Essential Costa Rica is made for nature lovers who are looking to get the most out of what Costa Rica has to offer in terms of its rich biodiversity.
Savegre River: Explore the Jungle
Your trip will begin at the Rafiki Safari Lodge, a unique glam-camping experience set in Costa Rica’s lush rainforest. The lodge is located along the Savegre River, and you will get to enjoy on-site activities such as white water rafting and kayaking.
Manuel Antonio: Hit the Beach
After spending a couple of days trying out some of these tours, you will head to one of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches: Manuel Antonio. You’ll spend the next five nights at Si Como No Resort & Spa, a beautiful property conveniently located close to the shores of Manuel Antonio’s beach.
First up is a tour of the Manuel Antonio National Park, followed by an exhilarating canopy tour, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the resort in between each adventure.
Arenal: Adventure Time
Next you’ll be flying to Arenal, a nature lover’s paradise. You’ll stay at the Arenal Kioro and spend the next few days tasting some chocolate and taking a hanging bridges tour at La Fortuna Waterfall.
Monteverde: The Cloud Forest
The adventure does not stop there! After checking out all that Arenal has to offer, you’ll board a boat and cross Lake Arenal. A private transfer will take you on a short drive through the forest to El Establo Mountain Hotel in Monteverde. You’ll have the chance to take a guided hike through Monteverde’s stunning cloud forest, where your English-speaking naturalist will point out the area’s diverse flora and fauna.
End your exciting tour with a night at one of San Jose’s finest hotels, the Grano de Oro. Be sure to eat dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, considered one of the best in the country.
After your two-week essential holiday around the country, it’s time to head home.
Essential Costa Rica Includes:
- Exclusive Airport ‘Meet and Greet’ service—we’ll greet you off the plane to make it easy to go through customs
- Private transfer to the Rafiki Safari Lodge with English-speaking driver
- Three nights lodging at the Rafiki Safari Lodge– including three meals daily
- Private transfer to Manuel Antonio with English-speaking driver
- Five nights lodging at Si Como No Resort & Spa– including a daily breakfast
- Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour
- Canopy tour
- Domestic flight from Manuel Antonio to Arenal
- Three nights lodging at Arenal Kioro– including a daily breakfast
- Hanging bridges tour
- Chocolate + La Fortuna Waterfall tour
- Private transfer to El Establo Mountain Hotel
- Two nights lodging at El Establo Mountain Hotel– including a daily breakfast
- Monteverde Cloud Forest tour
- Private transfer to San José with an English-speaking driver
- One night lodging at Grano de Oro Hotel– including a daily breakfast
- Private ground transfer to San José Airport for your flight home
*Package price range indicates luxury, moderate, or affordable lodging combinations.
"$$$$" signifies the value of more than $2,500 per person, "$$$" price range of $1,500 to $2,500, and "$$" price range of $1,000 to $1,500 per person, based on double occupancy.
You will receive a 100% accurate price when you inquire with us and share your travel dates. Final package pricing includes taxes, domestic transport, tours and lodging as described unless otherwise indicated. The package does NOT include international airfare or optional travel insurance or any other services not expressly mentioned.
Day One: Welcome to Costa Rica!
Start your Essential Costa Rica holiday the minute you land in San Jose. One of our representatives will meet you at the airport and show you to your private transfer. From there, you’ll enjoy a luxury ride to the beautiful Rafiki Safari Lodge. This hotel is known for its unique “glamping” (glam-camping) experience. You’ll stay in a tent imported directly from South Africa so that you can truly be immersed in the Costa Rican jungle. There are no TVs and cell phone service is spotty at best.
Stay at Rafiki Safari Lodge
Day Two: Explore Rafiki Lodge
Take a day to enjoy all that Rafiki has to offer! The property boasts a swimming pool with a jungle water slide! You can also explore the resort’s hundreds of acres brimming with stunning wildlife.
Stay at Rafiki Safari Lodge
Day Three: Try Rafiki Lodge’s activities
Try out one of Rafiki’s onsite activities, such as birdwatching, kayaking or the Aqua hike, Rafiki’s must-do tour. You will get to experience it all during this activity: white water rafting down the Savegre river, a hike along a series of waterfalls followed by a hike up to a hanging bridge. After you enjoy a delicious homemade lunch, you’ll get to enjoy the amazing views of the Savegre Valley on horseback!
