Meals

All breakfasts and one lunch are included. Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets. Vegetarian and vegan options are limited but food is plentiful and tasty – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish and staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time here.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Others

All listed activities

Transport

Depending on the group size, we either use a 16-seat Coaster minibus or a larger 20-seat vehicle, but we also use small motorboats for some activities such as the Lake Arenal crossing and the boat excursion to see dolphins. Due to the type of vehicles we use, it’s common for luggage to be transported on the roof, covered by a tarpaulin.

Accommodation

In San José, we usually stay at the modern Autentico Hotel, which has easy access to the downtown areas of the city. In Arenal, our accommodation is normally Eco Arenal. There’s a view of Arenal volcano right from the restaurant and, thanks to the river that borders the hotel, there are plenty of other things to spot, including sloths, plenty of birdlife and exotic frogs. Head to the gardens and you’ll find a swimming pool lined with sun loungers and palm trees. In Monteverde, we normally stay at the Montaña Monteverde. Right next to a private forest with trails to explore, it has 42 rooms and some wonderful views. There’s also a bar and restaurant serving homecooked Costa Rican cuisine. By the Pacific Coast, we stay at the Leyenda Hotel by Carrillo Beach, which has a swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Others

— Travel Insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations

Flights

Flights are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

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Day 1 Day 1: Start San José
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start San José

A free transfer takes you to our hotel in San José, the busy capital of Costa Rica. Check in and take it easy, there is plenty of excitement on this trip, so today is all about easing into the adventure. To help, there is a welcome briefing at the hotel in the evening (aim to arrive at the hotel by 5pm), in which we gather as a group for the first time and meet our guide. If you miss today’s welcome briefing, the tour leader will give you all relevant information on the morning of Day 2. Accommodation: Autentico Hotel or Aurola Holiday Inn (or similar)
Day 2 Day 2: To Arenal; La Fortuna Waterfall Walk (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: To Arenal; La Fortuna Waterfall Walk (Breakfast)

We drive to the area surrounding Arenal volcano, which was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until it entered a resting phase in 2010. There is still lots of geothermal activity here, plus natural hot springs, waterfalls and the largest lake in the country, Lake Arenal. Today, we visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 215ft (65m) cascade plunging into an emerald pool. A short rainforest trail brings us to steep steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to the exit; this takes around 20 to 30 minutes and will be rewarded with a swim in the pool. You can visit the lookout point to wait for the group if you prefer. There will also be plenty of time to spot forest-dwelling animals along the way; keep an eye out for colourful toucans in the trees. Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)
Day 3 Day 3: Try Grade Ii And Iii White-Water Rafting On The Balsa River (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Try Grade Ii And Iii White-Water Rafting On The Balsa River (Breakfast,Lunch)

After breakfast, we head to the Balsa River for an exhilarating white-water rafting excursion. The rapids here are graded II and III and have nicknames such as Magnetic Rock and Dredges – prepare to get wet and wild on this adventure. No experience of this activity is needed as a full safety briefing and instruction is given before getting into the rafts. Tropical scenery flanks the river and we may spot monkeys, toucans or other animals in the forest. There will also be a stop for drinks and tropical fruits along the way. On our return to La Fortuna, we stop to enjoy a delicious lunch at Vida Campesina, a traditional country estate that allows visitors to experience typical country life in Costa Rica. Lunch will be made with ingredients harvested on the property and prepared on a wood stove in traditional style. Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)
Day 4 Day 4: To Monteverde In The Tilaran Mountains; Night Walk To Experience The Cloud Forest In The Dark (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: To Monteverde In The Tilaran Mountains; Night Walk To Experience The Cloud Forest In The Dark (Breakfast)

