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9 Day itinerary in Costa Rica, Central America & Caribbean

Costa Rica: Volcano, Mountain & Beach

Volcano, Mountain & Beach, combines the best of Costa Rica. It is the perfect way to explore the three most visited highlights of the country. You will start in San José, the capital of Costa Rica for a comforting night after your flight. On the following day, visit Poas Volcano National Park, kn... Read More

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Cynthia

By Cynthia

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

San José

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Kayak & Canoe

Rafting

Snorkeling/Diving

Yoga

Hiking

Meet local people

Visit markets

Cycling

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Poas Volcano National Park, rises to 2,708 meters above sea level.

2

Arenal Volcano - Peninsula sector hike & Paradise HotSprings

3

Selvatura Park: Canopy, walkaways and butterfly garden

4

Tamarindo Beach and its proximity to beaches

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Arrival day

Meet and greet at Juan Santamaria International Airport, and private transfer to your hotel in San Jose.

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Park Inn by Radisson San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Superior: Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici Conf. Center
Day 2

place Ecoshuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna, via Poas Volcano

During the transfer we will pass through towns such as Poasito or Fraijanes, where we will make a short stop for toilets, or to taste and buy delicious and fresh strawberries from the region. Then we will go to the Poás Volcano National Park known for being one of the largest geysers in the world and considered one of the natural wonders of our country. If it is clear, we will have the opportunity to see the main crater of the Poás volcano, we will also learn about the cloud forest, typical of this region, which makes it one of the main attractions of the site; hopefully, we can see some characteristic species of the area such as hares, squirrels, birds, peccaries, amphibians, reptiles and many plants such as bromeliads and orchids. At the end of the tour, we will continue the route to the town of Pata de Gallo where the impressive Laguna Hule is known for its vast area and great scenic beauty. Here we will have a delicious lunch with a panoramic view of the Laguna Hule and learn about its formation and other interesting details. 

After lunch, we will continue our way towards La Fortuna in San Carlos where the impressive Arenal Volcano is located.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Volcano Lodge & Springs
  • Superior: Arenal Springs Resort
Day 3

place Regular Arenal Volcano by the lake and Paradise Hot Springs

This tour begins with a 20-minute drive from the hotel to the Peninsula section of the National Park, near Lake Arenal. Here you will begin a 1.5 km (1 mi) long walk along an easy trail for about an hour. Throughout the tour, you can enjoy excellent views overlooking Lake Arenal and the Tilaran Volcanic Mountain Range in the observation bays that are found along the trail. At the end of the walk, you will have the opportunity to climb to the observation platform approximately 12 meters (40 ft) high for a closer and amazing view of the volcano and receive a full explanation of its history, activity cycles, and geological formation among other relevant data. At the end of the trail, you will enjoy a snack of fresh fruit before taking the boat for a tour along the forested shores of Lake Arenal and islets to try to find some animals. You will cross the lake until you reach the town of El Castillo, a small developing community where a family business will welcome you with open arms to share a snack of traditional food accompanied by typical drinks. After this, you will take the boat again to navigate the lake to the pier where the minibus will be waiting for you to take you to Paradise Hot Spring where you will enjoy some relaxing time on your own. Paradise Hot Springs water is moderately hyper-thermal mineralized water in sodium chloride, magnesium, and sulfur. It also contains a significant amount of calcium and bicarbonate. The several hot tubs and swimming pools are equipped with hydro-massage systems to increase the beneficial effects of the hot springs. Later, after you enjoy the meal, they will take you back to your hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Volcano Lodge & Springs
  • Superior: Arenal Springs Resort
Day 4

place Lake Crossing transfer Arenal - Monteverde

This service, half transfer, and half excursion, is a fast and scenic way to go from La Fortuna (Arenal area) to Monteverde. 

