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Experience Costa Rica Independent Adventure
11 days, San José to San José
Itinerary
Day 1San José
Arrive in San José at any time, arrival transfer included.
You will be met at San José International Airport and transferred to your hotel for the night. There are no planned activities, so enjoy the city on your own.
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Arrival Day
Begin your adventure today. There are no planned activities so feel free to explore or rest up for the excitement ahead.
Welcome Meeting for Independent Trips
If you arrive between the hours of 9am and 9pm, a G Adventures CEO will meet you for a brief welcome meeting at your hotel before you head out on your own. Should you arrive before or after these hours, a complete welcome packet will be left for you at your hotel.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Central Market (Mercado Central) Visit
San José's Central Market is a riot of sound, smell and souvenirs. Wander up and down the aisles to see everything from handicrafts to rubber boots, fresh fish, flowers, herbal remedies, and pretty much everything else you can imagine. Grab some cheap eats at a food counter. Be sure to protect your valuables.
Costa Rican Art Museum (Museo de Arte Costarricense) Visit
3USD per personVisit the Costa Rican Art Museum located in the former airport terminal in La Sabana Park, west of downtown San José. View historic and contemporary art including drawings, engravings, paintings, sculptures, photographs and videos. Don’t miss the sculpture garden and Salon Dorado (Golden Room) with a gold mural depicting Costa Rica’s history sculpted by French artist Luis Féron Parizot.
Jade Museum (Museo del Jade Marco Fidel Tristán Castro) Visit
15USD per personEnjoy the brand new Jade Museum, housed on five floors of a building next to the Plaza de la Democracia in downtown San José. On display are nearly 7,000 pieces of pre-Columbian jade and a wide variety of archaeological artifacts made out of ceramic, bone, wood, shell and stone dating back to between 500 B.C. and 1500 A.D.
Plaza de La Cultura (Main Plaza) Visit
Start your exploration of San José in the main plaza, a great place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere. Watch out for the pigeons!
Plaza de La Democracia Market Visit
Head to the Plaza de la Democracia for a good selection of souvenirs. From carved wooden bowls and figurines, to jewelry, t-shirts and textiles, this is a great outdoor market to shop. Bargaining is expected.
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Precolombino) Visit
11USD per personThe Gold Museum is located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura near the National Theatre in downtown San José. See some 1,600 pieces of Pre-Columbian gold, as well as ancient Costa Rican currency, all owned by the Central Bank of Costa Rica.
Day 2San José/Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Transfer east out of the central highlands to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, on the Caribbean Coast.
Due to availability, our hotel may either be in Cahuita or Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Days 3–4Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Relax with a cool cocktail or cerveza, and enjoy the surf and sun of Costa Rica's coast.
The picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca’s 14km (8.7 mi) of white and black sand beaches are surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation.
Rent a boogie board if the waves are calling, dance the night away to reggae and calypso, taste flavourful Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and succumb to the natural beauty of this tropical paradise. This area of Costa Rica was quite isolated until a road was built a only a couple of decades ago, and it still hasn’t lost its charm.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Puerto Viejo, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like snorkelling, biking, and hiking in the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Days 3–4 HideShow
Biking
Rent a bike and take a spin around this laid back coastal town. Let the Caribbean breeze push you forward and maybe head to Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. Spend some time cycling around and looking for sloths, monkeys, and exotic birds.
Boogie Boarding
Rent a boogie board and enjoy playing in the surf.
Finca la Isla Botanical Garden Visit
5-10USD per personJust outside the town is a tropical farm, part of which is set aside as a botanical garden. Finca la Isla is a working farm and botanical garden built from the remains of an abandoned cacao plantation. Sample homemade natural chocolate, drink tropical fruit drinks, learn about the production of black pepper and nutmeg, as well as ornamental plants. Shoot some colourful photos and be careful where you walk. Visitors are guaranteed to see the red poison dart frog, along with other frogs, reptiles, toucans and birds.
Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge Hike
65USD per personBeginning at the Cocles River south of Puerto Viejo, the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge extends through beach communities, jungle, marshland, coves and coast all the way to the Sixaola River and the border with Panama. Begin in Manzanillo and wind your way through plantations of cacao, strangler fig and almond trees, look for capuchin and howler monkeys, sloths and raccoons. White sand beaches lead into aquamarine water, filled with 35 species of coral and tropical fish, sea turtles, lobsters and sting rays. Wear light clothing, walking shoes, and bring lots of water and insect repellent.
Snorkelling
65USD per personGrab a mask and snorkel and head out to explore the marine life off the coast. Check out the beaches of Punta Uva (Grape Point) and Manzanillo for some of the country's best snorkelling. See coral, fish, octopus, sea turtles and harmless nurse sharks.
Day 5Puerto Viejo de Talamanca/La Fortuna
Transfer to the Arenal region. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure and opt to soak in the hot springs.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Hot Springs Soak
42-84USD per personAfter a long day of exploring, take a relaxing soak in the hot springs around La Fortuna. Situated at the base of the Arenal Volcano, immerse yourself in therapeutic waters heated by earth’s magma and infused with healing minerals and salts. Rejuvenate your muscles, detox your cells, and stimulate all your senses in nature’s thermal spa. Breathe in the pure rainforest air and marvel at the mystic surroundings of these outdoor pools of paradise.
Day 6La Fortuna
Today is a free day and there is no shortage of activities available. If you prefer, take some time to relax at your hotel.
There are lots of optional tours available; La Fortuna is one of the centres of adventure travel in Costa Rica. Options include river rafting, mountain bike, caving, or horseback riding. Don’t forget about the hot springs, fed directly by a volcano.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in La Fortuna, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like canyoneering, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Tour
65USD per personTravel north to Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge near the Nicaraguan border. Take a guided tour by covered boat through one of the world’s most important wetlands; home to a vast array of plants, birds, reptiles, fish, and mammals. Keep your eyes peeled and you may see a three-toed sloth or a Jesus Christ lizard. Please note the price listed does not include the IVA Tax.
Mountain Biking
79USD per personRent a bike and head off along one of the backroads outside of town. Take the road to San Ramon and turn right on the road toward the waterfall. Or take a guided cycling tour and pick one of three routes of varying difficulty. Please note the price listed does not include the IVA Tax.
Whitewater Rafting
61-86USD per personPull on your bathing suit and water shoes, don a helmet and prepare to get wet and wild. Guided by expert leaders, paddle through Class II-IV rapids as you raft past spectacular scenery. Feel the burn, work up a sweat, then cool off in the pure river water. Experience the energy and excitement and enjoy! Minimum age: 8-12 depending on rapid class.
Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoning
99USD per personHold on tight and get ready to rappel down the face of rushing waterfalls. Fear and fun collide in the rainforest as you throw caution to the monkeys and launch yourself into nature. Get soaked and feel completely alive. Trek through rivers and keep your eyes peeled for exotic birds and wildlife. Let the action begin! Please note the price listed does not include the IVA Tax. Minimum age: 8.
Venado Caves Exploration
78USD per personDuck your head and enter an underground world formed some 15 million years ago. The Venado Caves are 45 min NW of Fortuna. Ford rivers, crawl through caverns, and marvel at the strange stalactites, stalagmites and subterranean inhabitants including bats, frogs, and spiders. Not ideal if you get anxious in closed spaces. Great for those who want to channel their inner Indiana Jones. Please note the price listed does not include the IVA Tax.
Canopy Tour
Join a canopy tour (zipline) and catch a bird’s-eye view of the forest greenery as you speed through the jungle on cables.
Hanging Bridges
75USD per personCome join the monkeys and perhaps spot a sloth lazing in the treetops of this protected rainforest that’s set in the shadows of the Arenal Volcano. Trek 3km (2 mi) of winding trails up, down, across, and over 16 different bridges. One of higher suspended bridges overlooks a gorgeous gorge and 60m (37 mi) waterfall. Look up and down to spot birds, snakes, frogs, lizards, howler monkeys, and more. Don’t forget to bring binoculars, bug spray, and a long lens as you reach new heights in the canopy of Costa Rica. Please note the price listed does not include the IVA Tax.
