Vacances au Costa Rica

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Local travel agency · Since 2014

Costa Rica 14 Day Itinerary: From the Tortuguero Canals to the Quetzal Forests

Two weeks of canals, volcano trails, misty cloud forest and wild Pacific coastline, with a private driver-guide at your side and every detail arranged in advance.

Blue Morpho Tour, Costa Rica

Prices per person

4 travelers

  • Quadruple room USD 3,868

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4 travelers

  • Double room USD 4,139

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3 travelers

  • Triple room USD 4,517

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2 travelers

  • Double room USD 6,014

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Prices per person, in US dollars, including accommodation, breakfasts and the services listed in the program. The package details are listed below.

This Costa Rica 14 day itinerary, which we call the Morpho tour, follows the country from one coast to the other and up into the mountains. You begin on the Caribbean side, in the canals of Tortuguero, continue inland to Arenal Volcano and the cloud forest of Monteverde, then reach the central Pacific at Manuel Antonio before heading south to the remote Osa Peninsula. The last night is spent high in the valley of San Gerardo de Dota, home of the resplendent quetzal.

Throughout this 14-day Costa Rica tour, a private driver-guide handles the roads, the logistics and the timing, so you can watch the landscape change through the window instead of a map. Road fuel, parking, tolls and the driver's own expenses are covered, as are the national park entrances and activities listed in the program.

The pace is balanced. Guided outings, such as the boat tour through Tortuguero National Park, the night walk in Monteverde, the hike in Corcovado and the snorkeling trip to Caño Island, alternate with moments when you explore on your own: a self-guided walk in the cloud forest, a free day in Manuel Antonio National Park, an evening in the warm pools near Arenal. Spending two weeks in Costa Rica this way leaves room for both discovery and rest.

Your itinerary

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Costa Rica: first evening in San José

Once you clear customs at Juan Santamaría International Airport, in the province of Alajuela, your private driver-guide is waiting in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name. A welcome note from Vincent, written on behalf of the agency, sets the tone: he has called Costa Rica home for more than forty years and invites you to leave your watch, your phone and everyday stress behind, while the team takes care of the details. A private transfer then brings you to your hotel in San José. This first drive is a gentle introduction to the warm air, the green hillsides and the easygoing rhythm of the Central Valley. Settle in and rest: your vacation has begun.

Modern white hotel building in San José with a green living wall, covered entrance and red cow sculpture
Arrival night in San José, the first stop of a Costa Rica 14 day itinerary.
Day 2

Tortuguero: by road and river to the Caribbean canals

You leave San José aboard a comfortable air-conditioned bus, watching the Central Valley give way to the tropical lowlands of the Caribbean coast. Breakfast is served along the way before you reach the dock and board a boat, since rivers and canals are the only route into Tortuguero. As the vegetation thickens along the banks, keep an eye out for birds, monkeys and reptiles. At the lodge, a welcome drink awaits, followed by a buffet lunch and free time to settle in and take in the surroundings. In the late afternoon, a guided visit introduces you to the small Caribbean village, reachable only by boat or plane, and a short walk on the beach completes this first discovery. Dinner and overnight in Tortuguero.

Open-air lodge restaurant with curved roofs above a pool and lounge chairs, surrounded by rainforest
Day 2 of a Costa Rica 14 day itinerary: a pool and open-air dining terrace framed by tropical greenery.
Day 3

Tortuguero canals boat tour and rainforest trails

After breakfast, a guided boat tour takes you into Tortuguero National Park. With your bilingual Spanish-English guide, you glide along calm canals where the forest is mirrored in the water, looking for monkeys, sloths, caimans, iguanas, turtles and tropical birds. Wildlife remains wild and unpredictable, but a trained eye makes a real difference. Departure times can change with the weather, so confirm them with the front desk or your guide. Later in the day, a guided walk on the lodge's private trails reveals the botanical richness of the region. The rest of the afternoon is yours: join one of the outings offered by the lodge, or follow the national park's footpaths to take in the sounds and scents of the forest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served buffet style.

Entrance sign of Tortuguero National Park with a sea turtle silhouette, surrounded by tropical greenery
The welcome sign at Tortuguero National Park, a highlight of day 3 on this Costa Rica 14 day itinerary.
Day 4

Arenal Volcano: an afternoon in the hot springs

Leaving the Caribbean canals behind, you continue to the region of Arenal Volcano. The afternoon is spent at a hot springs complex where many pools are fed by water naturally heated by the volcano's geothermal activity. Waterfalls, pools at different temperatures and relaxation areas follow one another through lush tropical greenery, and you drift from one to the next at your own pace. At 7:00 p.m., a buffet dinner is served at the complex's restaurant, with a varied selection of dishes in a relaxed, friendly setting. Afterward, you can slip back into the warm water for a final soak before ending the day at your hotel near the volcano.

