Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in San José
You'll land at the airport where a representative meets you and helps with luggage before driving you to your hotel near San José, about 25-15 minutes away. During the drive, you get a quick introduction to Costa Rica and some useful travel tips. Once you check in, the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to settle in and wander around the lively city at your own pace.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO), Ruta Nacional 1, Alajuela, Alajuela 20109, Costa Rica (Main Entrance)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Autentico Hotel Or Similar)
Optional Activities
- Explore San José city
Landmarks San José - Day 2
Irazú Volcano, Cartago, Lankester Botanical Gardens & Orosí Valley
You'll head to Irazú Volcano's summit, passing through agricultural areas as the vegetation changes along the way. At the park, take a short easy walk to see the crater with its green lagoon and, if it's clear, views of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After that, drive down to the historical city of Cartago to visit the famous Virgin of the Angels Basilica, then check out the Lankester Botanical Gardens which has over 800 orchid species. You'll finish the day in Orosí Valley, stopping at one of the few remaining colonial churches before having a typical lunch at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Lunch (Typical lunch at local restaurant in Orosí Valley)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Autentico Hotel Or Similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Irazú Volcano National Park - crater walk
- Visit Virgin of the Angels Basilica in Cartago
- Visit Lankester Botanical Gardens
- Visit Orosí Valley colonial church
- Typical lunch at local restaurant in Orosí Valley
Landmarks Irazú Volcano National Park Virgin of the Angels Basilica Lankester Botanical Gardens Orosí Valley - Day 3
Arenal Volcano Area
You'll be transferred to the Arenal Volcano area. The rest of the day is open for you to explore however you'd like, whether that's walking around town, resting at your hotel, or checking out nearby attractions on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Arenal Country Inn or similar)
Optional Activities
- Explore Arenal Volcano area
Landmarks Arenal Volcano 
- Day 4
Arenal National Park Guided Nature Walk
A professional nature guide takes you on a leisurely walk through the easy, well-groomed trails of Arenal National Park and nearby reserves. The flat trails run along the base of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, with sections that show the landscape from the 1968 lava flow. Your guide helps you spot birds, monkeys, and other animals while you get great views of Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and the extinct Cerro Chato volcano. There'll be plenty of chances to take photos throughout the walk.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Arenal Country Inn or similar)
Included Activities
- Guided nature walk through Arenal National Park trails
Landmarks Arenal National Park Lake Arenal Cerro Chato - Day 5
Rincón de la Vieja National Park Area
You'll be transferred to the Rincón de la Vieja National Park area. The rest of the day is open for you to explore however you'd like, whether that's walking around, resting, or checking out nearby attractions on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin or similar)
Optional Activities
- Explore Rincón de la Vieja National Park area
Landmarks Rincón de la Vieja National Park 
- Day 6
Rincón de la Vieja Las Pailas & La Oropendola Waterfall
Your naturalist guide leads you along the 3.5-km Las Pailas circular trail through tropical dry forest, showing you the power of Guanacaste's largest and most active volcano. You'll see fumaroles, geysers, and bubbling mud pots while spotting over 300 bird species and wildlife like white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, armadillos, coatis, and iguanas. After the hike, cool off with a swim in the 25-meter La Oropendola Waterfall, which drops into a turquoise pool in the Blanco River canyon.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin or similar)
Included Activities
- Walk Las Pailas circular trail (3.5 km)
- View Rincón de la Vieja volcanic features - fumaroles, geysers, mud pots
- Swim at La Oropendola Waterfall
Landmarks Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Las Pailas La Oropendola Waterfall - Day 7
San José Free Day
You'll return to San José for your last day before heading home. The day is free for you to walk around the capital one more time at your own pace, finding more of the city's cultural spots and lively neighborhoods.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Autentico Hotel Or Similar)
Optional Activities
- Explore San José city
Landmarks San José - Day 8
Doka Coffee Estate, Poás Volcano & La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Your guide picks you up for a full day exploring Costa Rican culture and nature. Start with breakfast at Doka Coffee Estate where you'll learn about coffee cultivation, harvesting, and roasting using traditional techniques. Next, you'll head to Poás Volcano National Park to see the impressive main crater with sulfur fumaroles (the whole visit takes about 40 minutes: 10-minute trek to the viewpoint, 20 minutes at the crater, 10-minute walk back). Note that Botos Lagoon isn't accessible. Finally, have a buffet lunch at La Paz Waterfall Garden, where you can explore five waterfalls, cloud and rain forests, safe trails, a bird aviary, butterfly observatory, hummingbird garden, and an insect exhibit.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Doka Coffee Estate), Lunch (Buffet lunch at La Paz Waterfall Gardens)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Autentico Hotel Or Similar)
Included Activities
- Doka Coffee Estate tour and breakfast
- Poás Volcano National Park crater viewpoint
- La Paz Waterfall Garden visit with buffet lunch
Landmarks Doka Coffee Estate Poás Volcano National Park La Paz Waterfall Gardens 
- Day 9
Departure from San José
A professional guide meets you at the hotel for your private transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) for your flight home. It's not goodbye, but 'see you again' as you leave Costa Rica.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO), Ruta Nacional 1, Alajuela, Alajuela 20109, Costa Rica (Main Entrance)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Juan Santamaría International Airport
