Costa Rica Explorer 8 Night Sample Package

This itinerary offers a wide variety of destinations within Costa Rica, and is highly recommended for first-time visitors. Visit the Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, and the Pacific coast. This itinerary is customized for your independent travel in Costa Rica. Any portion of it may be modified according to your preference.

Day 1 – San José
Arrive at San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport, where you will be met by our representative after clearing customs, then transferred to your hotel in San José. Overnight at San José area hotel.

Day 2 – San José/ Poas Volcano/ La Paz/ Arenal Volcano
You will be picked up at your San José area hotel in the morning, and transferred by private van to your Arenal Volcano area hotel. Your first stop along the way will be the Poás Volcano. Poás is an active volcano with a crater that emits steam from vents deep within. A second crater, with a rain-fed lake surrounded by highland rain forest, is located a half mile away, via a trail through a dwarf cloud forest. The next stop will be the nearby La Paz Waterfall Gardens. As you wander the trails of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, your senses will delight at the five waterfalls that line the trail. You will also have a chance to visit the largest butterfly garden in Costa Rica, orchid houses, as well as a hummingbird garden and bird observation areas. Entrance fees to Poas & La Paz not included. In the late afternoon you will arrive at your Arenal Volcano area hotel. Overnight at Arenal Volcano area hotel (B).

Day 3 – Arenal Volcano
Your day is free to enjoy activities in the area or relax at your hotel. Optional tours at extra cost include jungle trekking on Cerro Chato, a visit to Fortuna Falls, Venado caves expedition, mountain biking, horseback riding, or jungle river float trip. In the afternoon, visit the Arenal Volcano and Tabacón Hot Springs. You will learn about the natural history of the volcano which has been active since 1968, and is one of the top five most active volcanoes in the world. After enjoying a delicious buffet dinner, soak in one of the many spring-fed hot or cold pools, or enjoy the swimming pool with water slide and swim-up bar. Weather permitting, you will view volcanic activity including explosions and lava flows. Overnight at Arenal Volcano area hotel (B, D).

Day 4 – Arenal/ Monteverde
Head from your Arenal Volcano area hotel by vehicle to the shores of Lake Arenal. Your boat ride across the lake offers spectacular view of the volcano and rain forest. You may even spot monkeys or toucans along the way. On the other side of the lake, travel by vehicle to the mountaintop Monteverde area. After arriving and settling in to your hotel, your afternoon is free to relax, or explore the area. You may wish to check out the area’s art galleries and shopping, local cheese factory, frog farm, or serpentarium (at extra cost.) Overnight at Monteverde area hotel (B).

Day 5 – Monteverde
In the morning, enjoy a guided walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The Reserve extends down both sides of the Tilarán mountains, encompassing six different ecological life zones. It is home to 100+ species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 1,500 plant species. You might see the endangered Resplendent quetzal, three-wattled bellbird, or Emerald toucanet, as well as many other plants and animals. In the afternoon, get ready for adventure! Visit the Selvatura canopy tour and zip between platforms on a series of cables high up in the trees. Then, enjoy walking a circuit of trails and suspension bridges at a more leisurely pace, viewing plant life such as tree ferns and native orchids and bromeliads as you go. Overnight at Monteverde area hotel (B).

Day 6 – Monteverde/ Manuel Antonio
Transfer by private van from Monteverde to your Manuel Antonio beach area hotel, enjoying spectacular views of the mountains and beach along the way. Upon arriving mid-afternoon, the rest of your day is free to explore the nearby town of Quepos or hit the beach, then if you wish, to enjoy some of the night life at this coastal destination. Overnight at Manuel Antonio area hotel (B).

Day 7 – Manuel Antonio
Today, enjoy a sea kayaking excursion through Damas Island, a local mangrove estuary. These protected inland waterways are a perfect place to learn this amazing method of exploration. You’ll get a chance to see white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and many birds. Stop for lunch at a local seafood restaurant. Overnight at Manuel Antonio area hotel (B, L.).

Day 8 – Manuel Antonio
You are free to spend this day relaxing, swimming, or enjoying more of this area’s fantastic things to do. Activities available at an extra cost include surfing lessons, a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park, horseback riding, white water rafting, sportfishing, boat trips, waterfall expeditions, and more. Overnight at Manuel Antonio area hotel (B).

Day 9 – Manuel Antonio/ San José
Transfer by private van to San José international airport for departure (B).