8 Day Costa Rica Explorer (trip)

8 Day Costa Rica Explorer

  • Liberia Airport, Liberia, Costa Rica
  • Active & Adventure
Costa Rica, Central America

from $1,560* per person8 DaysYear-round
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Kensington Tours 12 people max
An exciting tour featuring Costa Rica's highlights. Enjoy the splendid views of Lake Arenal while listening to the sounds of Howler Monkey’s and perhaps even the Quetzal. Take a hike around the Arenal Volcano and close it off with a renewing dip in the hot springs. Interact with hundreds of species in Monteverde's Cloudforest Reserve, while walking alongside crystal clear streams. Spend some quality beach time in Tamarindo, Pacific Coast (Guanacaste). Arrive and depart from Liberia International Airport (LIR).

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Locations visited/nearby

Costa Rica, Central America

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Kensington Tours:

  • Reviewer: Rinat Goren, 2009 located in Central America

    "Just wanted to thank you. We are back from Costa Rica and had a wonderful trip. Everything worked really well, on time and we had really good time. Also, I wanted to comment on your contacts in Costa Rica- they were very responsive, helped solve problems on the spot and it was very reassuring to have them there."

  • Reviewer: Nita Duncan, 2009 located in Egypt & Ancient Lands

    "For any single traveling woman - no fear! I, a single 61 year old female, traveled through Egypt & Jordan with absolutely no fear or concern for my safety. Not because I am brave but because there was no external cause for fear. The representatives who met me at the airports, the guides (especially Sam), and the drivers were all wonderful and very informative. The tour was first class and I would love to take another with Kinsington Tours and will recommend them to all my friends."

  • Reviewer: Marie, 2009 located in Asia

    "We are back and we had a wonderful trip. Everything was perfectly organized, with the right balance between time with a guide and free time. We were very lucky with the weather, no rain at all except for a 20 minutes thunderstorm in Dalat. Halong Bay was very clear all the time although it is supposed to be foggy during the day. The Metropole was perfect, the best breakfasts ever, the boat, Jasmine, wonderful and we were only 14 people instead of 44…,the Palm Garden in Hoi An very nice, the Ana Mandara in Nha Trang, pure Heaven, the Sofitel in Dalat beautiful, almost empty and a very friendly staff."

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Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arenal

Arenal contains an active volcano, and also the only dwarf cloudforest inCosta Rica. The crater of the volcano is 1.5km (1mi.) wide and contains a hot-water lake that changes color from turquoise to green to gray. It is also a whitewater rafting center with routes on the Rio Toro and Rio Sarapiqui.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Arenal.

The Arenal Volcano Observatory sits in a private nature reserve in the heart of one of Costa Rica’s numerous natural areas. Rich volcanic soil supports primary and secondary rainforest. Waterfalls and crystalline rivers offer sparkling jungle refreshment for the soul. A well-marked, manicured trail system provides easy access to the property’s breathtaking natural beauty.

Overnight at Observatory Lodge.

Day 2 Arenal

Enjoy leisure time in La Fortuna/Arenal. Optional activities include: White Water rafting, Waterfall Repelling, Zip Canopy Tour, Horseback riding, Wildlife Safari Float, Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve, Lake Kayaking, Biking, ATV Adventure, Extreme Hiking and more!

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the rainforest close to the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a leisurely hike for 1.5 hours through the rainforest while your private guide offers the history of the Arenal Volcano. This park is located at the base of the Arenal Volcano and is filled with wildlife including monkeys, toucans, coati and a large variety of bird species. Conclude the tour at the Springs Resort - soak in the hot mineral baths and enjoy! After a soothing soak in the hot springs, enjoy a lovely dinner at The Springs Resort, prepared in a colonial style rustic kitchen. Enjoy the local cuisine - a true authentic experience. Return to your hotel in the evening after a delicious dinner (included in the tour cost).

Overnight at Observatory Lodge.

Day 3 Arenal

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the tour start point. Experience the excitement and adrenaline of white water rafting on this half day adventure on the Balsa San Carlos River with rapids graded 2/3. After meeting with your river guide at your hotel, you will drive 30 minutes to the river where the fun begins! You guides explain the safety procedures and safety equipment before embarking down the river. Enjoy up to 2 exhilarating hours of white water action on this beautiful tropical river. Return to your hotel after the tour. Recommended to take with you: easy dry clothes, bathing suit, secure shoes (sport sandals or water shoes are great). Must be 7 years old or older to participate in this tour. Morning Departure, Duration 5 Hours (approximately).