Stay at Rafiki Safari Lodge
Day Four: From the jungle to the beach
A private transfer will take you from Rafiki to the Si Como No Resort, located in Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches. The resort also doubles as a wildlife refuge, so nature is abundant throughout this study property.
Stay at Si Como No Resort & Spa
Day Five: Manuel Antonio National Park Tour
You’ll get to see some of Costa Rica’s more famed wildlife during a guided tour of this incredible national park, such as the white-faced monkey. Your local, English-speaking expert will meet you at the park’s entrance and take you on an informative hike through the area’s stunning natural flora and fauna.
Stay at Si Como No Resort & Spa
Day Six: Down Time
Use this day to explore the resort. You can check out one of the adults-only or family pools, take a self-guided tour of the hotel’s butterfly botanical atrium or enjoy a guided night tour through the property. Si Como No has a lot to offer!
Stay at Si Como No Resort & Spa
Day Seven: Canopy Tour
Take a tour of Manuel Antonio’s stunning canopy. You will embark on a journey down ten epic ziplines, a suspension bridge, one Tarzan swing and three exhilarating rappel lines. Before the tour begins, you will enjoy a traditional Costa Rican breakfast or lunch.
To lower your heart rate after the canopy tour, you’ll have the chance to visit the on-site butterfly garden with your guide. You’ll also have the opportunity to see different poisonous and non-poisonous snakes– all behind cages, of course!
Stay at Si Como No Resort & Spa
Day Eight: Down Time
Use today’s free time to take the hotel’s shuttle down to Manuel Antonio Beach. If the weather is unfavorable, watch a movie in the hotel’s cinema.
Stay at Si Como No Resort & Spa
Day Nine: From Manuel Antonio to Arenal
Although your time at the beach has come to an end, there is still a lot more adventure to come! Your private transfer will take you to the Quepos airstrip, where you will then board a short flight to Arenal. Another private transfer will pick you up and take you to Arenal Kioro, your home for the next three nights.
Stay at Arenal Kioro
Day Ten: Hanging Bridges Tour
Enjoy a hanging bridges tour of Arenal’s stunning rainforest! This relaxing nature walk will show you the best that the area has to offer in terms of wildlife and amazing views of the Arenal Volcano.
Stay at Arenal Kioro
Day Eleven: Chocolate Tour and La Fortuna Waterfall
Spend the day on two of the Arenal area’s most interesting activities: a nature hike to La Fortuna Waterfall followed by a chocolate tasting. You’ll get the chance to swim in the crystalline pool beneath the impressive waterfall. This always makes for the perfect opportunity to spot some of the area’s famed wildlife.
After you’ve changed into dry clothes, you’ll hop in a private transfer and head to a cacao plantation to learn about how the delicacy is made, as well as taste some freshly-made chocolate!
Stay at Arenal Kioro
Day Twelve: Arenal to Monteverde by Boat
Today’s shared transfer is a sightseeing trip in itself! To get from Arenal to Monteverde, you will cross the stunning Lake Arenal by boat. You will then be picked up by a private transfer and taken to the El Establo Mountain Hotel.
Stay at El Establo Mountain Hotel
Day Thirteen: Cloud Forest Tour
A local, English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Monteverde’s cloud forest. You’ll spend the day familiarizing yourself with rich biodiversity of the area. Your naturalist guide will point out everything from camouflaged hummingbirds to the golden toad’s unique habitat.
Stay at El Establo Mountain Hotel
Day Fourteen: From Monteverde to San Jose
After enjoying breakfast and a relaxing morning in Monteverde, a private transfer will take you to San Jose. You will spend your final night in Costa Rica at the Grano de Oro Hotel. Take the time to explore downtown San Jose, or enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, which is considered to be one of the best in the country!
Stay at Grano de Oro Hotel
Day Fifteen: Head Home
Your Essential Costa Rica tour is coming to an end. A private transfer will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the SJO Airport for your flight home.
