Price: $1381.00 per person on double occupancy.
(This price might change without previous notice. Please request a quote to get the updated amount)
It Includes:
- 8 Days 7 nights
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 Breakfast
- 3 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- 11 Tours
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION DAY-BY-DAY
(Bilingual Local Tour Guide Accompanying During the Activities)
Day 1. Transfer from International Airport to Hotel in San Jose
Supplier name of ground transportation: Interviajes
Pick Up Details: Juan Santamaria Airport flight ? Arriving at: ?
Drop Off Details: Hotel Inca Real or similar
Type of Room: Double bed
Approx. Travel Time: 30 Minutes
At your arrival, you will meet an Interviajes representative who will provide the transportation to your hotel and important information about the.
Description: The Hotel has an excellent location, it is located in the Historic Center of San Jose, a few blocks from the main pedestrian boulevard of the city. Not far from the hotel, you will find history, art, culture, medical services, entertainment, and much more…!
Since your arrival is around noon, you could be able to visit one or two of the historic buildings in downtown San Jose on your own after check in at your hotel.
Options to do depending on arrival time:
The National Museum of Costa Rica (Close on Mondays) used to be a fortress, built in 1917 and was originally a military barracks. The exterior walls still have many bullets lodged in from the country’s 1948 civil war. It became a museum in 1950.
The entrance on the east side leads to a courtyard displaying pre-Columbian artifacts and cannons from the colonial period. The museum is organized thematically in a counter clockwise direction from the entrance with artifacts related to Costa Rica’s geological, colonial, archaeological, religious and modern history. Visitors also see notable collection of pre-Columbian stone tables (metates), ceramics and a gold room «Sala de Oro» in the northeast tower. The colonial room has a notable collection of furniture and is designed to emulate that of an actual quarter in the 18th century.
The Gold Museum of the Central Bank’s archaeological collection is one of the most relevant in Costa Rica. Its acquisitions began in 1950 and spanned until 1980, and includes to date 3,567 gold, ceramic and stone objects. It also has a small collection of ethnographic objects from the different groups that have inhabited Costa Rican territory.
The pre-Columbian gold collection is made up of 1,586 objects. Archaeological evidence in Costa Rica points to the appearance of its first metal objects sometime in 300 to 500 AD, and reached its peak from 700 AD until Spanish contact. Most of the metal objects recovered in Costa Rica come from the South Pacific, due to the natural gold and copper deposits in the region, but were also found in the Central Caribbean.
The ceramic and stone collection is made up of objects from many geographical regions in Costa Rica, and span from 300 BC until European contact in 1550. Artifacts of various shapes, as well as stone objects, statues, and cutlery, were used in everyday life and in ceremonies by the people who crafted them.
The ethnographic collection also has 103 objects that evidence everyday life practices and world view of contemporary indigenous communities, including textiles, naturally dyed thread, reeds, bows and arrows, gourds, baskets, maracas, and spindles.
In the Jade Museum there are over 7,000 items on display in the Jade Museum in Costa Rica. Most of these are dated between 500 BC and 300 BC. During that period, the jade trade was at its peak. Pre-Columbian cultures traded with the Olmecs and Mayans to acquire enough raw materials to satiate the demand.
Most of the jade pieces are images of animals and depictions of societal organization. Jade artwork and jewelry were used for ornamentation and often emphasized religious or shamanic rituals.
There are other works of gold, ceramic and stone to be seen alongside the jade pieces. Items on display in the museum are enhanced with detailed graphics, maps, and textual explanations. Visitors are encouraged to brush up on their language skills. Most of the information is presented in Spanish.
National Theater is an ornate Neo-Classical building considered the finest historic building in San Jose, and is known for its exquisite interior decorated with lavish furnishings and beautiful murals.
One of the theatre’s main ceiling murals, in fact, was just named one of “10 great ceilings around the world,” according to an article in USA Today. The famous painting is entitled the “Allegory of Coffee and Bananas” by Italian artist J. Vila, and used to grace the back of the five colon bill that is no longer in circulation.
The National Theater was constructed between 1891 and 1897, opening in October 1897. Copied after the famous Paris Opera House, the theatre was built at a time when upper-class Costa Ricans wanted to transform the capital from a sleepy town of 17,000 people into a stop on the world opera circuit. Costa Rican citizens helped pay for the theatre by a special tax.
1st. of 1 night in San Jose
Activities: City Walk or Museums
Meals: N/A
Day 2. Poas Volcano – La Paz Waterfalls Garden – La Fortuna
Supplier name of ground transportation: Interviajes
Pick Up Details: Hotel Inca Real Costa Rica
Drop Off Details: Hotel Secreto in La Fortuna or similar
Type of Room: Double bed
1st. Activity: The Poas Volcano
Approx. travel time from San Jose: 2 hours
Description: This volcano is active and has one of the largest craters in the world.
