The Costa Rica Highlights vacation is a fabulous introduction to Costa Rica and all it has to offer. This fun filled getaway includes excellent wildlife observation opportunities as well as light adventures. It all starts off in Tortuguero where you'll have the opportunity to see exotic wildlife in one of the most remote regions of Costa Rica. Then you're off to Arenal Volcano for adventure by day and hot springs by night. Your vacation will wind down in Manuel Antonio which is home to an amazing national park that is loaded with wildlife and beautiful beaches. Similar to all of our amazing vacations, this value-packed itinerary can be 100% customized to your budget and needs. Check pricing notes for details. Take Advantage of Green Season Discounts of up to $280!

Day 1

Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival to San Jose International Airport (contact us for details if arriving at other airport), you will receive a VIP Airport Greeting by a Pacific Trade Winds representative.

Country Inn and Suites

Country Inn and Suites

Overall 84.5% (631 guest ratings)
Location: San Jose

Country Inn and Suites is a comfortable, newly remodeled airport hotel located in the Cariari area. Hotel amenities include restaurant, bar, swimming pool, fitness center, business center, tropical gardens and internet.

While at Country Inn and Suites, the room you will enjoy is a Standard Room. Standard Rooms feature air-conditioning, cable TV, coffee maker, hair dryer, internet access, in-room safe, iron and ironing board. Extra bed is a sofa single bed.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 2

Mawamba Lodge

Mawamba Lodge

Overall 92.2% (67 guest ratings)
Location: Mawamba Lodge

Enjoy the peace, tranquility, and nature of Tortuguero National Park from Mawamba Lodge. Set on a narrow strip of land between the Tortuguero Canals and the Caribbean Sea, this rustic ecolodge offers an exotic and unique location for ecotourists to enjoy one of the most remote regions in Costa Rica. Lodge amenities include a swimming pool and whirlpool, restaurant and bar, coffee room with a put and take library, tropical gardens and trails, and WiFi in some public areas. Please note that there is a 15 dollar entrance fee to enter Tortuguero National Park or 5 dollars for kids age 5 to 11. It is not possible to include this in your price as it must be paid in person upon arrival to the area.

While at Mawamba Lodge, the room you will enjoy is a Standard. Standard feature naturally-ventilated, private bathroom with hot water, fan, in-room safe, porch with a hammock and rocking chairs and garden view.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 2

Tortuguero Town Tour - Mawamba Lodge

Tortuguero Town Tour - Mawamba Lodge

Overall 83.3% (52 guest ratings)
Location: Mawamba Lodge
Min. Guests: 1

You will go on a guided walk through the history-rich town of Tortuguero. This is a typical Caribbean coastal fishing village settled over time by a blend of cultures coming to Costa Rica. Your guide will walk you through the town so you can see how the present day villagers live and work in this friendly, colorful town. The 1-hour tour includes a bilingual guide.

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Day 3

Tortuguero Canal Tour - Mawamba Lodge

Tortuguero Canal Tour - Mawamba Lodge

Overall 94.4% (62 guest ratings)
Location: Mawamba Lodge
Min. Guests: 1

This is boat tour following canals carved through the dense rainforest within Tortuguero National Park, one of the best places in Costa Rica to go birding and see a diversity of wildlife. You will go on a 2 - 3-hour riverboat ride by covered pontoon boat through the jungle-lined canals, which are located within the national park. Your boat captain and bilingual guide will point out all the visible forest-dwelling animals, plants and birdlife that live within this unique water and woodland eco-system including, but not limited to: monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, various species of amphibians and reptiles, plus many bird species.Tour time will be coordinated upon arrival to the lodge according with the activities program of the Hotel.

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Day 4

Arenal Manoa Hotel and Spa

Arenal Manoa Hotel and Spa

Overall 94.1% (131 guest ratings)
Location: Arenal

Arenal Manoa Hotel and Spa is a highly rated four-star eco-resort located near Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Guests will be wowed with amazing volcano views, soothing thermal hot springs pools, and excellent customer service. The hotel strives to provide guests with eco-friendly but comfortable accommodations. Hotel amenities include a swimming pool, WiFi, hiking trails, bar, restaurant, hot springs pools, hot tub, tropical gardens, and relaxing spa.

While at Arenal Manoa Hotel and Spa, the room you will enjoy is a Junior Suite. Junior Suites feature air conditioning, satellite TV, hair dryer, telephone, refrigerator, in-room safe, coffee maker, and a terrace with a view of the volcano.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 5

Choice: Canopy Hanging Bridges or Zipline

Choice: Canopy Hanging Bridges or Zipline

Overall 89.8% (47 guest ratings)
Location: Arenal
Min. Guests: 2
Min. Age: 4

Today you will have your choice of one of the following tour options:
A) The Hanging Bridges offer an amazing glimpse into the canopy of the rainforest! The hike includes terrestrial trails and bridges through the tree tops allowing you to view the forest from all perspectives. This fun filled half day tour includes guides, transportation and entrance to the private reserve.
B) The Canopy Zipline is a MUST DO for anybody adventurous that visits Costa Rica! This thrilling high speed, high flying course offers 11 zips as you soar from platform to platform near of the base of Arenal Volcano! This fun filled half day adventure includes transportation and guide.

