Costa Rica: Wildlife, National Parks & Hidden Gems of the Northwest
14 days, San José to Playa Flamingo
Itinerary
Day 1San José
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel El Sesteo (or similar)
Day 2San José/La Fortuna
Drive to Sarapiquí to visit the G Adventures-supported Mi Cafecito Community Coffee Plantation. Learn about the impact this project has had on the community and sample some of the products they sell. Continue on to the Arenal region and take advantage of a free afternoon and a full free day tomorrow to experience the adventure activities and natural wonders of the area.
La Fortuna is an excellent base for adventure. Opt to hike the area’s nature trails, swim in chilly La Fortuna waterfall or go canyoning.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your G for Good Moment: Mi Cafecito Coffee Cooperative Tour
Find out where your cup of java comes from. Visit the Mi Cafecito coffee cooperative in San Miguel de Sarapiqui, see shade-grown coffee plants, learn about everything from harvesting, to husking, drying, and roasting the beans before enjoying the best part – a fresh cup! Enjoy a typical lunch of plantains, beans, and freshly caught tilapia fish. Feel good about all this eating and drinking knowing that you are supporting a G Adventures for Good project that helps 200 farmers and their families.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
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.
Stand Up Paddle (Lesson and Tour)
65USD per personGrab a long wide board and show those surfer dudes how it’s done without waves on Lake Arenal with the volcano looming above. Tour picks up from the hotel and includes a tour of the west-end of the Lake while you’re getting the hang of the paddle board. Enjoy the amazing view, with chances to spot wild birds like Great Blue Herons or even Howler Monkeys. Learn more about the area while exploring the lake and snack on some tropical fruit before heading back to the hotel. 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.
Accommodation
Hotel Eco Arenal (or similar)
Meals included:
LunchDay 3La Fortuna
Free day in La Fortuna. Experience the outdoor adventures, amazing wildlife and natural wonders in this area. There are enough activities here to keep you busy all day long. In the evening opt to soak in one of the many hot springs in the area to cap off an adventurous day.
Spend the day getting your adrenaline pumping, viewing local wildlife, marvelling at the Arenal Volcano and getting to know more about Costa Rica in La Fortuna. There are enough activities here to keep you busy all day long.
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 3 HideShow
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.
Stand Up Paddle (Lesson and Tour)
65USD per personGrab a long wide board and show those surfer dudes how it’s done without waves on Lake Arenal with the volcano looming above. Tour picks up from the hotel and includes a tour of the west-end of the Lake while you’re getting the hang of the paddle board. Enjoy the amazing view, with chances to spot wild birds like Great Blue Herons or even Howler Monkeys. Learn more about the area while exploring the lake and snack on some tropical fruit before heading back to the hotel. Please note the price listed does not include the IVA Tax.
Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping
125USD 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. Strapped securely in your harness, descend deep into the canyon, get soaked and feel completely alive. Trek through rivers, wobble across a hanging bridge 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: 12.
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.
Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle
149USD per personCANYONING (Half-day Arenal)
Rappel, down-climb, river-trace, and descend huge waterfalls in the rugged mountains and lush rainforests around Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano.
ZIPLINING (Half-day Monteverde)
Get a true bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy as you soar through the trees on a Tarzan swing, a giant rappel, and a 137-meter-high (450-foot) zipline.
Please note the prices listed does not include the IVA Tax.
Please note that passengers must weigh between 45-100kg (100 – 220 lbs) and be at least 130cm (4'3 ft) tall to participate in these activities.
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.
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.
Accommodation
Hotel Eco Arenal (or similar)
Day 4La Fortuna/Monteverde
Travel by van and boat through the stunning Costa Rican scenery up into the cloud forest. Take an included guided night walk to learn about nocturnal life in the jungle firsthand.
Travel across Lake Arenal into the mountains and on to Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Arrive to spend time enjoying this nature-lover's paradise.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Boat
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Guided Cloud Forest Night Walk
Join a naturalist guide for a 1.5-2 hour tour in the cloud forest after dark. Learn more about the habits of the area's nocturnal wildlife including mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians, and keep your eyes and ears open on this slow-paced walk. You never know what you might see – it depends on the day and your luck!
Accommodation
Hotel Historias Lodge (or similar)
Day 5Monteverde
Enjoy a free day to explore the cloud forest region of Costa Rica. Opt to fly across canopy ziplines, walk across suspended bridges through the forest canopy, or go horseback riding in the hills.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Monteverde, 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 ziplining, visiting the hanging bridges, and horseback riding. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Ziplining
73USD per personBuckle up your harness, don your helmet, and prepare to launch. Glide along cables suspended high above the cloud forest canopy. Dare to let go and reach top speeds as you zip past stunning scenery. Forget your fear as you spot a toucans or exotic orchids in this adrenaline-filled experience. Minimum age: 6.
