Costa Rica Volcanoes, Mountains & Beach

Day 1: San José

Arrival
Meet and greet at Juan Santamaria International airport and private transfer to your hotel in San Jose.

Day 2: Arenal

San Jose – Arenal area via Poas Volcano and Laguna de Hule
Breakfast is included in the hotel.
Shuttle transfer (air conditioning and Wi-Fi ) to Arenal area.
During this shuttle transfer, you will have the opportunity to visit Poas Volcano National Park and also have a nice typical lunch while enjoying the panoramic views of the Hule Lagoon.

Day 3: Arenal

Arenal
Breakfast is included in the hotel. Shared tour to Arenal Volcano National Park and Hot Springs (entrance fee, lunch or dinner included).
On this hike along the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, you will enter the tropical forest and areas which were once devastated by the fury of the volcano. During the hike, it is possible to see a great variety of flora and fauna. You will also observe the lava slides of 1992, a large accumulation of solidified volcanic material ejected during the very active period of that year. On clear days, you will enjoy incredible views of the impressive Arenal Volcano, Arenal Lake, the Tilarán mountain range, and Cerro Chato. The guide will give interesting information about the main characteristics of the volcano, which has been active since 1968, and many other details about flora and fauna.
After this hike, you will have the opportunity to relax in the hot springs of Paradise Hot Springs. These waters are naturally heated by the Arenal Volcano and are pure and without any kind of added chemicals. They are rained waters that are filtered through the earth, circulating through different depths, gathering minerals, and gaining temperature when making contact with very hot materials. According to a study performed by Gala Termal, a Spanish consultancy company for thermal water centers, Paradise Hot Spring’s water is Hyperthermal water of mild mineralization with sodium chloride, magnesium, and sulfates and it also contains a high proportion of calcium and bicarbonates. To boost the water’s beneficial properties, the different pools and Jacuzzis have hydromassage for different body muscle groups.
Lunch or dinner (depending on the hour) is included in the hot springs restaurant.

Day 4: Monteverde

Arenal – Monteverde
Breakfast in the hotel. Shared boat transfer via Arenal Lake to Monteverde. Duration: 3 hours approx.
This service, half tour half transfer, is a picturesque and fastest way to go to Monteverde from the Arenal Volcano area. After a 30-minute ride to the dam, you will board a very comfortable and safe pontoon boat. After crossing the lake, (a 30 to 40 minutes boat ride), you will arrive in Río Chiquito, a little town on the other side.

Day 5: Monteverde

Monteverde
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning, Adventure Combo Tour in Selvatura, including the canopy tour, the suspension bridges, a visit to the butterfly garden, and transportation.
Selvatura Park is a cloud forest conservation project where a wide variety of tours is hosted. Visitors can glide through cables and zip lines through the cloud forest or take the Treetop Walkways consisting of a 3-kilometer trail and eight different bridges. The park also has a butterfly garden hosting more than 50 different species of butterflies and a hummingbird garden, a treat for photography lovers, and a spectacular show for anyone who loves nature. There is also an Education Center with a large private insect collection, property of world-famous entomologist Dr. Richard Whitten. A Cloud Forest History walk teaches visitors about the natural history of Monteverde and all about the cloud forest ecosystem.

Day 6: Tamarindo

Monteverde – Tamarindo Beach
Breakfast in the hotel. Shuttle transfer to Guanacaste, specifically to Tamarindo Beach. Duration: 5 hours approx.

Day 7: Tamarindo

Tamarindo Beach
Breakfast in the hotel. Day at leisure to relax at the beach or to take an optional tour.

Day 8: San José

Tamarindo Beach – San Jose
Breakfast in the hotel. Around noon, take the shuttle transfer back to San Jose. Duration: 5 hours approx.

Day 9:

Departure
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport.