Costa Rica: Tortuguero, La Fortuna & Rio Celeste

Feel the warm air hit your face as you step out of the plane in Costa Rica. Fall into the pace of the traffic and beeping car horns as you take in the sights and sounds of this vibrant Central American country en route to the city centre. We welcome you to San José, and while technically not quite in the jungle just yet, we invite you to embrace all of the new and exciting things that await. Arrive to Costa Rica at any time and transfer to the hotel. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. Afterwards, head to a nearby restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner with new friends.

Included Experiences

• Arrival Transfer: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

See the landscape dramatically change as you head out of the city and through the lush Braulio Carrillo National Park en route to the coast. Before long you'll be gliding through the canals of Tortuguero in a kayak, keeping a lookout for tropical birds, reptiles and monkeys that call this place home. Settle into the comfortable lodge for the night and fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle. Travel by minibus and boat from San José to Tortuguero National Park. After lunch, take the first of 2 kayaking excursions to the nearby canals to spot wildlife.

Included Experiences

• Boat: Sit back and relax as you travel by boat from La Pavona to the lodge in Tortuguero.
• Free Time: Spend a free evening relaxing before dinner at the lodge. Enjoy the various amenities on the property.
• Guided Kayak Excursion: Grab a paddle and prepare to witness a parade of tropical birds, reptiles, and mammals as you kayak through the black water canals of Tortuguero. Scan the trees for toucans, watch the shores for caimans, otters, iguanas, frogs, and look up to see monkeys sharing space with sloths. Bring your binoculars and bug spray. Be prepared for hot, humid, and possibly wet weather.

Wake early and prepare for more exploration of Tortuguero's waterways to spot wildlife. Catch the light glinting off of a Morpho butterfly's blazing blue wings as you paddle along the canals and listen to the calls of the forest. In the evening, you could take an excursion to visit the nesting grounds of green and leatherback turtles for which the national park was named, and perhaps spot the females laying eggs on the beach (seasonal, July to October). Take an optional morning boat safari to spot wildlife at dawn when things are most active. After breakfast head out again by kayak to explore some of the secondary canals and waterways. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to visit the nearby town or to relax by the pool.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: The afternoon is free for optional activities in the area or to take advantage of the amenities at the lodge. Later in the evening opt to visit a turtle nesting ground (seasonal, July to October).
• Tortuguero Morning Kayaking Excursion: Hop back into a kayak and set off onto the calm morning waters to explore some secondary canals and waterways in the national park. Try to spot wildlife like, tropical birds, reptiles, and mammals as the sun warms the day. Keep watch for toucans, monkeys and sloths in the canopy above you as you glide through the water.

Optional Experiences

• Tortuguero National Park Guided Boat Tour: Hop on board, kick back, and prepare to witness a parade of tropical birds, reptiles, and mammals as we motor through the black water canals of the Tortuguero NP. Scan the trees for toucans, watch the shores for caimans, otters, iguanas and frogs, and look up to see monkeys sharing space with sloths. Bring your binoculars and bug spray. Be prepared for hot, humid, and possibly wet weather.
• Turtle Nesting Night Excursion (Seasonal): Head out at night to visit the nesting grounds of the green and leatherback turtles (seasonal) on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park. Learn about the turtles' nesting process and hopefully see females lay eggs, during this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.

Leaving the coast behind, we'll head inland with a stop at a G Adventures-supported coffee cooperative along the way. Learn all about how coffee is harvested and produced as you sip a delicious cup of one of Costa Rica's most tasty indulgences. Stretch your legs and soak in the scenery on a walk to a nearby waterfall before a typical lunch and then continue onwards towards the iconic and active Arenal Volcano, unmissable in the distance as you approach. Travel by boat and bus from Arenal to La Fortuna with a stop en route at a coffee cooperative. Arrive to La Fortuna in the late afternoon and enjoy a free evening to choose from one of the many great restaurants or join the CEO at their local favourite.

Included Experiences

• Boat: Climb aboard and get your float on.
• Mi Cafecito Coffee Tour: Find out where your cup of java comes from. Visit the Mi Cafecito coffee cooperative in San Miguel de Sarapiqui, see shade-grown coffee plants, learn about everything from harvesting, to husking, drying, and roasting the beans before enjoying the best part – a fresh cup! Before lunch set out on a short hike short hike near Mi Cafecito to a waterfall. Enjoy a typical lunch of plantains, beans, and freshly caught tilapia fish. Feel good about all this eating and drinking knowing that you are supporting a G Adventures for Good project that helps 200 farmers and their families.

