After your arrival at the international airport of San José, Costa Rica, you will be welcomed by our English-speaking airport guide at the exit of the airport. He will hand you over your travel documents, afterwards seat-in transfer to your city hotel Tryp San José. Behind the hotel building lies the bustling Paseo Colón with its numerous shops and restaurants. The nearby Sabana Park features sports grounds, a small lake, and many trails.
The family suite has two Queen-size beds, bunk beds for two, and even a box of toys to keep the little ones entertained.

Included meals today: None
Included fees/tours: None

Early in the morning, a comfortable bus and an English-speaking local guide from the Tortuguero lodge will pick you up at your city hotel. Through the Braulio Carrillo National Park, you drive into the Caribbean lowlands. A typical breakfast will be served in Guápiles after an approximately 1-hour drive. At the Rio Danta Restaurant, you can walk along the river that runs through the property. A further 1.5-hour transfer takes you to the peer of La Pavona where you go on board of a boat. After your arrival at the lodge, a delicious lunch will be served. In the afternoon, you will visit the colourful village of Tortuguero. After your return, the whole family can explore the wildlife on the trails, or you can enjoy some time with your kids in the turtle-shaped pool.

IMPORTANT:

1. For the excursion to Tortuguero, your luggage is limited to 12 kg per person. Extra luggage can be stored at the Rio Danta Restaurant in Guápiles and picked up after the Tortuguero trip.
2. The Tortuguero package is operated on a seat-in basis, all transfers and excursions take place together with other clients. The sequence of the activities may change. Your local, English-speaking guide will confirm you the definite order.

Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included fees/tours: Excursion to the village of Tortuguero
Total km today: About 115 km
Total driving time today: About 4.5 hours

Tortuguero National Park covers more than 18´900 hectares of rainforest and coastline. It can be reached only by boat via an extended river and canal system, or by plane. A third of all endangered animal species in Costa Rica have claimed Tortuguero as their home. Over 300 bird, 30 frog and toad, 28 snake, and 6 sea turtle species can be found in this humid part of the country. The driest months in Tortuguero are February, March, and September; however, even then it's a good idea not to leave your raincoat behind.
During two boat tours in the canals of the Tortuguero National Park, you have the opportunity to spot quite a variety of different bird and animal species.
In the months from July to September (during the nesting season of the sea turtles), you can take your whole family on an adventurous turtle tour, where you can watch the turtles lay their eggs in the protected beach of the national park. A one-of-a-kind sight!

Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included fees/tours: Entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park, two boat tours

After breakfast at the lodge, a boat will take you back to La Pavona, where your bus is already waiting for you. In the restaurant in Guápiles, you will have lunch. Afterward, you will pick up your rental car, you need a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) and your valid national driving license to do so. Then you drive to Puerto Viejo de Limón. Since the Tortuguero package includes lunch in Guápiles, we encourage you to skip any stops on the way. Puerto Viejo de Limón is located on one of Costa Rica´s most popular beaches, full of wonderful people and nature, and offers lots of activities. Hotel Cariblue offers large bungalows to accommodate any size of family, plus they pride themselves in offering a nature lover's atmosphere. They have their own pool with a kids section, as well as a surf school. The beach is right across the street (eyes open while crossing!)

Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch
Included fees/tours: None
Total km today: About 200 km
Total driving time today: About 4.5 km

Around 8 am you will be picked up at your hotel and depart to the village of Cahuita, located about 16 km north of Puerto Viejo de Limón and famous for its beautiful national park with white sandy beaches.
Your guide will be waiting for you to start the hike through the park. The national park is a combination of beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and a tropical rainforest where you can easily observe monkeys, sloths, frogs, butterflies, and more of the wide variety of animals and plants in the protected area. Furthermore, the guide will provide you with much information about the history of Cahuita. As soon as you get to Punta Cahuita you will have a snack of tropical fruit and a break. Then you start the hike back to the village from where you will be taken back to your hotel.

Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: Tour on seat-in basis with English-/Spanish-speaking local guide, transfers, and snack (an entrance donation is already included in the tour, but we still encourage you to give a little extra donation at the National Park entrance as it will help the community projects) 

A hundred meters across the street you will find Cocles beach. However, we also recommend driving south, where you will find quiet and solitary white sand beaches you will definitively love. Here you can also explore the Gandoca Manzanillo Reserve.

Included meals today: Breakfast

Included fees/tours: None

Today you´ll say goodbye to the Caribbean coast and drive to the adventurous and nature-blessed village of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. Leaving Puerto Viejo de Limón at the latest after lunch would be a good idea. This gorgeous land around Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí with its wide choice of activities attracts adventure-seeking tourists and nature enthusiasts. White-water rafting is one of the most popular activities in the region. However, the region is also a very important destination for eco-tourism with several protected areas nearby, such as Braulio Carrillo National Park, Tirimbina Reserve, and La Selva Biological Station. This region is also famous for its banana and cocoa plantations. La Quinta de Sarapiquí will open its doors to you after a day of travel. This hotel has ornamental flower gardens, trails, a butterfly garden, a frog sanctuary, and an insect gallery. Just perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

In the evening you can enjoy a Frog tour at the hotel. During this very interesting night tour, different species of frogs can be seen in the lodge´s garden.

Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: Frog tour at La Quinta
Total km today: About 200km
Total driving time today: About 3.5 - 4 hours

A day full of adventure awaits you! After breakfast, you will participate in La Quintas Ant Colony Tour, where they aim to show you the fascinating organization of a leafcutter ant colony and explain the mutual relationship between the fungus and the ants. Later, the Gómez family will welcome you to their Finca Surá, where you will go on an Organic Farm Tour. After enjoying a fresh fruit drink, Don Rodolfo will proudly guide you to his citrus and manioc plants, the sugarcane, and the pineapple plantations. Many other kinds of plants, producing fruits in different seasons of the year, are growing here, you can even get to know the pepper and cinnamon shrubs. Everything is cultivated in the most natural way possible, in order to protect the animals living inside the property, such as colourful butterflies and frogs. You will also have the chance to plant some pineapple seedlings before enjoying a typical lunch.

Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch (on the Organic Farm Tour)
Included fees/tours: Ant Farm Tour (seat-in, with English-speaking local guide), Organic Farm Tour (seat-in, with English-speaking local guide)
Total km today: About 10 km
Total driving time today: About 20 minutes

Experience the traditional process of making chocolate during this interesting tour! Cocoa, the legendary fruit from Central America, was not only an ancient currency with a huge impact on history but also one of the most important products for the Mayan, Aztec, and other Central American cultures. The tour begins with a short walk to a former cocoa plantation, located in a part of Tirimbina forest. In former times, cacao was grown here in the traditional way, the cocoa trees grew in the forest, surrounded by other species of trees. On the way, you receive interesting information on the natural and cultural history of the cocoa tree. Once arrived, you are shown the artisanal process which transforms the cocoa fruit into chocolate while learning about pre- and post-colonial chocolate. Of course, you will also have the opportunity to taste different kinds of chocolate prepared on the spot in the traditional way!

You will continue to La Fortuna at the majestic Arenal Volcano. If you want to make a memorable stop on your way, you should look for the Centro Turístico Las Iguanas. Here you can order food and spend some time with the iguanas. Quite a sight on your way to your today´s destination, La Fortuna. At Arenal Paraíso, a family-friendly hotel with trails and a pool for young and old, you will be expected with open arms. In the excellent restaurant, tasty pizzas are cooked in the own pizza oven, great for the kids!
The hotel is located in the middle of huge garden grounds, offers mineral hot springs, and has a direct view of the nearly perfect cone of the Arenal Volcano. In a short time, you reach other interesting points like hanging bridges, Lake Arenal, lovely waterfalls, and much more.

Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: Chocolate Tour (seat-in, with English-speaking local guide) and entrance fee at La Tirimbina Reserve (self-guided)

Total km today: About 100 km
Total driving time today: About 2 - 2.5 hours

The adventure starts in the morning. You will enjoy a 2.5-hours volcano hike that takes place along the base and flanks of Arenal Volcano in the Arenal 1968 Park. The trail leads you to the 1968 lava flows, areas that nowadays are in regeneration, and over rocky areas. You will feel the power and serenity of nature and enjoy amazing views of the Arenal Lake and the Monteverde mountains, as well as admire the local flora and fauna observing, with a little bit of luck, different tropical birds and other animals.

In the afternoon, you will visit the small ecological reserve Ecocentro Danaus where you can experience the biodiversity that characterizes Costa Rica first hand. See the diversity of tropical plants, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and insects. You are going to search for sloths, caiman, turtles, frogs, and a large variety of tropical birds. You have the possibility to enjoy the butterfly garden and wetlands which are ideal for birdwatching.

Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: Entrance fee to Arenal 1968 and entrance fee to Ecocentro Danaus (both self-guided)

Total km today: About 30 km
Total driving time today: About 35 minutes

One of your longest drives will take you to Potrero, one of Costa Rica´s most beautiful beaches. If you would like to make a stop, the city of Liberia offers you many amenities. The wide and quiet bay of Potrero Beach is located about 20km north of Tamarindo. The long and sandy beach is ideal for walks and to observe the beautiful sunsets. In and around the small fishing village of Potrero, you find the most important things like restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, and banks. There are several interesting points for scuba diving and snorkeling, among them Las Catalinas islands. Depending on the season, even humpback whales have been spotted in the area. Fishing and horseback riding are other excursions offered on the spot. You will be expected at Hotel Bahía del Sol.

Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Total km today: About 175 km
Total driving time today: About 3.5 hours

Great views of the Pacific Ocean and romantic sunsets are part of what you can expect from a stay here. The hotel´s great location directly on the beach is perfect to spend the whole day with the kids.

Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None

A day at leisure: Spend a relaxing day at the beach, swim in the ocean, go fishing... In other words, enjoy life, you´re at the beach!

Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None

Today, you´ll go for your last drive, a little longer but also very scenic. You will pass three of Costa Rica´s provinces: Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Alajuela. But fear not, you will be able to rest in a pampering and nice hotel: Hotel Buena Vista in Alajuela. On the way there, at the restaurant ¨Mi Finca¨ in Limonal you have the chance to observe some of the large, beautiful Ara Macaw parrots, don´t miss it.
Buena Vista Hotel is a two-storey, colonial-style building at an altitude of 1´276 meters above sea level and, therefore, enjoys nearly perfect weather conditions all year round. The peaceful place is the only one in the area that has a 360-degree panoramic view and allows you to gaze at the Poás, Barva, and lrazú Volcanoes, as well as the Central Valley, coffee plantations, and the city of San José. At this family-oriented hotel with trails, a kids park, and a pool you also return your rental car.

Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None
Total km today: About 250 km
Total driving time today: About 4.5 hours

On your last day, depending on your departure time, you will enjoy a tropical breakfast at the hotel. Later, a shuttle bus (at no extra cost between 5:00 to 23:00) will take you to Juan Santamaría International Airport, where your Costa Rican adventure will come to an end. If your flight was scheduled in the afternoon, you could pay a visit to Poás National Park in the morning.

Included meals today: Breakfast
Included fees/tours: None