It not only has one of the largest craters in the world, but is located in the forests of Central Mountain Range, which boasts magnificent natural landscapes: this is the Poas Volcano National Park.
Being located in the Central Mountain Range, it offers visitors easy access from major cities of the country.
This place lets you explore its attractions through a network of trails, especially in a cold climate tempered by a faint drizzle that most of the year is imposed.
2nd. Activity: La Paz Waterfalls Garden
Approx. travel time from Poas: 45 minutes
Description: After the amazing experience, you will continue on to The Peace Waterfalls gardens where you will have the opportunity to delight your senses with the five waterfalls right next to the trails as you walk by. The Peace Waterfalls is the most famous waterfall park in Costa Rica. It also have an animal rescue center where you will have opportunity to have Yellow-throated Tucan and Keel-billed Tucan posing beside you for a picture or the chances of having 14 different humming bird species hovering all around you. You will also see monkeys, sloths, jaguars, the morpho butterfly and many other animals. We will have a delicious lunch before continuing on to our next hotel.
La Fortuna
Approx. Travel Time from La Paz: 2 hours
Description: After having a great time with the Waterfall Gardens, we will travel to the Arenal volcano’s territory in La Fortuna.
La Fortuna is a small town located near the Arenal volcano, in the province of Alajuela. “La Fortuna” is Spanish for “The Fortune”. Although there is a common myth that the town got its name due to its sparing from the Arenal Volcano’s eruptions in 1968, the town actually got its name before the latest eruption cycle and was named for its fertile lands. Today is a hot spot for tourist attraction due to the hot springs that despite the inactivity of the Arenal volcano during the last 5 years, the underground springs get heated by the volcanic activity still there.
Today you will have a cooking class and dinner in La Fortuna before checking in at our next hotel.
3rd. Activity: Cooking Class & Dinner
Description: The best way to understand a country is through its cuisine! At La Casona Rio Fortuna, you have the opportunity to learn how to cook on a wood burning stove and the typical Costa Rican way.
This cooking classes are held by local family with a profound knowledge of the preparation of typical dishes. They will guide you, making your learning process fast and efficient.
Surrounded by the perfect environment, enjoy the warmth of a historic country estate while you prepare and enjoy delicious typical dishes the original Costa Rican style.
1st. of 2 nights in La Fortuna
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3. River Floating & Hotsprings
- Supplier name of ground transportation: Interviajes
- Pick Up Details: Hotel El Secreto in La Fortuna
- Drop Off Details: Hotel El Secreto in La Fortuna
4th. Activity: River Floating
Approx. tour length: 4 hours
Description: This is an outstanding tour on the quiet waters of Peñas Blancas river, floating on inflatable rafts you will experience a relaxing a half day tour led by a bilingual naturalist guide, an expert in safari adventures. The guide will provide a safe environment while pointing out the beautiful flora and fauna of this region.
Animals like sloths, monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, Jesus Christ Lizards, and turtles might cross your way, including seeing the colorful world of tropical birds.
At the end of the safari, we will enjoy some snacks.
Includes: Coffee break, Bilingual naturalist guide, Water and Equipment.
What to bring: Insect repellent, Binoculars, Light clothing/shorts, Hat and sunscreen, Tennis shoes or trekking sandals, Camera.
Once the river safari is over, we will return to the hotel for lunch (not included).
5th. Activity: Baldi Hotsprings
Approx. travel time: 15 minutes
Description: Baldi Hotsprings claims to be the largest and purest most natural hot springs in the world with 25 thermal water pools amidst the tropical rainforest.
The purity of the water will make you feel great, with birds singing all around and the sound of falling water that invites you to. Also, enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the Arenal Volcano.
Pools’ temperatures go from 93, 100, 102, 104, 109, 110, 113, 116, 152º Fahrenheit.
Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at the elegant restaurant at Baldi premises (included).
2nd. of 2 nights in La Fortuna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4. La Fortuna – Monteverde
Supplier name of ground transportation: Interviajes
Pick Up Details: Hotel El Secreto
Drop Off Details: Monteverde Rustic Lodge or Similar
Type of Room: Double bed
Monteverde
Approx. travel time from La Fortuna: 3 hours
Description: After breakfast we will load up luggage and head up to Monteverde.
Monteverde is a town in mountainous northwestern Costa Rica. It’s renowned for its biodiverse forests in the clouds.
National Geographic has called the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve «the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves «.Newsweek has declared Monteverde is the world’s #14 «Place to Remember Before it Disappears». By popular vote in Costa Rica, Monteverde was enshrined as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Costa Rica, along with Coco Island, Arenal Volcano, Chirripo Pick, Rio Celeste (Blue River), Tortuguero, and Poas Volcano.
