Costa Rica’s Best: Volcanoes, Forests & Beaches in 15 Days
This 15-day “Costa Rica’s Best” itinerary offers an unforgettable journey through volcanoes and beaches, showcasing the country’s most iconic destinations. Your adventure begins in San José, where a smooth transfer will take you to your hotel. Explore the scenic northern plains and Arenal Volcano, renowned for thrilling activities like white-water rafting and canopy tours. Then, head to Monteverde’s cloud forests, home to diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes. After experiencing this majestic area, Enjoy Rincón de la Vieja to explore its natural wonders before heading to Tamarindo, Costa Rica’s premier surf destination. This itinerary perfectly combines the best of Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes and attractions.
Itinerary
Welcome to Costa Rica! For your added comfort, our representative will be waiting for you just outside the airport doors, holding a sign with your name. After clearing immigration and customs, you’ll be greeted and escorted by your private transfer, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride to your hotel in San José.
Accommodation: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson (1 Night)
The Northern Plains of Costa Rica showcases some very scenic countryside towns. Small agriculture communities and cattle ranches cover rolling hills and deep valleys. The plains, rainforests and rivers make the north central a must-see in any Costa Rica program. The main attraction is the iconic Arenal Volcano.
The Arenal Volcano area is Costa Rica’s premier region of exploration and excitement: Arenal is synonymous to adventure and Eco-discovery, where you can embark in a wide variety of activities. Enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting or canyoning, or combine adventure with ecological discovery in a canopy tour. Hike the volcano or explore the rainforest strolling through hanging bridges. Feel transformed by the beauty and variety of our wildlife and tropical jungle. Get ready for a life changing adventure!
Accommodation: La Fortuna Lodge (3 Nights)
Included: Car Rental – MIDSIZE 4X4 (Suzuki Vitara Automatic or Similar) (14 Days of Rent) or Transfer from San José to Arenal /AM
The tour begins with a drive to the El Silencio Private Reserve, where we’ll walk 1.5 kilometers along a volcanic stone path to a viewpoint near the Arenal Volcano. At the viewpoint, the guide will share information about the volcano’s formation and its first eruption in 1968, while you enjoy stunning views of the Green Lagoon and Lake Arenal.
The trail features regenerating forest, offering a chance to spot wildlife such as toucans, turkeys, and sometimes peccaries. Afterward, a tropical fruit snack awaits before returning to your hotel in La Fortuna.
Included: Transportation Bilingual Naturalist Guide, Entrance fee, Snacks, Water.
Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a natural haven located in the Cordillera de Tilarán, known for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. Home to over 2,000 plant species, 400 bird species, and numerous mammals and reptiles, it is one of the world’s top ecotourism destinations. Visitors can enjoy activities like hiking through hanging bridges, bird watching, or even zip lining.
The Bus Boat Bus consists in a private or collective transportation option in which you will be picked up right in your hotel in the Arenal and La Fortuna area. We will drive up towards the Arenal Lake where we will board a boat to cross the lake, observing along the way panoramic views of the Arenal Volcano, Chato Hill, Arenal Lake, the Tilaran mountain range, and more. Once across the lake we will again board a minivan to continue on to Monteverde and the hotel of your preference. This drive is about 1.5 hours.
What’s there to do in Monteverde? Tours are available for all nature lovers or first-time nature explorers alike. Considering the size of the reserve, hanging bridges and trails are good for hiking and sight-seeing.
Accommodation: Sibu Lodge (3 Nights)
The tour begins at our reception where a bilingual guide will welcome you. He will also accompany you during the whole tour helping you to discover the interesting animals and plants that inhabit our exuberant rain forest.
This three-kilometer tour consists of a combination of trails and seven bridges where you will have the opportunity to explore all levels of the cloud forest as well as its inhabitants. Before finishing the tour we offer you the opportunity to climb a Ficus tree from the inside.
Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park, located near Liberia, offers a remote and uncrowded escape with 34,800 acres of wildlife, rivers, waterfalls, and volcanic wonders. The park features two peaks, including the 1,895-meter Rincón de la Vieja. Visitors can spot monkeys, sloths, and birds while enjoying activities like horseback riding, river rafting, zip lining, and hiking past hot springs and mud baths.
The park’s geothermal features, including fumaroles and steaming mud pots, add to the adventure. Note: the Las Pailas sector is closed on Mondays.
Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelín Hotel (3 Nights)
This 2-mile circular trail offers views of volcanic activity without climbing the main crater. It features diverse vegetation, including guanacaste and cedro amargo trees, and wildlife like raccoons, coatis, and agoutis. Birds such as the blue-crowned motmot and emerald toucanet are also present. Along the way, you’ll encounter small waterfalls, rapids, mud pools, hot springs, fumaroles, and the “volcancito” (little volcano).
Included:
Local Guide and Transportation from the hotel to the main gate and back by car and Entrance fee to National Park.
Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.
Tamarindo is a vibrant coastal town in Costa Rica, renowned for its stunning beaches, excellent surfing conditions, and lively atmosphere. It strikes the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure, offering an array of restaurants, shops, and activities such as snorkeling, zip-lining, and wildlife watching.
The town’s main attraction is its long, pristine, white-sand beach, stretching 3.5 km along the coastline. Ideal for swimming, especially at high tide, the beach is also perfect for sunbathing and offers great waves for beginners looking to try surfing. Tamarindo is the ultimate destination for both nature enthusiasts and those seeking the energy of a dynamic beach town.
Accommodation: Luna Llena (3 Nights)
Embark on a captivating catamaran cruise along the stunning Guanacaste coast, where you’ll have the chance to swim, snorkel, and kayak. This is the perfect spot to explore the ocean’s vibrant aquamarine depths and watch the sunset. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience a Costa Rican catamaran adventure.
Included:
Snorkeling or Kayak, equipment, lunch and transportation
Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.
In the afternoon, enjoy a convenient shuttle transfer from Tamarindo to San José, where you’ll return to the final hotel of your itinerary. Alternatively, opt for a self-drive to San José, allowing you to explore at your own pace before settling in for your last night in Costa Rica.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari (1 Night)
A privately driven vehicle will provide you with a transfer from your hotel to San José Airport today. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.
Included: Private Transfer from San José to International Airport
What´s Included
Accommodation Services:
- 1 Night at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Buffet Breakfast Included
- 3 Nights at La Fortuna Lodge, Breakfast Included
- 3 Nights at Sibu Lodge, Breakfast Included
- 3 Nights at Hacienda Guachipelin Hotel, Breakfast Included
- 3 Nights at Luna Llena, Breakfast Included
- 1 Night at DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari, Buffet Breakfast Included
- 14 Days Car Rental MIDSIZE 4X4 (Suzuki Vitara Automatic or Similar)
OR Transfers services:
- Private Transfer from International Airport to San José
- Shuttle Transfer from San José to Arenal AM
- Shuttle Transfer from Arenal to Monteverde (Bus-Boat-Bus)
- Private Transfer from Monteverde to Rincón de la Vieja
- Private Transfer from Rincón de la Vieja to Tamarindo
- Shuttle Transfer from Tamarindo to San José PM
- Private Transfer from San José to International Airport
Excursions:
- Shared Excursion | Arenal Volcano Expedition
- Shared Excursion | Hanging Bridges
- Shared Excursion | Sector Pailas Walk in the National Park
- Shared Excursion | Catamaran Sailing Sunset Tour
- International flights
Regular price per person US$ 1,915.00
Special Price per person US$ 1,595.00
Save US$ 320.00
Price Per Person, based on double Occupancy.
