Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Tortuguero & Guanacaste
Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Tortuguero & Guanacaste
Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Tortuguero & Guanacaste
11 Days Starting in San José, Costa Rica and ending in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Visiting: San José, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal, Monteverde, Guanacaste
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ILA4-2025
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Livin’ la Pura Vida! This philosophy of the pure life in Costa Rica is also a common greeting you’ll hear on your Globus Independent tour. From the mind-blowing lava trails and soul-soothing thermal springs of the Arenal Volcano region to the lush tropical forests in the clouds of Monteverde, you’ll encounter pure nature of Costa Rica’s rich and resplendent flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. Explore Tortuguero National Park to navigate the pristine waterways where turtles nest amid nature at its best. Put your head in the clouds in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, some 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. Land in Guanacaste to laze and gaze upon the beautiful beaches of the North Pacific. Add a dose of I-time to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and cuisine in San José, and you’re living your best life, indeed!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In San José,Costa Rica
Location: San José
Accommodation Name: Doubletree Cariari
Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2: San José,Tortuguero National Park
Location: Tortuguero National Park
Accommodation Name: Evergreen Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SAN JOSÉ–TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK• Early this morning, travel east to the northern Caribbean’s lowlands. In the first part of the trip, admire beautiful evergreen mountains and beautiful landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Once on the Caribbean side, continue to the Caño Blanco Dock, where you will board a boat to take you to Tortuguero National Park.• Take a boat ride through the canals sheltered in the jungle of the rainforest. From the boat you will be able to admire the unique flora and fauna of this area.• Upon arrival at your hotel there will be a short briefing followed by lunch. In the afternoon, visit the village of Tortuguero, where you learn the lifestyle of local residents and the significant conservation efforts developed to protect the sea turtles that come to spawn each year along the 22 miles of nearby protected coastline.(B,L,D)
Day 3: Tortuguero National Park
Location: Tortuguero National Park
Accommodation Name: Evergreen Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK • This morning, your guide accompanies you on a leisurely boat ride along remote, unspoiled sections of the park’s waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caimans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys.• Later, enjoy a fascinating stroll through an accessible portion of the nearby rainforest. During the peak nesting season (mid-July to mid-October), you may be lucky enough to observe an endangered green turtle laying her eggs under the starlight. • Later this afternoon, meet a local Naturalist for an informative presentation on the ecology of the area.(B,L,D)Today’s I-Time Tips Between guided excursions, relax by the pool or take a siesta!
Day 4: Tortuguero National Park,Arenal
Location: Arenal
Accommodation Name: Volcano Lodge & Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK–ARENAL • Today, transfer by boat and car to the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Settle in and experience the magic of your resort.• This afternoon, visit the famous hot springs the area is known for and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the hot springs.(B,D)
Day 5: Arenal
Location: Arenal
Accommodation Name: Volcano Lodge & Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast
ARENAL• Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion. (B)Today’s I-Time Tips Perhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird’s-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest’s wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.
Day 6: Arenal,Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: El Establo Mountain Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
ARENAL–MONTEVERDE• This morning, your transfer begins with a short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles.• This evening, venture into Monteverde’s Cloud Forest just before nightfall with an expert Naturalist for a guided nature walk to search for the jungle’s nocturnal creatures, like sloths, foxes, agoutis, frogs, and many more!(B)
Day 7: Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: El Establo Mountain Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTEVERDE • Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips Maybe wake up early and visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest to best experience the animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also, notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors create temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family’s farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.
Day 8: Monteverde,Guanacaste
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTEVERDE–GUANACASTE • Journey to the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. This part of the North Pacific region of Coast Rica offers hundreds of unspoiled beaches lining the shores, but Guanacaste is surprisingly far from being a traditional beach destination.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips During your time here, you may choose a rainforest canopy tour, river rafting or a float trip down the Corobici River. Consider horseback riding or fishing, or relax on the beach and snorkel in the Pacific Ocean.
Day 9: Guanacaste
Location: Guanacaste
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo
Meals Included: Breakfast
GUANACASTE • Enjoy a free day.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips Perhaps opt for a guided visit to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, known as Costa Rica’s Yellowstone, to explore the steamy sulfur water ponds and pungent fumaroles that punctuate this jungle, home to toucans, monkeys, and many other animals. Or, take a leisurely boat cruise through Palo Verde National Park, composed of tropical dry forest and mangroves, and admire scores of birds, caimans, and iguanas along the way.
Day 10: Guanacaste
Location: Guanacaste
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo
Meals Included: Breakfast
GUANACASTE • Enjoy a free day.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips Why not choose a total adrenaline rush for today’s adventure on a zip line tour?! The zip line system consists of a network of suspended cables up in the treetop canopy that go from one platform to another and that will let you zip from tree to tree.
Day 11: Guanacaste
Location: Guanacaste
Meals Included: Breakfast
GUANACASTE • Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.(B)
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at Doubletree Cariari in San Jose, Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero, Volcano Lodge & Gardens in Arenal, El Establo Mountain Lodge in Monteverde, and Wyndham Tamarindo in Guanacaste.
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Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 2 lunches; 3 three-course dinners are included.
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Transportation
Transportation includes travel by boat and car to various locations such as Tortuguero National Park and Arenal.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours include a boat ride through the canals of Tortuguero National Park, a visit to the village of Tortuguero, and a guided nature walk in Monteverde's Cloud Forest.
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Hot Springs Visit
A visit to the famous hot springs in Arenal is included, where you can take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from Costa Rica are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 2 lunches; 3 three-course dinners
UNESCO Sites
Area de Conservación Guanacaste
Accommodation
San Jose: Doubletree Cariari, Tortuguero: Evergreen Lodge, Arenal: Volcano Lodge & Gardens, Monteverde: El Establo Mountain Lodge, Guanacaste: Wyndham Tamarindo
Notes
Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary to include, transfers by land and boat to Tortuguero on day 2, transport by car and boat from Tortuguero to Guapiles and then continue on to Arenal on day 4, and transfer by land to Guanacaste for the next three nights on day 8. Local guide service is provied in San José and a Naturalist in Tortuguero. Though this is an Independent tour, some transportation segments will be shared with other travelers.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see in Monteverde Cloud Forest?
In Monteverde Cloud Forest, you can expect to see over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. During a guided nature walk, you may encounter nocturnal creatures like sloths, foxes, agoutis, and frogs.
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What activities are included in Tortuguero National Park?
In Tortuguero National Park, you will take a boat ride through the canals to admire the unique flora and fauna, visit the village of Tortuguero to learn about local residents' lifestyles and conservation efforts, and have opportunities to see the sea turtles that come to spawn each year along the protected coastline.
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What can I expect during the visit to Arenal?
In Arenal, you will transfer by boat and car to the town located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. You will visit the famous hot springs, where you can take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Dinner will be provided at the hot springs.
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What is the significance of the visit to Tortuguero village?
The visit to Tortuguero village is significant because you will learn about the lifestyle of local residents and the important conservation efforts developed to protect the sea turtles that come to spawn each year along the 22 miles of nearby protected coastline.
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What kind of landscapes will I see on the way to Tortuguero National Park?
On the way to Tortuguero National Park, you will travel through the northern Caribbean’s lowlands, admire beautiful evergreen mountains, and see the stunning landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park.
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What is included in the meals during the tour?
The tour includes a buffet breakfast daily, 2 lunches, and 3 three-course dinners.
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What happens on the last day of the tour?
On the last day of the tour, your vacation ends after breakfast in Guanacaste.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
Reviews of this operator
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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