15 Day Best of Destinations
A 15-day journey to Monteverde, Arenal, Guanacaste’s Gold Coast, Manuel Antonio and the Osa Peninsula -- Costa Rica's most spectacular destinations.
read more closeMonteverde, Arenal, Guanacaste’s Gold Coast, Manuel Antonio & The Osa Peninsula
Day 1: Arrival
Fly into San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Explore downtown San Jose and spend the evening relaxing at your hotel.
Day 2: La fortuna town & Hot Springs
A morning shuttle will deliver you to your ecolodge in Arenal, a town located at the base of Arenal Volcano. Enjoy walking around La Fortuna town getting the Costa Rican way of living and an evening of relaxation in volcano-fed hot springs.
Day 3: Arenal Volcano & Adventure
Explore Arenal Volcano National Park on horseback or with your own two feet – you’ll find new-growth rainforest, volcano views and inquisitive wildlife around every corner. If you’re looking to up the adrenaline, take an optional waterfall rappelling or whitewater rafting tour.
Day 4: Scenic Boat Ride & Night Tour
Take a Jeep-Boat-Jeep transfer to the cloud forest town of Monteverde. En route, you’ll enjoy a peaceful and scenic boat ride on Lake Arenal. Get settled at your mountain lodge and explore the town in the afternoon. After the sun sets, visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for an informative and exciting night tour.
Day 5: Cloud Forest Hike & Canopy Tour
Take a morning hike through the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve; keep your eyes peeled for resplendent quetzals, dangling forest epiphytes, and tiny tree frogs. Later, soar like a bird on a thrilling canopy tour – Monteverde has some of the most exciting ziplines in Costa Rica.
Day 6: Gold Coast Beaches
Transfer in an air-conditioned shuttle to your ocean-view hotel in Tamarindo, an excellent base for exploring the Gold Coast. Relax and enjoy Costa Rica’s Pacific – stroll down stunning Playa Conchal, where pink sand meets turquoise ocean, or make plans to visit Playa Grande’s nesting leatherback sea turtles (October-February).
Day 7-8: Beachside Relaxing & Optional Tours
These days are yours to be as active or relaxed as you choose. Learn to surf, explore the ocean depths while snorkeling or scuba diving, catch your lunch on a deep-sea fishing trip, or just enjoy the warm sun and sand between your toes. Unwind with a spa treatment tailored to your needs.
Day 9: Relaxation & A Sunset Sail
Depart for your jungle beach lodge in Manuel Antonio, where you’ll be treated to oceanfront rainforest, gentle waves and amazing wildlife watching. Splash around in the warm ocean, take a horseback ride to nearby waterfalls, or spend the afternoon enjoying the sun. Just before dusk, you’ll board a romantic sunset sail for a front-row seat to the night’s main attraction: brilliant colors light up the sky, the breeze is warm, and if you keep your eyes trained on the horizon, you may glimpse whales or dolphins.
Day 10-11: Exploration & Adventure
Spend these days exploring your surroundings – the Pacific Ocean and beach offer kayaking, sport fishing, mangrove tours, surfing, jet skiing, snorkeling, and hours of lounging with the sand between your toes. On terra firma, try an exhilarating ATV tour, mountain biking or one of Manuel Antonio’s first-class spas. Be sure to plan a hike to Manuel Antonio National Park, where a trained guide will help you spot white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatimundis and other forest dwellers.
Day 12: Nature & Wildlife
Transfer to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, one of the world’s most biologically diverse places. Take a self-guided hike around your jungle ecolodge – marked trails and helpful hotel staff will point out all the best places to find sloths, monkeys, birds and other wildlife. In the evening, head out on the area’s most popular night hike. From 7:30-10:00 p.m., you and your flashlight will illuminate tree frogs, bats, jumping spiders and other creepy crawlers.
Day 13-14: Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula offers an array of activities for any visitor, and you will be amazed at the options offered. Drake Bay is known for excellent dolphin and whale watching, sport fishing, and bird and wildlife watching. You can’t miss a hike to Corcovado National Park’s Sirena Station, where Baird’s tapir, ocelots, and other endangered wildlife are frequently spotted. Surfing and sunbathing are Osa Peninsula highlights, as well. Choose your favorites, and enjoy yourself!
Day 15: Departure
Fly back to San Jose, where you’ll catch your return flight home or spend the night in the city.