Monteverde Butterfly Garden Visit
20USD per personGet close to butterflies, bump into giant bugs, and make friends with hairy eight-legged spiders in this collection of gardens nestled in the mountains of Monteverde. Observe caterpillars, take prize-worthy photos of the iridescent blue morpho butterfly, and check out the leaf-cutter ant colony. The nature centre is home to 30 species of butterfly, a whole bunch of insects, and more.
Hanging Bridges Monteverde
56-60USD per personGet up high to see the tree tops of Monteverde’s Cloud Forest from a bird’s-eye view. Cross a series of hanging bridges to discover what biologists once required (ropes and pulleys) to glimpse the lush, green vista accented by bromeliads, vines, and orchids. Wonder at this wet canopy, home to 90% of all the organisms in the forest, including thousands of species of birds, small animals, amphibians, and insects.
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Guided Tour
50USD per personPull on your poncho and boots. It’s time to head into the cloud-covered forest, past over-sized ferns and exotic orchids. Harness your inner Tarzan and Jane as you imagine swinging from the giant vines. Walk along 2 to 3km (about 1.5 mi) of trails at a leisurely pace, watch for wildlife, and trek to the top of the observation tower. Be sure to stop and listen, too. Hear the haunting call of the bellbird and perhaps catch sight of the brilliant green and red resplendent quetzal. Feel good about protecting the forest and sustaining the quality of local schools through payment of your park fees.
CASEM Coop Visit
CASEM—the Cooperative of Artisans Santa Elena Monteverde—is an inspiring example of female empowerment and teamwork. By focusing on providing women artisans with the opportunity to gain economic independence and develop new skills, this G for Good Project helps improve the quality of life for its members and strengthens the community. Through the marketing of their products, CASEM Coop not only supports its 90 artisan members, but also promotes the culture and traditions of the Monteverde region. Stop by the restaurant on your way out to try some delicious local food!
El Trapiche Tour Monteverde
33USD per personStep back in time into El Trapiche (the sugar mill), home of three generations of Costa Rican farmers. Explore plantations of sugar cane, coffee, bananas and cacao. Start with a walk through the farm, learn about coffee and cocoa harvesting processes, ride a Costa Rican ox cart, and finally make artisanal sugar cane candy and liquor. Finish the tour with a fragrant cup of coffee made from beans grown right here on the farm!
Monteverde Horseback Riding
45USD per personEnjoy Monteverde’s breath-giving wilderness by horseback. Spot toucans, bellbirds, and parrots as you ride through private mountain trails along the primary and secondary forest. Meet monkeys, see sloths, and possibly glimpse the Gulf of Nicoya through the clouds. Take photos, inhale the pure air, and let your horse lead you on this memorable meander in misty Monteverde.
Accommodation
Hotel Historias Lodge (or similar)
Day 6Monteverde/Quepos
Travel to Quepos, just outside Manuel Antonio National Park. Opt to visit the park or relax on the beach in this fun surf town. Enjoy a night out and perhaps learn how to dance salsa.
Travel to the Pacific Coast. Enjoy Quepos. Opt to swim, fish, kayak, surf or take a sailing trip.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy free time to play in the waves, explore Quepos, or dance the night away.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Fishing
Cast a line and (depending on the season) hope to hook a marlin, sailfish, tuna or dorado (mahi mahi). Fishing in Quepos, north of Manuel Antonio, is Costa Rica’s most popular spot for blue water sport fishing.
Kayaking
70USD per personChoose to kayak the calm waters of the mangroves or paddle the waves of the Pacific. In the Damas Island estuary, the ocean meets fresh water rivers and creates a protected home for birds, snakes, crocodiles, and white face monkeys. For the more adventurous, opt for an open-seat ocean kayak and paddle along the shoreline and nearby islands, keeping an eye out for frigates, boobies, and jumping fish. Minimum age: 6-8 depending on tour type.
Sailing
Slap on some sunscreen and hop aboard as we set sail along the rugged Pacific Coast of Manuel Antonio National Park on a catamaran. Bask in the beauty of the white-sand beaches and small islands that accent the shoreline. Keep watch for dolphins, rays, and migrating whales. Hop into the warm water and snorkel with more than 50 species of colourful tropical fish.
