Best of Costa Rica & Guanacaste

Arrive in San Jose and check-in to your hotel. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 pm on the day of arrival. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 5 pm on Day 1 of the itinerary or earlier, if possible.

Morning departure for Arenal, enjoying the views of coffee and sugarcane plantations along the way. En route stop in Sarchi, an artisan town, where traditional colorful oxcarts and souvenirs can be found. If time permits, there may be a visit to a local school on the way to Arenal. Later this evening, a Welcome Dinner celebrates your arrival. (B,D)

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Arenal, famous for the Arenal Volcano. As Costa Rica’s youngest volcano, it gained international notoriety in 1968 for its sudden eruption. Perhaps, spend the day on the optional full day Cano Negro Boat Tour to learn more about the flora and fauna that inhabit the area. Tonight, enjoy an optional evening at the renowned Eco Termales Hot Springs that includes a dinner. (B)

In the morning, embark on a brisk 2 mile walking tour of the Las Coladas trail in Arenal National Park to learn more about the flora and fauna while enjoying scenic views of the volcano. At the end of the trail, you may choose to participate in a rugged hike over the ancient lava rocks before continuing to Monteverde. Stop for lunch on your own en route to Monteverde; time permitting a guided walking tour acquaints you with the lovely surroundings. (B)

Enjoy this morning at leisure, or choose to participate in one of the optional tours including the Selvatura Canopy and Hanging Bridges adventures. This stunning Cloud Forest boasts an extraordinarily diverse ecosystem, being home to 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, 130 species of mammals, and an astounding 500 species of birds, not to mention more than 3,000 species of plants. This afternoon enjoy lunch and a tour of a traditional Costa Rican coffee farm. Learn about how one of Costa Rica’s top exports is grown in this tropical region and its importance in the socioeconomic development of the country Tonight, dine at a local Monteverde restaurant.

*Passengers can participate in both optional tours if desired. (B,L,D)

Today, depart Monteverde for Guanacaste. See a huge contrast in scenery as you arrive in the tropical paradise of Guanacaste, located in the northwestern part of the country along the Pacific Coast with its sun-splashed beaches. The rest of the day is yours to discover the many options in this coastal paradise. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B)

A day at leisure in picturesque Guanacaste, strikingly beautiful with its exotic bays, exquisite beaches and admire the most beautiful natural scenery. Don’t miss the optional Panache Sailing Tour. Spend a relaxing afternoon sailing along Costa Rica’s coast in a Catamaran, passing beautiful offshore islands and isolated beaches. Return to land after watching the magnificent sunset. (B,D)

Travel back to San Jose today stopping to shop for local crafts and souvenirs to bring back home. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city independently, revisit some of the galleries and museums or linger at a lovely restaurant for dinner tonight. Perhaps, join the optional San Jose City Tour with dinner. Take a panoramic city tour of San Jose including visits to the Gold museum, where more than 1600 pre-Columbian artifacts are displayed and the National Theater, the principal jewel of San Jose. Conclude the tour with an authentic Costa Rican dinner at a popular restaurant in the city. (B)

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)