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    Family: Arenal & Jaco beach relax

    Costa Rica in 8 Days, 7 Nights in Destination

    GROUP TOURSSolo TravelerAdventureNatureSummer in AmericaBeachCulture
    Rachel, Travel Expert

    Rachel
    Travel crafter

    Enjoy the flora and fauna of Costa Rica’s rainforests with the whole family, always with expert guides. End at an all-inclusive resort in Jaco beach. Where memories are made on this trip: meeting sloths near the Arenal Volcano.

    Trip Highlights

    1. map-pin-check-icon
      Arenal
    2. map-pin-check-icon
      Jacó
    3. map-pin-check-icon
      San José

    Included

    1. All flights

    2. Accommodation

    3. All transfers

    4. Activities

    5. Some meals

    Availability

    1. Departures available until August 2025

    2. Available Group tours

    3. Solo travelers from + $960

    4. Add up to 3 nights to your stay

    5. WHAT'S THIS?

    Categories available

    1. charm included

    2. WHAT'S THIS?

    From

    $3,149

    $2,199

    /person

    -30%

    Book with an expert:

    1 778 807 9750

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    Best Price Guarantee

    SmartFare has secured the lowest fares on flights & services for this trip

    Itinerary

    Begin your family-friendly adventure in San Jose, visiting the La Paz waterfalls before you continue towards Arenal, contemplating the famous volcano and emblematic sloths of the region. Embark on an exciting floating safari on the Peñas Blancas River and and finish the trip relaxing on an all-inclusive resort right in front of Jaco beach.

    1st Day: Canada - San José

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    Ready to discover the vibrant landscapes and abundant natural treasures of Costa Rica? Arrive at your US departure airport to board a flight to San Jose*. Land in the capital of Costa Rica and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay in San Jose.

    *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.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Barceló San Jose or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    3040 Reviews

    See our full selection

    2nd Day: San José

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a family excursion to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Upon arrival, walk along a beautiful trail that leads to the aviary, the largest butterfly observatory in the country, the hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, and the frog, monkey and feline exhibits. Replenish your energy with a tasty lunch in the middle of the forest and then walk through this tropical rainforest following a paved path, with some steps, to visit the impressive waterfalls formed by the La Paz River. Return to the hotel and overnight in San Jose.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Barceló San Jose or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    3040 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens

    Moderate

    See more

    3rd Day: San José - Arenal

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by bus to Arenal for an exciting sloth watching experience that is sure to delight young and old alike.

    Arrive at La Fortuna, a unique place for the conservation of wildlife where the climate, availability of food, and lack of predators make it a safe environment and a true natural oasis! Enter Sloth Territory, located within a small family ecological plot with a trail suitable for people of all ages.

    Discover the native plants, the river that borders the property and the Guarumo trees, the preferred food of the sloths. The guides are experts in locating these animals, so you may be lucky and able to observe two and three-toed sloths. Transfer back to the hotel and overnight in Arenal.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Lomas del Volcán or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    2474 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Sloth Observation Excursion

    Light

    See more

    4th Day: Arenal

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    Breakfast at the hotel. It’s time to enjoy a wonderful half-day floating safari on the calm Peñas Blancas River aboard inflatable rafts. You will have an expert naturalist guide who will provide at all times a safe environment to discover the beautiful flora and fauna of this region. In addition, you will see sloths, monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, "Jesus Christ" lizards, turtles, and numerous tropical birds. Transfer back to the hotel and overnight in Arenal.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Lomas del Volcán or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    2474 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Peñas Blancas River Adventure

    Light

    See more
    Optional
    Guided hike to the Arenal Volcano

    Active

    See more

    5th Day: Arenal

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to enjoy the tranquility of this beautiful natural environment, explore at your own pace or relax in the abundant hot springs. Also, we recomend you to join our optional Cloud Forest excursion*. Overnight stay in Arenal.

    *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. Return to the hotel and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Lomas del Volcán or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    2474 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    Optional
    Cloud Forests Excursion

    Moderate

    See more

    6th Day: Arenal - Jacó

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Early this morning, leave the jungle behind, and set off toward Jaco Beach. Well known for its surfing, beaches and incredible sunsets, this beautiful spot on the Central Pacific Coast awaits. Arrive at your all-inclusive hotel, and spend the rest of your day at leisure, exploring the surroundings or relaxing by the pool. Overnight stay in Jaco Beach.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Best Western Jaco Beach A... or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    1901 Reviews

    See our full selection

    7th Day: Jacó

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    All-inclusive at the hotel. Enjoy another day at your own leisure today, relaxing by the beach, enjoying the hotel pool or trying one of the many water sports on offer. We recommend our optional Crocodile Spotting Tour.* Overnight in Jaco Beach.

