
When talking about Costa Rica with my mom/travel partner, she asked: "Is that someplace people go?" After our first day in Costa Rica, all her worries were alleviated by all of the wonderful and helpful people we met.
A special mother-daughter trip…
I'm 32 and my mom is 65; we love traveling together, but I knew this trip to Costa Rica would be one for the books. We both like adventure and experiencing the country we are visiting.
I’ll always remember this trip because...
I loved loved loved La Kukula Lodge! It’s in a beautiful location in the forest but still within walking distance from restaurants. The variety of animals living on the grounds is amazing and there is something new to see every day. If you're looking for a party place, this is not it. If you are looking to enjoy a beautiful location and calming surroundings within walking distance of the ocean, then this is the place for you. Don't plan on sleeping in too much because there is a troop of Howler monkeys living in the trees!
My favorite activity on this vacation…
Another excursion I want to recommend is Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge tour. We had an excellent tour guide and captain. Both were pointing out birds and animals and knew where to look for rarer species. The tour guide even took photos for me when I couldn't get my camera to focus properly. We saw many species of birds including a Stick Bird, a sloth and her baby, adult caimans, baby caimans, bats, a Jesus Christ lizard, and two species of monkeys. On the way to the reserve, our driver stopped for us to view huge Iguanas sunning themselves in the trees as well.
Places
2 | nights | San Jose |
3 | nights | Puerto Viejo |
2 | nights | Arenal |
2 | nights | Arenal |
3 | nights | Monteverde |
2 | nights | Manuel Antonio |
Sites
7th | day | Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge |
7th | day | Rio Frio |
9th | day | Arenal Volcano National Park |
12th | day | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve |
Hotels
2 | nights | Sleep Inn |
3 | nights | La Kukula Lodge |
2 | nights | Arenal Volcano Inn |
2 | nights | Magic Mountain Hotel |
3 | nights | Hotel Cala Lodge Monteverde |
2 | nights | El Faro Beach Hotel |
Meals
Free Breakfast for 14 days |
Transport
shuttle | San Jose to Puerto Viejo |
shuttle | Puerto Viejo to Arenal |
shuttle | Monteverde to Manuel Antonio |
private driver | Manuel Antonio to San Jose |
Trip Overview
Get a QuoteDAY 1
San Jose
Sleep Inn - night 1 of 2
DAY 2
San Jose
Sleep Inn - night 2 of 2
DAY 3
San Jose / Puerto Viejo
Sleep Inn
La Kukula Lodge - night 1 of 3
San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Limon
6:20 am - 10:30 am pickup/drop-off time
4.17 hours duration
DAY 4
Puerto Viejo
La Kukula Lodge - night 2 of 3
DAY 5
Puerto Viejo
La Kukula Lodge - night 3 of 3
DAY 6
Puerto Viejo / Arenal
La Kukula Lodge
Arenal Volcano Inn - night 1 of 2
Puerto Viejo de Limon to Arenal
10:15 am - 4:05 pm pickup/drop-off time
5.83 hours duration
DAY 7
Arenal
Arenal Volcano Inn - night 2 of 2
Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve

From 7:25 am - 4:30 pm start/end time
Transport included
DAY 8
Arenal / Arenal
Arenal Volcano Inn
Magic Mountain Hotel - night 1 of 2
DAY 9
Arenal
Magic Mountain Hotel - night 2 of 2
Arenal Volcano History Walk & Baldi Hot Springs

From 2:05 pm - 8:30 pm start/end time
Transport included
DAY 10
Arenal / Monteverde
Magic Mountain Hotel
Hotel Cala Lodge Monteverde - night 1 of 3
Taxi-Boat-Taxi Arenal to Monteverde
From 8:30 am - 12:00 pm start/end time
Transport included
DAY 11
Monteverde
Hotel Cala Lodge Monteverde - night 2 of 3
Selvatura Zip Lines, Suspension Bridges & Butterflies

From 7:50 am - 1:00 pm start/end time
Transport included
DAY 12
Monteverde
Hotel Cala Lodge Monteverde - night 3 of 3
Guided Tour Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
From 7:25 am - 10:30 am start/end time
Transport included
DAY 13
Monteverde / Manuel Antonio
Hotel Cala Lodge Monteverde
El Faro Beach Hotel - night 1 of 2
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
8:00 am - 1:00 pm pickup/drop-off time
5.00 hours duration
DAY 14
Manuel Antonio
El Faro Beach Hotel - night 2 of 2
Mangrove Fishing Tour
From 7:10 am - 12:00 pm start/end time
Transport included
DAY 15
Manuel Antonio
El Faro Beach Hotel
Manuel Antonio to San Jose
7:30 am - 10:30 am pickup/drop-off time
3.00 hours duration
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