Compare Costa Rica Self-drive in 7 days - Tropical Adventures & Rainforests - Charm by Exoticca vs 12 Day Kaleidoscope of Costa Rica with Tortuguero by Gate 1 Travel

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Trip	Costa Rica Self-drive in 7 days - Tropical Adventures & Rainforests - Charm by Exoticca 4.5 \| Great 22072 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip See Offer	12 Day Kaleidoscope of Costa Rica with Tortuguero by Gate 1 Travel 3.5 \| Average 746 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip See Offer

Duration	7 days	12 days
Price From	$ 999	$ 2,359
Price Per Day	$ 143	$ 197
Highlights	Arenal Monteverde San José	Take a boat tour along the Tortuguero canals, through the heart of the Costa Rican jungle Tour downtown San Jose, enjoying its many historical & architectural jewels Visit the artisan town of Sarchi and see artists in their workshops In Arenal, view the now dormant conical-shaped Arenal Volcano Tour a coffee plantation and enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch Discover the dense vegetation in the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest Travel to the tropical province of Guanacaste on the sun-splashed Pacific Coast †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
Trip Style	Small group tour	Group tour
Lodging Level	Standard	Premium
Physical Level	1- Very easy	3- Moderate
Travel Themes	Cultural Nature & Wildlife 50 plus Local Immersion & Homestays National Parks	50 plus
Countries Visited	Costa Rica	Costa Rica
Cities and Attractions	Arenal Volcano Monteverde	Guanacaste Monteverde
Flights & Transport	Airfare included	Ground transport included
Activities	Culture Historic sightseeing History Homestays & Cultural Immersion Nature Ruins & Archaeology	N/A
Meals Included	6 breakfasts.	N/A
Description	Discover the abundant nature of Costa Rica with this self-drive for added freedom! Explore the rich diversity of the country's rainforests, feel the strength of the Arenal Volcano and experience the tranquillity of this beautiful natural environmentand. Explore the abundant cloud forests of lush Monteverde and its extensive nature trails.	3 San Jose, 2 Tortuguero, 2 Arenal, 2 Monteverde, 2 Guanacaste

Itinerary: Costa Rica Self-drive in 7 days - Tropical Adventures & Rainforests - Charm

Day 1: US - San José - Arenal

Arrive at your US departure airport to board a flight* to San José. Arrive in the capital of Costa Rica and pick up your rental car to self-transfer to your hotel in Arenal. Overnight stay in Arenal. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Arenal

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and embark on a guided hike to the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a hiking experience through trails marked with the remains of previous lava flows of the impressive and majestic Arenal Volcano. The main attraction of La Fortuna is the Arenal Volcano with its nearly perfect cone shape and a height of 1633 meters. Along the hike you will discover the abundant flora and some fauna which inhabits the rainforest under re-generation; your guide will tell you all about the Arenal Volcano history and activity. After the hike, you may choose between different popular hot springs in the area to relax and enjoy the water which is naturally heated by the volcano (optional extras).* Overnight stay in Arenal.

Day 3: Arenal

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful natural environment. We recommend an optional horseback ride excursion to experience the natural environment in the traditional way.* Overnight stay in Arenal. * Optional Half-Day Horseback Ride Excursion: Set off on a scenic horseback ride to appreciate the beauty of nature and the sounds, colour and energy of the rainforest. Ascend to a viewpoint where you will have an impressive view of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Lunch included.

Day 4: Arenal - Monteverde

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, drive to Monteverde, travelling along the banks of Lake Arenal for breathtaking views of the volcano. En-route, embark on an exciting unguided Hanging Bridges excursion for the best views of the treetop wildlife of Monteverde. Traverse a route of approximately 3 kilometres, crossing a combination of trails and hanging bridges which criss-cross the abundant 'cloud forest'. This is a unique and thrilling way to experience the best of Costa Rican wildlife, away from the hustle and bustle of the rainforest floor. Check-in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Monteverde. Please note: the Hanging Bridges excursion is unaccompanied, without a guide.

Day 5: Monteverde

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the morning at your leisure in Monteverde. Set off at sunset for a night-walk with a naturalist guide and torchlights to observe the nocturnal wildlife. Look out for lazy sloths, armadillos and sleeping birds perched in the treetops as you enjoy a 2.5-hour night walk in the rainforest. Overnight stay in Monteverde.

Day 6: Monteverde

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in leafy Monteverde, getting in touch with nature or simply unwinding at the hotel and making the most of the facilities. We recommend an optional excursion to the Monteverde Cloud Forest.* Overnight stay in Monteverde. * Optional Monteverde Cloud Forest Excursion: Explore the rich cloud forests and extensive nature trails of Monteverde Cloud Forest. Observe wildlife ranging from jaguars to butterflies and quetzals as you traverse a number of different trails through 8 different ‘life-zones’ ranging from swamps to cloud forests.

Day 7: Monteverde - San José - US

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, drive to the airport and drop off your rental car, ready to board your flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. If your return flight departs in the evening, your arrival in the US will be the following day and the total duration of your trip will be 8 days.

