Best of Costa Rica

Centering yourself on a surfboard or yoga mat, descending into bat-filled caves or ascending misty volcanic peaks, hiking, biking or ziplining – your only limit is your return date.         

The Peaceful Soul of Central America      

If marketing experts could draw up an ideal destination, Costa Rica might be it. The 'rich coast' has earned its name and stands apart from its Central American neighbors on the cutting edge of so many trends: surfing, farm-to-table restaurants, and sustainable tourism. Developing infrastructure is balanced by green energy such as wind and hydro. One of the world's most biodiverse countries, with half a million species – from insects to the giant anteaters that devour them – it also protects one-quarter of its wild lands through law.   

Outdoor Adventures 

Rainforest hikes and brisk high-altitude trails, rushing white-water rapids and warm-water, world-class surfing: Costa Rica offers a dizzying suite of outdoor adventures in every shape and size – from the squeal-inducing rush of a canopy zipline to a sun-dazed afternoon at the beach. National parks allow visitors to glimpse life in both rainforest and cloud forest, simmering volcanoes offer otherworldly vistas, and reliable surf breaks are suited to beginners and experts alike. Can’t decide? Don’t worry: given the country’s size, you can plan a relatively short trip that includes it all.  

The Wild Life

Such wildlife abounds in Costa Rica as to seem almost cartoonish: keel-billed toucans ogle you from treetops and scarlet macaws raucously announce their flight plans. A keen eye will discern a sloth on a branch or the eyes of a caiman breaking the surface of a mangrove swamp, while alert ears will catch rustling leaves signaling a troop of white-faced capuchins or the haunting call of a howler monkey. Blue morpho butterflies flit amid orchid-festooned trees, while colorful tropical fish, sharks, rays, dolphins and whales thrive offshore – all as if in a conservationist’s dream.    

The Pure Life

A recent study showed that many Costa Ricans live longer, healthier lives than people on the rest of the planet, and it all comes down to pura vida (pure life), a term you'll hear everywhere. Before you dismiss it as marketing banter (and it is a big marketing phrase), listen to how it's used. It means hello, goodbye, everything's cool, same to you. It never has a negative connotation. You may enter the country not believing it, but after a week you'll be saying it, too, unconsciously: pura vida, mae. Relax and enjoy the ride.
 

Photos

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrival San Jose, Costa Rica

  Welcome to Costa Rica!
  
  Upon arrival at Juan Santamaria airport in San Jose, meet & greet by our representative and transfer to hotel for check in
  
  Chances are San José wasn't the top destination on your list when you started planning your Costa Rica trip, but give this city a chance and you might be pleasantly surprised. It's true that Chepe – as San José is affectionately known – doesn't make a great first impression, with its unremarkable concrete structures and honking traffic, but it's well worth digging deeper to discover the city's charms.
  
  Rest of the day at leisure to explore the city …
  
  Take your time exploring historic neighborhoods such as Barrio Amón, where colonial mansions have been converted into contemporary art galleries, and Barrio Escalante, the city's gastronomic epicenter.
  
  Stroll with Saturday shoppers at the farmers market, join the Sunday crowds in Parque La Sabana, dance the night away to live music at one of the city's vibrant clubs, or visit the museums of gold, jade, art and natural history, and you'll begin to understand the multidimensional appeal of Costa Rica's largest city and cultural capital.
  
  Overnight in San Jose

• Day 2

  San Jose to Arenal

  Today, after breakfast, you will start traveling north, in the direction of the northern plains, where the Arenal Volcano begins to crown ... 165 kms.
  
  The rich land is covered with different plantations such as pineapple, cassava, bananas, and more.
  
  Whether you approach from the west or from the east, the drive into the Arenal area is spectacular. Coming from Tilarán in the west, the road hugs the northern bank of Laguna de Arenal. The lake and forest vistas are riveting. On either side lovely inns, hip coffeehouses and eccentric galleries appear like pictures in a pop-up book. Approaching from Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos), you’ll have Volcán Platanar as the backdrop, and if the weather cooperates, the resolute peak of Arenal looms in front of you.
  
  The volcano may be dormant, but plenty of adventure still awaits you here. There are trails to hike, waterfalls to rappel down, and sloths to spot. No matter what your preferred method of exploring – hiking, biking, horseback riding, ziplining – you can do it here. And when your body says it’s had enough, you can ease into a volcano-heated pool to soak your aches away.
  
  Check in at hotel on arrival
  
  Rest of the day at leisure
  
  Tonight, you can have dinner at the hotel or, if time permits, you may go and explore the village of La Fortuna where you will find many kinds of dining options and some nightlife too.
  
  Overnight in Arenal

• Day 3

  Arenal / Volcano & Hanging Bridges Tour

  After breakfast at the hotel, today morning you will have a nature walk around the Arenal Volcano National Park. You enjoy more of the rainforest and relax in the natural hot springs near the volcano.
  