Natural pool with stone-lined bottom surrounded by lush tropical plants and palms at dusk near Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
On day 4 of this Costa Rica 14 day itinerary, an evening soak in a garden pool framed by tropical vegetation near Arenal.
Day 5

Arenal Volcano National Park: walking on old lava flows

After breakfast, you set out around 8:30 a.m. for a walk of about 1.5 to 2 hours in Arenal Volcano National Park. Most of the trail is easy and nearly flat, winding through rainforest that has slowly reclaimed the land. One section of 200 to 300 meters crosses the uneven rocks of old lava flows and calls for careful footing; from the top, when the weather allows, the volcano's near-perfect cone rises above the forest and the lava fields. Along the way you see the flows of 1992 and a ceiba tree more than 400 years old, and you learn to read the layers of the forest, from the sunlit canopy to the damp forest floor. Your entrance fee helps fund Costa Rica's national system of protected areas.

Arenal Volcano rising behind the Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal entrance sign under a blue sky with clouds
The cone of Arenal Volcano towers over the entrance sign of Arenal Volcano National Park.
Day 6

Monteverde: the cloud forest after dark

Today brings you to Monteverde, where mist settles over the mountains as evening falls. When the daytime animals take shelter and the nocturnal species stir, a local naturalist guide leads you on foot along the reserve's trails by flashlight. Every leaf and branch may hide a discreet presence. Depending on conditions and luck, you may spot frogs, including tiny, perfectly camouflaged tree frogs, along with insects, spiders, reptiles, small nocturnal mammals and sometimes birds heading to roost. The atmosphere matters as much as the sightings: the chorus of insects and frogs, droplets on the foliage, moss-covered trunks. Your guide explains how night creatures adapt and why mist and humidity nurture such a variety of epiphytes, ferns and mosses.

Green pit viper coiled on thin branches at night in Monteverde, lit by a flashlight against a dark forest background
A bright green pit viper rests coiled on branches during a night excursion in Monteverde.
Day 7

Monteverde cloud forest: on foot and above the canopy

Begin with a self-guided walk on marked trails, free to stop for an orchid, a hummingbird or the play of light in the mist among bromeliads, lichens and ferns. Please stay on the trails, leave plants and animals undisturbed and carry out any waste. Later, an adventure park offers a full experience of the cloud forest: an aerial tram up the mountain, a circuit of seven ziplines, some several hundred meters long, then an extra course with a bicycle zipline of about 200 meters, two tree climbs up to 12 meters, four monkey bridges, a jump of about 13 meters and a 20-meter Tarzan swing. Six hanging bridges on step-free trails end the visit. Allow about 4.5 hours, wear closed shoes and bring a rain jacket. Height, weight and fitness restrictions apply; ziplining starts at age 5.

Wooden visitor center with green roof surrounded by cloud forest vegetation at a reserve entrance in Monteverde, Costa Rica
The wooden visitor center at the entrance of a cloud forest reserve in Monteverde, a day 7 stop on this Costa Rica 14 day itinerary.
Day 8

Tárcoles crocodiles and Carara National Park

On your way to the central Pacific, you stop on the bridge over the Tárcoles River. Below, in the brownish water or basking on muddy banks, American crocodiles, some several meters long, lie almost perfectly still while waterbirds pass overhead. For your safety, stay on the bridge at all times. Nearby, Carara National Park sits where the humid forests of the central Pacific meet the drier landscapes of Guanacaste. Its trails lead beneath tall trees, where patience may reward you with birds, monkeys and iguanas, and above all the scarlet macaw, with its vivid plumage and raucous calls, perched in the branches or crossing the sky. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and insect repellent. You then continue to Manuel Antonio for two nights.

American crocodile resting mouth open on a muddy riverbank among tall green grass near Tárcoles, Costa Rica
A large American crocodile basks with its jaws open on the muddy bank of the Tárcoles River.
Day 9

Manuel Antonio National Park at your own pace

After breakfast, you explore Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the best-known natural sites in Costa Rica, famous for its wildlife, lush forest and beaches washed by the Pacific. Follow the trails at your own pace and take time to look up: capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas and many tropical birds live here. Several paths open onto ocean viewpoints and lead down to beaches where you can swim when conditions allow. In the late afternoon, return to your hotel to enjoy the pool and the quiet setting, or linger on the sand and let the sound of the waves close the day.

