Compare Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Mangroves & Beaches by Great Value Vacations vs Highlights of Costa Rica by Explore!

Day 1 Welcome to San Jose!

Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and pick up your rental car to start your Costa Rica adventure! From San Jose, drive to Naranjo and check into your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day or night at leisure.

Est. driving time: 1 hour 

Day 2 Naranjo - Arenal Volcano

See Poas Volcano if you didn't catch it last night, then begin the journey to Arenal Volcano (about a 2 hour drive). This route offers beautiful scenery accompanied by picturesque rural towns like Rio Cuarto, Aguas Zarcas and La Fortuna de San Carlos.

If weather conditions are favorable, you'll be able to see one of the greatest natural attractions of the country: the impressive Arenal Volcano. Arenal has been the country’s most active volcano for the past 43 years!

Est. driving time: 2 1/4 hours

Day 3 Arenal Volcano

This day is yours to enjoy the tourist attractions around Arenal Volcano. If you're up for an adventure, head to Sky Adventure Park for the Sky Tram & Sky Trek. The tour combines ascending to the top of the mountain by Sky Tram with an exhilarating decline by zip line!

If you prefer a calmer excursion, pay a visit to Arenal Hanging Bridges, a collection of 16 hanging bridges immersed in the rainforest. Walk along the bridges as you admire magnificent views of Arenal Volcano, and keep your eyes peeled for mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects that live in the rainforest. 

Day 4 Arenal Volcano - Puerto Humo

After breakfast, drive 3½ hours to Palo Verde National Park. On the way, enjoy panoramic views of Arenal Lake as you continue through the village of Cañas across La Amistad Bridge.

Est. driving time: 3 1/2 hours

Day 5 Puerto Humo

Today, explore Rancho Humo's unique natural environment of wetlands and mangroves. Embark on a boat tour along Temp River to glimpse the wide range of flora and fauna like herons, martinets, hawks, ducks, roseate spoonbills, wood storks and the jabiru, the largest waterfowl in Latin America.

You could also pay a visit to Palo Verde National Park.

Day 6 Puerto Humo - Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste

In the morning continue your trip to the beautiful coast of Guanacaste in the North Pacific of Costa Rica, known for its jungle-covered beaches and warm waters. As you drive on the Panamerican highway, take notice of the picturesque rural villages and the change from rainforest to tropical dry forest that characterizes the province of Guanacaste.

Est. driving time: 1 3/4 hours

Day 7 Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste

Enjoy your first full day in Guanacaste! There is much to do and see in Northwestern Costa Rica, from gorgeous beaches to mesmerizing national parks. One of the most well-known national parks is Rincon de la Vieja, an intriguing combination of volcanic geological wonders and pristine tropical forests. The main attraction is the steamy volcano Rincon de la Vieja (translating to "old lady’s nook").  

You could also visit Liberia, the rural capital of Guanacaste, that's adorned with charming colonial buildings.

Day 8 Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste

Continue to explore the Guanacaste region today. A highlight would be visiting Llanos de Cortes, the most stunning waterfall in Costa Rica. Walk down a short, steep trail to reach this spectacular waterfall then swim in the tranquil pond below the gushing falls. 

Guanacaste's beaches are also a good bet for rest and relaxation. Head to the peaceful sheltered bay at Playa Hermosa, sprinkled with coconut palms and olive trees. 

Day 9 Depart Costa Rica

After enjoying an unforgettable stay in Costa Rica, it's time to say goodbye. Drive to Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia and return your car, then board your flight back home. 

Est. driving time: 1 1/2 hours

Day 1 Join trip in San Jose

Arrive in San Jose. The cosmopolitan Costa Rican capital lies in a fertile valley at an altitude of 1150 metres. Coffee and sugar cane are big industries here and coffee is even planted between new buildings and along the roadside on the outskirts of the city. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting, and for those that wish there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in San Jose at any time. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport (airport code SJO) which is 18km, around thirty minutes from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to head out to explore the city which is easy to navigate with a grid pattern of avenues and streets with a good choice of local eateries, which you may choose to sample this evening. The National museum (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica) is also well worth a visit.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Visit the Poas Volcano; try out traditional oxcart painting

This morning, an hour's drive will take us to the Poas Volcano National Park, where the smoke from one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes rises majestically from the tropical rainforest. At almost a mile in diameter, the main crater is one of the largest in the world. Due to recent volcanic activity, time at the crater viewpoint is restricted to 20 minutes. If activity increases again the authorities may choose to close the park, and in that case you'll visit the Doka coffee estate, including a tasting session of Costa Rica's finest export. After our visit to Poas, we'll continue on to the town of Sarchi, well known throughout Costa Rica for its beautiful and intricate arts and crafts. It is famous for producing colourful and decorative oxcarts, which are a huge part of Costa Rican culture today, and even considered one of Costa Rica's national symbols. We're going to meet one of the town's hard-working artisans and learn to paint a traditional oxcart with some of the patterns and designs familiar to the area. Finally, we travel to Arenal (approximately 2.5 hours), where we will catch our first sight of the famous Arenal Volcano. This classic cone, which rises to 1633 metres, is covered by a tangled mass of vegetation on one side, while the other is starkly barren. Our accommodation for the next two nights is in La Fortuna. The town was renamed after a big eruption in 1968, when it was seen as being 'fortunate' that its location, on the volcano's eastern side, saved it from decimation. This evening, we can make the most of the local geothermal activity by enjoying an optional bathe in nearby hot springs.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 3 Wildlife float trip on the Penas Blancas river; free afternoon with options including a waterfall hike

