Costa Rica by Nature

Travel Just 4U's representative in Costa Rica will meet you at the airport upon arrival. They will be holding a sign with your name after you leave the secure area with your bags. 

They will escort you to your private transfer, assist you on check-in at your hotel and present you with a detailed itinerary for your experiences in Costa Rica. This is your chance to run through specific pick up times and logistics for your tours in the country. 

If you have any questions regarding your itinerary, ask them now.

Hotel Presidente San Jose City Center is located in the heart of San José and 100m from Costa Rica’s National Theater and Plaza de la Cultura. It offers free daily breakfast buffet and free WiFi access. The property features unique designed interiors.

Rooms at San Jose City Center Hotel Presidente have modern décor with an LCD flat-screen TV. The amenities available also include a laptop safe and a hairdryer.

Las Americas Restaurant is open just for breakfast, while the Azotea Calle 7 Restaurant is open just for dinners. Set on the seventh floor, the hotel gym offers impressive views of San José. There are computer terminals for guests to use in the lobby, along with currency exchange services and luggage storage.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and head towards the Arenal area. your first stop will be at the Poas Volcano and then later the Laguna de Hule.

The Poas Volcano rises to 2,708 meters above sea level. You will be able to visit only the main crater for 20 minutes approximately. Today the volcano emits large amount of gas and water vapor from the different fumaroles that are located in the inner cone of the crater. The volcano has a constant activity so the visit is subject to restrictions and / or cancellations without prior notice. Then you will continue to the Laguna de Hule. 

This beautiful lagoon is located at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano, 11 km from the famous Poas Volcano. This area is renowned for its excellent trekking trails due to the variety of scenery and terrain, from clay, to dirt, volcanic rock, and grasslands in a rainforest at 800 m above sea level. You will then head to your hotel. 

Set in lush tropical gardens, at the foot of Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano, Volcano Lodge & Gardens offers an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi zone. Air-conditioned rooms have a terrace.

All our 66 rooms are Superior and non smoking, have deluxe finishes, 2 comfortable full size beds or 1 king size bed, TV/cable, telephone, air-conditioned, coffee maker, hot water shower, hairdryer and a nice terrace facing the Volcano.

Breakfast is available at the lodge and it is included on the rate. There is a bar, restaurant and snack bar. Room service is available. the Lodge also has two swimming pools for adults, two swimming pools for children and two Jacuzzis, all of them with view to the Volcano. 

You have the morning at leisure to enjoy the scenery around you. In the afternoon, you will be able to see from up close the activities of the Arenal Volcano with a hike. On this hike you will head along the trails of the Arenal Volcano National Park, and enter the tropical forest and the areas that were once devastated by the fury of the volcano.

During the walk, it is possible to observe a variety of flora and fauna typical of the area, as well as other sites of interest such as the impact craters. We will reach the lava flows of 1992; a large accumulation of solidified volcanic material ejected from the crater of this conical colossus in a period of much activity during that year. On clear days, we will have a magnificent view of the imposing Arenal colossus, the Arenal lake, the Tilarán mountain range and the Chato hill. The naturalist guide will provide valuable and interesting information about the main features of this volcano, active since 1968, and other important details of everything you will see during the tour. 

At the end of the walk, you will go by minibus, to the hot springs, where you can relax and enjoy the different pools. The natural hot springs of Tabacón Resort are 97% rainwater and 3% magma. Through the cracks in the surface, the rainwater penetrates to the heart of the earth, where the magma heats it before rising, bringing in the minerals that form the rocky stratum of our planet. Tabacón is a natural site and has five different springs, with temperatures from 25°C to 50°C.

After breakfast, you will be picked up and start the journey to Monteverde. You will transfer by regular boat transfer through the Arenal Lake which will take approximately 3 hours. This service, is a picturesque and fastest way to go to Monteverde from Arenal Volcano area. After a 30-minute ride to the dam, you will board a very comfortable and safe pontoon boat. After crossing the lake, (a 30 to 40 minutes boat ride), you will arrive to Río Chiquito, a little town at the other side. 