Horseback Riding
59USD per personEnjoy Fortuna’s fantastic wilderness on one of two different horseback riding options. Ride around the base of Arenal volcano or take a scenic trip to La Fortuna waterfall, passing through Maleuku village with opportunities to take a dip in the emerald green pool. Spot toucans, bellbirds and parrots as you ride private mountain trails through primary and secondary forest. Meet monkeys, see sloths, and possibly hear the rumble of the volcano. Take photos, inhale the pure air and let your horse lead you on this memorable meander.
Hot Springs Soak
42-84USD per personAfter a long day of exploring, take a relaxing soak in the hot springs around La Fortuna. Situated at the base of the Arenal Volcano, immerse yourself in therapeutic waters heated by earth’s magma and infused with healing minerals and salts. Rejuvenate your muscles, detox your cells, and stimulate all your senses in nature’s thermal spa. Breathe in the pure rainforest air and marvel at the mystic surroundings of these outdoor pools of paradise.
La Fortuna Waterfall Swim
20USD per personTake a walk, taxi, or horse just outside the town of La Fortuna to the nearby waterfall. Once at the gate, pay a fee then start the descent on rough steps (more than 500 of them!) to get to the base of the falls. The water cascades 65m (200 ft) down the side of the dormant Cerro Chato. Sit on the rocks, get sprayed, watch for iridescent blue morpho butterflies and then plunge into the cool waters. Please note the price listed does not include the IVA Tax.
Whitewater Rafting
61-86USD per personPull on your bathing suit and water shoes, don a helmet and prepare to get wet and wild. Guided by expert leaders, paddle through Class II-IV rapids of the Toro or Balsa Rivers as you raft past spectacular scenery. Feel the burn, work up a sweat, then cool off in the pure river water. Experience the energy and excitement, and enjoy!
Day 7La Fortuna/Guanacaste
Transfer to the coast. Opt to surf or swim the waves, practice yoga on the beach, or chill out by the water.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Surfing
Slather on the sunscreen, strap on a leash, pull on a rash guard and get ready to hit the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Experience the surf along the beaches of Guanacaste with their left, right and well-shaped beach breaks. Take a lesson, learn tips and techniques, then hang ten like a local.
Swimming
Dive in to cool off and enjoy the refreshing salt water of Costa Rica's Pacific coast.
Yoga
Stretch and breathe in deeply during a rewarding yoga session.
Days 8–9Guanacaste
Soak up the sun while sipping on your favourite beverage, or enjoy some great water activities.
Spend your days taking in the sun and sea, and participating in optional activities such as surfing, fishing, golf, horseback riding, cycling, boating, or snorkeling.
Free Time
Hit the beach and enjoy this tropical paradise.
Optional Activities - Days 8–9 HideShow
Boating
Enjoy a relaxing boat ride and soak up the sun and gorgeous views.
Cycling
Jump on your bike and enjoy a ride in this beautiful place.
Fishing
Book a half-day sport-fishing tour or simply stand on shore, cast a line and see what you can reel in.
Golfing
Enjoy a game of golf in this piece of paradise. Fore!
Horseback Riding
Throw on some long pants, grab the reins and hop up on a well-trained horse. Trail ride through the tropical forest and across the area’s most beautiful landscape. Look for toucans in the trees and admire the ocean views. End your journey jogging your horse along the beach.
Snorkelling
Grab your mask and fins and get to know the local marine life.
Surfing
Slather on the sunscreen, strap on a leash, pull on a rash guard and get ready to hit the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Experience the surf along the beaches of Guanacaste with their left, right and well-shaped beach breaks. Take a lesson, learn tips and techniques, then hang ten like a local.
Swimming
Dive in to cool off and enjoy the refreshing salt water of Costa Rica's Pacific coast.
Day 10Guanacaste/San José
Transfer back to the capital.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Day 11San José
Depart at any time. Departure transfer included.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.