Top to Bottom: Wildlife of Costa Rica; Arenal Volcano; Typical Sunset in Costa Rica

8 Days • 11 Meals
Costa Ricans have a lot to smile about – beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, dynamic volcanos, an abundance of wildlife, fine coffee and a peaceful society. Discover the best of Costa Rica!

Tropical Paradise
Costa Ricans have a lot to smile about – Secluded palm-sheltered beaches, lush rainforests, lava-shooting volcanoes, tropical rain and cloud forests, an abundance of wildlife, fine coffee and a peaceful society. Discover the best of Costa Rica!

San Jose
Our journey begins in the historic capital of San Jose at a delightful casino hotel. You have time for a swim or massage before dinner as your busy schedule fades into Costa Rica’s mystical tropical paradise.

Poás Volcano
Enroute from San Jose to La Fortuna, visit Poás Volcano, one of the most spectacular volcanoes in Costa Rica.  Poás has a long history of large eruptions, producing in 1910 a cloud of hot ash five miles high. Look down from its mile-wide rim to a gigantic boiling cauldron of steaming geysers. Then continue to La Paz Waterfalls, a most famous sight in Costa Rica, for lunch.

Arenal - Room with a View
A volcano in the front yard? That’s what the village of La Fortuna boasts. So you can see its awe-inspiring cone first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, as your room for three nights has a private terrace with a view of the Arenal Volcano. In addition to the volcano, the area is rich in natural wonders. On our arrival day, we see hot springs and beautiful waterfalls, hike easy, fragrant trails, swim or just dangle our feet in shady pools fed by waterfalls and surrounded with lush, tropical greenery. The village of La Fortuna is ringed by mountains and inhabited by friendly folk whose little shops may offer the perfect memento.

There are few places on earth where you can observe an active volcano, and we will spend a day near Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. Since it erupted 400 years ago, it has continued to light up the night sky. From our observation point, we feel the ground tremble and see smoke that billows from the earth’s molten core rise to join the clouds. While in La Fortuna, choose to participate on a full day excursion to Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge, a remote “everglades” type of wetlands teeming in different species of flora, fauna and birdlife.  Truly a unique experience.

An Aerial View
We move on to the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. An aerial tram tour in a gondola gives us an eagle’s eye view of the rainforest and the lush hanging gardens of one of the most interesting and exuberant forests in the Americas. Tropical flowers, scenic views of waterfalls, streams, the Pacific and glimpses of wildlife combine to give you the total rainforest experience in comfort and safety.

Quepos – Manuel Antonio National Park
Our resort for three nights is El Parador Boutique Resort & Spa situated on a majestic bluff with panoramic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The resort is also idealy situated just minutes from the most pristine and tranquil area of the World Famous Manuel Antonio Park and the small fishing village of Quepos. Its elegant Mediterranean style architecture, modeled after the traditional Spanish Paradores and quaint European "boutique hotels", has made the resort one of a kind. Spend a day at leisure - you may choose to relax on the beach, stroll through the forest or join new companions on an excursion. There will be time to swim and snooze in the sun, time to snorkel or enjoy magical sunsets. One morning, visit nearby Manuel Antonio National Park, the smallest of the parks in Costa Rica but one of the most popular. The park's forest, mangroves, lagoons and beach vegetation support 1,009 species of mammals and 184 species of birds, with migrants bringing the bird species to some 270. Among the inhabitants that can be easily seen are sloths, iguanas, agoutis, armadillos, coatimu

Hotel Accommodations
Day One – Herradura Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica
Days Two through Four – The Volcano Lodge Hotel, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Days Five through Seven – El Parador Boutique Resort and Spa, Quepos, Costa Rica