Riviera Travel Grand Tour of Costa Rica

• Explore the Cloud Forest around Arenal Volcano
• Visit the remote Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, known for its birdlife
• Spend 3nts in a 5* resort
• Tour the Botanical Gardens of CATIE
• Discover the unique eco-system of Tortuguero National Park

• Return flights and transfers
• 15nts in 3 & 4* accommodation
• Selected Meals: Daily breakfast, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
• 15 included experiences and visits
• Services of an expert tour manager
• Checked Luggage

Day 1: Arrival in San Jose

Travel to the airport for your flight to San Jose

Day 2: Tortuguero

Leave San Jose, driving past coffee plantations to the Caribbean coast. Board a small boat which will take you through the rain forest to the eco-lodge where you’ll stay for the next two nights. After settling in, head to the town of Tortuguero, visiting the Caribbean Conservations Corporation Museum, which studies the species of turtles that nest here.

Day 3: Tortuguero

In the morning, take a walk along one of the natural trails before relaxing at the lodge. In the afternoon,  travel along the waterways for the chance to see some of the national park’s residents such as caimans, monkeys and birds.

Day 4: Sarapiqui

Set off early towards Arenal Volcano National Park, home to the country’s youngest volcano. On the way, visit a plantation where they grown Pejibaye, the fruit of the peach fruit palm tree. Learn about this ancient staple food and sit down for a local lunch. Later in the afternoon, arrive into Arenal.

Day 5: Arenal Volcano National Park

Start the day with a short walk along the Lava Trails to the historic lava fields, enjoying magnificent views of the volcano. After the walk, wander across the Hanging Bridges for a unique view of the forest. Continue on route to the hotel, stopping in La Fortuna to tour a coffee and chocolate farm, tasting some of the final products.

Day 6: Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

Head to north towards to the border with Nicaragua to visit the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Float along the Frio river as an expert local guide points out the native wildlife.

Day 7: Rincon De La Vieja National Park

Today, travel toward Rincon De La Vieja National Park. Stop on the way in the town of Liberia, visiting the Las Pumas Wildlife Rescue Centre and Sanctuary, where you can meet the team who take care of injured animals. Arrive in the national park before dinner.

Day 8: Free day in Rincon De La Vieja National Park

Spend a day in the national park, with the option to take part in activities* offered by the hotel. Or you can spend the day relaxing at the hotel or the hot springs*

*At an extra cost

Day 9: Palo Verde National Park

Take a guided tour of Palo Verde National Park, one of the country’s most popular conservation areas. Travel by boat through waterways to discover forest, rivers and mangrove lagoons. In the afternoon, have a country style lunch before driving to the Pacific coast and your five star hotel in Playa Mansta

Days 10 & 11: Free day in Guanacaste

Spend two free days enjoy the facilities of the hotel including a private beach, outdoor pool and fitness centre. There are also optional activities that you can join each day, including a coastal catamaran boat tour.

(Optional activities may incur an additional coast)

Day 12: Turrialba Valley

Travel inland to the Turriabla Valley. On route to Turrialba, visit a family-run pineapple plantation, learning how the plant is grown and why the region is a great place to grow them. After arriving in Turrialba, check into the hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner

Day 13: Guayabo National Monument & Coffee Estate

After breakfast, head to Guayabo National Monument and National Park, home to the ruins of an indigenous, pre-Columbian city. In the afternoon, visit Aquiraes Coffee Estate,, the largest in Costa Rica. Learn about the process from seed to cup on the tour, also getting the chance to try some of the coffee.

Day 14: CATIE Botanical Garden

Today, visit the Botanical Gardens of CATIE, home to an invaluable collection of 4,400 genetic samples of worldwide plant species. A leisurely stroll through the gardens showcases orchids, towering trees and indigenous flora of Central America.

Day 15: Free day in Puerto Viejo

The day is free to explore Puerto Vejo, one of the less visited areas of Costa Rica.

Day 16: Return home

Travel back to San Jose for your overnight flight home

Day 17: Arrive home

Arrive back in the UK

Crowne Plaza Corobici, San Jose

This well-located four-star hotel in downtown San José is an ideal first-night base in Costa Rica, offering international and Japanese dining, a large pool, fitness center, and comfortable, air-conditioned rooms with various amenities.

Borinquen Thermal Resort, Rincorn de la Vieja National Park

The Borinquen Thermal Resort features a lagoon-style pool, spa, two restaurants, and a swim-up bar. Nestled in foothills, the resort offers modern amenities in villas, bungalows, and junior suites with private decks, providing breathtaking sunset views.

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa

The five-star JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, situated in the 4,500-acre Hacienda Pinilla with an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, villa resort, and beach club, offers Pacific Ocean views and a sandy beach. Comfortable rooms with balconies or terraces, air conditioning, bath with separate shower, minibar, safe, DVD player, and Wi-Fi (chargeable) provide garden or pool views.

Fact File

• Currency: Costa Rican Colón
• Flight time: Approx.  10 hrs 50 mins
• Language: Spanish
• Time zone: GMT-6

*All transfer time listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic.