Costa Rica and Mexico Tour

Exploring Ancient Heritage and Rich Wildlife

Arrival in Mexico City, where you will meet our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, was built on the ruins of Tenochtitlán—the capital of the Aztec Empire. Over time, it has transformed into a megacity housing over 26 million inhabitants.
Overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour. We will explore the historic center of the city, visiting the Zócalo square and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Next, we will visit the National Museum of Anthropology.
Afterward, we will travel to the university district in Coyoacán, located in the southern part of Mexico City, including a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum, known as “The Blue House.” This is where Kahlo was born and spent most of her life.

Following our visits, we will transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast, we will travel to Teotihuacan, which translates to “the place where the gods were born.” This remarkable archaeological site showcases the genius of ancient peoples. Located about 50 km from Mexico City, it is the remains of a large ancient city that once housed approximately 200,000 inhabitants. We will be impressed by the magnificent temples and pyramids, including the Pyramid of the Moon, the Pyramid of the Sun, and the Citadel Square.

Next, we will continue with a visit to the Guadalupe Temple.
Afterward, we will return to Mexico City and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast and depending on the flight schedule, transfer to the airport for the flight to Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

Upon arrival, we will drive to the village of Chiapa de Corzo, where we will embark on a spectacular shared boat tour of the Sumidero Canyon, a massive canyon with towering cliffs reaching up to a kilometer high on either side of the river. During the cruise, you will have the opportunity to see various wildlife that inhabits the river.

After the boat tour, we will continue with a one-hour drive to San Cristóbal de las Casas. San Cristóbal is a colonial town from the Spanish rule, located in the Chiapas region of southern Mexico. The town is situated in a mountainous area and serves as a base for excursions to the surrounding villages of the indigenous Maya people.

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in San Cristóbal.

After breakfast, we will embark on a half-day tour of San Cristóbal and its surrounding villages. We will walk to the city center to visit the Cathedral, the impressive 16th-century Dominican Church, and then continue to explore the local market.

Afterward, we will visit the villages of the Maya, gaining insight into their traditional lives. Our first stop will be the village of San Juan Chamula, which belongs to the Tzotzil people. We will stroll through the village’s alleys, observing farmers and artisans dressed in colorful traditional clothing as they sell their goods. Next, we will visit the village of San Lorenzo Zinacantán, another village of the Tzotzil community.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure.
Overnight in San Cristóbal.

After breakfast, we will drive for about two and a half hours to visit the stunning Chiflon Waterfalls, where we will take a walking tour among the waterfalls. The turquoise waters, the surrounding wild nature, and the power of the falls make this place one of the most beautiful in Mexico. You can hike up to the upper waterfall (the climb is challenging, but the view from the top is worth the effort) and enjoy the expansive scenery or relax in the natural pool at the base of the falls.

Afterward, we will continue to visit the breathtaking Montebello Lakes National Park.

Following our visit, we will drive back to San Cristóbal.
Overnight in San Cristóbal.

It is recommended to bring swimwear and a towel.

Early in the morning, we will drive for about 3.5 hours to the stunning Agua Azul Waterfalls National Park. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a walk along the trails leading to areas with rushing waterfalls and pools in vibrant shades of green and turquoise.

After our visit, we will depart for a drive of approximately one and a half hours to Palenque, located in the heart of the jungle.
Once we arrive, we will explore the ancient archaeological site of Palenque. We will visit the tomb of King Pakal, a member of the dynasty that brought prosperity to the city. Palenque reached its peak between 600-700 AD, which is evident in its impressive ruins. We will wander among the remnants of palaces, pyramids, and ancient temples.

Following our tour, we will transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in Palenque.

**Please note that there may be demonstrations and roadblocks; to avoid frustrating delays, it is recommended to leave early on this day.
It is also advisable to bring swimwear.

After breakfast and depending on the flight schedule, we will drive for approximately 1.5 hours to Villahermosa airport for our flight to Mexico City. Following this, we will continue on a flight to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.

San José, the capital of Costa Rica, is a vibrant and lively city that offers a blend of rich culture, art, and diverse culinary traditions. The city is known for its museums, well-maintained parks, and unique colonial architecture that reflects both Spanish and local influences.

Upon arrival, we will meet our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in San Jose.

After breakfast, we will set out for a tour of the Poás Volcano National Park. We will pass through mountainous and green grazing areas, tropical vegetation, and mainly coffee plantations.

We will arrive at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where we will descend along a well-maintained path to the base of the waterfalls. Before us will be a series of six cascading waterfalls amidst dense tropical foliage, filled with butterflies and various winged creatures.
(It is usually cool in La Paz, so please bring warm clothing for this segment.)

