Itinerary Map
CLICK HERE to view itinerary map
Highlights
- San Jose, affectionately known to its residents as 'Chepe',
- Tortuguero National Park, known as Costa Rica’s “little Amazon”.
- Sightings of monkeys, iguanas, crested basilisk lizards, sloths, water birds, toucans, parrots, parakeets and caiman.
- La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano National Park
- Local cooking class with Isela Jimenez
- Visit the Ecotermales Fortuna Hot Springs
- Arenal Observatory Lodge Trails and Hanging Bridge Walk
- Sky Tram and Sky Walk Hanging Bridges Tour
- Doka Coffee Estate
- Monteverde - named ‘the jewel in the crown of cloud forests’ by National Geographic,
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Catamaran adventure along the beautiful coast of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Poás Volcano National Park
Inclusions
Fully escorted by a Sisterhood Womens Travel Tour Hostess who is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
Return economy airfares ex Melbourne including taxes (Other departure cities available on request. Class Upgrades available on request)
English speaking guides
All transportation as per itinerary
Meals as per itinerary (B,L,D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation with private facilities
All sightseeing as per itinerary
Willing to share option (subject to availability)
Meet and Greet prior to departure by Zoom
Notice
Local tipping is customary in Cost Rica. Sisterhood Womens Travel tipping system on all Group Tours involves passengers contributing to a kitty which is paid to your tour hostess at the beginning of the tour who then distributes it daily to service providers on your behalf. This avoids the need for you to consider individual tipping situations daily throughout your trip. The estimated amount for your tour is USD150.00 and this will confirmed in your final documentation.
Moderate Fitness Rating - A moderate level of fitness will be required for these tours due to the length and/or overall physicality of our tour itinerary. You can expect to walk more than 10,000 steps daily on more challenging terrain and longer periods. You must be capable of boarding and disembarking coaches, trains and boats unaided and at times handle your luggage. For more information on our physical ratings please CLICK HERE There are 2 x 5 kilometre walks that we'll be enjoying and as this itinerary is all about the outdoors, we can expect to be walking on uneven ground and paths etc. There are also some long drives on this itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Friday 21 March 2025
Melbourne - San Jose, Costa Rica (Meals In Flight)
Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!
Join your Sisterhood Womens Travel tour hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport at the designated time for our flight to Costa Rica via the USA (2 stops). Sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight.
Transfer to hotel and dinner at leisure.
We'll be met on arrival at San Jose Airport for a transfer to our hotel, and later join our guide for an orientation briefing where we will have the opportunity to get an overview of the following day’s activities and to ask questions to prepare for our trip.
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is currently undergoing a renaissance with modern high-rise buildings emerging, a brand new national stadium and a new Chinatown being built. Yet it still retains much of its past multicultural heritage in restored elegant old buildings, historic statues and parks. Its many international restaurants offer excellent cuisine, its theatres host numerous concerts and performances, and nightlife abounds in clubs with dancing to salsa, merengue, or rock.
Overnight - Hilton Garden Inn San Jose la Sabana (or similar)
Day 2 - Saturday 22 March 2025
San Jose - Tortuguero National Park (B, L, D)
We are met at our hotel early this morning for a transfer (approx. 2 hours) through the magnificent Braulio Carrillo National Park on the Limon Highway to La Pavona dock.
En route, we'll stop at a local restaurant for a delicious breakfast. At La Pavona dock, we embark on a boat for the transfer (approx. 1 hour) to our lodge in Tortuguero.
Upon arrival check in and enjoy lunch at the lodge. The remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy the pool, walk along a forest trail or simply relax before dinner
Overnight - Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
Day 3 - Sunday 23 March 2025
Tortuguero National Park (B, L, D)
This morning after breakfast, we enjoy the rich wildlife of Tortuguero, navigating the rainforest canals by boat. This tour will allow us the chance to see a large diversity of bird species, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, and iguanas.
After the tour, return to our hotel where our local guide will take us to the town for a leisurely walk to get a taste of local life. After the tour, return to our hotel.
The remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight - Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
Day 4 - Monday 24 March 2025
Arenal (B, L, D)
This morning after breakfast, we check out of our lodge and board the boat transfer back to La Pavona dock. We're met on arrival at La Pavona dock to depart on the transfer to Arenal. En route, we stop at a local restaurant for a delicious lunch.
