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The "Costa Rica Pura Vida" itinerary invites you to experience the best of Costa Rican nature and culture. During 7 nights and 8 days, you will explore three of Costa Rica's most emblematic destinations, with a perfect combination of adventure, nature and relaxation.

Your trip begins in San José, where you will stay at the Crowne Plaza San José La Sabana, located close to the capital's main points of interest. From there, you will travel to the impressive Arenal Volcano, a symbol of the country's natural beauty. In this region, you will enjoy views of the volcano, a hike along the 1968 Trail and a visit to the spectacular La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can swim in its crystal-clear waters. In addition, you can relax in the hot springs of the Volcano Lodge Hotel & Thermal Experience.

The next destination is Monteverde, a region famous for its cloud forest and incredible biodiversity. Here you will walk through the treetops on the Sky Walk Tour, crossing suspension bridges with amazing views of the rainforest. You will also visit the Butterfly Garden and the Insect and Arachnid Nature Center, where you will learn about the local wildlife.

The trip culminates at the paradisiacal beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, where you will stay at the luxurious San Bada Resort & Spa. This park is known for its rich fauna, including sloths, monkeys and exotic birds, and its beautiful white sand beaches. During your stay, you will take a guided hike through the park and enjoy free time on the beach.

This trip is ideal for those seeking a complete experience of adventure, relaxation and connection with nature in some of Costa Rica's most iconic landscapes.

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in San José:

Location: San José.

Lodging: Crowne Plaza San José La Sabana (1 night).

Service: Private transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Day 2

Transfer to Arenal Volcano

Location: Arenal Volcano.

Lodging: Volcano Lodge Hotel & Thermal Experience (2 nights).

Activity: Shared transfer from San Jose to Arenal. Free afternoon to enjoy the hot springs.

Day 3

Hiking in Arenal Park and La Fortuna Waterfall

Activity: Guided hike along the 1968 Trail with views of the Arenal Volcano, and visit to La Fortuna Waterfall with lunch included.

Day 4

Transfer to Monteverde

Location: Monteverde.

Lodging: El Establo Mountain Hotel & Private Reserve (2 nights).

Service: Shared transfer from Arenal to Monteverde.

Day 5

Guided Sky Walk and Butterfly Garden Tour

Activity: Guided Sky Walk Tour through the hanging bridges of Monteverde, followed by a visit to the Butterfly Garden and the Insect and Arachnid Center.

Day 6

Transfer to Manuel Antonio Beach

Location: Manuel Antonio Beach.

Lodging: San Bada Resort & Spa (2 nights).

Service: Shared transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio.

Day 7

Hike through Manuel Antonio National Park

Activity: Guided hike through the trails of Manuel Antonio National Park, with time to enjoy the beaches.

Day 8

Transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport

Service: Shared transfer from Manuel Antonio to the airport for your return flight.

Accommodation (Superior Class):

Crowne Plaza San José La Sabana in San José (1 night).
Volcano Lodge Hotel & Thermal Experience in Arenal (2 nights).
El Establo Mountain Hotel & Private Reserve in Monteverde (2 nights).
San Bada Resort & Spa in Manuel Antonio (2 nights).
Transportation:

Shared transfers between all destinations.
Transportation on tours and activities.
Food:

Daily breakfast at all accommodations.
Lunch included during the excursion in Arenal.
Activities:

Guided hike along the 1968 Trail and visit to La Fortuna Waterfall.
Guided Sky Walk Tour in Monteverde.
Visit to the Butterfly Garden in Monteverde.
Guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park.
Guides and entrances:

Naturalist guides during activities.
Entrances to national parks and reserves.

  • 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.