Costa Rica
An in-depth self-drive adventure
Pachira Tour - 23 Night Itinerary
A self-drive exploration visiting seven National Parks with coastal rainforest, active volcanoes, endemic birdlife and stunning landscapes. Plus a chance to relax on glorious beaches.
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Travel Highlights
- A self-drive itinerary in Costa Rica, visiting seven National Parks
- Trek and hike in diverse ecosystems with expert naturalist guides
- Take excursions by boat in Tortuguero and Corcovado National Parks
- See the awe-inspiring volcanoes at Tenorio and Arenal National Parks
- Explore hanging bridges and the cloud forest at Monteverde National Park
- Go birdwatching or head for the beach at Guanacaste National Park
- Explore the remote Corcovado National Park and Cano Island
- Relax on golden Pacific beaches at Manual Antonio National Park
Tour Route
- San Jose - 2 Nights
- Tortuguero National Park - 3 Nights
- Tenorio National Park - 3 Nights
- Arenal Volcano - 2 Nights
- Monteverde National Park - 3 Nights
- Guanacaste National Park - 3 Nights
- Manuel Antonio National Park - 3 Nights
- Corcovado National Park - 3 Nights
- Return to San Jose & Fly Home - 1 Night
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.
Request QuotationTour Itinerary
San Jose
2 NightsDay 1 - Departure from UK
Day 2 - Explore San Jose
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Departure from UK
Depart from the UK on a direct flight to San Jose arriving later the same day. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for a 2 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. You will be met by a Veloso Tours guide who will give you a short introduction to San Jose and the area surrounding your hotel.
Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Explore San Jose
Today you are free to explore San Jose or take an optional excursion to the nearby Poas Volcano.
Henry Porras
Buena Vista Hotel
Buena Vista hotel is a Spanish colonial style resort located just outside San Jose, at the top of a mountain offering panoramic views of three volcanoes in the Central Valley - Poas, Barva and Irazu. It is a super place to stay when you arrive in Costa Rica.
The hotel has 30 air-conditioned and comfortable rooms. Deluxe…
Finca Rosa Blanca
Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn is situated above the beautiful Central Valley of Costa Rica, offering amazing views of volcanoes, cloud forests and coffee plantations and nestled amongst 10 acres amid hundreds of fruit trees and tropical flora. It offers luxurious rooms including mini bar, Jacuzzi bath and private verandas overlooking the Valley. Each room…
Hotel Presidente
The Presidente Hotel is located in the heart of San José in the pedestrian zone of Central Avenue, 2 blocks from the National Theatre and the Cultural Square. The hotel has over 100 comfortable and spacious rooms, which all include cable TV, air conditioning, safety box and en-suite bathroom. The hotel offers amenities such as…
Tortuguero National Park
3 NightsDay 3 - Transfer to Tortuguero National Park
Day 4 - Exploring on foot and by boat
Day 5 - Explore Tortuguero
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Tortuguero National Park
Up early today to travel to Tortuguero National Park. Admire the biodiversity of an astonishing protected area in Costa Rica as the bus drives through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Stop on route to have a delicious typical breakfast. Along the road, you can observe many different kinds of products grown in this area such as pineapples and bananas. Board a comfortable boat upon arrival to Caño Blanco pier and let this extraordinary exotic paradise enchant you, as you travel through the Tortuguero canals. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail and a delicious lunch as you arrive to the lodge. After lunch, visit to the picturesque town, the green turtle information centre and the beach area.
Tortuguero beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemisphere. Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest here. The green turtle population is believed to have come perilously close to extinction in the 1960s when nearly every female turtle arriving to nest in Tortuguero was taken for the export market for turtle soup.
Working closely with the Costa Rican government, the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) helped establish Tortuguero National Park in 1970, a move that offered protection to the turtles and strictly limited the number of turtles that could be taken. STC researchers and volunteers, who are based at STC's John H. Phipps Biological Field Station, continue to monitor nesting trends, growth rates and reproductive success begun by Dr. Archie Carr in the 1950s. We visit the field station in the afternoon.
We stay at the Pachira Lodge on a full board basis for 3-nights.
From July to September you can take an optional night tour to observe turtles nesting.
Friday, 28 March 2025
Exploring on foot and by boat
After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour through the trails. In the afternoon, we visit Tortuguero National Park, exploring the canals in small, open boats to allow a better visibility. Tortuguero is a network of navigable lakes, rivers and canals (both natural and man-made) that are used for transportation and are a great place for observing local wildlife such as macaws, monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, American crocodiles and caimans. The canals also provide shelter to endangered animals such as the Oriental Indian Manatee, crocodiles, a large variety of crustaceous and about 30 species of sweet water fish, including the Gaspar, considered as a living fossil.
Saturday, 29 March 2025
Explore Tortuguero
A further day of optional guided treks and other optional activities, such as zip wire adventures in the tree canopy.