Today is all about you. Fly through the lush forest canopy on a series of zip-lines and platforms or go on a canyoning excursion, rappelling down waterfalls and swimming in the refreshing pools. Whichever option you choose, your muscles will appreciate a soak in the restorative thermal springs and waterfalls of Tabacón Resort, a luxurious and relaxing way to spend the evening. Choose from either zip-lining or canyoning in the morning with an included lunch afterwards. Free afternoon to relax or head to Tabacón hot springs early with the day pass and have dinner at the resort before returning to the hotel.

Included Experiences

• Ziplining or Waterfall Canyoning: Option 1: Soar through the lush jungle forest on ziplines and enjoy the views from the canopy. Option 2: Go canyoning and rappel down the sides of waterfalls and swim in the cool, refreshing pools. Both excursions will last 4 hours and begin and end at the hotel in La Fortuna.
• Free Time: Enjoy a free afternoon and evening at the hotel in La Fortuna. Relax or find some hot springs to soak in and let the day pass luxuriously.
• Tabacón Hot Springs Resort and Dinner: Indulge yourself and soak those weary muscles in Costa Rica's largest network of naturally flowing thermal springs surrounded by beautiful gardens. Move from pool to pool of varying temperatures and with cascading waterfalls and get revitalized with the mineral water, naturally heated by the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a delicious dinner before returning to the hotel.

Start the morning high up in the forest canopy, strolling a series of hanging bridges and witnessing the environment come alive from the treetops to the rainforest floor below. See Costa Rica's incredible diversity on full display and keep your eyes out for colourful toucans, hummingbirds and other residents of this lush magical natural world. Visit the hanging bridges en route to Rio Celeste, arriving in time for lunch. Free afternoon to relax or to do optional activities from the hotel before dinner.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Spend a free afternoon on your own at the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel. Walk the trails around the property or lounge by the pool in serene surroundings.
• Mistico Hanging Bridges Visit: Travel to the Mistico Hanging Bridges complex and try to spot wildlife from the canopy. Walk along the bridges during a 2.5 hour guided tour of the complex before continuing on to Rio Celeste. The drive from the hotel in La Fortuna to this spot is 30 minutes by private vehicle.

Local legend has it that when God was finished painting the sky, the brush used was washed in the river of Volcán Tenorio National Park. Hike through the rainforest along jungle trails, keeping an eye out for birds and wildlife before reaching the spectacular blue waterfall of Rio Celeste. Transfer to the entrance of Volcán Tenorio National Park and hike to Rio Celeste Waterfall. Free afternoon for optional activities from the hotel before a farewell dinner in the evening.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Travel 15 minutes back to your hotel in Rio Celeste and enjoy a free afternoon for optional activities like, tubing or horseback riding.
• Hike to Rio Celeste Waterfall: North of Lake Arenal lies another spectacular protected area called Volcán Tenorio National Park. We'll set off on foot from the main entrance and hike along jungle trails and down a series of stairways to the brilliantly blue Rio Celeste Waterfall. Take in the scenery and watch for wildlife like monkeys and birds in the canopy above before hiking out on the same trail.

Optional Experiences

• Tubing down the Rio Celeste: Choose to spend time floating down one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. Enjoy the mild temperatures of Rio Celeste, pass through rapids and soak in the lush green of the tropical rainforest surrounding you on your float down river. The rapids are considered Class I and II.
• Horseback Riding: Grab the reins and choose between three different horseback riding options from the hotel. First is the mountain view ride, passing through the mountains with breathtaking views of the nearby volcanoes and Lake Nicaragua. The second option is the Rio Celeste, which includes a horse-trail down to the majestic river where you can enjoy refreshing swim in the glowing mineralized waters. Finally, the third option is the basic, which includes an abundance of fresh air and exploring the grounds of a local farm on horseback.

Today your adventure comes to an end, but the memories made during your time in Costa Rica will live on. Travel by minibus from Rio Celeste directly to the San José airport, arriving around midday where the tour ends.