You will leave your hotel in La Fortuna, to start a minibus trip for approximately 30 minutes to Arenal Lake. Once at the dam, you will board a comfortable and safe pontoon-type boat, and after a 30-40-minute journey, you will arrive at Chiquito River, a small community on the other side of the lake. Arenal Lake 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. It is also a place where you can find a variety of resident and migratory birds, sometimes it is possible to observe mammals like monkeys and sloths in the surroundings of the place, as well as excellent views of the Arenal Volcano when it is not cloudy. 

Once in Chiquito River, you will leave the boat and continue another land transfer of approximately 1.5 hours to the hotels in the Monteverde area. (During the rainy season, this transfer may take longer). 


It is recommended to wear long pants, a coat, comfortable shoes, a camera, binoculars, sunscreen and waterproof.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Cloud Forest Lodge by Böëna
  • Superior: Hotel Senda Monteverde
Day 5

place Selvatura Park Combo: Canopy, walkaways and buttefly garden

This tour combines the thrill of adventure with a unique view of the cloud forest. The tour starts up at the main dressing room where you will get geared up and will be taken to the instruction platform. Next, you will be taken to the first platform where you will start the tour. You will cross through the forest canopy passing through three sections of cables. In between every section you are going to walk through the forest. During one of these walks, you will reach the Tarzan Swing, where those with an adventurous spirit will surely get a blast. The Tarzan Swing is a side activity included in the tour where you will get the option to swing yourself through the forest while being attached to a high-security rope. 

After this, you will continue with Selvatura’s treetop walkways. It consists of 1.9 miles of trails. You will walk through eight bridges of various lengths, ranging between 170 feet and 560 feet. Each bridge is 5 feet wide and has a capacity of a maximum of 80 people. This is the longest, safest, and strongest bridge system in Costa Rica. The treetop walkways can be enjoyed by people of all ages and physical conditions as most of the trails are flat and covered with special walking blocks for better traction. 90% of the walk leads through virgin rainforest and the visitors will be able to appreciate a wide variety of flora and fauna. You will continue this amazing tour with one of the largest butterfly gardens in America, with an area that is 300 feet long, 90 feet wide, and 50 feet tall. A great dome structure covered by a special photothermic Saran helps to control the temperature inside the garden. You will learn about the life cycle of butterflies and moths and will also learn many interesting facts about butterflies in general. 


It is highly recommended to bring long pants, hiking boots, and depending on the weather some rain gear. 

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Cloud Forest Lodge by Böëna
  • Superior: Hotel Senda Monteverde
Day 6

place Shuttle transfer from Monteverde to Tamarindo

After breakfast take a shared shuttle transfer to Tamarindo area. (162 Km / 3.5 hours). 


In the North Pacific of Costa Rica, specifically Guanacaste province we find some of the prettiest and most popular beaches, we can mention Langosta, Tamarindo, Ventanas, Grande, Brasilito, Conchal, Flamingo, and Potrero. These areas are characterized by dry weather, crystalline water, and exuberant vegetation. What is amazing about these areas is that are close to each other, so you can explore multiple destinations at the same time. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Tamarindo Diria
  • Superior: Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel
Day 7

place Day at leisure in Tamarindo

Today is at your disposal to enjoy the beach or an optional activity (not included).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Tamarindo Diria
  • Superior: Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel
Day 8

place Shuttle transfer to San José

This afternoon, you will take a shared transfer from Tamarindo to San Jose (258 km / approx. 5.5 hrs).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Park Inn by Radisson San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Superior: Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici Conf. Center
Day 9

place Private transfer out to Juan Santamaria International Airport

Today we will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the international airport on time to board your flight. We wish you a safe and pleasant flight back to your home. ¡Hasta Luego!

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Park Inn by Radisson San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Volcano Lodge & Springs
  • Cloud Forest Lodge by Böëna
  • Tamarindo Diria
  • Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici Conf. Center
  • Arenal Springs Resort
  • Hotel Senda Monteverde
  • Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (8)
  • Lunch (1)
  • Dinner (1)
  • Snacks (1)

About Cynthia

TEAM LEAD

verified Baboo Certified

Expertise: 

Cycling

Hiking

Rafting

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Yoga

Wellness retreat

Kayak & Canoe

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$1,771.00 USD