Summary
This Costa Rica Volcano Tour and Cultural Experience (9 days) offers you the possibility to discover five fascinating volcanoes with unparalleled beauty: Irazú Volcano, Arenal Volcano, Tenorio Volcano (from afar), Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Poás Volcano. One of the first thoughts upon imagining Costa Rica is related to volcanoes. The country has over 60 volcanoes, which are considered extinct or dormant plus 6, which are still active. The heat from magma that has risen close to the surface has resulted in many hot springs whose mineral water gathers many spa enthusiasts. The slight changes in altitude creating a hotbed of biodiversity seen nowhere else in the world, which draws tourists and scientists alike.
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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.
This day you will visit the Irazú Volcano located in the Central Valley near the capital city of San José and the surrounding area. Fertile fields cover the volcano’s slopes, where many kinds of vegetables are grown. Irazú is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica at 3,432 m and has two main craters, one containing a green-tinted lake. The craters are easily accessible from San José by a road that leads straight up to the summit craters. You can see the volcano's main craters at the summit, and on a clear day, you will also see the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Afterwards, you will continue your journey to the Orosi Valley, which features beautiful landscapes. You will make a stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Then, you will visit the Lankester Botanical Garden, which protects more than 800 species of orchids and countless other plants. Finally, you will visit the Basilica of Our Lady more of the Angels, Costa Rica's most venerated religious shrine.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
In the morning, you will be transferred to the Arenal Volcano (1,670 m) in the Northern Plains region. Majestic in its grand stature, the volcano is one of the country’s natural wonders and the most popular of Costa Rica’s volcanic giants. It towers over the surrounding fertile landscape with plantations producing the best coffee in the world. While the volcano is quiet nowadays and there are no lava eruptions, you can still see clouds of smoke or ash emanating from the top of the cinder cone. The symmetrical cone-shaped Arenal Volcano erupted in the past an average of 41 times a day and while it currently slumbers, Arenal and the surrounding area are a great base for touring. 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. more
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area.
The day will begin with a visit to Arenal Vida Campesina, a local farm where the owners grow organic crops and follow the environmentally friendly practices. You will learn about the importance of preserving Costa Rican rural culture and traditions and the main crops that have strengthened its economy. At Arenal Vida Campesina property, you can take part in various entertaining activities such as milking a cow, making tortillas, gathering of vegetables from the vegetable garden, cultural activities as the milling of sugar cane, typical dances and collecting water from a handmade well.
Then, you will enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park. You will see how the forest vegetation and terrain have been affected by volcanic activity, including old lava flows. There is a possibility to see diverse wildlife in the park more including deer, tapir, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, and birds like parrots, orioles and brown magpies, along with a great variety of vegetation including various species of palms and bromeliads, guayabo de monte, ceiba, bait, cirri, laurel, fungi, higuerones, orchids, and ferns. You will notice how the forest vegetation and terrain have been affected by volcanic activity, including old lava flows. The Arenal Volcano National Park covers an area of 12,016 ha and is situated within the larger 204,000-ha Arenal Conservation Area protecting 16 reserves between the Tilarán and Guanacaste mountain ranges.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area.
Today you will visit the enchanting Celeste River, whose vivid sky blue colour makes it a popular attraction in Tenorio Volcano National Park. You will explore the park on a 7 km- hike through the rainforest to the waterfall and “Los Teñideros”, which means “the dyeing pools” and is the point where the river begins its unique colour. You will also visit the famous “Borbollones” or bubbling pools to find out more about the volcanic activity. As you walk along the trails, you might meet some resident animals passing through the forest.
Finally, your reward will be an exquisite traditional lunch.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area.
This day you will travel to Guanacaste Province to the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, one of the five most active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Rincon de la Vieja (1,916 metres) is considered a fascinating volcano due to its unique characteristics, like sulphurous lagoons, relaxing thermal springs, boiling mud pits, fumaroles, and its main active crater. The volcanic complex contains an acid lake that has regularly generated weak phreatic explosions with ash and lake sediment ejected above the crater. Lush, dense vegetation surrounds the area, home to a plethora of insect and wildlife species.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Rincón de la Vieja area.
In the morning, you will go on a guided hike in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, where you will find varied vegetation and a fascinating volcanic environment. You will learn the difference between humid forest, dry tropical forest, and cloud forest. The volcano has nine craters and volcanic cones at its summit and several cones on its slopes, all with variable heights. Afterwards, you will go to the Oropendola Waterfall where you will enjoy a refreshing swim in its breathtaking, emerald green water.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Rincón de la Vieja area.
