Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Rainforests & Beaches
The capital San José, spectacular Arenal and its volcano, 3 relaxing days in Playa Hermosa; travel on your own with flights & hotel included. Optional pre-tour to Tortuguero.
Overview
Style | Independent PackageThese un-escorted packages have no set schedule or guides, so you have the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own from your centrally-located hotel. More of these packages
Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted |
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Departures | January – December 2025 | ||
Themes | Active, Nature & Wildlife | ||
Activity Level | Moderate | ||
What to Expect | This leisurely-paced, independent tour requires minimal walking and is suitable for most levels of physical fitness. The Hanging Bridges Tour in Arenal is approximately 1.9 miles in length and requires a higher level of physical fitness to fully enjoy the tour. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations that can be windy and bumpy at times. Transfers will be on a shared shuttle and may have limited rest stops. This tour does not include a tour guide or escort. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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In the small tropical country of Costa Rica, you'll find a stunning collection of landscapes and ecosystems, including tropical rainforests and jungles, cloud forests, mountains, rivers, volcanoes, and coasts on both the Caribbean and Pacific. It's home to an amazing array of plant and animal species, containing 5% of the planet's total biodiversity. You'll fall in love with the Costa Rican people, known as "Ticos," who are so cheerful and easy-going that it's no wonder Costa Rica is known as one of the happiest places on earth.
Experience Costa Rica on this 7-day Costa Rica vacation package, designed for the independent traveler, but without worrying about getting from one place to another. Start in the capital city of San José before heading north to Arenal to see one of the world's most active volcanoes, and enjoy time exploring the area or joining in on exciting optional excursions. End your journey with 3 days in Playa Panama, basking on the pristine beaches surrounded by sparkling water and full of a variety of wildlife. Want even more? Join our pre-tour extension to Tortuguero, enjoying a walking tour of the rainforest, the secondary canals of Tortuguero National Park, and leisure time spent relaxing, kayaking, and exploring on your own.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round trip flights from Miami via scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees with other gateways available on request
- All transfers in air-conditioned chauffeur-driven mini-vans
- 6 nights deluxe and superior hotel accommodations
- 6 meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 dinner
- Hanging bridges walk
Optional add-ons
- Included flights may have a connection in SAL, PTY, or similar. Non-stop flights may be available for an additional cost.
- Tortuguero Pre-Tour Extension
Why you'll love it
- Wander among the treetops during a hanging bridges tour in Arenal.
- Explore Arenal independently or join optional excursions, such as horseback riding to La Fortuna Waterfall, kayaking on Lake Arenal, embarking on a canopy tour, ziplining and more.
- Relax with a complimentary visit to the onsite hot springs at your hotel in Arenal or to the Titokú Hot Springs.
- Spend three relaxing days in the coastal area of Playa Hermosa, admiring its pristine beaches, crystal blue waters and array of unique wildlife.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 USA/San José
- Upon arrival in San José, Costa Rica, proceed through customs formalities, where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel
Crowne Plaza San José Corobicí or similar
Day 2 San José & Arenal
- Transfer to the Arenal region
- Spend the balance of the day at leisure
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, transfer to the Arenal region (about 4 hours, with a comfort stop along the way). Drive through the lush countryside along roads that climb the mountains to reach your hotel, located near the foot of Arenal Volcano and a short drive outside La Fortuna.
Arenal's cone has two peaks, which rise to 5,360 feet. After being inactive for 500 years, the volcano erupted in 1968, and it has since become one of the most active volcanoes in the world. You may see the smoke rising from the cone, or on rare occasions, lava flows are possible, which are particularly impressive at night. The volcano has also created natural hot springs in the area. Beautiful gardens surround your hotel, where you can relax by the pool or enjoy the spa. (Volcanic activity is a natural process, and sightings of smoke and/or lava are not guaranteed.)
Day 3 Arenal
- Walk among the treetops on a hanging bridges tour
- Spend the balance of the day at leisure
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryToday, enjoy a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate the beauty of the forest and the volcano. Walk on the hanging bridges suspended in the treetops while your guide helps you spot various birds and animals. The trail is 1.9 miles long and includes nine fixed and six suspension bridges.
Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Take advantage of the complimentary hot springs in your hotel, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim, relax, and enjoy the view.
Day 4 Arenal & Playa Hermosa
- Transfer to Playa Panama
- Spend the balance of the day at leisure
Hotel Bosque del Mar or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, transfer to Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste (about 4 hours). Guanacaste is decorated with pristine beaches, crystal blue waters, and bays. Its beaches are surrounded by dry tropical forests, home to over 300 bird species, 100 amphibians and reptiles, and over 140 species of mammals, including the puma, white-faced monkey, peccary, tapirs, and more. Spend the balance of the day at leisure.
Day 6 Playa Hermosa
- Enjoy a second full day at leisure
- Enjoy dinner at your hotel
Hotel Bosque del Mar or similar Breakfast & dinner
Day 7 Liberia/USA
- Transfer to the airport in Liberia for your return flight to the USA
Breakfast
Tortuguero Pre-Tour Extension
Take advantage of your already-included international airfare with a pre-tour extension to Tortuguero! This captivating coastal paradise is renowned for its lush rainforests, meandering waterways, and as a vital nesting site for endangered sea turtles. Explore the unique blend of wildlife and pristine nature in this ecotourism haven.
Day 1 USA/San José
- Upon arrival in San José, proceed through customs formalities where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel
Crowne Plaza San José Corobicí or similar
Day 2 San José & Tortuguero
- Depart San José very early this morning and travel to Tortuguero
- Enjoy a guided walk through the village of Tortuguero and a short walk along the beach
Pachira Lodge, Laguna Lodge or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryDepart San José early this morning for the Caribbean coastal area and Tortuguero. The trip takes you up and over the Continental Divide between the Pacific and Caribbean watersheds and the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park. You will see changes in the landscapes and vegetation as you approach the lowlands, arriving at El Ceibo (about 2 hours). Enjoy a typical Costa Rican breakfast, then continue your drive through villages and plantations of pineapples and bananas to the dock.
The "roads" in Tortuguero are a system of rivers and canals accessible only by boat. Continue via motor launch through the channels parallel to the coast to reach your eco-lodge on the central canal (about 1.5 hours). Check into your rooms and have some time to relax in the peaceful surroundings of the rainforest.
After lunch, head to the village of Tortuguero and enjoy a guided walk through the town and a short walk along the beach. Tortuguero ("land of turtles") comes from several varieties of endangered turtles that come ashore yearly on these beaches to lay their eggs in nests in the sand. If you like, you can visit the turtle museum. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant. (The nesting season for giant turtles is from July to September. Sightings of any wildlife are not guaranteed.)
Day 3 Tortuguero
- Join your naturalist guide for a walk along the lodge trails
- Board small boats for a tour through the secondary canals of Tortuguero National Park
- Spend the balance of the day at leisure
Pachira Lodge, Laguna Lodge or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, your guide will take you on a walking tour through the trails at the lodge. After lunch, depart on small boats for a tour through the many secondary canals of Tortuguero National Park. Enjoy a close-up view of rainforest vegetation and wildlife. The area is home to Capuchin, Howler, and Spider Monkeys, as well as many species of birds. You may even see a crocodile basking in the sun.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax by the pool or the decks along the waterfront. There are also optional activities such as fishing, kayaking, or even a canopy zip-line. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.
Day 4 Tortuguero & Arenal
- Depart Tortuguero and travel to the Arenal region to begin the main tour, continue with Day 2
- Spend the balance of the day at leisure
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, depart via motor launch to the main dock. Board your coach for the drive through the villages and plantations to El Ceibo for lunch. Your second transfer will be waiting to drive you to Arenal and your hotel near La Fortuna, on the road leading to the volcano's foot.
See Day 2 of the tour itinerary above for the continuation of your touring program.
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 6 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
- What should I know about Costa Rica? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.