12 Day Costa Rica from the Pacific to the Atlantic

$1299 Land Only

$1599* Air & Land

Home : : Costa Rica Vacations

Adjust font size:

HighlightsHighlights ItineraryItinerary Optional ToursOptional Tours Dates & PricesDates & Prices Full PackageFull Package Travel TipsTravel Tips

Highlights Escorted Package Includes Round trip flights Miami-San Jose Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline fuel surcharges 11 nights accommodations in your choice of hotels 3 nights San Jose ▲ 2 nights Arenal ♦ 2 nights Monteverde l 2 nights Tamarindo 2 nights Tortuguero All transfers 15 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners Sightseeing per itinerary in a modern air-conditioned motor coach Services of English-speaking tour manager Days 1-8 Entrance fees per itinerary Special Features Arenal Volcano Lake Arenal boat ride Las Pumas Cat Zoo Visit to Sarchi City tour of San Jose Tortuguero ▲ San Jose: Plan B Dec 27 departure will be accommodated at the Best Western Irazu Hotel & Casino. ♦ Arenal: Plan A Dec 27 departure will be accommodated at the Magic Mountain; Plan B Dec 27 & Jan 17 departures will be accommodated at the Volcano Lodge. l Monteverde: Plan B Dec 27 departure will be accommodated at the El Establo Hotel. Itinerary DAY 1, Saturday - Depart the USA/San Jose Depart the USA for Costa Rica. Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica's capital city, and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink and orientation with your Tour Manager Overnight: San Jose DAY 2, Sunday - View La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Arenal Volcano Depart San Jose for Arenal, home to some of the world's most fascinating ecological tours. Stop for a photo opportunity at the bridge overlooking La Paz Waterfall, from where you can enjoy a majestic landscape. En route, stop at a coffee plantation for an enlightening chat on coffee growing in Costa Rica. Upon your arrival in Arenal, enjoy views of the conical Arenal Volcano, one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world, and the surrounding hot springs Optional: Dinner in Local Arenal Restaurant Overnight: Arenal Meals: Breakfast DAY 3, Monday - Arenal Volcano National Park This morning, visit the Arenal Volcano National Park to view various lava rock formations, exotic plants and wildlife, the Arenal Lake and Arenal Volcano. Optional Entrance to Tabacon Hot Springs is available locally Optional: Penas Blancas Safari Boat Tour (PM) Overnight: Arenal Meals: Breakfast DAY 4, Tuesday - Boat Ride Across Lake Arenal In the morning, embark for Monteverde (Green Mountain) via a special land and boat route. The boat ride across the Arenal Lake provides a relaxing and unique perspective of the lake and surrounding scenery. Afterwards, continue via coach to Monteverde (approx. 2 hours drive). Upon arrival, visit CASEM, a local artists' community. Since 1982, CASEM has flourished from its 8-woman founding to a commune of 140 artisans, 10 of whom are men. Many of the artisans live in the communities surrounding Monteverde. Enjoy the remainder of the day to explore Monteverde on your own Optional: Monteverde Trapiche Tour (PM) Overnight: Monteverde Meals: Breakfast DAY 5, Wednesday - Morning Hiking in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Enjoy an early morning hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the largest and most enchanting animal sanctuaries in the Americas. Visit the Hummingbird Gallery, home to some 30 species of hummingbird, including the Magenta-throated Woodstar. Take the afternoon for some personal exploration. Optional Entrance to Monteverde Sky Tram & Sky Trek is available locally Optional: Monteverde Hanging Bridges Tour (PM) Optional: Dinner in Local Monteverde Restaurant Overnight: Monteverde Meals: Breakfast DAY 6, Thursday - Visit Las Pumas Cat Zoo This morning, drive from Monteverde to Tamarindo in the Guanacaste province. En route, visit Las Pumas Cat Zoo, a reserve for stray and injured jungle cats such as jaguars, ocelots, margays and cougars. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure Overnight: Tamarindo Meals: Breakfast DAY 7, Friday - Full Day in Tamarindo Full day at leisure to enjoy the local facilities and beaches of Tamarindo, known for its immaculate shorelines and excellent surf Optional: Guanacaste Outriggers Tour Optional: Dinner in Local Guanacaste Restaurant Overnight: Tamarindo Meals: Breakfast DAY 8, Saturday - Artisan Town of Sarchi, San Jose City Tour Depart in the morning for San Jose with a stop en route in Sarchi, Costa Rica's most famous artisan town, where traditional colorful oxcarts and souvenirs can be found. Arriving in San Jose, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, driving through the West and Southwest residential districts, downtown San Jose and past the University of Costa Rica Optional: Dinner in San Jose Overnight: San Jose Meals: Breakfast DAY 9, Sunday - Transfer to Tortuguero Depart early this morning for the Caribbean Coast. Drive by the Braulio Carrillo National Park to visit a local banana processing and packaging plant, where you will learn the nature of one of Costa Rica's most important exports. Passengers may opt to take a round trip flight between San Jose and Tortuguero in lieu of the included motor coach transfer for an additional fee. Please note that the Tortuguero Airstrip will be closed until Dec 17 2008 and this optional service will be available starting with the Dec 27th departure. Continue to the nearby port to board a motor launch, which will travel along canals through the heart of the Costa Rican jungle to Tortuguero. Enjoy lunch on arrival, and afterwards, visit the Tortuguero Village and Turtle Museum Overnight: Tortuguero Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 10, Monday - Boat Ride through Canals of Tortuguero This morning, acquaint yourself with the many tree and insect species of Costa Rica on an easy hike through trails in the nearby rainforest. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat tour along the canals, where you are likely to see turtles, caimans, monkeys, and many tropical birds thriving in the wild. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure Overnight: Tortuguero Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 11, Tuesday - Transfer back to San Jose by Motor Launch This morning, travel by motor launch and motor coach to your hotel in San Jose. Passengers who have opted for round trip flights will transfer from the motor launch port to the airport for their flight back to San Jose. Enjoy the balance of the day and evening at leisure Overnight: San Jose Meals: Breakfast DAY 12, Wednesday - Depart for the USA Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast Optionals Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure. Dinner at Local Arenal Restaurant Day #2 01 Nov 2008 - 30 Nov 2009     $24 Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant in Arenal. Penas Blancas Safari Boat Tour Day #3 01 Dec 2008 - 30 Apr 2009     $48 Enjoy the sights and the sounds of the rain forest and experience its peacefulness as you quietly paddle the Peñas Blancas River. A professional bilingual guide will share with you educational and interesting explanations of the plants and animals encountered on the float. Some of the animals may include monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and numerous tropical birds. Equipped with paddle and life jacket, you will truly appreciate the wonders of river and the surrounding rain forest as you glide along the water without a motor, allowing you to hear the sounds of nature and snap perfect photos. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel. Please bring sunscreen, hat, and light clothes Monteverde Trapiche Tour Day #4 01 Dec 2008 - 30 Apr 2009     $29 Visit and learn at El Trapiche (sugar mill), which is located 4km northwest from Santa Elena center in Monteverde. The tour includes a walk through a small forest where occasionally wildlife can be seen, as well as the opportunity to visit the on site establishments. During this guided tour, you will learn about the natural history and the sugar cane process from plant to sugar. At the end of the tour, visitors are invited to take a ride in a real oxen pulled cart from the sugar cane fields to the Trapiche, worked by same oxen. There they will be able to witness how sugar cane juice is produced until brown sugar. Learn also about typical traditions such as wood stove, marimba, "el pilon" among others. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel. Monteverde Hanging Bridges Tour Day #5 01 Dec 2008 - 30 Apr 2009     $28 On the bridges, visitors can easily observe a wide variety of plants, animals, and even insects that are only found in the upper elevations of the forest canopy, all this from a safe and comfortable perspective which the bridges can offer. From these hanging bridges and connecting trails, enjoy and learn about the beauty and complexity of the tropical forest. Pick-up from hotel 30 minutes prior to departure time. Dinner at Local Monteverde Restaurant Day #5 01 Nov 2008 - 30 Nov 2009     $29 Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant in Monteverde. Dinner at Local Guanacaste Restaurant Day #7 01 Nov 