8 days in Costa Rica
A complete short tour or the ideal beginner's program
Central Valley, Tortuguero National Park, Braulio Carrillo and Arenal Volcano
A spectacular and exciting route that is partly a guided tour and partly intended for self-driving.
On this sophisticated round trip lasting just 8 days and 7 nights, you can experience the most important regions of Costa Rica in a wonderful week. The Irazú volcano and a botanical garden await in the central valley and the animal-rich Tortuguero National Park in the Caribbean. Things get adventurous at Braulio Carrillo National Park and then enjoy the last days at the active Arenal volcano.
This tour is a great introduction to Costa Rica. The tour starts and ends in San José at the international airport or in Santa Ana in our Posada Nena. Of course, after the 8th day - if there is still more time - you can extend the tour and move on. In just eight days with seven nights in good mid-range hotels you can experience some of the highlights of Costa Rica, but also some very unknown and secret destinations. The low price comes about because you can drive part of the tour yourself. If you don't like that so much, we of course also have the option of organizing private transfers.
On the first day you will be warmly welcomed in Costa Rica, Central America. After the transfer to our Posada Nena in Santa Ana, there is time to acclimatize and relax in the garden in the hammock - depending on the time of arrival, there is time to get to know the capital of Costa Rica, San José, on your own.
A visit to the unique Irazú volcano together with the Lankester botanical gardens and the beautiful Orosi Valley is well worth it. At 3,432 m, the Irazú volcano is the highest volcano in Costa Rica. With a little luck you have a magnificent view of the crater, can observe fumaroles and sometimes have a view of both oceans: the Caribbean and the Pacific. The delicious lunch is then served in the Lankester Botanical Gardens. The botanical garden is very interesting and offers an excellent insight into the flora of the tropical world. In the afternoon we visit the green Orosi Valley.
Tortuguero National Park is one of the most famous attractions in Central America and rightly so. The flora and fauna that you can see when you visit the Tortuguero National Park are unique in the world. The accommodation takes place in a beautiful eco-lodge just outside of Tortuguero. The arrival and departure takes place in a group, our tours are semi-private tours by canoe through the canals, which are organized and carried out by a German biologist. It's unbelievable what there is to see there. Afterwards there is a hike through the rainforest - a different perspective that is no less interesting.
Optional: During the turtle spawning season from the end of June to September you can watch the large leatherback turtles spawn at night.
On the fifth day, after an optional early tour and a hearty breakfast, you take the boat out of the national park again. At midday you get the rental car with which you can drive to your next destination in peace. The destination is the Braulio Carrillo National Park - the green lung of the central valley of Costa Rica. The day's stage is not a long route, but a little adventurous. A small posada near the town of el Socorro - a kind of farm holiday with exciting tours included. The tours are suitable for all levels as they are carried out in a completely personal manner. Anyone who would like to undertake a strenuous climb to lonely waterfalls is warmly invited to do so. If you prefer just to go down to the river and watch birds in the rainforest - everything is possible here!
We then continue north to the world-famous Arenal Volcano, which is still considered active. The accommodation is close to town, where you can find good restaurants. There are many opportunities to do something on your own.
The next day we go on another tour - this time in a rubber raft to observe animals on the Rio Peñas Blancas. The Rio Peñas Blancas is fed by several mountain streams from the cloud forest surrounding Monteverde and is surrounded by lush rainforest, volcanic hot springs, waterfalls and high, forested gorges. Crocodiles, sloths, caimans, turtles, lizards, many birds, three different types of monkeys and many other animals are likely to be seen. During a stop at a farm in the middle of the jungle, you can experience life in Costa Rica over 70 years ago - a small snack is served here.
The next day you can return to the Central Valley or use one of our other travel modules to continue your journey. We would be happy to advise you with exciting options.