Overnight at Observatory Lodge.

Day 4 Monteverde

Straddling the Continental Divide at 1440 meters (4662 ft), the Santa Elena and Monteverde Cloud Forest area offers one of the most interesting place to visit in Costa Rica. In the rain forest are more than 100 species of mammals including 5 species of cats, over 400 species of birds including 30 kinds of hummingbirds, tens of thousands of insect species (over 5000 species of moths) and 2,500 species of plants (420 kinds of orchids). The area is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Lake Arenal. Board a motor boat and cross the lake while observing scenic views of the Arenal Volcano (45 mins). Private vehicle transfer to your hotel in Monteverde.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the tour start point to the Skytram and Zip Canopy Tour. The Sky Tram is a high technology cableway that travels above the Monteverde Cloudforest, 2000 meters above sea level. Enjoy fantastic views from the top of the rainforest canopy. Conclude the tour with a Zip Canopy Adventure! Travel through the primary Costa Rican tropical jungle on suspension cables as you move through the jungle canopy with your bilingual guides and safety spotters from platform to platform (this is a shared, group tour). Morning/Afternoon Departures; Duration 3.5 Hours (approximately)

The Hotel Fonda Vela is located in beautiful Monteverde, famous for its rare and gorgeous cloud forest and friendly community. The climate is refreshing, often referred to as "eternal spring". The views of the Gulf of Nicoya from the hotel's 1,400 meter (4,200 foot) elevation are spectacular. Monteverde is an ideal destination for relaxing and enjoying the wonders of the tropics. A visit of at least two nights or more in Monteverde is recommended. Experience Hotel Fonda Vela's natural approach to life -- with style! Surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens, the buildings are an attractive part of the lush, tropical mountainside. The rooms are cozy, yet elegant, spacious and comfortable. Each room is designed with the environment in mind. For example, large windows help to bring the outdoors inside. The Fonda Vela was built with the idea of being a nurturing experience, environmentally, culturally and spiritually. The guests play an important part in fulfilling this dream.

Overnight at Fonda Vela.

Day 5 Monteverde

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Monteverde Cloud forest. Explore the enchanted Monteverde Cloud forest with a set of expert eyes during this privately guided walk. Explore different trails in search of birds and mammals and discuss the amazing diversity of plants. Half day excursion (4 hrs).

Overnight at Fonda Vela.

Day 6 Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a small beach town tucked along the northern pacific coast of Costa Rica. The town has always been known for superb sportsfishing, but is now also recognized for its immaculate beaches and ecofriendly environment. The region is full of lively species for the nature-driven soul, providing a window into the nesting of nurturing leatherback turtles. The town itself is lively as well, with an upbeat local culture vibrant in its outdoor market, shops, discos, and restaurants.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Tamarindo Beach.

Tamarindo Diria Beach and Golf Resort is a luxurious four star hotel located on the northwest Pacific Coast of Costa Rica at the golden Tamarindo Beach. Surrounded by the richness of nature and embraced by the most emerald green ocean in Costa Rica along with exotic and beautifully maintained lush tropical gardens, you will sense the tropical beauty Costa Rica has to offer. The majority of the rooms have incredible ocean and sunset views with direct frontage and access to Tamarindo Beach. Night lights surrounding the gardens and walkways will further enhance the beauty of local flora and fauna creating an atmosphere of tranquility and peace. Tamarindo Diria Beach and Golf Resort has over 30 years of experience providing complete attention directly focused on details and supplying professional service in relaxed elegant surrounding. Establishing itself as one of the most successful hotel operations in Tamarindo, you will love your stay.

Overnight at Tamarindo Diria .

Day 7 Tamarindo

Enjoy some leisure time on the Pacific shores of Tamarindo. Optional activities are available at your resort (watersports, snorkelling, kayaking, surfing, etc.)

Overnight at Tamarindo Diria .

Day 8 Liberia

Meet your driver for a private transfer to the Liberia Airport.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) .

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