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Explorateur
Essential Costa Rica
An autotour
Based on 10 nights 12 days
From $1,030
Itinerary
For a first approach to Costa Rica, this “discovery” circuit is ideal. Travelers passionate about nature and easy hiking will undoubtedly find what they are looking for.
Passing through the two coasts and the central valley, this circuit offers you the best possibilities for observing Costa Rican fauna and flora, in particular thanks to your stops in Barra del Pacuare, the Arenal Volcano National Park, not to mention the cloud forests of Monteverde. and Manuel Antonio.
It will suit all members of your family, young and old, and will allow you to discover the great diversity of Costa Rican landscapes.
Good to know: when you arrive in Costa Rica, we will give you:
A personalized road book. This will give you a general overview of Costa Rica and give you brief explanations of the sites visited.
A detailed “road book”, which will show you the roads to follow to reach your destination.
The telephone numbers of the service providers, the reservation numbers.
And many other details that will help you enjoy a peaceful holiday
For any questions, a 24/7 English/French/Spanish-speaking assistance service is at your disposal to answer all your questions.
Day 1 Arrive in San José
After your arrival at the airport, transfer and installation at your hotel where you will be given your road book.
Early evening stroll in San José. An anarchic city, which can be intimidating at first sight, as chaos and frenzy seem to engulf everything else, the capital nevertheless offers a stopover of choice. Discovery of a popular barrio (district) which allows you to soak up the atmosphere of the city and the way of life of the locals. Dinner in a ticos restaurant to taste the casado, the traditional dish of the country.
Night in a hotel near the center.
Day 2 Barra del Pacuare
Breakfast. Pick up of the rental car and take off to the small town of Barra del Pacuare and its beautiful beach. You will stay at Lirio Lodge, from where you can see many species of animals, such as howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, sloths, exotic plants, crocodiles, basilisks, iguanas and a wide variety of birds. This charming lodge is located directly in front of the lush Laguna Madre de Dios, a vast and unspoiled natural channel, surrounded by tropical rainforest, and separated from the sea by only a narrow peninsula of pristine and untouched tropical jungles, the famous reserve of Pacuare - Overnight at Lirio Lodge.
From Lirio Lodge we can include birding excursions, afternoon or night, to see as many bird species as possible, when the specific desired species are more active and visible. Bird watching is not included in the itinerary, however, with prior booking we can include it.
Day 3 Barra del Pacuare
In the early morning, awakened by the chirping of birds, you will start the day with a visit to the canals and lagoons, wrapping around this tropical paradise, in order to observe the flora and fauna.
After this beautiful walk, you will come back to enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Then, the boat will take you to the "Congo" trail for a walk of more than 2 hours, accompanied by a naturalist guide.
Afternoon where you can let yourself be immersed in the surrounding nature.
Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. in the "El Tucan" restaurant, and then, weather permitting, you will make a campfire on the artificial "Collar beach" - Overnight at Lirio Lodge.
Included
The excursions planned by the lodge in Barra del Pacuare (the visit of the canals of the reserve by boat + visit of the paths of the reserve) with local English-Spanish guide
Day 4 Arrival in the northern plains
After breakfast, drive to La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano National Park to reach your lodge still and always lost in the middle of nature. From the site, you have a view of the Arenal Volcano. Culminating at 1633 m above the sea, overlooking tropical jungles, imposing its masterful silhouette and its almost perfect cone, it is certainly the most beautiful volcano in Central America. Sleeping but still active, a little over a decade ago it expelled fumaroles and lava flows - Hike or mountain bike through the rainforest on the slopes of Arenal Volcano where you will cross monkeys, coatis, frogs, vipers, sloths, birds… - We go to the Rio La Fortuna waterfall whose waterfall pours down from its 75 m high. Nestled in the wilderness, it is earned after a steep descent - Night at the lodge to the sounds of nature music.
On the program: National Park, hot springs, suspension bridges
Included
Night walk at a reserve with an English/Spanish speaking guide
Day 5 Visit Arenal Volcano National Park
Breakfast at the hotel - Direction the great Arenal Volcano National Park, a landscape dominated by the presence of the Arenal volcano and which is home to many species such as monkeys, coatis and endangered birds, but also the puma and the jaguar. You will have the opportunity to access the famous lava flow of 1992 and will thus be able to be both closer to the volcano and enjoy the view of Lake Arenal and the Tilaran mountain range - After the hike and a lunch, nature and sports excursion, such as a zipline course, rafting, or swimming in a waterfall - Jumping into the hot waters of a thermal spring, renowned for their therapeutic, dermatological and quite simply relaxing properties. We like, like the ticos, the El Chollin spot and the 30-degree waters of the Rio Tabacon, because we meet families of ticos there - Back to the lodge.