From Arenal, we travel to the Tilaran mountain range in the Central Highlands for a taste of the Costa Rican cloud forest. Reaching Monteverde involves a fast boat across Lake Arenal, which is incredibly scenic and will take roughly half an hour. We then complete our journey by shared land transfer, climbing into the hills towards Monteverde, whose name literally means Green Mountain. The high altitude in this Central Highlands region supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are some 400-plus varieties here. Our journey takes about 3hr 30min in total, including the lake crossing. Around 6pm, we have a night walk to experience the forest in the dark. This gives an entirely new perspective on the cloud forest habitat with many pairs of eyes staring back at you. We may see sloths, armadillos, porcupines, possums and coatis and will likely hear a cacophony of insects and amphibians. Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde, Heliconia or Belcruz Lodge (or similar)
Day 5 Day 5: Visit The Hanging Bridges And Butterfly Garden; Afternoon Free For Optional Activities (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Visit The Hanging Bridges And Butterfly Garden; Afternoon Free For Optional Activities (Breakfast)

Today we visit Selvatura Park, 850 acres (345ha) of protected land dedicated to nature and adventure. We begin with the hanging bridges excursion, a system of treetop walkways designed to let you experience the beauty of the cloud forest and observe the many inhabitants. We also visit the butterfly garden, one of the largest butterfly exhibitions in the world, and the hummingbird garden, where more than 14 hummingbird species amaze you with their aerial manoeuvres. In the afternoon, there is time to try aerial manoeuvres of our own on an optional zip line adventure through the tree tops. Before we fly, guides teach us the proper technique, including how to position ourselves and hold the cable correctly, enabling you to safely embark on this adrenaline-pumping adventure above the trees. Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde, Heliconia or Belcruz Lodge (or similar)
Day 6 Day 6: To The Pacific Coast; Afternoon At Leisure To Enjoy Carrillo Beach (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: To The Pacific Coast; Afternoon At Leisure To Enjoy Carrillo Beach (Breakfast)

We travel to the Samara region on the Pacific Coast, a destination to rival any for beauty in Costa Rica but yet to be discovered by mass tourism. The broad, shady bay is backed by coconut palms and the water is calm and safe for swimming thanks to a coral reef on which the normally large Pacific waves break before reaching the shore. There are plenty of facilities in this area but there’s a noticeable absence of big resort hotels, which makes for a nice atmosphere. We have a free afternoon to enjoy the facilities and discover the area. Accommodation: Leyenda Hotel or Nammbu Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 Day 7: Boat Trip To See Dolphins Offshore From Carrillo Beach; Have A Go At Snorkelling (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Boat Trip To See Dolphins Offshore From Carrillo Beach; Have A Go At Snorkelling (Breakfast)

Today we take a private boat from Carrillo Beach in search of dolphins. You could be lucky enough to see spotted dolphins, Central American spinners or common bottlenoses, which all inhabit this area year round. Feel the ocean breeze and enjoy the coastal scenery as we search for these playful animals who love to swim in the bow wave of the boat. As we return along the coast, we anchor near the shores of Isla Chora, a white-sand beach full of hermit crabs and iguanas. This is a great spot for a refreshing swim and a chance to observe the underwater world with a mask and snorkel. Beneath the surface teems a lively world with huge marine diversity. In total, today’s excursion lasts around four hours, with the rest of your time at leisure to enjoy the area. Accommodation: Leyenda Hotel or Nammbu Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 Day 8: To Liberia And End (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: To Liberia And End (Breakfast)

A final breakfast at the hotel is your chance to say goodbye to the group, swap numbers, and perhaps start planning your next adventure.

8 days tour

Costa Rica Active Escape

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Costa Rica Active Escape

Day 1: Start San José

Day 2: To Arenal; La Fortuna Waterfall Walk (Breakfast)

Day 3: Try Grade Ii And Iii White-Water Rafting On The Balsa River (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 4: To Monteverde In The Tilaran Mountains; Night Walk To Experience The Cloud Forest In The Dark (Breakfast)

Day 5: Visit The Hanging Bridges And Butterfly Garden; Afternoon Free For Optional Activities (Breakfast)

Day 6: To The Pacific Coast; Afternoon At Leisure To Enjoy Carrillo Beach (Breakfast)

Day 7: Boat Trip To See Dolphins Offshore From Carrillo Beach; Have A Go At Snorkelling (Breakfast)

Day 8: To Liberia And End (Breakfast)

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