Essential Costa Rica

Destination: Costa Rica  |  Duration: 7 days  |  Customized Vacation Package: Please Call for Pricing

Explore the rolling hills and discover the breathtaking views of one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Venture out on a canopy tour of hanging suspension bridges, zip lines and hiking trails through the beautiful rainforest with frequent sightings of abundant wildlife. Take a leisurely float on a river safari tour for an entirely different perspective of the rainforest. Then visit one of the world’s most beautiful national parks with gorgeous cream-colored beaches, abundant wildlife, and warm pacific waters.

Day 1: Costa Rica and Arenal Volcano

You will be met upon arrival or at your hotel in San Jose by one of our transport representatives for transfer to Arenal. Transport service will be in a minivan with AC, approximately 3 hour transfer plus any stops on the way.

In north central Costa Rica, near the town of La Fortuna, rises the majestic Arenal volcano.  Beneath the volcanos steaming peak, the area offers natural beauty, amazing wildlife and plenty of outdoor activities for visitors including canyoning, horseback riding, rafting, mountain biking, zip line tours, canopy bridge walks and a gondola tramway above the forest.  At days end, one can relax in an area resort that offers soothing thermal waters heated by the volcano.

Day 2: Arenal Canopy Tour

Today you will have a tour of the Arenal Hanging Bridges.  This is a complex of suspension bridges and trails through beautiful rain forest.  The terrain undulates and the trail crosses ravines with small waterfalls and travels over bridges with panoramic vistas over the treetops including views of Arenal Volcano. As you walk you may encounter wildlife including toucans, poison dart frogs, howling monkeys, spider monkeys and white-faced capuchin monkeys. The 1.5 mile trail is an easy walk for people in good condition and loops back to the starting point.

Day 3: Arenal River Adventure

This morning enjoy a River Safari float trip. You will be picked up at your La Fortuna area hotel and driven to the Peñas Blancas River 20 minutes away. There your canoeing guide will give you a brief paddling and safety lesson before you begin your 3 hour scenic journey downriver. In the rainforest, trees lining the riverbanks you may see monkeys, sloths, iguanas and a variety of birds.

Bring: change of clothes, hat, strap-on sandals or wet shoes, sun block, mosquito repellent, binoculars, camera. Includes: guide, all equipment, lunch on morning tour or fruits on afternoon tour.

Day 4: Manuel Antonio National Park

You will be picked up at your hotel in Arenal by one of our transport representatives for transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park. Transport service will be in a minivan with AC, approximately 5 hour transfer plus any stops on the way.

Recently listed by Forbes Magazine as one of the World’s 12 Most Beautiful National Parks, Manuel Antonio is a combination of lush green forests, warm water, gorgeous beaches and abundant wildlife.   Friendly monkeys, sloths, iguanas and colorful birds live in the park assuring plenty to see while hiking the parks easy trails.

Day 5: Manuel Antonio Nature Hike

Today enjoy a 2.5 hour guided nature walk in Manuel Antonio National Park forest.  In 2011 Forbes Magazine listed Manuel Antonio as one of the 12 most beautiful national parks in the world for its gorgeous cream colored beach, lush forest growing to the beaches edge, abundant wildlife, warm pacific waters, and easy forest trails with scenic ocean overlooks. You will likely see a variety of wildlife-the animals are accustomed to visitors-including squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and sloths.  After hiking you will have free time to enjoy the park on your own.

Manuel Antonio beach Costa Rica

Day 6: Manuel Antonio Beach Day

Today you may enjoy a day of leisure or a day of activities in the area of Manuel Antonio and its surroundings.  Some of the activities available are sunbathing or simply relaxing on the beach in the comfort of the shade. Pleasant water temperatures allow one to comfortably enjoy swimming, wading and snorkeling. Friendly monkeys, sloths, iguanas and colorful birds live in the park assuring plenty to see while hiking the park’s easy trails. Whitewater rafting, boating, horseback riding tours and more can be arranged for an additional fee.

best Costa Rica

Day 7: Depart Costa Rica

You will be picked up at your hotel in Manuel Antonio by one of our transport representatives for transfer to San Jose. Transport service will be in a minivan with AC, approximately 2.5 hour transfer plus any stops on the way.