Prices per person, in US dollars, including accommodation, breakfasts and the services listed in the program. The package details are listed below.
The Green Iguana is a Costa Rica 17-day itinerary designed for travelers who want to see the country in depth without handling a single logistical detail. From the moment you land, a private driver-guide takes the wheel, and each stage follows on from the last: the capital, the high cloud forest, the wild Osa Peninsula, the Central Pacific, Monteverde, Arenal Volcano, the rivers of Sarapiquí and finally the Caribbean coast.
Over 17 days in Costa Rica, you will look for the resplendent quetzal at dawn in San Gerardo de Dota, walk through the primary rainforest of Corcovado National Park, snorkel around Caño Island, cross the Arenal hanging bridges and soak in volcanic hot springs. Wildlife is everywhere, but so are the people who make the country what it is: a family growing heart of palm, farmers working organic pineapple and coffee, teams caring for injured animals on the southern Caribbean coast.
The pace alternates between guided outings, free time and gentle discoveries on your own, with breakfast every morning and several meals included along the way. Our team, based in San Francisco de Heredia since 2014, plans every detail and answers your questions in English before and during your trip.
Your itinerary
San José · 1 night
San Gerardo de Dota · 1 night
Bahía Drake · 3 nights
Manuel Antonio · 1 night
Monteverde · 2 nights
Volcán Arenal · 2 nights
Sarapiquí · 1 night
Cahuita · 4 nights
San José · 1 night
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in San José: your driver-guide is waiting
Welcome to Costa Rica. When you land at Juan Santamaría International Airport, in the province of Alajuela, your private driver-guide is waiting for you in the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name. A welcome note from Vincent, written on behalf of the agency, sets the tone for the days ahead: 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 way to settle into the warm air, the green hillsides and the unhurried rhythm of the country. The trip begins the moment you arrive, so simply enjoy it.
Day 1 of a Costa Rica 17-day itinerary starts with an overnight stay in San José after arriving at SJO airport.
Day 2
San José's historic center, then the cloud forest of Dota
The morning is devoted to San José, mostly on foot. In the Central Market, stalls overflow with tropical fruit, spices and crafts, and the smell of Costa Rican coffee drifts through the aisles. You continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral, then to the National Theater, inaugurated at the end of the 19th century, with its elegant facade and richly decorated interior. Time permitting, you may also visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum or the Jade Museum; entrance fees to monuments, the theater and museums are not included. You then head up to San Gerardo de Dota for a walk on your lodge's trails, among mosses, ferns and epiphyte-covered trees. Your guide helps you spot hummingbirds, trogons and, with luck, the quetzal.
The San Gerardo de Dota valley and its cloud forest, the stop on day 2 of this tour.
Day 3
Searching for the quetzal, then by boat to Bahía Drake
Early in the morning, a naturalist guide leads you through the cloud forest in search of the resplendent quetzal, with its emerald plumage, red chest and, for the male, long trailing tail feathers. Patience is part of the experience, often near the aguacatillo trees whose small fruits it feeds on. After breakfast, you travel south along the Pacific coast road to Sierpe, ideally arriving by 3 p.m. The boat leaves between 3:30 and 4 p.m. for a crossing of about 1 hour 30 minutes, first through the Sierpe mangroves, then along the green shores of the Osa Peninsula. The boat lands directly on the beach at Bahía Drake: wear shoes that come off easily and keep your electronics protected.
A resplendent quetzal seen up close in the San Gerardo de Dota forest, on day 3 of this tour.
Day 4
Corcovado National Park: a day in primary rainforest
From Bahía Drake, a boat ride along the coast of the Osa Peninsula takes you to Corcovado National Park, one of the last large expanses of primary rainforest in Costa Rica. Depending on permits and park access on the day, you explore either the San Pedrillo sector, closer to Drake, or La Sirena, deeper in the park and known for the diversity of its wildlife. With a naturalist guide who speaks English or Spanish, you walk through dense forest alive with the calls of howler, capuchin and spider monkeys, along with tropical birds and reptiles. Lunch is included. In the afternoon, the boat brings you back to Bahía Drake along the shores of the South Pacific.
The entrance sign of Corcovado National Park, a day trip from Drake Bay on this Costa Rica 17-day itinerary.