Arenal is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. The volcano, although inactive for the past few years, is a majestic site. This picturesque region offers natural beauty, amazing wildlife and plenty of outdoor activities for visitors including hiking trails, the famous La Fortuna Waterfall, zip-line tours, rafting, canopy bridge walks, waterfall canyoning, organic farm tours and more. There are also a variety of relaxing hot springs with warm soothing waters heated by the volcano.
On arrival in Arenal, we are dropped off at our hotel.
Dinner in our hotel tonight.
Overnight - Montana de Fuego Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 - Tuesday 25 March 2025
Arenal (B, L, D)
Today, we enjoy a 5km walk to visit La Fortuna Waterfall outside the town of La Fortuna, this 70 metres tall waterfall receives its cool clear waters from the pristine forested mountains of Arenal Volcano National Park. In addition to viewing a majestic waterfall, visitors are helping the local community as the entrance fees are used for important public projects. The waterfall is located in a small canyon surrounded by lush forest and is accessed by walking down a steep, short trail. Daring visitors can take a swim in the cold-water lagoon below the falls if they wish.
After visiting the falls, we enjoy a cooking class with Isela Jimenez, known as Chela, she offers some of the best cooking classes in the La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano area. Chela provides a diverse menu of local recipes cooked on a handmade wood-burning stove in an authentic farm-to-table experience, where we can enjoy a delicious meal while supporting a local entrepreneurial woman. Afterwards, return to our hotel.
Later this afternoon, we will visit the Ecotermales Fortuna Hot Springs. The family-owned and operated natural hot springs are heated right from the heart of the Arenal Volcano and combine the health and wellness benefits of the soothing hot springs with the incredible peace and relaxation of the surrounding rainforests of the La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano area.
Enjoy dinner at the Ecotermales in their Costa Rican restaurant.
After dinner transfer to our hotel for a relaxing night's sleep.
Overnight - Montana de Fuego (or similar)
Day 6 - Wednesday 26 March 2025
Arenal (B, L)
This morning, we will transfer to the El Silencio Private Reserve to explore the area around the Arenal volcano, learn about its fascinating history, and view how the flora and fauna are reclaiming the formerly devastated landscape. Arenal volcano erupted violently July 29th, 1968 destroying the region west of its base with hot gases, rocks, and later, lava flows. Today the volcano steams quietly and heats local rivers that have been developed into popular hot springs and spas. Forest vegetation is quickly returning and covering the massive rock fragments and lava flows, and rainforest wildlife once again flourishes in and around the park. Enjoy views of the Green Lagoon and Lake Arenal, before entering the regenerating forest and primary rainforest located on the outskirts of the Arenal Volcano. Here we will have the opportunity to see a wide variety of plants and animals that inhabit the rainforest.
Afterwards, transfer to the Arenal Observatory Lodge enjoying lunch en route.
After lunch, we visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a complex of suspension bridges and trails through beautiful rainforest. As we walk we may encounter wildlife including toucans, poison dart frogs and howling spiders and white-faced capuchin monkeys.
Afterwards, return to our hotel with the remainder of the day and dinner at leisure.
Overnight - Montana de Fuego (or similar)
Day 7 - Thursday 27 March 2025
Monteverde (B, L, D)
This morning, we are met at our hotel this morning for a transfer to our hotel in Monteverde (approx. 3.5 hours). En route, we'll stop for lunch at a typical restaurant.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest in the Tilaran mountain range is one of the world’s premiere destinations for naturalists. A cloud forest is an especially beautiful and rare type of rain forest created by frequent mists from low lying clouds. This cool and moist environment is characterized by massive trees covered by thick carpets of small plants. Much of the resident wildlife is unique to these habitats.
On arrival in Monteverde, drop off at our hotel.
This afternoon, we visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for our 5km nature walk. In the Puntarenas Province, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the premier natural history destinations in Costa Rica. The forest is dominated by trees densely covered with mats of small plants known as epiphytes that include mosses, lichens, orchids, ferns and bromeliads. This cool, very green and often misty forest is home to a variety of wildlife. On our walk, we may encounter monkeys, coatimundis, agoutis and numerous bird species such as Toucanets, Chlorophonias and seasonally the Bellbird and legendary crimson and green Resplendent Quetzal.
