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This 8 nights / 9 days - Costa Rica Exclusive itinerary has been designed for those seeking a combination of nature, adventure and luxury, exploring the country's most spectacular destinations. Begin your journey in the Alajuela region, where you will stay at the magnificent Xandari Resort & Spa, a paradise surrounded by lush tropical gardens and spectacular views of the Central Valley. From here, you will travel to Poas Volcano National Park, where you can admire one of the largest craters in the world and enjoy the breathtaking views as you hike along its mountain trails.
Then, your adventure continues in the Arenal region, home of the majestic Arenal Volcano. You will stay at the exclusive Arenal Springs Resort & Spa, where you will enjoy the hot springs and hike the 1968 Trail, which will take you through ancient lava flows and landscapes regenerated by volcanic activity. After this volcanic experience, you will travel to the Pacific coast to stay at Los Altos Resort in Playa Manuel Antonio, where you will enjoy a luxurious stay with ocean views and exciting activities, such as a catamaran tour to spot dolphins and explore the coastline.
Finally, the trip culminates in Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, where you will spend three nights at the exclusive SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge. Here, you will experience unforgettable adventures, such as jungle hikes, mangrove boat rides, snorkeling in the Caño Island reserve and whale watching opportunities (in season).
This trip combines the best of adventure, nature and comfort, guaranteeing a unique luxury experience in the heart of Costa Rica.
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in San José and transfer to Alajuela.
- Location: Alajuela.
- Lodging: Xandari Resort & Spa (1 night).
- Activity: Private transfer from the airport to the resort. Relax and enjoy the spectacular view of the Central Valley.
Day 2
Visit to Poas Volcano and transfer to Arenal.
- Location: Poás Volcano and Arenal Volcano.
- Lodging: Arenal Springs Resort & Spa (2 nights).
- Activity: Hike through the Poas Volcano National Park, with its breathtaking scenery. Afterwards, transfer to Arenal, enjoying the scenery on the way.
Day 3
Arenal Volcano Hike
Activity: Guided hike along the 1968 Trail, where you will see the ancient lava flows and enjoy spectacular views of the volcano and Arenal Lake. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the hot springs.
Day 4
Transfer to Manuel Antonio Beach
- Location: Manuel Antonio Beach.
- Lodging: Los Altos Resort (2 nights).
- Activity: Private transfer from Arenal to Manuel Antonio. Free afternoon to enjoy the beach or the resort facilities.
Day 5
Ocean King Catamaran Excursion
Activity: Tour on the Ocean King catamaran, with opportunities to see dolphins and enjoy snorkeling. Includes lunch on board, water slides and time to relax in the sea.
Day 6
Transfer to Sierpe and Corcovado
- Location: Corcovado National Park.
- Lodging: SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge (3 nights).
- Activity: Private transfer to Sierpe, followed by a boat ride through the mangrove system to the lodge in Corcovado.
Day 7
Hiking in Corcovado National Park
Activity: Guided hike through the trails of Corcovado National Park, considered one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Picnic lunch on the beach and free afternoon at the lodge.
Day 8
Caño Island Tour
Activity: Boat ride to Caño Island, where you will snorkel and explore the marine wealth of the region. Lunch on the beach and return to the lodge for an afternoon of rest.
Day 9
Return flight to San José
Domestic flight from Drake Bay to San Jose. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
- Accommodation:
- Xandari Resort & Spa (1 night).
- Arenal Springs Resort & Spa (2 nights).
- Los Altos Resort (2 nights).
- SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge (3 nights).
- Transportation:
- Private transfers between destinations.
- Boat transportation to Corcovado.
- Domestic flight from Drake Bay to San Jose.
- Meals:
- Daily breakfast in all accommodations.
- Lunch and dinner included in Corcovado.
- Lunch during the catamaran tour.
- Activities:
- Hike in the Poás Volcano.
- Hike along the 1968 Trail in Arenal.
- Catamaran tour with snorkeling in Manuel Antonio.
- Hike in Corcovado National Park.
- Snorkeling tour at Isla del Caño.
- Guides & Tickets:
- Naturalist guides during excursions.
- Entrance fees to national parks.
- The trip excludes:
- International flights.
- Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Travel insurance and rental car insurance (if applicable).
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, and phone calls.
- Mandatory dinners on special dates such as Christmas and New Year's Eve (if applicable).
Yes, a valid passport is mandatory to enter Costa Rica.
Depending on your country of origin, you may enter Costa Rica without a visa. Citizens of the USA, Canada and most European countries enjoy this privilege.
The colón is Costa Rica’s currency. U.S. dollars are also widely accepted.
All major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are located throughout the country.
No, with a legal driver’s license you can drive for three months in Costa Rica.
Departure tax is US$29.00, which can be paid in U.S. dollars, colones or with a credit card.
Sales tax is 13%.
Outlets are 110 V, with standard U.S. two prong plugs
We’d love it! Anyone getting married here must be 18 or older. Nonresidents need the following documents to get married here: original birth certificates, affidavit of single status, police record, valid passport and a divorce decree (if applicable). These documents must follow the authentication procedure before you bring them to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s digital nomad program invites international residents to work remotely from the land of Pura Vida. This program extends a 90-day tourist visa to a full year, with the option to renew for an additional year (conditions apply).
Costa Rica offers different ways to legalize your status: temporary resident, pensioner or foreign government mission. For more legal information, contact the Costa Rican consulate or the Association of Residents of Costa Rica at https://arcr.cr.
Dogs and cats entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, endorsed by a veterinarian service. The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to traveling to Costa Rica. The required vaccinations are: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and rabies (for animals 4 months or older).
The Tico Times – www.ticotimes.net
Yes, the water is potable in most of the country. We would only recommend bottled water for a few rural areas. Bring your reusable water bottle to decrease your footprint while you’re here. When starting your adventure for the day, fill up your bottle before you leave because refill stations may be a long trek to locate.
Travelers from the following countries must have received a yellow fever vaccination certificate: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and the Republic of Guyana.
• Keep your belongings somewhere safe while enjoying the sea or leave them somewhere they can be watched.
• Always use reef-safe sunscreen to avoid sunburns.
• When possible, don’t swim on your own.
• Consult the authorities about the current beach conditions.
• Be aware of warning flags on the beach.
• Do not enter the ocean if you don’t know how to swim. If you’re surfing as a beginner, stay under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
The main difference is the amount of rain. It doesn’t rain as much in the cloud forest as it does in the rainforest. The species of flora and fauna may also differ.
Be sure to bring insect repellent, a raincoat with a hood and a comfortable pair of hiking boots.
You can practice at Pacuare, Reventazón, Corobici, Sarapiqui, Naranjo and Savegre rivers.
You can see sea turtles in Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast or Las Baulas National Marine Park on the Pacific coast.
Cahuita National Park, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Irazu Volcano National Park, Poás Volcano National Park, Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, and Caño Negro Mixed National Wildlife Refuge offer wheelchair access.
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