Overview
Experience it all on this 10 day Costa Rica vacation and see what makes this natural paradise so special.
This well paced package includes stays in the top 4 areas of interest packed with activities & experiences you’ll never forget. You’ll stroll through a coffee plantation, stare down into the crater of the world’s widest rimmed volcano, energize yourself in Arenal with adventure activities and relaxing hot springs before hiking the famous mystic trails in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a place like no other, more shades of green here than a box of crayons! End the trip on the pacific coast with a fun all inclusive stay at Occidental Tamarindo. Not only is it located on a great Blue Flag Beach, it’s also just next door to the lively surf side pedestrian friendly town of Tamarindo.
Itinerary
Welcome to Costa Rica. After clearing immigrations and customs follow to the exit and take the transfer to the hotel, less than 30 minutes away.
Check in to the Barcelo San Jose.
Coffee, volcano, waterfalls and rainforest come together in this fantastic full day tour. Starting with a drive by the city of Alajuela passing by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park we make our way out of the Central Valley.
As we ascend towards the Poás Volcano we will notice the change in temperature and vegetation, palm trees are replaced by pine and cool air overcomes the lowland heat. We will see coffee plantations as well as fern, flower and strawberry farms along the way, creating a beautiful landscape that paves the way to our next stop, The Doka Estates Coffee Plantation.
Upon arrival at Doka Coffee Estate enjoy a delicious breakfast followed by a coffee tour, in the actual coffee plantation. Here, we will learn about the ancient techniques used by the experts to produce one of the best coffees in Costa Rica. Learn about the careful process involved on the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of the Golden Bean.
Next, we will continue to Poás Volcano where we will not only admire the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, but also learn about the different ecosystems in this beautiful national park. The volcano’s active crater is one of the largest in the world. Poás Volcano National Park protects a spectacular cloud forest that offers tempting trails that lead you through the exotic flora of this unique environment.
Following the visit to the volcano we will continue to La Paz Water Fall Garden for lunch and tour. On arrival to the La Paz, we will walk through a trail, leading to a spectacular waterfall in the middle of the rainforest. Inside the park we will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country, the impressive hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the bird house and the frog’s exhibit. La Paz has five magnificent waterfalls with nine viewing platforms allowing visitors an up close and personal view of the falls and the spectacular La Paz River.
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the terrace dining room before we return back to San Jose and your hotel, Barcelo San Jose. Meals BL
After breakfast, check out and be ready with your luggage for your departure to Costa Rica’s heartland.
The Arenal Volcano with Tabacon Hot Springs tour is one of the most popular tours that we offer.
This tour offers the best of both worlds, in terms of the raw untamed beauty of the imposing Arenal Volcano, which is juxtaposed against the lush and soothing thermal waters of Tabacon Hot Springs. All this set against a backdrop of lush vegetation and breathtaking views of the nearly perfect conical shaped lines of the volcano.
Situated in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica and about a 2 hour ride away, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a magnificent natural wonder that attracts thousands of tourists who come to see an active volcano which on clear days allows one to witness white plumes of smoke that emanate from this conical shaped behemoth. It should be noted, that the volcano had previously been assumed to be dormant, until in 1968, when to everyone’s amazement it experienced a major eruption.
Enroute to the Arenal Volcano there will be a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans. In Sarchi, you can see many of the handicrafts that Costa Rica has to offer, as well as the possibility of feasting your eyes on the world largest ox cart. The cart is made of cedar and is painted with several coats (4) of orange paint and is multicolored. The design is typical and intricate, indicative of traditional oxcarts. The oxcart is two stories high and took nearly 70 days to construct and paint. For the record, according to the Guinness book of world recorded, the cart is nearly 45 feet long (14 meters) and weighs 4400 lbs (2 tons).
The journey will then continue, traversing diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple farms, and mango groves, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until arriving to the small town of La Fortuna, and stopping to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the volcano.
Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area where you will revel in the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters. Tabacon is nestled at the base of mighty Arenal with a view of the Volcano towering in the background. Here, thermo-mineral springs flowing from Arenal run at a soothing 102 F through a maze of pools, waterfalls and exotic tropical gardens. You’ll love exploring the springs many nooks pulsating with these magic hot waters!
Tabacon Hot springs combines the four elements of nature; the heat of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs, the pure air of the rainforest, and the fertile earth of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region, to provided visitors with a first rate experience.
And for a perfect ending, before checking in to your Arenal area hotel, Tabacon’s signature buffet dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano. Back on board for your drop off at The Green Lagoon Resort. Check in and overnight. Meals BLD
Full day in Arenal, Costa Rica’s adventure capital. Choose from a huge array of exciting optional tours. Rafting, sky trams, zip lines, hanging bridges, volcano hikes, ATV tours, horseback riding and more!
Optional Tour: SKY TRAM & SKY TREK TOUR
After breakfast, if you join today’s optional tour. We are off for a great adventure! After a short drive, we will arrive at Sky Adventure Park.
Here we will embark on the Sky Tram. The Tram is.a series of gondolas that rise smoothly through the rainforest, offering up endless views during its mountainous ascent. This tour is perfect for people who want to take a different approach on admiring nature, without much physical effort but still be on spot where nature exhibits all its magic. On tour you will be attended by a bilingual guide who will point out different characteristics of the flora and fauna and other interesting facts. The Sky Tram travels up the mountain to arrive at a wide observation platform on the highest point of the reserve. Once there, enjoy the indescribable view. And of course, get ready for the thrilling Sky Trek portion of today’s tour, the ultimate Zip line experience!
