Our 12 day, 11 night naturalist’s tour will give you the luxury of exploring four different locations - perfect for a deeper dive into Costa Rica’s abundant flora and fauna. For a couple who loves to be on the go and to see as much as possible, this is a great vacation. We have chosen destinations where you can experience a combination of high-end accommodations and attractions that appeal to a wide variety of nature lovers. With waterfalls, volcanoes, a national park, hot springs, and more, there is something for every nature lover. You’ll see monkeys, exotic birds, and maybe even an elusive jaguar or puma. And we’ve thrown in some beach time too – a perfect complement to this bucket list vacation. Note: This is an ambitious itinerary. If you want to slow things down a little, we can suggest some modifications.

 

Price

• $3,300 per person

• Based on a minimum of two people in a double occupancy room

• For fewer or additional person(s), inquire for pricing

• Prices valid through 2023 (excluding Semana Santa / Easter week 4/2/2023 to 4/9/2023 and 12/20/2023 to 1/5/2024). All pricing subject to change until booked and confirmed. Lower rates may be available during "green season" (May to November). Inquire when booking.

 

Destinations

La Paz Waterfall, Monteverde, Arenal, Las Catalinas, Manuel Antonio

 

Duration

12 days / 11 nights

 

Itinerary

 

 Day 1  

Arrive San Jose airport (SJO), transfer to hotel

Upon arriving, your private shuttle will transport you to the beautiful Finca Paraiso (or comparable hotel) about an hour from the airport. You will enjoy the immaculate grounds, beautiful setting and top notch service at this mountain hotel. Enjoy dinner in their highly rated restaurant.

 

 Day 2 

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Enjoy spending the day exploring at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. There are five beautiful waterfalls, and several miles of hiking trails, a butterfly garden, and the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica. You can enjoy a buffet lunch which includes multiple selections of traditional Costa Rican dishes. After La Paz, return to your hotel where you might book yourself a massage, relax in a hammock, enjoy the view and catch the sunset.

 

 Day 3 

Transfer to Monteverde

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and then your private shuttle will transport you to Monteverde (approx. 3.5 hours). Your driver will be happy to recommend a stop along the way for lunch. Arrive in the town of Santa Elena (Monteverde) and check into Camino Verde (or comparable hotel), a charming B&B that is centrally located. Once you are settled in, get ready for a coffee and chocolate tour  – learn about these two important export products, and enjoy samples! This is followed by a night walking tour which will introduce you to frogs, including the famous red-eyed frog, insects, nocturnal birds, and if you’re lucky, maybe even sloths.

 

 Day 4 

Monteverde

Today’s adventure is a guided hike in Monteverde’s Cloud Forest Reserve. You can do the early morning hike beginning at 7:00am, or enjoy a leisurely morning and join the afternoon hike at 12:30 (we recommend the earlier tour as the animals are usually more active then). During this four hour moderate hike, you will learn all about the misty magic of the cloud forest, and will experience much of the biodiversity that this region is known for. You may spot jaguars, black guans, ocelots, emerald toucanets, a barenecked umbrella bird, and maybe even the elusive resplendent quetzal bird! You will also walk on hanging bridges over 325 feet above the tree tops! Your guide will provide binoculars, but don’t forget your camera! 

 

 Day 5 

Transfer to Arenal

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and transfer to Arenal via a “shuttle-boat-shuttle,” a popular way to get from Monteverde to Arenal. You will be picked up by shuttle and driven to Lake Arenal where you will be ferried across the lake (watch for crocodiles!) by boat, and then shuttled to Tifikara Boutique Hotel & Birding Oasis (or comparable hotel)  in Arenal. Enjoy the grounds at your “nature lover’s paradise” hotel! 

 

 Day 6 

Arenal

After an early breakfast, you will enjoy an Arenal Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall with lunch included. La Fortuna Waterfall is a perennial favorite. And then to treat your tired muscles (the hike down and back up is made up of around 500 steps - but worth it!), you will enjoy the luxurious hot springs and dinner at the beautiful and sublime Eco Termales Hot Springs.

 

 Day 7  

Transfer to Las Catalinas

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and be driven by private shuttle to Santarena Hotel at Las Catalinas (or comparable hotel) overlooking Playa Danta on the Pacific Ocean (approx. 3 hours). Playa Danta sits in a protected cove and is surrounded by shade trees. Your beautiful hotel is in the intentional community of Las Catalinas. The architecture resembles a European village, and all cars are parked away from town, making for  idyllic and peaceful strolling around the area. 

 

 Day 8 

Las Catalinas

After breakfast, explore the village and the five hiking trails, or rent bikes and explore 42km of mountain bike trails. If water sports are your thing, the protected waters around Playa Danta are perfect for sea kayaking or paddle boarding.