The Arenal area is well known for its diverse wildlife, and this morning we'll set out on a tranquil rafting safari to spot some of the most sought-after species. There is no white-water here, we'll simply be floating down calmly with our local guide, who will scour the water and the canopy to point out a variety of colourful creatures from toucan and sloth to jesus-christ lizard and caiman. We'll most likely see capuchins swinging from the trees, and a wide array of birdlife during the float trip. In the afternoon we're free to explore Arenal as we choose. There are beautiful local hikes to waterfalls and along lava trails, whilst those keen to relax can enjoy an optional trip to the local Hot Springs. Our Tour Leader will be able to provide information on all the options available.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 4 Drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve; night walk through the forest

Today we will travel around Arenal Lake up into the cloud forest region of Monteverde - one of the most well-known places in Costa Rica to see wildlife. Perched on the Continental Divide between the Pacific and the Caribbean, it is thought that there has been indigenous habitation in Monteverde since 3000 BC. However, the turning point in its recent history came in 1950, when a group of pacifist Quakers from Alabama moved here to avoid subscription in the Korean War. They sought a lifestyle in a country in which they could embrace their peaceful beliefs and continue to cultivate their dairy farms. These families went on to establish the community of Monteverde and some of its famed cloud forest reserves. The drive takes approximately 5 hours from Arenal, and on arrival we are at our leisure to enjoy one or several of the many optional activities available in the area. One of the most popular activities in the area is to walk the hanging bridges that extend over the reserve, giving you the chance to take a bird's eye view over the canopy. Couple this with the thrill of zooming through the trees on a zip wire and it makes an exhilarating afternoon. For something less adrenaline-filled, choose to visit the local butterfly or orchid garden. This evening we will have the adventure of a guided night walk in the cloud forest, in search of nocturnal species such as pacas and tarantulas.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 5 Free morning in Monteverde; drive to Manuel Antonio National Park

We leave Monteverde at approx. 10:30am. For those who wish, there is the option to revisit the cloud forest reserve in the early morning (the reserve opens at 7:00am). The paths here wind their way through gigantic ferns, underneath the lichen and moss that hangs from the giant trees. The famous, but now very rare, resplendent quetzal is fairly commonly seen in this area, one of the last remaining places in Central America where its habitat has been preserved. Sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec peoples, it is considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world and the best time to see it is during its breeding months of March and April. Leaving the cloud forest behind us, we descend to the Pacific Coast, enjoying staggering views over the Gulf and Peninsula of Nicoya. Heading south, we cross the Rio Tarcoles Bridge from which huge crocodiles are regularly seen. We then pause at Carara Biological Reserve, famed for the scarlet macaws and abundant birdlife which populate this transitional forest. Finally, we continue along the Pacific Coast to Manuel Antonio National Park, where we will spend the next two nights.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 6 Explore Manuel Antonio's wildlife and beaches

Manuel Antonio National Park is famed for its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife. We'll spend the morning exploring the park, where white-faced capuchin monkeys swing from the trees, and poison-dart frogs hide under a protection of lush tropical plantlife. Coatimundi (part of the raccoon family), tiny squirrel monkey and howler monkey also make their home in the park - we may well see them on our exploration. Manuel Antonio is also one of the best places in Costa Rica to see sloths. As their diet of leaves and buds provides little energy, sloths move only when necessary and even then very slowly, making them very easy to spot. Our guides will know where they are most likely to be found. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing on the white sandy beaches, enjoying a swim in the warm azure waters. The sunsets from this coast are spectacular and have to be seen to be believed.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 7 Free morning in Manuel Antonio National Park; return by vehicle to San Jose

This morning is free to relax in Manuel Antonio. You could choose to revisit the park*, or relax on the beaches around the town of Manuel Antonio. There are also lots of other activities on offer if beach time isn't for you, including white water rafting or snorkelling trips. In the early afternoon we'll leave the Pacific Coast, driving back inland to San Jose, a journey of approximately four hours. *Please note that Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 8 Trip ends in San Jose

The trip ends this morning at our hotel in San Jose. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Juan Santamaria International Airport (airport code: SJO), approximately a 30 minute drive from our hotel.

Meals Provided : Breakfast