Costa Rica Tour

52 Shades of Green

Welcome to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Upon Arrival, 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 and depending on the flight time, we will depart for a 3.5-hour drive to San José Airport for the flight back home.