Costa Rica Packages: Craters & Critters

You will be transferred from the airport and taken on a breathtaking journey up into the Tilaran mountains until you reach the foothill of the grand Arenal Volcano which dominates the quaint town of La Fortuna de San Carlos. You will check in at one of our numerous excellent hotels and have the rest of the day to explore the town on your own or you can choose one of our guided excursions below.

Following a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken on a short drive to the active western side of the Arenal Volcano. Once there, you will embark on a hike along the Toucans Trail which traverses the rainforest and crosses over a large lava flow from the 1992 eruption. The trail offers a great variety of plants, wildlife and magnificent lava rock formations that lead to a grand finale, panoramic view of the beautiful Lake Arenal. The hike ends at a viewing area where, weather and time permitting, you will be able to see red hot lava rolling down the side of the volcano. During the tour, our experienced guides will provide interesting and educational information regarding the history of the majestic mountain and the Arenal Volcano National Park. Read our newsletter article about the Arenal Volcano.

We highly recommend that you stay at one of our ‘luxury’ Arenal hotels that feature hot springs on the premises where we will shuttle you back after your hike, giving you the remainder of the day to relax in the thermal waters and spa. Otherwise, you will be treated to a tasty lunch and enjoy a relaxing visit to nearby mineral hot springs before being returned to your hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred back down from the mountains towards the lowlands of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. You will pass small, traditional villages and vast plantations until you arrive at Quepos and Manuel Antonio with some free time to explore the historical town of Quepos, relax on the outstanding beaches of Manuel Antonio, or take advantage of one of our guided excursions below.

After a delicious breakfast, you will make the journey into Manuel Antonio National Park where you can choose between a leisurely stroll or a more strenuous hike with highly trained Costa Rica naturalist guides who will help you spot the treasures hidden within the exotic and diverse tropical rainforest.

Watch numerous species of monkeys swing by sleepy sloths through the tree canopy, hunt for nocturnal silky anteaters and several types of non-poisonous snakes.  Your exploration through the forest will be to cacophony songs of the various birds gliding through the trees above your heads.

See how many different unique species you can spot during the 2 ½ hour nature adventure walk. Then, whenever you are ready, stop and enjoy some local fresh fruits and refreshments as you pause to savor the surroundings.  If you so desire, you can continue your hike through the trails and enjoy unspoiled, un-crowded, pristine beaches after your guided educational adventure ends. Learn about the Quepoa Indians and some of the cultural and natural history behind this stunningly beautiful area.

You will then be transported back to your relaxing Manuel Antonio hotel to lay by the pool or relax on the white sand beaches for the remainder of the day.

After another luxurious breakfast in your comfortable Manuel Antonio hotel you will be able to spend the day exploring the area at your leisure. As a top Costa Rica vacation destination, Quepos offers a plethora of activities for every holidaymaker. This is one of the best Costa Rica fishing spots in the country, with sailfish a major draw for offshore sport fishers. From Manuel Antonio it is possible to explore the surrounding wilderness on a hiking tour or on horseback, and the attractive beaches and Pacific waters are popular for snorkeling, diving and kayaking. Please see the full list of additional services and tours available for your free day below or speak to one of our Travel Advisors.

After breakfast, you will have the rest of the day to explore the area before we transfer you to the airport where you may continue your Costa Rica vacation, go on to one of our many other South American destinations or return home.

*Note: these prices are not valid for the high season and certain holidays. Please contact a Travel Advisor for prices based on your specific travel dates.

Upgrade your tour package by adding or replacing your beach visits to Quepos & Manuel Antonio with a trip to Gulf of Papagayo, the most beautiful and luxurious beach destination in Costa Rica. Please contact a Travel Advisor for further details.

• 5 nights at comfortable hotels based on US standards.
• Guided visits with English speaking tour guides.
• All transfers and entrance fees.
• All breakfasts and meals mentioned in the itinerary.

• Arenal Lake on Kayak
• Caño Negro Rio Frio Boat Tour
• Safari Float Trip on the Peñas Blancas River
• Arenal Volcano Tour
• Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall
• Biking Tour around Arenal
• Hiking to Rio Celeste and Tenorio Volcano
• Tour to the Venado Caves
• Arenal Canopy Tour
• Hanging Bridges & Natural Hike Tour
• Natural History Walk Tour
• Sarapiqui River Whitewater Rafting
• Sky Tram & Sky Trek Tour
• Maleku Indigenous Tour
• Pure Trek Canyoning Tour

• Savegre River White Water Rafting
• Naranjo River White Water Rafting
• Mangrove / Damas Island Kayaking
• Night Mangrove Kayaking
• Mangrove / Damas Island Boat Tour OR Night Mangrove Boat Tour
• Snorkeling / Coastal Kayaking
• Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour
• Kusingo Tropical Rain Forest Hiking
• Tocori Waterfalls / Rancho Don Gilberto / Beach Horseback Riding
• Manuel Antonio National Park Hiking Tour
• Carara National Park Hiking Tour
• Carara Sport Fishing Tours