Entrance sign of Manuel Antonio National Park with a monkey silhouette, surrounded by tropical trees in Costa Rica
The welcome sign at Manuel Antonio National Park, a highlight of day 9 on this Costa Rica 14 day itinerary.
Day 10

Through the Sierpe mangroves to Bahía Drake

After breakfast, you head south toward Sierpe along the coastal road, which skirts the Pacific in places and crosses quiet rural landscapes. Plan to reach Sierpe by about 11:00 a.m.; the boat leaves around 11:30 a.m. from a riverside restaurant, where your captain meets you. The fast boat first threads through the vast Sierpe mangroves, where fresh and salt water meet, then opens onto the Pacific coast and Drake Bay. The 1.5-hour ride passes river channels, wild beaches and the green hills of the Osa Peninsula, with seabirds along the way. The boat lands directly on the beach, so depending on the sea and the tide you may step into the water: wear shoes that come off easily and keep bags and electronics protected.

Bright bedroom with wooden ceiling, white bed, wooden chairs and a glass-walled balcony overlooking tropical greenery
A bright bedroom opening onto a balcony surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lodging stop on this Costa Rica 14 day itinerary.
Day 11

Corcovado National Park: San Pedrillo or La Sirena

From Bahía Drake, a boat follows the Osa Peninsula coastline to one of the accessible sectors of Corcovado National Park, among the last large expanses of primary rainforest in Costa Rica. Depending on permits, availability and park access on the day, you visit San Pedrillo, closer to Bahía Drake and ideal for hiking in primary forest, or La Sirena, deeper in the park and known for the diversity of its wildlife. With a naturalist guide who speaks English or Spanish only, you walk through dense forest alive with the calls of monkeys and the scent of tropical vegetation. With luck, you may see howler, capuchin and spider monkeys, tropical birds and reptiles. Lunch is included, and the boat ride back offers a last look at this coast.

Wooden entrance sign of Corcovado National Park with a tapir silhouette and the Costa Rican flag in the rainforest
The entrance sign of Corcovado National Park, a highlight of day 11 from Drake Bay on a Costa Rica 14 day itinerary.
Day 12

Caño Island: snorkeling off the Osa Peninsula

Around 7:00 a.m., you board a boat with a specialized crew guide for the roughly 1.5-hour crossing to Caño Island Biological Reserve. Watch the open water: depending on the season, humpback whales, Bryde's whales, spotted and spinner dolphins or flying fish may appear, though nothing can be guaranteed. At the island, an official park guide, Spanish- or English-speaking only, accompanies you. Mask and snorkel are provided for a snorkeling session over waters where tropical fish, corals and rays may be seen, depending on visibility. You then land on the island's only accessible beach to relax between activities, perhaps as scarlet macaws fly overhead. Tip: visit the dive center the day before to try on and adjust your mask and fins.

Snorkeler with yellow mask and snorkel swimming over a coral reef in clear blue water
Snorkeling in clear blue water over the reef, an excursion on day 12 near Drake Bay.
Day 13

Back through the mangroves to San Gerardo de Dota

After an early breakfast, you leave Bahía Drake at 7:15 a.m. by fast boat. The route follows the wild coast of the Osa Peninsula, then enters the network of mangroves, where lush vegetation shelters many birds and small animals. This 1.5-hour ride makes a gentle transition from the wilderness of Drake Bay to the rural Sierpe region, where you arrive around 8:45 a.m. Since boarding happens from the beach, light, quick-drying clothes and well-protected luggage remain wise. From Sierpe, the journey continues into the mountains to San Gerardo de Dota, a cool, forested valley where you spend your last night in Costa Rica.

Dark wooden cabin with red railing and porch overlooking forested hills, with succulents and a carved stone figure
A dark wooden cabin with a red-railed porch looks out over green forested hills, a fitting stop on a Costa Rica 14 day itinerary.
Day 14

Quetzal tour in San Gerardo de Dota and departure

In the morning, a naturalist guide who knows this high-altitude cloud forest well takes you in search of the resplendent quetzal, with its emerald plumage, red breast and, in the male, long tail feathers that seem to float in the mist. With patience and some luck, you may see one perched near the aguacatillo trees whose small fruits it feeds on, along with many other birds of the mountain forest. After breakfast at the hotel, your private driver collects you for the transfer to the airport, timed so that you arrive at least three hours before your flight. If your schedule allows, a short visit to San José or Liberia may be possible; entrance fees to museums and sites are not included. ¡Pura vida!

Male resplendent quetzal with green plumage, red chest and long tail feathers perched on a mossy branch in San Gerardo de Dota
A male resplendent quetzal perches on a moss-covered branch in the cloud forest of San Gerardo de Dota.

Where you will stay

San José · 1 night

A city hotel in San José with comfortable executive rooms, ideal for resting after the flight. Breakfast is included.

Tortuguero · 2 nights

A lodge reached by boat, set between the canals and the rainforest, with its own private nature trails. Full board with buffet meals is included, along with the welcome drink, the village visit and the guided boat tour.

Volcán Arenal · 2 nights

A hotel in the Arenal Volcano area where you stay in a junior suite, a comfortable base for the hot springs and the lava flow hike. Breakfast is included.

