Costa Rica 10-Day Tour: San Jose to Manuel Antonio Highlights

Four national parks and two volcano hikes in one 10-day loop

A 10-day guided tour of Costa Rica's main nature destinations, starting and ending in San Jose and moving through Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio National Park. You travel by van and boat, stay in mid-range hotels, and choose one adventure activity at both Arenal and Manuel Antonio: options range from canopy tours and horseback riding to kayaking and wildlife safaris. A professional naturalist guide leads the group in English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and hotel check-in

• Arrive at Juan Santamaria Airport
• Meet representative and receive itinerary
• Transfer to Radisson Europa Hotel
• Free time at leisure

Day 2: Travel to Tortuguero National Park

• Transfer to Guapiles Town
• Enjoy typical breakfast
• Travel through Caribbean plantations
• Boat trip to Tortuguero
• Check in at Pachira Lodge
• Enjoy cocktail and lunch
• Explore museum, beach, and town

Day 3: Explore Tortuguero National Park

• Breakfast at Pachira Lodge
• Hike Tortuguero Hill or canal tour
• Lunch at the lodge
• Enjoy private trails or boat ride
• Dinner at the hotel
• Optional night turtle nesting tour (Jul-Sep)

Day 4: Transfer to Arenal Volcano

• Breakfast and hotel check-out
• Transfer to Arenal Volcano via private transport
• Lunch en route
• Check in at Hotel Arenal Paraiso

Day 5: Arenal Volcano adventure options

• Choose and enjoy adventure tour
• Free afternoon time

Day 6: Free day at Arenal Volcano

• Free time to explore Arenal
• Optional tours available

Day 7: Transfer to Manuel Antonio Beach

• Land transfer to Manuel Antonio
• Check in at Hotel Villas Lirio
• Free time at hotel or beach
• Explore nightlife and dinner

Day 8: Manuel Antonio adventure options

• Choose and enjoy adventure tour
• Free afternoon time

Day 9: Return to San Jose

• Morning free time at Manuel Antonio
• Lunch
• Land transfer to San Jose
• Overnight at Radisson Europa Hotel

Day 10: Departure from Costa Rica

• Transfer to international airport
• Departure

The experience

The route moves north from San Jose through lowland rainforest to Tortuguero, where a 90-minute boat trip through jungle rivers and lagoons gets you to Pachira Lodge. From there you hike Tortuguero Hill or paddle the canals to spot wildlife, with an optional night beach walk to watch green sea turtles nest (July through September). The park entrance fee of $15 is paid separately at the gate.

After Tortuguero, the tour heads inland to Arenal Volcano, where you pick one included activity: wildlife refuge boat tours, horseback riding to the volcano, canopy tours, mountain biking, waterfall hikes, hanging bridges, lake kayaking, cave exploration or safari kayaking. The next day is free to rest or book additional activities on your own. Then you transfer south to Manuel Antonio beach and national park, where you again choose one included adventure: options include river rafting, guided nature walks, zip-lining, mangrove kayaking, catamaran cruises or horseback riding through the mountains. Some activities are half-day, others full-day with lunch included.

You stay in 3- and 4-star hotels throughout, with breakfast and most dinners included. Lunch is included only when part of your chosen activity. The final morning offers beach time before the drive back to San Jose and your airport transfer. Transportation is by private van with a professional naturalist guide who speaks English and Spanish, and children from age 4 are welcome on the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel accommodation for 9 nights in 3- and 4-star properties.
• breakfast and dinner daily.
• professional naturalist guide in English or Spanish.
• private van transportation throughout.
• boat transfer to Tortuguero.
• one included adventure activity at Arenal Volcano and one at Manuel Antonio National Park.
• airport pickup and return transfer in San Jose.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Greenway Nature Day Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary in whichever language you prefer. The fixed itinerary and included activities mean you don't arrange tours separately at each stop, though you have free time and optional activities to customize your days at Arenal and Manuel Antonio.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is Tortuguero National Park like when you arrive by boat?

Tortuguero is a remote jungle reserve accessible only by river, so the 90-minute boat ride through rivers and lagoons is your entry into it. You'll see dense rainforest, wildlife and waterways before reaching the lodge. The park itself has hiking trails up Tortuguero Hill and canal routes by boat to spot birds, monkeys and caimans.

Can you choose which activities to do at Arenal and Manuel Antonio?

Yes. At Arenal you pick one adventure from a list that includes wildlife boat tours, horseback riding, canopy tours, mountain biking, waterfall hikes, hanging bridges, kayaking and cave exploration. At Manuel Antonio you choose again from options like river rafting, nature walks, zip-lining, mangrove kayaking, catamaran cruises and horseback riding. Some are half-day and some full-day with lunch included.

What meals are included over the 10 days?

Breakfast and dinner are included at the hotels most nights. Lunch is included only when it's part of your chosen activity at Arenal or Manuel Antonio. Other lunches are on your own. The itinerary notes when meals are not included so you can plan accordingly.

How does the boat transfer to Tortuguero work?

After breakfast and a stop in Guapiles town, you travel through banana and pineapple plantations to Caño Blanco, where a boat picks you up for the 90-minute jungle river journey to Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero. The boat ride itself is part of the experience, moving through waterways surrounded by rainforest.