The cloud forest in Monteverde shelters countless wildlife species, including jaguars, ocelots and the colorfully plumed resplendent quetzal.
6th. Activity: Don Juan’s Farm
Coffee
The main characteristic of Don Juan Tour, has to be its coffee plantation which is located in one of the best 8 coffee producing zones in Costa Rica. Possessing volcanic soils, necessary altitude and perfect weather to offer an exquisite cup of gourmet coffee.
The coffee tour begins with the wonderful history of coffee in the world, followed by its history in our country and importance in Costa Rica’s development. We will also learn about some aspects of Costa Rican culture, as well as some of our traditions. During this part of the tour, we will get to see all the processes carried by coffee production, from the seed to the delicious final product, the cup of coffee.
Chocolate (rise the hand the one that doesn’t want chocolate!)
The second part of this tour is the famous chocolate tour, the which is a differential feature, and the perfect complement for coffee, it’s a contributor to rescuing the traditions and culture of our country.
You will have an experience between aromas and history, where you will participate in the chocolate process and be able to enjoy, share and taste the fruit of the cocoa, until arriving to its magnificent transformation, becoming a delicious drink; equally on this tour we will show you the whole process of transition from seed to pure and ground cocoa.
Sugar Cane
The third part of the tour will be about sugar cane, where you’ll learn about its history, plantations, different types of harvest, processing, obtainment of various products and you’ll be able to live the experience of handcrafting sugar cane juice.
After this amazing learning activity, we will have lunch (included) and then depart to check in at our next hotel in Monteverde.
7th. Activity: Night Walk
At nightfall, a new world awakes in the cloud forest. Large numbers of wildlife are more active at night showing a different world from frogs to the mysterious nocturnal bats are part of the night landscape.
This is the perfect opportunity for those who want to observe the forest; and its creatures that are only, or more active at night time. It is a great way to observe different species of animals such as: sloths, armadillos, porcupines, possums, coatis, bassaricyon (olingos) y kinkajous (martillas). We will also see a vast variety of insects, birds, and various amphibians and reptiles.
This unique experience are led by professional guides that will make this tour something to remember for the right reasons!
1st. of 2 nights in Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5. Hanging Bridges & Bats Tour
Supplier name of ground transportation: Interviajes
Pick Up Details: Monteverde Rustic Lodge or Similar
Drop Off Details: Monteverde Rustic Lodge or Similar
8th Activity: Selvatura Park
Approx. Travel Time from the hotel: 30 minutes
Today is the day to do an activity that not many people have ever done. Today we will experience firsthand, the majesty of the cloud forest at Selvatura Park during our walk on its hanging bridges.
Selvatura Park is a nature and adventure ecological park with an area of over 850 acres of protected land, it is one Monteverde’s top attractions.
Selvatura Park’s treetop walkways provide the best way to safely admire the cloud forest canopy at your own pace.
Walking though these bridges, we will have the opportunity to appreciate a wide variety of flora and fauna and observe the endemic biodiversity of the cloud forest canopy which is not found anywhere else in the world. The treetop walkways provide the best vantage point to observe the beauty of the cloud forest in all its levels.
After this amazing experience, you will enjoy lunch (not included) at Selvatura premises. After lunch we will go back to the hotel to «recharge batteries».
9th Activity: The Jungle Bats Tour
Approx. travel time from the Hotel: 15 minutes
Description: Of the approximate 1,100 bat species on Earth, 110 of them are found in Costa Rica. Most of the bats that live here are nocturnal, so they are best viewed at nighttime.
But this bat tour offers the opportunity to enter where the sleeping creatures can be observed in detail. Some of the most common bats in Costa Rica include:
Jamaican Fruit Bats, Vampire Bats, Honduran White Bats.
All bats are born with forelimbs that develop into wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of flight. Though they may look like flying rodents or birds, bats are neither; instead, they are mammals of the order Chiroptera, classified into two major suborders: megabats and microbats.
After this learning experience, we will visit a pizza restaurant for dinner (not included).
2nd. of 2 nights in Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6. Monteverde – Crocodiles Safari – Manuel Antonio
Supplier name of ground transportation: Interviajes
Pick Up Details: Monteverde Rustic Lodge or Similar
Drop Off Details: Hotel Playa Espadilla or similar
Type of Room: Double bed
10th. Activity: The Crocodile Safari
Approx. travel time from Monteverde: 2 hours
Description: The Tarcoles River may be known as the country’s most polluted basin but it is ironically considered as one of Costa Rica’s tourist attractions. Its climb to fame is that it houses one of the world’s largest crocodile population per square kilometer. This river isn’t only important to over 2000 crocs in the area, it also acts as a very significant watershed of the Central Valley.
