Classic Costa Rica

Itinerary Highlights

Being such a diverse country, it is challenging to decide which areas to explore in Costa Rica that require no in-country flights. If you are looking to explore the main natural wonders of this breathtakingly beautiful country, then this itinerary is the perfect plan! Begin your trip by exploring the well-known Arenal Volcanic region, surrounded by lush jungle, roaring rivers and volcanoes. Home to a myriad of hanging bridges, exhilarating zip-lining, lake kayaking and relaxing hot springs, there is no denying that Arenal is the adventure hub of Costa Rica.

Continue on to visit the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve, a ‘jewel in the crown of cloud forests’ by National Geographic, which lies in the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range in Punta Arenas. Unique from the country’s other rainforests for its constant mist, this cloud forest is a wild place with thousands of plant species, insects and birds. Walking through swirling mists across hanging bridges above the canopy offers an other-worldly experience in nature. Enjoy horseback riding, canyoning, tree climbing, coffee tours and zip lining in this nature haven.

End your journey on the tropical beach of Manuel Antonio, an excellent destination for families as wildlife, such as sloths, monkeys, parrots and coatis, are abundant and easily spotted on short walks. The beautiful beaches and warm water offer endless enjoyment and activities, and is the perfect finale for a classic trip!

Hotels and lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.

Detailed Itinerary

Arrive into San Jose's International airport and meet your driver, who will provide you with the travel vouchers for your services and review them with you in detail. You will be transferred to Arenal Volcano region for a 3 hour drive, one of the country’s true wonders. The park is home to the majority of Costa Rica’s 850 bird species and an array of exotic creatures such as capuchin monkeys, parrot snakes, jaguars and deer, as well as its diverse landscapes.

Your lodging for the next few days is at the exquisite Tabacon Resort, set on more than 900 acres of lush tropical reserve, home to Costa Rica’s largest network of naturally flowing hot springs, where true thermal experience is found. There are five main springs sourced by highly mineralized water that is heated underground by the volcano’s magma. This thermal water flows throughout the resort, forming the Tabacon River. You will find a maze of warm riverbed pools and cascading waterfalls among the rainforest, all to be enjoyed throughout your stay.

Overnight at Tabacon Resort (no meals included)

The Arenal Volcanic region offers many experiences while simultaneously enjoying wildlife and pristine nature. Enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting or canyoning, or hike the volcano or explore the rainforest by strolling through hanging bridges. One of Craft’s favorite experience is the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges. After breakfast, your driver and guide will meet you at the hotel to reach this complex of 15 suspension bridges and trails throughout the rainforest. The terrain undulates and the trail crosses ravines with small waterfalls and travels over bridges with panoramic vistas over the treetops including views of Arenal Volcano. As you walk you may encounter wildlife including toucans, poison dart frogs, howling monkeys, spider monkeys and white-faced capuchin monkeys. The 1.5 mile trail is an easy walk for people in good condition and loops back to the starting point.

After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, you will hike La Fortuna Waterfall. This tour begins by descending the 500-meter (0.31 miles) trail to the magnificent La Fortuna Waterfall, renowned for its 70 meters (230 feet)high falls and its crystal clear waters. Along the trail, you will observe plants, trees, and animals, which inhabit the area like sloths, toucans, orioles, butterflies, and more. You can choose to swim in its refreshing waters, take amazing photographs, or simply relax and take in all of the beauty of the La Fortuna Waterfall. At the end of the trail, we will enjoy a delicious fruit break to recharge our batteries.

Overnight at Tabacon Resort (Breakfast & Lunch)

Immerse yourself in the aromas and delicious flavors of the world of chocolate, followed by the adrenaline of white water rafting During your taste tour, you will discover the history of chocolate – beginning with learning about the essence of chocolate in the indigenous local culture and other aspects of its history. You will witness the process of chocolate making from a simple bean to a final chocolate product that is sold on the market. While participating in the hands-on demonstration of the chocolate-making process, you will get an opportunity to mix chocolate with different exotic ingredients such as Jamaica flower, natural cinnamon, nutmeg, and chili powder. Once you have sampled these delicious treats and, hopefully, satisfy your sweet tooth, you will be off for your next adventure: White Water Rafting class III.

Once you arrive at the river bank, your river guide will give you a safety briefing, train you to paddle your raft as a team and fit you for safety gear. Once you have had a chance to practice your new-found river rafting skills, you will push off for up to two exhilarating hours of Class II-III white-water action on the scenic, tropical Rio Balsa.

Prepare yourself to get wet and wild as you navigate through rapids such as “Magnetic Rock” and “Dredges.” Along the way, you will stop to enjoy a swim, some fresh tropical fruits, and cold drinks. At the end of the rafting tour, you will have earned the hearty, typical Costa Rican lunch you will be served in a traditional manner. But this is more than just a lunch stop, it is a tour on its own. During your stop at this traditional country estate, you will experience the pure, peaceful way of life Costa Ricans living in the country and understand the meaning of Pura Vida –the Pure Life.

Overnight at Tabacon Resort (Breakfast & Lunch)

After breakfast, your driver will meet you at the hotel for your transfer to Monteverde. We will take the fastest route to Monteverde, which is crossing the lake via boat for 2.5 hours, followed by a 1.5 hour drive to your lodge in Monteverde, the magical cloud forest!