Surfing
55-75USD per personSlather on the sunscreen, strap on a leash, pull on a rash guard, and get ready to hit the waves. Experience the surf at the beaches near Quepos and Manuel Antonio with their left, right, and well-shaped beach breaks. Take a lesson, learn tips and techniques, then hang ten like a local.
Accommodation
Hotel Le Priss (or similar)
Day 7Quepos
Enjoy an included entrance into Manuel Antonio National Park. Then, take advantage of free time to explore. Opt to sail or swim in the Pacific. Or choose to kayak through mangroves and relax on the beach.
Pre-book the Manuel Antonio Catamaran Tour on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Manuel Antonio National Park Visit
Pack your sunscreen, beach shoes, and prepare for a great day in Costa Rica’s smallest yet no less stunning national park. Manual Antonio offers four white-sand beaches, separated by jagged rock outcrops and tidal pools. Swim, sunbathe, and when you’re all beached out, head to the shade of the nearby hiking trails to search for sloths, monkeys, and armadillos. Climb to the lookout to capture views of the pristine Pacific Ocean and the area’s off-shore islands.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Quepos, 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 visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, mangrove kayaking, and surfing. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Kayaking
70USD per personChoose to kayak the calm waters of the mangroves or paddle the waves of the Pacific. In the Damas Island estuary, the ocean meets fresh water rivers and creates a protected home for birds, snakes, crocodiles, and white face monkeys. For the more adventurous, opt for an open-seat ocean kayak and paddle along the shoreline and nearby islands, keeping an eye out for frigates, boobies, and jumping fish. Minimum age: 6-8 depending on tour type.
Manuel Antonio Catamaran Tour
Cruise along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica aboard a 100 ft catamaran, taking in the impressive scenery and lush jungle that has made Manuel Antonio famous. Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins who call these waters home before stopping to snorkel, swim, or ride one of the boat's water slides into the ocean. Grab a drink or just sit and watch the gorgeous views of the lush coastline go by.
Whitewater Rafting Manuel Antonio
75-98USD per personWhat better way to get from A to B then taking the natural route along a scenic and exciting river? Buckle up your life jacket, grab a paddle and head off to raft some Class II - IV rapids. Minimum age: 6-15 depending on rapid class.
Accommodation
Hotel Le Priss (or similar)
Day 8Quepos/San José
Opt to chill at the beach in the morning before the journey by private vehicle back to the capital.
Free Time
Enjoy a final morning at the beach. Do as much or as little as you'd like.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel El Sesteo (or similar)
Day 9San José to Rincón de la Vieja
After an early departure from San Jose, the group will travel to the famed ethereal blue waters of Rio Celeste. Set off on a CEO-led walk through the area with views of the river along the route before an included lunch. Continue onwards to the Rincon de la Vieja area where you will have dinner at the lodge restaurant before a night walk on the nearby trails.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and scan the scenery from a private vehicle between San José and Parque Nacional Volcan Tenorio, where Rio Celeste is located.
Rio Celeste Visit & Walk
North of Lake Arenal lies another spectacular protected area called Volcán Tenorio National Park. We'll set off on foot from the main entrance and hike along jungle trails and down a series of stairways to the brilliantly blue Rio Celeste Waterfall. Take in the scenery and watch for wildlife like monkeys and birds in the canopy above before hiking out on the same trail.
Night Walk
Enjoy a walk on the trails of the lodge's property. Experience the richness of the tropical rainforest's nocturnal noises and wildlife. Walk along as your CEO points out flora and fauna, and you search for mother nature's nightly secrets. Listen to birds still singing and insects buzzing. Surrounded by the thick darkness of trees towering above you, this will be an entirely different experience than the daylight hours.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle from the area where Rio Celeste is to the lodge in the Rincon de la Vieja area.
Accommodation
Hotel Buena Vista del Rincon (or similar)
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 10Rincón de la Vieja National Park Area
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before transferring to Rincón de la Vieja National Park where you will embark on a hike in the area to gain a full sense of the tropical and volcanic landscape, while searching for resident wildlife. Travel back to the hotel in the afternoon for free time on the property. Activity options range from ziplining, hiking in the area, and various cultural experiences.
Rincón de la Vieja Hiking
Set off on a 3.2km (2 mile) hike on the Las Pailas trail that cuts through tropical rainforest and weaves through various volcanic activity. The trail begins in an open area with few trees, where you will hear about the legend of the nearby volcano. Be on the lookout for volcanic bubbling mud, small craters, and see if you can smell sulfuric fumes. The rest of the trail is surrounded by dense vegetation and will provide possible opportunities to see wildlife.
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: Between 2-3hrs
Distance: 3.5km (2.5 miles) total. It is a loop trail.
