This trip combines what we think is the best of Costa Rica!  Experience the mountains, the rain forest and the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica's Caribbean for an unforgettable trip.

There are lots of ways you can customize your package - add days, change tours and even add destinations. Look for the symbol for ideas or play with the options on the booking form which will calculate your final price. Here's what your days will look like:

Day 1  - Departure San Jose - Arenal Volcano

Your day starts with morning pickup from your San Jose hotel.  You will travel in a comfortable a/c microbus to La Fortuna, a small town next to the volcano. They will take you to your hotel then shortly after take you to the west side of the volcano which is one of the best places for night time views. After that, you will go to  Tabacón Resort where you can enjoy the different temperature pools. Tabacón also has water slides, waterfalls and 12 different pools! At Tabacón you will be served dinner with a view of the volcano.

Notes:  (1) Our usual pickup from San Jose area hotels leaves San Jose approximately 8:15 a.m., if you are arriving Costa Rica that day you must be ready by then. Somewhat later departures can be accommodated with our private transfer option that will meet your flight at the airport and take you directly to Arenal. (2) If you are planning days on the Pacific Coast beforehand, we can also pick you up on Day 1 from your hotel at most Pacific Beach towns for no additional cost.

You can also start your tour with 1 or 2 nights in Monteverde and see the magical Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.  Then we bring you across Lake Arenal by boat and road to your start your Arenal tour. Monteverde options start at just $75 additional p/p including 1 night hotel and the lake crossing.

Day 2 - Arenal Volcano - Horseback Ride

Breakfast at your hotel. You will be picked up at 8 a.m. for a horseback ride to visit the waterfall of La Fortuna. Returning to your hotel, you will have the evening on your own in La Fortuna.  If clouds covered the volcano, you'll have another chance to see it tonight as it's visible from the whole area!

Or choose to do a Zipline/Canopy tour instead (additional $25 p/p) or both tours ($65 p/p)

Day 3 - Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River!

Early morning pickup at your Arenal hotel.

Breakfast at the rafting company headquarters (about 3 hrs away). Your luggage is securely stored.

Exciting whitewater rafting trip on the Pacuare River. This is our most rafting popular trip and Costa Rica's premier river trip. The ultimate blend of wilderness exposure and invigorating excitement. The Pacuare River is world famous for its pristine beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. Waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colorful, tropical birds fly right over your head. The white water is equally exciting (rapids class III-IV). This is one of the most memorable river trips you will ever experience.  All instruction and equipment is included. (This trip is suitable for ages 12 and over, if you have younger kids we'll put you on a calmer river).  Lunch on the river is included.

Back to the rafting company HQ for drinks and then transport to your Puerto Viejo hotel.

Want the ultimate in getting away from it all? Choose to spend an additional night on the river by upgrading your rafting choice to a 2 day hike and paddle trip with a night in a river lodge (additional $130 p/p). Or choose a calmer river if you're not in the mood for adventure and we'll even take $20 p/p off your package.

Day 4 - Puerto Viejo - Canopy Tour or Cahuita National Park

Breakfast at your hotel (included with most hotels, see hotel details below).

Pickup for your choice of a Canopy Tour or a  Cahuita National Park hike/boat/snorkel trip. 

The Canopy option is a half-day adventure which will take you on a series of zipline cables between platforms--there are 9 aerial platforms, 14 land platforms and a total of 2560 meters of cable! It's a unique way to see Costa Rica's flora and fauna, much of which never comes down from the trees and your guide will be on hand to explain it to you and guide you to a safe and exciting trip on the ziplines!  Snacks and beverages included.

The Cahuita National Park option combines a guided hike through the rainforest, a boat ride to Punta Cahuita and snorkeling. This is the #1 destination in the area and you're sure to see lot's of wildlife, in and out of the water. All snorkeling equipment is available.

If both of these sound good to you then add on extra days in Puerto Viejo and we'll be happy to arrange more than one of our other great activities.  Or if you just want some days to explore the area (by bicycle is a great option!) and find some of the world's most beautiful beaches, then choose the option to add extra nights in Puerto Viejo.

Day 5 - Puerto Viejo to San Jose

On the final day, have breakfast at your hotel, enjoy your morning at the beach or as you wish and then you will be transported back to San Jose by comfortable A/C minibus.

Note: our usual departure from Puerto Viejo gets back to San Jose at approximately 5pm. If you need an earlier arrival to catch a flight, we have an early morning departure as well that arrives San Jose approximately 11:30am or you can upgrade to a private transfer option which will take you directly to the airport on your own schedule. If you're continuing your trip elsewhere in Costa Rica, ask for a quote for transport directly to that location.

Add Canals to the trip! Experience the wonders of Tortuguero National Park.

For just $130 p/p, add all these exciting activities and night in Tortuguero.  Instead of Day 5 itinerary above, the itinerary would be:

Days 5 & 6 - Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park  is the third-most visited park in Costa Rica, despite the fact that it can only be reached by airplane or boat. The park has incredible biological variety, due to the existence within the reserve of eleven different habitats, including rainforest, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. It is located in a tropical climate, is very humid, and receives up to 250 inches of rain a year.  This is the very best place in Costa Rica to spot wildlife. Monkeys, Sloths, Crocodiles, Toucans, and many colorful frogs and insects are all common sights. During the June to September turtle nesting season, this is definitely one of Costa Rica's Highlights.

Day 3 starts when we pick you up at your Puerto Viejo hotel for minibus and boat transport to Tortuguero and you'll get breakfast enroute. In Tortuguero, you'll settle into your Tortuguero Hotel which is complete with private bath, swimming pool and buffet meals!

You'll have plenty of time to see Tortuguero over the two days as your package includes

●  Two canal tours in the national park, in search of a close up view of the wildlife.

●  One guided hike in the national park

●  One trip to the interesting town of Tortuguero with a visit to the Caribbean Conservation Corporation.

On the afternoon of your last day, we will pick you up at your hotel and transport you to your hotel in your choice of San Jose, Puerto Viejo or the Arenal area.

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