Summary
Enjoy this amazing Costa Rica Wildlife Tour: Incredible Nature and Pure Life (8 days) and discover the beautiful, lush rainforest, waterfalls and volcano, enjoy spectacular views from the treetops in the cloud forest, have a rest in pristine beaches and observe the incredible wildlife in its natural habitat! You will discover the natural “gems” of Costa Rica: Arenal Volcano, Rio Fortuna Waterfall, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and Manuel Antonio National Park. Simply translated, “pure life” means “pura vida”, but in Costa Rica, it is more than just a saying, it is a way of life. Although many people use the saying, you will not truly know what “pura vida” feels like until you’ve been to Costa Rica. It’s an emotion, it’s an attitude, it’s happiness, and it’s a way of life. Once you’ve visited the country, you will understand the true meaning of “pura vida”. You can join a group guided tour (also suitable for solo travellers) or enjoy a private guided tour. If you opt for a private guided tour, it can be customized according to your preferences.
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Gabriela
Local travel expert in Costa Rica
I will be delighted to create amazing experiences for you in Costa Rica and show you what my beautiful country has to offer. Let’s design together the itinerary of your dreams, let’s make this trip the most memorable of your life.
Itinerary
On arrival in San José, Costa Rica, you will be welcomed at Juan Santamaría International Airport and transferred to your hotel.
The rest of the day is free. San José, the capital of Costa Rica is located in the middle of the central valley and the centre of the country and is considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. The city features popular tourist attractions, such as historical buildings, museums, theatres, artisan markets, beautiful parks, shopping centres, and a varied gastronomic scene. It became a strategic place from which to make endless daily activities.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
In the morning, you will be transferred to the Arenal Volcano in the Northern Plains region. Majestic in its grand stature, the volcano is one of the country’s natural wonders. While the volcano is quiet these days and there are no lava eruptions, you can still see clouds of smoke or ash emanating from the top of the cinder cone. You can also enjoy the plentiful hot springs in the area. Along your journey to the town of La Fortuna, at the base of the volcano, you will see agricultural plantations, large ornamental plant nurseries, and cattle farms.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area.
The day will begin with a hiking trail in Arenal Volcano National Park. You will see how the forest vegetation and terrain have been affected by volcanic activity, including old lava flows. Afterward, you will visit the Río Fortuna Waterfall, located in a biological reserve of transitional humid tropical forest that is part of Arenal Volcano National Park. The path to the waterfall’s base winds down 530 steps, and there are several areas along the way, where you can make a stop and have a rest. At the bottom of the 70-metre high waterfall, you can take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of the Fortuna River. The sound of the water and the charm of the forest will make you enjoy a moment of peace and tranquillity.
After the tour, you will enjoy the lunch.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area.
In the morning, this Costa Rica Wildlife Tour will bring you to Monteverde. Encompassing rainforest, cloud forest, and spectacular biodiversity, Monteverde has one of the rarest and most unique habitats on the planet, not to mention an astonishing variety of flora and fauna. Its strategic position straddling the Continental Divide between the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts creates a rare cloud forest, a distinctive microclimate for the many extraordinary species that inhabit this area.
You will be immersed in the exotic cloud forest and experience a world full of biodiversity. You will look at the top of the huge trees where over 500 bird species live, a paradise where the main stars are the majestic quetzal and the three-wattle bellbird. Besides, you will admire more than 3000 plants, 500 of them being orchids, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, and with a little luck one of the 130 more mammals.
One of the main attractions of Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is its 13-kilometre network of trails. While walking the trails, visitors are offered a number of options. One alternative is the walk up to "La Ventana" scenic overlook, where they may witness the contrasting panoramas exhibited naturally by the Continental Divide, a geographical feature that traces the main mountain ranges of Costa Rica. You will experience beautiful landscapes during your journey and will see how locals live when passing through typical small villages.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Monteverde.
Today you will visit Selvatura Park, where you will walk the trail system (3.06 km) at your own pace. Eight suspension bridges of different sizes, which oscillate between 57 and 170 metres in length, span canyons and treetops, connecting parts of the trail and allowing you to admire the amazing canopy of the cloud forest and a wide variety of flora and fauna. The endemic biodiversity of the cloud forest canopy is unique in the world. The suspension bridges offer the best vantage point to enjoy the beauty of the cloud forest at all levels.
Each bridge has a width of 1.5 metres and a capacity of up to 80 people per bridge which makes the hanging bridges of Selvatura Park not only the largest in the system of hanging bridges, but also the toughest of Costa Rica. Additionally, the hanging bridges of Selvatura Park are certified by the Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica, more which ensures that these have been built following the best construction standards, as well as offering the best quality possible. You will admire these magnificent structures which were assembled in San José and then transported to Monteverde to be carried by the workers in the forest and in this way minimize the damage to nature.
After the trails, you will visit one of the largest butterfly gardens in the Americas which is 100 metres long, 30 metres wide and 25 metres tall. The Butterfly Garden of Selvatura Park is an impressive garden that hosts more than 30 different species of butterflies from different altitudes and climates found all around Costa Rica.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Monteverde.