Arenal Lake is the largest and the most important lake in Costa Rica. It was man made in 1974 to provide hydroelectric energy for the country. The lake is also a place where you can find different kinds of resident and migratory birds; sometimes mammals such as monkeys and sloths can be seen. In addition, in a clear day, there are great views of the Arenal Volcano. The rest of the day is yours to explore Monteverde. 

Monteverde is home to one of the rarest habitats on Earth, the cloud forest, and an astounding variety of flora and fauna. The town of Monteverde, located at the south end of the cloud forest, had its beginnings in the early 1950s with the impetus of a group of Quakers from the United States, a group that came to Costa Rica attracted by its pacific inclinations and disarmament. They established themselves in the region and devoted themselves to produce milk and quality cheeses. Monteverde is located 172 kilometres northeast of San José. The climate is template and humid, with an average of 17ºC. 

Cloud Forest Lodge Monteverde offers 72 acres of primary and secondary forest, canopy tour, over 3 miles of private trails and more than 180 species of birds in a quiet and wonderful place. Boasting a garden, a terrace as well as a shared lounge, Cloud Forest Lodge Monteverde, Costa Rica, is within a 20-minute walk of Sky Adventures Monteverde and 2.9 km of Selvatura Adventure Park. Complimentary WiFi is offered. A patio with mountain views is offered in each unit.

A typical, continental or american breakfast is free at the lodge. Guests can grab a bite to eat in the in-house restaurant, which serves a variety of local dishes.

Monteverde Ecological Sanctuary is an 18-minute walk from Cloud Forest Lodge, while Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is 3.3 km from the property. 

In the morning after breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for an adventure combo Tour in Selvatura, including a canopy tour, the suspension bridges and a visit to the butterfly garden.

Selvatura Park is a cloud forest conservation project where a wide variety of tours is hosted. You can glide through cables and zip lines through the cloud forest or take the Treetop Walkways consisting of a 3-kilometre trail and eight different bridges. The park also has a butterfly garden hosting more than 50 different species of butterflies and a hummingbird garden, a treat for photography lovers and a spectacular show for anyone who loves nature. 

There is also an Education Center with a large private insect collection, property of world famous entomologist Dr. Richard Whitten. A Cloud Forest History walk teaches you about the natural history of Monteverde and all about the cloud forest ecosystem.

This morning you will check out and you will be picked up from your hotel for this shared transfer to Guanacaste, specifically to Tamarindo Beach. This transfer will take approximately 5 hours. 

Tamarindo Beach, located on the Pacific coast, is part of a bay formed by a cape where Playa Grande lies to the North of it, inside the bay. The two beaches are separated by a large mangrove estuary, Estero de Tamarindo. South of Tamarindo there is another beautiful estuary, Estero de San Francisco, and beautiful Playa Langosta. These beaches and estuaries are part of Las Baulas National Park. Most of the native people are descendants of the Chorotega Indians who for many centuries were isolated by the challenging surrounding terrain. While the cultivation and export of coffee and bananas has long fueled most of Costa Rica’s economy, this region stands apart. Due to its drier climate and sprawling geography, this area has instead developed a prosperous cattle industry. Dating back to Colonial times, the proud ranching tradition fostered a Hacienda System of land ownership which enabled the local Indian population to share in the region’s economy. Nowadays, although the cattle trade still flourished, tourism is now Guanacaste’s most thriving industry.

Featuring three outdoor swimming pools overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort has a beautiful setting on Tamarindo Beach. This large resort has 5 restaurants, 4 bars, a spa and a casino and with direct access to the most famous costa rican white sand beach

The attractive rooms at Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort offer garden, pool or ocean views. All accommodation has a seating area, a minibar and a flat-screen TV.

Set overlooking the ocean, Diriá Restaurant offers a varied buffet for breakfast and dinner, while Matapalo serves Costa Rican dishes, steak and seafood on its terrace. There is also a pizzeria, a beach bar, a cocktail lounge and a café.

There are tennis courts nearby, and guests receive discounts at the Tamarindo Diria's golf course, located 2 km away. Las Baulas National Park is less than 1 km from the resort.

You have the day to explore this beautiful beach town. From simple beginnings as a quiet fishing village Tamarindo, Costa Rica has developed into one of the most popular destinations in the Guanacaste province. This town supports a beautiful beach, a range of accommodations, and a number of restaurants. The main boulevard includes various boutiques and art galleries. Here are some suggestions to do: 

Experience Tamarindo Beach: Tamarindo Beach is a long beach with great waves. The currents here can be strong so watch the posted advisories when swimming, but much of Tamarindo Beach is perfect for those just learning how to surf. The vibe of Tamarindo is best described as “Party and Play.” Great swimming, surf, fishing, and water sports during the day, buzzing nightlife come sunset.  

Visit Neighboring Tamarindo Beaches: The different beaches in the area offer a variety of activities for those who want to spend their time in the sand and the sun. Langosta Beach, just south of Tamarindo, is known for its white sand, relaxed atmosphere, and the absence of development. This beach can feel totally secluded at times, with beautiful sunsets and fascinating tidal pools – a popular beach for families! Other popular beaches in the area include Coconut Beach and Hermosa Beach. Avellana Beach, a 30-minute drive south of Tamarindo, is a good surfing beach.

Las Baulas National Marine Park – Turtle Nesting: Las Baulas National Marine Park encompasses about 1,100 acres of beach and coast and over 54,400 maritime acres. It is named for the leatherback sea turtles (baulas) that return to lay their eggs each year at Grande Beach

Tamarindo Estuary Kayaking or Boat Ride:Just north of Tamarindo, between Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande, is a maze of estuary waterways. Explore this fascinating ecosystem by kayak with a professional guide, who can point out the unique species that live here. Look for crocodiles sunbathing on the river bank and a variety of wading bird species. 

You will bid farewell to the beach this morning and start the approximate 5 hour transfer back to San Jose. You will then have the rest of the day at leisure. 

San José is the capital of Costa Rica and one of the fastest growing destination cities in the world. Built on the profits of the coffee trade, the city is abound with culture and boasts a score of museums, parks, theaters, and restaurants. Here are some of the best things to see and do while visiting this beautiful city. 

Museo del Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum) Containing over 1,600 artifacts of Pre-Columbian gold from 500 A.D., this museum’s impressive collection is well worth a visit. 

Parque Metropolitano La Sabana: This sprawling park is known as “the lungs of San José.” It’s a popular and vital space for the city’s residents to get some fresh air, and a great stop for travelers to enjoy a refreshing afternoon stroll or lazy picnic. 

Casa Amarilla: Located on the northeast corner of Parque España, this beautiful colonial-style, yellow mansion is home to the ministry of foreign affairs. Although it is closed to the public, it’s worth strolling by to admire the elegant outer architecture, as well as the historic ceiba tree in front, which was planted by John F. Kennedy during his visit to Costa Rica in 1963.

Museo de los Niños (the Children’s Museum) is one of the best cultural destinations in San José for both its location and content. Situated on a hill in a medieval castle, it offers beautiful views of the city

Mercado Centrale: For those looking to explore an authentic Costa Rican market, this is the place to go. It sells everything from hammocks to knickknacks, coffee beans to cigars.

El Valle del Rio Orosí (Orosí River Valley): For those looking to escape the city for a day and have some adventure, Orosi River Valley is the perfect place to go. Pass by staffee plantations and beautiful Costa Rican countryside to visit Cartago, Costa Rica’s first capital, before arriving at the Tapanti National Park, which hosts a range of activities from boat rides to white-water rafting.