Essential Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Cloud Forest & Pacific

Trip Features

Active Elements

Includes light adventure or movement for added discovery.

Epic Scenery

Showcases landscapes that elevate parts of the journey.

Family Friendly

Fun, safe adventures to delight travellers of all ages.

Wildlife Encounters

Offers chances to observe animals responsibly in their natural habitats.

Trip Itinerary

At a Glance

DAY

Welcome to Costa Rica

DAY

Alajuela to Arenal

DAY

Balsa River Rafting & Sloth Spotting

DAY

At Leisure in Arenal

DAY

Arenal to Monteverde with Lake Crossing

DAY

TreeTram, SkyTrek & SkyWalk Cloud Forest Experience

DAY

Monteverde to Manuel Antonio with Crocodile Boat Tour

DAY

Exploring Manuel Antonio National Park

DAY

Depart from San Jose

Travel Itinerary

Trip Starts

Trip Stop

Trip Ends

Detailed Itinerary

DAY

Welcome to Costa Rica

Transfer

San Jose to Chayote Lodge

Your Accommodation

Chayote Lodge

Chayote Lodge lays in the outskirts of the mountainous central valley, located only 50 minutes away from San Jose Airport in Llano Bonito de Naranjo, and 1500 meters above sea level in the cloud forest. It boasts 12 spacious bungalows, most of which include a private terrace with a breathtaking view of Poas, Barva, and Irazu Volcanos, as well as the Central Valley and the Nicoya Gulf in the Pacific Ocean seen on clear days. Its strategic location right in the middle of Costa Rica is a perfect gateway to discover different national parks, waterfalls, coffee fields, rural villages, local artisans, as well as enjoy the local lifestyle by visiting homes, gardens and city parks within the vicinity.

Duration

1 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Alajuela to Arenal

Transfer

Chayote Lodge to La Fortuna - Arenal

Your Accommodation

Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel and Hot Springs

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.

Duration

3 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel and Hot Springs

Show on Map

DAY

Balsa River Rafting & Sloth Spotting

Day Tour

Shared Balsa River Rafting and Sloths Tour

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.

DAY

At Leisure in Arenal

Day Tour

At Leisure in Arenal

Enjoy a day at leisure beneath the (often clouded) gaze of Arenal Volcano. Whether you choose to relax at your hotel, hike through the lush trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, cross hanging bridges for incredible rainforest views, take a dip in one of the region's natural hot springs or explore the town of La Fortuna, you're sure to find "pura vida" today. In the evening, consider treat yourself to dinner at local favorite like La Fonda 506, Restaurante Foruneno or La Street Bistro.

DAY

Arenal to Monteverde with Lake Crossing

Day Tour

Arenal to Monteverde with Shared Lake Crossing

Today you will be transferred from Arenal to Monteverde, making use of both vehicles and a boat to turn this point-to-point transfer into an enjoyable and scenic experience alongside fellow travelers. The transfer begins at your hotel, where a minibus will pick you up and drive for approximately 30 minutes to Lake Arenal. Upon arrival you will board a comfortable and safe pontoon-type boat with other guests, and after a 45-minute journey, will arrive at Rio Chiquito, a small community on the other side of the lake. Lake Arenal is the largest and most important in Costa Rica. It is of artificial origin - built in 1974 in order to obtain hydroelectric power for the country - and is a place where you can spot a variety of resident and migratory birds, and often times mammals like monkeys and sloths. You will also take in excellent views of the Arenal Volcano when it is not cloudy. Once in Rio Chiquito, you will leave the boat and continue onward by land for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to your hotel in Monteverde (this portion of the transfer may take longer in the rainy season), making a stop along the way to purchase food and beverages and to use the washroom. It is recommended to wear long pants, a coat, comfortable shoes, and a waterproof jacket. Approximate travel time is 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Your Accommodation

Sibu Boutique Hotel

Sibu Boutique Hotel is a serene oasis nestled in the heart of Monteverde's captivating cloud forest. The hotel is focused on personal touches and warmth, and you'll be enveloped in an atmosphere of tranquility and sophistication where every detail is designed to elevate your stay to new heights of comfort and relaxation. Sibu Boutique Hotel is named in honor of Sibu, a revered deity in the mythology of the Bri-Bri indigenous people of Costa Rica, who would take on the appearance of a hummingbird to bring divine messages to human beings. Sibu Boutique Hotel symbolizes Bri-Bri's deep-rooted connection to the land and their commitment to living in harmony with nature and the hummingbird with its vitality, dynamism, and beauty.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

TreeTram, SkyTrek & SkyWalk Cloud Forest Experience

Day Tour

Shared Treetopia Explorer Tour - TreeTram, SkyTrek & SkyWalk

Set out on an extraordinary journey with TreeTopiaPark's Explorer Package: the ultimate blend of thrill, wonder, and exploration in Monteverde. Perfect for adventurers seeking both heart-pounding excitement and serene discovery, this three-in-one experience offers the best of the cloud forest from every perspective. After arriving from your hotel on a shared transfer, start your adventure with the TreeTram cableway, a relaxing ascent offering sweeping panoramic views of the lush, misty landscape. Next, take on the Sky Trek zipline circuit, an exhilarating flight over the forest canopy with nearly two miles of high-flying ziplines, reaching heights of up to 328 feet and speeds that will take your breath away. Finally, immerse yourself in the peaceful beauty of the Sky Walk hanging bridges, where you'll traverse elevated trails and suspension bridges with unique, up-close encounters with the cloud forest's incredible biodiversity. After the TreeTram, SkyTrek and SkyWalk tour, you will be returned to your hotel in Monteverde.

