Costa Rica Volcano Coast Tour

Upon your arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), you will pass through Immigration and customs before meeting your local guide, who will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. After checking into your comfortable accommodation, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax and acclimate to the tropical climate of Costa Rica's capital city. No guided activities are scheduled for this day, allowing you to rest after your international flight. Overnight stay at Hilton Garden Inn San Jose La Sabana.

After breakfast, you will meet your guide and driver at the lobby of your hotel for a land transfer to the Arenal Volcano, which typically takes no more than 3 hours. En route, you will stop at the spectacular La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where you will explore a private ecological reserve designed around five magnificent waterfalls. You will walk through safe hiking trails through cloud forest and rain forest, visit an aviary with 40 species of birds, observe toucan feeding, and see marmoset monkeys, two-toed sloths, Capuchin and spider monkeys. You will also explore the hummingbird garden with 26 documented species, the serpentarium, and the ranarium featuring a variety of frog species. At the Casita de la Paz, you will step back in time to taste fresh milk right from the cow, ride in an ox-driven cart, sample freshly made tortillas, and learn how the Ticos lived and worked on rural farms. A delicious lunch is included during your visit. After this immersive experience, you will continue your journey to the Arenal Volcano, arriving in the afternoon. Overnight stay at El Silencio del Campo.

After breakfast, you will meet your Naturalist Guide and driver at the lobby of your hotel and drive to the outskirts of La Fortuna. You will travel down the Peñas Blancas River on a relaxed-paced inflatable raft, where there is a wide variety of wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, and birds. Helped by your river guide, you will have excellent opportunities for spotting animals on trees and along the river vegetation. Birds like parrots, parakeets, raptors, egrets, herons, and kingfishers are commonly observed in the area. The duration of this tour is approximately 4 hours, with 2 to 3 hours spent on the river. Adventure guides, safety equipment, transportation, and snacks are included. After returning to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to rest and relax. Your hotel has its own natural hot springs pools with complimentary and unlimited use for guests, as well as an adorable little farm with exotic birds, peacocks, pheasants, ducks, ponies, horses, pigs, and goats. Some of the animals are free, so you may find them walking along the hotel trails. Overnight stay at El Silencio del Campo.

After breakfast, the driver and transportation will pick you up at your hotel in Arenal for a land-boat transfer to Monteverde. After a short drive, you will board the Lake Crossing Boat that will take you to Rio Chiquito. While you cross, there are opportunities to observe birds like cormorants, herons, egrets, and more. When you arrive at Rio Chiquito, land transportation will meet you to drive you along rural roads to Monteverde. Please note that the road between Rio Chiquito and Monteverde is quite steep, bumpy, and muddy. The boats have a canopy, but rain can still get in occasionally. The boat ride can be windy and rough during rainy days, and there are no docks at the embarkation sites. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel. Later in the evening, you will meet your Naturalist Guide at the night tour site after a short ride from your lodge. You will enter the trails, always assisted by your guide, to explore, discover, and spot wildlife. You may find sleeping birds, bats, spiders, reptiles, and amphibians, all within a short distance. Mammals like sloths, anteaters, porcupines, and more can be spotted occasionally. The tour lasts 1.5 to 2 hours and includes a Naturalist Guide, transportation, entrance fees, and a special flashlight. Overnight stay at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.

After breakfast, you will meet your driver at the lobby of your hotel and drive to the Sky Park. You will start your adventure at a slow pace as the Sky Tram gondolas soar through the cloud forest, offering views during their ascent. You will be accompanied by a Naturalist Guide who will point out and explain more about the wild species found; the tram stops at some points on the way, allowing you to take photographs or spot native wildlife. The Sky Tram ends in a wide observatory located at 6,000 feet, which is also part of the Continental Divide in Costa Rica, where you can observe the Nicoya Gulf, the mountain range, and the cloud forest. Once at the top of the hill, you will commence the second part of your experience. The Sky Trek will let you travel along 1.7 miles of cables slung between towering trees as you ride down on a zip line stretching across canyons and between treetops. Ultimately, you will return to the starting point at the main building. Once at the visitor's center, you will continue with the Sky Walk experience, where your Naturalist Guide explains and interprets aspects of the cloud forest flora and fauna. During the walk, it is possible to observe species of birds like trogons, thrushes, wrens, and bush tanagers, among others. Occasionally, you might encounter a troop of White-throated Capuchins or Agoutis feeding along the trails. The tour duration is 4 to 4.5 hours and includes Adventure and Naturalist Guides, all necessary gear, transportation, and lunch. Please note that the minimum age to participate in the canopy zip line is 5 years old, children might need to share their ride with a guide depending on their age and weight, and the maximum weight for adults is 300 pounds (136 kg). Overnight stay at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.

After breakfast, you will start a journey from the green mountains of Monteverde towards the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The average elevation in Monteverde is about 5,000 feet, and the transfer service will take you down to sea level within a relatively short time, considering the gravel road rustic conditions. The cool temperature of the cloud forests will be left behind as you encounter much warmer regions along the coast. There is a stop along the way to stretch your legs and perhaps pick up a drink or take advantage of restrooms. Upon arrival, you will discover white-sand beaches, cliffs, promontories, rainforests, and varied wildlife that make Manuel Antonio one of Costa Rica's most popular beach destinations. Please note that the beaches within the national park are closed on Tuesdays. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful Pacific coast surroundings. Overnight stay at Hotel Parador Resort & Spa.

After breakfast, you will take a leisurely hike with a Costa Rican naturalist guide through a biodiverse tropical rainforest at the Manuel Antonio National Park. During this shared nature walk, you will experience firsthand the beauty of one of Costa Rica's main parks while surrounded by abundant wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, birds, and butterflies. Your guide will help you spot and identify the diverse flora and fauna that make this park famous. Please remember to bring what you may need for the beach and swimming, as you enter the park, and note that no food is allowed inside the park, though you may bring water. Included in this excursion are a bilingual naturalist guide, entrance fees, and a refreshing mixed fruit plate and natural fruit juice. This medium hike requires moderate physical condition. After your tour, you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the beach or relaxing at the resort. Overnight stay at Hotel Parador Resort & Spa.

Today is entirely yours to enjoy at leisure in the beautiful Manuel Antonio area, with no organized activities scheduled to allow you complete flexibility. You can rest and relax by the pool or beach, or explore the local area. Overnight stay at Hotel Parador Resort & Spa.