Costa Rica - Wildlife, Arenal & Tamarindo - Solo Traveller

Set off on your holiday, to San Jose, Costa Rica.

We have arrived! We meet our guide at San Jose Airport and transfer to our hotel where we will spend the night.
 

Let's start the day very early as we set off on our shared coach transfer to Tortuguero National Park (136km). Along the way we stop for breakfast in Guápiles before continuing to the river port for Tortuguero.  At the port we board our boat and enjoy a scenic  journey through the park's tranquil canals, surrounded by lush rainforest and abundant wildlife. Sit back and relax and take in the natural beauty of this unique part of Costa Rica. 

We arrive at our hotel in the afternoon, in time for lunch. 

We will spend the next two nights in Tortuguero, on the Caribbean Coast, surrounded by nature, sit back, relax and soak up the sounds of nature.

Later this afternoon, we visit the charming village of Tortuguero and soak up its relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. Together, we'll explore the Caribbean Turtle Conservation Centre, where you'll learn about the endangered sea turtles that return to Tortuguero's beaches each year to nest. Discover the important conservation work helping to protect these remarkable creatures and preserve their natural habitat. Afterwards, we return to our hotel, where the rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the your surroundings.

Please note: 
For your stay in Tortuguero, the transfers and excursions will be shared, and  will not be a private Travel Department tour. All excursions will be organised locally and are subject to change due to local weather conditions.

Breakfast, Lunch and dinner are included today.
 

After breakfast, enjoy a locally guided nature walk along the lodge's rainforest trails, where you'll have the opportunity to spot colourful birdlife, monkeys and other rainforest wildlife before returning to the lodge for lunch.

This afternoon, discover the waterways of Tortuguero National Park on a guided boat safari through its network of jungle canals. Accessible only by boat, this remarkable protected rainforest is one of Costa Rica's most important wildlife reserves and the largest nesting site for green sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere. As you cruise through the tranquil waterways, keep watch for monkeys, sloths, caimans, turtles and a variety of tropical birds, while your expert guide shares insights into this extraordinary rainforest ecosystem.

Later we return to our hotel and relax for the rest of the evening.

Breakfast, Lunch and dinner are included
 

After an early breakfast, we bid farewell to Tortuguero and travel by boat through the park's tranquil waterways before continuing by coach towards the Arenal region (152km). Along the way, we enjoy ever-changing scenery, from lush rainforest and winding rivers to fertile farmland and picturesque rural villages, before stopping at a local restaurant for lunch. 

After we set off to our next destination, Arenal by private coach with our guide.

Next, we discover one of Costa Rica's greatest treasures – its world-renowned coffee. On our guided sustainable coffee tour, we discover the journey from seed to cup, learn about the country's rich coffee-growing heritage and the iconic La Carreta. Revel in the taste of freshly brewed coffee and traditional sugarcane juice. Next, we take a leisurely walk through the forest, with beautiful views across the Sarapiquí River Canyon.  After, we continue onwards by coach to our hotel in the Arenal region, where we stay for the next three nights. 

We have arrived, let’s settle in, unpack and relax for the rest of our afternoon, soak up our new surroundings. 

Lunch and dinner are included today.
 

This morning we discover Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity at Mistico Park with an exhilarating walk across renowned hanging bridges. Take in the beauty of Mistico Park, where these bridges offer a unique perspective of the rainforest’s diverse layers- from treetops to the forest floor.  Keep an eye out for a variety of birds, mammals, butterflies and other wildlife in this rich biodiverse corridor.

The hanging bridges trail is approximately 1.5km in length, with 6 fixed bridges and optional 2 hanging bridges and is graded as an easy walk with a low degree of effort.

After our journey through the rainforest we return to our hotel and enjoy some free time at leisure to relax and unwind.

This evening, we journey to local Hot Springs, where we indulge in a soothing soak in natural mineral waters, set in a lush tropical background. Unwind and absorb the rejuvenating benefits of the thermal waters.  

After our soak we get together for dinner (included). 

Later we transfer back to our hotel and relax for the evening

Today, you have the freedom to explore your surroundings or take a moment to pause and relax.

For those wildlife enthusiasts take the opportunity of an optional excursion to the Cano Nego Wildlife Reserve, renowned as one of Costa Rica's prime spots for birdwatching and wildlife observation. Home to sloths, monkeys, caimans, bats, and a myriad of tropical plants, this reserve is dedicated to preserving wetlands and boasts diverse zoological groups. Glide silently on a boat, immersing yourself in the rich flora and fauna, and keep an eye out for the elusive sloths, playful monkeys, and stealthy bats expertly camouflaged in the trees. Lunch is included on this excursion.

This is pre bookable, and subject to minimum numbers, and may not be a private Travel Department tour.
 

Join us this evening for a return transfer into La Fortuna. We have free time to explore and enjoy dinner (not included).

Timings will be advised locally.
 

Today we leave Arenal behind and journey by coach to the Pacific coast and the beach town of Tamarindo in Costa Rica's Guanacaste region approximately 240km. Sit back and enjoy the changing landscapes as lush rainforest gradually gives way to rolling hills, open cattle ranches, tropical dry forest and scenic countryside, offering a glimpse into rural Costa Rican life.

We arrive in Tamarindo in the early evening.  Let's settle in and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this Pacific coastal destination.

The next two days are yours to enjoy at leisure. Relax on Tamarindo's golden beach, explore the local shops, cafés and beachfront restaurants, or discover one of the nearby Pacific beaches. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the coast and in the surrounding trees, where you may spot iguanas, tropical birds and, if you're lucky, howler monkeys.  However you choose to spend your time, these days are yours to enjoy at your own pace.

This morning we depart Tamarindo and journey by coach to San José 250 km , with comfort stops along the way. As we leave the Pacific coast behind, enjoy views of rolling countryside and the lush mountain landscapes of Costa Rica's Central Highlands.

We arrive in San José this evening and check into our hotel for an overnight stay.

Today we say farewell to our journey through some of the highlights of Costa Rica. We depart for San Jose airport for our flights home.