2008 - 30 Nov 2009     $34 Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant in Guanacaste. Guanacaste Outriggers Tour Day #7 01 Dec 2008 - 30 Apr 2009     $62 Today, enjoy a unique ocean canoe experience with an expert guide. Your 40-foot canoe utilizes outriggers to provide a stable, comfortable ride. Begin at Pan de Azucar Beach (Sugar Beach), where you will receive a paddle, life jacket, and brief safety talk. Paddling at a casual pace, arrive at one of the destination beaches in roughly half an hour. Enjoy time to swim, snorkel, or comb the beach for shells, followed by a fresh fruit buffet. Lastly, take a nature walk through the forest before going back to the canoe and returning to Pan de Azucar where showers and changing rooms are available. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel. Please bring sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, and a change of clothes Dinner in San Jose Day #8 01 Dec 2008 - 30 Apr 2009     $41 Enjoy a dinner at a restaurant in San Jose. (D) Pick-up from hotel lobby. Details to be advised locally. Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure. Rates & Hotels Click On A Date To Book Online * All Prices are in USD 2008 Land Only Air & Land Dec 27 (Please Call) 1469 1899 2009 Land Only Air & Land Jan 17 1419 1699 Feb 7 1379 1699 Mar 7 1299 1599 Mar 28 1379 1699 Apr 18 1349 2099 *Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, optional tours, Costa Rica departure taxes, tips to local guides, driver and tour manager (see Terms & Conditions). Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers. ▲ San Jose: Plan B Dec 27 departure will be accommodated at the Best Western Irazu Hotel & Casino. ♦ Arenal: Plan A Dec 27 departure will be accommodated at the Magic Mountain; Plan B Dec 27 & Jan 17 departures will be accommodated at the Volcano Lodge. l Monteverde: Plan B Dec 27 departure will be accommodated at the El Establo Hotel. Hotel Plans Plan B - [details]   Hotel El Rodeo Country Inn   San Jose This first class hotel is located in the heart of the bustling Santa Ana/San Antonio de Belen district near to downtown San Jose. [more] Best Western Irazu Hotel & Casino   San Jose This tourist class hotel is conveniently located in the western suburbs of the city. [more] Arenal Springs Hotel   Arenal This tourist class hotel is located near Arenal Volcano National Park, between the village of La Fortuna (4 miles) and Tabacon Hot Springs (1.5 miles). Ideal location for relaxation, comfort, exploration and natural beauty. [more] Volcano Lodge   Arenal This tourist class hotel is located between La Fortuna de San Carlos and the Arenal Lake. [more] Hotel Montana Monteverde   Monteverde This tourist class hotel can be found in the town of Santa Elena, high on the ridge above the coastal plain. It is set beside a farming colony and the Cloud Forest Reserve of Monteverde. [more] El Establo Hotel   Monteverde This first class hotel is famous around the world for its rich flora and fauna, where six different ecological system converge. El Establo is a Quaker / Costa Rican family owned lodge, situated on 150 acres of tropical forest. [more] Tamarindo Diria Beach & Golf Resort   Tamarindo This first class hotel is located on the Northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica. [more] Pachira Lodge   Tortuguero This tourist class hotel is the newest lodge in Tortuguero. Enjoy the floral sensations of the your surroundings, while venturing into the jungle to see a large variety of wildlife. [more] Plan A - [details]   Cariari Doubletree   San Jose This first class hotel is situated on 134 acres of lavishly landscaped grounds. [more] Arenal Kioro   Arenal This first class resort is situated on 27 acres surrounded by two streams and lush tropical gardens. It is located 5 miles northwest of La Fortuna in San Carlos near to Arenal Volcano National Park. Ideal location for relaxation, comfort and exploration [more] Magic Mountain   Arenal This superior tourist class hotel is located near to La Fortuna with easy access to Arenal Volcano and local attractions. [more] El Establo Hotel   Monteverde This first class hotel is famous around the world for its rich flora and fauna, where six different ecological system converge. El Establo is a Quaker / Costa Rican family owned lodge, situated on 150 acres of tropical forest. [more] Tamarindo Diria Beach & Golf Resort   Tamarindo This first class hotel is located on the Northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica. [more] Manatus Hotel   Tortuguero This first class hotel is located in Tortuguero on Costa Ricas Northern Caribbean region near to