Day 5
Caño Island: snorkeling off the Osa Peninsula
Around 7 a.m., you set off by boat with a specialized crew toward the Caño Island Biological Reserve, about an hour and a half offshore. Depending on the season, humpback whales, Bryde's whales, spotted and spinner dolphins or flying fish may appear along the way, though sightings can never be guaranteed. At the island, an official park guide, who speaks Spanish or English, accompanies you for a first snorkeling session; mask and snorkel are provided to explore waters where tropical fish, corals and rays live. You then land on the island's only accessible beach, where scarlet macaws sometimes fly overhead. Tip: stop by the dive center the day before to try on and adjust your mask and fins.
Snorkeling in clear blue water above a coral reef, a highlight of day 5 in the Drake Bay area.
Day 6
Through the Sierpe mangroves to Manuel Antonio
After breakfast, the boat leaves Bahía Drake at 7:15 a.m., following the wild coast before winding back into the mangrove channels of Sierpe, where you arrive around 8:45 a.m. Wear light clothing that dries quickly: boarding from the beach may mean a few steps in the water. Your driver-guide then takes you to Manuel Antonio National Park, which you explore at your own pace. The trails wind through the rainforest toward viewpoints over the ocean and beaches where you can swim when conditions allow. Keep an eye out for capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas and tropical birds. Late in the afternoon, relax by your hotel pool or on the beach to the sound of the Pacific waves.
The welcome sign at Manuel Antonio National Park, a stop on day 6 of this Costa Rica 17-day itinerary.
Day 7
Carara's scarlet macaws and a night walk in Monteverde
On the way north, near Tárcoles, you stop at Carara National Park, a transition zone between the humid forests of the Central Pacific and the drier landscapes of Guanacaste. Its trails pass beneath tall trees where birds, monkeys and iguanas live, and the park is known for its scarlet macaws, sometimes seen perched or in flight. Bring comfortable shoes, water and insect repellent. In the evening, in Monteverde, a local naturalist guide leads you along the reserve's trails after dark. By flashlight, you look for camouflaged tree frogs, insects, spiders, reptiles and small nocturnal mammals, while the chorus of frogs and insects fills the misty forest. Encounters depend on the weather and the animals themselves.
The entrance sign of Carara National Park, a stop on day 7 of this Costa Rica 17-day itinerary.
Day 8
The Monteverde cloud forest, on foot and above the canopy
Start the day with a self-guided walk on the marked trails of the cloud forest, stopping whenever you like to photograph an orchid, watch hummingbirds or simply listen. Please stay on the trails and leave plants and animals undisturbed. Later, an adventure park offers a full program of about 4 hours 30 minutes: an aerial tram up the mountain, seven ziplines high above the canopy, then a course with a bike 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. You finish on step-free trails with six hanging bridges. Closed shoes are required and a rain jacket is recommended. Ziplines are open from age 5, with weight and waist limits.
A red wooden visitor center with a green roof sits at the edge of the Monteverde cloud forest, a day 8 stop on this Costa Rica 17-day itinerary.
Day 9
Arenal hanging bridges in the afternoon
Today your driver-guide takes you to the area around Arenal Volcano. In the afternoon, the perspective changes with a walk of about two hours through the rainforest, covering nearly 3 kilometers of trails. Along the way you cross 8 fixed bridges and 6 hanging bridges, some measuring between 48 and 98 meters, which span canyons and put you at eye level with the canopy. Views open onto the volcano and the surrounding forest. Take your time: watch the foliage, listen to the birds and scan the branches, because many species only reveal themselves to those who slow down. Each level of the forest, from the ground to the treetops, has its own inhabitants.
Day 9 of a Costa Rica 17-day itinerary: walking across a hanging bridge through the forest canopy near Arenal.
Day 10
Arenal Volcano National Park and an evening in the hot springs
After breakfast, around 8:30 a.m., you set off for a hike of 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours in Arenal Volcano National Park. Most of the trail is easy and nearly flat, through forest that has slowly reclaimed the old lava fields. A rougher section of 200 to 300 meters crosses the rocks of former lava flows, including those of 1992, and leads to a view of the volcano when the weather is clear. On the way, you pass a ceiba tree more than 400 years old. The afternoon is spent at a hot springs complex, where pools of different temperatures and waterfalls are fed by geothermal water. A buffet dinner is included at 7 p.m.
The cone of Arenal Volcano rises above the national park entrance sign on day 10 of this Costa Rica 17-day itinerary.
