Enjoy driving into the country and visiting great destinies in Costa Rica. Paradises like Turrialba, which is a rural countryside zone, a quiet town, but very popular because of its good quality of coffee plantations and sugar cane fields that shows part of their culture. The northern plains of the country in Sarapiqui which are characterized, by fertile lands, which are used to different standing crops of pineapple, yucca, papaya and bananas. In addition, the highlight are the biological reserves and the tropical rain forests that seem as havens for eco-tourism. Also, Boca Tapada, in this natural paradise, you will be able to feel the contact with the nature, as it is home of 135 reptile species, 80 amphibian species, 139 mammals’ species and 515 bird species and it is home of the endangered great Green Macaw. Continue to Celeste River, a natural wonder of Costa Rica. This river obtains its spectacular color from different volcanic minerals. Finally rest at the beautiful and world-famous beaches of Costa Rica, set amidst jungle landscape, as well as the magnificent sunsets, which will create indelible memories in your mind!
Program Summary:
Day 1: San Jose
Day 2: Turrialba
Day 3: Turrialba
Day 4: Sarapiqui
Day 5: Sarapiqui
Day 6: Boca Tapada
Day 7: Boca Tapada
Day 8: Celeste River
Day 9: Celeste River
Day 10: Potrero Beach, Guanacaste
Day 11: Potrero Beach, Guanacaste
Day 12: Potrero Beach, Guanacaste
Day 13: Potrero Beach, Guanacaste
Day 14: San Jose
Day 15: Departure SJO
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: SJO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – SAN JOSE
Upon your arrival at SJO International Airport, a Swiss Travel representative will meet and greet you, and he will provide you with all the necessary documentation you will need during your vacation. Then, you will be transferred to Crowne Plaza Corobicí hotel in San Jose.
Day 2: SAN JOSE – TURRIALBA
Breakfast
Today in the morning at the hotel, you will be provided with a 4×4-car rental vehicle. From this moment, you will continue on your own by driving the car to the different locations set in the program.
This day you will drive to the Turrialba Valley. Turrialba is a rural countryside zone, a quiet town, but very popular because of its good quality of coffee plantations and sugar cane fields that shows part of their culture. Arrive at midday for check in at Villa Florencia hotel and rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure.
Estimated driving time: 1 ¾ hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 5 hours
Places of interest to visit on route: the Virgin of the Angels Basilica, the most important peregrination site for many Catholic believers, Lankester Garden & Irazú Volcano National Park.
Day 3: TURRIALBA
Breakfast
Day at leisure to explore the area. Turrialba Valley is a privileged region with spectacular landscapes including mountains, rivers, lakes and arqueological monuments. Some of attractions are Guayabo Archaeological Monument; as well as hiking and horseback riding tours. This place is also home of Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), a center dedicated to research in agriculture, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
Day 4: TURRIALBA – SARAPIQUI
Breakfast
Today you will be driving to the northern plains of the country, which are characterized, by fertile lands, which are used to different standing crops of pineapple, yucca, papaya and bananas. Once closer to the Sarapiqui area, also the highlight are the biological reserves and the tropical rain forests that seem as havens for eco-tourism, as well as family tourism projects, which offers a different way of using natural resources with a large number of adventure activities.
Registration and lodging process will be done for the next two nights at selected hotel.
Estimated driving time: 2 ¼ hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 4 hours
Places of interest to visit on route: La Selva Biological Station.
Day 5: SARAPIQUI
Breakfast
This day is at leisure to explore on your own the Sarapiqui area; a region full of adventure, natural and cultural activities. In the area, you can learn about some of our agricultural products such as Pineapple, which is considered one of the most finest, and important products all around the country. Besides, you can experience the adrenaline at the top of the trees in the zip line tour or ride a horse while you are observing the beauty of the Rain Forest.
Day 6: SARAPIQUI – BOCA TAPADA
Breakfast
Today after your breakfast, will continue driving towards Boca Tapada where is located one of the most important wetland in Costa Rica, a really paradise for nature lovers. This route offers the experience to pass through different towns such Rio Cuarto and Pital. In addition, along the way you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, which includes amazing views of the mountains and one of the major sources of revenue in the area: the agriculture, so you will have the opportunity according with the season to observe the crops of casaba roots, rice and sugar cane.
