Take an 8-day trip to the heart of Central America and experience the best of Costa Rica. Start in San Jose, where the international airport is located. Travel to the live Arenal Volcano and enjoy hot springs that the volcano provides. From there, travel to Monteverde and explore the mystic Cloud Forest, a coffee plantation, or another activity. Transfer to the Pacific coast and stay at a resort in the Manuel Antonio National Park, which encompasses rugged rainforest, white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Finally, transit through San Jose on your way back to the US. Three levels of hotels are featured. Prices starting from $789 per person, land only, with daily guaranteed departures.
Day 1 - Arrive San Jose
Welcome to San José, Costa Rica. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You can explore the capital city with its theaters, museums, historic buildings and beautiful parks. Or, simply sit in a café and enjoy a cup of Costa Rican coffee while you watch the daily life of the “Ticos”. Accommodation at hotel of your choice. (Wyndham Garden San Jose/Crowne Plaza/Hilton Garden Sabana)
Day 2 - San Jose/Arenal Volcano (3 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. Heading northwest to the active Arenal Volcano, a natural wonder with an iconic cone-shaped crater. Along the way there, you see plantations of various agricultural crops, ornamental plants, and cattle ranches before reaching the town of La Fortuna. The town is worth visiting to walk and to have lunch or dinner. Your hotel is strategically located to appreciate the volcano. Accommodation at hotel of your choice. (Montana de Fuego/Arenal Springs Resort & Spa/Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa)
Day 3 - Arenal Volcano
Breakfast at the hotel. Resorts with natural hot springs and spas are some of the greatest attractions to enjoy in the Arenal region. Other top activities in the area include: visiting the Arenal Volcano National Park, zip line tours, suspension bridges, aerial tram tours, hiking and horseback riding tours to the La Fortuna Waterfall, and water activities on Lake Arenal.
Day 4 - Arenal Volcano/Monteverde (4 hours)
Transfer to the Monteverde Cloud Forest will be a combination of land, water, and land again. This option is the best way to travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde. Our minibus will pick you up at your hotel to take you to Lake Arenal, where you will board a motorized boat to cross Lake Arenal to Rio Chiquito. Then, another minibus will take you to your hotel in beautiful Monteverde. Accommodation at the hotel of your choice. (Monteverde Country Lodge/El Establo/El Establo)
Day 5 - Monteverde
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a free day. Monteverde is globally recognized for its cloud forest that extends on both sides of the Continental Divide. Currently, there are two reserves in the area: the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. You will be amazed at the area’s diversity and rich nature while walking along the numerous trails in either reserve. In the higher parts of the forest, there exists what is called “natural Elfin Forest” – the climate is such that the tallest trees do not exceed 10 meters. There are many activities in the area to complement your visit: adventure zip line tours, hanging bridges, hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, a Serpentarium (one of the best in the country), a nocturnal wildlife tour, horseback riding, a cheese tour (cheeses made in Monteverde are the best in Costa Rica), etc.
Day 6 - Monteverde/Manuel Antonio (4.5 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning your journey will take you to the warm Central Pacific Coast. Manuel Antonio is your next destination; it is home to the smallest but most visited national park in Costa Rica. During your trip, be sure to stop at the Tarcoles River Bridge to see the giant crocodiles in the river below. The lush landscape along the Central Pacific Coast features rice and palm plantations. Accommodation: the hotel of your choice. (Villas Lirio/San Bada/Parador Resort & Spa)
Day 7 - Manuel Antonio
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a free day. The Manuel Antonio National Park is known for its beautiful beaches between mountains and forests. It has several trails for walking, viewpoints, and a high probability of seeing animals, especially the 4 species of Costa Rican monkeys, sloths, coatis, and raccoons. Many adventures are available in the Manuel Antonio area, such as canopy zip line tours, horseback riding, sunset cruises to see dolphins and whales, and whitewater rafting on the Savegre River. The area offers a wide variety of cuisine for all tastes.
Day 8 - Manuel Antonio/San Jose (3 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. At the appointed hour, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. If your flight leaves before 4:00 PM, you will require a private transfer for an additional charge.
