Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Rainforests & Beaches

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

• 1 USA/San José
• 2 San José & Arenal
• 3 Arenal
• 4 Arenal & Playa Panama
• 5 Playa Panama
• 6 Playa Panama
• 7 Liberia/USA

Pre-Tour Extension to Tortuguero

• 1 USA/San José
• 2 San José & Tortuguero
• 3 Tortuguero
• 4 Tortuguero & Arenal

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 USA/San José

• Upon arrival in San José, Costa Rica, proceed through customs formalities where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel

Crowne Plaza San José Corobicí or similar

Day 2 San José & Arenal

• Depart San José via air-conditioned mini-van to the Arenal region
• Balance of the day at leisure

Volcano Lodge Hotel and Thermal Experience or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, depart San José via air-conditioned mini-van to the Arenal region (about 4 hours, with a comfort stop along the way). Drive through the lush countryside, the roads climbing the mountains to reach your hotel located near the town of La Fortuna, on the road leading to the volcano's foot.

Arenal's cone has two peaks which rise to 5,360 feet. After being inactive for 500 years, the volcano erupted in 1968, and it has since become one of the most active volcanoes in the world. You may see the smoke rising from the cone, or on a rare occasion, there is the possibility of lava flows, which are particularly impressive at night. The volcano has also created natural hot springs in the area. Beautiful gardens surround your hotel, where you can relax by the pool or enjoy the spa. (Volcanic activity is a natural process, and sightings of smoke and/or lava are not guaranteed.)

Day 3 Arenal

• Walk among the treetops on a hanging bridges tour
• Balance of the day at leisure

Volcano Lodge Hotel and Thermal Experience Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Today, enjoy a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate the beauty of the forest and the volcano. Walk on the hanging bridges suspended in the treetops while your guide helps you spot various birds and animals. The trail is 1.9 miles long and includes nine fixed and six suspension bridges.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax at your hotel and enjoy the view or take advantage of some other activities. You can take a short hike to the volcano's foothills in the Arenal Volcano National Park. Also available are some optional excursions which allow you to see the forest up close: horseback riding to La Fortuna Waterfall, a canopy tour complete with zip lines, plus kayaking on the Arenal Lake, and more.

In the evening, take advantage of an optional visit to the Tabacón Hot Springs, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim and dinner.

Day 4 Arenal & Playa Panama

• Transfer via air-conditioned mini-van to Playa Panama
• Balance of the day at leisure

CC Beach Front Papagayo Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, transfer via air-conditioned mini-van to Playa Panama, Guanacaste (about 4 hours). Guanacaste is decorated with pristine beaches, crystal blue waters, and bays. Its beaches are surrounded by dry tropical forests, home to over 300 bird species, 100 amphibians and reptiles, and over 140 species of mammals, including the puma, white-faced monkey, peccary, tapirs, and more. Your all-inclusive beachfront resort is located within a tropical dry forest. 

Day 5 Playa Panama

• Enjoy two full days at leisure

CC Beach Front Papagayo Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 6 Playa Panama

• Enjoy a second full day at leisure

CC Beach Front Papagayo Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7 Liberia/USA

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA.

Breakfast

Pre-Tour Extension to Tortuguero

Day 1 USA/San José

• Upon arrival in San José, proceed through customs formalities where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel

Crowne Plaza San José Corobicí

Day 2 San José & Tortuguero

• Depart San José very early this morning and travel to Tortuguero
• Experience a guided walk through the village of Tortuguero and along the beach

Pachira Lodge or Aninga Lodge Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Depart San José early this morning for the Caribbean coastal area and Tortuguero. The trip takes you up and over the Continental Divide between the Pacific and Caribbean watersheds and through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park. You will see changes in the landscapes and vegetation as you approach the lowlands, arriving at El Ceibo (about 2 hours). Enjoy a typical Costa Rican breakfast, then continue your drive through villages and plantations of pineapples and bananas to the dock.

The "roads" in Tortuguero are a system of rivers and canals, accessible only by boat. Continue via motor launch through the channels parallel to the coast to reach your eco-lodge, located on the central canal (about 1.5 hours). Check into your rooms and have some time to relax in the peaceful surroundings of the rainforest.

After lunch, head to the village of Tortuguero and enjoy a guided walk through the town and along the beach. Tortuguero ("land of turtles") takes its name from several varieties of endangered turtles that come ashore every year on these beaches to lay their eggs in nests in the sand. If you like, you can visit the turtle museum. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant. (The nesting season for giant turtles is from July to September. Sightings of any wildlife are not guaranteed.)

Day 3 Tortuguero

• Join your naturalist guide for a walking tour of the rainforest
• Board small boats for a tour through the secondary canals of Tortuguero National Park
• Balance of the day at leisure

Pachira Lodge or Aninga Lodge Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, your guide will take you on a walking tour of the rainforest. After lunch, depart on small boats for a tour through the many secondary canals of Tortuguero National Park. Enjoy a close-up view of rainforest vegetation and wildlife. The area is home to Capuchin, Howler and Spider Monkeys, and many species of birds. You may even see a crocodile basking in the sun.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax by the pool or the decks along the waterfront. There are also optional activities such as fishing, kayaking, or even a canopy zip-line. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.

Day 4 Tortuguero & Arenal

• Depart Tortuguero and travel to the Arenal region to begin the main tour, continue with Day 2
• Balance of the day at leisure

Volcano Lodge Hotel and Thermal Experience Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, depart via motor-launch to the main dock. Board your coach for the drive through the villages and plantations to El Ceibo for lunch. Your air-conditioned mini-van will be waiting to drive you to Arenal and your hotel near the town of La Fortuna, on the road leading to the volcano's foot.

See Day 2 of the tour itinerary above for the continuation of your touring program.

Hotels

Crowne Plaza San José Corobicí

First Class

The Crowne Plaza San José Corobicí is the ideal place to enjoy your visit to San Jose. It is located just 5 minutes away from the financial district and next to La Sabana Park. Its various services will make your stay in the city memorable.

More information

Volcano Lodge Hotel and Thermal Experience

Superior First Class

Volcano Lodge Hotel & Thermal Experience is conveniently located close to the marvels of La Fortuna de San Carlos. The lodge itself is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and beautiful hot springs overlooking the Arenal Volcano. The spa offers a wide selection of therapies and massage treatments that will restore to you the balance of mind and body.

More information

CC Beach Front Papagayo

First Class

CC Beach Front Papagayo is located in Playa Panama, one of the most pristine beaches in Costa Rica. The beach front resort is situated within a twenty-two-acre tropical dry forest, offering a relaxing and welcoming environment. The resort offers massage services, day trips to local attractions and beaches, and a variety of water sport activities including snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing and much more. 

More information

Pachira Lodge

Tourist Class

On Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, surrounded by a network of scenic canals, Tortuguero is considered one of the most unique and exotic regions in the world, characterized by rich flora and fauna.

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 6 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Costa Rica? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.