Costa Rica Verde has been designed for people who want to see and do as much as possible while still enjoying a relaxing pace throughout the tour. This program includes the most important highlights of Costa Rica such as Irazu Volcano, Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano, and Monteverde. Add the extension to the Central Pacific coast and enjoy the natural wonders of Manuel Antonio National Park.
Unlike other tour companies, we keep the tour size small because we want only the very best for our clients, including personalized service and tranquility while on your well-deserved vacation. Be sure to check out which date is best for your travel plans!
This tour package is also available as a private tour - contact us to plan your personal getaway!
COSTA RICA VERDE DEPARTURE DATES
If you are looking to join other travelers to experience Costa Rica on a small group tour, this tour package has monthly departure dates to give you the best that Costa Rica has to offer at an incredibly reasonable price.
2011
November 2
December 7
2012
January 3
February 7
March 6
April 3
May 1
June 5
July 3
August 7
September 4
October 2
November 6
December 4
Click here to register for the Costa Rica Verde tour.
COSTA RICA VERDE PRICING
$1,880 per person (double occupancy)
With Extension: add $495 per person (double occupancy)
Please contact us to get a quote for single, triple, or quadruple occupancy for this tour.
INCLUDED
Activities:
- Irazu Volcano hike
- Butterfly Garden Tour
- Tortuguero National Park hike
- Cruise through Tortuguero canals
- Hotsprings with dinner at base of Arenal Volcano
- Arenal Volcano National Park hike
- Visit to EcoCentro Danaus
- Arenal Hanging Bridges
- Hike to Santa Elena Preserve
- Hummingbird Gallery
- Women's Market - Santa Elena
- Tarcoles River Crocodile Cruise
Meals:
- 9 Breakfasts
- 3 Lunches
- 7 Dinners
Transportation:
- Shuttle from airport to hotel
- Air-conditioned ground transportation throughout the country
- Boat transportation in area of Tortuguero
- Shuttle from hotel to airport
MAIN ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive to San Jose, Costa Rica
Your tour starts in San Jose by being picked up at the airport by the Natural Expeditions Costa Rican English-speaking representative, transferred to your hotel, and provided with general information to prepare you for the tour and for your early departure to the Irazu Volcano the next morning. Enjoy your accommodations in San Jose area for the next two nights.
Dinner included first night (until 9:00pm).
After breakfast, your Natural Expeditions guide and driver will join you as you leave San Jose and begin your ascent toward the top of the highest active volcano in the country. The main crater of the Irazu Volcano is located over 10,000 feet above sea level. During the journey, you will be able to enjoy the most picturesque scenery of the area. The diverse and abundant crops will give a very clear idea of how beneficial a volcanic eruption can be for the land's fertility. On the top of the volcano, your guide will conduct a guided walk to explain the uniqueness of the life zone known as Paramo and the history of the volcano itself. On your drive down the mountain, enjoy a snack or lunch with a nice view from the Cartago Valley and Talamanca mountain range. Continue to Cartago, the old capital of Costa Rica, and see the most important religious symbol in the country - La Basilica de Los Angeles. In the evening, arrive at your accommodations - back in San Jose area.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 3 - Banana Plantations and Tortuguero Canals Cruise
After breakfast, you will begin the journey to Tortuguero, one of the most isolated and exotic areas of the country. Enjoy a ride through an extended area of croplands, where pineapples and banana plantations have become very popular. Cruise through the Tortuguero canals, enjoying the natural beauty of the flora and fauna of the rain forest in this rustic part of the country. After lunch, a short walk will take you to the town of Tortuguero, where you will learn about the culture of its people, visit the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, and discover the importance of the sea turtles in this unique coastal region of Costa Rica. During the evening, enjoy the beautiful surroundings of your accommodations at any of the local lodges.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
In the morning, take a boat cruise through the Tortuguero National Park, a place where you will be interacting with all of the different natural wonders of the area simply by taking a journey through the canals. After the morning tour, explore the rainforest on a guided tour with our local expert. During the afternoon, you will continue to explore the Tortuguero canals and you will also have the option of taking a relaxing stroll on the beach. This part of the Costa Rican coastline is not recommended for swimming, but it would be the perfect place to walk and enjoy an interesting mixture of rustic jungle and ocean view. For the months of July, August, September, and October be sure to speak with your guide about a night tour on the beach where you can spy sea turtles as they make their way out of the ocean and lay eggs in the sand.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 5 - Tortuguero to Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs
After a boat cruise back to your ground transportation, enjoy a traditional lunch at Rio Danta Restaurant. The adventure will continue on the way to Fortuna, one of the most popular areas in Costa Rica due to its active Arenal Volcano. This peaceful section of the country will welcome you with nice accommodations and a blooming tourism economy with many options for different activities. Most of hotels offer a fantastic view of the eastern flank of the active and impressive neighboring volcano. During the evening, relax at the base of the Arenal Volcano while you enjoy the warmth of the natural hot springs.
