Costa Rica Tour

From Rainforest Depths to Volcanic Peaks

Upon landing in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, you will meet our representative at the airport and embark on a scenic drive of approximately 3 hours to the Arenal area and the town of La Fortuna in the northern Alajuela province, close to the Nicaragua border. This region is lush with green nature, where tropical rains keep the landscape fresh throughout the year, featuring rainforests, rushing and calm rivers, hot springs, lagoons, parks, and abundant flora and fauna.

This area is famous for the Arenal Volcano, which has a conical shape and stands about 1,670 meters high, with a crater measuring 140 meters in diameter. The geothermal activity is evident in the many hot springs in the area, offering a relaxing experience for visitors.

The Arenal Volcano was dormant for hundreds of years, with only a single crater remaining at its peak, covered in thick vegetation. Unexpectedly, it erupted in 1968, destroying the small town of Tabacón. This eruption created three craters on the western slope, but only one remains today. The last eruption occurred in October 2010, and since then, the volcanic activity of the mountain has been decreasing.

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.

Early in the morning, we will depart for Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge (approximately 1.5 hours, 100 km). This refuge is considered one of the richest birdwatching sites on the continent and serves as a sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife, including monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and bats that inhabit the lush natural vegetation.
Upon arrival, we will enjoy a boat tour through the water channels to observe the wildlife residing in the refuge.

After our tour, we will return to Arenal (approximately 1.5 hours, 100 km). The rest of the day will be free for you to relax or explore.
Overnight in Arenal.

Please bring your passports, as the refuge is located near the Nicaraguan border, and there may be immigration checks along the way.

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 embark on a journey of approximately 4 hours to the coastal town of Quepos, near Manuel Antonio National Park, which is located along the Pacific Ocean. This beautiful national park features white sandy beaches, picturesque coves, rich tropical vegetation, and an abundance of wildlife and birds.

On our way, we will stop at the mangrove forest of the Tarcoles River. Here, we will enjoy a guided boat tour along the river to observe crocodiles in their natural habitat. This is a unique opportunity to see various species of crocodiles up close, including the impressive American crocodile, which can grow up to 5 meters in length.

During the boat ride, we will appreciate the wonders of Costa Rica’s nature, featuring lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for various bird species, iguanas, and other inhabitants of the mangrove ecosystem. The knowledgeable guide will provide insights into the ecosystem and the importance of these mangroves.

After our exciting river adventure, we will continue our journey to Manuel Antonio. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

After breakfast, we will enjoy a catamaran cruise departing from Quepos, sailing on the blue waters off the coast of Manuel Antonio. Depending on luck, we may spot dolphins, whales, sea turtles, manta rays, and various seabirds such as pelicans and ibises.
We will anchor in one of the sheltered coves in the Bay of Biesanz for swimming and snorkeling. A delicious lunch will be served on board the catamaran.

Please note that snorkeling will not take place if weather conditions do not allow for it.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

After breakfast, we will embark on a combined drive and boat ride of approximately 3.5 hours to Drake Bay, passing through the town of Sierpe. This area is renowned as one of the most beautiful spots for diving in Costa Rica.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy the pristine and untouched beaches and landscapes of Costa Rica.
Overnight in Drake Bay.

After breakfast, we will embark on a day trip to the nearby Corcovado National Park. The park covers an area of approximately 424 square kilometers and was declared a national park in 1975. It is considered the largest national park in Costa Rica, where you can see a vast population of birds along with countless species of plants and various animals.
Overnight in Drake Bay.

After breakfast, we will set out on a shared boat trip to Isla del Caño, a beautiful island renowned as one of the best diving spots in the country. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a day of snorkeling and diving along the island’s beaches. Lunch is included.

Afterward, we will return to Drake Bay via a shared boat.
Dinner and overnight in Drake Bay.

After breakfast and depending on the flight time, we will transfer to the airport for a small plane flight to San José.

Upon arrival, we will embark on a tour to Poás Volcano National Park, located about an hour away. We will pass through green, mountainous pastures, tropical vegetation, and especially coffee plantations.

We will arrive at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where we will descend a well-maintained trail to the base of the waterfalls. Before us will be a series of six cascading waterfalls, surrounded by lush tropical flora, an abundance of butterflies, and various winged creatures.
(Note: It is usually cooler in La Paz; please bring warm clothing for this section.)

Afterward, we will continue our tour at Poás Volcano National Park, where we will see the crater, which has been left with a scar from the last lava eruption that occasionally emits gas and ash. We will observe the turquoise lake located at the bottom of the crater and the clear waterfalls creating a stunning sight.

Following the visit, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in San José.

After breakfast and depending on the flight time, we will transfer to the airport for the flight back home.