San Jose Trip Overview
Discover the best of northwest Costa Rica on this 8-day tour including Arenal Volcano National Park, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and Vida Aventura Nature Park in Guanacaste. Visit some of the most popular destinations and explore the wonders of nature in this small country inhabited by approximately six percent of the world’s biodiversity. You’ll see Arenal Volcano as you relax in a thermal hot spring, enjoy a floating safari through a tropical rainforest, go horseback riding and try a mud bath – with two days to relax at your leisure or continue adventuring with multiple options.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 days
Starts: San Jose, Costa Rica
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Nature & Wildlife
Explore San Jose Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting San Jose, Province of San Jose, Costa Rica
Discover the best of northwest Costa Rica on this 8-day tour including Arenal Volcano National Park, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and Vida Aventura Nature Park in Guanacaste. Visit some of the most popular destinations and explore the wonders of nature in this small country inhabited by approximately six percent of the world’s biodiversity. You’ll see Arenal Volcano as you relax in a thermal hot spring, enjoy a floating safari through a tropical rainforest, go horseback riding and try a mud bath – with two days to relax at your leisure or continue adventuring with multiple options.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica
Stop At: Central American Tours, Costa Rica
After your arrival at the San José airport, you’ll be greeted by your driver and transferred to your selected hotel.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Country Inn and Suites or Presidente Hotel (or similar) in San José
Day 2: Arenal Volcano Area
Stop At: Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Province of Alajuela
Head north to explore the impressive Arenal Volcano, stopping first in the town of Sarchí, known for its family-operated woodworking factories and artisan craftsmanship. Choose from more than 200 stores to see the wooden bowls, rocking chairs and traditional carretas – elaborately painted oxcarts that once carried coffee from the highlands to the coastal port.
Next, travel past cattle ranches and diverse plantations growing agricultural products and ornamental plants. When you arrive in La Fortuna, enjoy lunch in a cozy restaurant right in front of Arenal Volcano, affording excellent views of this natural phenomenon that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
In the afternoon, unwind in one of the best thermal baths in the area at the Hot Springs. Later, savor dinner while admiring another magnificent view.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Arenal Paraiso or Arenal Kioro (or similar) in La Fortuna
Day 3: Arenal Area
Stop At: Cano Negro, Cano Negro, Province of Alajuela
Get ready for your adventure at Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, considered one of the most biologically diverse in Costa Rica! Begin your journey in the village of Los Chiles, a border town just two miles (4 km) from Nicaragua.
From here, embark on a 2-hour floating safari along the Rio Frío through tropical rain forest and pastures until you arrive at the marsh, Lago Caño Negro. Within the refuge, view a variety of resident and migratory birds plus iguanas, sloths, turtles, caimans and three different species of monkeys.
Your cruise will end in the afternoon, and you’ll have the rest of the evening to do as you wish in La Fortuna.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Arenal Paraiso Hotel or Arenal Kioro
(or similar) in La Fortuna
Day 4: Guanacaste Area
Stop At: Tamarindo Beach, Tamarindo Costa Rica
Start your day with breakfast, and then take a 3-hour trip to Guanacaste, a province known for its beaches and its dry tropical forest.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or Cala Luna Hotel (or similar) in Guanacaste
Day 5: Guanacaste area
Stop At: Bagaces, Bagaces, Province of Guanacaste
Head to Vida Aventura Nature Park, located in the Guanacaste mountain range, for a full day of ziplining and horseback riding, as well as relaxing in hot springs and a mud bath! When you arrive, put on a harness and get trained on riding the zipline. Then, take off through the canyon and soar around the forest canopy along seven cables.
After you’ve landed, mount a horse for a ride over hillside trails, learning about the diverse flora and fauna as you cross streams and pastures. Keep an eye out for two active volcanoes, Rincon de la Vieja and Miravalles, and admire the spectacular panoramic views along the way.
When you’ve completed the horseback ride, enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch. Then, soak in a thermal mud bath and thermal pools in gorgeous surroundings.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or Cala Luna Hotel (or similar) in Guanacaste
Day 6: At leisure
Pass By: Tamarindo, Tamarindo, Province of Guanacaste
Enjoy your resort
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or Cala Luna Hotel (or similar) in Guanacaste
Day 7: At Leisure
Pass By: Tamarindo, Tamarindo, Province of Guanacaste
Enjoy your resort
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or Cala Luna Hotel (or similar) in Guanacaste
Day 8: Departure
Stop At: Liberia, Liberia, Province of Guanacaste
You will be picked up at the lobby of your hotel and transferred you to Liberia International Airport (LIR) for your departing flight.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
