Costa Rica: Arenal, Monteverde & the Osa Peninsula
Visit Costa Rica's highlights and the beautiful, remote Osa Peninsula
Days: 9 | From: $6,990/per person
- Includes accommodations at first class hotels that reflect the best of local culture
- Includes excursions and tours with superb guides
Starting in the capital of San Jose, enjoy an evening exploring Costa Rica's gateway city. From there, travel to the Arenal volcano region, an area of lush vegetation and captivating waterfalls, then set about exploring the treetops of the verdant Monteverde cloud forest. Finish your journey on the remote Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places in the world, discovering Costa Rica's native flora and fauna.
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We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.
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At a glance
- San Jose
1 night: discover the capital city of San Jose - Arenal
2 nights: explore the Arenal volcano region and visit the famous La Fortuna waterfall - Monteverde
2 nights: enjoy this beautiful, mountainous cloud forest environment - Osa Peninsula
3 nights: visit one of the most biologically diverse places in the world
All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.
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Sample itinerary
Welcome to San Jose
Arrive to San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city, and transfer to your elegant hotel in the city center. Depending on your interests and arrival time, we can arrange a private tour of San Jose or a visit to one of the city’s top museums, including the Jade Museum and the Gold Museum.
Accommodations: Grano de Oro
Located on a shady street near Paseo Colon, San Jose’s main thoroughfare, Hotel Grano de Oro provides an elegant oasis in the city center. Converted from a Victorian mansion, this 40-room hotel blends the hospitality of a private home with the amenities of a boutique hotel. Period photographs line the corridors, samples of local art meander throughout the building, and tropical floral arrangements appear at every turn. The hotel boasts an ideal location for exploring San Jose and its museums and day trips to the local rainforest and volcanoes.
Sarchi, Zarcero and the Arenal Volcano
Set out for the Arenal Volcano region, an area known for its lush scenery and enchanting waterfalls. Along the way, stop to see the handmade crafts of Sarchi and the topiary gardens of Zarcero.
Accommodations: Amor Arenal, 2 nights
The boutique hotel Amor Arenal is set at the foothills of the Arenal Volcano, by the edge of a virgin forest canyon. From your room, walk right onto the jungle trails or soak in one of the spring fed pools. Enjoy beautiful views of the volcano and the San Carlos Valley as you enjoy organic meals made with local produce.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAlternative lodging options: Arenal Observatory Lodge
Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall
Enjoy a morning hike around the base of the volcano, where you can observe the lava flow and enjoy spectacular views up to the smoldering crater. In the afternoon, visit the Arenal Vida Campesina organic farm to learn about and sample common Costa Rican crops like coffee, bananas, and plantains. Enjoy a local lunch prepared with freshly harvested vegetables, then set out to visit the towering La Fortuna Waterfall. Follow a short path to the base and enjoy a swim in the cool, waterfall-fed lagoon at the bottom.
Arenal Hanging Bridges & Monteverde Cloud Forest
Explore the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a complex of suspension bridges and trails through the rainforest, where you may spot local fauna like toucans and capuchin monkeys. In the afternoon, travel to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where you’ll stay in a lovely small hotel with sweeping views of the surrounding area.
Accommodations: Senda Monteverde, 2 nights
The Senda Monteverde Hotel is a proud member of The Cayuga Collection of Sustainable Luxury Hotels, and boasts a stylish, welcoming indoor setting that connects seamlessly with the surrounding forest. It is a great base for cloud forest adventures, completely surrounded by nature and with easy access to all the cloud forest has to offer. Visitors have access to the onsite nature trails and can enjoy complimentary access to the nearby Aguti Wildlife Reserve.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAlternative lodging options: Fondavela Monteverde
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Explore the treetop canopy of Monteverde, a captivating, mountainous cloud forest environment. Start your morning at the Selvatura’s Canopy zip line, one of the longest zip lines of its kind, to fly through virgin cloud forest canopy. Those who prefer to explore on foot can enjoy a “skywalk canopy tour,” walking along a series of suspended bridges through the jungle canopy. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through the forest for another perspective, observing the dense jungle from below the canopy.
Fly to the Osa Peninsula
Fly to one of the remotest and wildest areas in the country: the Osa Peninsula. Upon landing, take a short, scenic drive to the Sierpe River, where you board a riverboat for the journey south toward Drake Bay and your waterfront lodge. Located on the Southwest Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, next to Corcovado National Park, the Osa Peninsula is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world.
Accommodations: La Paloma Lodge, 3 nights
Originally built as a family fishing lodge, the La Paloma Lodge gradually expanded and eventually opened to the public. Today it is composed of seven private one- and two-story cabins with ceiling fans, bathrooms on each level, and balconies overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Caño Island. The lodge is rustic but comfortable and emphasizes simplicity and natural beauty. Due to the remote location, meals are included with your stay. The hotel also offers scuba diving equipment.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerFlora, Fauna, and Wild Nature: Explore the Osa Peninsula
Spend two days exploring the Osa Peninsula. There are a variety of activities available in the area, including hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, kayaking, and more.
Return Home
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to San Jose, where you will connect with your international flight home or to your next destination.
Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary
Add 2-3 nights in Manuel Antonio, a beautiful small town overlooking the Central Pacific Coast. Enjoy a wide variety of rainforest excursions in the area or relax on the beach.
Add 3 nights on the Caribbean coast by visiting Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is famous for its wildlife, particularly the giant sea turtles that nest on the nearby beaches and give the area its name. The area teems with a variety of monkeys, tropical birds, and many other creatures, including the rare and elusive jaguar.
Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Some free time to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent spas or wellness centers. We can help arrange these services or include properties that offer health & wellness amenities.
Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
Reviews From This Trip
Why Travel with Vaya?
We're TRUE specialists
We’ve not only traveled there, we’ve lived there. Our smart and engaging specialists are all current or former expatriates with years of experience in the region.
Uplifting service
From the first phone call to after you get back, we're here for you every step of the way. We listen, create, customize and advocate for you, and design experiences that go beyond the expected.
Thoughtful travel
Our discerning sensibility and good taste go beyond just choices in hotels and top guides; we have a walk the walk commitment to the environment and are genuine leaders in conservation efforts.