9-day trip to Costa Rica

Central America

Costa Rica is known for its valuable ecosystems ranging from dry forests and cloud forests to coastal areas and rainforests. With more than 200 volcanoes and full coastlines on both sides of the country, it is a stunning place to visit. Even better, the country has enacted protection for around 25% of its land and you’ll see some of its national parks on your 9-day trip to Costa Rica.

From swimming in the Pacific Ocean to climbing an active volcano, your adventure is waiting. You’ll have a chance to see why Costa Rica is considered one of the leaders in conservation and experience the local culture. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

Volcano Arenal

Tortuguero

Celeste River

Idyllic beaches

Highlights

On this 9-day trip to Costa Rica, you will visit several national parks, including Tortuguero National Park, Braulio Carillo, La Fortuna, and more. You’ll trek through rainforests and spot a myriad of wildlife ranging from sloths to monkeys and plenty of tropical birds. 

Watch as two rivers flow together and create a stunning blue river in Tenorio Volcano National Park, and see geothermal falls firsthand. There’s no shortage of natural beauty in Costa Rica and our aim is to show you as much of it as possible, while also letting you enjoy the rich culture and history that permeates the country. 

Itinerary

Your guide will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. This is a great time to learn a little about the beautiful country of Costa Rica, as the guide is happy to answer any questions.

  • One night in San Jose.

After a tasty breakfast, we’ll head to the Tortuguero National Park. On the way, we drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the largest national parks in Costa Rica. As we pass by, you’ll glimpse everything from rainforest jungle to cloud forests.

Once we reach the Caño Blanco dock, you’ll hop onto a boat to travel along the Tortuguero canal to the lodge, which is perched on the bank of the canal. The trip is stunning, with amazing views of the jungle. You may even spot some local wildlife, such as sloths or monkeys. 

The lodge offers multiple choices for your adventures. You may schedule two experiences for each of the two nights spent here. 

Natural History Boat Tour: Relax on a boat as you travel the park’s waterways with a knowledgeable guide who can point out the wildlife in the area. You’ll learn about how the park was started and why Costa Rica is so dedicated to preserving its natural beauty and resources. 

Night Tour: Many of the animals in Costa Rica’s rainforests are nocturnal, so the best way to see them is to trek through the forest at night. This tour gives you a whole new perspective.

Tortuguero Village: Visit this tiny, remote village by boat. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to watch sea turtles laying their eggs in the beach nests. Otherwise, you’ll get to experience the local Caribbean culture as the locals welcome you to their town.

Kayak Tour: If you’ve always dreamed of kayaking through the rainforest, this is the tour for you. This is a good way to see more wildlife, including the elusive manatees.

Tortuguero Hill Hike: Tortuguero Hill is a beautiful hike through the Costa Rican jungle, where you’ll spot dozens of birds, including parrots, toucans, and more, as well as other wildlife.

Spa Treatment: Need some time to relax? Enjoy a 50-minute massage or other treatment at the lodge’s beautiful spa.

Lagoon Tour: This tour takes you to Lagoon 4, one of the biggest lagoons in the Tortuguero National Park. It’s a habitat for fish, reptiles, and birds and is an important part of the local ecosystem. You’ll see plenty of amazing species on your tour.

  • Two nights in Tortuguero National Park.

Enjoy a local breakfast at the lodge before embarking on your adventures of the day, chosen previously. The lodge is surrounded by hiking trails and interesting areas to explore, so during your free time, you can wander and enjoy the stunning nature that Costa Rica is so well known for. 

In the Tortuguero National Park, you’ll find several types of monkeys, including howler, capuchin, and spider monkeys, as well as sloths, jaguars, ocelots, and river otters. The rivers are also home to the endangered West Indian manatee. The park is named for the many sea turtles that nest here, including green sea turtles, leatherbacks, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles. 

Have a hearty breakfast before boarding the boat and return to Caño Blanco Dock. From there, you’re off to your next destination, La Fortuna, home of Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna is famous for its geothermal activity and stunning hot springs. 

Like many areas of Costa Rica, La Fortuna is a biodiverse area full of wildlife such as birds, sloths, and monkeys. However, the real attraction is the near-perfect cone of Arenal Volcano, standing against the sky with the cloud forest surrounding it. The sight is an impressive one and something you never get used to.

  • Two nights in La Fortuna.

Today, you’ll have a chance to see the Arenal Volcano up close and personal. Your guide will take you on a hike around the volcano’s base and up into the foothills. You’ll visit the lava fields, created when the volcano erupted in 1968. This area showcases nature’s strength and beauty, even in what many consider a disaster.

If the clouds aren’t too thick, you can see Arenal Lake and even the Monteverde Mountains in the distance from the lava fields. The view is spectacular. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch from this vantage point before returning to the hotel. Take the remainder of the afternoon to explore the area around you or just relax in the hotel. 

Today, you’ll continue on your adventure to Tenorio Volcano National Park. This park was established in 1995 to protect the area’s unique ecosystems. Here, you’ll find tapirs, white-faced monkeys, pumas, and plenty of tropical birds living in the lush rainforest. 

We’ll take a hike along one of the trails that leads through the park’s forest to a nearly 100-foot geothermally heated waterfall. You can also walk further to see more of the unique features of the park, including geysers, and the merging of two rivers to create the turquoise-blue Celeste River

Next, we’ll move on to the North Pacific, where you can relax on the beach. The North Pacific of Costa Rica is known for its beautiful climate and stunning beaches that range from white to black, depending on the sand. The water is crystal clear and blue, perfect for just relaxing.

  • Two nights in Playa Panama.

Take a dip in the ocean after breakfast or walk along the beach. You’ll feel totally at rest in this gorgeous location, but you don’t have to spend the day sunbathing. Playa Panama offers a range of activities you can choose to participate in.

If you want to explore the local bio reserves, you can visit the nearby national parks or take a canopy tour. Prefer to get out on the water? You can go surfing or fishing and diving tours are also offered. Many people just have fun on the beach, jumping into the water whenever they get too warm.

Your driver will take you back to San Jose in the morning and you have the remainder of the day to check out the city. It’s full of museums and parks where you can learn more about the history of Costa Rica, including the National Museum, and the Costa Rican Center of Science and Culture. The city is a cultural hot spot and could easily entertain you for days.

The Jade Museum and Gold Museum are also good places to visit to see more of the natural resources of Costa Rica. You’ll learn how ancient civilizations used these valuable materials and see some of the artifacts collected from ruins around the country.

Make the most of your final day in Costa Rica. There’s plenty to see and do, even if you just want to relax in a park. Parque La Sabana is a good place to people-watch while enjoying the beauty of nature in this tropical city.

Your 9-day trip to Costa Rica has come to an end. You’ll be taken to the airport and head home.

map, expenses & price

9-day Trip to Costa Rica

Expenses included:
-Door-to-door transportation.
-Eight nights of hotel accommodations.
-Professional certified guides.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-All Park entrance fees.
-Daily breakfast.

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