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Day 6

Choice: Riverboat Safari or Rio Balsa Rafting

Choice: Riverboat Safari or Rio Balsa Rafting

Overall 89.9% (47 guest ratings)
Location: Arenal
Min. Guests: 2
Min. Age: 12

Today you will have your choice of one of the following tour options:
A) The Cano Negro Riverboat Safari is an amazing experience and opportunity to see numerous species of wildlife. The refuge is home to one of the largest populations of caimans, which can be observed at nearly every turn! It’s not only reptiles though as the area is also home to both spider monkeys and congo monkeys which can be heard howling from miles away. Birdwatchers will delight as hundreds of species either live here or migrate through including toucans, roseate spoonbills and trogons. This fun filled safari includes transportation, bilingual naturalist guide, and lunch.
B) Whitewater rafting is a thrilling adventure and Costa Rica is home to some of the best rivers and guides in the world! The day starts off with a brief safety lesson and you are then on your way as your guide navigates you through class II and III rapids on the Rio Balsa. This is a great river for first timers and those that want the thrills of rafting without going overboard - yes the pun was intended. No experience necessary on this half day adventure which includes transportation, safety kayaker, guides, lunch, and equipment.

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Day 7

La Vela Boutique Hotel

La Vela Boutique Hotel

Overall 95.1% (216 guest ratings)
Location: Manuel Antonio

La Vela Boutique Hotel invites you to relax and enjoy the warm tropical vibes of Manuel Antonio to the fullest. Located within a few minutes walk to the gorgeous Espadilla Beach or the exotic jungles of Manuel Antonio National Park. La Vela offers the ideal setting for your vacation. The thoughtfully decorated and modern rooms are surrounded by lush tropical gardens, providing the comforts of home and a touch of Costa Rican pura vida. Amenities of this unique hotel include a swimming pool, lounge area with sunbeds and sun umbrellas, tropical gardens, reception and information desk, tiki bar, pizza restaurant, souvenir shop, parking services, breakfast area with breakfast included, and complimentary WiFi.
Pro tip: While most Manuel Antonio hotels are located on the mountain and not within walking distance to the beach or national park, La Vela is located in the valley, on flat ground, within a few minutes walk of the beach, park, over 10 restaurants, and also shops and boutiques. With this prime location, you likely will not have to pay for taxi cabs or spend time arranging or waiting for them like you would at other area hotels. La Vela also has discounts set up for their guests at some great nearby restaurants!

While at La Vela Boutique Hotel, the room you will enjoy is a Standard Room. Standard Rooms are available with either one king, queen or two single beds and are approximately 300 sq feet in size. These rooms are either on the first or second floor and have a terrace with chairs overlooking tropical gardens. Room amenities include air-conditioning, a flat-screen cable TV, a coffee maker, safe deposit box, and a private bathroom with hot water, hairdryer, and free toiletries.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 8

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park

Overall 91.1% (1,642 guest ratings)
Location: Manuel Antonio
Min. Guests: 2
Min. Age: 6

Manuel Antonio National Park is loaded with wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, toucans, and parrots. Your bilingual naturalist guide will lead the way down forest paths and a new boardwalk, pointing out an abundance of flora and fauna. Regulations restrict bringing food into the park, and you may only bring water in with a reusable bottle. However, there is a new small food kiosk inside the park and water bottle refill stations. This tour includes the park entrance fee, bilingual guide, and transportation. Note: This tour operator has improved wait conditions at the start of the tour during peak season, although it cannot regulate park administrated delays. Depending on the distance from Manuel Antonio to your lodging, shuttle transportation may take from 15 minutes to an hour and a half.

According to Manuel Antonio National Park's internal regulations, it is mandatory to provide the following information: full name, date of birth, nationality and valid passport number. Please be sure to provide this information when requesting this service.

Unfortunately, Manuel Antonio National Park has different cancellation policies than most other activities. You may not cancel or change a reservation within 15 days of the planned service, or it will be penalized in full. This is a park policy and all tour operators must work with the same policy.


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Day 9

Free Day - Beach Day Manuel Antonio

Free Day - Beach Day Manuel Antonio

No guest ratings
Location: Manuel Antonio
Min. Guests: 1

Beach day at Manuel Antonio to explore on your own. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the tropical sun on the palm studded beaches of the Pacific coast. Free days are for descriptive purposes only and do not include any services.

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Day 10


Final Day — All good things must come to an end, though memories last a lifetime. Transportation will be provided back to San Jose International Airport scheduled to arrive three hours prior to your departure flight.

¡Pura Vida!

Summary

  • Travel assistance while in Costa Rica
  • VIP Airport Greeting
  • All Domestic Transportation as described
  • 1 nights at Country Inn and Suites
  • 2 nights at Mawamba Lodge
  • Tortuguero Town Tour - Mawamba Lodge
  • Tortuguero Canal Tour - Mawamba Lodge
  • 3 nights at Arenal Manoa Hotel and Spa
  • Choice: Canopy Hanging Bridges or Zipline
  • Choice: Riverboat Safari or Rio Balsa Rafting
  • 3 nights at La Vela Boutique Hotel
  • Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Free Day - Beach Day Manuel Antonio
  • Inquire for details about Included Meals/Drinks
  • Current sales and turismo taxes

Footnotes

This fun filled safari also includes all meals at Mawamba Lodge!

Pricing


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