In the morning, this 9-day Costa Rica Volcano Tour will continue to Alajuela province in order to visit another of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica. The Poás Volcano is one of the most popular destinations in the Central Valley and one of the world’s largest active volcanoes, with sulphuric emissions, active fumaroles, and two crater lakes. The northern lake, called the Laguna Caliente (hot lagoon) located at a height of 2,300 m is one of the world’s most acidic lakes, in direct contrast to Lake Botos, the southern, which fills an inactive crater and is cold, clear, and surrounded by the beauty of the cloud forest. It rises above the mountainous forests of the Central Volcanic Range. You will visit the Poás Volcano National Park, which boasts magnificent cloud forest landscapes. You also will see coffee plantations and enjoy the local culture of communities surrounding the park.
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Accommodation at the hotel in Poás area (Alajuela).
On your departure day, 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)
2561€
1424€
1231€
C hotels (Dec. 1 - 13, 2023)
2659€
1474€
1275€
C hotels (Dec. 14, 2023 - Jan. 3, 2024)
2670€
1480€
1268€
C hotels (Jan. 4 - Mar. 27, 2024)
2601€
1445€
1245€
C hotels (Mar. 28 - Apr. 9, 2024)
2670€
1480€
1268€
C hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024)
2601€
1445€
1245€
C hotels (July 1 - Aug. 31, 2024)
2637€
1467€
1268€
C hotels (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2024)
2614€
1455€
1260€
C hotels (Nov. 1 - 30, 2024)
2637€
1467€
1268€
B hotels (Dec. 1 - 15, 2023)
3118€
1703€
1487€
B hotels (Dec. 16, 2023 - Jan. 3, 2024)
3199€
1744€
1515€
B hotels (Jan. 4 - Mar. 27, 2024)
3128€
1706€
1490€
B hotels (Mar. 28 - Apr. 9, 2023)
3199€
1744€
1515€
B hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024)
3128€
1706€
1490€
B hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024)
3008€
1647€
1450€
B hotels (July 1 - Aug. 31, 2024)
3162€
1730€
1514€
B hotels (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2024)
3060€
1678€
1480€
B hotels (Nov. 1 - 30, 2024)
3084€
1690€
1488€
| 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) | 2561€ | 1424€ | 1231€ |
| C hotels (Dec. 1 - 13, 2023) | 2659€ | 1474€ | 1275€ | |
| C hotels (Dec. 14, 2023 - Jan. 3, 2024) | 2670€ | 1480€ | 1268€ | |
| C hotels (Jan. 4 - Mar. 27, 2024) | 2601€ | 1445€ | 1245€ | |
| C hotels (Mar. 28 - Apr. 9, 2024) | 2670€ | 1480€ | 1268€ | |
| C hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024) | 2601€ | 1445€ | 1245€ | |
| C hotels (July 1 - Aug. 31, 2024) | 2637€ | 1467€ | 1268€ | |
| C hotels (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2024) | 2614€ | 1455€ | 1260€ | |
| C hotels (Nov. 1 - 30, 2024) | 2637€ | 1467€ | 1268€ | |
| B hotels (Dec. 1 - 15, 2023) | 3118€ | 1703€ | 1487€ | |
| B hotels (Dec. 16, 2023 - Jan. 3, 2024) | 3199€ | 1744€ | 1515€ | |
| B hotels (Jan. 4 - Mar. 27, 2024) | 3128€ | 1706€ | 1490€ | |
| B hotels (Mar. 28 - Apr. 9, 2023) | 3199€ | 1744€ | 1515€ | |
| B hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024) | 3128€ | 1706€ | 1490€ | |
| B hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024) | 3008€ | 1647€ | 1450€ | |
| B hotels (July 1 - Aug. 31, 2024) | 3162€ | 1730€ | 1514€ | |
| B hotels (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2024) | 3060€ | 1678€ | 1480€ | |
| B hotels (Nov. 1 - 30, 2024) | 3084€ | 1690€ | 1488€ | |
What's Included
- 8 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 2, 4, 5 of the itinerary;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Irazú Volcano National Park;
- Regular guided excursion: Tour of the Orosi Valley;
- Regular guided excursion: Visit to the Lankester Botanical Garden;
- Regular guided excursion: Entrance to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels;
- Regular guided excursion: Visit to the Arenal Vida Campesina farm;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Arenal Volcano National Park;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park including the Celeste River;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Rincón de la Vieja National Park;
- Regular guided excursion: Visit to the Oropendola Waterfall;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Poás Volcano 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.