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Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

from US $ 2,665.00

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COSTA RICA’S CARIBBEAN COAST

IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE COSTA RICA TOURS!

PRIVATE TOUR – FULLY GUIDED IN ENGLISH

Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast is definitely worth checking out. The word ‘Caribbean’ immediately fills our head with images of isolated, gorgeous beaches with turquoise water and wild greenery. In Costa Rica, the region of the country dominated by the Caribbean climate offers far more than that. A couple of examples are watching wild animals in the Tortuguero National Park’s network of jungle canals that flow into the Caribbean Sea, or getting up close and personal with nature in the Talamanca mountain range.

Last but not least are the picturesque towns and landscapes of the Irazú and Turrialba volcanoes, where you can discover the cultural roots of the “Ticos”. We also provide an informative view into CATIE, the famous tropical agricultural university, and a visit to the most important archaeological site in the country, the Guayabo monument.

A day relaxing on the beaches of Cahuita National Park near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, is also a must, of course.

As an added bonus for visitors during the months of July to September, it is possible to observe sea turtles laying eggs. This is a complete Caribbean adventure and so much more!

From/To

Tour start & end: San Jose International airport (SJO)

Hotels

Palma Real Hotel & Casino ***, Standard Room – San Jose, 1 night
Mawamba Lodge ***, Standard Room – Tortuguero, 2 nights
Selva Bananito Lodge **(*), Superior Room – Cahuita, 2 nights
Casa Turire ****, Standard Room – Turrialba, 2 nights

TOUR MAP

OF COSTA RICA’S CARIBBEAN COAST

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1

SAN JOSE – TRANSFER IN (-)

Individual arrival at the international airport of San Jose (SJO). Reception and organized transfer to your hotel in the city center. Your Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast tour starts tomorrow morning.

DAY 2

SAN JOSE – TORTUGUERO (B/L/D)

Early in the morning, you will be picked up at your city hotel. Through the Braulio Carrillo National Park, you will be taken into the Caribbean lowlands. A further 1.5-hour transfer takes you to the pier of La Pavona where you go onboard a boat. After your lunch at the Mawamba Lodge, you will visit the colorful village of Tortuguero. After your return, there is time to explore the wildlife on the trails or enjoy the pool.

DAY 3

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK (B/L/D)

Today, your guide will take you on a boat tour through the narrow canals. With a bit of luck, you will see crocodiles, monkeys, turtles, sloths, bats, iguanas, and lots of birds. Later, a walk in the hotel’s reserve is on your schedule and in the afternoon, another boat tour awaits you. From July to Sept, you can book an optional night tour to the beach where the endangered Green Sea Turtles lay their eggs in the sand.

DAY 4

TORTUGUERO – SELVA BANANITO (B/L/D)

The boat ride back to La Pavona/Caño Blanco provides another chance to observe the diversity of the local flora and fauna. The next leg of the journey will take you to the harbor town of Limón. The town of Bananito is about 40 minutes from Limón. Here, a 4×4 vehicle from the Selva Bananito Lodge will pick you up. The purpose of today’s voyage is to disconnect completely from civilization in order to dive deeper into the natural surroundings. Electricity, provided by solar panels, is only available in emergencies at the Selva Bananito Lodge. Enjoy the candlelight, accompanied by the sonic panorama of the jungle.

DAY 5

SELVA BANANITO LODGE (B/L/D)

The Selva Bananito Lodge’s protected area is a paradise for outdoor activities. You will begin the day with a birdwatching tour. The variety of birds that can be seen here is simply astounding. Toucans, yellowbirds, quetzals, and kingfishers are just some of the over 300 species that call the Selva Bananito protected area their home. After breakfast, a guided nature hike will take you on a narrow trail through old-growth forests, along small brooks, and through the open landscapes of the Mochila Mountains. In the afternoon, you will have the choice of another optional activity or to relax and enjoy yourself.

DAY 6

SELVA BANANITO – CAHUITA NP – TURRIALBA (B)

After breakfast, a 4×4 will take you back to Bananito where the bus will be waiting. We will be spending the day in Cahuita National Park on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The park contains about one hectare of rainforest, some of which extend directly to the sea. But there are also lovely, mostly isolated, beaches. If you are lucky, you will be able to see various wild animals on the trails of this paradise, such as capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, and raccoons. In the afternoon, you will travel back inland through the agricultural region of the Irazú and Turrialba volcanoes. In the village of La Suiza, you will stay in the beautiful Hotel Casa Turire.

DAY 7

TURRIALBA (B/D)

In the immediate vicinity of the hotel is the CATIE Agricultural University, which has an excellent reputation that extends far beyond Costa Rica’s borders. Your guide will take you for a walk through the extensive campus and its exotic botanical garden.
In the afternoon, you will have the option of a highly recommended excursion through the farms around Casa Turire. Or if you prefer, you can jump into the cool and crystal-clear waters of the Pejibaye River and participate in a category I-II rafting tour. It offers both rapids and peaceful moments. In the evening, you will be treated to more Costa Rican cooking with a cooking workshop in Doña Mónica’s wood-fired kitchen.

DAY 8

TURRIALBA – GUAYABO MONUMENT – SAN JOSE (B)

On your way back to the capital San Jose we will stop at the Guayabo Monument, Costa Rica’s most important archaeological excavation. You will learn more about the lives of the thousand settlers who lived in the area from the 1st century BC to 15th century AD. Fascinating relics will leave you enchanted by this place which is surrounded by tropical rainforests. After your tour, you will head through the picturesque towns of Santa Cruz and Pacayas and back to San José. You will also pass through Cartago, the former capital city of Costa Rica. Our Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast tour ends back in the capital of San Jose in the afternoon. Time to say goodbye!

DAY 8

TURRIALBA – GUAYABO MONUMENT – SAN JOSE (B)

On your way back to the capital San Jose we will stop at the Guayabo Monument, Costa Rica’s most important archaeological excavation. You will learn more about the lives of the thousand settlers who lived in the area from the 1st century BC to 15th century AD. Fascinating relics will leave you enchanted by this place which is surrounded by tropical rainforests. After your tour, you will head through the picturesque towns of Santa Cruz and Pacayas and back to San José. You will also pass through Cartago, the former capital city of Costa Rica. Our Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast tour ends back in the capital of San Jose in the afternoon. Time to say goodbye or add an extension!

Price: from US $ 2,665.00 per person in a double room

Included services

Transportation as per description by car, minibus, bus, or boat
Overnight stays at the indicated hotels or similar in rooms with private bathroom
Meals as per description (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
English-speaking guide
All entrance fees as per description

Not included

International airfare to/from San Jose (SJO)
Voluntary tips
Airport departure tax SJO, currently US$ 29 per person

All our tours are fully customizable. Have more time and want to stay a few more days in the Caribbean? We have beautiful properties near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica! Or add a few days in nearby Bocas del Toro, Panama. Contact us for a free quote.