DAY

Monteverde to Manuel Antonio with Crocodile Boat Tour

Day Tour

Monteverde to Manuel Antonio with Crocodile Boat Tour

Today you will be privately transferred from your hotel in Monteverde to Manuel Antonio, a journey that will take approximately four 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 six hours.

Your Accommodation

Hotel Parador Resort & Spa

Uniquely set among luxuriant coastal rainforest overlooking Costa Rica's famous Manuel Antonio National Park, Hotel Parador Resort & Spa perches atop a 400 acre secluded peninsula surrounded by wild beauty facing the Pacific Ocean and Punta Quepos. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the terraces, swimming pools and suites. The Resorts boosts its own private natural trails where a great variety of species of wildlife make their home in the middle of an overwhelming flora and fauna.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Buffet Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Exploring Manuel Antonio National Park

Day Tour

Shared Manuel Antonio National Park Half-Day Tour

This National Park is one of the most popular in the country thanks to its wide variety of flora and fauna. It is home to 3 of the 4 existing monkey species in Costa Rica. The park itself boasts 3 different trails that vary in grade from flat to very steep. During this tour, you and likeminded visitors will be accompanied by a nature guide who is knowledgeable about this wonderful corner of Costa Rica. The trail you will take is approximately 2 miles long, flat, picturesque, and loops through the Park. Throughout the hike, your guide will stop and explain the different natural specimens that are observed. Halfway through the hike, a 20-minute stop will be made at a beach for everyone to rest or play among the waves if they choose. Throughout the hike you will be able to - with luck - observe sloths, birds, and reptiles, as well as admire orchids, butterflies, and tropical trees. The guides are equipped with Pentax and Swarovski telescopes that you can use to observe wildlife and take pictures with a different perspective. Upon finishing the tour, you will be provided with a shared transfer back to your hotel.

DAY

Depart from San Jose

Transfer

Quepos /Manuel Antonio to San Jose

What to Expect

Explore what moves you.

National Theatre of Costa Rica

Arenal Vulcano, Fortuna

Manuel Antonio National Park

Know when to go.

Place

Conditions

Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall

City 799Light Rain

28°C / 82°F

93mm / 3.7"

City 896Light Rain

28°C / 82°F

93mm / 3.7"

Weather data is based on monthly averages.

Popularity rating

ExcellentBased on 5,318 Reviews

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Our experience was amazing! The booking process went great. We just had to pack our clothes and everything else was taken care of thanks to Goway Travel… Lori Mezzomo!!! Lori was fantastic. Everything from flights to transfers to excursions was perfect! Can’t wait to go back and i would definitely use Goway Travel again!!!Marie Idol

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Michael Keon and his crew did a fine job coordinating our trip to Turkey. His contact in Turkey, Mr. Omer was in contact with us almost daily reminding us of our schedule and pick up info. He was terrific. Very informative and insightful guides. And large comfortable vehicles on every trip. Awesome trip. Tom and Sharon Tom and Sharon, Toronto, Canada

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We loved the trip itinerary and everything was organized so well! Lori was always very responsive and answered our questions promptly. Thank you for an amazing trip!Jelena Poprzen

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As a travel advisor, I recently booked a group of clients on a Goway tour in China following their paddleboat competition, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Christine and Tanya in the groups department were incredibly helpful and made the entire process seamless. Their support was greatly appreciated! The feedback from my clients was overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for the local tour guides, who helped make the trip so memorable. Everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you, Christine, Tanya, and the Goway team, for taking such great care of my clients. I would happily recommend Goway and look forward to working with them again!customer

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I wanna start off by saying that Farnaz our agent was excellent!!! she planned the whole experience from start to finish. We did not have to worry about one thing the entire trip. All the hotels were great. Our transfers from hotels to fairies to airports were all available and always on time. The excursions she planned for us were all top-notch. I was a little skeptical, but just finding GOWAY online stumbling across it. But I’m so glad I made the choice to use them. I hope they definitely using the company again and especially our agent Farnaz!!! Thank you do mych for a wonderful experience! Catherine

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What do the experts say?

Virginia Dameno

Destination Specialist

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Costa Rica is not just all about the beaches. There is so much more to discover, including volcanoes, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife.

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Virginia Dameno

Destination Specialist

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Costa Rica is also globally admired for its environmental values. The country’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices is deeply ingrained in its DNA.

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Kajal Gadhia

Destination Specialist

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If your main interest is beach time, December to April offers the best weather. However do not discount visiting during the Green Season in September, which reveals a different side of the country, full of wildlife and vibrant scenery.

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