Costa Rica & Mexico: from Rainforest to Mayan Ruins

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in San José

  Starting from San Jose and ending in Cancun, this tour combines the most stunning natural beauties of Costa Rica and the most important heritage sites of the mysterious Maya in 9 days.

  After arrival at the international airport of San Jose, you will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel.

  • San José

• Day 2: San José - Tortuguero

  Depart for Tortuguero National Park in the early morning. After arrival at the park entrance, you will take a 5-minute boat ride to the Evergreen Lodge for check-in. Surrounded by towering trees and exuberant vegetation, this lodge has an ideal location to explore the unique and magical area of Tortuguero.

  Enjoy a delicious lunch in the lodge and then visit the village of Tortuguero. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.

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  • Tortuguero National Park

• Day 3: Tortuguero, Cruise through the Canals in the National Park

  Built to protect the most important nesting site of the green turtles in the Western Hemisphere, Tortuguero National Park covers 190 square kilometers and combines 11 different ecosystems, from rainforests of palm trees to marshes. This morning, you will navigate through the Tortuguero Park Canals to discover this extraordinary natural world. Afterward, return to the lodge for lunch and have the rest of the day at leisure, to relax or explore the trails around the lodge.

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  • Tortuguero National Park

• Day 4: Tortuguero - Arenal, Tabacon Thermal Baths

  After breakfast at the lodge, you will continue your journey to the Arenal Volcano National Park. With access to the rainforest, waterfalls, volcano, and the country's largest lake, it's no wonder Arenal has become one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica.

  After arrival and check-in, you will leave for a well-deserved evening of relaxation at the Tabacon, one of the most popular hot springs in Arenal. With more than 30 flowing pools and temperatures ranging from 38°C to 43°C, your relaxation is guaranteed. After that, you can enjoy an excellent buffet dinner.

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  • Arenal Vocanal

• Day 5: Arenal - San José, Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park

  Depart towards the Arenal Volcano. Follow one of the top hiking trails, Las Coladas, which will take you to walk through the rainforest and the volcano's old lava fields formed in 1992, for getting up close with the active volcano. During this 1-hour hike, you will also have chances to observe a great variety of fauna and flora. The hike ends at an observation point where, if the weather permits, you will be able to see the hot lava flow down the mountain.

  After the tour, you will be transferred to San Jose.

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  • San José

• Day 6: San José - Cancun

  Enjoy some leisure time until being transferred to the airport for your flight to Cancun, a hot beach city in Mexico. Upon arrival, be picked up and sent to the hotel for check-in.

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  • Cancun

• Day 7: Cancun - Merida, the Archaeological Site of Coba & Valladolid

  After breakfast, you will depart to visit the less-known archaeological site of Coba. This ancient city was built around a group of lakes and once one of the greatest and most populated cities during the Maya era. You will explore its unrestored temples hidden in the thick rainforest and the bravest ones may like to climb the great pyramid of Nohoch Mul, the highest Mayan structure at the Yucatan Peninsula.

  After it, continue to Valladolid, a charming city with a very hospitable Mayan population, which preserves, besides a legendary joy, the typical costumes from the pre-Columbian era, especially in women's clothing. You will visit the Cathedral of Saint Bernardino and some other beautiful buildings in this small city.

  Late in the afternoon, arrive in Merida and check into the hotel for rest.

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  • Merida

• Day 8: Merida, the Archaeological Site of Uxmal

  almost the same as they were abandoned several centuries ago. The architectures here are mainly in Puuc style that features low horizontal palaces set around courtyards, decorated with a lot of sculptures depicting the long-nosed rain god Chaac. Here you will explore its main buildings, including the Pyramids of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, and the House of Turtles.

  Return to Merida and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Take advantage of your centrally located hotel to explore the main attractions of the city, such as Montejo Walk, Santa Lucia Park, and the main square.

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  • Merida

• Day 9: Merida - Cancun, the Archaeological Site of Chichen Itza

  Departure from Merida after breakfast to visit the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, the best restored Mayan site in Yucatan Peninsula and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You will explore the magnificent ruins set in the dense jungle, including the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the Great Ball Court, the Cenote of Sacrifice, and some other beautiful temples.

  After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cancun for some leisure days on the beach. And we will be glad to recommend and book the hotel for you if it is needed.

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