A Beginner's Guide to Costa Rica Costa Rica

A Beginner's Guide to Costa Rica

The entire trip went completely on schedule, and Costa Rica was amazing. I feel that we got a very good mix of things to see on our first trip to your country. I was very impressed with everything Costa Rica is doing to preserve its rain forests, rivers, oceans, etc.

9 Day Costa Rica Itinerary
2 Adults
$183 pp/night
$2921 total USD

Exploring Costa Rica for the first time…

My husband and I are in our late 50s/early 60s. We have never been to Costa Rica, and on this trip, we wanted to learn about the country, the beautiful rainforests, waterfalls, volcanoes, and maybe be brave enough to trip zip lining! The entire trip went completely on schedule, and Costa Rica was amazing. Lester made sure that the itinerary had a good mix of things to experience on our first trip to Costa Rica.

Memorable tours and experiences in Monteverde…

In Monteverde, we took a sky tram and sky trek tour. Andres was our guide on this tour. On our 2-hour walk, he pointed out lots of flora and fauna and the five hanging bridges were great. The sky tram ride was fun and the views from the top were beautiful but not clear enough to see Arenal or the ocean. I really enjoyed the coffee tour. Alex gave a very informative tour, we got to taste cocoa beans, chocolate, coffee, and sugar cane. He explained the whole process for growing and processing all these products.

The beautiful sunsets we’ll always remember…

Hotel Costa Verde in Manuel Antonio was amazing. We really enjoyed the pool and the pool deck was great for watching incredible sunsets. We took a Damas Estuary boat trip, which was nice. Ricardo and Tono gave us a great tour in the estuary. We were able to see white-faced monkeys who came right on our boat. Our guide also explained about agriculture and the local economy which was interesting. The lunch provided at the end was very good as well.

Meals

Free Breakfast for 8 days

Transport

private driverAlajuela & SJO Int'l to Arenal  
shuttleArenal to Monteverde  
shuttleMonteverde to Manuel Antonio  
shuttleManuel Antonio to Alajuela & SJO Int'l  

Trip Overview

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DAY 1


Arenal

Arenal Volcano Inn - night 1 of 3

Alajuela and SJO Airport to Arenal

Alajuela and SJO Airport to Arenal
Alajuela and SJO Airport to Arenal
Private transport type
2:00 pm - 5:30 pm pickup/drop-off time
3.50 hours duration

Private transport service offers a safe, convenient, and flexible way to travel anywhere within Costa Rica. Private transport can be scheduled anytime you wish and from any airport, hotel, private home or identifiable landmark in Costa Rica. All the vehicles used for private transportation are air conditioned, well-maintained minibuses driven by reliable and punctual Costa Rican professionals, who are eager to help your group move safely about the country.

Arenal Volcano Inn
Arenal Volcano Inn
3:00 pm check-in
1 room.

The Arenal Volcano Inn is located in the Fortuna district of San Carlos, just minutes from the Arenal Volcano. The town of La Fortuna offers a variety of local and international restaurants as well as shops and bakeries. This region is very fertile and lush, allowing for an abundance of produce to flourish as well as affording a stunning backdrop of vibrant green forest and flowers.

DAY 2


Arenal

Arenal Volcano Inn - night 2 of 3

Natural History Walk Hanging Bridges

Natural History Walk Hanging Bridges
Natural History Walk Hanging Bridges

Explore the Hanging Bridges and rainforest overlooking the Arenal Volcano with a naturalist guide in search of birds and animals. The naturalist guide will help visitors get the most out of the experience in the rainforest by teaching visitors about native plants and animals.

Included for 2 persons in your party.
From 7:40 am - 11:30 am start/end time
Transport included

DAY 3


Arenal

Arenal Volcano Inn - night 3 of 3

Penas Blancas Safari Float

Arenal Volcano Walk & Tabacon Hot Springs

Penas Blancas Safari Float
Penas Blancas Safari Float

Experience the serenity and lush rainforest backdrop of the Peñas Blancas River on a calm water rafting expedition.

Included for 2 persons in your party.
From 7:25 am - 11:30 am start/end time
Transport included
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Arenal Volcano Walk & Tabacon Hot Springs
Arenal Volcano Walk & Tabacon Hot Springs

On this exciting tour, you'll hike through the secondary rain forest around the Arenal Volcano National Park, the site of the 1968 eruption that awoke this previously dormant volcano. After exploring the national park, you will go to the Tabacon Hot Springs for an evening of relaxation.

