Costa Rica

Costa Rica
See the 5,000-foot-tall active Arenal Volcano, kayak across the crystalline Lake Arenal and relax in its numerous bubbling hot springs, then strap yourself into a harness for the ultimate rainforest experience as you soar through the canopy on a zip line.
RECENT TOUR DIARIES:
April 6, 2025 - April 14, 2025
March 15, 2025 - March 24, 2025
February 14, 2025 - February 22, 2025
Learn more
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Day 1 Hola San José (groups flying from the west coast may be required to depart day 0)
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Day 2 San José--Arenal
Travel to Arenal
Arenal Volcano National Park visit
Details: Travel to Arenal
Arenal is famous for its volcano, an unavoidable presence while traveling within this part of the country. It is tall, imposing, perfectly symmetrical shape makes it instantly recognizable.
Details: Arenal Volcano National Park visit
Arenal Volcano National Park is located in the northern region of the country and is home to one of the world’s most active and impressive volcanoes. Besides the volcano, this national park has various hiking trails that wind through the tropical highland forest as well as the lowland wet forest. Also within the park is a magnificent man-made lake, Lake Arenal (the largest lake in Costa Rica), which provides over 40% of the country’s energy production.
Day 3 Arenal landmarks
Hanging Bridges excursion
Lake Arenal kayaking tour
Hot springs visit
Details: Lake Arenal kayaking tour
Glide along the still waters reflecting the perfect cone of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding rolling hills. Lake Arenal, the country's largest, is also among its most scenic, and the area has become popular area to kayak, windsurf, sail, fish, and hike. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity
Details: Hot springs visit
Let the volcanoes take you away. At Arenal’s hot springs, bubbling lava fields heat the waters to make nature’s own jacuzzi.
Day 4 Arenal--Monteverde
Travel to Monteverde
Horseback ride
Details: Travel to Monteverde
Because of its humidity and latitude, the entire city of Monteverde can disappear in a second under a massive cloud cover. Founded by Quakers in 1951, the city boasts the best in Costa Rican creatures. Observe a proud display of howler monkeys, revered quetzals and native frogs in the dense cover of the cloud forest.
Details: Horseback ride
Step back in time as you explore Monteverde on horseback, following time-worn trails through the mountains as you breathe in the mists of the rainforest. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity. The location of this activity is subject to change and groups over 20 will likely be split due to the limited number of horses available.
Day 5 Monteverde landmarks
Canopy zipline tour
Santa Elena Biological Reserve visit
Details: Canopy zipline tour
Soar through the treetops for the unmatched close-up of the New World’s best wildlife refuge. Harness yourself to cables that run between platforms high in the trees, then step into thin air and zip from tree to tree. Experience a true bird's-eye view from your new aerial perspective. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity
Details: Santa Elena Biological Reserve visit
Get your spider monkey fix as you climb into the clouds. The Santa Elena Reserve reaches high into the atmosphere, bringing the cloudy mists into its lush forests and letting you see all the way to the Arenal Volcano.
Day 6 Monteverde--Coastal Puntarenas
Travel to Coastal Puntarenas
Free time at the beach
Plant your own tree
Optional  Crocodile Safari  $35
Details: Plant your own tree
Contribute your green thumb efforts to local conservation work by planting a tree in a deforested part of Costa Rica.
Day 7 Manuel Antonio excursion
Manuel Antonio National Park visit
Details: Manuel Antonio National Park visit
Combining white sandy beaches with lush tropical forest, Manuel Antonio is the perfect place to see a variety of Costa Rican wildlife, from white-faced monkeys and sleepy-faced sloths, to green turtles and orange-and-black-shelled land crabs.
Day 8 Coastal Puntarenas--San José
Travel to San José via Sarchí
Sarchí craft village visit
Optional  Folklore evening  $50
Details: Travel to San José via Sarchí
On the way to San José, travel to Sarchí, a highly artistic city known for its painted designs and brilliantly colored wheels of local ox carts.
Details: Sarchí craft village visit
Costa Rica's premiere crafts village provides the perfect opportunity for souvenir shopping. Sarchí became famous in the mid-1800s for its elaborate hand-painted oxcarts, and now its artisans create clothing, shoes, chess sets, and other items all decorated in the traditional manner.
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Day 9 Flight home from San José
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    Day 9 Start river rafting extension
    Whitewater rafting guided excursion
    Details: Whitewater rafting guided excursion
    The perfect way to experience Costa Rica at its best. After getting full safety and paddling instructions from your guide, head off into lush rainforest teeming with toucans, herons, and iguanas. Be on the lookout for basilisk lizards—these reptiles can scurry across the water on their hind legs, a feat that earned them the nickname “Jesus Christ lizards.” End your tour of Costa Rica’s most popular river with a traditional lunch prepared by your guide. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.
    Day 10 Flight home from San José
    Map of Costa Rica Educational Tour
    Tour Includes:
    • Round-trip airfare
    • 8 overnight stays (9 with extension) in hotels with private bathrooms
    • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
    • Full-time services of a professional tour director
    • Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
    • Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
    • Tour Diary™
    • Local Guide and Local Bus Driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
    • Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
    • Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.

    We are better able to assist you with a quote for your selected departure date and city over the phone. Please call 1.888.378.8845 to price this tour with your requested options.

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    3833.00 total fee
    Basic Options


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