Compare Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste Beach by Great Value Vacations vs Costa Rica: See & Experience it ALL in 11 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler
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4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 12 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 2,938 | $ 2,413 |
| Price Per Day | $ 245 | $ 219 |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
1 breakfast, 5 lunches, 1 light dinner and 1 standard dinner are included on this tour. We are very picky about food and refuse to accept anything short of quality. We do our best to ensure you are being offered healthy and tasty local cuisine. |
| Description |
Embark on a journey through five diverse regions as you travel through the best of Costa Rica. Trek trough dense rain forests, hike active volcanoes, take drives through banana fields, soak in natural hot springs, and get a taste of the local sips and snacks too!. Start in San Jose where Casado is served up the way its supposed to be and souvenirs await you on streets filled with music. Take a boat to Tortuguero National Park and explore the canals and village there, along with the fantastic wildlife that thrives alongside the people. Climb Arenal Volcano and rest in its hot springs, then cross Arenal Lake to walk through the green landscape of Monteverde. Experience true jungle flora and fauna on a private cloud forest tour and learn about the daily lives of the locals. Finally, you'll spend a few days unwinding in Guanacaste Beach, snorkeling and swimming among colorful schools of fish in beautiful, clear water. |
You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed with activities and attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all ""FIRST CLASS,"" yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price and substance. Below are just some examples of what you will see and do on this tour:
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Day 1 Welcome to San Jose!
Arrive in sunny San Jose! Meet your Swiss Travel representative, who will provide you with all necessary documentation, phone numbers, and important information regarding your Costa Rican adventure. Enjoy a convenient transfer to your first luxurious hotel in San Jose. Spend the evening getting to know the city! Stroll through Parque La Sabana, take photos in-front of the National Theater of Costa Rica, and treat yourself to some local favorite foods.
Day 2 San Jose - Tortuguero National Park
Say goodbye to San Jose and head to the North Caribbean Plains, home of breathtaking Tortuguero National Park! Enjoy breakfast on the way, and look out the window at the Central Volcanic mountain range, filled with beautiful waterfalls and the bright green forests of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Your journey will continue through banana fields along rural roads, until you reach a local dock where boats will be waiting to transfer you to Tortuguero! Enjoy a scenic boat ride through canals shaded by the jungle of the rainforest. Gaze out at unique flora and fauna, and keep your eyes peeled for exotic birds! After arriving at your Tortuguero accommodation, embark on a visit to the village of Tortuguero, where you'll become immersed in the lifestyle of local residents.
Day 3 Tortuguero National Park
Today, explore this jungle paradise by boat! Discover the secondary canals of Tortuguero, and observe the natural beauty that surrounds them. The rate of biodiversity is amazingly high in this area, so have fun spotting a variety of birds, turtles, reptiles, and mammals as you float along. Tortuguero National Park is made up of over 76,000 protected hectares, spotted with canals, deltas, wetlands, and beaches.
Day 4 Tortuguero National Park - Arenal Volcano area
At mid-morning, hop aboard a boat and enjoy a scenic ride toward Arenal Volcano. Your journey continues on land, where you'll stop for lunch in the area of Guapiles. En route, feast your eyes on amazing views of mountains and rural towns such as Sarapiqui, Rio Cuarto, and Aguas Zarcas. Keep your eyes out for pineapple, orange, sugar cane, and yucca crops along the way! Upon arrival in La Fortuna de San Carlos, feel welcomed by majestic views of the mighty Arenal Volcano. Settle into your comfortable hotel and get a good night's rest - a full day of adventure awaits you tomorrow!
Day 5 Arenal Volcano area
Ah, a relaxing morning to explore the area. Take a leisurely stroll through the lush grounds, or go birdwatching! If you're more of an adrenaline-junkie, treat yourself to a tour of the breathtaking Arenal Hanging Bridges or a ride on the Sky Tram. For a special morning, consider horseback riding near Fortuna River Waterfall. Get ready for an amazing afternoon! Enjoy visits to the Arenal Volcano, as well as the Tabacon Hot Springs. Take tons of photos, feast your eyes on amazing landscapes, and feel the natural heat of volcanic hot springs!
Day 6 Arenal Volcano area - Monteverde area
Travel through Tilaran Mountain Range until you reach postcard-worthy Monteverde Cloud Forest! Enjoy gorgeous views of sparkling Arenal Lake and sky-high mountains, admire exotic plants, and feel refreshed by the cooler temperatures of the area. Settle into your next hotel, then embark on a visit to El Trapiche, a family-run farm that produces sugar cane, coffee, bananas, and more! Learn all about authentic Costa Rican culture as you live a day-in-the-life of a local.
Day 7 Monteverde area
Grab your camera and get ready for a day filled with stunning landscapes and amazing wildlife. Spend the first half of your day in picturesque Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, then spend the rest of the day at leisure. While in Costa Rica, be sure to try Casado, the country's most traditional and popular dish, consisting of rice, black beans, plantains, salad, tortilla, and meat.
Day 8 Monteverde area - Guanacaste/Langosta Beach area
It's beach day! Today, your journey will veer toward the magnificent pacific beaches of Costa Rica. Watch as the green forests turn into bright blue waters! Settle into your beautiful hotel, then take a walk along the beach and feast your eyes on an amazingly orange sunset over the ocean.
Day 9 Guanacaste/Langosta Beach area
Spend the day leisurely exploring at your own pace. Take advantage of the hotel's facilities, unwind with a drink on the beach, or inquire about snorkeling or scuba diving! Indulge in a delicious outdoor dinner and enjoy the ocean breeze as you taste the local flavors of Costa Rica.
Day 10 Guanacaste/Langosta Beach area
Wake up to the sounds of seagulls cawing and waves softly crashing against the shore. Cherish another day of beach side relaxation, or partake in outdoor activities offered in the area! Consider visiting national parks, taking a boat ride, or river rafting.
Day 11 Guanacaste - San Jose
Enjoy a convenient transfer back to San Jose, where you'll stay for your last night. Explore the city, go sightseeing, and hop around bars and restaurants. Indulge in delicious local food and do some souvenir shopping!
Day 12 Depart Costa Rica
Squeeze all your souvenirs into your luggage, pack your bags, and enjoy a convenient transfer to the airport. Wave goodbye to beautiful Costa Rica and spend your flight home dreaming about your next adventure.
Day 1: A Social Gathering on the Sand & Horseback Riding
Our tour to Costa Rica starts in Tamarindo. This beach village is a popular destination for couples and families looking for a good time. Tamarindo is the epitome of everything Costa Rica prides itself on. Let's head to the beach, where there is likely to be a gathering/party of some sort. On a side note, Tamarindo is also home to leatherback turtles. The day ends with horseback riding on the beach and in a nearby valley.
Day 2: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar & Appetizers & Going Snorkeling
We go on an excursion today. Passing by the beaches in Brasilito and then Potrero, we stop at Flamingo beach so we can go swimming. Afterwards, we do a cruise into the bay. We are provided with snorkeling gear, local appetizers and access to an open bar. Enjoy the sunset while “sipping on some bubbly.”
Day 3: Zip-Lining & a Night Expedition in a Cloud Forest Reserve
We relocate from Tamarindo near to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. There we go on a zip-lining tour. We return in the evening for a night tour.
This reserve draws roughly 70,000 visitors a year. It consists of over 10,500 hectares of cloud forest and 6 ecological zones, 90 percent of which are virgin forest. A high biodiversity-consisting of over 2,500 plant species, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, 120 reptilian and amphibian species and thousands of insects-has drawn scientists and tourists alike.
Day 4: Rappelling, Climbing & Hiking & Bathing in Natural Hot Springs
We relocate from Monteverde to the town of La Fortuna. Shortly thereafter, we are taken on an adrenaline-pumping adventure to the Lost Canyon. There we climb and hike and otherwise go waterfall rappelling. Lunch is included on today’s tour.
After the Lost Canyon, we are taken to one of the many natural hot springs in La Fortuna. More specifically, we are taken to a resort called Ecotermales Fortuna. There we bathe as well as eat. Dinner is included this evening.
Day 5: Walking Over Hanging Bridges & Swimming Under a Waterfall
Today we are taken on a tour to the nearby surroundings. First is Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, which features cool-looking bridges hanging in the tropical rain forest. Next is La Fortuna Waterfall, where we can go swimming. Following the waterfall is lunch, which is included on today’s tour. Lastly for today is Arenal Volcano National Park. It offers a nice hike amid tropical scenery. The volcano measures at least 1,633 meters (5,358 feet) high and is estimated to be less than 7,500 years old.
Day 6: An Intimidating Volcano
We go on a daytrip today. We are taken to Tenorio Volcano National Park. The jewel of this national park is its volcano, from which it receives its name. Tenorio Volcano consists of 4 volcanic peaks and 2 craters. Thermal springs and small geysers dot the area, as do rivers, waterfalls and lagoons. The upper area of the park is dominated by primary cloud forest, while the lower regions are carpeted with rain forest. The summit can be reached via the Lago Las Dantas Trail, which winds up the volcano and passes through forested terrain before eventually reaching the peak. From the park’s entrance, it takes about an hour to hike up to the peak/main viewpoint. Lunch is included on today’s tour.
Day 7: The Country's Most Famous Beach
We relocate from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. We see why this town is so popular with tourists. Its national park receives almost 150,000 visitors annually. Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica at its most tropical. Let's head to the beach.
Day 8: White Sand & Taking a Surf Class
The day starts with a guided tour inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Extra time is given so we can go swimming. This park has impressive landscapes and several coves with many white sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests. The second half of the day is spent taking a surfing class.
Day 9: Discovering Wildlife Inside an Animal Kingdom
Before relocating to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, we are provided with a guided tour inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Extra time is given so we can go swimming. This park has impressive landscapes and several coves with many white sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests.
Day 10: The Most Stunning Volcano in Costa Rica & a Coffee Plantation Visit
We go on a daytrip today. We are first taken to Doka Estate. There we are provided with breakfast followed by a guided tour of a coffee plantation. Next, we visit Poás Volcano National Park. There we are provided with a guided tour. Please note that Poás Volcano National Park is often closed due to eruptions. If this is the case during your visit, then this park would need to be removed from today’s itinerary. Lastly, we visit La Paz Waterfall. There we are provided with lunch as well as a guided tour.
Day 11: Our Tour Ends This Morning
San Jose is the final destination on our tour around Costa Rica. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the international airport.
