Costa Rica Packages: Costa Rica Treasures

You will be transferred from the airport and taken on a breathtaking journey up into the Tilaran mountains until you reach the enormous Arenal Volcano which dominates the quaint town of La Fortuna de San Carlos. You will check in at one of our numerous excellent Costa Rica hotels and have the rest of the day to explore this charming town or choose from one of our guided excursions below.  These optional packages include boat tours, canopy tours and nature hikes in the La Fortuna de San Carlos area.

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. You’ll be able to observe a great variety of plants, wildlife and magnificent lava rock formations and will be rewarded by a beautiful view of 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’ 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 before enjoying a relaxing visit to nearby mineral hot springs.  You will then be transported back to your La Fortuna hotel for the evening.

After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred the short distance to the world famous Santa Elena & Monteverde cloud forest reserve. The journey is part of the excitement.  The road takes you around the vast Laguna de Arenal and back up to the high altitudes of the cloud forest giving you some spectacular views along the way. You will be taken to your comfortable Santa Elena & Monteverde hotel and you will have some free time to explore this quaint and isolated settlement high up in the mysterious and other-worldly Costa Rica cloud forest.  The village is historically Tico, but the area has also been inhabited by Quakers for decades giving this region a fascinating culture and distinct set of traditions.  Feel free to also explore outside of the town as well but be sure to be well rested for the much anticipated Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour!      

After an early start and full breakfast at your beautiful Monteverde hotel, you will be taken on one of Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse natural history walks. Your early start will give you the best chance of catching some of the forest’s many inhabitants in their natural habitat including blue quetzals and bell-birds soaring above the trees and iridescent hummingbirds buzzing around you in their search for nectar.

Such an astonishing array of natural life is possible thanks to the forest’s unique position along the continental divide, the meeting place for the vast ecosystems of North and South America. The resulting combination of climatic and geographic factors create temperature and humidity gradients which change dramatically over relatively short distances, thus creating a unique ecosystem for you to explore.

After your invigorating hike, you will return to your hotel where you will have the rest of the day to do as you wish. We highly recommend taking advantage of our additional services for a complete cloud forest adventure.  There are a variety of add on packages including Canopy and walkway tours, the butterfly farm and hummingbird garden tours as well as the snake exhibition and insect museum!

After a full breakfast in your excellent Monteverde hotel you will meet your transfer for the journey from the cloud forest to the gorgeous Manuel Antonio beach, leaving the breathtaking mountain views behind and heading for the wide ocean vistas of the Costa Rica Pacific coast. Arriving at your comfortable Manuel Antonio hotel you will have some time to settle in and explore the area, including the historical port town of Quepos or the stunning Manuel Antonio beach.  Night Mangrove Boat tours are available as an additional option to create your perfect Costa Rica vacation.  Or perhaps you would like to book a horseback ride along the beach or sailing excursion to watch the sunset on the pristine beaches of the Costa Rica coast. 

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 a highly trained Costa Rica naturalist guide who will help you spot the treasures hidden within the exotic and diverse tropical rainforest.

Watch sloths and numerous species of monkeys travel through the tree canopy, hunt for nocturnal silky anteaters and several types of non-poisonous snakes and listen to the songs of the various birds as they glide above your heads, filling the forest with a cacophony of song.

See how many different unique species you can spot during the 2 ½ hour nature adventure. 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 sands for the remainder of the day.  In the evening, try the Mangrove/Damas Island Boat Tour or the Night Mangrove Boat Tour if you haven’t already to experience a different perspective of Costa Rica´s biodiversity by night!

After another full 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 and a world renowned sport fishing paradise with sailfish a major draw for offshore sport fishers. From Manuel Antonio it is possible to explore the surrounding wilderness on a hiking tour, an ATV ride or on horseback.  The attractive beaches are popular for snorkeling, diving and kayaking. Kayaking is also available in the surrounding mangroves if you want a little more adventure! Please see the full list of additional services below or speak to one of our Costa Rica 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 journey in Costa Rica or go on to one of our many South American destinations or return home.

*Note: these prices are not valid for the high season and certain holidays. Please contact a Costa Rica 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 Costa Rica Travel Advisor for further details.

• 7 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

• Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve Natural Hike Tour
• Bird Watching Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour
• Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve Night Hike Tour
• Horseback Riding Heliconia Ranch
• Monteverde Coffee Tour
• Walkways Tour
• Canopy OR Walkways Tour
• Hummingbirds Garden Tour
• Insect Museum Tour
• Reptile & Amphibians Exhibition
• Butterfly Farm Tour
• Frog Pond Tour
• Day Excursion Combination Packages
• ATV

• 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