Included
Hike to the base of Arenal volcano, the Fortuna waterfall with an English/Spanish speaking guide and hotspring bath at Baldi hotel. Lunch included
Day 6 Arrival in the Tenorio and Rio Celeste rainforests
Breakfast - Departure to the Tenorio Volcano National Park region for your night in a bungalow. Its celestial blue river, its bright colors, its charm, its waterfall, all in a forest still very much preserved from the impact of man, create a form of illumination. At the entrance to Tenorio National Park, you take a 6 km trail that runs through the park and leads to viewpoints over the canopy, small turquoise lagoons and whirlpools to the Rio Celeste lunar waterfall. At the same time, you will go to see the Teinturier, a place where the two rivers merge in an alchemy that creates this color so particular to the Rio Celeste (between 2 and 3 hours of hiking) - Return to the lodge.
Day 7 Arrival in the cloud forests of Monteverde
Breakfast at the hotel. You will resume the path in the direction of Monteverde.
At an altitude of 1250m, you will discover the cloud forest and see, perhaps at the bend of a path in the Monteverde biological reserve, the Quetzal, a legendary bird which once represented the Maya empire. Visit of your choice among the activities offered by the area: visit to the suspension bridges, Santa Elena reserve, walks to Cerro Amigos, visit to a coffee plantation, etc…
Day 8 Suspension bridge in Monteverde
You will enjoy an excursion through the suspension bridges, known throughout the country. You will have access to a hiking trail following 8 suspension bridges in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle. Count between 1h and 1h30 to cover the 3 kilometers of the course. Guaranteed sensations, with breathtaking landscapes, not to be missed under any circumstances!
In the evening, night hike.
The hike starts at 5:30 p.m., just before dark, when the wildlife is just starting to wake up. In addition to a flashlight, each participant receives an animal identification sheet. These maps explain the various species you are likely to see and will help you recognize the different animals, insects and amphibians in the reserve: snakes, spiders (especially cute tarantulas), porcupines, frogs and many more . A joy for children.
Included
zip lines and suspension bridges: equipment (guide not included during the hike along the suspension bridges because the trails are very well marked), transport, entrances.
Day 9 Discovering the Pacific Center: Manuel Antonio
Breakfast at accommodation. Then you will take the direction of the seaside resort of Manuel Antonio, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world to reach your lodge.
The Eco Lodge is surrounded by the Barú National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves 330 hectares (815 acres) of rainforest, mangroves, wetlands, riverbanks and beaches. This wide variety of ecosystems means a high level of biodiversity, which is why birdwatchers have spotted over 365 species at the refuge. The six cabanas and the six bedrooms overlooking the swimming pool are very pleasant and comfortable.
The Capuchin monks, the famous squirrel monkeys or even the sloths have taken up residence there for a long time and are a delight for tourists who come to photograph them. The national park also reveals several beaches, each as beautiful as the next.
Included
Entry to Manuel Antonio National Park + guide
Day 9 Between Manuel Antonio and Uvita, the marine paradise
The Baru refuge is of great biological importance because it shelters several tropical habitats (mangroves, primary and secondary forests, beaches, rivers). From Manuel Antonio, you are only a 45-minute drive from the Marino Ballena National Park, known for its wild beaches and its famous tombolo in the shape of a whale's tail. You can choose a boat trip to observe dolphins and humpback whales in season or discover the Nauyaca falls. Don't miss the sunsets in this area.
Day 13 Return to San Jose
Depending on your flight schedules, a last activity can be planned, do not hesitate to take advice from our team.
Accommodation
Roots Travel has selected for you accommodations in perfect harmony with the spirit of Costa Rica. Depending on your needs and desires, we offer different categories of comfort, from standard to premium.
Transportation
Costa Rica is full of opportunities for adventure—and one of the best ways to explore is on a self-drive road trip. Having your own 4x4 means you have the freedom to take spontaneous detours and side trips. Your specialist will give you information on current rouaconditions before you go.
Price
Starting from
$1030
Included
Accommodation
10 nights stay in ecolodges or hotels in double occupancy
Pension
All breakfast
4 extra meals
Transportation
Rental of a 4x4 vehicle Mitsubishi ASX Automatic or similar with liability insurance and GPS for day 4 to day 13
Airport shuttle to San Jose on arrival
Land and water transportation from San Jose to Pacuare
Land and water transportation from Pacure to Guapiles (where you pick up rental car on day 4)
Activities
Visit of the tortuguro canal by boat and visit the private trials of the reserve with company of a English/spanish speaking guide
Night walk at a reserve with an English/Spanish speaking guide
Hike to the base of Arenal volcano, the Fortuna waterfall with an English/Spanish speaking guide and hotspring bath at Baldi hotel. Lunch included
zip lines and suspension bridges at Monteverde: equipment (guide not included during the hike along the suspension bridges because the trails are very well marked), transport, entrances.
Entry to Manuel Antonio National Park, guided walk with a English/Spanish speaking guide
Assistance
24/7 whatsapp support from Roots Travel
Road assistance hotline
Not Included
Airfares
Option to add flight from your choice of airport to SJO San Jose
Travel Insurance
Option to add travel insurance: Cancellation, Multi-risk or repatriation
Request this trip
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