Compare Natural Wonders of Costa Rica with Manuel Antonio by Globus vs Flavors of Costa Rica by Tours of Distinction
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 11 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,179 | $ 3,199 |
| Price Per Day | $ 289 | $ 400 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included | N/A |
7 Breakfasts | 3 Lunches | 7 Dinners |
| Description | If you were the type of kid who always marched to your own drum, this bold tour of Costa Rica is just the escape for you. Wide-open spaces, multi-hued creatures, and bright, vivid scenery welcome you with open arms and a no-holds-barred spirit. As you make your way through Costa Rica, lava trails, cloud forests, and high-in-the-sky suspension bridges invite you to take a walk on the wild side while scenic boat rides, nature walks, and natural hot springs beckon you to leisurely soak in the views. Frolic among hundreds of species of butterflies, birds, reptiles, and wildlife in the most vibrant rainforests, and feast on your own delicious Costa Rican creations in an authentic cooking class. With visits to an active volcano and exotic fruit plantations, plus several meet-and-greets with the native macaws and monkeys, this vacation to Costa Rica is bananas! It’s not just the white sand and white-faced monkeys that lure adventurers to the oceanside village of Manuel Antonio; it’s the relaxing eco resorts tucked away in the lush green hills overlooking the shimmering turquoise waters. Add an extra shade of spectacular to your tour of Costa Rica with time in Manuel Antonio and its renowned national park. |
This tour of Costa Rica teems with curious wildlife, endless beaches, tropical rainforests and rumbling volcanoes. Discover San Jose, Tortuguero, Arenal and Manuel Antonio! There is something to refresh everyone’s sense of fun and adventure. Come along and discover Costa Rica at its finest. Refresh yourself on our 8-day fully inclusive and guided tour. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA
Welcome to San José!Upon arrival, you will be met by your tour director!
Day 2: SAN JOSÉ–TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Shell Games Journey east to the Caribbean shore and Tortuguero National Park. On the way, pass by several banana plantations and see one of Costa Rica’s main exports being harvested. Later, board a motor launch for your cruise along the Tortuguero Canals, waterways crisscrossing a national park dedicated to the protection of endangered turtles. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caimans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. An afternoon at leisure lets you explore your jungle lodge until you meet for an informative slideshow presentation on the area. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTWONDERS OF NATURE Tortuguero National Park was once a volcanic archipelago until sediments from the nearby mountains filled in the valleys forming a network of marshy islands and turtle nesting beaches that make this region so famous. With its 11 different habitats, this lush, protected area is rich with wildlife and biodiversity.
Day 3: TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK TOUR & CANAL CRUISE
Natural BeautiesA local Naturalist accompanies you on a leisurely boat ride along remote, unspoiled sections of the park’s waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. Enjoy a fascinating stroll through an accessible portion of the nearby rainforest. During the peak nesting season (mid-July to mid-October) you may be lucky enough to observe an endangered green turtle laying her eggs under the starlight on an optional tour. Later this afternoon, meet a local Naturalist for an informative presentation on the ecology of the area. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTCONSERVATION MATTERS Tortuguero’s turtles that come to nest in the national park named for them are easily considered one of the main attractions of the park. Green Sea Turtles, leatherback, and Hawksbill turtles can all be found nesting on the beaches here. During your time here, learn about the conservation efforts that have been in place since 1955 to help protect these endangered species.
Day 4: TORTUGUERO–SARAPIQUI–ARENAL
Fruitful ExperiencesA morning boat transfer begins your journey to the Sarapiqui area. Tour a [LF] pineapple farm, owned by a local family, and learn about the history, cultivation, and industry of pineapples and other indigenous crops. Continue to your hotel in the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. After settling in, experience the magic of the resort before dinner at your hotel (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Lush tropical gardens, the sound of crashing waterfalls, and striking views of Costa Rica’s famed Arenal Volcano from Volcano Lodge will leave you feeling as though you have been transported into the middle of a hidden rainforest jungle but, with all of the comforts and amenities of a well-tended retreat. Experience the magic of the resort’s pool and hot spring-fed jacuzzi, or consider a walk in the nearby nature trail in search of 300- to 400-year-old trees, frogs, monkeys, birds, and possibly small animals native to the area.
