Livin’ la Pura Vida! This philosophy of the pure life in Costa Rica is also a common greeting you’ll hear on your Globus Independent 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 amphibian and reptile species. Land in Guanacaste to laze and gaze upon the beautiful beaches of the North Pacific. Add a dose of free time to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and cuisine in San José, and you’re living your best life, indeed! Treat yourself to a tour that is exclusively yours with free time, me time, and optional adventures that speak to your independent spirit!
Your Globus Independent tour gives you the freedom to explore as you please with all the perks you'd expect from the expert travel planners at Globus. We take care of the details with included accommodations, daily breakfasts, select guided sightseeing, transportation, transfers between each tour city, and a knowledgeable Local Host in San Jose to assist you upon request. We’ll also handle flight arrangements and airport transfers at the beginning and end of your tour if you wish!
Notes: •This is an Independent tour with shared transportation between locations. Though there is no Tour Director, Local Guide service is provided in San José and a Naturalist in Tortuguero. •Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary to include transfers by land and boat to Tortuguero on day 2, transport by car and boat from Tortuguero to Guapiles and then continue to Arenal on day 4, and transfer by land to Guanacaste for the next three nights on day 8.
Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. Information about tomorrow’s adventure will be provided by a Globus representative
Day 2 SAN JOSÉ–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 Caño 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) BreakfastLunchDinner
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)
INSIDER PICKS
Between guided excursions, relax by the pool or take a siesta! BreakfastLunchDinner
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) BreakfastDinner
Day 5 ARENAL
• Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion.
(B)
INSIDER PICKS
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 Breakfast
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) Breakfast
Day 7 MONTEVERDE
• Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like.
(B)
INSIDER PICKS
Awaken early to visit the eye-opening beauty of Santa Elena Cloud Forest for the best chance to observe 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 creates 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 Breakfast
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)
INSIDER PICKS
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 relaxing on the beach and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean Breakfast
Day 9 GUANACASTE
• Enjoy a free day.
(B)
INSIDER PICKS
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 Breakfast
Day 10 GUANACASTE
• Enjoy a free day.
(B)
INSIDER PICKS
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 Breakfast
Day 11 GUANACASTE
• Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
(B)
Accommodations
San Jose
Tortuguero
Arenal
Monteverde
Guanacaste
Doubletree Cariari Superior First-Class
San Antonio de Belen San Jose Costa Rica
This sustainable Costa Rica hotel is typical of San Jose colonial hacienda architecture and offers spacious, comfortable guestrooms and suites with the latest amenities. Enjoy total convenience in its location, personalized services, delicious cuisine, and facilities like the pool and fitness center. Let the friendly staff help you relax while catering to your needs and helping you see all that Costa Rica has to offer.
Evergreen Lodge First-Class
Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero Costa Rica
Built in respect of its surrounding nature, the Evergreen Lodge provides travelers with absolute comfort, great food, and most importantly, an unobstructed experience with nature. A beautiful dining room with soaring ceilings provides first class meals in an atmosphere that reflects and compliments the jungle paradise surrounding it, and friendly staff welcome you to this magical place called Tortuguero.
Lomas del Volcan Moderate First-Class
4 KM NW of Fortuna Arenal Costa Rica
Lomas del Volcan is a warm mountain hotel that maintains it's rustic style with wood cabins, each with 2 decks offering views of the Arenal Volcano and the tropical forest.
El Establo Mountain Lodge First-Class
San Pedro Monteverde Costa Rica
Set on a private 150-acre farm adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve, El Establo Mountain Lodge offers guests a home base of relaxation and activity. Amenities include tennis, basketball, and soccer courts, two indoor pools, two restaurants, two bars, gym, and spa.
Wyndham Tamarindo First-Class
200m al E y 800m al N del Bco Ncal Tamarindo & #8194 Tamarindo Costa Rica
At the Esplendor Hotel Tamarindo, natural beauty and sophistication converge to create a peaceful and inviting home away from home. With endless views of the Pacific ocean, guests will leave feeling relaxed and reenergized.