Classic Costa Rica

1 nts San Jose, 3 nts Arenal Volcano, 2 nts Monteverde Cloud Forest, 4 nts Manuel Antonio

This holiday includes the opportunity of enjoying the spectacular volcanic and mountainous scenery of the Northern Region and the jungle clad beaches of the Central Pacific coast.

Experience the incredible biodiversity of the rainforest and cloud forest where wildlife abounds and you may see Howler monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, Squirrel monkeys, Two Toed and Three Toed sloths. The birdlife is plentiful and colourful and you may see toucans, tanagers, motmots and oropendulas.

During your stay in Arenal there are opportunities for guided hiking, active adventure such as zip lining, white water rafting or kayaking on the Arenal Lake. Included is a regular guided natural history walk at Mistico Hanging Bridges and a regular trip to the Cano Negro Wildlife reserve close the border with Nicaragua.

The latter part of the holiday provides the opportunity to relax on the beach, and explore the Manuel Antonio National Park with its abundance of wildlife and stunning rainforest backed beaches.

Price Guide

10 nights from £2,395 per person based on double occupancy

These prices are excluding international flights. Average direct flight prices to Costa Rica range from £900 per person to over £1,000 per person at peak times (Christmas, Easter and Summer). Flight routes vary, there are direct flight options with British Airways from London Gatwick but also many alternative routes via the US. Please contact us for accurate flight pricing for your timings and place of departure.

Day to Day

Below is an example day by day itinerary

Day 1

Met on arrival at San Jose International Airport and transferred to Hotel Presidente in downtown San Jose.

Day 2

Take a transfer by private vehicle from your hotel in San Jose to Arenal in the north of Costa Rica. The journey will take about 3 hours. We can arrange for a stop at Poas Volcano en route, ask for details. In the afternoon you can relax and enjoy the onsite thermal fed pools at Arenal Springs. Overnight Arenal Manoa (B).

Day 3

Enjoy a half day guided natural history hike at Mistico Hanging Bridges, learning about the forest and wildlife. The 3km trail is made of paths and six hanging bridges, allowing for close observation of the tropical vegetation and wildlife. Afternoon at leisure and overnight at Arenal Manoa (B)

Day 4

Travel by minibus from Arenal to Los Chiles, a small village close to the Nicaraguan border where you will have a guided boat safari of the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. You may see a number of species of monkeys, three toed sloths and some reptiles such as caimans and basilisks. The refuge is also home to a wide variety of resident and migratory birds including the endangered Jaribu. Overnight Arenal Manoa (B)

Day 5

Head to the cloud forest of Monteverde, you will be transferred to Lake Arenal where you will have a pontoon boat trip across the lake. Arenal Lake is the largest and the most important lake in Costa Rica, it was man made in 1974 to provide hydroelectric energy for the country. You will dock at Rio Chiquito a small town on the lake shore where you will board a minibus. Get views of rural life, as you wind up the hills for the final leg of the journey. Overnight Monteverde Lodge and Gardens (B).

Day 6

Today you will have a guided tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, learning about the biodiversity in one of the rarest rainforest ecosystems. This habitat is home to the rare Resplendent Quetzal, strangler figs, epiphytes such as bromeliads, orchids, hummingbirds and a wide variety of insects and mammals. This is a regular tour, but can be arranged on a private basis. Overnight Monteverde Lodge and Gardens (B)

Day 7

Travel by private vehicle from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific Coast (approx. 4 hours journey). Late afternoon you could relax and enjoy the views from the swimming pool, take a walk to the Biesanz beach, or wonder the 12 acres of rainforest on the hotel rounds. Overnight Parador Resort and Spa (B).

Day 8

Take a guided walk in Manuel Antonio National Park which is one of the most popular in the country due to the ease of wildlife sightings and beaches. The trail is about 2km long and you will stop to observe different wildlife. It is home to three of the four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica. You will have the opportunity to have a quick swim before being transferred back to your hotel. Please note this is a shared tour but can be arranged on a private basis. Overnight Parador (B).

Day 9

Day at leisure to enjoy the pool, local beach or book optional excursions at additional cost such as a catamaran trip, boat trip to mangrove ecosystem at Damas Island, white water rafting along Savegre River. Overnight Parador Resort and Spa (B)