You will spend the next few nights at Senda Monteverde, a cozy mountain retreat located just a stone’s throw from the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and adjacent to a smaller private reserve with miles of hiking trails accessible to guests. Reflecting the warmth and outdoor spirit of mountain living, Senda offers an upscale casual yet contemporary lodging experience in harmony with its lush surroundings. All 24 rooms and suites are situated within spacious stand-alone cabins and feature open-air porches overlooking either verdant gardens or the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance. Room configurations cater to couples, groups and families and the main lodge is a warm gathering space for guests to swap stories around the bonfire, catch a naturalist talk on birds or sample a flight of local craft beers.

Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure.

Overnight at Senda Monteverde (Breakfast)

After a wholesome breakfast, you will begin on your guided “sky walk” tour, which combines trails and impressive suspension bridges with lengths of up to 984 feet long. This is the perfect way to enjoy the flora and fauna of the region while being high above the cloud forest. Afterwards, you will hop on a “sky tram” (a.k.a. cable car) to experience the cloud forest at leisure, while also obtaining impressive views of Costa Rica’s different topography - the Arenal Volcano, Tenorio, Miravalles, Orosi Volcano, the Nicoya Gulf and the Guanacaste plain.

Save the best adventure for last as you will then zip line from mountain to mountain, totaling a distance of 2.5 miles of linear cable. The tour gives you the opportunity to fly through a cable and have a unique experience of adventure and adrenaline at speeds up to 40 miles per hour with distances ranging up to 2500 feet and heights of 524 feet. In addition, the tour offers five observation towers that exceed the cloud forest treetop providing a panoramic view.

Overnight at Senda Monteverde (Breakfast and Lunch)

After breakfast, you will be driven to a coffee plantation, Don Juan, to experience first hand what it entails to harvest coffee in Costa Rica. You will pick from the fruit and extract the beans, then roast them followed by serving yourself a nice warm cup of coffee. Learn about the process while sampling the best Costa Rican chocolate along the way.

Overnight at Senda Monteverde (Breakfast)

After breakfast, your driver will meet you at the lobby to begin your 5 hour transfer to the beautiful coast of Manuel Antonio National Park. You will spend the next few nights at Arenas Del Mar Resort, set within an 11 acre private rainforest reserve just minutes from the most popular national park. The hotel overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offers direct access to two sand beaches with gentle waves for swimming and surfing. Resident naturalist guides help guests explore the abundant wildlife on the property; agoutis, sloths, coatis, howler monkeys and white-faced capuchin monkeys are frequently spotted.  Each of the 38 rooms and suites feature a spacious balcony with ample room to relax and enjoy the spectacular sunsets and coastal vistas. Two restaurants offer elevated local fare including seasonal catches from the Dock-to-Dish program.  Staff is uniformly friendly and welcoming; from Tatiana at the Concierge Desk to Luis at Playitas restaurant, the staff is committed to ensuring that guests soak up the Pura Vida vibe. 

Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure.

Overnight at Arenas Del Mar (Breakfast)

Today you will explore Manuel Antonio National Park, known for its diverse variety of flora and fauna. The park has three different trails that go from flat to very steep. On this tour, an expert nature guide will walk you through the Manuel Antonio National Park, explaining the mysteries of the rainforest, as well as spotting animals, such as sloths, monkeys, different reptiles, as well as beautiful plants such as orchids. Your guide will be equipped with Pentax and Swarovski telescopes to enhance your wildlife experience. The trail you will take is flat yet picturesque and loops through the park making your course about two miles long. The highlight of this tour is that Manuel Antonio hosts three of the four existing tropical primates (monkeys) living in Costa Rica, which you are guaranteed to witness.

Overnight at Arenas Del Mar (Breakfast)

In the morning, you will be transferred to Quepo’s pier to begin your catamaran adventure. You will set sail around the back of Manuel Antonio Park and marvel at the amazing scenery of islands, cliffs and impressive rock formations. You can admire bird nesting grounds and marine wildlife. After sailing along the coastline, you will anchor at Biesanz Bay to snorkel or simply relax on board. While snorkeling, you are most likely to spot parrotfish, starfish, angelfish and if your are lucky, a dolphin! Enjoy a tasty barbecue lunch onboard while admiring the lovely waterscapes.

Overnight at Arenas Del Mar (Breakfast and Lunch)

Enjoy your day at leisure, either at the beach, pool, or go for a local hike in the area. Are you still looking for an unforgettable experience? There are plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation, as well as ecotourism activities including zip-lining, river rafting and exploring wildlife. Please ask your travel designer for a suggested excursion based on your interest.

Overnight at Arenas Del Mar (Breakfast and Lunch)

Your driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to being your 3 hour drive back to San Jose International Airport. Transfers can also be arranged to Liberia International Airport. Enjoy your flight back home.

(Breakfast)

• 10 nights accommodation (based on double/twin occupancy)

• Daily breakfast

• Additional meals as specified

• Scheduled guided touring as specified

• All ground transfers between airports and accommodations (internal flights not included)

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international flights, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature