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Costa Rica Essentials


  • Costa_Rica

Costa Rica Essentials

 Costa Rica

08 days from $2638 pp return flights

Enjoy the many highlights of Costa Rica on this 8-day itinerary, including wonderful rainforests, volcano, cloud forests.

At a Glance

  • Enjoy the rainforests, volcanoes
  • Enjoy the cloud forests
  • Discover great natural beauty
  • Relax in the pristine jungle of Tortuguero
Print this trip

Enjoy the many highlights of Costa Rica on this 8-day itinerary, including wonderful rainforests, volcanoes, and cloud forests. Discover a country of great natural beauty, whether you are watching the Arenal volcano whilst bathing in hot springs, walking in the canopy of Monteverde’s cloud forest, or relaxing on the pristine jungle of Tortuguero. This is the real nature lover’s paradise. 

The short itinerary

Day 1 : DEPART NEW YORK AND ARRIVE SAN JOSE
Day 2 : SAN JOSE – TORTUGUERO (135KM – 4 HRS BY ROAD / 2 HRS BY BOAT)
Day 3 : TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Day 4 : LAGOS – SETUBAL – SERRA DA ARRABIDA – DEPARTURE LISBON (320 KM – 3.5 HRS)
Day 5 : ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Day 6 : ARENAL – MONTEVERDE (60KM – 2.5 HRS BY ROAD / 45 MIN BY BOAT)
Day 7 : MONTEVERDE
Day 8 : MONTEVERDE – SAN JOSE (140 KM – 4 HRS)

 

Day 1 : DEPART NEW YORK AND ARRIVE SAN JOSE

Upon arrival to bustling San Jose, our representative will meet and greet you and then direct you to your shared transport, which will drop you off at your hotel in San Jose for your 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 pick up at the hotel approximately 6.30 am. Embark on the shared bus transfer and travel 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 at around 8.30 am in a restaurant in Guapiles and continue through the jungle by boat, cruising the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park. Arrive at your eco-lodge in time to enjoy a tasty lunch. After lunch, your guide will invite you to go for a hike around Tortuguero town. Visit the Turtles Museum ($1 donation) and come back for dinner at your hotel.

Overnight in Tortuguero.

Day 3 : TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

Make most of your stay in Tortuguero. After breakfast, at 9 am join a tour for 2 hours 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.

Rest of day at leisure or possibility to join some optional tours available in destination. Dinner is served at the hotel.

Overnight in hotel in Tortuguero.

Day 4 : LAGOS – SETUBAL – SERRA DA ARRABIDA – DEPARTURE LISBON (320 KM – 3.5 HRS)

After breakfast, we depart Tortuguero at approximately 9 am, by shared boat and land transfers back to Guapiles, where we stop for lunch in a local restaurant at around 1 pm. After a tasty meal, you will be picked up by a shared transfer and taken to the Arenal area. Arrive at Arenal at 5 pm for check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Arenal.

Day 5 : ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel to start Hikking Lava Trails. Explore the Arenal Volcano on a hike along the lava trails of this giant. During the hike, the expert guide will explain you all about the volcano: its activity periods, a little bit of history related to it and will show you some landmarks that were left over the years. Admire its particular vegetation and watch some wildlife.

Return to the hotel and relax in the hotsrpings. Escape to a natural paradise at the hotel with all the necessary services to make you feel relaxed surrounded by the peace and serenity of the rainforest. Sheltered by the impressive Arenal Volcano, enjoy the natural hot springs thanks to the geothermal activity of the volcano. Immerse yourself in the rainforest and live an experience of a sanctuary of relaxation, privacy and tranquility.

Overnight in Arenal.

Day 6 : ARENAL – MONTEVERDE (60KM – 2.5 HRS BY ROAD / 45 MIN BY BOAT)

Begin the day with an early breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out and then meet your guide at approximately 7.30 am to head towards Monteverde. Transfer down to Arenal Lake where you will board a boat that will take you across towards Monteverde, where you will arrive at approximately 11.30 am. Once on the other side, a vehicle awaits to take you up to Monteverde. Admire the transition of the rainforest to the cloud forest where you will reach an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level. Located in the Puntarenas province, Monteverde is a place of cloud forests and mist, coffee plantations, monkeys and friendly locals. The town of Santa Elena is small and quaint, filled with inviting restaurants and folksy artisan shops, while the nearby rainforest hosts a remarkable amount of biodiversity. Enjoy the rest of day at leisure.

Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 7 : MONTEVERDE

Breakfast at the hotel, and rest of day at leisure torelax or discover on your own the incredible Monteverde Cloud Forest

Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 8 : MONTEVERDE – SAN JOSE (140 KM – 4 HRS)

Begin your last day in spectacular Costa Rica with a delectable breakfast. Then, at the appropriate time, you will be picked up by shared transfer and taken to Juan Santamaria International Airport to catch your flight back home or on to your next destination.

or extend your trip to:

Day 8 : OPTIONAL EXTRA | GUANACASTE EXTENSION 4 Days / 3 Nights: Monteverde - Guanacaste -San José for £375 per person

Transfer to an impressive destination next to the beach, in the fascinating area of Guanacaste. Enjoy 4 days to explore the surroundings, stroll through the beautiful streets of Tamarindo, a beautiful coastal city in Guanacaste or relax while enjoying the hotel facilities. On day 4 of the extension, at the indicated time you will be transferred to the San José airport.

Overnight in Guanacaste.

Day 8 : OPTIONAL EXTRA | MANUEL ANTONIO EXTENSION 4 days / 3 nights - Monteverde - Manuel Antonio- San José for £445 per person

Transfer to a stunning beachside destination, descending to Manuel Antonio National Park. Enjoy 4 days to explore the surroundings, visit Manuel Antonio Park or relax while enjoying the hotel facilities. On day 4 of the extension and at the indicated time you will be transferred to the San José airport.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

What's included

  • Return economy flight from NEW YORK
  • TOUR GUIDE: Operated with English and Spanish-speaking local guides on a shared basis on day 2, 3, and 5. Please note you will be accompanied by local guides for the activities only. There is no guarantee that you will be part of a group, or part of the same group during the tour.
  • ACCOMMODATION: 7 nights’ accommodation
  • MEALS: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches on days 2, 3, 4, 2 dinners on days 2, 3
  • TRANSPORT: Air-conditioned transportation as indicated in the itinerary on a shared basis, shared transfer between the Airport and the Hotel, shared boat from Guapiles to Tortuguero and back
  • ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES: All monuments and visits as indicated: Guided visit to Tortuguero village (day 2), guided boat tour through Tortuguero National Park canals and entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park (day 3), Hike Lava Trails (day 5)
  • OTHER: Meet and greet on day 1, Hotel taxes

What's not included

  • Travel insurance
  • Checked in baggage
  • Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme
  • Airport taxes
  • Airport porterage
  • Gratuities for drivers and guides
  • Optional tours and activities
Start Date End Date Price Note AVAILABILITY Booking
Mon, 13 Jan, 25 Mon, 20 Jan, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 10 Feb, 25 Mon, 17 Feb, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 3 Mar, 25 Mon, 10 Mar, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 7 Apr, 25 Mon, 14 Apr, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 12 May, 25 Mon, 19 May, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 9 Jun, 25 Mon, 16 Jun, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 14 Jul, 25 Mon, 21 Jul, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 11 Aug, 25 Mon, 18 Aug, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 8 Sep, 25 Mon, 15 Sep, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 13 Oct, 25 Mon, 20 Oct, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
Mon, 10 Nov, 25 Mon, 17 Nov, 25 from LHR --AVAILABILITY OPTIONS-- Book Now
If you wish to travel on any other date than dates above or have any other queries please call our office at 1-888-214-4856 or email to sales@lumle.com

A private departures on any day all around the year can be arranged for this trek/tour, for more details and dates E-mail sales@lumle.com

AVAILABILITY OPTIONS

OPENED: This date is available and open for bookings.
LIMITED: There are very limited number of available places on this departure. Immediate booking.
GUARANTEED: We have reached minimum numbers and this trip is guaranteed to depart.
CLOSED: This date is currently unavailable. Please contact us, if you are interested in travelling on this date.

Your Program Duration = 08 Days
All the Prices are in USD ($) Per Person.

San Jose : Radisson Hotel or similar
Tortuguero : Laguna Lodge or similar
La Fortuna: Arenal Oasis or similar
Monteverde : Don Taco or similar
Tamarindo : Arco Iris Hotel or similar

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

San Jose: Costa Rica’s vibrant capital city was founded in the mid-18th century, boasting great cultural and historical landmarks. Visit its museums, the European-inspired National Theatre and stroll the charming alleys of its historic neighborhoods.

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 mesmerizing 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.

Please note

  • No refund for unused services. Splitting of package is not allowed
  • Please note that local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to tour contents without prior notice
  • Hotel early check in, late check out, connecting or adjoining rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed
  • Recommended departure time from 15:00 hrs. 

What do I need to bring?

Comfortable and warm clothing is the most suitable for travelling. 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.  

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Travel Info

    • Flight time 10 hours San Jose (via Panama City; Bogotá; São Paulo and Miami)
    • Time zone UTC -6
    • Recommended airlines Jet Blue, Avianca, Latam, United Airlines and American Airlines
    • Best season Sep-Nov (mild); Nov-Mar (warmest). There are two seasons in the Amazon Rainforest: wet (January to June) and dry (July to December).
    • Visa US citizens do not need a tourist visa. The information provided herewith at the current time can be subject to change at concise notice. It's your responsibility to ensure you meet entry requirements before you travel.
    • Capital San Jose

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