Independent Costa Rica Wonders
Independent Costa Rica Wonders
Independent Costa Rica Wonders
7 Days Starting and ending in San José, Costa Rica
Visiting: San José, Arenal, Monteverde, South America
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ILA1-2025
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover the natural wonders of Costa Rica on the "Independent Costa Rica Wonders" tour. Begin your adventure in San José before heading to Arenal, where you can relax in the famous hot springs and explore the lush tropical forest. Enjoy a scenic boat ride across Arenal Lake, spotting various bird species along the way. Continue to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including over 3,000 plant species and 400 bird species. Experience a guided nature walk at night to observe nocturnal creatures like sloths and frogs. This tour includes comfortable accommodations, daily breakfast, and one dinner, ensuring a memorable and immersive experience in Costa Rica's breathtaking landscapes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In San José,Costa Rica
Location: San José
Accommodation Name: Doubletree Cariari
Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2: San José,Arenal
Location: Arenal
Accommodation Name: Volcano Lodge & Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
SAN JOSÉ–ARENAL• Today, transfer to the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Settle in and experience the magic of your resort.• This afternoon, visit the famous hot springs the area is known for and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the hot springs.(B,D)
Day 3: Arenal
Location: Arenal
Accommodation Name: Volcano Lodge & Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast
ARENAL• Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips Perhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird’s-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest’s wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.
Day 4: Arenal,Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: El Establo Mountain Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
ARENAL–MONTEVERDE• This morning, your transfer begins with a short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles.• This evening, venture into Monteverde’s Cloud Forest just before nightfall with an expert Naturalist for a guided nature walk to search for the jungle’s nocturnal creatures, like sloths, foxes, agoutis, frogs, and many more!(B)
Day 5: Monteverde
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: El Establo Mountain Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTEVERDE • Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips Maybe wake up early and visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest to best experience the animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also, notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors create temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family’s farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.
Day 6: Monteverde,San José
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation Name: Doubletree Cariari
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTEVERDE–SAN JOSÉ• Return to San Jose for your final night in Costa Rica.(B)Today’s I-Time Tips Perhaps visit one of Costa Rica’s most authentic market, the San José Central Market featuring more than 350 booths selling everything imaginable, from spices and fish to hammocks and flowers.
Day 7: San José
Location: San José
Meals Included: Breakfast
SAN JOSÉ • Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at Doubletree Cariari in San Jose, Volcano Lodge & Gardens in Arenal, and El Establo Mountain Lodge in Monteverde.
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Meals
Breakfast is provided daily, and one dinner is included.
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Hot Springs Visit
Visit the famous hot springs in Arenal and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters.
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Guided Nature Walk
A guided nature walk in Monteverde’s Cloud Forest with an expert Naturalist to search for nocturnal creatures.
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Boat Ride
A short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from Costa Rica are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Any optional activities or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
Meals
Breakfast daily; 1 dinner
Accommodation
San Jose: Doubletree Cariari, Arenal: Volcano Lodge & Gardens, Monteverde: El Establo Mountain Lodge.
Mode of Transport
Today, transfer to the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. This morning, your transfer begins with a short boat ride across Arenal Lake.
Notes
Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary. Local guide service is provied in San José. Though this is an Independent tour, some transportation segments will be shared with other travelers.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife, especially in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, which is home to over 3,000 plant species, 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. On the guided nature walk, you may encounter nocturnal creatures like sloths, foxes, agoutis, and frogs.
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What activities are included in the Arenal portion of the tour?
In Arenal, you will visit the famous hot springs and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Additionally, you will enjoy a short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds.
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What is the accommodation like during the tour?
Accommodation is provided at Doubletree Cariari in San Jose, Volcano Lodge & Gardens in Arenal, and El Establo Mountain Lodge in Monteverde.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, breakfast is provided daily, and one dinner is included in the tour package.
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What is the guided nature walk in Monteverde like?
The guided nature walk in Monteverde takes place in the Cloud Forest just before nightfall. An expert Naturalist will lead the walk to search for the jungle’s nocturnal creatures, such as sloths, foxes, agoutis, and frogs.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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What is the starting and ending location of the tour?
The tour starts and ends in San José, Costa Rica.
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Are flights included in the tour package?
No, flights to and from Costa Rica are not included in the tour package.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.