Sky Trek is a thrilling zip line circuit that directly follows the Sky Tram starting at the observation platform. Here, all geared up and in harness & helmet, you will start riding down on a zip line track stretching across canyons and in between treetops, the exhilarating adventure of zip lining down the mountainside begins; ultimately returning you to the starting point at the main building. This is the most thrilling zip line in the country. It’s something you probably never thought you would do…but sure glad you did!
Return to hotel with great memories of an amazing day!
Overnight at your hotel. MEALS B
Early in the morning travel between Arenal and Monteverde via crossing on the country’s largest man made lake, Lake Arenal. Once on the other side, we continuewith an adventurous drive up the mountain to reach the town of Monteverde. Check -in to the lovely but simple Heliconia Hotel. Welcome to the Cloud Forest! Overnight. Meals B
After breakfast day free to enjoy all that Monteverde has to offer on your own or take today’s optional tour, The Monteverde Biological Reserve Guided Tour.
Optional The Monteverde Biological Reserve Guided Tour
Tour departs in morning for a visit to the Monteverde Biological Reserve, a cloud forest rich in tropical flora and fauna. It stretches from the lush ferns and mosses which blanket the ground to the dark canopy formed from the tallest trees. It is composed of six different, highly diversified ecological communities of plants and animals. Then a visit to the Hummingbird Gallery to view nature photography at its best. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy Monteverde’s quirky town vibe and check out the many restaurants and bars just near the hotel. Overnight at the Heliconia Hotel. Meals B
After breakfast, depart from Monteverde for a scheduled shuttle transfer to Guanacaste and the beautiful all inclusive beach hotel, Occidental Tamarindo. Check-in for a relaxing 3 night stay. Meals All Inclusive
Morning transfer to the Liberia International Airport (LIR) for your departure flight. Meals B
Includes:
- 2 nights in San Jose deluxe hotel with buffet breakfast daily, Barcelo San Jose
- 2 nights in Arenal Volcano first class buffet breakfast daily, Green Lagoon Hotel
- 2 nights in Monteverde first class buffet breakfast daily, Heliconia Hotel
- 3 nights in Guanacaste all Inclusive Beach Resort, Occidental Tamarindo
- First class lodge in Arenal and Monteverde Cloud Forest with buffet breakfast daily
- 18 meals: 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Full day Combo Tour to Poas Volcano, Doka Estates Coffee Plantation and the Amazing La Paz Waterfall Gardens with lunch
- Full day Tour of Arenal Volcano & Tabacon Natural Hot Mineral Springs with lunch & dinner and visit to Sarchi Artesan Village
- Arenal Lake crossing
- All transfers with baggage handling throughout
- Entrance fees to parks and all places of interest
- All transportation within Costa Rica
- Services of SLT local representatives throughout
- SLT guaranteed tour performance warranty
- SLT $1 Million Insurance Protection Plan
Excludes:
- 13% Costa Rica Government tax (VAT)
- Optional Tours
The Barceló San José***** (5-star) hotel
What makes the Barcelo San Jose so special is a particular paradise. While it’s location defines the 254 room deluxe hotel as a city hotel, being just 15 minutes from the San Jose International Airport and 10 minutes to downtown San Jose, arriving guests quickly realize they’ve found a bit of Eden in the city.
It’s lovely outdoor spaces including pools and gardens planted with indigenous native Costa Rican tree species coupled with outstanding attention to guests
and it’s recognized commitment to the environment (evident by its Sustainability Certificate displayed in the lobby) make the Barcelo San Jose Hotel our favorite.
An outstanding buffet breakfast is included daily and features Costa Rican favorites, European specialties and all the things you would expect from a grand buffet. Enjoy well appointed guest rooms with views of the Central Valley.
Barceló San José Hotel offers spacious and bright rooms renovated in 2013, with classic and elegant style. With the comfort of our guests in mind, all of the rooms include a 32” LCD TV, free Wi-Fi and a free electronic safe with capacity for laptop computers.
Green Lagoon Hotel
If you are a traveler that is looking for a retreat that incorporates wellness, relaxation and adventure – GreenLagoon is the perfect place for you.
Our resort provides excellent views of the Arenal & Cerro Chato Volcanoes, Fortuna City and the extensive Northern Plains of Costa Rica. Immersed in our 400-acre property are private walking and hiking trails of Cerro Chato ANC Park & Gardens and the Biological Corridor. Our Expeditions office is the starting point with access to trails that lead up to the Cerro Chato Volcano and its Green Lagoon crater. The most visited waterfall in Costa Rica is bordering our property and it is just 300 meters down the road from our lobby.
Heliconia Hotel
The hotel offers a perfect setting for the visitors who love bird-watching, nature photography and serenity of a mountain retreat. It has been designed to offer home-style comfort in the warmth of all wood construction, assuring the guest an unforgettable vacation. Around 1987, when the number of scientists and tourists visiting the Monteverde Biological Reserve.
Occidental Tamarindo
A tropical heaven awaits you at the Occidental Tamarindo***** in Tamarindo , Costa Rica . Situated on dazzling Playa Langosta, the crystal waters of Barceló Langosta Beach offer guests a sanctuary to renew their souls while delighting in the natural surroundings at our hotel. Awarded a Four Star rating from Blue Flag for safe, clean beaches, and Three CST Stars, which are the Certification of Sustainable Tourism awarded by the Institute of Tourism and the Hospitality and Tourism Industry of Costa Rica.
The Occidental Tamarindo hotel is a surfer’s dream, ideal for warm-water surfing and scuba diving. Relax on the shore while you bask in the sun on a long stretch of warm, white sand or take a deep-sea-fishing excursion in the blue waters of the Pacific.