  We start with a nature walk in the Arenal Volcano National Park where an expert guide will explain interesting facts about the volcano and its history. There are many chances to see wildlife on the hike and, of course, experience the volcano activity first hand. The trail is easy, and your guide will help with spotting and pointing out wildlife as you walk.
  
  After this walk, you will visit the Arenal hanging bridges, an environmentally friendly project located near the Arenal Volcano. The trails span a total of 2 miles allowing you to see the rainforest from a bird’s eye perspective. Your nature guide will teach you about Costa Rican culture, history, and nature while pointing out different species of plants, animals and birds along the way.
  
  Evening at leisure
  
  Overnight in Arenal

• Day 4

  Arenal to Monteverde

  Today you will travel to Monteverde in a particularly unique way. We will take you on the Taxi-Boat-Taxi across the Arenal Lake to get to Monteverde … Approx 70 kms. travel
  
  You can enjoy spectacular views of the Volcano and find different species of birds while you navigate through the tranquil lake.
  
  Monteverde has one of the most important protected cloud forests found in the world. There are just a few of these forests therefore it is very important to conserve and protect the unique plants and animals found around. You will have the opportunity to explore the forest but also meet the friendly locals who enjoy living in harmony with Mother Nature.
  
  Spread out on the slopes of the Cordillera de Tilarán, this area is a sprawling chain of villages, farms and nature reserves. The biggest population center – the village of Santa Elena – runs seamlessly uphill into next-door neighbor Cerro Plano and then tiny Monteverde, which borders its namesake reserve.
  
  Check in at hotel on arrival
  
  Rest of the day at leisure
  
  Visit downtown Santa Elena which is quite often full of backpackers, with post office, police station, supermarket, bar and a number of inexpensive restaurants.
  
  Overnight in Monteverde

• Day 5

  Monteverde Cloud Forest

  After a packed breakfast today, you will explore the wonderful Cloud Forest accompanied by an expert tour guide
  
  Departure from the hotel is early so you will have more opportunities to see wildlife. Upon arrival to the reserve, your guide will choose the best trail to follow depending on the weather and the interest of the participants. The nature history walk can take between 3 to 6 hours during which you will be able to enjoy the enchanting flora and fauna of the forest.
  
  You will hike part of the 12 Km of trails that are in this private reserve of cloud forest while your Guide explains you how animals and plants coexist on this kind of forest. If you are lucky you may spot a quetzal, a trogon or the noisy bellbird. Return to the hotel after the informative hike.
  
  Evening at leisure
  
  Overnight in Monteverde

• Day 6

  Monteverde to Manuel Antonio National Park, Central Pacific Coast

  Morning transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park … 180 kms. Drive
  
  As visitors arrive at this small outcrop of land jutting into the Pacific, the air becomes heavy with humidity, scented with thick vegetation and alive with the calls of birds and monkeys, making it suddenly apparent that this is the tropics.
  
  The reason to come here is Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, one of the most picturesque bits of tropical coast in Costa Rica. If you get bored of cooing at the baby monkeys scurrying in the canopy and scanning for birds and sloths, the turquoise waves and perfect sand provide endless entertainment.
  
  However, as it's one of the country's most popular national parks, little Quepos, the once-sleepy fishing and banana village on the park's perimeter, has ballooned with this tourism-based economy, and the road from Quepos to the park is overdeveloped. Despite this, the rain forested hills and the blissful beaches make the park a stunning destination worthy of the tourist hype.
  
  Check in at hotel on arrival
  
  Rest of the day at Leisure
  
  Take pleasure in white sand beaches. Walk through trails in primary forest, secondary forest, mangrove swamps, lagoons and beach vegetation. Observe great variety of animals.
  
  Overnight in Manuel Antonio Area in Preserve at Los Altos

• Day 7

  Manuel Antonio National Park / Whales and Dolphins watching tour

  After breakfast, visit Marino Ballena National Park
  
  Early in the morning the boat departs from Punta Uvita Beach and visits the famous Punta Uvita Whale’s Tail, Ballena Island, Tres Hermanas Islets and Ventana Sea Caves.
  
  During the tour we search for Humpback Whales (seasons from mid-July to October late: Southern Humpback Whales) and two different species of resident dolphins.
  
  Private Whales & Dolphins Combo includes: bilingual naturalist guide, bottled water, box with tropical fruits and entrance fee to Marino Ballena National Park, snorkeling equipment.
  
  Overnight in Manuel Antonio Area in Preserve at Los Altos

• Day 8

  Los Altos to San Jose airport / Departure flight

  After breakfast transfer to the San Jose International Airport for your flight back … 160 kms. / About 4 hours driving time

Notes

Round the year destination ... Extension recommended to Panama, Nicaragua & Other Destinations across Central & Northern America

Hotels

Radisson San Jose

San Jose

Selina La Fortuna Arenal

Arenal

Hotel Belmar, Monteverde

Monteverde

Los Altos Resort Manuel Antonio

Los Altos

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