VIVA COSTA RICA
Overview
Ready for Costa Rica? From beach towns to dense rainforests, you’ll snorkel, scuba dive, zip line and surf your way around Central America’s most on-trend travel destination. 8 nights of Costa Rica’s teeming coral reefs, awe-inspiring wildlife, dramatic volcanoes and rejuvenating hot springs await.
Included/Excluded
- Your accommodation, essential trip transport, and a good handful of meals are included in the cost (on most trips we offer breakfast every day, plus a hand-picked selection of authentic and tasty meals)
- A number of meal times are left open for you to explore a region and its foodie offerings in greater detail, so budgeting for your taste in non-catered meals is important.
- Travel insurance and visas
- Flights to and from your starting and ending points
- We offer Free Time Add-Ons, which are additional experiences
- Meals not mentioned
Day 1: San Jose to Arenal via Sarapiqui
San José:
- Hola San Jose! After meeting up with your fellow Costa Rican explorers this morning we’ll get straight on the road, bound for the biodiverse beauty of Sarapiqui.
Via Sarapiqui:
- Renowned for its fertile lands and gorgeous scenery, we’ll stop off here for our first taste of fresh Costa Rican air – and our first dose of adventure for those keen to get a little wet and wild.
Arenal:
- How to round off the first day of our adventure? How about catching our first glimpse of one of the most incredible volcanoes in Costa Rica, Arenal. This volcano is near perfectly formed and famed for its hot springs and healing properties. Dinner tonight will be a group affair in town after an action-packed first day. And our accommodation for the night is something special, set within stunning gardens in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano. Take a dip in the pool or watch iguanas bask atop the trees. This is the life.
Hotel Arenal Montechiari (or similar)
Included Experience:
- Marvel at Arenal Volcano (Weather Permitting)
Additional Cost Applies:
- Go White Water Rafting in Sarapiqui
Day 2: Arenal
Arenal:
- Rappelling through a rainforest canyon will be the perfect wake up call this morning. Not keen? How about taking advantage of the regions geothermal properties with a visit to the hot springs this afternoon? Whichever you decide – adventure, wellness or both, the day is going to be one to remember.
Hotel Arenal Montechiari (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experience:
- Hike La Fortuna Waterfall
Additional Cost Applies:
- Canyoneering
- Arenal Hot Spring
Day 3: Arenal to Playa Tamarindo
Arenal:
- Leaving Arenal towering behind us this morning we’ll move on for a taste of Costa Rican beach life.
Tamarindo:
- Playa Tamarindo has the reputation of being Costa Rica’s numero uno surf and party destination, and for good reason. This northern beach town boasts tasty waves and golden sands dotted with lounge bars and awesome restaurants. We’ll be staying right by the beach so early morning swims are high on the agenda.
Best Western Vista Villas Tamarindo (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experience:
- Discover how Local Chocolate is made
Day 4: Playa Tamarindo
Tamarindo:
- The bohemian atmosphere of Playa Tamarindo is utterly infectious, and it won’t take long to ease into the pace of life here. Spend the day in the water snorkelling or scuba diving amongst the marine life, or stay above the waves and give surfing a try. This afternoon, why not take advantage of our catamaran cruise Add-On, another unique way to experience this beautiful ocean paradise.
Best Western Vista Villas Tamarindo (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Additional Cost Applies:
- Catamaran Cruise
- Take Surfing Lessons with a Trained Instructor
Day 5: Playa Tamarindo to Monteverde
Tamarindo:
- It’s goodbye to the beach life for now as we pack up our towels and make for the mountains.
Monteverde:
- Feel the clean air filling your lungs as we arrive at the misty forests of Monteverde – a sight guaranteed to take your breath away. This leafy wildlife hotspot is home to butterfly gardens, coffee plantations, countless monkey species and passionate locals who work hard to preserve the balance between nature and tourism. We’ll spend some time with our friends at SINAC, helping protect, preserve and regenerate the local forests with a tree planting experience. You’ll even get to name your tree! We’ll also learn about everyone’s favourite caffeinated friend – coffee. One of Costa Rica’s most famous exports, we’ll learn how the plants are cultivated and the entire process of turning delicious little berries into invigorating coffee beans.
Hotel Montana Monteverde (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experience:
- Plant Trees MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Join a Diria Coffee Tour
Day 6: Monteverde
Monteverde:
- The adventures don’t stop. If you’re looking for something a bit more tranquil, take a stroll on the hanging bridges amongst the lush cloud forest.
Hotel Montana Monteverde (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experience:
- Experience Monteverde’s Cloud Forest
Additional Cost Applies:
- Walk Along the Hanging Bridges
Day 7: Monteverde to Jaco
Monteverde:
- Monteverde, it’s been emotional, but we’ve got some beach hangs on our horizons.
Jaco:
- Beachside Jaco is known for its surfing, nightlife and its optimal location as a gateway to Costa Rica’s national parks. This afternoon it’s time to check out the town or get right into some relaxing by the pool (or at the bar) whilst contemplating Costa Rican life, soaking up these last few days in paradise.
Hotel Amapola (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Jaco
Jaco:
- Rise and shine! This morning we’ll head over to Manuel Antonio, a spectacular national park.
Via Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio:
- Manuel Antonio serves up a dizzying mix of ancient rainforest, pristine beaches and dazzling coral reefs. Get your cameras ready and be on the hunt for wildlife as we walk through this hub of mind boggling biodiversity.
Jaco:
- After a day of exploration, we’ll arrive back at our hotel this evening for some poolside relaxation.
Hotel Amapola (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experience:
- Day Trip to Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 9: Jaco to San Jose
Jaco:
- After a final adventure op in Jaco (kayaking, anyone?) we’ll make our way back to San Jose where our trip will come to a close.
San José:
- What an adventure it’s been. Swap deets, we’ll see each other on the road again soon.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Additional Cost Applies:
- Kayak Along the Jaco Coast