Essential Costa Rica in 2 Weeks

Welcome to the land of Pura Vida! Your English-speaking guide meets you at the airport and accompanies you to your hotel in the heart of San José. He hands over all your practical tips and travel documents, along with your Positive Footprint Certificate and a wildlife guide booklet.

An early departure for the Tortuguero jungle by shuttle. En route, you cross Braulio Carrillo National Park, an impressive primary forest, before reaching your eco-lodge by boat. Free afternoon to explore the village and tropical forest, or enjoy the lodge facilities.

Today, explore the national park on a boat tour led by a biodiversity expert. Deep in the tropical forest, the spectacle is everywhere: caimans, spider monkeys, multicoloured birds, sloths… Let yourself be enchanted by the tranquillity of the jungle!

Breakfast, then departure from the lodge for a last crossing through the Tortuguero canals. The lodge shuttle takes you to Guápiles for lunch and collection of your 4x4 hire car. In the early afternoon, take the road to Puerto Viejo, a village on the Caribbean coast.

A free day to discover the Puerto Viejo region and its relaxed, Creole-infused atmosphere. On the programme, according to your wishes: discovering Caribbean gastronomy, visiting local communities, cycling, snorkelling, surfing lessons or dolphin watching.

Head for Chilamate and the Sarapiquí river for an eco-lodge stay in the heart of the tropical forest. In this lush nature, walk the hiking trails and observe the rich wildlife and flora. Also on the programme: white-water rafting or a meeting with local farmers.

Join the rural community of Juanilama for a homestay experience: warm hosts who will introduce you to Costa Rican culture, their traditions and their daily lives. In their company, learn to prepare the country's most typical dishes!

Say goodbye to your hosts, then head to La Fortuna at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano, whose near-perfect silhouette dominates the region. With its lush vegetation, magnificent lake and traces of its significant volcanic activity, it is one of the most spectacular sites in the country!

A free day to discover the Arenal Volcano region. A wealth of activities awaits! On the programme: a visit to the national park, hikes along the various volcanic trails, relaxation in the natural hot springs or a spa day.

Today, set off to discover a completely different ecosystem: the Monteverde Cloud Forest, perched at 1,400 m altitude. In this true paradise for nature lovers, you can observe a great many bird species, including hummingbirds and the famous Quetzal!

Discover the high-altitude Monteverde forest at leisure: on foot along the many trails, on suspension bridges at the forest canopy level, or by zip-line above the fern-covered landscape. Also visit the village of Monteverde - founded by Quakers - which is home to a butterfly farm.

Today you leave Monteverde for Manuel Antonio, in the Puntarenas region on the Pacific coast. You stay at a hotel just minutes' walk from the beach and the national park, in direct contact with nature, between forest and ocean. The perfect place to unwind!

Explore Manuel Antonio National Park at your own pace, home to magnificent white-sand beaches in a setting of wild nature. You can observe many friendly animals (coatis, sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys…), hike the park's trails or simply enjoy the beach.

Head to San José to drop off your hire car at the rental agency which provides you shuttle to the airport. You fly back home with a head full of wonderful memories. Safe travels!