From the Jungle to the Driver’s Seat: Tortuguero + Rental Car Package

DAY 1

San José

Welcome to Costa Rica! 🇨🇷
Upon arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport, our driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Use this first touchpoint to ask questions, get recommendations, and—if you’d like—set up direct communication with our offices.

San José sits in the Greater Metropolitan Area, the country’s most populated region and a crossroads of tradition and modernity. Expect a vibrant mix of historic architecture, cultural life, and urban corners full of local flavor.

👉 What to see in San José:

• Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the National Museum

• Plaza de la Cultura and the National Theater, city icons

• Central Market, perfect for tasting exotic fruits and classic Costa Rican dishes

A perfect first taste of the country’s essence before you dive into the adventure.

Park Inn Hotel (or similar) - 1 night

Breakfast

Transfer Airport - San José

DAY 2

Heading to Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations. Located on the Caribbean coast, it’s a remote paradise accessible only by air (optional, at an additional cost) or by navigating its magical jungle-lined canals. The boat ride becomes part of the experience itself—lush vegetation, exotic birds, monkeys, caimans, and the rich biodiversity that makes Tortuguero a dream for nature lovers.

📍 Special season: From July to October, witness the sea turtle nesting, one of the most breathtaking natural spectacles in the world.

Your adventure begins early in the morning. With your certified guide, you’ll travel through Braulio Carrillo National Park, a green corridor of dense rainforest and mountains, until you reach Guápiles, where you’ll enjoy a delicious traditional Costa Rican breakfast.

You’ll then continue past picturesque towns and banana plantations to the dock. From there, a boat will take you through Tortuguero’s canals, where you can observe the region’s incredible biodiversity.

🏡 Upon arrival at the lodge, you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing fruit cocktail and a brief introduction to your stay. After the included buffet lunch, your guide will accompany you to visit the charming village of Tortuguero—a unique place with no roads or cars, where the Caribbean rhythm meets everyday life.

On the tour, you can visit:

• Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum (Turtle Museum), dedicated to conservation

• Sea turtle nesting beach

• Small local shops, ideal for basic purchases

⚠️ Important: Tortuguero is a very small village and does not have pharmacies or specialized medical supplies. Please bring any necessary medication with you from San José.

Pachira Lodge (or similar) - 2 nights

Full Board (alcoholic drinks or bottled water not included)

Land and boat transfer (San José - Tortuguero - Guápiles)

Visit to Tortuguero National Park and Tortuguero village

Bilingual guide

DAY 3

Exploring the Tortuguero Canals

Dawn in Tortuguero is unforgettable: the echo of howler monkeys, the songs of toucans, and the jungle awakening set the tone for the day. After breakfast, together with your naturalist guide and local captain, you’ll board a boat to navigate the canals of Tortuguero National Park, often called the “Amazon of Costa Rica” for its extraordinary biodiversity.

During the cruise you may spot:

• Three monkey species: howler, spider, and white-faced capuchin.

• A wide variety of birds such as herons, egrets, and toucans.

• And with a bit of luck, sloths, anteaters, and even neotropical river otters.

🌿 Afternoon: Free time to relax by the lodge pool surrounded by rainforest, or join optional activities like kayakingthrough secondary canals or guided jungle walks.

🌙 July–October: At night, you can (for an additional cost) join the area’s most magical excursion—green sea turtle nesting on Tortuguero’s beaches, a natural phenomenon that draws travelers from around the world.

👉 This day blends wildlife exploration with the freedom to enjoy, at your own pace, one of Costa Rica’s richest ecosystems.

Tour of the canals

DAY 4

From Tortuguero to the Southern Caribbean: Puerto Viejo

After breakfast at the lodge, you’ll retrace Tortuguero’s enchanting canals back to the dock. From there, continue to Guápiles for an included lunch before picking up your private rental car—the start of your “at your own pace” road trip through Costa Rica.

The route crosses the broad Caribbean lowlands, passing banana and pineapple plantations typical of Limón province. After roughly 3.5 hours, arrive in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a vibrant Southern Caribbean town near the Panama border.

🌴 Puerto Viejo blends white, golden, and black-sand beaches with a unique Afro-Caribbean vibe. Expect calypso music, Caribbean-flavor cuisine, and an easygoing rhythm from the very first moment.

👉 From here you can explore:

• Cahuita National Park, famed for coral reefs and scenic coastal trails.

• Gandoca–Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, home to pristine rainforest and paradise beaches.

• Activities like snorkeling/diving, cycling, horseback riding, or simply relaxing by the Caribbean Sea.

⚠️ Note: Activities in Tortuguero (previous days) are coordinated by your local guide according to weather and wildlife conditions to maximize your experience.

Rental car for 6 days (Unlimited Mileage, authorization for 2 drivers, GPS, full coverage insurance)

DAYS 5 - 12

Costa Rica at Your Own Pace with a Rental Car

From today, your big go-your-own-way adventure begins. After your Tortuguero experience, you’ll pick up your private rental car, giving you total freedom to explore Costa Rica at the pace you like best.

With your car, you can comfortably reach the country’s most iconic spots—from volcanoes and cloud forests to paradise beaches on the Pacific or Caribbean. Every route is a chance to pause in charming towns, try local cuisine, or pull over for a postcard-worthy view.

🚙 Driving in Costa Rica gives you:

• Flexibility to design your own itinerary.

• The chance to explore places off the traditional tourist routes.

• Freedom to stop whenever you want for photos, a break, or to discover authentic hidden corners.

👉 Even though you’ll travel independently, you’ll always have the assistance and support of Asuaire Travel. Our team is available to answer questions, help with any unexpected situations, and recommend the best experiences in each destination.

For more inspiration, suggested activities, and travel tips, explore our website 👉 www.asuaire.com.

DAY 10

San José – Rental Car Return & Airport Transfer

On your final day in Costa Rica, you’ll return your rental car at the offices near Juan Santamaría International Airport.

The rental company provides a complimentary shuttle from their facility to the airport terminal, ensuring a smooth, quick, and hassle-free process before your flight home.

Rental car delivery