Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in San José | Welcome Dinner & Icebreakers
Airport (SJO) Hotel: Private transfer, 25–45 min depending on traffic. Check?in & Rest: Drop bags, shower, relax.
Late Afternoon (optional): Casual orientation stroll to National Theater, Plaza de la Cultura, and Avenida Central (flat, 60–90 min).
Evening Welcome dinner at a chef?led contemporary Costa Rican restaurant. Host introductions, safety brief, “buddy system”sign?ups for optional tours
Packing note: Keep a daypack ready with rain jacket, reusable bottle.
Overnight: San José (3.5–4? city hotel)
Day 2 – San José Tortuguero | Jungle Boat Approach
Logistics: Drive to dock: 2.5–3.5 hrs across banana plantations and rural scenes. Boat to lodge: 60–90 min through canals; amazing first wildlifeviews.
Late Morning: Check?in at riverside jungle lodge; cold juice; settle in.
Afternoon Village orientation walk in Tortuguero; beach stroll; learn turtle conservation rules.
Evening Group dinner at lodge; pool time; star spotting.
Guided turtle nesting walk
Fitness: Easy; paths can be muddy—closed shoes helpful.
Overnight: Tortuguero (jungle lodge)
Day 3 – Tortuguero NP | Sunrise Canoe Safari & Night Walk
Early Morning Canoe safari at dawn—howler monkeys announcing sunrise, three?toed sloths, caimans, basilisk lizards, toucans,herons.
Late Morning Guided natural history walk
Afternoon: Pool, hammock, optional kayak the canals
Evening Night walk to find frogs, insects, sleeping birds.
Eco note: Quiet voices, no flash on wildlife, support local conservation.
Overnight: Tortuguero
Day 4 – Tortuguero La Fortuna (Arenal) | Hot Springs Night
Logistics: drive 3.5–4.5 hrs to La Fortuna.
Late Afternoon: Hotel check?in; walk to town square for coffee/gelato.
Evening Hot springs complex soak + group dinner (thermal pools ranging cool warm; swim?up bars; garden pathways).
Tip: Bring quick?dry swimwear; pack flip?flops and a light robe/towel.
Overnight: La Fortuna (boutique hotel)
Day 5 – Zipline Canopy + Hanging Bridges | Volcano Views
Morning Canopy zipline tour—multiple cables, views across valleys, expert brake guides, secure harnesses.
Lunch: Local sodita for casado or veggie bowls.
Afternoon Mistico Hanging Bridges guided walk—sloths, toucans, coatis; 3.2 km circuit; suspension bridges with volcano viewpoints.
Evening: Optional cocktail class (national spirit: guaro). Social hangout.
Difficulty: Zipline moderate; bridges easy?moderate with stairs.
Overnight: La Fortuna
Day 6 – Canyoning & La Fortuna Waterfall | Free Evening
Morning Waterfall canyoning—short jungle hikes, 4–6 rappels (some wet), guided jumps (optional), pro gear, safety briefing.
Lunch: Included after canyoning.
Afternoon Visit La Fortuna Waterfall—600+ steps down to the pool; swim and photos; return up at an easy pace with breaks.
Evening: Free time—group dinner in town (farm?to?table or pizza night).
Fitness: Moderate; sturdy shoes required; bring a change of clothes.
Overnight: La Fortuna
Day 7 – La Fortuna → Monteverde | Lake Crossing & Coffee–Chocolate
Logistics: Jeep?boat?jeep via Arenal Lake (scenic); total 3–4 hrs.
Afternoon Coffee–chocolate–sugar cane tour: pick beans, roast demo, grind cacao, sugar press—tastings included.
Evening Guided cloud?forest night walk—kinkajous, owls, tarantula burrows; misty, magical.
Tip: Cooler temps—bring a fleece; paths can be slick.
Overnight: Monteverde (mountain lodge)
Day 8 – Monteverde/Santa Elena Reserves | Hummingbirds
Morning Guided hike in Monteverde or Santa Elena. Highlights: ancient trees, epiphytes, hanging mosses; resplendent quetzalsightings more likely Feb–Jun.
Midday Hummingbird garden stop.
Afternoon: Free time or optional extra hanging bridges / superman zip / Tarzan swing / bungee.
Evening: Board games & bonfire at lodge, or live music in Santa Elena.
Overnight: Monteverde
Day 9 – Monteverde Manuel Antonio | Pacific Arrival
Logistics: 3.5–4.5 hrs descent to the Pacific coast.
Afternoon: Check?in near Manuel Antonio National Park; beach time at Playa Espadilla (gentle waves; lifeguards often present).
Evening: Sunset view dinner; group planning for next day’s park visit.
Overnight: Manuel Antonio / Quepos (resort or boutique)
Day 10 – Manuel Antonio National Park | Wildlife & Beaches
Early Morning : Guided park hike—two & three?toed sloths, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, raccoons, agoutis; stunning beaches
Afternoon: Swim and relax; optional beach picnic.
Evening: Optional salsa & bachata mini?class; social night.
Tip: No food in backpacks inside certain trails (monkeys will try); bring a soft bottle and reef?safe sunscreen.
Overnight: Manuel Antonio
Day 11 – Catamaran Cruise & Snorkel | Sunset at Sea
Late Morning–Afternoon (10:30–15:30): Catamaran along the coast—dolphin spotting, snorkel stop (parrotfish, sergeant majors), lunchonboard; slip back to port at sunset glow.
Evening: Free—seafood shacks or rooftop tapas.
Seas: Usually calm; motion?sensitive guests can request tablets.
Overnight: Manuel Antonio
Day 12 – Choose Your Adventure | Surf / Kayak / Horses / ATV
Pick your flavour (easy to pair up via buddy board):
Surf lesson: All levels; 2–3 hrs with certified instructors. Mangrove kayak at Damas Estuary: calm channels, monkeys, birds. Horseback ride towaterfall pools: gentle pace, swim break. ATV river & jungle ride: muddy fun, scenic viewpoints.
Evening: Group vote dinner; music and mocktail/cocktail rounds.
Overnight: Manuel Antonio
Day 13 – Manuel Antonio → San José | Farewell Dinner
Late Morning: Leisurely breakfast and final beach walk.
Afternoon (3–3.5 hrs): Drive to San José; check?in.
Evening (19:30–22:00): Farewell dinner—photo exchange, “Best of Trip” awards, future reunion chat.
Overnight: San José
Day 14 – San José Finale | You Choose: Pacuare Rafting or Volcanos
Pacuare River rafting day trip Early pick?up 06:00; pristine canyons, wildlife;
Riverside lunch; return ~18:30. Poás Volcano + La PazWaterfall Gardens:
Crater lookout + wildlife sanctuary trails; easy strolling. Irazú Volcano + Orosi Valley: high?altitude views + colonial town andcoffee.
City & Culture Day: museums (Gold Museum), market tasting, café crawl, street art.
Evening: Optional casual meetup for gelato and goodbye hugs.
Overnight: San José
Day 15 – Departure
Private transfers to SJO based on flight times.
Trip WhatsApp remains active for sharing photos and keeping in touch.