Costa Rica and Guatemala Tour

Natural and Heritage Wonders

Upon landing in Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala, we will meet our representative at the airport and transfer for approximately one hour to Antigua. Antigua is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in America and served as the capital of Guatemala until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. The city is located at the foot of three volcanoes that rise to nearly 4,000 meters above sea level. The eruptions of these volcanoes and seismic activity have caused the city and surrounding villages to be destroyed several times in the past.

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Antigua.

Antigua, the former capital, was established by the Spanish in 1543 and offers travelers beautiful colonial buildings, museums, churches, and the inner courtyards of mansions that have transformed into boutique restaurants and hotels.

Early in the morning, we will set out for a hike up Volcán Pacaya, one of the three volcanoes surrounding Antigua. The tour includes a climb to a viewpoint where, on certain days, you can see the lava (it is also possible to climb on horseback).
Afterward, we will embark on a city tour through the cobblestone streets, where you will encounter churches, monasteries, inner courtyards, and galleries that seem to have frozen in time.

Next, we will continue to visit the coffee plantations, where you can observe the growth and production processes.
Overnight in Antigua.

After breakfast, we will embark on a 2.5-hour drive to Lake Atitlán. This lake is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the Americas, with its deep blue color surrounded by three volcanoes. Along its shores, there are indigenous villages that rely on agriculture (growing onions, coffee, bananas, and avocados). Each village has developed its unique weaving styles and clothing, illustrating why Guatemala is often referred to as the “Land of the Rainbow.”
Lake Atitlán is located in the mountainous region of western Guatemala, sitting at an altitude of 1,562 meters above sea level, where its inhabitants enjoy a spring-like climate year-round.
In the villages, three distinct tribes reside, each differing in clothing, language, and culture: the Tzutuhil, who live on the southern shore; the Cachiqueles in the northeast; and the Quiche in the northwest, all connected to the Maya culture.

Upon arrival, we will visit the stunning Atitlán Nature Reserve. The reserve features hiking trails with breathtaking views of the lake and mountains, various water sources, and waterfalls. You will stroll through coffee plantations and may encounter local wildlife. The reserve also hosts a butterfly farm, showcasing a diverse array of colorful butterflies.

After the visit, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Atitlán.

After breakfast, we will embark on a boat trip on Lake Atitlán to the indigenous village of Santiago Atitlán. Here, you’ll see the unique textiles of this village, with women sitting in the town square selling huipiles—embroidered blouses featuring flowers and birds, which are characteristic of the region. The village is also home to an interesting cult surrounding a wooden statue of a shaman known as Maximón, to whom locals from all over the area pilgrimage to seek help, blessings, and participate in trance ceremonies.

Next, we will visit San Juan La Laguna, followed by San Antonio Palopó, a village known for its onion cultivation and vibrant weaving. In San Antonio, we will hike up to the church, where we can observe the local men wearing distinctive black and white skirts.
Overnight in Atitlán.

After breakfast, we will embark on a 1.25-hour drive to the vibrant market in Chichicastenango. This bustling market is renowned for its stunning array of textiles, unique hammocks, colorful clothing, intricate figurines, and ceremonial masks used in traditional rituals.
We will explore Central America’s largest and most colorful market, where the air is filled with the sounds of bargaining and lively chatter. Afterward, we will visit the Church of Santo Tomás, a fascinating site where indigenous religious practices blend with Catholic rituals, creating a unique spiritual atmosphere.

Next, we’ll tour a local workshop where traditional masks are crafted, offering insight into the cultural significance of these artifacts.

We will then ascend to the summit of Pascual Abaj, a sacred site where pagan rituals are performed in honor of the Maya gods. Here, purification ceremonies take place for market-goers seeking blessings and spiritual renewal.

Afterward, we will drive for approximately two hours to Guatemala City Airport for our flight to Flores, a city that serves as a base for excursions to the archaeological site of Tikal. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Flores.

After breakfast, we will set out to visit Tikal, the grand and famous city of the Maya, built deep within the jungle. Only the pyramids peeking above the forest reveal that a vast city once thrived here, featuring ceremonial structures and giant pyramids, the tallest of which reaches a height of 90 meters. We will explore the site and learn about its fascinating history, and those lucky enough may encounter wildlife inhabiting the rainforest—mainly monkeys. A local restaurant will provide lunch.

Afterward, depending on the flight schedule, we will transfer to Flores Airport for our flight back to Guatemala City. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Guatemala City.

After breakfast and according to the flight time, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Upon arrival, we will meet our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

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.
Overnight in San José.

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.