Best travel trip: Arenal volcano, Monteverde cloud forest, and the beach

If someone where to go in Costa Rica for a week and wants to get a sample of the different areas of the country during that time, we recommend the Costa Rica Special.

What is the Costa Rica Special?  It’s the best of the country in a week.

Arenal Volcano

You start with a few days in La Fortuna to see Arenal Volcano from your hotel room. Arenal is the spot where you can indulge in the healing hot springs, which are made up of mineral water heated by the underground geothermal activity resulting from the volcano.  Some of the best hiking are offered in this rainforest area, whether it be the gentle walk through the El Silencio trails at the foot of Arenal—climbing the volcano is no longer allowed since its last eruption in 1968—or the more challenging hike up Chato Hill and over the La Fortuna Waterfall. We do suggest a horseback ride to La Fortuna Waterfall, if hiking is not for you.  In addition, ride the rivers, either by gentle river float, or exciting whitewater rafting. For the kids, the Kalambu Hot Water Park has different activities to enjoy in thermal aquatic  stations.

Monteverde

Nothing beats a private transfer from Arenal to Monteverde cloud forest across the vast Lake Arenal.  We suggest Monteverde cloud forest as the best spot to take that canopy zipline tour through the trees. You get to see the different indigenous plants and animals that thrive in the highest elevation of Costa Rica.

Beach: Manuel Antonio Beach

Of course, you must end your Costa Rica vacation at the beach.  The choice of beach depends on which airport you have flown into upon your arrival to the country. If you landed in San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport, then we recommend the trip to Manuel Antonio National Park and its beautiful beaches which are less than 2 hours away.  This park offers boat rides through the mangroves or a hike through the park itself where you are guaranteed to see a few different types of monkeys, like howler, squirrel, and white-faced, or maybe if you are lucky a sloth.  Sportfishing is extremely popular in Manuel Antonio.

Beach: Papagayo Peninsula, Tamarindo or Flamingo

If you took a flight that landed in Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, then you have a load of beach options including the Papagayo Peninsula—a luxurious option 30 minutes away—or Tamarindo or Flamingo—popular tourist towns only 45 minutes away.  At either place, you can enjoy the water sports like kayaking, sunset catamaran sailing tour, snorkeling or scuba diving, as well as sportfishing (bring the fish to your hotel and they’ll cook it for you). Tamarindo is the spot to take surf lessons or base yourself near world-class surfing breaks if you are intermediate or advanced surfer.

Now, you know where to go in Cosa Rica and we would love to organize this trip for you. Contact us.