8-Nights Essential Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Cloud Forest & Pacific - Most Popular Vacations from $3,206

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica

Transfer: San Jose CR to Chayote Lodge

Hotel: Chayote Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Chayote Lodge lays in the outskirts of the mountainous central valley, located only 50 minutes away from San Jose Airport in Llano Bonito de Naranjo, and 1500 meters above sea level in the cloud forest. It boasts 12 spacious bungalows, most of which include a private terrace with a breathtaking view of Poas, Barva, and Irazu Volcanos, as well as the Central Valley and the Nicoya Gulf in the Pacific Ocean seen on clear days. Its strategic location right in the middle of Costa Rica is a perfect gateway to discover different national parks, waterfalls, coffee fields, rural villages, local artisans, as well as enjoy the local lifestyle by visiting homes, gardens and city parks within the vicinity.

Transfer: Chayote Lodge to La Fortuna - Arenal

Hotel: Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel and Hot Springs (4 Star Rating)

Arenal Manoa Hotel is a beautiful place to rest, relax and enjoy the marvelous view of Arenal Volcano. Surrounded by gardens, pastures and animals, our rooms have been designed so that each one offers you a panoramic view of the volcano. Our visitors can take advantage of our spacious gardens for walking and meditation as well as the opportunities to see the daily operations of a typical Costa Rican farm.

You will begin the activity with a 1.5 hour guided walk accompanied by an expert guide who will be looking sloths. This is an eco-project run by a local family and it is a great spot to admire these charismatic creatures; you will learn about their main predator, their behaviors, feeding and the species protection efforts. After a snack, continue with the white water rafting tour on the class II - III Balsa River rapids. Enjoy two hours of exhilarating rafting paddling and surrounded by the tropical forest. At the end, you will enjoy a delicious locally prepared lunch in a private restaurant.

Enjoy a day at leisure beneath the (often clouded) gaze of Arenal Volcano. Whether you choose to relax at your hotel, hike through the lush trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, cross hanging bridges for incredible rainforest views, take a dip in one of the region's natural hot springs or explore the town of La Fortuna, you're sure to find "pura vida" today. In the evening, consider treat yourself to dinner at local favorite like La Fonda 506, Restaurante Foruneno or La Street Bistro.

Today you will be transferred from Arenal to Monteverde, making use of both vehicles and a boat to turn this point-to-point transfer into an enjoyable and scenic experience alongside fellow travelers. The transfer begins at your hotel, where a minibus will pick you up and drive for approximately 30 minutes to Lake Arenal. Upon arrival you will board a comfortable and safe pontoon-type boat with other guests, and after a 45-minute journey, will arrive at Rio Chiquito, a small community on the other side of the lake. Lake Arenal is the largest and most important in Costa Rica. It is of artificial origin - built in 1974 in order to obtain hydroelectric power for the country - and is a place where you can spot a variety of resident and migratory birds, and often times mammals like monkeys and sloths. You will also take in excellent views of the Arenal Volcano when it is not cloudy. Once in Rio Chiquito, you will leave the boat and continue onward by land for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to your hotel in Monteverde (this portion of the transfer may take longer in the rainy season), making a stop along the way to purchase food and beverages and to use the washroom. It is recommended to wear long pants, a coat, comfortable shoes, and a waterproof jacket. Approximate travel time is 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Hotel: Sibu Boutique Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Sibu Boutique Hotel is a serene oasis nestled in the heart of Monteverde's captivating cloud forest. The hotel is focused on personal touches and warmth, and you'll be enveloped in an atmosphere of tranquility and sophistication where every detail is designed to elevate your stay to new heights of comfort and relaxation. Sibu Boutique Hotel is named in honor of Sibu, a revered deity in the mythology of the Bri-Bri indigenous people of Costa Rica, who would take on the appearance of a hummingbird to bring divine messages to human beings. Sibu Boutique Hotel symbolizes Bri-Bri's deep-rooted connection to the land and their commitment to living in harmony with nature and the hummingbird with its vitality, dynamism, and beauty.

Set out on an extraordinary journey with TreeTopiaPark's Explorer Package: the ultimate blend of thrill, wonder, and exploration in Monteverde. Perfect for adventurers seeking both heart-pounding excitement and serene discovery, this three-in-one experience offers the best of the cloud forest from every perspective. After arriving from your hotel on a shared transfer, start your adventure with the TreeTram cableway, a relaxing ascent offering sweeping panoramic views of the lush, misty landscape. Next, take on the Sky Trek zipline circuit, an exhilarating flight over the forest canopy with nearly two miles of high-flying ziplines, reaching heights of up to 328 feet and speeds that will take your breath away. Finally, immerse yourself in the peaceful beauty of the Sky Walk hanging bridges, where you'll traverse elevated trails and suspension bridges with unique, up-close encounters with the cloud forest's incredible biodiversity. After the TreeTram, SkyTrek and SkyWalk tour, you will be returned to your hotel in Monteverde.

Today you will be privately transferred from your hotel in Monteverde to Manuel Antonio, a journey that will take approximately four hours. En route, stop at EcoJungle Cruises to participate in a two-hour boat tour of the local mangroves, which are home to a large colony of crocodiles. As you meander along the Tarcoles River, observe an abundance of crocodiles, exotic birds - often times including the Scarlet Macaw - iguanas, lizards, monkeys and more while enjoying light snacks and refreshments. Following your cruise through the mangroves, return to land, reenter your private vehicle, and complete the transfer to your hotel in Manuel Antonio. Total travel time, including the mangroves cruise, is approximately six hours.

Hotel: Hotel Parador Resort & Spa (4 Star Rating)

Uniquely set among luxuriant coastal rainforest overlooking Costa Rica's famous Manuel Antonio National Park, Hotel Parador Resort & Spa perches atop a 400 acre secluded peninsula surrounded by wild beauty facing the Pacific Ocean and Punta Quepos. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the terraces, swimming pools and suites. The Resorts boosts its own private natural trails where a great variety of species of wildlife make their home in the middle of an overwhelming flora and fauna.

This National Park is one of the most popular in the country thanks to its wide variety of flora and fauna. It is home to 3 of the 4 existing monkey species in Costa Rica. The park itself boasts 3 different trails that vary in grade from flat to very steep. During this tour, you and likeminded visitors will be accompanied by a nature guide who is knowledgeable about this wonderful corner of Costa Rica. The trail you will take is approximately 2 miles long, flat, picturesque, and loops through the Park. Throughout the hike, your guide will stop and explain the different natural specimens that are observed. Halfway through the hike, a 20-minute stop will be made at a beach for everyone to rest or play among the waves if they choose. Throughout the hike you will be able to - with luck - observe sloths, birds, and reptiles, as well as admire orchids, butterflies, and tropical trees. The guides are equipped with Pentax and Swarovski telescopes that you can use to observe wildlife and take pictures with a different perspective. Upon finishing the tour, you will be provided with a shared transfer back to your hotel.

Transfer: Quepos /Manuel Antonio to San Jose CR