The hotel Maquenque Eco Lodge is located just 15 km from the Nicaraguan border and to arrive at the lodge by car, you must cross the San Carlos River in its private ferry.
In this natural paradise, you will be able to feel the contact with the nature, as it is home of 135 reptile species, 80 amphibian species, 139 mammals’ species and 515 bird species and it is home of the endangered great Green Macaw.
Registration for the next two nights at Maquenque Eco Lodge
Estimated driving time: 2 ½ hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 4 hours
Places of interest to visit on route: La Tirimbina Biological Reserve.
Day 7: BOCA TAPADA
Breakfast
This day after breakfast is at your leisure to enjoy the tourist attractions (extra cost) in the lodge, some options are Canoeing, Rainforest walk, birdwatching, river safari, river boat, horseback riding, and night walk tour.
Day 8: BOCA TAPADA – CELESTE RIVER
Breakfast & Dinner
Today you will drive to the Celeste River, located near the Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Undoubtedly, as the name says, Celeste River is a natural wonder of Costa Rica. This river obtains its spectacular color from different volcanic minerals. Local legend says that when God finished painting heaven, he washed the brush in the Rio Celeste! Surely, this will be one of the highlights of your trip to of Costa Rica.
Registration at selected hotel for the next two nights.
Estimated driving time: 4 hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 5 hours
Places of interest to visit on route: Rio Cuarto Lagoon.
Day 9: CELESTE RIVER
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day at your leisure. We recommend getting up early so you walk to Celeste River at mid-morning, and spend approximately 2 hours admiring the imposing waterfall, look-out point and blue lagoon, and exploring the trails that take you to the “Teñideros,” where the river takes its blue color from merging with a small creek. Alternatively, simply you can relax surrounded by the wonderful nature.
Day 10: CELESTE RIVER – POTRERO BEACH, GUANACASTE
Breakfast
This day you will continue driving to Potrero Beach on the North Pacific Coast. This route will provide you with panoramic views of Miravalles Volcano until you reach the Pan-American Highway, where you begin to notice the change of the rainforest into the tropical dry forest that characterizes the entire Guanacaste Province. You will see the beautiful, world-famous beaches of Costa Rica, set amidst jungle landscape, as well as the magnificent sunsets, which will create indelible memories in your mind!
Registration at selected hotel for the next four nights.
Estimated driving time: 2 ½ hours
Estimated driving time with visits: 4 ½ hours
Places of interest to visit on route: Llanos de Cortes Waterfall.
Days 11, 12 & 13: POTRERO BEACH, GUANACASTE
Breakfast
Days at leisure for you to enjoy the hotel facilities and even consider on taking an optional (extra cost) day tour in the area. The region is known for its extensive nature reserves, which house an incredible concentration of flora, fauna and natural beauties. Therefore, there are several reserves, natural attractions and many activities, which can be done from this area.
Some suggestions are Rincon de la Vieja National Park, which holds an active volcano, thermal mud baths, and a variety of forests; or Palo Verde National Park, which is a bird-watchers and nature-lover’s paradise; there are also canopy tours, river rafting, horseback riding, hiking and much more!
Day 14: POTRERO BEACH, GUANACASTE – SAN JOSE
Breakfast
Today drive back to San Jose. You will be staying the last night of the program at your selected hotel in San Jose where you will return the car. Estimated driving time: 4 hours
Day 15: SAN JOSE – SJO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Breakfast
After an unforgettable visit to Costa Rica, we have scheduled a transfer from your selected hotel in San Jose to SJO International Airport to board your flight back home.
END OF SERVICES
Details of Hotels
| Location | Hotel Name | Category | Type of Room | CST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San José | Crowne Plaza Corobicí | 4 Stars | Deluxe | 5 |
| Turrialba | Villa Florencia | 4 Stars | Standard | 5 |
| Sarapiqui | La Quinta de Sarapiqui | 3 Stars | Superior | 5 |
| Boca Tapada | Maquenque Eco Lodge | Lodge | Bungalow Standard | 4 |
| Rio Celeste | Celeste Mountain | 3 Stars | Standard | N/A |
| Potrero Beach | Bahía del Sol | 4 Stars | Standard | 5 |