Vacances au Costa Rica

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Local travel agency · Since 2014

Costa Rica 17 Day Itinerary with a Private Driver-Guide: the Capuchin Monkey Tour

From the slow rhythm of the Caribbean coast to the turquoise water of Río Celeste and the islands of the Gulf of Nicoya, a journey shaped by wildlife, rivers and the people who look after them.

Capuchin Monkey Tour, Costa Rica

Prices per person

4 travelers

  • Quadruple room USD 4,176

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4 travelers

  • Double room USD 4,556

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3 travelers

  • Triple room USD 5,000

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2 travelers

  • Double room USD 6,860

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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 17 day itinerary, which we call the Capuchin Monkey Tour, crosses the country from one coast to the other at a pace that leaves room for observation. You travel with a private driver-guide who takes care of the road, the timing and the logistics, so your days can be spent watching sloths in the canopy, paddling quiet rivers or simply listening to the forest after dark.

The route begins in the green hills of Turrialba with a coffee visit, then settles for four nights on the Caribbean side around Cahuita, where rescue centers, a national park lined with coral reefs and a kayak trip on a jungle river set the tone. Next come the farms and rivers of Sarapiquí, the remote wetlands of Boca Tapada on the Nicaraguan border, the lava fields and hanging bridges of Arenal, and the turquoise waterfall of Río Celeste.

The second half of these 17 days in Costa Rica turns toward the Pacific: a wildlife sanctuary near Cañas, a crocodile-spotting float on the Río Corobicí, dolphins off Playa Sámara, a night of bioluminescence and a full day around Isla Tortuga before a ferry crossing back to the mainland and a final walk through San José.

Vacances au Costa Rica has been designing trips from San Francisco de Heredia since 2014. Our local team prepares every detail in advance and answers your questions in English before and during your stay.

Your itinerary

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in San José: the first breath of tropical air

Welcome to Costa Rica. In the arrivals hall of Juan Santamaría International Airport, your private driver-guide is waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. A welcome note from Vincent, the agency's founder, sets the spirit of the trip: Costa Rica has been his adopted home for more than forty years, and the idea is simple. From now on, you can leave your watch, your phone and everyday stress behind, because the details are taken care of. A private transfer then takes you to your hotel in San José. This first drive is a gentle introduction to the warm air and easy rhythm of the country. Settle in, rest after your flight, and let the vacation begin.

Modern white hotel building in San José with a green living wall, curved entrance canopy and a red cow sculpture on the lawn
Day 1 of the Costa Rica 17 day itinerary begins with a night in San José after arriving at SJO airport.
Day 2

Turrialba: organic coffee on the way to the Caribbean

After breakfast, you leave around 9:00 for the Turrialba region, where the scenery shifts slowly between mountains, plantations and tropical valleys. Around 11:30, you reach a farm devoted to organic coffee, grown and processed according to international standards with close attention to quality and the environment. You visit the beneficio, the mill where freshly harvested beans are processed, and follow each step that turns a coffee cherry into a bean ready for roasting. The visit ends, naturally, with a cup of Costa Rican coffee and a chance to appreciate its aromas. You then continue down toward the Caribbean coast and Cahuita, your base for the next four nights.

Coffee cherries drying in rows on a concrete floor inside a plastic-covered greenhouse tunnel in Costa Rica
Freshly harvested coffee cherries spread out to dry under a plastic tunnel, a stop on a Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 3

Punta Cocles and Manzanillo: a day with wildlife rescuers

Leaving around 8:45, you drive about 20 kilometers from Cahuita to a private rescue center hidden in the rainforest, where your visit begins at 9:30. Here, injured, sick or orphaned wild animals are cared for and, whenever possible, prepared for a return to the wild. You learn about the daily work of the team and may see mammals, reptiles, butterflies, birds, sloths and frogs, depending on the day. In the afternoon, a second visit takes you to a wildlife conservation project focused on breeding, reintroduction and habitat protection. After a presentation, a guided walk through the surrounding forest offers chances to spot birds, monkeys, sloths, frogs and reptiles, while your guide explains how each species fits into the ecosystem.