 

 Day 9 

Las Catalinas

Las Catalinas is such a relaxing place. You can stay busy, or do nothing at all. Today is a free day to spend as you wish. If you're interested in an activity for the day, we can suggest a boat tour at Palo Verde National Park. It's about a two hour drive, and a private driver will take you. It's a great place to see wildlife along the Tempisque River. This tour also includes a traditional Costa Rican lunch. If you are interested, we can help set this up for you. 

 

 Day 10 

Transfer to Manuel Antonio by Plane

You will check out of your hotel early and you will be transported by private shuttle to LIR airport for a 7:00am domestic flight via Sansa Airlines to Quepos airport, connecting through SJO. (Note: weight limits on baggage are 30 lbs. per bag.) Arrive Quepos around 9:30, and you will be transported by private shuttle to Parador Nature Resort & Spa (or comparable hotel)  in Manuel Antonio. Flying will save you  many, many hours of driving, and you will get to see the beauty of Costa Rica by air. You will have the rest of the day to enjoy the resort’s amenities, which include 12 acres of wildlife-rich tropical rainforest, and views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You can explore hiking trails, and discover both popular and more secluded beaches.

 

 Day 11 

Manuel Antonio

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transported to Manuel Antonio National Park for a three-hour tour (morning tours are always best at Manuel Antonio because of its popularity). Manuel Antonio is the country’s smallest national park, but it is unmatched in beauty and diversity of wildlife. During your tour, you will pass through rainforests that open out onto beautiful beaches and coral reefs. The forests are home to 2 and 3-fingered sloths, toucans, iguanas, howler, white-faced, and squirrel monkeys, millions of colorful little crabs and more! As your trip comes to an end, enjoy your last Costa Rican sunset! 

 

 Day 12 

Transfer to SJO for flight home

Depending on the time of your departure flight, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before being driven to SJO for your departure flight. Drive is approx. 3.5 hours.

 

Included

• Lodging for 2 nights at Finca Paraíso Hotel (or comparable hotel) near La Paz Waterfall Gardens

• Lodging for 2 nights at Camino Verde (or comparable hotel) in Monteverde

• Lodging for 2 nights at Tifikara Boutique Hotel & Birding Oasis (or comparable) in Arenal

• Lodging for 3 nights Santarena Hotel in Las Catalinas (or comparable Hotel)

• Lodging for 2 nights at Parador Nature Resort & Spa (or comparable hotel) in Manuel Antonio

• All hotel and activity taxes are included in price

• Private transport from SJO to hotel near La Paz Waterfall Gardens

• Private transport from hotel to La Paz Waterfall Gardens

• Private transport to Monteverde

• Shared transport from Monteverde to Arenal

• Private transport to Eco Termales Hot Springs

• Private transport from Arenal to Las Catalinas

• Private transport from Las Catalinas to Liberia Airport

• Private transport from Quepos Airport to Manuel Antonio

• Private transport from Manuel Antonio to SJO

• Domestic flight from Liberia airport to Quepos airport (note: weight limits on baggage are 30 lbs. per bag)

• La Paz Waterfall Gardens day pass

• Coffee and Chocolate Tour and Night Tour

• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike

• Arenal Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall with lunch

• Eco Termales Hot Springs and Dinner

• Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour

• Breakfast on days 2-9, 11, 12

• Lunch on days 6

• Dinner on days 6

• In-country assistance via text, phone and email

 

Not included

• You are responsible for lunch on days 2-5, 7, 8, 10, 11

• You are responsible for dinner except for day 6

• Price does not include gratuities - it is customary to tip drivers, tour guides, housekeeping staff. There is a 10% gratuity added to restaurant bills, but additional tips for good service are greatly appreciated.

• International airfare not included.

 

What to bring

• You will be traveling to different regions, which have their own climates. Depending on when you come, there may be some rain, so rain jackets (lightweight) or ponchos are a good idea. 

• It can also be chilly and misty in the higher elevations, so layers are important. 

• Be sure to bring several long sleeve and long pants options as your clothes may need to dry out in between wearings. 

• You will also want bug repellent and sun screen (ocean-friendly brands if possible). 

• Your footwear options should include flip flops, sports sandals, and sneakers. If you are most comfortable in hiking boots, feel free to bring them. 

• Cameras and binoculars are helpful. Sometimes your guides will bring binoculars to share. 

 

Note

We always have one or more comparable back-up hotels. The further out you book your vacation, the better our chances of booking our preferred hotels. If hotel availability is going to have a significant impact on your stay, we will discuss alternatives with you prior to making hotel reservations on your behalf.