8 days and 7 nights in Costa Rica

Central Valley, Tortuguero National Park, Braulio Carrillo & Arenal Volcano

Requires partly driving on your own - great adventures in Costa Rica

In only one week and 2 days you will see the most spectacular parts of Costa Rica. In the Central Valley there is Poás volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Central- America and a visit to a really interesting coffee - hacienda. Near the Caribbean you will see a lot of wildlife in the Tortuguero National Park. In Braulio Carrillo National Park starts the real adventurous part. The last days will give you the chance to relax near the Arenal volcano.

This tour is highly recommended for starting your Costa Rica journey. It starts and ends at San José airport or another near place of your choice close by. Of course, we offer further program after day 9. This tour consists of a combination of must- dos and our secret spots in an unique combination. The very low cost is due to the fact that a part of the tour is done by rented car. If you do not like to drive on your own, of course we can arrange private or shared transfers.

Day 1 and 2

1st. Day: Welcome to Costa Rica, Airport Transfer- Posada Nena (-, -, -)

Arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, CR. Private pick up and transfer to Posada Nena in Santa Ana.

Acclimatization and rest in the garden depending on the time of arrival there is time to go downtown San José, the capital of Costa Rica.

2nd Day: Tour to Irazú Volcano, Lankester Gardens and Orosi (B, L, -)

After a full breakfast at the hotel, the tour to the nearby highlights in Central Valley starts: The unique Irazú Volcano, the Lankester botanical Gardens and the nice place of Orosi.

The Irazú Volcano is the highest volcano in Costa Rica. With a little luck you will have a spectacular view into the crater and can observe fumaroles. Visitors also often have a view up to the Pacific and the Caribbean sea.

A delicious lunch is served at the botanical gardens, where you can see a huge variety of tropical plants. Very interesting! In the afternoon the valle of Orosi is visited.

Day 3 to 5

3rd Day: Tour to National park Tortuguero (B, L, D)

Tour im Tortuguero Nationalpark

The flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park is unique in this world.

The tour starts early in the morning at the Posada. On the bus through the National Park Braullio Carillo you will see and learn a lot about flora and fauna of Costa Rica. In Pavona the ride continues by boat. This ride is basically already the first tour, because you will go to observe abundant wildlife.

Arriving at the lodge, and after a complete lunch, the next tour starts into the rainforest. This is a tour of the nearby gardens and jungle, where you get to see lots of tropical plants and animals.

Optional: During turtle season from late June- September, you can watch the great leatherback turtles in the night time.

4th Day: NP Tortuguero (B, L, D)

On this day one separates from the group and makes a private tour by canoe through the channels, which is organized and carried out by a German biologist. Everything is simply incredible. On a hike through the rainforest you get a different perspective, which is equally interesting. Lunch will take place at the lodge and afterwards another tour starts.

Day 5 to 8

5th Day: NP Tortuguero until el Socorro (B, L, D)

After an optional morning tour and the hearty breakfast, you will leave Tortuguero by boat. After lunch you get your own car to drive to the next destination. This one is near the National Park Braulio Carrillo- the green lung of the central valley of Costa Rica. It is not a far way to go, but it gets a little adventurous. You will soon reach a small Posada near the place el Socorro- a kind farmhouse with tours and family connection included. The tours are for all levels and very personal. Who wants to take a grueling climb to secluded waterfalls, is invited to attend. Or just to climb down to the river and watch the rainforest birds- everything is possible!

6th Day: El Socorro- la Fortuna de San Carlos (B, L, -)

After an extensive and very typical breakfast we join the next tour in the vicinity of the lodge. In the afternoon it is back on the road towards la Fortuna de San Carlos. The accommodation will be a middle class hotel in downtown La Fortuna. The afternoon and evening is free- La Fortuna offers very good gastronomy and there are really nice hot springs that are very siutable for relaxation in the afternoon.

7th Day: Rio peñas blancas and la Fortuna de San Carlos (B, -, -)

After breakfast we attend another tour in a Raft to observe animals on a river, called Rio Peñas Blancas. The Rio Peñas Blancas is fed by several mountain streams from the cloud forest around Monteverde and is surrounded by lush rainforest, volcanic hot springs, waterfalls and high, forested canyons. It is likely that you will see crocodiles, sloths, caimans, turtles, lizards, many birds, three different kinds of monkeys and many other animals. Nature is absolutely amazing. With a stop at a farm in the forest, you can experience the life in Costa Rica 70 years ago. A snack is served here.

The afternoon is free - la Fortuna offers enough possibilities to do exciting things on your own.

8th Day: la Fortuna San José Airport (B, -, -)

Return to the Central Valley- return ... or continue with one of our other travel components as National Park Rincón de la Vieja and then to the Pacific beaches.

Services

Our services on this roundtrip:

Airport pickup
2 nights in a superior room in Posada Nena
guided tour to the Irazú Volcano, Lankester Botanical Gardens and Orosi Valle
Transfer to Tortuguero
2 nights in Mawamba Lodge, incl. 3 Tours
Two additional private tours in Tortuguero National Park in English: Canoe & Hike
Accommodation in bungalow in the Albergue el Socorro incl. Tours
2 * accommodation in Hotel las Colinas
Half day tour Rio Peñas Blancas in Raft
7 * Breakfast, lunch 5 *, 3 * Dinner
preprogrammed GPS for driving
all taxes and insurance
not inclusive: 3 days car hire, for example, Daihatsu Bego incl. full insurance for US $ 187