Breakfast,and lunch are included.
Start your day by visiting EcoCentro Danaus to learn about the real meaning of sustainability while also identifying several species of plants and wildlife, including heliconias, gingers, caimans, butterflies, lizards, and sloths. In the afternoon, your Tour Guide will take you to a beautiful nature trail just by the volcano in Arenal Volcano National Park where you will have the chance to learn about the different volcanic aspects of the country. Enjoy the active giant from its base as you hike to the lava rock that is left from the 1992 eruption. The evening is at your leisure to experience native Costa Rican cuisine in one of Fortuna's many authentic and locally owned restaurants.
Breakfast included.
Day 7 - Hanging Bridges and Monteverde
Time to put on your hiking shoes and explore the rainforest canopy from a different angle. As you walk through the hanging bridges, you will interact with the ecosystems that exist in the upper canopy of the forest. Enjoy a magnificent variety of birds and other wildlife as well as great views of the San Carlos valley and the Arenal Volcano. Drive around the Arenal Lake and throughout quaint villages like Tilaran as you make your way up to the mountains of Monteverde. From this part of the country, you will be able to view both the Pacific and Caribbean slopes. Arrive to your accommodations and enjoy the rest of the day on your own.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
On the summit of the Central Mountain Range you will find the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a beautiful piece of protected forest owned by the Quaker community. This place has become a worldwide popular location due to its unique ecosystem in which resides the beautiful resplendent quetzal. Take one of the trails and enjoy the complexity of this unique tropical forest where orchids, bromeliads, and lichens will transport you into the pure and simplistic beauty of our planet. As you finish walking through the Reserve, have your cameras ready as you enjoy the different species of hummingbirds from the Costa Rican highlands in the Hummingbird Gallery. In the afternoon, visit the Women's Market (CASEM) where you will find a lot of the local crafts and souvenirs made by the members of this cooperative. After the market, your guide will take you to downtown Santa Elena where you can interact with the locals and get a taste of the Costa Rican mountain culture.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 9 - Crocodile Adventure and San Jose
Drive out of the Monteverde mountain area toward the Pacific Ocean. Cruise throughout the Tarcoles River, which is one of the most important habitats for the American Crocodile. Keep a watchful eye as you spot these large reptiles both in and out of the water as well as the various species of birds that perch along the canal. After the adventure, travel to the Pan-American Highway as you begin the journey back to San Jose.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 10 - Depart from San Jose, Costa Rica
After a morning breakfast, catch the shuttle to the airport where you will await your flight back home.
Breakfast is included (after 7:00am).
After experiencing the Crocodile Adventure included on the regular tour, say good-bye to your tour guide and travel south with your private transportation and driver to the Pan-American Highway to catch the route to your accommodations, just 20 minutes away from the breathtaking Manuel Antonio National Park. These two days on the Pacific Ocean are free to have time for yourself. Don't forget to save time to visit the National Park, where you will experience the beauty and wonder of one of the most natural beaches in the country.
Breakfast is included (after 7:00am).
Day 10 - Central Pacific
Take advantage of your last day as you plan activities according to your interests and desires.
Breakfast is included.
Day 11 - Transfer to San Jose
Your ground transportation service will transfer you back to San Jose.
Breakfast is included.
Day 12 - Depart from San Jose, Costa Rica
After a morning breakfast, catch the shuttle to the airport where you will await your flight back home.
Breakfast is included (after 7:00am).