Guide talking to three visitors beside wildlife enclosures in a rainforest rescue center near Punta Cocles, Costa Rica
A guide explains the work of a wildlife center to visitors on day 3 of a Costa Rica 17 day itinerary on the Caribbean coast.
Day 4

Cahuita National Park: forest trail, white sand and coral reefs

Today belongs to Cahuita National Park, protected for both its rainforest and its coral reefs. The park is open from 8:00 to 16:00, and the full trail between the Puerto Vargas and Cahuita entrances covers about 11 kilometers. You can walk it all, or enter from Cahuita, follow part of the path and return at your own pace. The trail often runs just a few meters from the shore, with openings onto the Caribbean Sea between palms and lianas. Keep your eyes on the foliage: monkeys, iguanas, raccoons, coatis, sloths, basilisks and tropical birds are regular sights. Along the way, Playa Blanca invites you to swim, rest in the shade or enjoy a picnic of your own to the sound of the waves.

Sandy beach lined with tropical trees and calm waves at the entrance to Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica
Day 4 of a Costa Rica 17 day itinerary brings you to the sandy shore of Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast.
Day 5

Cahuita: an organic farm and a kayak trip down a jungle river

At 9:00, you meet your local guide for a day devoted to nature and local encounters. It begins with an organic farm, where you discover tropical crops and the know-how of people who work in harmony with their land. You then take your seat in a kayak for a calm descent of a river framed by dense green banks. The river acts as a natural corridor: howler monkeys, toucans, iguanas and many birds may appear along the way, and your guide helps you spot the shyer animals and identify the plants. Lunch is included. In the late afternoon, you return to your hotel with free time to enjoy the pool and a quiet evening in the relaxed atmosphere of the Caribbean coast.

Yellow kayak bow on a calm river lined with dense tropical forest near Cahuita, Costa Rica
A yellow kayak glides along a quiet river framed by lush rainforest on day 5 of a Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 6

Sarapiquí: hearts of palm, pineapples and red-eyed tree frogs

Leaving around 8:30, you head inland to Horquetas de Sarapiquí, a rural region of family farms. Around 11:30, the owner of a small farm introduces you to palmito, heart of palm, and to pejibaye, the fruit of mature palms. After tasting fresh palmito, lunch at the family soda lets you sample local dishes such as palmito ceviche, lasagna, bread, chorreada or picadillo, depending on what is prepared that day. Next comes an organic pineapple and sugarcane farm, where you follow the life of the fruit from planting to harvest, plant a young pineapple yourself and enjoy a tasting. From 18:00, a guided evening walk goes in search of the red-eyed tree frog and other creatures of the night forest.

Woman carrying a bundle of freshly cut sugarcane stalks on her shoulder amid tropical plants in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica
A local host carries freshly cut sugarcane through a lush garden in Sarapiquí, a day 6 stop on this Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 7

Sarapiquí river and the road to Boca Tapada

After breakfast, you reach an adventure center on the Río Sarapiquí, arriving no later than 9:15. A half-day rafting trip on class II and III rapids awaits, led by an experienced professional guide who gives the safety briefing first; calmer stretches let you admire the lush riverbanks. If you prefer something gentler, rafting can be replaced by a float of about 2.5 hours in a non-motorized raft or a motorboat, ideal for spotting birds, monkeys and reptiles. A typical Costa Rican lunch is then served at the center. In the afternoon, you discover the organized world of leaf-cutter ants before driving north to Boca Tapada, a wild and preserved region where you settle in for two nights.

Group in helmets and life jackets paddling a blue raft through white-water rapids in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica
A group paddles through white-water rapids on a rafting excursion in Sarapiquí, a highlight of this Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 8

Boca Tapada: by boat to the Río San Juan, on foot through the rainforest

Right from your lodging, you board a boat bound for the mouth of the Río San Carlos, where it meets the Río San Juan, the natural border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The navigation is calm, through rainforest that remains largely untouched. Herons, ibises, egrets and kingfishers fish along the banks, and with some luck you may see caimans, iguanas, turtles and frogs, while your guide helps you read this river ecosystem. Later, a guided hike leads you into the forest reserve, layer by layer, from the forest floor to the canopy. Howler monkeys, spider monkeys and capuchins live here, along with birds, insects and reptiles, often revealed by a rustle in the leaves or a call from the treetops.