Pachira Lodge
Pachira Lodge is located only five minutes away from the entrance to Tortuguero National Park. This wild and remote area is only accessible by boat or plane and it takes 5 to 6 hours by land and boat from San Jose. Pachira Lodge offers 96 comfortable rooms with bamboo furniture and ceiling fans. The rooms are…
Tenorio National Park
3 NightsDay 6 - Transfer to San Jose and self-drive to Tenorio
Day 7 - Explore Tenorio National Park
Day 8 - Tenorio National Park
- Full Description
Travel to San Jose and self-drive to Tenorio
Today we return to San Jose and collect your rental car for 15 days hire. Self driving in Costa Rica is increasingly popular as the roads are generally good. This option allows you to explore the National Park independently. Drive to Tenorio National Park where you stay at your chosen hotel for 3-nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Monday, 31 March 2025
Explore Tenorio National Park
Tenorio Volcano National Park is located the northern Costa Rica and part of the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area. The jewel of the National Park is the Tenorio Volcano, which you can experience today at your leisure.
Tuesday, 01 April 2025
Exploring Tenorio
A further day to discover Tenorio National Park. Perhaps take a trek in the rain forest or enjoy an optional activity, such as horse riding, available from your hotel.
Arenal Volcano
2 NightsDay 9 - Drive to Arenal National Park
Day 10 - Exploring Arenal National Park
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Drive to Arenal National Park
Today take a scenic drive around Lake Arenal to your hotel in Arenal National Park for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Here, discover a great diversity of birds, mammals and lizards, as well as a large variety of plants. There is much on offer in this area, the most exciting observing the active Arenal Volcano at night where streams of red hot lava cascade down the mountainside.
Thursday, 03 April 2025
Explore Arenal National Park
Enjoy a range of optional activities available from your hotel, depending on your own interests.
Nayara Gardens
Located in the outskirts of the Arenal Volcano, Arenal Nayara Gardens provides a uniquely natural experience. Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, each one of its 24 spacious casitas provides an exclusive retreat in which you can relax amidst the breathtaking view of the volcano. Interwoven with rich gardens its tropical grounds create the perfect setting…
Arenal Springs Resort & Spa
Arenal Springs Resort is the ideal combination of modern comfort and exuberant tropical surrounding, with outstanding views of Arenal Volcano.
The suites are semi-detached air-conditioned bungalows spread over a wide area directly facing Arenal Volcano. Each suite has a patio with seating, private bathroom, outdoor shower, luxury toiletries and a hair dryer.
Public areas include three restaurants, bar, coffee…
Monteverde National Park
3 NightsDay 11 - Drive to Monteverde National Park
Day 12 - Guided cloud forest tour
Day 13 - Exploring Monteverde
- Full Description
Drive to Monteverde National Park
Today drive south to Monteverde National Park and check into your hotel for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Saturday, 05 April 2025
Guided cloud forest tour
In the morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel for an excursion to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The private biological reserve is dedicated to the conservation of the flora and fauna which exists in this complex ecosystem. The reserve consists of 10.000 hectares and serves as an important link in the growing network of protected areas in the country. Wind-sculptured elfin woodlands on the exposed ridges are spectacularly dwarfed, whereas protected cove Monteverde rainforests have majestically tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses.
Poorly drained areas support swamp forests, while parts of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, dissected by deep gorges, have numerous crystal clear streams tumbling over rapids and waterfalls. The variable climate and large altitudinal gradient has helped produce an extremely high biodiversity. Spectacular wildlife includes the Jaguar, Ocelot, Baird's Tapir, Three-wattled Bellbird, Bare necked Umbrella bird and Resplendent Quetzal.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore depending on your interests.
Sunday, 06 April 2025
Exploring Monteverde
A further day to discover Monteverde National Park. There are numerous activities available including trekking, discovering Costa Rican coffee or for the more adventurous a river rafting adventure.
Guanacaste National Park
3 NightsDay 14 - Drive to Guanacaste National Park
Day 15 - Guanacaste National Park
Day 16 - Guanacaste National Park
- Full Description
Drive to Guanacaste National Park
Today head north to Guanacaste National Park and check into your hotel for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Tuesday, 08 April 2025
Explore Guanacaste National Park
Today is free to explore Guanacaste National Park.
Wednesday, 09 April 2025
Guanacaste National Park
A further day to discover Guanacaste National Park. There are numerous activities available including trekking, discovering Costa Rican coffee or horse riding adventures.
Manuel Antonio National Park
3 NightsDay 17 - Travel to Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 18 - Exploring the wildlife
Day 19 - Hikes and beaches
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Manuel Antonio National Park
Drive south along the Pacific Coast to Manuel Antonio National Park, staying for 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis at your chosen hotel surrounded by rainforest and overlooking beaches and coves. The pristine Manuel Antonio National Park is for many the best National Park in Costa Rica. The area has well-marked trails and is teeming with wildlife, including birds, toucans, monkeys and sloths.
You can relax at your lodge, on the beach or explore the National Park on a wide range of optional activities bookable locally.
Friday, 11 April 2025
Exploring the wildlife
Relax at your lodge, on the beach or explore the National Park on a wide range of optional activities bookable locally.
