San Jose
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8-Day Best of Northwest Costa Rica from San Jose: Arenal Volcano National Park, Alajuela and Guanacaste

San Jose, Costa Rica
Likely to Sell Out

From USD 1,392.00

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Non-refundable
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
San Jose Tours
All San Jose Tours
Audio Guides
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  • 8 days (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Experience the very best of Costa Rica’s northwestern provinces on this action-packed 8-day tour. Soak in bubbling natural hot springs with views of the active Arenal Volcano, cruise through the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge on a boat tour, catch some rays on the beaches of Guanacaste and enjoy the classic Costa Rican adventures of ziplining, horseback riding and mud baths. This perfectly planned tour includes 7 nights of accommodation, professional guides, many meals and all transport.
  • 8-day guided tour of northwest Costa Rica from San Jose
  • Admire the active volcano in Arenal Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal)
  • Relax in thermal hot springs at Baldi resort
  • Take a boat through Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
  • Ride a zipline and go horseback riding through Vida Aventura Nature Park in Guanacaste
  • 7 nights of accommodation, transportation and entrance fees included

What's Included

  • Dinner
  • 1 nights accommodation in San Jose
  • 2 nights accommodation in La Fortuna
  • 4 nights accommodation in Tamarindo
  • Shared airport transfer
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan in Arenal/Guanacaste
  • Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
  • Breakfast (6)
  • Lunch (3)
  • Food and drinks, unless specified

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup point

  • Juan Santamaria Intl Airport
    San Jose Costa Rica

Pickup details

During all the package, clients will be picked up at their hotels for activities and transfers, pick up times will be according to itinerary.

What To Expect

Make the most of your time in Costa Rica with his expertly curated 8-day tour of northwest highlights. All lodging, transport and activities are arranged by professionals so you can skip the stress of logistics and focus on enjoying your vacation.  

The tour begins in San Jose and concludes in Liberia, with an optional transfer back to San Jose if you’d like to end your journey there (additional expense). Choose from 3.5-star or 4-star hotels to suit your style and budget.

The mix of destinations and activities allows you to experience northwest Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes, including the geothermal peaks of Arenal Volcano National Park, the marshlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, the famous white-sand beaches of Guanacaste and lush rain forest at Vida Aventura Nature Park. 

Enjoy a balance of adrenaline-pumping adventure and relaxation, plus two days of leisure time to explore Guanacaste on your own or book optional day tours (own expense). See Itinerary for a detailed tour description. Included meals are noted with initials in each day’s description.

It’s a fantastic way to experience Costa Rica’s pura vida spirit!
Day 1

Welcome to Costa Rica

1 Stop

Central American Tours

After your arrival at the San José airport, you’ll be greeted by your driver and transferred to your selected hotel.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Country Inn and Suites or Presidente Hotel (or similar) in San José

Meals: Not included

Day 2

Arenal Volcano Area

1 Stop

Arenal Volcano National Park

Head north to explore the impressive Arenal Volcano, stopping first in the town of Sarchí, known for its family-operated woodworking factories and artisan craftsmanship. Choose from more than 200 stores to see the wooden bowls, rocking chairs and traditional carretas – elaborately painted oxcarts that once carried coffee from the highlands to the coastal port. Next, travel past cattle ranches and diverse plantations growing agricultural products and ornamental plants. When you arrive in La Fortuna, enjoy lunch in a cozy restaurant right in front of Arenal Volcano, affording excellent views of this natural phenomenon that attracts thousands of visitors each year. In the afternoon, unwind in one of the best thermal baths in the area at the Hot Springs. Later, savor dinner while admiring another magnificent view.

10 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Arenal Paraiso or Arenal Kioro (or similar) in La Fortuna

Meals: LunchDinnerBreakfast

Day 3

Arenal Area

1 Stop

Cano Negro

Get ready for your adventure at Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, considered one of the most biologically diverse in Costa Rica! Begin your journey in the village of Los Chiles, a border town just two miles (4 km) from Nicaragua. From here, embark on a 2-hour floating safari along the Rio Frío through tropical rain forest and pastures until you arrive at the marsh, Lago Caño Negro. Within the refuge, view a variety of resident and migratory birds plus iguanas, sloths, turtles, caimans and three different species of monkeys. Your cruise will end in the afternoon, and you’ll have the rest of the evening to do as you wish in La Fortuna.

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight: Arenal Paraiso Hotel or Arenal Kioro (or similar) in La Fortuna

Meals: LunchBreakfast

Day 4

Guanacaste Area

1 Stop

Tamarindo Beach

Start your day with breakfast, and then take a 3-hour trip to Guanacaste, a province known for its beaches and its dry tropical forest.

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or Cala Luna Hotel (or similar) in Guanacaste

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

Guanacaste area

1 Stop

Bagaces

Head to Vida Aventura Nature Park, located in the Guanacaste mountain range, for a full day of ziplining and horseback riding, as well as relaxing in hot springs and a mud bath! When you arrive, put on a harness and get trained on riding the zipline. Then, take off through the canyon and soar around the forest canopy along seven cables. After you’ve landed, mount a horse for a ride over hillside trails, learning about the diverse flora and fauna as you cross streams and pastures. Keep an eye out for two active volcanoes, Rincon de la Vieja and Miravalles, and admire the spectacular panoramic views along the way. When you’ve completed the horseback ride, enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch. Then, soak in a thermal mud bath and thermal pools in gorgeous surroundings.

8 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or Cala Luna Hotel (or similar) in Guanacaste

Meals: LunchBreakfast

Day 6

At leisure

1 Stop

Tamarindo

Enjoy your resort

Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or Cala Luna Hotel (or similar) in Guanacaste

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7

At Leisure

1 Stop

Tamarindo

Enjoy your resort

Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or Cala Luna Hotel (or similar) in Guanacaste

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8

Departure

1 Stop

Liberia

You will be picked up at the lobby of your hotel and transferred you to Liberia International Airport (LIR) for your departing flight.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Not included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Please note: you can book the optional tours while in destination
  • If you would like to end your tour in San Jose, a private transfer can be arranged and be paid in advance (approx. USD $250 per transportation)
  • Note: single rooms are only available for 1 person, double rooms for 2 and triple rooms for 3. If you book additional passengers in the rooms, your booking will be rejected and a full refund will be processed
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travellers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travellers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

      Reviews
      5.0
      4 reviews
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      Showing 1-2 of 4 reviews
      We had an amazing time. The local...
      BASIM, Dec 2014
      We had an amazing time. The local your company was extremely responsible and prompt. The activities were exciting and varied. The hotels were comfortable and clean. We are so glad we took this trip and our experience with Viator continues to be very favorable.
      We had the best vacation! I highly...
      Sharon B, Sept 2014
      We had the best vacation! I highly recommend this trip! 8 days and we saw and did it all.

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