Costa Rica Tropical Jungles, Volcanoes, and Cloud Forests Tour
8 Days and 7 Nights
This Costa Rica: Tropical Jungles, Volcano and Cloud Forests is a unique Costa Rica adventure trip combining canals, volcanoes, and cloud forests.
Enjoy eight blissful days in Costa Rica – a paradise of forest and adventure.
Our eco experience begins on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, in wildlife-rich Tortuguero National Park, known as Costa Rica’s “little Amazon”, here you stay two days in the village with a private nature guide. Enjoy a local boat tour through the rainforests backwaters canals and look for tropical animals such as monkeys, caimans, colorful birds and green iguanas.
Then continue to the northern lowlands of Arenal Volcano National Park and La Fortuna town. Stay 2 nights’ enjoying a nature volcano and adventure rafting.
Ending at Monteverde Cloud Forest, a cool mountain located at nearly five thousand feet elevation in the Tilaran Range of northwest Costa Rica. A cloud forest is an especially beautiful and rare type of rain forest created by frequent mists from low-lying clouds characterized by massive trees covered by thick “carpets” of small plants know as epiphytes. Much of the resident wildlife is unique to these habitats. The tour includes visits to an exhilarating zip line canopy tour.
You will also have free time to choose from many optional activities in the famous “Adventure capital of Costa Rica!!”
This package is perfect for budget-conscious visitors and students. We could also offer the same route and provide a quote for those looking for midrange and high-end properties with more amenities.
Highlights
- Canal boat tours in the “little Amazon” of Costa Rica.
- Fresh Caribbean fruits and Caribbean hospitality.
- Iguana watching in San Carlos.
- Arenal Volcano lava hike and hanging bridges.
- Small groups
- CRST has the best guides!
Itinerary
SAN JOSÉ
Arrival at the Juan Santamaria International Airport.
Costa Rica: Tropical Jungles, Volcano and Cloud Forests Tour Day 1. Welcome to Costa Rica!
As you exit the airport you will be met by a representative and transferred to your city hotel.
Your driver will provide you with the travel information for your services and review them with you at this time.
Tonight, dinner is on your own. You may enjoy a quiet evening meal at the hotel.
INCLUDED
- Arrival transportation
- 1 night’s accommodations at Crowne Plaza Corobicí hotel. Standard room (Breakfast included)
EXCLUDED
- Incidentals like: laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks, spa services, tours, meals not specified on the itinerary.
TORTUGUERO
Travel to Tortuguero National Park
Costa Rica: Tropical Jungles, Volcano and Cloud Forests Tour Day 2. Early this morning a transfer will take you from San José to La Pavona dock (2-hour drive). The drive leads through the magnificent Braulio Carrillo National Park on the Limon Highway. Arriving at Pavona dock, you will take boat transfer from la Pavona dock to your lodge in Tortuguero approx. 1 hour.
Check-in at your lodge.
3 days with a private bilingual guide. All of our guides are professional, certified and licensed to ensure you make the most of your vacation time while on tour with them.
This afternoon you may enjoy a walk to the local town of Tortuguero.
Tonight, dinner is on your own. You may enjoy a quiet evening meal at the hotel overlooking the gardens.
INCLUDED
- Shuttle transportation – shared service
- 2 nights’ accommodations at Miss Junies Lodge (Breakfast included.
- Lunch and dinner on your own.
- 3 days with a private bilingual guide at the Caribbean side
EXCLUDED
- Incidentals like: laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks, spa services, tours, meals not specified on the itinerary.
TORTUGUERO
Tortuguero National Park
Costa Rica: Tropical Jungles, Volcano and Cloud Forests Tour Day 3. After a hearty caribbean breakfast, enjoy the Tortuguero National Park tour by boat – park entrance fee included.
Tortuguero National Park is known as Costa Rica’s “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.
It is one of the best places to observe wildlife in Costa Rica, making it a preferred birdwatching destination. Tortuguero is a must for visitors who want to experience the amazing wonders of the tropical rainforest! 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.
A typical Costa Rican lunch is included at Miss Junies restaurant – an experience not to be missed!
In the afternoon enjoy the Coco tour by Cloyd at Miss Junies Lodge.
Tonight, dinner is on your own. You may enjoy a local dinner in town or try fresh fish at the hotel.
TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK BOAT TOUR
MISS JUNIES AND CLOYD EXPERIENCE
Your immersion into Costa Rica continues with a delicious not-to-be-missed local lunch at Miss Junies. Miss Junie inherited her “soda” – basically a thatched roof structure with tables and chairs – from her grandmother, Miss Bell, in the 1970’s. The tables have stories to tell after feeding hungry visitors for over 70 years – some of the more notable include the scientist Dr. Archie Carr and even the likes of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro!
Today, Miss Junies’ is considered one of the best Caribbean restaurants in Tortuguero serving up fresh flavor and sharing local customs with visitors. No lunch is complete without dessert and Cloyd, a local personality in his own right and Miss Junies’ son, steps in to provide his “coconut tour” highlighting nearly lost dessert recipes made from coconuts and other local ingredients.