Monteverde · 2 nights

A hotel in the mountains of Monteverde, close to the cloud forest, with standard rooms. Breakfast is included.

Manuel Antonio · 2 nights

A hotel with a pool near Manuel Antonio National Park, offering units that can accommodate up to four travelers. Breakfast is included.

Bahía Drake · 3 nights

A lodge in the small, isolated village of Bahía Drake, between tropical forest and the Pacific, a natural gateway to Corcovado and Caño Island. Breakfast is included.

San Gerardo de Dota · 1 night

A classic bungalow in the cool, forested valley of San Gerardo de Dota, surrounded by cloud forest and close to the quetzal trails. Breakfast is included.

What the package includes

Included

  • Private transfer from the airport to your hotel
  • Nights in the hotels listed, or similar if unavailable before final booking
  • Breakfast every day of the tour
  • Lunches mentioned in the program *
  • Dinners mentioned in the program *
  • The tour with a private driver-guide **
  • The vehicle with all relevant insurance
  • National park entrance fees listed as included in the program
  • Activities and visits listed as included in the program
  • Private transfer to the airport on departure day
  • The 13% hotel tax
  • The 13% tax on tourist activities
  • Our assistance in English throughout your stay

* Meals include a main course and one non-alcoholic drink

** Included: road costs (the driver’s meals and lodging), the guide’s entrance fees to national parks and to all activities booked in advance (with some exceptions such as horseback rides, boat trips, flights and rafting, depending on the operator), insurance, fuel, parking, ferry (vehicle fee) and tolls

Not included

  • International flights to Costa Rica
  • Drinks outside meals and alcoholic drinks
  • National park entrance fees listed as optional in the program
  • Activities and visits listed as optional in the program
  • Extensions, variations and suggestions
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Travel or repatriation insurance
  • Any other service

Who this trip is for

This 14-day Costa Rica tour suits travelers who want to see the country's main ecosystems, from Caribbean canals to cloud forest and the remote Osa Peninsula, without having to drive or organize anything themselves. It is designed for two to four people traveling together, as a couple, with friends or as a family. You should be comfortable with several boat rides, including beach landings where you may step into the water, early starts for wildlife outings, and walks on uneven terrain such as the lava rocks at Arenal. The adventure park in Monteverde and the snorkeling trip to Caño Island add a more active touch; some activities carry height, weight or fitness restrictions that we check with you before booking. If you enjoy patient wildlife watching as much as a soak in warm springs, this private driver-guide tour in Costa Rica offers a good balance.

Frequently asked questions

Who welcomes us at the airport on this Costa Rica 14 day itinerary?

Your private driver-guide meets you in the arrivals hall of Juan Santamaría International Airport with a sign bearing your name, then takes you to your hotel in San José. Vincent, the agency's founder, sends a welcome note on behalf of the agency; he does not meet travelers at the airport or travel with them.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast is included throughout the tour. In Tortuguero you are on full board, with buffet lunches and dinners. A buffet dinner is included at the hot springs near Arenal on day 4, and lunch is included during the Corcovado excursion on day 11. Included meals consist of a main course and a non-alcoholic drink; drinks outside meals and alcoholic beverages are not included.

Are the guided activities offered in English?

In Tortuguero, the boat tour is led by a bilingual Spanish-English guide. In Corcovado National Park and at Caño Island, guides speak English or Spanish only. Some outings, such as the self-guided cloud forest walk in Monteverde or the visit to Manuel Antonio National Park, are done at your own pace. Our team answers your questions in English before and during your trip.

How do we get to Bahía Drake, and what should we pack?

You travel by road to Sierpe, then take a fast boat of about 1.5 hours through the mangroves and along the coast. The boat lands directly on the beach, so depending on the tide you may need to step into the water. Wear shoes that come off easily, shorts or pants that can get a little wet, and keep luggage and electronics protected. For Monteverde, bring closed shoes and a rain jacket.

What is not included in the price?

International flights, drinks outside meals and alcoholic drinks, personal expenses and tips, travel or repatriation insurance, entrance fees to sites visited during an optional stop in San José or Liberia on the last day, and any service not listed in the program are not included.

From the quiet canals of Tortuguero to the quetzal's misty valley, this Costa Rica 14 day itinerary links rainforest, volcano, cloud forest and two oceans at a steady, human pace, with a private driver-guide and a team based in San Francisco de Heredia since 2014. Every stage can be discussed with you, from the room configuration to the timing of your flights. If you are thinking about spending two weeks in Costa Rica, feel free to tell us your dates and wishes: we will gladly send you a detailed quote.

Request this tour

Tell us your dates and who is traveling: we will reply with a personalized quote for “Blue Morpho Tour”.

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