Day 5: ARENAL. EXCURSION TO LA FORTUNA & ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Lava LoveThis afternoon, visit Arenal Volcano National Park, where your guide takes you on a walk through lava trails of the volcano and shows you how nature has found a way to recover from past lava flows. Next, enjoy a walking tour of the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos, offering spectacular views of the active Arenal Volcano. This evening, drive to nearby [LF] Ecotermales Hot Springs for a dip in the curative and relaxing pools. Later, enjoy a dinner at the hot springs. (Breakfast,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITEWONDERS OF NATURE Towering over the town of La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano is a perfect conical shape. It was once the most active volcano in Costa Rica with its lava flowing and gas consistently flowing from the crater amazing visitors of the area. In 2010, it entered a resting phase. But, because of the seismic activity of the area, you will find some of the best natural thermal hot springs. FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE During your morning at leisure, you may wish to go on an optional horseback ride or float trip. Or, you can take advantage of your resort’s amenities by walking along the shaded trails nearby. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app.
Day 6: ARENAL–MONTEVERDE
Heads in the CloudsAfter breakfast, continue to Monteverde, where you will enjoy two days in the cloud forest. This afternoon, take a guided tour on the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges, which combines trails and suspension bridges through the canopy of Monteverde Cloud Forest, to search for flora and fauna. (Breakfast,Lunch)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Explore the cloud forest from the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges for a bird’s eye view high above the jungle floor. This Naturalist-guided tour introduces you to the flora and fauna of the Costa Rican cloud forest. Consisting of 6 bridges with some bridges spanning over 700 feet long and over 150 feet high, this is truly a unique way to admire the forest canopy.
Day 7: MONTEVERDE SANTA ELENA CLOUD FOREST RESERVE
Butterfly KissesThis morning, visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest for a guided walking tour. Over 600 species of butterflies and 400 species of birds have been recorded inside this private reserve, along with 100 reptile and 120 mammal species that hide within the dense vegetation. Later, visit the family-owned [LF] Ecological Sanctuary, where you will explore the trails through coffee and banana plantations filled with endemic wildlife and beautiful scenery. After the walk, enjoy a cooking class. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner, toasting an unforgettable discovery of Costa Rica. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Treat yourself to a visit to a leisurely stroll through a banana and coffee plantation, and take a cooking class to learn how to prepare authentic Costa Rican food like hand-made tortillas, picadillos, and gallo pinto. Dine on your creations for a homemade lunch!
Day 8: MONTEVERDE–QUEPOS–MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK AREA
Welcome to the Jungle!Take a morning drive to the Pacific Ocean to the town of Quepos, gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park. Dense mangrove swamps sheltering a variety of wildlife back up to the pristine beaches in this area. It is not uncommon to see iguanas and white-faced monkeys on the beach. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL ATTRACTION Manuel Antonio National Park draws visitors with its spectacular natural beauty and wonder, where mangroves grow and golden beaches glow in the home of iguanas and monkeys on its Pacific shoreline.
Day 9: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK AREA
Explore, Relax, RediscoverEnjoy a free day today. (Breakfast)
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE Spend free time in Manuel Antonio National Park with a kayaking trip or mangrove tour. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app.
Day 10: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK AREA
Get Out and Explore! Enjoy a free day today. (Breakfast)
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE Add an active pursuit to your free time to explore the wonders of Manuel Antonio, from jungle hikes suited to all levels, canopy tours, deep-sea fishing, sea kayaking, or mountain biking. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app.
Day 11: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK AREA
Safe travels until we meet again!Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Please schedule flights after 12:30 pm. (Breakfast)
Day 1 - Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica
Transfer to the airport and board your flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. Upon arrival in San Jose, we transfer to our hotel. Once settled, we get together for a welcome cocktail and dinner. (D)
Day 2 - San Jose - Tortuguero National Park
Our Costa Rica adventure truly begins today. Enjoy some coffee and biscuits before departing to a remote area of Tortuguero. On the way, we will stop in Guapiles town for a hearty breakfast. After, we continue to a pier where our boat to Tortuguero awaits. Upon arrival, we check-in and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Tortuguero village and the Turtle Museum.
Tortuguero, is one of the rainiest regions of the country, and it shelters the biggest biological variety of the nation; 11 habitats were identified so far in the park. The forest is the most important area of the coastline where coco palms are abundant.
