Enjoy beautiful Costa Rica on this eight-day itinerary, including wonderful rainforests, volcanoes, cloud forest and stunning waterfalls. Combined with adrenaline experiences, hidden natural trails and incredible opportunity to see wildlife, you will fall in love in this tropical paradise.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Rincon de la Vieja: This is one of the most beautiful countryside and ecological diverse: the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, one of the parks in the Guanacaste Conservation Area. This is a must-visit destination when you are in the Guanacaste Province. At over 34,000 acres, Rincon de la Vieja has room for two volcanoes, 32 rivers and streams, and an incredible variety of flora and fauna.
Monteverde Cloudforest: A true nature lovers paradise with a marvellous diversity of wildlife and plant life. Monteverde Cloud Forest is unique from Costa Rica’s other rainforests, with a constant mist that looks like clouds and gives the forest its name. Monteverde is a unique blend of natural beauty and tranquillity combined with adventure and adrenaline activities and cultural experiences to discover the secrets of the forest!
Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna: This region is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular ones in the country. Prior to December 2010, the Arenal Volcano was one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world and it was a truly majestic sight. Today there are no lava eruptions, but you can still see smoke/ash spew out of the top of the volcano. For nature and adventure lovers, the Arenal region also offers numerous hiking trails, stunning waterfalls, gushing rivers, beautiful vegetation and wildlife.
Day 1: LIBERIA – RINCON DE LA VIEJA (31km – 45min)
After landing at Liberia Airport, a representative will guide you to the transfer to your next destination: Rincon de la Vieja. Upon arrival at the lodge, enjoy its facilities. We highly recommend going to the natural hot springs. Due to the high volcanic activity and plethora of rivers in the area, hot springs are very popular. Placed in a natural setting right next to a river, you can enjoy your afternoon chilling at pools and taking a mud bath. You smear volcanic mud all over your face and body and then wash it off in the river! It feels so good and is very relaxing.
Overnight in Rincon de la Vieja.
Day 2: RINCON DE LA VIEJA
Wake up to breakfast at the lodge. This day we recommend a combination of fun horseback riding and two of Rincon de la Viejas’s magnificent waterfalls (subject to availability). From the hotel, you can ride a horse for 30 minutes on pretty forest trails to Chorreras Waterfalls. Two side-by-side waterfalls cascade into a beautiful sky-blue mineral water pool, perfect for a cooling swim. A tiny, shallow canyon of volcanic rock rings the waterfalls and pool, creating an intimate and private tropical oasis. After a break, ride another 20 minutes to the captivating Victoria Waterfall. The falls drop 115 feet (35 meters) into the Rio Negro (Black River). The surrounding canyon has unique vegetation and topography, and you can swim in the crystal-clear pool at the waterfall’s base. From where we leave the horses, there is a short, steep descent down to the river. You will have plenty of time to relax at the waterfall before your 45-minute ride back to the hotel. All the horseback rides follow mostly forest trails, with very little time on transited ranch roads. Tours are guided by one of an experienced Spanish-speaking ranch cowboys (an English-speaking guide will be present). Rest of the day at leisure to relax or take an optional excursion from the hotel.
Overnight in Rincon de la Vieja.