Blue covered riverboat with orange life jackets moored on a muddy river bank lined with tropical forest in Boca Tapada
A covered blue boat waits on the riverbank, ready for a river outing near Boca Tapada on day 8 of this Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 9

Arenal: a 70-meter waterfall and an evening in the hot springs

After breakfast, you drive through the green plains of San Carlos toward La Fortuna, as the near-perfect cone of Arenal Volcano, about 1,600 meters high, gradually rises on the horizon. It erupted suddenly on July 29, 1968, and remains closely monitored today. Just outside La Fortuna, a staircase of about 530 steps, roughly 15 to 20 minutes down, leads to a waterfall more than 70 meters high that plunges into a natural pool. You can swim when conditions allow, take photos and watch for butterflies, birds and perhaps monkeys. The afternoon is spent at a hot springs complex fed by the volcano's geothermal waters, with pools at different temperatures, followed by an included buffet dinner at 19:00.

Hikers descending stone stairs with wooden railings toward a tall waterfall in dense rainforest near Arenal, Costa Rica
Hikers head down a stone staircase through lush rainforest toward a waterfall near Arenal Volcano.
Day 10

Arenal Volcano National Park and the hanging bridges

Around 8:30, you set out for a walk of about 1.5 to 2 hours in Arenal Volcano National Park. Most of the trail is easy and nearly flat, through rainforest that has slowly reclaimed the land shaped by past eruptions. A rougher section of 200 to 300 meters crosses the rocks of old lava flows, including those of 1992, and leads to a viewpoint over the volcano and its lava fields when the weather is clear. On the way, you pass a ceiba tree more than 400 years old. Your entrance fees help fund Costa Rica's protected areas. In the afternoon, a two-hour walk covers about 3 kilometers of trails with 8 fixed and 6 hanging bridges, some 48 to 98 meters long, high in the canopy.

Arenal Volcano cone under blue sky with clouds behind the Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal entrance sign
The cone of Arenal Volcano rises behind the national park entrance sign, a highlight of day 10 on this Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 11

Río Celeste: turquoise water and a night walk in the forest

You leave around 7:30 for Tenorio Volcano National Park in the Guanacaste volcanic range, arriving between 10:00 and 10:30. A hike of about three hours follows a trail through ferns, lianas and tall trees, with birds and amphibians along the way. To reach the waterfall viewpoint, you go down and back up 253 steps, then discover the cascade falling into a pool of vivid turquoise. The color has a natural explanation: mineral particles in the water change the way light is scattered, a phenomenon that takes shape at El Teñidero, where two streams meet. As night falls, a guided walk by flashlight reveals another forest, with frogs, insects, reptiles and spiders becoming active, while your guide explains their role in the ecosystem.

Río Celeste waterfall pouring into a turquoise pool in Tenorio Volcano National Park, with wooden stairs through the forest
The Río Celeste waterfall drops into its turquoise pool, reached by a staircase through the rainforest, a highlight of day 11 on our Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 12

Cañas and the Río Corobicí, then on to Playa Sámara

At 7:30, you drive across the open plains and pastures of northwestern Costa Rica to Cañas. There, a wildlife sanctuary cares for animals that can no longer return to the wild, including pumas, jaguars, ocelots and several monkey species. Created through the work of Lilly and Werner Hagnauer, it has been supported since 2003 by a foundation funded by visits, donations and sponsors. At 11:30, you board a boat on the Río Corobicí for a peaceful ride of about 1.5 hours. American crocodiles, sometimes very large, rest on the banks among many birds, and the dry tropical forest of Guanacaste contrasts with the humid forests of earlier days. After lunch, the road leads to the Pacific coast and Playa Sámara.