Saturday, 12 April 2025
Hikes and protected beaches
At leisure, with time to take a hike in the rain forest or just relax on the beautiful beaches.
David Jiménez
Playa Espadilla
A comfortable and friendly tourist class hotel only a 3 minute walk from the entrance to the National Park of Manuel Antonio and a 2 minute walk from the beach. Known as a place in harmony with nature, their private reserve and delightful gardens allow guests to learn more about the flora and fauna of…
Makanda by the Sea
Makanda by the Sea is the ideal location for adults wishing to experience Manuel Antonio's natural splendour, magical sunsets and wildlife while enjoying the comforts of first-class accommodation within 12 acres of rainforest sanctuary. All of the 11 air-conditioned villas and studios are uniquely contoured into the surrounding jungle and descending mountain terrain, and provide…
Parador Resort & Spa
The Parador Resort & Spa is settled on a hill, immersed in the tropical rainforest and located at a walking distance from the beach. You will enjoy stunning ocean views
The coast offers a wide variety of facilities such as bars, restaurants, supermarkets, banks, stores, natural attractions and beautiful beaches like Biesanz & Espadilla.
The…
Corcovado National Park
3 NightsDay 20 - Pacific coast to Corcovado National Park
Day 21 - Hiking in Corcovado National Park
Day 22 - Cano Island Tour
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Pacific Coast to Corcovado National Park
Today drive along the Pacific coast to Palmer Sur, where you drop off your car.
From there, you will be taken to Sierpe, a small hacienda-style building by the shore of the river from where you travel by boat to the lodge.
The boat will take you along the river and through dense mangroves, where there are many opportunities to spot wildlife and birds in the trees, and admire wild and unspoilt surroundings. From the river you continue out to sea, from where you can admire the magnificent scenery of the jungle descending to the Pacific Coast.
On arrival at Casa Corcovado's beach, you make a wet landing helped by the crew and check-in at your lodge for a 3-night stay on a full board basis.
Monday, 14 April 2025
Hiking in Corcovado National Park
Up early today for a birdwatching Tour before breakfast. Share the cool early morning with some of the over 350 species of birds found in Corcovado. The early morning hours are perfect to observe the wildlife of the area. For keen birders and animal lovers, on this tour we offer the chance to see numerous species of birds, morpho butterflies, monkeys and other animals.
After breakfast, your naturalist guide will take you on a guided hike into Corcovado National Park. The cool morning hours offer a good opportunity to spot wildlife and to observe some of the incredible variety of birds that abound in the park.
Tuesday, 15 April 2025
Cano Island Tour
Today enjoy a full day tour to Caño Island, an ancient Indian burial ground. Here you can snorkel among the coral reefs that surround this tropical paradise and picnic on San Josecito Beach.
Lapa Rios
Lapa Rios is a wonderful combination of a sustainable luxury lodge and eco-conservation project spread over 1000 acres of tropical rainforest on the Osa Peninsula overlooking the Golfo Dulce. The main lodge and bungalows line three ridges, connected by walking paths and many steps.
Nearly all of the 17 thatched bungalows have an ocean view and…
Return to San Jose & Fly Home
1 NightDay 23 - Return to San Jose
Day 24 - Return flight to the UK
Day 25 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Return to San Jose
Transfer by boat to Sierpe and onto Palmer Sur Airport for a flight to San Jose. On arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel on a bed and breakfast basis for your last night in Costa Rica.
Thursday, 17 April 2025
Return flight to the UK
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.
Friday, 18 April 2025
Arrive in the UK
Arrive in the UK in the morning.
Grano de Oro
Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colon, San Jose's main street, the Hotel Grano de Oro is a welcome retreat in the heart of this bustling city. Converted from a tropical Victorian mansion, the hotel preserves the warmth and comfort of a private home, with its atrium terrace and corridors of sparkling fountains…
Xandari Resort And Spa
Xandari Resort and Spa is perfectly located for excursions to Poas Volcano, La Paz waterfall gardens, and Doka coffee plantation, and is only 30 minutes’ drive from San Jose International airport. Over 3km of scenic trails through coffee and fruit orchards lead into a lush natural tropical setting with a year-round river and five beautiful…
Hotel Presidente
The Presidente Hotel is located in the heart of San José in the pedestrian zone of Central Avenue, 2 blocks from the National Theatre and the Cultural Square. The hotel has over 100 comfortable and spacious rooms, which all include cable TV, air conditioning, safety box and en-suite bathroom. The hotel offers amenities such as…
Price Guidelines
| Season | Low Season | High Season |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | 31 Dec -19 Jul, 22 Aug-13 Dec | 20 July - 21 Aug, 14 Dec- 30 Dec |
| Room Arrangement | First | First |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms | £4,963 | £5,499 |
| Single Traveller - Own Room | £6,445 | £7,627 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 25 Days / 23 Nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- Internal flight
- Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
- Breakfast everyday and meals as described on the itinerary
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Prices are per person
- Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request
Complete a form or call our specialist advisors to start planning your trip. Please provide as much information as possible, and we will aim to respond to your enquiry the same or next working day.
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