Ecotourism tour in self-drive format
Costa Rica

Nature

Tailor-made

NEW Discover Costa Rica's unspoiled nature and remarkable ecosystem. A journey that will lead you through mountains, valleys and forests from the capital to the Caribbean coast. All the accommodations on this tour are CST certified or welcome you in a sustainable way.

Prices are variable and should be requested from the agency

Length of stay

13 days / 11 nights

Minimum number of participants

Privatized trip from 2 persons
Customisable programme

Highlights

Numerous "Nature" activities (hiking, suspension bridges, etc.).
The main sites for a first discovery of Costa Rica.
Basic programme for more freedom but possibility to book additional activities (zodiac, Titoku baths...).

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Day 1

Paris , San Jose

Departure from France

Departure from France

Flight from Paris to San Jose (for any other departure city, please contact us). Arrival in the afternoon. Welcome and private transfer with an English-speaking guide. Overnight stay at one of our selected hotels in the city centre.

Day 2

San José

French-speaking guided tour of the capital

French-speaking guided tour of the capital

Breakfast at the hotel. Walking tour of San Jose with an English speaking guide. This is an excellent opportunity to discover the history and culture of Costa Rica. You will discover the centre of the capital, its market, its parks, its buildings, the National Theater and its museums (National Museum and the new Jade Museum). Lunch included at a local restaurant. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

San José, Rio Celeste (4h., 208km)

Volcano & Rio

Volcano & Rio

Breakfast and return of the vehicle to your hotel. Formalities to be completed with the rental company (basic insurance not included). Drive to the area of the Volcan Tenorio and Río Celeste National Park. Arrival and installation at the lodge of our selection. In the afternoon and weather permitting, walk on the 2 km private trail in the rainforest in front of the lodge. Overnight at the lodge. Meals on this day are included.

Day 4

Rio Celeste

Hiking

Hiking

Hike (entrance fee included, with possibility to book a guide in advance). A surprisingly colourful scene at the convergence of two rivers that create a chemical reaction. A supernatural landscape of hot water, gas fumes, impressive waterfalls and lagoons. Other highlights of this family hike are the view of the massif, the monkeys, the multitude of birds, the tapir and the (rarely seen) puma! Overnight at the lodge. Meals for this day are included.

Day 5

Rio Celeste, Arenal (1h45, 83km)

La Fortuna

La Fortuna

Breakfast and drive to the Arenal volcano area. The area of La Fortuna offers landscapes of exceptional beauty: lakes, forests, cultivated fields, rivers and the most active volcano in Costa Rica. Settling in at the hotel of our selection.
In the afternoon, walk on the suspension bridges with an English-speaking guide. This ambitious ecological project covers an area of almost 250 ha and is located on one of the migratory routes of birds between North and South America. Free meals and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

National Park

Guided tour of the volcano

Guided tour of the volcano

Breakfast and departure from your hotel with an English-speaking guide for the ascent of the volcano from where you will have the most beautiful views ... if the clouds, which often cover its upper part, are not in the game. Since December 2010, Arenal has been in a resting phase but is still volcanically active. This walk will take you through the mountain over recent lava flows. Our suggestions (optional): discovery of the village of La Fortuna, Zodiac safari, access to the thermal complex of Titoku. Overnight at the hotel, meals on this day are free.

Day 7

Arenal , Sarapiqui (2h., 90km)

Tropical forest

Tropical forest

Breakfast and departure to the Sarapiquí area. This is a remarkable stop for its primary forests, marshes and plantations, all of which constitute a territory rich in biodiversity that can be explored thanks to an important network of paths. These protected areas allow the conservation of numerous plant and animal species: birds, butterflies, felines and insects. Arrive and settle into your lodge room. In the afternoon, you could visit the Lodge's gardens, an important archaeological site in the area. Meals on this day are free.

Day 8

Sarapiqui

La Tirimbina

La Tirimbina

Breakfast and departure for La Tirimbina Biological Reserve with an English-speaking guide. Located in the middle of the rainforest, it is a place where scientific research, educational programmes and visitor reception coexist perfectly. Suspension bridges and well-maintained trails (6 km in total) allow everyone to discover the fauna and flora of this enchanting place. During the walk to the cocoa plantation, the guide will give you a lot of information about the origin of chocolate, the historical, cultural and economic importance of cocoa during the pre-Columbian, colonial and post-colonial periods, the process of transforming the beans into chocolate. After the visit, free time to discover some of the wonders of the surrounding nature, enjoy the pool or simply relax in a hammock.
If you wish, this day can be transformed into a "participatory" day according to the needs of the Reserve and your possibilities and desires. Night at the Lodge. The meals of this day are free.

Day 9

Sarapiqui, Puerto Viejo, Caribbean coast

Cahuita and Caribbean beach

Cahuita and Caribbean beach

Breakfast and drive to the Caribbean Coast. The fascinating Afro-Caribbean culture is predominant in this region and is reflected in the colours, smells and tropical rhythms, but also in the daily work of the inhabitants of the area in the banana plantations or the ports of Limón or Moín. The Caribbean coast is known for its variety of ecosystems, beaches and ecotourism activities. The small town of Puerto Viejo, located just over 10 kilometres southeast of Cahuita, is surrounded by beautiful beaches. For surfers and snorkelers, this area is definitely the place to be! Our suggestion: En route, visit the Cahuita National Park (entrance fee not included). The park was created to protect one of the last living coral reefs in Costa Rica. A nice path runs along the beaches to the town of Puerto Vargas; this nice walk takes about two hours. Arrival and installation at the hotel. Meals on this day are free.