The Tarcoles River is not only home to 50 species of birds. Here you’ll be able to spot the Panama Flycatcher, Mangrove Vireo, Mangrove Warbler, American Pygmy Kingfisher. The Scarlet Macaw can also be found here and of course, the occasional hawks, parrots, toucans, herons, egrets and many more.
Reptiles such as iguanas and the emerald and brown basilisk lizard can also be seen here as well as anteaters, monkeys and bats to name just a view.
Mangrove trees are very abundant on the banks of the Tarcoles River. In fact, four species of this fascinating tree can be found growing here.
After the fascinating tour, we will have lunch before departing to our next hotel in Manuel Antonio.
Manuel Antonio
Approx. travel time from the Crocodiles: 2 hours
Manuel Antonio National Park, on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, encompasses rugged rainforest, white-sand beaches and coral reefs. It’s renowned for its vast flora and fauna diversity, from three-toed sloths and white-faced capuchin monkeys to hundreds of bird species.
The two main beaches inside the park, Espadilla Sur Beach and Manuel Antonio Beach are about a 30-minute hike from the main entrance of the park. Playa Manuel Antonio is best known for its spectacular views. If you are looking for wild life, entering the park in the morning to beat the crowd, is a good idea.
The beaches of Manuel Antonio are singularly beautiful with stunning, brightly-colored sunsets. The beaches at Manuel Antonio are well known for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, and surf lessons.
1st. of 2 nights in Manuel Antonio
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7. Manuel Antonio – Sunset Catamaran Cruises Tour
Supplier name of ground transportation: Interviajes
Pick Up Details: Hotel Playa Espadilla or similar
Drop Off Details: Hotel Playa Espadilla or similar
Today is the day for visiting Manuel Antonio National Park. It is a good idea to hire a local guide (they gather at the entrance of the park) if interested on seeing wildlife, but you can visit the park on your own well.
Food is not allowed in the park. Please do not forget to take water with you, there is a mini cafeteria inside the park, but goods might be a little pricey there.
Today there is a sunset boat tour at 2:00pm and we need to depart from the hotel at 1:30pm, so please leave the park with enough time for lunch before this tour.
11th. Activity: Ocean King Catamaran Sunset Tour
Approx. travel time from the hotel to the port: 30 minutes
Description: The Catamaran «OCEAN KING» in the area of Manuel Antonio, measures 98,4 feet long x 42,6 feet wide. It has a magnificent main Deck with capacity for large groups, a second floor which we call the tanning area, with at least 45 beach chairs, for the enjoyment of all.
The Ocean King has two luxury Jacuzzis for 16 people, 2 trampolines or giant screens for 25 people, a spectacular bar, two slides, four bathrooms and four showers.
The tour consists of a 4-hour tour of the entire Manuel Antonio coast.
We go to look for the dolphins and whales (in season), this cannot be guaranteed in 100%, since it depends on the weather conditions and the ocean, as well as on Mother Nature.
Throughout the tour a personalized service is offered with an all-inclusive party aboard the largest, safest catamaran in Costa Rica, the Ocean King!
Logistics to board at 2:00 p.m.
On board: Fruits, cookies, natural drinks, soft drinks.
8 alcoholic beverages (Beers, drinks of Flor de Caña rum, Smirnoff vodka or Cacique guaro).
Snorkeling Tour Included.
Dolphin watching.
Dinner (please indicate if someone does not eat fish or is a vegetarian)
6:00 pm. return to port.
After this memorable farewell sunset tour, we will get back to the hotel for the last night in Costa Rica.
2nd. of 2 nights in Manuel Antonio
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8. Manuel Antonio – Juan Santamaria International Airport
Supplier name of ground transportation: Interviajes
Pick Up Details: Hotel Playa Espadilla or similar
Drop Off Details: Juan Santamaria International Airport
Approx. travel time: 3 hours
With your mind and cameras full of great memories we will depart Manuel Antonio bordering the Pacific coast towards the Central Valley. We will start the day early enough to be at the airport at least 2.5 hour prior to your flight departure. Breakfast or box-breakfast is included.
End of the Adventure!
(All our vacation programs can be tailored up on request)
(Pick up times will be provided once service is confirmed)
We wish you the most memorable holiday in Costa Rica!!!
In Interviajes we exercise all the knowledge we have gained during our over 38 years in the market to produce the most enjoyable vacation programs in Costa Rica. Honesty, personalized customer service and flexibility characterize our operation. Our good business relation with our suppliers along all these years makes it possible to offer our customers the worry-free travel that everybody searches for during a vacation time.