore Puerto Viejo, its surroundings and beaches on your own.

Overnight in Puerto Viejo.

Day 6: PUERTO VIEJO

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and another free relaxing day. Explore on your own the colourful town, shop around, discover new flavours and the local gastronomy and have a good time.

Overnight in Puerto Viejo.

Day 7: PUERTO VIEJO – ARENAL (275 Km – 6 hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. A local representative will meet you up at the hotel lobby and take you to your next destination: La Fortuna de San Carlos, home of the wonderful Arenal Volcano. Upon arrival, around, check-in at the hotel in Arenal, enjoy free time to relax and discover the natural beauty of this destination on your own or take advantage of some optional activities. 

Ecotermales Hot Springs

Escape to the natural paradise, with all the necessary amenities to make your day a memorable experience, surrounded by the peace and serenity of the rainforest and protected by the impressive Arenal Volcano, which heats and nourishes the waters of Ecothermal. During your stay, you will enjoy the pleasure of feeling the natural energy coming from the veins of the Arenal Colossus; heats the fountains where thermal water pools are born, ranging from 37 ° C to 41 ° C (99 ° F to 106 ° F). That when combined with the pool and the cold-water waterfall, they perform a relaxing massage throughout the body.

Notes: Shared service. Start time: approx. at 15:00. Duration 6 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Ecotermales Hot Springs, and dinner

Overnight in Arenal. 

Day 8: ARENAL

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the day free at leisure. You can head out for some optional activities and explore the area or relax in the hotel.

Zipline Adventure

The Costa Rica zip line tour is a genuine must in a vacation. You will have doses of fun and adrenaline-filled adventures that you will remember forever. You will start the tour as you arrive at the base of the Ecoglide Arenal Park and your professional guide give you instructions and some safety tips. The zipline tour consists of 13 cables of two wires traveling in parallel and 15 platforms, most of which are in the trees so that visitors can have more contact and closeness with nature, flora, and fauna of the rainforest. Within the tour, you will also discover the Tarzan Swing where you will swing from a platform into the forest feeling the adrenaline-raising levels.

Notes: Shared service. Start time: 07: 40/ 09:40/ 11: 40 / 13:40 / 15:20. Duration 3 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Guide, Entrance fee, and equipment

La Fortuna Waterfall

This tour begins by descending the 500-meter trail to the magnificent Waterfall, renowned for its 60 meters (197 feet) high falls and its crystal-clear waters. Along the trail, you will observe plants, trees, and animals, which inhabit the area. You can choose to swim in its refreshing waters, take amazing photographs, or simply relax and take in all the beauty of the La Fortuna Waterfall. When you visit the La Fortuna Waterfall you not only get to enjoy this marvelous natural wonder, you will be helping to Support the Development Association of the community 100% of the entrance fee goes towards social projects to benefit schools, nutritional centers, the orphanage, our roads and more.

Notes: Shared service. Start time: 08:00/ 13:00. Duration 3 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Guide, Entrance fee

Overnight in Arenal.

Day 9: ARENAL – MONTEVERDE (80km – 1.5 by land / 1.5hr by boat)

Begin your day with a tasty breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time, depart to your next destination: the mystical cloud forest of Monteverde, a true nature lovers paradise. Board the boat that will take you across Lake Arenal to the Rio Chiquito in the Monteverde area. Arrive at your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. 

Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 10: MONTEVERDE

After breakfast at the hotel enjoy the day at leisure to explore on your own or join some of our optional activities (not included).

Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour

Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour takes you on a 3-hour hike along with a network of trails and suspension bridges in the cloud forest of Monteverde. Be on the lookout for birds, monkeys, sloths, insects, and interesting plants of all shapes and sizes.

Notes: Shared service. Duration 3 hours hike. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Guide, Entrance fee

Don Juan Coffee Tour

Take our coffee tour and take a glimpse of Costa Rica´s coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane production (with the emphasis on coffee!). The tour offers an interesting opportunity to learn about coffee and its production as well as to get close to the fascinating Costa Rican folklore

Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 11: MONTEVERDE – MANUEL ANTONIO (180km – 4hrs)

Today you will continue your trip to the beautiful and paradisiacal beaches of the Central Pacific, which are well known throughout the world, especially for their impressive combination of tropical forests and white sand beaches. Arrive at Manuel Antonio, check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

Day 12: MANUEL ANTONIO

Indulge in a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your day exploring the most beautiful and natural wonders of Manuel Antonio on your own.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

Day 13: MANUEL ANTONIO

After breakfast enjoy another free day in Manuel Antonio.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

Day 14: MANUEL ANTONIO – SAN JOSE (160km – 2.5hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Meet a local representative at the hotel lobby for the shared transfer to San Jose. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and enjoy free time to relax or go to explore the capital city on your own. 

Overnight in San Jose.

Day 15: DEPARTURE SAN JOSE AIRPORT

Enjoy your last breakfast and at the agreed time transfer back to Juan Santamaria International Airport to catch your onward flight.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Costa Rica. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.