Close-up of a puma with amber eyes and tawny fur, mouth slightly open, against a blurred green forest background
A puma looks on attentively at a wildlife rescue center near Cañas, Costa Rica.
Day 13

Playa Sámara: dolphins in the Pacific and a free afternoon

Around 8:00, you are picked up at your hotel reception for a shared boat trip off Playa Sámara. You head out in search of dolphins and, depending on the season, the weather and the animals' presence, humpback whales that visit this stretch of coast. Observation is done respectfully, keeping a proper distance from the wildlife, with views back toward the Guanacaste shoreline. You return around 12:00, and the afternoon is yours: a walk along the beach, a swim in the Pacific or simply time to enjoy the easygoing atmosphere of Sámara. As an option, from July to January and sometimes into early February, an evening outing at 18:30 to a protected beach may let you watch sea turtles nesting, always depending on nature.

Two dolphins swimming side by side at the surface of blue ocean water off the coast near Playa Sámara, Costa Rica
A pair of dolphins breaks the surface of the Pacific during a boat outing on day 13 of a Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 14

Paquera: kayaking through bioluminescent water

Today your driver-guide takes you toward Paquera, on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, where you spend the next two nights. At nightfall, you settle into a kayak and paddle slowly away from the lights of the shore across calm coastal water. With each stroke of the paddle, the water lights up with thousands of tiny sparkling points, leaving soft trails of light around your boat. This bioluminescence is produced by microscopic marine organisms, and it turns the surface into something like an upside-down starry sky. In the silence of the night, with the sounds of the tropical coast around you and often a sky full of stars above, this quiet outing offers a gentle way to connect with nature.

Two people paddling a yellow tandem kayak at dusk through glowing blue bioluminescent water near Paquera, Costa Rica
Paddling a tandem kayak through glowing bioluminescent water at twilight, a highlight of day 14 of this Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 15

Isla Tortuga: islands, snorkeling and white beaches in the Gulf of Nicoya

A full day at sea takes you across the Gulf of Nicoya. Your first stop is Isla de los Monos, where spider monkeys move through the trees of the island. The boat then passes the rock formations of Roca Corazón and Roca Arcoíris before reaching clear water for a snorkeling session, with equipment provided and a guide by your side to show you the marine life beneath the surface. You then land on Isla Tortuga, known for its pale sand beaches lined with tropical greenery, where you can swim, relax or simply enjoy island time. Lunch, fresh fruit and drinks are included, making this a relaxed and complete day off the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Snorkelers swimming in clear turquoise water near a large rocky islet off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica
Snorkelers explore the clear turquoise water around a rocky islet, an excursion on day 15 of this Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.
Day 16

Ferry from Paquera to Puntarenas and return to San José

You arrive at the Paquera terminal at least 45 minutes before departure so the vehicle can be loaded, then board the ferry to Puntarenas. Once on board, you can leave the vehicle and enjoy the outside decks. For about an hour and ten minutes, the peninsula fades behind you while islets, green shores and, in clear weather, the mountains of the Pacific coast appear. Seabirds are common, and dolphins sometimes show up in the gulf. The crossing saves a long detour by road and makes the transfer part of the journey. Note that schedules may change depending on sea and operating conditions. From Puntarenas, the road climbs back to San José for your final night.

Aerial view of a blue and white car ferry loaded with vehicles crossing calm green water near a small pier in Costa Rica
A car ferry carries vehicles and passengers across the water on the way from Paquera toward San José.
Day 17

San José: Central Market, National Theater and departure

On your last day, a walking tour introduces you to the historic center of San José. The Central Market comes first, with its colorful stalls of tropical fruit, spices, crafts and the scent of local coffee. You continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Theater, an elegant building inaugurated in the late 19th century. Time permitting, you may visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum or the Jade Museum; entrance fees to monuments, the theater and museums are not included. Your private driver then picks you up at your hotel and plans the departure so you reach the airport at least three hours before your flight. Pura vida, and we hope to welcome you back one day.

National Theater of Costa Rica in San José with neoclassical facade, statues, iron fence and Costa Rican flag
The neoclassical facade of the National Theater in San José, a final stop on day 17 of a Costa Rica 17 day itinerary.