Afterward, we will continue our tour at Poás Volcano, where a scar remains from the last lava eruption, occasionally emitting gas and ash. We will gaze at the turquoise lake situated at the bottom of the crater and enjoy the clear waterfalls creating a stunning spectacle.

Next, we will embark on a 3-hour drive to the Arenal area and the town of La Fortuna in the northern Alajuela province, near the Nicaraguan border. The region is characterized by lush green landscapes, where tropical rains keep it fresh throughout the year, with rainforests, rushing rivers, hot springs, lagoons, parks, and abundant flora and fauna.

This area is famous for its conical-shaped volcano, which stands about 1,670 meters high and features a crater with a diameter of 140 meters, along with geothermal activity evident in the many hot springs that offer visitors a relaxing experience.

Arenal Volcano was dormant for hundreds of years, with only a solitary crater remaining at its summit, covered by thick vegetation. Unexpectedly, it erupted in 1968, destroying the small town of Tabacón. Following the eruption, three craters formed on the western slope, but only one has survived to this day. The last eruption occurred in October 2010, and since then, volcanic activity has gradually decreased.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Arenal.

After breakfast, we will enjoy a day of exploration in the Arenal area. We will start with a 3 km hiking trail, where you will walk through hanging bridges surrounded by lush tropical forest, observing the local wildlife, plants, and insects.

Following the hike, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in town, followed by another walk that includes a strenuous descent and ascent via stairs, leading to a refreshing swim at La Fortuna Waterfall.

(We recommend bringing a swimsuit and a light towel if you wish to swim in the waterfall.)

In the afternoon, we will embark on a hike that will take you closer to the volcano.

There’s nothing better than ending the day with a soak in the hot springs of Tabacón. These natural hot springs flow from the Arenal Volcano and are located in a luxurious complex featuring 12 pools with varying temperatures. The facility includes an active bar, a snack bar, and a restaurant.
Overnight in Arenal.

After breakfast, we will embark on a 4-hour drive to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
This stunning area is known for its cloud forest, also referred to as a “fog forest.” It is a unique phenomenon of evergreen rainforests that receive moisture in the form of clouds. The forest is a warm habitat for sloths, snakes, monkeys, various butterfly species, and a colorful array of birds.

In the afternoon, we will set out for a night tour in the reserve. We will walk along the trails of the cloud forest, observing a variety of nocturnal animals such as tarantulas, other spiders, frogs, snakes, and other unique reptiles in their nighttime activity.
Overnight in Monteverde.

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of the hanging bridges. This tour takes you across a system of treetop bridges, allowing you to experience the rainforest from above.

Next, enjoy a ride on the cable car and an exhilarating canopy tour (ziplining) among the treetops. The canopy experience includes about 8 cables, connected to platforms mostly situated in the tree canopy.

Following this, we will visit the Frog Pond and Butterfly Garden, where you can see dozens of different species of frogs and butterflies.
Overnight in Monteverde.

The weather in Monteverde is usually cool, so please dress warmly in layers for this day.

After breakfast, we will depart for a approximately 4-hour drive to the town of Quepos, and to the nearby Manuel Antonio National Park located along the Pacific Ocean. This beautiful national park features white sandy beaches, coves, rich tropical vegetation, and an abundance of wildlife and birds.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon, we will go on a guided tour of the Manuel Antonio Nature Reserve. During the hike, we will encounter rich wildlife, including over a hundred species of animals and more than two hundred species of birds.
Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

After an early breakfast, enjoy a catamaran cruise from Quepos Harbor to sail in the blue waters off the coast of Manuel Antonio. Depending on luck, you may spot dolphins, whales, sea turtles, manta rays, and seabirds such as pelicans and ibises. We will anchor in one of the sheltered coves in Biesanz Bay for swimming and snorkeling. Lunch will be served on board the catamaran.

In the afternoon, depending on the tides, we will embark on a unique tour of the Damas Islands. We will paddle in a canoe and explore the unique ecosystem of the mangroves. Among the wildlife, depending on luck, you may see sloths, crocodiles, monkeys, herons, and other species searching for food in the area.
Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

After breakfast, enjoy a free day in Manuel Antonio.

You can choose from the following activities in the area : white-water rafting, guided tours in the national park, sea kayaking, horseback riding, biking along the beaches, and hiking tours in the rainforest.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

After breakfast and depending on the flight time, we will depart for a 3.5-hour drive to San José Airport for the flight back home.