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The Best of Costa Rica Independent Adventure
10 days, San José to San José
Itinerary
Day 1San José
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
You will be met at San José International Airport and transferred to your hotel for the night.
This tour is an Independent Adventure with no group and no CEO (Chief Experience Officer). A welcome package with information about your tour will be at the starting hotel.
Arrival Day
Begin your adventure today. There are no planned activities so feel free to explore or rest up for the excitement ahead.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Welcome Package Hotel
Upon arrival at your hotel on Day 1, you will receive a welcome package providing a schedule, documentation/vouchers and pick-up times for all included activities. It also will contain contact information, should you have any questions about your tour.
Day 2San José/Tortuguero
Travel to Tortuguero NP and enjoy a guided boat trip and wildlife viewing in the canals and coastal jungle. In leisure time, relax at the secluded lodge or opt to go kayaking.
In the morning, transfer by road then by boat to the famous canals of Tortuguero. This tropical eco-paradise is home to countless bird and animal species, and you will have many opportunities to view and photograph wildlife.
Plenty of opportunity to see a variety of birds, monkeys and other wildlife. Relax at the secluded lodge on a hammock or at the pool or beach. Opt to take a night excursion or go kayaking.
*Please note that the entrance fee of $10 USD per person into the national park is not included.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Boat
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Turtle Nesting Night Excursion (Seasonal)
51USD per personHead out at night to visit the nesting grounds of the green and leatherback turtles (seasonal) on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park. Learn about the turtles' nesting process and hopefully see females lay eggs, during this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Tortuguero
Enjoy a guided tour of the Tortuguero canals. Keep your eyes peeled for toucans, parrots, herons, kingfishers, fishing bats, three-toed sloths, iguanas, and howler, white-faced and spider monkeys. Try to spot the tracks of river otters, collared peccaries, and Baird’s tapirs on the banks of the rivers and canals. Watch for caiman swimming in the waterways.
Tortuguero National Park Guided Boat Tour
Hop on board, kick back, and prepare to witness a parade of tropical birds, reptiles, and mammals as we motor through the black water canals of the Tortuguero NP. Scan the trees for toucans, watch the shores for caimans, otters, iguanas and frogs, and look up to see monkeys sharing space with sloths. Bring your binoculars and bug spray. Be prepared for hot, humid, and possibly wet weather.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Guided Kayak Excursion
60USD per personGrab a paddle and prepare to witness a parade of tropical birds, reptiles, and mammals as you kayak through the black water canals of the Tortuguero National Park. Scan the trees for toucans, watch the shores for caimans, otters, iguanas, frogs, and look up to see monkeys sharing space with sloths. Bring your binoculars and bug spray. Be prepared for hot, humid, and possibly wet weather.
Tortuguero National Park Guided Boat Tour
75USD per personHop on board, kick back, and prepare to witness a parade of tropical birds, reptiles, and mammals as we motor through the black water canals of the Tortuguero NP. Scan the trees for toucans, watch the shores for caimans, otters, iguanas and frogs, and look up to see monkeys sharing space with sloths. Bring your binoculars and bug spray. Be prepared for hot, humid, and possibly wet weather.
Turtle Hatching Morning Excursion (Seasonal)
Choose to wake up early and head down to the beach to (hopefully) watch newly hatched green and leatherback sea turtles scramble their way from the nesting grounds in Tortuguero National Park to the ocean (seasonal). Please note that there are no ethical paid tours to see turtles hatching, so any paid tours on offer are not recommended by G Adventures or your CEO.
Turtle Nesting Night Excursion (Seasonal)
51USD per personHead out at night to visit the nesting grounds of the green and leatherback turtles (seasonal) on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park. Learn about the turtles' nesting process and hopefully see females lay eggs, during this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Tortuguero/La Fortuna
Transfer to the Arenal region. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure and opt to soak in the hot springs.
In the morning, transfer to your hotel near the Arenal Volcano, arriving mid-afternoon. This area is full of exciting and wonderful things to do: whether it's checking out the popular hot springs, La Fortuna's Waterfall, the Venado Caves or the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.
Boat
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 4 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.
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.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5La Fortuna
Today is free and there are a number of adventure activities available. Feeling lazy? Take some time to rest and relax at the hotel.
La Fortuna is one of the centres of adventure travel in Costa Rica. Options include river rafting, mountain biking, caving, or horseback riding. Don’t forget about the hot springs, heated directly by the lava underneath the Arenal 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 5 HideShow
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6La Fortuna/Tamarindo
Transfer to the Guanacaste coast. Opt to surf or swim the waves, practice yoga on the beach, or hang out in the shade of a palm tree.
Travel west through the province of Guanacaste to Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Spend time enjoying the long stretches of beautiful black sand beaches, considered some of the country's best for swimming and surfing.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Meals included:
BreakfastDays 7–8Tamarindo
Spend time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful beach.
Spend your day taking in the sun and sea, participating in optional activities such as surfing, fishing, golf, horseback riding, cycling, boating or snorkeling.
Free Time
Relax or enjoy some optional activities.
Optional Activities - Days 7–8 HideShow
Fishing
Book a half-day sport-fishing tour or simply stand on shore, cast a line and see what you can reel in.
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.
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.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Tamarindo/San José
Transfer back to the capital for the last night.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10San José
Depart at any time.