We return to our lodge for an evening of rainforest pleasure and dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
After breakfast, we enjoy a boat tour in the morning to the small canals for wildlife observation. Tortuguero National Park, with its 21,000 hectares of preserved tropical rain forest, provides one of the best opportunities to experience a wide range of tropical wildlife. We hope to spot a variety of monkeys, toucans, green macaws, and caimans, among others, while gliding through the vine laden canals with our naturalist guide.
After, we return to lodge for lunch. Later, we enjoy a small hike on the lodge’s trails. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Tortuguero National Park - Arenal
This morning, we transfer by boat back to La Pavona pier and continue by bus to Guapiles where we will enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, we are lead over to la Fortuna de San Carlos where the impressive Arenal Volcano resides. La Fortuna de San Carlos is home to one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world. Cloud forests, a beautiful volcanic lake and an incredibly diverse population of wildlife is just part of what we will find in this amazing area of Costa Rica. Near the volcano, you will find the largest lake in Costa Rica, Lake Arenal. After, we check in at our hotel and enjoy a welcome drink. There will be time to relax and refresh before our wine and cheese cruise on Lake Arenal. We return to the hotel for dinner in these beautiful surroundings. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Arenal
Adventure awaits today! After breakfast, we visit the Sky Adventure facilities. Here, we will have the opportunity to observe the forest from a different perspective and have some fun! Sky Walk (Hanging bridges), Sky Trek (Zipline) & Sky Tram are all included; the choice is yours. The Sky Walk is an impressive series of bridges and paths. Here, we can experience spectacular views. Several bridges take us alongside the tree canopy, some of which have colonized the bridges. We may even spot birds and howler monkeys at their own level.
The Sky Tram is a 20-minute aerial tram tour that reaches a wide observation deck at the highest point of the Arenal Reserve where we can observe the rain forest, Arenal volcano, and lake. Sky Trek is all about getting active above the treetops. It consists of a system of zip lines that allow us to observe the rainforest and its landscape from a different perspective.
After we travel to Don Juan Chocolate for a chocolate and coffee tour. Here, we will get the chance to learn the importance and history of coffee to ‘Tico’ culture and Costa Rica’s development. Then, we continue with our chocolate tour – the perfect compliment to coffee! We experience the aromas and history, and participate in the chocolate making process.
Return to the hotel later this afternoon. Take some time to relax and use our hotel’s facilities and hot Springs. (B,D)
Day 6 - Arenal – Manuel Antonio
This morning, we have breakfast at our hotel then head out for Manuel Antonio. On the way south, we will stop at the Tárcoles River to appreciate the Crocodiles as well as the Guacalillo mangrove. The river of Tárcoles offers us the opportunity to observe American Crocodiles with sizes over the four meters long, iguanas and basilisks in their natural environment. Specialized bilingual guides will accompany us offering wide educational information on the biology of the crocodiles and diverse aspects of the ecology of this natural refuge. During the tour we enter the Guacalillo Channel, an estuary where there are four different species of mangrove (black, red, white and buttonhole) that constitute an important refuge for the red macaw.
After, we continue to Manuel Antonio. Upon arrival, we check-in to our hotel and have dinner. Manuel Antonio is a small oceanside village tucked into nature. Famous for its national park, this tiny yet bustling town is located off Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast and without a doubt, is one of the country’s most celebrated spots. (B,D)
Day 7 - Manuel Antonio
Today, we journey to nearby Manuel Antonio National Park. Manuel Antonio National Park is 7,000 acres; however, it also has an additional 136,000 acres of a Marine Park Reserve. It is one of the smallest and most popular national parks in Costa Rica. The protected rainforests of Manuel Antonio National Park provide a home for 350 species of birds and 109 species of mammals. Among the birds native to the region, we may see scarlet macaws, toucans, motmots, parakeets, hawks and tanagers. Of course, the most popular animals are the various monkey species that call Manuel Antonio National Park home. White-faced capuchin, spider and mantled howler monkeys may greet us. Once inside the park, we may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the endangered red-backed squirrel monkey. Other commonly seen animals include both two- and three-toed sloths, coatimundis, peccaries, iguanas and armadillos, as well as a host of reptile and amphibian park dwellers.
We return to our hotel for some time at leisure. Enjoy the pristine beaches, shop the local markets or relax by the pool. (B,D)
Day 8 - Depart Manuel Antonio
After breakfast this morning, we transfer to the airport and board the flight home. The tour may be over, but the memories of all the beautiful places we have visited on this trip will stay with you. (B)