Day 10

Puerto Viejo

Free day

Free day

Breakfast and free day to enjoy the beach. Our suggestions: Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center (entrance is not included): this visit will allow you to be in direct contact with monkeys, wild cats, sloths, raccoons, coatis, anteaters, reptiles, frogs, crocodiles, caimans and all kinds of birds including the magnificent toucan. The founders, biologists and wildlife enthusiasts, moved to Costa Rica in 2004 after several trips to the country. They started by taking care of injured reptiles. Then, little by little, due to the influx of injured wild animals and orphaned babies, the Jaguar Rescue Center was finally established in 2008. The centre is not a zoo but a rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction centre for animals in the wild. It also educates local communities on how to save Costa Rica's wild animals. Meals on this day are free. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

Puerto Viejo , San José (4h., 210 km)

Return to San José

Return to San José

Breakfast. Stopover day before the return flight to San José. Return of the vehicle to the hotel. The meals of this day are free. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12

San José, Departure

Return flight to France

Return flight to France

Breakfast and transfer to the airport. Departure. Services and overnight stay on board.

Day 13

Paris

Arrival in France

Arrival in France

Arrival in France.

Price per person from €2450 including VAT

- Based on 2 participants

This price includes :

  • Transport including VAT from Paris (from other cities, please contact us).
  • Vehicle rental from day 3 to day 11.
  • Accommodation in 3* hotels of our selection.
  • Breakfast, 3 lunches and 2 dinners.
  • Guided tour (English speaking) of San José (entrance fees included: National Theatre, National Museum, Jade Museum).
  • Entrance to the Celestial River Walk (possibility to book a guide).
  • Suspension bridges (entrance fee and English-speaking guide).
  • Volcan Arenal National Park (entrance fee and English-speaking guide).
  • La Tirimbina (entrance and English-speaking guide).
  • 24/7 assistance from our French-speaking team based in San José.

At your expense :

  • Optional multi-risk cancellation, assistance and repatriation luggage insurance.
  • Compulsory insurance for the vehicle rental (19 usd per day).
  • Tips for local staff.
  • Drinks and all personal extras.
  • Entrances to sites, visits and activities not mentioned in the "included services".
  • Meals not mentioned.
  • Exit taxes (29 usd to date).

* Fare from Paris, low season. Subject to the variation of the usd/euro exchange rate. Please contact us for any other departure city.

For a group request (from 10 people) or to customize your trip, please contact us.

Comfort

3* hotels with all comforts.

Climate and equipment

The Central Valley has a dry season from December to May and then a rainy season, with peak rainfall in August and October. It should be noted, however, that even during the dry season, some rainfall is recorded, due to the tropical climate. The average temperature is around 20°C and can drop to 10°C in the mountains.
The Sarapiquí area is hot and humid (between 26 and 28°C on average).
The Caribbean coast gets more water than the Pacific coast, except in July and August: the "little summer".

November to April: high season rates; May to November: "temporada verde" low season (rains); July and August, intermediate season.

Health

No compulsory vaccinations, no anti-malaria treatment.
Water: drink only bottled mineral water.
More information on the Pasteur website.

Formalities

PASSPORT & VISAS
For your trip to Costa Rica, you will need a passport that is valid for six months after the return date of your trip.
More information on the France Diplomatie website.

Our opinion

Car rental information :

The package includes vehicle rental, unlimited mileage
The daily cost of the compulsory basic insurance is not included (approx. US$19 per day, depending on the type of vehicle). Optional insurance can be purchased from the rental company at the time of pick-up (approx. US$17 per day).
For the security deposit, present a bank card with a minimum available credit of US$ 1000
Minimum age: 21 years
Valid passport and driving licence
Hirers will allow one hour's delay in relation to the scheduled return time of the vehicle. Beyond that time, they will charge 25% of the daily rate per hour of delay. If the vehicle is more than three hours late, the customer will be charged the equivalent of one day's rental.
No insurance package covers theft of personal belongings.
Seat belts must be worn in both the front and rear seats.
Rental cars are not allowed to leave the country.
Smoking is strictly prohibited in the rental vehicles.
No refunds will be made for unused rental days and/or if the customer decides to return the car before the agreed date.
Travel times may vary depending on road conditions, weather and traffic.

The compulsory basic insurance includes : Damage to the rented vehicle / Total theft of the rented vehicle / Third party liability for damage to the third party vehicle / Injury (/ death) to a third party / For the compulsory basic insurance, in case of theft or damage to the vehicle, you will be charged an excess.

The + humans trip

- CST (sustainable development) certified accommodation.

- Visit to an indigenous community shop.

- Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center (on request).

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  • respect for human and responsible values
  • the guarantee of a tailor-made trip
  • seamless support from our teams
  • the useful journey allowing the development
  • a safe journey
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