What makes this trip special?
Lots of easy-to-see wildlife
Tortuguero
Costa Rica's most active volcano
Arenal
Forest in the clouds
Monteverde
Itinerary
-
- Day Overnight
-
1
San José
-
2
Tortuguero
-
3
Tortuguero
-
4
Arenal
-
5
Arenal
-
6
Monteverde
-
7
Monteverde
-
- For the detail of each day click the ‘Day-by-day’ tab above.
Day-by-day itinerary for 'Just a Week in Costa Rica'
Guide prices for 'Just a Week in Costa Rica'
| options |
based on |
all year |
low season |
mid season |
high season |
peak season |
other season |
| Mid-range hotels, shuttle bus transfers |
2 people sharing |
|
£1,165 |
|
£1,205 |
|
|
| Mid-range hotels, selfdrive (Vitara) |
2 people sharing |
|
£1,240 |
|
£1,300 |
|
|
| Upper range hotels, selfdrive (Gran Vitara) |
2 people sharing |
|
£2,015 |
|
£2,340 |
|
|
| Upper range hotels, private transfers (ex Day 2) |
2 people sharing |
|
£2,085 |
|
£2,335 |
|
|
Prices are per person and include:
- all travel in Costa Rica
- all accommodation
- meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- shared services of resident English-speaking naturalist guide in Tortuguero
Prices do not include:
- international flights
- travel insurance
- airport and departure taxes
- items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
- any optional excursions you may buy locally
Customer reviews for
'Just a Week in Costa Rica'
Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified
(a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.
Average customer rating 99%
Tortuguero and Arenal
Boat trips to Tortuguero and Monteverde
Wildlife at Tortuguero, hanging bridges at Arenal. Hotels at Arenal and Monteverde and location of Manuel Antonio
the hacienda at Sarapiqui was lovely, friendly, lovely room, great food, lovely grounds and very relaxing.
Impossible to choose - loved Tortuguero, hot springs, canopy walks, horse riding and pacific beaches.
The guides were excellent - with their expertise we were able to see so much wildlife - much more than we anticipated.
Tortuguero boat trips, the danta corcovado lodge, wildlife everywhere - especially the squirrel monkeys a few feet from our balcony at Danta Corcovado Lodge, the Costa Rican friendliness
Amazing wildlife, turtles, volcanoes, lovely hotels
There are so many 'best parts'. Really the whole trip was fantastic and with so many highlights and special experiences in each location
Seeing the turtles at night in Tortuguero and the sky-trek
Tortuguero, Montezuma and Monteverde
Cannot choose - they were all wonderful and we had a fantastic time. The level of travel and accommodation suited us fine (except Grano de Oro was a bit posh!)
All equally good. Very hard to pick out best! Very good balance
Tortuguero and Playa Potrero
Tortuguero and Playa Esterillos Este
Loved everywhere but we got bitten by insects quite badly in Tortuguero (stronger bug spray next time). Arenal was a magnificent sight and Monteverde was incredible.
Maquenque and Central Valley
We can't choose as there were so many special experiences.
Everything was good but especially Monteverde.
Arenal and Manuel Antonio.
Tortuguero & Monteverde.
White water rafting & Pacific Coast.
Night walk at La Tirimbina, Tortuguero, Sloth Sanctuary, the wild sloths at Manuel Antonio.
Pacuare Lodge and the rafting.
Many great adventures - snorkelling with sea turtles at Cano Island, Selvatura Canopy Walk, everything at Tortuguero.
Hanging Bridges at Arenal, the wildlife, the food, Nayara and El Silencio.
Maquenque Lodge was amazing - the staff, our room, the wildlife, the food!
The wildlife and environment at Tortuguero and Arenal.
La Tirimbina nightwalk and Tortuguero.
We were charmed by the Costa Ricans, and were given a great welcome at each hotel we stayed at – particularly the smaller ones, like Aroma del Campo, Chayote Lodge and Danta Lodge
Seasonal information for 'Just a Week in Costa Rica'
Hotels for 'Just a Week in Costa Rica'
Day 1
Presidente
San Jose
Average rating 4.3 (102 ratings)
Hotel Presidente is located in the heart of downtown San José, on the corner of Central Avenue Boulevard and 7th Street, just 30 minutes in good traffic from the San Jose international airport. There are 80 rooms split between standard, superior rooms and 'Concept' suites, each with either two queen-sized beds or a king-sized bed, A/C, wireless internet, hair-dryers, mini-fridge, 32" cable LCD T.V, digital safe. Hotel amenities include rooftop "Azotea Calle 7" restaurant/bar serving light meals and drinks with a terrace with panoramic city views, dining room where a daily buffet breakfast is served, lounge area in reception where there is an honesty bar, computers for guest use, as well as a coffee/tea station, concierge service.
Exterior
Days 2 - 3
Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero
Average rating 4.5 (245 ratings)
Mawamba Lodge is set amongst 15 acres of lush tropical gardens and within easy walking distance of Tortuguero village. The hotel's 54 rooms blend perfectly with the surrounding exuberant jungle vegetation. From the basic wooden bungalows you can hear a cacophony of sounds as you lie in bed. Ranchos with hammocks tucked away in the gardens are perfect for relaxing after a day of adventure. Private nature trails and an open sky butterfly farm provide the opportunity to discover different species of trees, palms trees, heliconias and many other plant species that abound in the tropical rainforest. There is also a red-eyed tree frog project by the swimming pool, bar and a buffet style restaurant. The package here includes all meals, morning and afternoon boat trips through the canals to observe the abundant wildlife. Although rustic, we like this lodge for its size and position in Tortuguero.
Day 5
Arenal Volcano Inn
Arenal
Average rating 4.8 (42 ratings)
Arenal Volcano Inn is a very good value mid-range hotel. Well located between the village of La Fortuna, the hot springs and Arenal Lake it has a very impressive view of the volcano. The 25 rooms are scattered over the small property in self-contained bungalows with pretty planting dotted in between. All rooms have views of the Volcano, two queen size beds, a/c, a private terrace, hair-dryer, safe, mini fridge, microwave oven and coffee maker. The hotel has two swimming pools, one for adults and one for children, and a jacuzzi. A small on-site spa offers several types of massages and mud treatments at affordable prices. Their restaurant on site serves Italian food fot those happy to eat at the hotel.
Days 6 - 7
Monteverde Country Lodge
Monteverde
Monteverde Country Lodge is a small rustic-style lodge located around a 10 minute walk from the centre of Santa Elena village. Each of the 16 simply furnished classic and superior rooms have cable T.V, private bathrooms with hot water, safety deposit box and free wifi. More spacious and most recently renovated, superior rooms also have coffee makers and hairdryers. Facilities also available at the lodge include a restaurant which serves Costa Rica/international cuisine, bar, laundry service and gated car parking. Guests also have access to the heated indoor pool, spa and exercise room at the lodge's sister property, Poco a Poco.
Lodge building