Costa Rica 5-Day Jungle & Island Tour: Tortuga, Arenal, Rafting

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Duration5d

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Adventure Vacation in Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Islands & Rivers

You’ll swim off white-sand beaches at Tortuga Island, hike rainforest trails to waterfalls near Arenal Volcano, soak in natural hot springs, and paddle down wild rivers—all with local guides who know their stuff. If you want real Costa Rican adventure without missing comfort or culture, this is your trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Hotel Transfer

Arrival at San Jose Airport and transfer to hotel
Meet representative and receive itinerary
Free time at leisure

Day 2 — Tortuga Island Tour

Transport to Tortuga Island by catamaran
Enjoy white sand beach and sport activities
BBQ lunch on the beach
Free time to explore island

Day 3 — Waterfall and Hot Springs

Visit La Fortuna Waterfall and hike
Relax at Baldi Hot Springs with buffet lunch

Day 4 — Rafting and Zipline Adventure

Whitewater rafting and zipline canopy tour
Rafting on Sarapiqui River

Day 5 — Checkout and Airport Transfer

Hotel checkout
Transfer to Costa Rica International Airport

The Experience

The air felt thick and sweet as we landed at Juan Santamaria Airport. Someone from the team was already waiting just outside customs—big smile, holding a sign with my name. He handed me a folder with all the info I’d need and even pointed out a good spot for coffee right outside baggage claim (Café Britt, if you’re curious). The drive to the hotel was quick; San José’s traffic can be unpredictable but we made it before sunset. I had the evening to myself—ended up wandering a bit around Barrio Amón, where locals were already out for their evening strolls.

The next morning started early—bags packed by 6:30 am for the ride to Puntarenas. The bus windows fogged up as we left the city behind and headed for the coast. Once at the dock, our group boarded a catamaran with bright blue cushions and reggae music playing low in the background. The trip across Nicoya Gulf took about an hour and a half; pelicans skimmed the water beside us. Tortuga Island looked like something off a postcard—white sand, palm trees, and that salty breeze you only get on Pacific beaches. We spent most of the day swimming, trying out beach volleyball (I’m terrible), and eating grilled fish right on the sand. There’s a little stand selling coconut water if you want something cold after snorkeling.

Day three was all about Arenal. Our guide, Andrés, knew every shortcut around La Fortuna town and shared stories about how locals used to watch for smoke from the volcano after dark. The hike down to La Fortuna Waterfall is steep—my calves felt it—but worth every step. The sound of water crashing below gets louder as you descend; by the time you reach the pool at the bottom, it’s almost deafening. Some folks swam under the falls—I just dipped my toes in (the water’s colder than you’d think). Lunch at Baldi Hot Springs came next: buffet style with lots of fresh fruit and local dishes like arroz con pollo. Afterward, soaking in those thermal pools while rain pattered on palm leaves overhead was pure bliss.

Fourth day? Pure adrenaline. We drove out toward Sarapiquí for whitewater rafting—class II-III rapids, nothing too wild but enough to get your heart going. Our river guide, Mariela, pointed out toucans overhead between rapids and even spotted a sloth curled up in a tree near one of our calmer stretches. Later that afternoon we zipped through canopy lines strung high above the riverbanks—the view from up there is unreal, especially when you catch glimpses of blue morpho butterflies flitting below.

The last morning was mellow—just time for breakfast and one last look at San José’s skyline before heading back to the airport in Alajuela province. If you’re into adventure but also want some downtime (and maybe a few surprises along the way), this trip hits all the right notes.

What’s included

This package covers private transportation throughout your stay (air-conditioned vehicles), guided tours with local experts, all main entrance fees (Tortuga Island catamaran tour with lunch.
Arenal Volcano area hikes.
Baldi Hot Springs access with buffet lunch.
Sarapiquí River rafting.
zipline canopy tour), plus four nights’ accommodation in San José. Lockers and towels are provided where needed so you can travel light each day.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Greenway Nature Day Tours