Tortuguero National Park Tours and Rainforests
7 Days and 6 Nights
Begin your eco adventure with our Tortuguero National Park Tours. After your first night in a San José hotel, immerse yourself in the wonders of Tortuguero, known as Costa Rica’s “little Amazon.” This two-day tour offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife observation. Enjoy a local guided Tortuguero boat tour through the narrow, lush canals, where you’ll marvel at the abundant wildlife. The best time to visit Tortuguero is from July to October.
During the Tortuguero tour, you can also embark on Tortuguero kayak tours to explore the serene waterways up close and personal. Paddle through the tranquil canals and experience the vibrant rainforest from a unique perspective.
Following our time in Tortuguero, we’ll fly to Arenal in La Fortuna, home to a majestic, steaming volcano with steep dark conical slopes rising out of verdant rainforests. During your three-night stay, we have included a thrilling zip-line canopy tour and left time open for you to explore and book any of the numerous area attractions (additional cost).
Arenal Volcano National Park, known as the “Adventure Capital of Costa Rica,” offers a plethora of activities to choose from, including white water rafting, hot springs, waterfall rappelling, rainforest hikes, and hanging bridges. After uncovering Arenal Volcano’s many wonders, we provide a shuttle transfer for a beach extension or return to San José.
Tortuguero National Park Tour Highlights
- Super scenic domestic flight Tortuguero to Arenal
- Visit the “little Amazon” of Costa Rica
- Zipline through the rainforest canopy of Arenal Volcano
- Small groups
- Go with the best guides!
Tortuguero National Park Tour Itinerary
SAN JOSÉ
Welcome to Costa Rica!
Tortuguero National Park Tours Day 1. As you exit the airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Your driver will provide you with the travel vouchers for your services and review them with you at this time.
INCLUDED
- Arrival SJO Intl. Airport. Private land transfer service to your hotel in San José.
- Overnight at Park Inn or similar.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK TOUR
Tortuguero National Park Tours Day 2. This morning you will be met at your San José hotel by a transport representative from your hotel in Tortuguero.
The drive leads through the magnificent Braulio Carrillo National Park on the Limon Highway. Once in the town of Guapiles, you will stop at a local restaurant for a delicious and fresh local breakfast. The drive in total will be approximately 3 hours.
At the main port lining the canals you will board a boat for the water transfer to your hotel in Tortuguero (approximately 1 hour). Upon arrival lunch will be served at the Lodge. In the afternoon, your local guide will take you to the town for a leisurely walk where you will get a taste of local living.
EXPERT TIPS
Tortuguero National Park is known as Costa Ricas “little Amazon”. There are no roads – travel is by boat along a series of rivers and canals or by foot on forest paths. The park consists of a network of waterways surrounded by a vast tropical rainforest and is one of the best places to observe wildlife in Costa Rica. Tortuguero is a must for visitors who want to experience the amazing wonders of the tropical rainforest and enjoy photography tours!
In Tortuguero visitors will likely see 2 or 3 species of monkeys, iguanas, crested basilisk lizards (they look like miniature dinosaurs!), sloths, lots of water birds, toucans, parrots, parakeets, caiman (cousins of alligators), and possibly crocodiles, as well as colorful tropical forest birds.
INCLUDED
- Early land & boat transfer service to Tortuguero National Park including stop en route for breakfast.
- Arrival for lunch time and afternoon visit to the Village. **Shared services**
- Dinner
- Overnight at Mawamba Lodge or similar
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
TORTUGUERO BOAT TOUR
Tortuguero National Park Tours Day 3. This morning is free to enjoy the pool, walk a forest trail, or simply relax before lunch.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy the wildlife-rich Tortuguero National Park, touring the navigable rainforest canals by boat. This tour will allow you the chance to see a large diversity of bird species, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, and iguanas. Bring: lightweight clothing, water shoes, sunscreen and protective sun gear, camera, binoculars, insect repellent, a light rain jacket.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Tortuguero Canals
INCLUDED
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
- Morning at leisure to enjoy the lodge grounds.
- Afternoon boat tour to the Tortuguero water canals. **Shared services**
- Overnight at Mawamba Lodge or similar
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Tortuguero National Park Tours Day 4. You will be picked up at your hotel in Tortuguero by a representative from the lodge for a short boat transfer to the local airstrip. Arrive in time for your local airline flight check-in for your 20-minute flight to the Arenal Airstrip.
Upon arrival at the Arenal Airstrip, you will be transferred to your hotel in La Fortuna.
EXPERT TIPS
Regarding luggage restrictions on domestic flights:
- Check in 1 hour prior to flight departure time.
- Maximum LUGGAGE PERMITTED 40 POUNDS PER PERSON for checked in baggage and one piece of carry-on luggage that does not exceed 10 pounds.
- We recommend packing a change of clothes, any essentials (including toiletries and medications) in a carry-on bag in the event your luggage is delayed.
- Excess baggage is subject to space availability on the plane. Additional charges apply.
- Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice to the passengers and with no responsibility for the carrier.
INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Boat (shared) transfer service to Local Airstrip and connect with Regional Flight to Arenal (20 minutes approx..).
- Private land transfer to your hotel in Arenal.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Tortuguero National Park Tours Day 5. Today’s authentic adventure in harmony with the environment is full of adrenaline at the Arenal Mundo Aventura Canopy Zip Line. Starting with a tractor ride crossing thru the rainforest, you’ll reach the first of 12 cables of pure adrenaline. The zipline course is surrounded by impressive views over canyons, Arenal Volcano, Cerro Chato and Fortuna and Pino Blanco Falls. The tour ends with a visit to the Maleku Cultural Rescue Center and the Frog & Butterfly Garden. Tour duration: 3.5hrs. approx.
- Bring: Comfortable clothing, Walking (closed) Shoes, Sunscreen, Long light Pants and bug repellent.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
- Arenal Mundo Aventura Canopy Zip Line Tours
- At Leisure
INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Canopy/ Zip Line Adventure. **Shared basis**
- Rest of your day at leisure.
- Overnight at Arenal Springs Resort or similar.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Tortuguero National Park Tours Day 6. Today is yours to enjoy as you wish – exploring the grounds of the lodge or perhaps organizing another activity (at your own cost). We recommend exploring the hotel springs the area is known for.
The hot springs of Arenal Springs Hotel are one hundred percent natural and rich in mineral salts and ions such as Calcium (CA+2), Magnesium (Mg+2) and Chloride (CL-) as they come from underground sources of the Arenal Volcano. Due to high mineral concentration, while soaking in these waters, your skin is moisturized and refreshed.
Arenal is known as the “Adventure Capital of Costa Rica”, additional activities to choose from include white water rafting, hot springs, water rappelling, rainforest hikes, hanging bridges (please note these are at your own cost).
EXPERT TIPS
As an added service for our guests, we offer complimentary yoga classes every day from 6:30 am to 7:30am.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
At Leisure
INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Day at leisure to enjoy the hotel grounds.
- Overnight at Arenal Springs Resort or similar.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
END OF ITINERARY
Private transfer service back to the SJO Intl. Airport or take a beach extension (at additional fee)
INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Private land transfer service back to the SJO Intl. Airport or take a beach extension
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
