7-Nights Costa Rica Deluxe: Arenal & Manuel Antonio from $4,638

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica

Transfer: San Jose Juan Santamaria Aptto Alajuela

Hotel: Xandari Resort and Spa (4 Star Rating)

Xandari Resort and Spa is a piece of paradise in Costa Rica, brought alive by vibrant art, sculpture, attentive design, green thumbed gardeners, and a network of services by the local community that surrounds Xandari.

Today you will be privately transferred from your hotel in San Jose to Arenal, a journey that will take approximately eight hours due to the activities enjoyed along the way. Your first stop is to Hacienda Doka, a locally renowned coffee estate where you will participate in an immersive one-hour tour to learn about the cultivation, harvest, processing and roasting of the world's most popular morning beverage. After the tour, which of course features a range of samples, you'll be back on the road and setting course for La Paz Waterfall. Upon arrival to La Paz, meander through the nearby trails that lead to a series of five waterfalls, La Paz the most famous among them. You'll also pause for a buffet lunch (included) and have the opportunity to explore some of the nearby butterfly, frog and hummingbird gardens. Total travel time, including the visit to Hacienda Doka and La Paz Waterfall, is approximately eight hours.

Hotel: Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel and Hot Springs (4 Star Rating)

Arenal Manoa Hotel is a beautiful place to rest, relax and enjoy the marvelous view of Arenal Volcano. Surrounded by gardens, pastures and animals, our rooms have been designed so that each one offers you a panoramic view of the volcano. Our visitors can take advantage of our spacious gardens for walking and meditation as well as the opportunities to see the daily operations of a typical Costa Rican farm.

On this combined adventure, you'll be picked up from your hotel, then set course for the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Here, you'll walk a 1.9-mile (3.1-kilometer) loop trail through the forest and across bridges that rise into the beautiful forest canopy with a private guide leading the way, allowing you to observe plants and animals from a whole new perspective. The trail includes 15 impressive suspension and fixed bridges and takes approximately two hours to explore. Next, continue to La Fortuna Waterfall - one of the region's most popular sites - renowned for the 230-foot (70-meter) cascade found at the base of a stair-lined trail. Here, you can take a refreshing swim in the river waters or capture the spectacular and powerful waterfall scenery with your camera. After these two activities, you'll make the ascent back to the entrance of the park, then settle in for a healthy and tasty Costa Rican lunch ahead of the private return transfer back to your hotel.

You will begin the activity with a 1.5 hour guided walk accompanied by an expert guide who will be looking sloths. This is an eco-project run by a local family and it is a great spot to admire these charismatic creatures; you will learn about their main predator, their behaviors, feeding and the species protection efforts. After a snack, continue with the white water rafting tour on the class II - III Balsa River rapids. Enjoy two hours of exhilarating rafting paddling and surrounded by the tropical forest. At the end, you will enjoy a delicious locally prepared lunch in a private restaurant.

Today you will be privately transferred from your hotel in Arenal to Manuel Antonio, a journey that will take approximately five hours. En route, stop at EcoJungle Cruises to participate in a two-hour boat tour of the local mangroves, which are home to a large colony of crocodiles. As you meander along the Tarcoles River, observe an abundance of crocodiles, exotic birds - often times including the Scarlet Macaw - iguanas, lizards, monkeys and more while enjoying light snacks and refreshments. Following your cruise through the mangroves, return to land, reenter your private vehicle, and complete the transfer to your hotel in Manuel Antonio. Total travel time, including the mangroves cruise, is approximately seven hours.

Hotel: Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort (5 Star Rating)

Located within walking distance of Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenas Del Mar is an extraordinary beachfront and rainforest resort. Arenas del Mar is a short distance from Finca Naturales Wildlife Refuge, ADR Adventure Park, and Manuel Antonio Beach. The resort boasts 38 luxurious guest rooms that all enjoy breathtaking views from the private decks.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most famous in the country, thanks to its wide variety of flora and fauna. Home to three of the four species of monkeys in Costa Rica, the park has three different paths that vary in difficulty, from flat to very steep. The path that is covered during this tour is flat and easily accessible, and is approximately 3 km (~2 miles) long. A naturalist guide who knows the area well will escort you during the walk, explaining the different animals and plants that can be observed on the tour. Upon reaching the third beach, a 20-minute break will be taken to rest, sunbathe or take a dip in the sea if you wish. During the tour you can observe monkeys, sloths, birds, and reptiles, as well as admiring orchids, butterflies, and tropical trees. The guides are equipped with Pentax and Swarovski telescopes for a better wildlife observation or for taking pictures with a different perspective. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

A day at leisure in Manuel Antonio is all about beachside bliss and natural beauty. You may wish to explore the national park's jungle trails where monkeys and sloths roam freely, take it easy at your hotel, or relax on its postcard-perfect beaches. A visit to the vibrant town of Quepos for local art and fresh seafood makes for a solid morning or afternoon. End your day with the spectacular Pacific sunset, perhaps with a cocktail in hand, overlooking the ocean.

Transfer: Quepos /Manuel Antonio to San Jose Juan Santamaria Apt