Tortuguero National Park. [more] Package Date: Select Date   Include Flight? Yes No Inner Air Departure City Departure Date   Return Date   Preferred Airline [Any] Accesrail Aces Airlines Aegean Airlines Aer Lingus Aero California Aerocontinente Aeroflot Russian Airlines Aerolineas Argentinas Aerolineas Internacionales Aeromar Aeromexico Aeropostal Airlines Aerosvit Airlines Afrinat International Airlines Air Alm Air Berlin Air Canada Air Caraibes Air China International Air D'ayiti Air Europa Air France Air India Air Jamaica Air Liberte/Aom Air Malta Air New Zealand Air One Airlines Air Pacific Air Santo Domingo Air Tahiti Nui Air Transat Airtran Airways Alaska Airlines Alitalia Airlines All Nippon Airways Allegro Airlines Aloha Airlines America West Airlines American Airlines American Trans Air Amtrak Asiana Airlines Austrian Airlines Aviacsa Avianca Azteca Airlines Bahamasair Big Sky Airlines British Airways British Midland Airways Bwia Intl Airways Caribbean Star Airlines Caribbean Sun Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways Cayman Airways China Airlines China Eastern Airlines China Southern Airlines Continental Airlines Copa Croatia Airlines Crossair Dba Swiss Csa Czech Airlines Delta Airlines Deutsche Ba DragonAir Airlines Dutch Caribbean Airlines Egyptair El Al Israel Airlines Emirates Era Aviation Ethiopian Airlines Etihad Airways Eva Airways Finnair Oy Frontier Airlines Garuda Indonesian Airways Ghana Airways GOL Linhas Aereas Great Lakes Aviation Great Plains Airlines Gulf Air Hahn Air Hainan Airlines Hawaiian Airlines Iberia Icelandair Indigo Airlines Isair Japan Air Lines Jet Airways JetBlue Airways Klm Royal Dutch Airlines Korean Air Kuwait Airways Lacsa Airlines Lan Argentina Lan Chile Airlines Lanecuador Lanperu Lapa Lin Aer Privadas Liat (1974) Lloyd Aereo Boliviano Lot Polish Airlines Ltu International Airways Lufthansa Airlines Malaysia Airlines System Malev Hungarian Airlines Martinair Holland Meridiana Mesa Air Lines Mexicana Airlines Middle East Airlines Midwest Express Airlines National Airlines North American Airlines Northwest Airlines Olympic Airways Pakistan Intl Airlines Penair Philippine Airlines Pluna Lineas Polynesian Airlines Qantas Airways Qatar Airways Royal Air Maroc Royal Jordanian Airlines Saudi Arabian Airlines Scandinavian Airlines Singapore Airlines SkyEurope Airlines Sn Brussels Airlines Solair South African Airways Southern Winds Southwest Airlines Spanair Spirit Airlines Sun Country Airlines Surinam Airways Swisswings Ag Taca International Airlines Tam Airlines Tam Mercosur Tap Air Portugal Tarom Romanian Air Transport Thai Airways Turkish Airlines Ukraine International Airlines United Airlines Universal Airlines US Airways Varig Airlines Vasp Brazilian Airlines Via Rail Canada Virgin Atlantic Airways Virgin Blue Virgin Express # of Adults # of Children 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -- 1 2 3 Preferred Class Economy Business What is Airfare Type? Gate 1 Travel Airfare - These are Gate 1 Travel fares which allow you to book your trip while paying a minimal deposit at time of booking. Instant Purchase/Published Airfare - These are fares that airlines have published which require payment in full at time of purchase. In some cases, these fares may be displayed as Gate 1 Airfare with Instant Purchase Requirement. To find the lowest available airfare, select [ANY] and you will get results for both kinds of airfare. Each of these fare types has its own set of restrictions which cover changes, cancellations, fuel surcharges, etc. Please refer to our terms and conditions for full details. Airfare Type [Any] Gate 1 Travel Airfare Only Published Airfare Only We are unable to reserve airline seats for you until 11 months prior to your date of travel. Until then, we offer a choice of airfares from major US cities which you may select for your reservation. Your final flight details, airfare, airport taxes and fees will be advised 11 months prior to travel. Airfares are subject to change. Air reservations may be completed no more than 11 months prior to the date of travel. For travel more than 11 months prior, please call Gate 1 at (800) 682-3333. Accommodations Select Number of Rooms   1 2 3 4 Room 1 # of Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 # of Children -- 1 2 3 First Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Second Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Third Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Room 2 # of Adults -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 # of Children -- 1 2 3 First Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11