Costa Rica in 9 Days: Pura Vida & Paradise in Tamarindo (Flight Included)

Trip Highlights: Arenal - San José - Tamarindo

Ready to live the Pura Vida in Costa Rica? Arrive at your Canadian departure airport to board a flight* to San José. Arrive in the capital of Costa Rica and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure getting to know the colonial plazas and charming neighbourhoods of San Jose. Overnight stay in San José.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, take a shared transfer to Arenal, passing by the lush landscapes of Costa Rica's interior. Arrive at the hotel and check-in. In the afternoon, meet your guide and embark on a guided hike to the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a hiking experience through trails marked with the remains of previous lava flows of the impressive and majestic Arenal Volcano. The main attraction of La Fortuna is the Arenal Volcano, with its nearly perfect cone shape and a height of 1633 meters. Along the hike, you can discover the abundant flora and fauna which inhabits the rainforest, which is being regenerated. Learn all about the Arenal Volcano and its history and activity from your guide. After the hike, you may choose to visit one of the popular hot springs in the area to relax and enjoy the thermal waters, which are naturally heated by the volcano (optional extras).* Overnight stay in Arenal.

* Paradise Hot Springs Pass: Enjoy an evening of indulgence with a pass to the Paradise Natural Hot Springs, heated by the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy access to three different hot pools and two hydromassage hot tubs, perfect for relaxing in the beautiful tropical surroundings.

Accommodation: Tilajari Resort & Conference Centre or similar

Activities:

1. Guided Hike to the Arenal Volcano - Included
2. Paradise Hot Springs Pass - Optional

Accommodation: Tilajari Resort & Conference Centre or similar

Included Activities: Peñas Blancas River Safari

Breakfast at the hotel. Another free day to enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful natural environment. We recommend the optional excursion to the Hanging Bridges for a unique view of the rainforest, or a sloth observation excursion.* Overnight stay in Arenal.

* Optional Hanging Bridges Cloud Forest Excursion:  Admire the beauty of the forest and the backdrop of the Arenal Volcano and gain valuable insight into the native plant and animal species from your expert guide. Journey across a series of hanging bridges for a birds-eye view of the rainforest.

* Optional Sloth Observation Excursion: Get to know these beloved slow-moving animals, icons of Costa Rica. Head to the aptly named 'Lazy Territory', a small eco-project, home to a population of sloths. Follow the trails and spot both two-toed and three-toed sloths resting in the treetops with the help of an expert guide.

Accommodation: Tilajari Resort & Conference Centre or similar

Accommodation: Wyndham Tamarindo or similar

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off to Las Baulas National Park to enjoy a boat safari through its lush mangroves. A 2-hour boat tour will take you through rich, biodiverse habitats, teeming with monkeys, tropical birds and crocodiles. Feel close to nature as you soak up the beautiful landscapes and learn about the unique habitat with the help of an expert naturalist guide. Slowly travel along the channels, so as not to disturb the wildlife, and admire the wonderful natural beauty of this idyllic reserve. Back at the hotel, the remainder of the day is free at your leisure. We recommend an optional canopy tour in the Hilltop Eco Adventure Park.* Overnight stay in Tamarindo.

* Optional Canopy Tour: Begin your adventure in the treetops of the Hilltop Eco Adventure Park, for fantastic views of Tamarindo Bay and a series of suspension bridges and zip wires to explore the rainforest like a pro! It's a heart-pumping experience to see wildlife from this unique vantage point!

Accommodation: Wyndham Tamarindo or similar

Activities:

1. Boat Safari on Tamarindo Estuary - Included
2. Tamarindo Canopy Tour - Optional

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day relaxing on the beaches of Tamarindo at your leisure. If you'd rather get moving and see more of the region, embark on one of our optional excursions such as a Catamaran Tour or a Quad Biking experience!* Overnight stay in Tamarindo.

* Optional Catamaran Tour: Set off in the morning on a relaxing catamaran tour. The route is the same as the afternoon but with much less boat traffic. Look out for marine life such as whales, dolphins and rays, and enjoy snorkelling in the clear waters. Buffet brunch included.

* Quad Biking (ATV) Experience: Get comfortable on your Quad Bike with the help of the crew before discovering the verdant rainforest and tropical jungles of the mountains surrounding Tamarindo, home to monkeys, iguanas and sloths! It's an exhilarating experience as you drive along dirt roads to the stunning viewpoint that looks over the Bay of Tamarindo. One quad bike per person with the option to share a quad bike. If both passengers want to drive the same quad bike you must pay for two people. Self-driven excursion with a guide. Minimum 2 quad bikes for the tour to operate.

Accommodation: Wyndham Tamarindo or similar

Optional Activities:

1. Quad Biking (ATV) Excursion in Tamarindo
2. Tamarindo Catamaran Excursion

Accommodation: Barceló San José or similar