Explore Costa Rica

Costa Rica may be small but it offers big adventure. This two-week tour ventures off the beaten path to a lush and wild world. Stop in at a reforestation project, visit a sea turtle conservancy program, opt to zip-line through the jungle canopy, and have a soak in volcanic hot springs. Riding a wave of “pura vida,” experience pure travel joy.

What's Included:

• Visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Tortuguero
• Tortilla Making and Home Dinner, La Fortuna
• Monteverde Institute Lecture & Reforestation Project, Monteverde
• Mi Cafecito Coffee Cooperative Tour, Sarapiquí
• Arrival transfer
• Boat tour and wildlife viewing in Tortuguero National Park
• Guided nature walk in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
• Guided excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Day 1: San José

On arrival transfer included before the welcome meeting

Day 2: San José - Tortuguero

Travel to tortuguero national park and enjoy guided boat trips and wildlife viewing through the canals and coastal jungle. In leisure time, relax at the secluded lodge or (on this evening) take an optional night boat excursion.

Day 3: Tortuguero

Enjoy a guided boat trip and jungle walk. Search for caiman, monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced capuchin), sloths, and basilisk lizards. Also visit the sea turtle conservancy, a non-profit organization co-founded by archie carr, a national geographic grantee. National geographic journeys exclusives: visit the sea turtle conservancy.

Day 4: Tortuguero - La Fortuna

Depart early and visit a g adventures-supported coffee cooperative. Take a tour of the co-op and dig into a local lunch. Arrive in la fortuna in the evening and relax at the pool as you take in jungle and volcano views.

Day 5: La Fortuna

Explore fortuna with numerous optional activities. In the evening, visit a local home and learn the art of tortilla making. Once the tortillas are ready, dig into a tasty “casado” – a typical costa rican dish that’s made with black beans, plantains, and your very own tortillas. National geographic journeys exclusives: tortilla making and home dinner.

Day 6: La Fortuna

Free day in la fortuna. Options include rafting, waterfall rappelling, soaking in local hot springs, or taking a boat tour of the caño negro wildlife refuge.

Day 7: La Fortuna - Monteverde

From la fortuna, we travel by road and boat up to the misty mountain air of the monteverde cloud forest region. Spend two days exploring the town and nearby forest reserve, truly a bird lover’s paradise.

Day 8: Monteverde

Enjoy a nature hike in the santa elena cloud forest reserve. You’ll also have some free time after to zip line, walk the hanging bridges, or explore the town.

Day 9: Monteverde

Visit the monteverde institute, which has served as the base for numerous national geographic funded explorers and researchers studying the famed canopy of the monteverde cloud forest. National geographic journeys exclusives: monteverde institute lecture & reforestation project.

Day 10: Monteverde Manuel Antonio

Drive to manuel antonio. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the pacific coast with options to surf, go horseback riding, or visit nearby picturesque beaches.

Day 11: Manuel Antonio

Take an included day trip to manuel antonio national park. After enjoy free time at the beach.

Day 12: Manuel Antonio

Free time to explore manuel antonio and the national park with option to surf, go horseback riding, or visit nearby picturesque beaches.

Day 13: Manuel Antonio - San José

Return to san josé for an optional farewell dinner with the group.

Day 14: San José

Depart at any time.