Afterwards, we return to our hotel and enjoy dinner.
Overnight - El Establo Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 - Friday 28 March 2025
Monteverde (B, L)
Early this morning, discover The Monteverde Sky Tram/Walk that combines a ski lift ride with views of the Cloud Forest. The Sky Tram is a guided ride with short stops to observe the wonders of the Cloud Forest.
Afterwards, we'll transfer to CASEM, established in 1982 by a group of eight women artists, with the goal of using their creative skills to improve the lives of their families. Try your hand at painting during a private two-hour workshop with the Commission of Artisans of Santa Elena de Monteverde (CASEM)! These amazing artisan women are predominantly residents of the Monteverde district, they are mostly housewives who want to continue taking care of their families and craft their products in their own homes. They are skilled producers of handicrafts, textiles, jewellery, recycled materials, and paintings depicting the ecology of the area.
After the tour, we transfer back to our hotel and the rest of the day is at our own leisure.
Overnight - El Establo Hotel (or similar)
Day 9 - Saturday 29 March 2025
Manuel Antonio (B, L)
We are met at our hotel this morning and then depart on our journey to Manuel Antonio (approximately 4 hours), stopping at Tarcoles River Bridge. This wide river flows all the way from the mountains in Costa Rica’s Central Valley before emptying into the Gulf of Nicoya/Pacific Ocean. The Tarcoles River is most famous for its crocodiles and is teeming with birds. We enjoy lunch en-route.
On arrival at Manuel Antonio we settle into our hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight - Tabulia Tree Hotel (or similar)
Day 10 - Sunday 30 March 2025
Manuel Antonio (B)
We are met at our hotel this morning to board a catamaran adventure. This voyage sails along the beautiful coast of Manuel Antonio National Park.
While we're cruising we can scan the ocean and horizon for dolphins, frigate birds, pelicans, and other marine life. The catamaran will anchor for a break near a local beach for snorkeling and swimming, delicious snacks, and refreshments.
Return to our hotel and the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight - Tabulia Tree Hotel (or similar)
Day 11 - Monday 31 March 2025
Manuel Antonio (B, L, D)
Today we enjoy a guided nature walk in Manuel Antonio National Park. In 2011 Forbes Magazine listed Manuel Antonio as one of the 12 most beautiful national parks in the world for its gorgeous cream-coloured sand beaches, lush forest growing to the beach edge, abundant wildlife, warm Pacific waters, and forest trails with scenic ocean views. The animals are accustomed to visitors, and you are likely to see a variety of wildlife including squirrel monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, and sloths.
After our walk you will have free time to enjoy the park on your own before returning to our hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight - Tabulia Tree Hotel (or similar)
Day 12 - Tuesday 1 April 2025
Central Valley, San Jose (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will depart towards San Jose. En route we will stop at Dona Miriam Adanis home in Tarcoles, a small town on the Pacific to enjoy a home-cooked lunch.
Continue to our hotel in the central valley and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight - Buena Vista Chic Hotel (or similar)
Day 13 - Wednesday 2 April 2025
Central Valley, San Jose (B, L, D)
Today we will depart for a visit to Doka Coffee Estate— one of the most famous coffee farms in Costa Rica.
At the estate we will join our expert guide to learn about harvesting and the best practices to process the golden bean! After we will visit the Poás Volcano National Park. With a summit of 2,708 meters, Poás has an active crater (one of the largest in the world!) with steam and fumaroles visible on clear days from a specially made refuge. The park is home to resident birds like the Resplendent Quetzal, the Fiery-throated Hummingbird and the Sooty Thrush.
At the end of our tour we will be transferred back to our hotel for our farewell dinner.
Overnight - Buena Vista Chic Hotel (or similar)
Day 14 - Thursday 3 April 2025
San Jose - Melbourne (B, Meals in Flight)
Today we are transferred to San Jose Airport for our journey home via the USA (2 stops)
Sit back, relax and enjoy the in-flight entertainment.
Day 15 - Friday 4 April 2025
In Transit (Meals in Flight)
In Transit
Day 16 - Saturday 5 April 2025
Welcome Home
Arrival back into Melbouorne. What a fantastic adventure we've enjoyed.
Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back.