Itinerary: 12 Day Kaleidoscope of Costa Rica with Tortuguero

DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Costa Rica
Depart for Costa Rica. Arrive in San Jose and transfer to your hotel. Rest, relax and get ready for your adventure in eco-rich Costa Rica, often called "Pura Vida" - the country with a relaxing and happy lifestyle
Overnight: San Jose

DAY 2, Thursday - Travel to Tortuguero
Depart San Jose this morning traveling east to the shores of the scenic Caribbean coast. See the lush vegetation along with acres of banana plantations, one of Costa Rica's major exports. At a nearby port, board a motor launch that takes you to the canals in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle with their unique flora and fauna. Truly a nature lover's paradise! Arrive at the lodge in Tortuguero in time for lunch. Afterwards, drive to the village for a walking tour. Here, you learn about the significant conservation efforts developed to protect sea turtles that come to nest here each year along the 22 miles of protected coastline. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the lodge
Overnight: Tortuguero
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3, Friday - Full Day in Tortuguero
Awaken this morning to the sounds of the jungle in one of the most remote areas of Costa Rica. Tortuguero is a magical area where the lagoons, rivers and canals are a never-ending story of marine biology. Acquaint yourself with the many tree and insect species of Costa Rica on an easy guided hike through trails in the nearby rainforest. Learn first-hand how wildlife here interacts with forest plants, thus achieving a perfect balance of each species. After lunch, a boat takes you through remote unspoiled sections of the park's waterways on the winding canals where you're likely to see turtles, caimans, monkeys, and many colorful tropical birds thriving in the wild. Dinner together at the lodge
Overnight: Tortuguero
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Saturday - Travel to San Jose
Travel by motor launch and motor coach this morning on your return to San Jose, center of Costa Rica's best museums, including the Gold Museum and the Costa Rica Art Museum. Take the afternoon to independently explore the city. Be sure to visit the Museo Homenaje Joaquín García Monge, which features temporary exhibitions by contemporary Costa Rican and Central American artists. Perhaps, shop for handicrafts in the Central Plaza, filled with artists selling their wares. This evening, enjoy a drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager
Overnight: San Jose
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Sunday - Travel to Arenal
Morning departure for Arenal, enjoying the views of coffee and sugarcane plantations along the way. En route stop in Sarchi, an artisan town, where traditional colorful oxcarts and souvenirs can be found. Later this evening, a Welcome Dinner celebrates your arrival
Overnight: Arenal
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Monday - Full Day in Arenal
Spend a full day at leisure in Arenal, famous for the Arenal Volcano. As Costa Rica's youngest volcano, it gained international notoriety in 1968 for its sudden eruption. Perhaps, participate in the optional full day Cano Negro Boat Tour to learn more about the endemic flora and fauna. Tonight, enjoy an optional evening at the renowned Eco Termales Hot Springs that includes a home-cooked traditional dinner
Optional: Full Day Cano Negro Boat Tour
Optional: Eco Termales Hot Springs with Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Arenal
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Tuesday - Arenal National Park, Travel to Monteverde
In the morning, embark on a brisk two mile hike on a paved trail in Arenal National Park to learn more about the flora and fauna of the area. At the end of the trail, admire stunning views of the volcano from a lookout tower before continuing to Monteverde. Stop for lunch on your own en route to Monteverde. Tonight, go behind-the-scenes on the optional Brewery Tour to discover the hidden world of Monteverde's craft beer, followed by dinner in the brewpub
Optional: Monteverde Brewery Tour with Dinner
Overnight: Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Wednesday - Full Day in Monteverde
Spend the morning at leisure, or choose to participate in one of the optional tours* including the Selvatura Canopy and Hanging Bridges adventures. This stunning Cloud Forest boasts an extraordinarily diverse ecosystem, being home to 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, 130 species of mammals, and an astounding 500 species of birds, not to mention more than 3,000 species of plants. This afternoon enjoy lunch and a tour of a traditional Costa Rican coffee farm. Learn about how one of Costa Rica's top exports is grown in this tropical region and its importance in the socioeconomic development of the country Tonight, dine at a local Monteverde restaurant
*Passengers can participate in both optional tours if desired
Optional: Selvatura Canopy Tour (AM)
Optional: Selvatura Hanging Bridges (AM)
Overnight: Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Thursday - Travel to Guanacaste
Today, depart Monteverde for Guanacaste. See a huge contrast in scenery as you arrive in the tropical paradise of Guanacaste, located in the northwestern part of the country along the Pacific Coast with its sun-splashed beaches. The rest of the day is yours to discover the many options in this coastal paradise. Spend an evening at leisure
Overnight: Guanacaste
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Friday - Full Day in Guanacaste
A day at leisure in picturesque Guanacaste, strikingly beautiful with its exotic bays, exquisite beaches and admire the most beautiful natural scenery. Don't miss the optional Panache Sailing Tour. Glide along Costa Rica's Gold Coast in a Catamaran, passing exotic bays, exquisite beaches and admire the most beautiful natural scenery. Stop in a tranquil bay with time to snorkel or frolic in the sea before tonight's Farewell Dinner
Optional: Panache Sailing Tour (AM)
Overnight: Guanacaste
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Saturday - Travel to San Jose
Travel back to San Jose today stopping to shop for local crafts and souvenirs to bring back home. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city independently, revisit some of the galleries and museums or, linger at a lovely restaurant for dinner tonight. Perhaps, join the optional San Jose City Tour with dinner. Take a panoramic city tour of San Jose including visits to the Gold museum, where more than 1600 pre-Columbian artifacts are displayed and the National Theater, the principal jewel of San Jose. Conclude the tour with an authentic Costa Rican dinner at a popular restaurant in the city
Optional: San Jose City Tour with dinner (PM)
Overnight: San Jose
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Sunday - Depart Costa Rica
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast