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Ultimate Costa Rica
  Varies pp

  • Duration: 11 Days
  • Destinations: Costa Rica

Daily departures for the Independent Traveler - Avanti Destinations:

Do it all on this fun-filled vacation combining the country's natural highlights with the beautiful beaches of the Pacific. Visit Tortuguero National Park, an important nesting site for endangered green turtles. Dive into soft adventure in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Explore the rich tropical reserve that is the Monteverde Cloud Forest. And end in relaxation on the pristine beaches of Guanacaste.

Call to Book 800-829-5448
Included With Your Trip
  • 10 nights accommodations
  • Daily breakfast/3 Lunches (L)/2 Dinners (D)
  • Welcome Gift
  • All ground transfers or 7-day car rental
  • Tortuguero Channels by Boat Tour
  • Ecoglide Canopy Tour
  • Zipline Tour
Additional Information

Day 1: Arrive San Jose
After you collect your luggage and clear customs you will be met outside the terminal by a local representative who will be holding a sign with your name on it. The representative will collect your vouchers and present you with an itinerary with scheduled times of pick-ups. You will be transferred by van to your selected hotel in San José. 

Day 2: San Jose to Tortuguero National Park
Early departure (between 6-7am) by motorcoach from San José, passing through misty Braulio Carillo National Park. From Braulio Carillo you will drop down into the tropical lowlands of the Caribbean side of the country. After breakfast, continue to the Tortuguero Canal where you will board a boat for a 2-½ hour fascinating trip through the meandering waterway to your selected lodge. You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Park Museum and hike the nearby nature trails with the possibility of experiencing an important breeding ground for green sea turtles on the black sand beach. End the afternoon with a visit to the small village. Return to your lodge for dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 3: Tortuguero National Park
After breakfast, you will enjoy a morning hike with a naturalist guide in the rainforest. The biological diversity is impressive due to the existence within the reserve of eleven different habitats, including rainforest, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. After lunch, there will be an opportunity for further exploration of the Tortuguero channels by boat. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Tortuguero to Arenal Volcano
After breakfast, board the boat for the return trip through the Canal. At the dock, you will board a motorcoach that will take you to the town of Guapiles. After lunch, continue by van to Arenal. The scenic drive from Guapiles to Arenal takes approximately 3 hours. You will arrive at your selected Arenal hotel in the late afternoon (between 4:30 - 5pm), just in time to see Costa Rica's most famous volcano before sunset. (B/L)

Day 5: Arenal Volcano
After breakfast, experience the tropical forest on your Ecoglide Canopy Tour. Enjoy spectacular views! The canopy tour is not only a great adventure but also offers the opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Each platform has been designed so that you can observe the forest from different angles allowing you to enjoy the impressing scenery. The canopy consists of 15 cables and 18 platforms divided into three sections plus the Tarzan Swing. (B)

Day 6: Arenal Volcano to Monteverde Cloud Forest
After breakfast, departure for Monteverde. You will be transferred to the lakeshore of Arenal for a 45-minute ride by boat, where you will have the opportunity to see the Arenal Volcano for the last time. From the dock, you will continue by mini-van. As you get closer to Monteverde, rolling green hills surround you, and on a clear day you can see the Gulf of Nicoya. Passing through the town of Santa Elena, and the Monteverde community with its hotels, restaurants and galleries, you will reach your selected lodge in the early afternoon. You will have the afternoon at leisure to explore the area, or arrange an optional canopy tour. Monteverde offers several types of canopy tours. For those who want an adrenaline rush, there is the canopy tour with a special harness and zip lines that take you through the trees, and for those who would prefer to be more grounded, there is a canopy tour with hiking trails and bridges. (B)

Day 7: Monteverde
The morning begins with breakfast, followed by a visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest, a world-famous privately-owned wildlife reserve. Monteverde is located on the Continental Divide and is called a cloud forest because of its altitude and topography. This mist-covered forest has over 100 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds. More than 2,000 plant species have been catalogued at Monteverde. With your naturalist guide, you will explore the trails of the Reserve. Return to the Lodge and in the afternoon you will visit the Butterfly Garden at Selvatura. Then you will have a choice between two exciting half-day tours: the Treetop Walkways or the Canopy Tour. Return to your hotel. (B)

Day 8: Monteverde Cloud Forest to Guanacaste Beach
After breakfast (between 8:30 - 9:30 am), transfer by van from Monteverde to the Guanacaste beach area. The four-hour drive will take you from the misty hills of Monteverde to the lowlands of the North Pacific, the driest region in the country. Here, you will see large cattle ranches. Continue to the coast to your selected beach resort in Guanacaste. (B)

Day 9 - 10: Guancaste Beach
Days at leisure to relax by the pool, walk along the beach or opt for an optional excursion. (B)

Day 11: Depart Guancaste
Your memorable vacation comes to an end after breakfast when you will be transferred to Liberia Airport (B)

Departure Dates
Start: December 1, 2022
End: December 31, 2024
Price: Varies pp


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Product Code: AAA-Avanti

*Please refer to individual vendor 2022 brochure or their website for general information, itineraries and all terms, conditions and responsibility statements. All itineraries and inclusions are subject to change without notice. Land only unless otherwise specified. Gov’t misc. fees/taxes, optional excursions, travel insurance and gratuities not included unless otherwise specified. Restrictions and limitations apply per product. Ask AAA for details Agency #178-018-521