Day 3: RINCON DE LA VIEJA – MONTEVERDE (135km – 3hrs)
Enjoy a rich breakfast at the lodge and at the agreed time, transfer to your next destination, the magical Monteverde Cloud Forest. Upon arrival, you can explore the area on your own. At night be ready for a nocturnal experience. If you want to observe the forest and its creatures at night, this is the perfect way to observe different species of animals such as sloths, armadillos, porcupines, possums, coatis, bassaricyon (olingos) and kinkajous (martillas). It also has a vast variety of insects, birds, and various amphibians and reptiles. Join this unique experience with professional guides that will make this tour an unforgettable experience.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 4: MONTEVERDE – EL TIGRE FALLS – MONTEVERDE (25min by land / 3hrs hike / 25min by land)
Indulge in a tasty breakfast at the hotel. After a 25-minute transfer from your hotel in Monteverde, you will arrive at the El Tigre Falls, located in the middle of 60 hectares of forest, mainly primary and in which it is common to observe some species of animals like monkeys, snakes, an extensive variety of insects, birds, among others. The site offers two different paths and four beautiful waterfalls between 15 and 30 meters high. The walk takes approximately 3 hours, during the tour. You will cross rivers and stone paths. Also, if weather conditions allow, you can observe the volcanoes: Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio and Miravalles from a wonderful viewpoint, in addition of some sectors of the province of Guanacaste and the Lake Arenal To end the tour you will enjoy some snacks to the riverbank, plus a 35-minute ride with intermediate to advanced difficulty.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 5: MONTEVERDE – ARENAL (3.5hrs by land and boat)
Have breakfast at the hotel and at the agreed time, departure to your next destination: La Fortuna de San Carlos, home of the wonderful Arenal Volcano. This transfer will be a lake crossing service (shared with other guests): half tour/ half transfer. Lake crossing is a scenic and fastest way to go to Arenal. The total duration from Monteverde to Arenal is approximate of 3.5hrs (land and boat). Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore the area on your own or just relax at the hotel facilities.
Overnight in Arenal.
Day 6: ARENAL (2hrs hike)
Recharge your energies with breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy a magical experience visiting the hanging bridges. This is a great combination of suspension bridges and platforms built in the forest that offers you an opportunity to explore the forest canopy in a safe and easy manner. An expert guide will teach you through the natural history and open for you the doors of a fascinating and colourful tropical rainforest world. You cannot forget the imposing vistas of the Arenal Volcano from the hanging bridges. Afterwards, continue to discover the charming La Fortuna Waterfall. This tour begins by descending the 500-meter trail to the magnificent Waterfall, renowned for its 60 meters (197 feet) high falls and its crystal-clear waters. Along the trail, you will observe plants, trees, and animals, which inhabit the area. You can choose to swim in its refreshing waters, take amazing photographs, or simply relax and take in all the beauty of the La Fortuna Waterfall. When you visit the La Fortuna Waterfall you not only get to enjoy this marvellous natural wonder, you will be helping to Support the Development Association of the community 100% of the entrance fee goes towards social projects to benefit schools, nutritional centres, the orphanage, our roads and more.
Overnight in Arenal.
Day 7: ARENAL (30min by land / 3hrs hike / 2hrs rappel)
Delight at a rich breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time, join an exciting 4x4 ride on a mountain road to a ranch house. Expert guides will put your gear on, give you a short safety and rappelling explanation and then a short trek on a beautiful rainforest trail to the first waterfall rappel where you will descend into to canyon! There are 5 rappels range in heights of 13 meters (25 ft) to 55 meters (165 ft). The Monkey Drop Zip Line is approx. 25 meters (82 ft) long. After rappelling down the first waterfall you will climb up the side of the canyon wall, 10 meters (20 ft), to a short trail. Then zip line across the canyon and rappel down from the cable 25 meters (82 ft) to the canyon floor again. Then continue short trails from waterfall to waterfall through the canyon, it's like being in a National Rainforest Park! Then a short trek out of the canyon to the second ranch house where you meet up with the 4x4 vehicles and then back to the base offices for a delicious Costa Rican style lunch just outside La Fortuna with a view of the famous Arenal Volcano (included). There are beautiful installations with changing rooms, towels and hot showers. You can also stroll through our organic tropical gardens and spot birds and tropical plants and flowers everywhere.
Overnight in Arenal.
Day 8: ARENAL – DEPARTURE LIBERIA/ SAN JOSE (130km – 3hrs)
Wake up to one last breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time departure to Liberia International Airport or Juan Santamaria International Airport to take your flight back home.
Comfortable and light and quick dry clothing is the most suitable for travelling. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, tennis shoes, hiking shoes, sandals, raincoat or jacket, bathing suit, a hat or cap and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
