Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste
Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste
Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste
9 Days Starting in San José, Costa Rica and ending in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Visiting: San José, Arenal, Monteverde, Guanacaste, South America
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ILA3-2025
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the "Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste" tour. Begin your journey in San José, then transfer to Arenal to experience the magic of its famous hot springs. Enjoy leisure time to explore Arenal's natural beauty before heading to Monteverde, where you'll traverse the cloud forest and encounter nocturnal wildlife. Continue to the stunning Guanacaste region, known for its unspoiled beaches and diverse activities, from rainforest canopy tours to river rafting. With ample free time to explore or relax, this tour offers a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility in Costa Rica's most breathtaking locations.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In San José,Costa Rica
Location: San José
Accommodation Name: Doubletree Cariari
Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2: San José,Arenal
Location: Arenal
Accommodation Name: Lomas del Volcan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
SAN JOSÉ–ARENAL• Today, transfer to the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Settle in and experience the magic of your resort.• This afternoon, visit the famous hot springs the area is known for and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the hot springs.(B,D)
Day 3: Arenal
Location: Arenal
Accommodation Name: Lomas del Volcan
Meals Included: Breakfast
ARENAL• Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips Perhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird’s-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest’s wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.
Day 4: Arenal,Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: El Establo Mountain Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
ARENAL–MONTEVERDE• This morning, your transfer begins with a short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles.• This evening, venture into Monteverde’s Cloud Forest just before nightfall with an expert Naturalist for a guided nature walk to search for the jungle’s nocturnal creatures, like sloths, foxes, agoutis, frogs, and many more!(B)
Day 5: Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: El Establo Mountain Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTEVERDE • Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like. (B)Today’s I-Time Tips Maybe wake up early and visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest to best experience the animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also, notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors create temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family’s farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.
Day 6: Monteverde,Guanacaste
Location: Guanacaste
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTEVERDE–GUANACASTE• Journey to the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. This part of the North Pacific region of Coast Rica offers hundreds of unspoiled beaches lining the shores, but Guanacaste is surprisingly far from being a traditional beach destination.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips During your time here, you may choose a rainforest canopy tour, river rafting or a float trip down the Corobici River. Consider horseback riding or fishing, or relax on the beach and snorkel in the Pacific Ocean.
Day 7: Guanacaste
Location: Guanacaste
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo
Meals Included: Breakfast
GUANACASTE • Enjoy a free day.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips Perhaps opt for a guided visit to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, known as Costa Rica’s Yellowstone, to explore the steamy sulfur water ponds and pungent fumaroles that punctuate this jungle, home to toucans, monkeys, and many other animals. Or, take a leisurely boat cruise through Palo Verde National Park, composed of tropical dry forest and mangroves, and admire scores of birds, caimans, and iguanas along the way.
Day 8: Guanacaste
Location: Guanacaste
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo
Meals Included: Breakfast
GUANACASTE • Enjoy a free day.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips Why not choose a total adrenaline rush for today’s adventure on a zip line tour?! The zip line system consists of a network of suspended cables up in the treetop canopy that go from one platform to another and that will let you zip from tree to tree.
Day 9: Guanacaste
Location: Guanacaste
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Tamarindo
Meals Included: Breakfast
GUANACASTE • Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.(B)
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at Doubletree Cariari in San Jose, Lomas del Volcan in Arenal, El Establo Mountain Lodge in Monteverde, and Wyndham Tamarindo in Guanacaste.
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Meals
Buffet breakfast is provided daily, and one three-course dinner is included.
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Hot Springs Visit
Visit the famous hot springs in Arenal and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest.
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Guided Nature Walk
A guided nature walk in Monteverde's Cloud Forest with an expert Naturalist to search for nocturnal creatures.
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Boat Ride
A short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as visits to Arenal Hanging Bridges, rafting, horseback riding, and zip line tours are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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International Flights
International flights to and from Costa Rica are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 1 three-course dinner
UNESCO Sites
Area de Conservación Guanacaste
Accommodation
San Jose: Doubletree Cariari, Arenal: Lomas del Volcan, Monteverde: El Establo Mountain Lodge, Guanacaste: Wyndham Tamarindo
Mode of Transport
Transfers include a short boat ride across Arenal Lake and scenic drives through mountain and forest regions.
Notes
Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary. On day 8, transport is by land to Guanacaste for the next three nights. Local guide service is provied in San José. Though this is an Independent tour, some transportation segments will be shared with other travelers.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of activities can I do in Arenal?
In Arenal, you can visit the famous hot springs and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. You also have the option to explore the Arenal Hanging Bridges, go rafting, or enjoy a horseback riding adventure.
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What wildlife can I expect to see in Monteverde?
Monteverde is home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. During a guided nature walk, you might see nocturnal creatures like sloths, foxes, agoutis, and frogs.
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What are some optional activities in Monteverde?
In Monteverde, you can visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest to see animals in their natural habitats, or visit a local family's farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.
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What can I do in Guanacaste?
In Guanacaste, you can choose from activities like a rainforest canopy tour, river rafting, a float trip down the Corobici River, horseback riding, fishing, or relaxing on the beach and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean. You can also visit Rincon de la Vieja National Park or take a boat cruise through Palo Verde National Park.
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Is there any free time during the tour?
Yes, there are several days with free time for you to explore on your own or take optional excursions. For example, Day 3 in Arenal, Day 5 in Monteverde, and Days 7 and 8 in Guanacaste are free days.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The accommodations include Doubletree Cariari in San Jose, Lomas del Volcan in Arenal, El Establo Mountain Lodge in Monteverde, and Wyndham Tamarindo in Guanacaste.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes a buffet breakfast daily and one three-course dinner.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
Reviews of this operator
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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