Day 11
Rafting the Río Sarapiquí and red-eyed tree frogs at dusk
After breakfast, you head to an adventure center, where you must arrive by 9:15 a.m. at the latest. A professional guide gives the safety briefing, then you spend about half a day rafting the Río Sarapiquí on class II and III rapids, with calmer stretches to admire the riverbanks. If you prefer something gentler, a safari float of about 2 hours 30 minutes, in a non-motorized raft or a motorboat, is ideal for spotting birds, monkeys and reptiles. A typical Costa Rican lunch is served back at the center, followed by a look at the remarkably organized world of leaf-cutter ants. After checking in, a walk from 6 p.m. takes you in search of the red-eyed tree frog.
A group paddles a blue raft through foaming rapids, led by a guide in a white helmet, on day 11 of a Costa Rica 17-day itinerary.
Day 12
Heart of palm, pineapple fields, then on to Cahuita
Around 8:30 a.m., you leave for Horquetas de Sarapiquí, a green farming area. At about 11:30 a.m., the owner of a small family farm explains how heart of palm, or palmito, is grown, and how mature palms produce pejibaye, a fruit much loved in Costa Rican cooking. After a tasting of fresh heart of palm, lunch at the family's small soda may include palmito ceviche, lasagna, bread, chorreada or picadillo, depending on the day. You continue on an organic pineapple and sugarcane farm, where you learn each stage of cultivation and plant a young pineapple yourself. In the afternoon, the road leads to Cahuita, on the Caribbean coast.
A local farmer shows a freshly harvested pineapple in his field, a stop on this Costa Rica 17-day itinerary.
Day 13
Wildlife rescue and conservation on the southern Caribbean coast
After breakfast, around 8:45 a.m., you leave for a private wildlife rescue center located about 20 kilometers from Cahuita, toward Punta Cocles and Manzanillo, for a visit at 9:30 a.m. Set in the rainforest, it cares for injured, sick or orphaned wild animals and, when possible, prepares them to return to the wild. You learn about the daily work of the teams and may see mammals, reptiles, butterflies, birds, sloths and frogs. In the afternoon, you visit a wildlife conservation project dedicated to breeding, reintroduction and habitat protection. A presentation is followed by a walk with your guide through the surrounding forest, where birds, monkeys and other animals may appear.
A guide explains the work of a wildlife center to visitors along a shaded rainforest path.
Day 14
Cahuita National Park: a rainforest trail along the Caribbean
Today belongs to Cahuita National Park, protected for both its rainforest and its coral reefs. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The full trail between the Puerto Vargas and Cahuita entrances is about 11 kilometers, but you can also enter at Cahuita, walk part of the way and return at your own pace. The path often runs just a few meters from the shore, with glimpses of the turquoise sea between palms and lianas. Monkeys, iguanas, raccoons, coatis, sloths, basilisks and tropical birds may cross your path. At Playa Blanca, take time to swim, rest in the shade or enjoy a picnic to the sound of the waves.
Day 14 of the Costa Rica 17-day itinerary: a curving sandy beach framed by tropical vegetation at Cahuita National Park.
Day 15
Kayaking a Caribbean river with a local guide
At 9 a.m., you meet your local guide for a day centered on nature and genuine encounters. It begins with a visit to an organic farm, where you discover tropical crops and farming practices that respect the environment. You then board your kayak for a peaceful paddle down a river lined with lush vegetation. The river acts as a natural corridor: howler monkeys, toucans, iguanas and many birds may appear, and your guide helps you spot the shyer animals while sharing his knowledge of the region and its plants. Lunch is included. Late in the afternoon, you return to your hotel for free time by the pool and a quiet Caribbean evening.
A yellow kayak glides along a calm, tree-lined river near Cahuita on day 15 of a Costa Rica 17-day itinerary.
Day 16
Turrialba coffee country and the road back to San José
After breakfast, around 9 a.m., you leave the coast for the green region of Turrialba, as the landscape shifts to mountains, plantations and tropical valleys. Around 11:30 a.m., you visit a farm devoted to organic coffee, grown according to international standards that pay close attention to quality and the environment. You tour the beneficio, the mill where freshly harvested coffee cherries are processed into beans ready for roasting, and learn the know-how behind one of Costa Rica's signature products. The visit ends naturally with a cup of local coffee and its characteristic aromas. You then continue to San José for your final night in the country.
Coffee cherries spread out to dry on the floor of a covered drying tunnel near Turrialba.