Included for 2 persons in your party.
From 2:10 pm - 8:30 pm start/end time
Transport included
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DAY 4


Arenal / Monteverde

Arenal Volcano Inn

Cloud Forest Lodge - night 1 of 2

Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane

Arenal to Monteverde

Arenal to Monteverde
Arenal to Monteverde
Shuttle transport type
8:40 am - 12:00 pm pickup/drop-off time
3.33 hours duration

Shuttle service is a shared transportation option in an air-conditioned minibus between popular destinations. Shuttle routes operate daily, and in some cases there are multiple departure times throughout the day. However, shuttles are by no means a public bus. They are subject to availability and must be reserved in advance.

Cloud Forest Lodge
Cloud Forest Lodge
2:00 pm check-in
1 room.

The Cloud Forest Lodge is a peaceful, quiet sanctuary in Monteverde, situated on about 70 acres of primary and secondary forest and alive with the chorus of birds and howler monkeys. Walk along the miles of trails around the lodge or spend a lazy afternoon in the sitting area with a TV. Indulge in the impressive view of the cloud forest from your table in the restaurant which serves typical Costa Rican food, or simply enjoy a cocktail from the bar.

Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane
Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane

It’s no secret that Costa Rica is famous for coffee. On this tour, you’ll be exposed to the wonderful world of coffee, including its history, tradition and present-day production. You'll also learn about the growing, harvesting, and production of chocolate and sugar cane.

Included for 2 persons in your party.
From 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm start/end time
Transport included
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DAY 5


Monteverde

Cloud Forest Lodge - night 2 of 2

Sky Tram Monteverde

Sky Tram Monteverde
Sky Tram Monteverde

The Sky Tram smoothly ascends along a cloud forest ridge through the canopy. This is a relaxing tour – all you have to do is sit back and admire the view.

Included for 2 persons in your party.
From 10:10 am - 1:30 pm start/end time
Transport included
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DAY 6


Monteverde / Manuel Antonio

Cloud Forest Lodge

Hotel Costa Verde - night 1 of 3

Monteverde to Manuel Antonio

Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Shuttle transport type
8:20 am - 12:00 pm pickup/drop-off time
3.67 hours duration

Shuttle service is a shared transportation option in an air-conditioned minibus between popular destinations. Shuttle routes operate daily, and in some cases there are multiple departure times throughout the day. However, shuttles are by no means a public bus. They are subject to availability and must be reserved in advance.

Hotel Costa Verde
Hotel Costa Verde
2:00 pm check-in
1 room.

Hotel Costa Verde is a Costa Rican tropical paradise, just a few minutes from the entrance of the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park. For those seeking adventure travel, ecotourism, sports fishing or just the tranquility of white sand beaches and magnificent ocean views, this popular destination is for you.

DAY 7


Manuel Antonio

Hotel Costa Verde - night 2 of 3

Damas Estuary Boat Trip

Damas Estuary Boat Trip
Damas Estuary Boat Trip

The Damas Estuary Boat Trip takes you on a covered boat tour through the complex and beautiful estuaries and mangroves surrounding Damas Island. Damas Island got its name because it is said that the shape of the island resembles a woman.

Included for 2 persons in your party.
From 10:30 am - 1:00 pm start/end time
Transport included
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DAY 8


Manuel Antonio

Hotel Costa Verde - night 3 of 3

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour

Tour one of Costa Rica’s most stunning national parks on the Manuel Antonio National Park hike. An experienced guide, while taking you through this natural world of wonder that is bursting with biodiversity, will point out several species of monkeys, sloths, coatimundis and much more.

Included for 2 persons in your party.
From 7:40 am - 12:00 pm start/end time
Transport included
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DAY 9


Manuel Antonio

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio to Alajuela - SJO Int'l

Manuel Antonio to Alajuela - SJO Int'l
Manuel Antonio to Alajuela - SJO Int'l
Shuttle transport type
1:15 pm - 5:30 pm pickup/drop-off time
4.25 hours duration

Shuttle service is a shared transportation option in an air-conditioned minibus between popular destinations. Shuttle routes operate daily, and in some cases there are multiple departure times throughout the day. However, shuttles are by no means a public bus. They are subject to availability and must be reserved in advance.

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To:Costa Rica Design Team
Subject:Perfect My Adventure