Where you will stay

San José · 1 night

A comfortable city hotel in San José with an executive room and a king bed, ideal for resting after your international flight before heading out on the road.

Cahuita · 4 nights

A superior room in a hotel near Cahuita on the Caribbean coast, with a pool where you can unwind after days in the rainforest and the national park.

Sarapiquí · 1 night

Family cabins in the rural, green countryside of Sarapiquí, close to the farms and forests you explore during the day and the evening frog walk.

Boca Tapada · 2 nights

A bungalow in a nature lodge in the remote Boca Tapada region, set by the water so the boat trip toward the Río San Juan leaves right from the property.

Volcán Arenal · 2 nights

A junior suite in a hotel in the Arenal Volcano area, a comfortable base for the waterfall, the hot springs, the national park and the hanging bridges.

Volcán Tenorio and Río Celeste · 1 night

A bungalow surrounded by forest near Tenorio Volcano National Park, well placed for the Río Celeste hike and the guided night walk.

Playa Sámara · 2 nights

A double bungalow near the beach in Playa Sámara, on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste, with easy access to the shore during your free afternoon.

Paquera · 2 nights

A deluxe room in a hotel on the southern Nicoya Peninsula near Paquera, close to calm waters for the bioluminescence outing and the boat trip to Isla Tortuga.

San José · 1 night

An executive room with a king bed in a city hotel in San José, convenient for the walking tour of the historic center and your departure to the airport.

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

Optional activities

  • Night sea turtle watching tour: USD 45, payable on site

Who this trip is for

This trip suits travelers who want to see a wide range of Costa Rica without handling the driving or the logistics themselves: couples, friends traveling together and families of up to four, sharing one room or two. It is designed for nature lovers who enjoy watching wildlife, walking in the rainforest and spending time on the water, with options to adapt the effort, such as walking only part of the Cahuita trail or choosing a calm river float instead of rafting. The pace is varied rather than hurried, mixing guided activities, rescue center visits, farm encounters and free time on the beach. A reasonable level of fitness is helpful for the steps down to the waterfalls and the rocky section of the Arenal lava trail.

Frequently asked questions

How is this Costa Rica 17 day itinerary organized?

You travel with a private driver-guide from your arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport to your departure. The tour includes 16 nights of lodging with daily breakfast, the meals listed in the program, the activities and national park entrances marked as included, the ferry fee for the vehicle, fuel, parking, tolls and the 13% hotel and tourism taxes. International flights, travel insurance, tips and drinks outside meals are not included.

Which meals are included during the 17 days in Costa Rica?

Breakfast is included every day. Lunch is included on days 5, 6, 7, 12 and 15, and a buffet dinner is included at the hot springs on day 9. Included meals consist of a main course and one non-alcoholic drink. Other meals are at your own expense, which leaves you free to try local sodas and restaurants.

Is the rafting on the Río Sarapiquí suitable for everyone?

The rafting run is class II and III and is led by an experienced professional guide who gives a safety briefing beforehand. If you prefer a quieter experience, it can be replaced by a float of about 2.5 hours in a non-motorized raft or a motorboat, which is well suited to wildlife watching.

Can I see sea turtles nesting during the trip?

Turtle watching near Playa Sámara is an optional activity, not included in the package. It takes place mainly from July to January, sometimes into early February, and it is booked with the same company that runs the dolphin trip. Sightings always depend on natural conditions and on the turtles themselves.

Will I be able to communicate with the agency in English?

Yes. Our team in San Francisco de Heredia plans trips in English, French, Spanish and German and answers your questions in English before and during your stay. Let us know your language preferences for guided activities when you request your quote, and we will tell you what can be arranged.

From a cup of coffee in Turrialba to the lights of bioluminescent water near Paquera, this Costa Rica 17 day itinerary links the Caribbean, the northern rivers, the volcanoes and the Pacific in one continuous journey, guided by people who know the roads and the timing. If this 17-day Costa Rica tour matches what you have in mind, or if you would like to adjust a stage, a room arrangement or the turtle option, our team will be glad to prepare a detailed quote for your travel dates.

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