Free Time
Take advantage of a free afternoon back at the lodge to partake in outdoor activities. Opt to zipline or hike in the area. It's the perfect way to gain a real sense of this volcanic and tropical rainforest climate.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Hike on trails in the area
Hike through the wonderful and dense rainforest along nearby trails and gain a true immersion into the natural landscape.
Ziplining - Rincon de la Vieja
Fly over the trees on 7 cables crossing the dense forest below and take in views of the Rincon de la Vieja. volcano. Choose to ride on more extreme segments if you wish, and on the Tarzan Swing jump from a 50m high platform to swing through the jungle.
Please note the weight limit on this activity is 200lbs (91kg).
Accommodation
Hotel Buena Vista del Rincon (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 11Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park Area
Enjoy a full free day in the Rincon de la Vieja area with an abundance of optional activities to choose from. Between hiking, bird watching, or spa treatments and a soak in the hot springs, your day can be as leisurely or busy as you’d like.
Choose to pre-book the Jungle Waterslide for a fun adventure through the jungle.
Free Time
The area is an outdoor lover's paradise! Enjoy access to the lodge's amenities. Opt to swim in the pool, walk along the nearby trails, or partake in other activities on offer like, learning about the growing and artisanal process of sugarcane, or attending a Chorotega workshop, a ceramics unique to Central America—and representative of the region's Indigenous history. Other possibilities are, hiking to the nearby Salitral Waterfall, trying the onsite waterslide through the jungle, or focus on wellness with optional spa and thermal bath experiences. You have all day!
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Jungle Waterslide
Throw on a bathing suit and store any of your personal items in the lockers and restroom area at the base of the slide. Then, once you have received your helmet and tube, and listened to a few safety briefings, you will be on your way. Walk through the lush forest with your tube for about 8 minutes to reach the launch point. Then climb on your tube and plunge down a 425m water slide through the heart of the tropical jungle. Feel the excitement as you reach full speed, winding down on the longest jungle waterslide in Costa Rica.
Hike on trails in the area
Hike through the wonderful and dense rainforest along nearby trails and gain a true immersion into the natural landscape.
Ziplining - Rincon de la Vieja
Fly over the trees on 7 cables crossing the dense forest below and take in views of the Rincon de la Vieja. volcano. Choose to ride on more extreme segments if you wish, and on the Tarzan Swing jump from a 50m high platform to swing through the jungle.
Please note the weight limit on this activity is 200lbs (91kg).
Accommodation
Hotel Buena Vista del Rincon (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 12Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park Area to Playa Flamingo
After breakfast at the lodge the group will travel to Playa Flamingo on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast. Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival to get to know this uniquely set up town, whose central area has remained a pristine beach protected by a large mangrove forest. Then, spend a free evening exploring on your own.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Playa Flamingo Orientation Walk
Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk through the small beach town of Playa Flamingo. This popular local destination boasts fine white sand, clear blue waters, lagoons, and a variety of more secluded beaches with rocks reaching into the sea. Become acquainted with the layout as you walk through main area.
Free Time
Spend a free late afternoon and evening in Playa Flamingo. Go to the beach, visit some of the local shops, or find a nearby restaurant to try out for dinner.
Accommodation
Hotel Casas del Toro (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Playa Flamingo
Spend a full free day in paradise. Opt to prebook a Catamaran excursion to get out onto the water for a whole new view of the Playa Flamingo area. Or choose to enjoy the beach on your own with swimming and sunbathing.
Free Time
The whole day is yours in Playa Flamingo. Choose to spend it out on the water by pre-booking a catamaran experience, or choose to lie on a fluffy white-sand beach with mangroves gently rustling in the distance. From beach town vibes to secluded lagoons this place is a true taste of Costa Rica's northwestern coastline.
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Playa Flamingo Catamaran
Hop aboard a catamaran departing from the Flamingo Marina and cruise along five miles of stunning coastline to a nearby beach. Here the boat will anchor and you will be able to enjoy time for snorkelling, kayaking, and swimming. As you partake in the water activities your crew will be preparing a delicious buffet lunch to be had aboard the boat in this pristine setting. Afterwards, the catamaran will continue sailing and the group will have the opportunity to try and spot dolphins, tropical fish, and possibly a few whales.
Accommodation
Hotel Casas del Toro (or similar)
Day 14Playa Flamingo
Depart at any time.
Please note that while your tour ends in Playa Flamingo, there are taxis/shuttle services available to the Liberia airport. These services depart from the town of Potrero which is 10 minutes from your Finish Point Hotel. It takes one hour to get to the airport in Liberia from Potrero.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.