This morning, you will descend from the mountains to the warm coast of the Central Pacific reaching Manuel Antonio, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica due to its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife. Manuel Antonio is one of the smallest and at the same time, the most visited Costa Rica’s national parks due to its beautiful beaches between coastal foothills, lush forest, and abundant wildlife. It is considered one of the most beautiful parks in Costa Rica. You will be able to visit virgin beaches, with coral reefs, bordered by lush vegetation and natural wonders of the rainforest. The beaches of Manuel Antonio are highly coveted as some of the best Costa Rica has to offer. Many popular activities such as world-class surfing and snorkelling are available.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Manuel Antonio.
In the morning, you will walk the trails in Manuel Antonio National Park, often called a natural jewel due to its picturesque beauty and abundant wildlife diversity. There are several trails for walking with many viewpoints, and there is a high probability of seeing animals in their natural habitat. At various points, the trails branch off and lead to four separate beaches: Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondida, and Playita, where you can swim in the crystal clear and warm water.
In the park, you can simply relax and enjoy the beach, sunbathe or walk the trails of the park, which will allow you to observe the abundant flora and fauna of Manuel Antonio. You can see several species of monkeys, iguanas, birds, raccoons and possibly even the three-toed sloth.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Manuel Antonio.
Today, you will be transferred to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José. Please note that you should be at the airport at least three hours before your flight departs.
Prices
Travel dates
Prices for private tours
Upon request
Price per person in €
1 Pers.
2 Pers.
3 Pers.
C hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024)
1778€
1173€
1050€
C hotels (Dec. 1 - 16, 2023)
1804€
1189€
1060€
C hotels (Dec. 17 - 31, 2023)
2314€
1449€
1246€
C hotels (Jan. 7 - Mar. 31, 2024)
1826€
1201€
1067€
C hotels (Apr. 1 - 9, 2024)
2114€
1349€
1185€
C hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024)
1826€
1201€
1067€
C hotels (July 1 - Nov. 14, 2024)
1823€
1219€
1094€
C hotels (Nov. 15 - 30, 2024)
1872€
1245€
1110€
B hotels (Dec. 1 - 10, 2024)
1935€
1269€
1126€
B hotels (Dec. 11 - 19, 2023)
1968€
1300€
1159€
B hotels (Dec. 20 - Dec. 31, 2023)
2885€
1767€
1473€
B hotels (Jan. 7 - Mar. 26, 2024)
2123€
1372€
1203€
B hotels (Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2024)
2134€
1384€
1214€
B hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024)
2123€
1372€
1203€
B hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024)
2028€
1324€
1171€
B hotels (July 1 - Nov. 30, 2024)
2073€
1369€
1215€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 1 Pers. | 2 Pers. | 3 Pers. | ||
|
Prices for private tours Upon request |
C hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024) | 1778€ | 1173€ | 1050€ |
| C hotels (Dec. 1 - 16, 2023) | 1804€ | 1189€ | 1060€ | |
| C hotels (Dec. 17 - 31, 2023) | 2314€ | 1449€ | 1246€ | |
| C hotels (Jan. 7 - Mar. 31, 2024) | 1826€ | 1201€ | 1067€ | |
| C hotels (Apr. 1 - 9, 2024) | 2114€ | 1349€ | 1185€ | |
| C hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024) | 1826€ | 1201€ | 1067€ | |
| C hotels (July 1 - Nov. 14, 2024) | 1823€ | 1219€ | 1094€ | |
| C hotels (Nov. 15 - 30, 2024) | 1872€ | 1245€ | 1110€ | |
| B hotels (Dec. 1 - 10, 2024) | 1935€ | 1269€ | 1126€ | |
| B hotels (Dec. 11 - 19, 2023) | 1968€ | 1300€ | 1159€ | |
| B hotels (Dec. 20 - Dec. 31, 2023) | 2885€ | 1767€ | 1473€ | |
| B hotels (Jan. 7 - Mar. 26, 2024) | 2123€ | 1372€ | 1203€ | |
| B hotels (Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2024) | 2134€ | 1384€ | 1214€ | |
| B hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024) | 2123€ | 1372€ | 1203€ | |
| B hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024) | 2028€ | 1324€ | 1171€ | |
| B hotels (July 1 - Nov. 30, 2024) | 2073€ | 1369€ | 1215€ | |
What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation in a single (SGL), double (DBL) / twin (TWN) or triple (TPL) room at the hotels of your choice: B (Superior) or C (Tourist);
- Breakfast at the hotels of your choice;
- Lunch on day 3 of the itinerary;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Arenal Volcano National Park;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike to Rio Fortuna Waterfall;
- Regular excursion: Selvatura Park Hanging Bridges Trail and Butterfly Garden;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Manuel Antonio National Park;
- Transportation during the entire itinerary;
- Infants from 0 to 2 years do not pay;
- Children’s rate applies for ages 3 to 11 years. Maximum 2 children sharing a room with their parents.