TORTUGUERO TOWN VISIT
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
- Tortuguero National Park Boat Tour
- Miss Junies and Cloyd Experience
- Tortuguero Town Visit
INCLUDED
- Tortuguero canal tour
- Entrance fee
- Lunch
- Dinner on your own
EXCLUDED
- Incidentals like: laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks, spa services, tours, meals not specified on the itinerary.
LA FORTUNA
Travel to Arenal volcano
After a delicious caribbean breakfast, board the morning boat transfer from Tortuguero to Pavona dock approx. 1 hour.
Upon arrival to Pavona dock, you’ll set off on a three-hour transfer to Arenal Volcano. Here you’ll bid farewell to your private guide.
Tonight, lunch and dinner is on your own. You may enjoy a local restaurant in town and at by evening enjoy a meal at the hotel overlooking the lush gardens.
This afternoon, stretch your legs on a self-guided walk around the town of La Fortuna.
INCLUDED
- Shuttle transportation – shared service
- 2 nights’ accommodations at La Fortuna Lodge ( Breakfast Included )
- Lunch and dinner on your own.
- End of services of private guide.
EXCLUDED
- Incidentals like: laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks, spa services, tours, meals not specified on the itinerary.
LA FORTUNA
Rafting Trip
Costa Rica: Tropical Jungles, Volcano and Cloud Forests Tour Day 5. Begin your day with a super complimentary breakfast, then be prepare to enjoy the Balsa river class II-III White Water rafting full day tour
Just 30 minutes from La Fortuna, your white water rafting tour on the Balsa-San Carlos class ll-lll River will give you a chance to see riverside wildlife like herons, monkeys, sloths, and iguanas while you enjoy paddling through gentle rolling rapids.
Great for adventurous first-timers and recreational paddlers, the river passes through farmlands, tranquil river pools and a rainforest river canyon. This trip combines fun and nature.
Your bilingual guides will give you a safety talk, paddling instructions, life jackets, and helmets before you start. Bring: sunscreen, strap-on sandals.
Today, dinner is on your own, you can enjoy the bar and restaurant at town, discover a nightlife spot. Go to experience the best in food, fresh food, inventive cocktails and music.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Arenal Rafting Class II & III White Water Rafting Balsa River Tour
INCLUDED
- Rafting tour equipment, lunch, local guides and transportation included.
- Important: Balsa river water supply is controlled by a dam.
- Dinner on your own.
EXCLUDED
- Incidentals like: laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks, spa services, tours, meals not specified on the itinerary.
MONTEVERDE
Travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest
Costa Rica: Tropical Jungles, Volcano and Cloud Forests Tour Day 6. Morning shuttle transfer from Arenal to Monteverde Lake Crossing including pick-up at your hotel and transfer to the lake, boat ride across Lake Arenal connecting with a land transfer to your hotel in Monteverde.
Initially you will be transferred to Lake Arenal where you will board a boat to cross the southern end of the lake. There you will be picked up at the Rio Chiquito landing and driven overland to your Monteverde hotel, approx 2 ½ hour transfer. The lake crossing takes 1.5 hours less time than driving all the way around. Please be aware that strong winds or heavy rains can make for a rough, bumpy and wet boat ride. There are no docks.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, enjoy the gardens of the hotel and maybe a little walk in Monteverde town
Today, lunch and dinner is on your own. You may try some local restaurants or enjoy quiet evening meal.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Aventuras Arenal Lake Crossing
INCLUDED
- Shuttle transportation – shared service
- 2 nights’ accommodations at Monteverde Ecolodge (Breakfast included)
- Lunch and dinner on your own.
EXCLUDED
- Incidentals like: laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks, spa services, tours, meals not specified on the itinerary.
MONTEVERDE
Zip line tour
Costa Rica: Tropical Jungles, Volcano and Cloud Forests Tour Day 7. After a hearty Costa Rican breakfast, you will enjoy the combination Sky Tram and Sky Trek Zipline Canopy Tour.
The Monteverde Sky Tram/Sky Trek combines a ski lift ride and a zip line adventure in a cloud forest. The Sky Tram is a guided ride with short stops to observe the wonders of the cloud forest. The Sky Trek zips above the trees and give exhilarating panoramic views. The tour begins with the Sky Tram bringing you up the mountain on the Continental Divide, and then you glide down on the Sky Trek zip lines.
Afternoon at leisure, walk Monteverde town, optional activities for an additional cost. Suggest Monteverde reserve hiking.
Today, lunch and dinner is on your own. You may enjoy the local food at the town, try local beer.
EXPERT TIPS
- Bring: hiking shoes and comfortable clothes, jacket, insect repellent.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Sky Adventures Monteverde Park Sky Trek
INCLUDED
- Zip line tour, equipment, local guides and transportation
- Lunch and dinner on your own.
EXCLUDED
- Incidentals like: laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks, spa services, tours, meals not specified on the itinerary.
END OF ITINERARY
Departure to San José international airport
Costa Rica: Tropical Jungles, Volcano and Cloud Forests Tour Day 8.After breakfast, be ready for your shuttle departure transfer to the International Airport in San José, approximately 4.5 hours transfer.
Check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight time. (B)
End of services.
INCLUDED
- Departure transportation shuttle shared service.