Day 17
A last morning in Costa Rica
After breakfast, your private driver picks you up at the hotel reception and takes you to the airport for your return flight. Departure is planned so that you arrive at least three hours before takeoff, as recommended for check-in and departure formalities. Depending on your flight time, there may be a chance for a final stroll through the city to see a museum, a park or simply everyday street life; entrance fees to museums and monuments are not included. After the rainforests, volcanoes, rivers and beaches of the past days, it is time to head home, with the hope that one day you will return to discover another side of the country. ¡Pura Vida!
Where you will stay
San José · 1 night
A comfortable city hotel in San José with a spacious king room, ideal for resting after your flight before heading into the mountains.
San Gerardo de Dota · 1 night
A bungalow-style lodge in the cloud forest valley of San Gerardo de Dota, with its own nature trails among mosses, ferns and birdlife.
Bahía Drake · 3 nights
A simple, welcoming lodging in the small isolated village of Bahía Drake, between rainforest and Pacific Ocean, reached by boat from Sierpe.
Manuel Antonio · 1 night
A hotel with a pool near Manuel Antonio National Park, convenient for an afternoon swim after exploring the park or the beach.
Monteverde · 2 nights
A hotel with standard rooms in the cool highlands of Monteverde, well placed for the night walk and the cloud forest activities.
Volcán Arenal · 2 nights
A hotel with junior suites in the Arenal Volcano area, surrounded by tropical greenery and close to the national park and hot springs.
Sarapiquí · 1 night
Family-style cabins in the lowland rainforest of Sarapiquí, a green setting close to the river.
Cahuita · 4 nights
A hotel with superior rooms and a pool on the Caribbean coast near Cahuita, your base for exploring the national park and the southern coast.
San José · 1 night
A comfortable hotel in San José with a king room for your last night, close to the departure 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
Who this trip is for
This 17-day Costa Rica tour suits couples, friends and families of two to four travelers who love nature and wildlife and appreciate having every transfer handled by a private driver-guide. It calls for reasonable fitness: hikes in Corcovado and on Arenal's old lava flows, a beach landing at Bahía Drake, snorkeling at Caño Island and rafting on the Río Sarapiquí. Gentler options exist, such as the safari float instead of rafting or a shorter walk in Cahuita National Park. Families with children will enjoy the frogs, the pineapple farm and the hanging bridges, keeping in mind that the Monteverde ziplines are open from age 5, with weight and waist limits.
Frequently asked questions
Will a guide be with me throughout this Costa Rica 17-day itinerary?
Yes. As a Costa Rica private driver-guide tour, your driver-guide welcomes you at Juan Santamaría International Airport and accompanies you on the road throughout the trip. Local naturalist guides lead some activities; in Corcovado and at Caño Island they speak English or Spanish. Vincent and the agency team do not travel with you but remain reachable, and the team answers in English.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. Lunch is included on days 4 (Corcovado), 11 (Sarapiquí), 12 (heart of palm farm) and 15 (kayak day), and dinner on day 10 at the hot springs. Included meals consist of a main course and a non-alcoholic drink.
How do you get to Bahía Drake?
By boat from Sierpe, in about 1 hour 30 minutes through the mangroves and along the Osa Peninsula. 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 and protect your luggage and electronics.
Is the trip suitable if I am not an adventure enthusiast?
Yes, with a few adjustments. Rafting can be replaced by a calmer safari float, the full Cahuita trail can be shortened, and the hanging bridges walks are accessible. Some adventure park activities in Monteverde have height, weight or fitness requirements that should be checked before booking.
What is not included in the package?
International flights, drinks outside meals and alcoholic drinks, entrance fees to San José monuments and museums, personal expenses and tips, travel or repatriation insurance, and any extensions or services not listed in the program.
From the quetzal of San Gerardo de Dota to the reefs of Cahuita, this Costa Rica 17-day itinerary links the country's mountains, rainforests and two coastlines at a pace that leaves room for observation and rest. Every stage is prepared by our team in Heredia, and your private driver-guide takes care of the road so you can simply watch the landscapes go by. If this journey speaks to you, feel free to request a quote: we will be glad to adapt the dates and details to your group.
Request this tour
Tell us your dates and who is traveling: we will reply with a personalized quote for “Green Iguana Tour”.
Manage consent
We use cookies to measure site traffic, display certain content (videos, maps, reviews) and improve your visit. You can accept them, refuse them or choose which ones you allow; you can change your choice at any time.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
