DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

Meals

Breakfast: 10 Lunch: 2 Dinner: 3

Transport

Travel by coach or private car

Accommodation

Superior to Superior First-Class with private bath or shower. Includes hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges

HighLights

Barrio Amon
Wildlife

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
DAY 2: SAN JOSE-TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Early this morning, travel east to the northern Caribbean's lowlands. In the first part of the trip, admire beautiful evergreen mountains and beautiful landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Once on the Caribbean side, continue to the Cano Blanco Dock, where you will board a boat to take you to Tortuguero National Park. Take a boat ride through the canals sheltered in the jungle of the rainforest. From the boat you will be able to admire the unique flora and fauna of this area. Upon arrival at your hotel there will be a short briefing followed by lunch. In the afternoon, visit the village of Tortuguero, where you learn the lifestyle of local residents and the significant conservation efforts developed to protect the sea turtles that come to spawn each year along the 22 miles of nearby protected coastline. (B,L,D)
DAY 3: TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
This morning, your guide accompanies you on a leisurely boat ride along remote, unspoiled sections of the park's waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caimans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. Later, 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. Later this afternoon, meet a local Naturalist for an informative presentation on the ecology of the area. (B,L,D) Today's I-Time Tips Between guided excursions, relax by the pool or take a siesta!
DAY 4: TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK-ARENAL
Today, transfer by boat and car to the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Settle in and experience the magic of your resort. This afternoon, visit the famous hot springs the area is known for and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the hot springs. (B,D)
DAY 5: ARENAL
Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion. (B) Today's I-Time Tips Perhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird's-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest's wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.
DAY 6: ARENAL-MONTEVERDE
This morning, your transfer begins with a short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. This evening, venture into Monteverde's Cloud Forest just before nightfall with an expert Naturalist for a guided nature walk to search for the jungle's nocturnal creatures, like sloths, foxes, agoutis, frogs, and many more! (B)
DAY 7: MONTEVERDE
Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like. (B) Today's I-Time Tips Maybe wake up early and visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest to best experience the animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also, notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors create temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family's farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.
DAY 8: MONTEVERDE- GUANACASTE
Journey to the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. This part of the North Pacific region of Coast Rica offers hundreds of unspoiled beaches lining the shores, but Guanacaste is surprisingly far from being a traditional beach destination. (B) Today's I-Time Tips During your time here, you may choose a rainforest canopy tour, river rafting or a float trip down the Corobici River. Consider horseback riding or fishing, or relax on the beach and snorkel in the Pacific Ocean.
DAY 9: GUANACASTE
Enjoy a free day. (B) Today's I-Time Tips Perhaps opt for a guided visit to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, known as Costa Rica's Yellowstone, to explore the steamy sulfur water ponds and pungent fumaroles that punctuate this jungle, home to toucans, monkeys, and many other animals. Or, take a leisurely boat cruise through Palo Verde National Park, composed of tropical dry forest and mangroves, and admire scores of birds, caimans, and iguanas along the way.
DAY 10: GUANACASTE
Enjoy a free day. (B) Today's I-Time Tips Why not choose a total adrenaline rush for today's adventure on a zip line tour?! The zip line system consists of a network of suspended cables up in the treetop canopy that go from one platform to another and that will let you zip from tree to tree.
DAY 11: GUANACASTE
Your holiday ends after breakfast this morning. (B)

Map

Earn from 3,629 Qantas Points pp~

BookDates & Prices

Livin’ la Pura Vida! This philosophy of the pure life in Costa Rica is also a common greeting you’ll hear on your Independence by Globus tour. From the mind-blowing lava trails and soul-soothing thermal springs of the Arenal Volcano region to the lush tropical forests in the clouds of Monteverde, you’ll encounter pure nature of Costa Rica’s rich and resplendent flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. Explore Tortuguero National Park to navigate the pristine waterways where turtles nest amid nature at its best. Put your head in the clouds in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, some 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. Land in Guanacaste to laze and gaze upon the beautiful beaches of the North Pacific. Add a dose of I-time to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and cuisine in San José, and you’re living your best life, indeed!

Traveller Notes
- Transportation: As outlined in the day-by-day itinerary
- On day 2, guests will transfer by land and boat to Tortuguero.
- On day 4, guests will return by car and boat from Tortuguero to Guapiles and then continue on to Arenal.
- On day 8, guests will transfer by land to Guanacaste for the next three nights.
- Some transportation segments may be shared with other travellers.
- Guides: In San José; Naturalist in Tortuguero

Map

Leisurely On the go

I want to travel in

2025

2026

Days

Country

Costa Rica

Meals

10breakfasts;

2lunches;

3dinners;

Transport

Travel by coach or private car

Accommodation

Superior to Superior First-Class with private bath or shower. Includes hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges

Tour Code

ILA4

Tour Style

Independence by Globus

~Each person on the booking will earn 1 point per $1 spent on their portion of the booking.

Highlights

Barrio Amon

Wildlife

Itinerary

EXPAND ALL DAYS

Day 1

ARRIVE IN SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA

Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 0, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 2

SAN JOSE-TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

Early this morning, travel east to the northern Caribbean's lowlands. In the first part of the trip, admire beautiful evergreen mountains and beautiful landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Once on the Caribbean side, continue to the Cano Blanco Dock, where you will board a boat to take you to Tortuguero National Park. Take a boat ride through the canals sheltered in the jungle of the rainforest. From the boat you will be able to admire the unique flora and fauna of this area. Upon arrival at your hotel there will be a short briefing followed by lunch. In the afternoon, visit the village of Tortuguero, where you learn the lifestyle of local residents and the significant conservation efforts developed to protect the sea turtles that come to spawn each year along the 22 miles of nearby protected coastline. (B,L,D)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 3

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

This morning, your guide accompanies you on a leisurely boat ride along remote, unspoiled sections of the park's waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caimans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. Later, 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. Later this afternoon, meet a local Naturalist for an informative presentation on the ecology of the area. (B,L,D) Today's I-Time Tips Between guided excursions, relax by the pool or take a siesta!

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 4

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK-ARENAL

Today, transfer by boat and car to the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Settle in and experience the magic of your resort. This afternoon, visit the famous hot springs the area is known for and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the hot springs. (B,D)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 1

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 5

ARENAL

Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion. (B) Today's I-Time Tips Perhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird's-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest's wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 6

ARENAL-MONTEVERDE

This morning, your transfer begins with a short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. This evening, venture into Monteverde's Cloud Forest just before nightfall with an expert Naturalist for a guided nature walk to search for the jungle's nocturnal creatures, like sloths, foxes, agoutis, frogs, and many more! (B)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 7

MONTEVERDE

Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like. (B) Today's I-Time Tips Maybe wake up early and visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest to best experience the animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also, notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors create temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family's farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 8

MONTEVERDE- GUANACASTE

Journey to the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. This part of the North Pacific region of Coast Rica offers hundreds of unspoiled beaches lining the shores, but Guanacaste is surprisingly far from being a traditional beach destination. (B) Today's I-Time Tips During your time here, you may choose a rainforest canopy tour, river rafting or a float trip down the Corobici River. Consider horseback riding or fishing, or relax on the beach and snorkel in the Pacific Ocean.

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 9

GUANACASTE

Enjoy a free day. (B) Today's I-Time Tips Perhaps opt for a guided visit to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, known as Costa Rica's Yellowstone, to explore the steamy sulfur water ponds and pungent fumaroles that punctuate this jungle, home to toucans, monkeys, and many other animals. Or, take a leisurely boat cruise through Palo Verde National Park, composed of tropical dry forest and mangroves, and admire scores of birds, caimans, and iguanas along the way.

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 10

GUANACASTE

Enjoy a free day. (B) Today's I-Time Tips Why not choose a total adrenaline rush for today's adventure on a zip line tour?! The zip line system consists of a network of suspended cables up in the treetop canopy that go from one platform to another and that will let you zip from tree to tree.

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

ACCOMMODATION *

No accommodation info at this time.

SHOW

Day 11

GUANACASTE

Your holiday ends after breakfast this morning. (B)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

SHOW

TRIP ACCOMMODATION & OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

The displayed price is a guide only. You will be able to book most excursions within MyAccount up to 4 days prior to excursion date, where the exact price will be displayed. For Australia and New Zealand tours, optional excursions can be booked on tour with the Tour Director. All excursions are subject to availability.

Personalise your trip

Available extensions (3)

Start trip: San Jose

End trip: San Jose

Start trip: +2 days in San Jose

End trip: San Jose

Extend your holiday with a 2-night stay in Tortuguero National Park (ILA2)

Start trip: +2 days in San Jose

End trip: Guanacaste

Extend your holiday with a 3-night stay in Guanacaste (ILA3)

Start trip: +4 days in San Jose

End trip: Guanacaste

Extend your holiday with overnights in Tortuguero National Park & Guanacaste (ILA4)

Tour directors

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. We’d like you to meet a Tour Director who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your tour.

Avila, Jorge

Born in San José, I developed an interest in knowing the different attractions, customs and traditions across beautiful Costa Rica. I have always enjoyed at the fullest what I do, so I share my passion with everyone. I like making new friends, being helpful, leading groups, sharing my knowledge of my home country, and always having a smile for people around me.

Map

Leisurely On the go

I want to travel in

2025

2026

Days

Country

Costa Rica

Meals

10breakfasts;

2lunches;

3dinners;

Transport

Travel by coach or private car

Accommodation

Superior to Superior First-Class with private bath or shower. Includes hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges

Tour Code

ILA4

Tour Style

Independence by Globus

~Each person on the booking will earn 1 point per $1 spent on their portion of the booking.

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Highlights

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Before You Book

Before You Travel

Meet Globus

Get Inspired

Independent Costa Rica Wonders With Tortuguero & Guanacaste

Earn from 3,629 Qantas Points pp~

Map

Itinerary

ARRIVE IN SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

SAN JOSE-TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK-ARENAL

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

ARENAL

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

ARENAL-MONTEVERDE

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

MONTEVERDE

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

MONTEVERDE- GUANACASTE

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

GUANACASTE

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

GUANACASTE

INCLUDED MEALS

ACCOMMODATION *

GUANACASTE

INCLUDED MEALS

TRIP ACCOMMODATION & OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

Personalise your trip

Available extensions (3)

Tour directors

Avila, Jorge

Map

Next Section

Highlights