    *Crocodile Spotting Tour: Pick-up at the hotel and transfer by road to the place where you will enjoy this vibrant adventure through the wonders of the rainforest. Explore the Tárcoles River and your guide will point out different types of mammals, birds and reptiles in this mangrove system. Depending on the season you will observe different species of migratory birds. For example, from October to April, ospreys, gulls, terns, cormorants, pelicans and frigate birds. At the end of the tour, transfer back to the hotel.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Best Western Jaco Beach A... or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    1901 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    Optional
    Crocodile Spotting Tour

    Moderate

    See more

    8th Day: San José - Canada

    arrow-icon

    Breakfast at the hotel. Sadly, it's time to bid farewell to Costa Rica as you take a private shuttle transfer to San Jose airport and catch a flight back to Canada. Arrive in Canada and end your trip.

    Categories

    charm

    From $2,199

    Selected
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      Included activities

      Included

      Visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens

      Included activity for day 2 in San José

      Arriving at the park you will walk through a beautiful trail and enjoy a delicious lunch in the middle of the forest. Then, continue exploring and visit the impressive natural waterfalls formed by the La Paz river.

      Duration 05:00h Approx. Pick up time: 08:00 Approx

      Physical rating:

      Moderate

      This hike takes place in the tropical rainforest, along a trail that is paved and has steps.

      more information
      Included

      Sloth Observation Excursion

      Included activity for day 3 in Arenal

      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

      Duration 03:00h Approx. Pick up time: 08:00 Approx

      Physical rating:

      Light

      Bring: Coat, Camera, Binoculars, Hiking shoes, Comfortable clothes and Insect repellent. All timings are approximate and dependent on different conditions. This timing schedule is intended for guidance only and is subject to change by our guide.

      more information
      Included

      Peñas Blancas River Adventure

      Included activity for day 4 in Arenal

      Set off on an exciting river safari in an inflatable raft along the quiet Rio Peñas Blancas. Accompanied by an expert naturalist guide, travel through the abundant waterways, teeming with colourful flora and fauna!

      Duration 04:30h Approx. Pick up time: 07:30 Approx

      Physical rating:

      Light

      It is recommended to bring a cap or hat, comfortable clothes, closed shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, camera and binoculars. This activity is not suitable for babies, if travelling with a baby the activity will be changed.

      more information

      Available Activities

      Activities are subject to availability. The price for each optional activity will be shown in the next step of the booking process.
      Optional

      Guided hike to the Arenal Volcano

      Suggested activity for day 4 in Arenal

      Take a guided hiking excursion to the Mirador el Silencio to discover the abundant landscapes of the incredible Arenal Volcano! Discover the rich flora and fauna of the rainforest and learn about one of Costa Rica's most iconic natural wonders.

      Duration 03:00h Approx. Pick up time: 14:00 Approx

      Physical rating:

      Active

      Recommended: cap or hat, rain gear, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, closed shoes and camera

      more information
      Optional

      Cloud Forests Excursion

      Suggested activity for day 5 in Arenal

      Take a guided tour through the trails and suspension bridges of the Arenal Volcano jungle. Explore its tropical fauna, such as the quetzal bird and, depending on the season, the characteristic mist that envelops its vegetation.

      Duration 02:30h Approx. Pick up time: 07:50 Approx

      Physical rating:

      Moderate

      more information
      Optional

      Crocodile Spotting Tour

      Suggested activity for day 7 in Jacó

      Explore the Tárcoles River and your bilingual guide will point out different types of mammals, birds and reptiles in this mangrove system. Depending on the season you will observe different species of migratory birds.

      Duration 03:00h Approx. Pick up time: 08:30 / 13:30 Approx

      Physical rating:

      Moderate

      more information

      The price includes

      • Departures from main canadian airports.
      • International flights: Canada - San José - Canada.
      • 7 nights hotel accommodation in Charm and Superior category hotels.
        See hotels included
      • 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and all-inclusive in Jacó.
      • All transfers
      • Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
        See itinerary
      • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
      • Bilingual English/Spanish speaking guide during the excursions.

      Not included

      Drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included. 

      Please note that the times shown in the itinerary may be affected by operational reasons. Follow the guidance provided in-country by the local provider.

      Travel times in some areas may be longer due to factors like traffic, weather, or possible road closures that may occasionally cause delays.


      Keep in mind that a 3 star hotel (charm) quality standards in Costa Rica may be lower than the equivalently rated in US/UK/Canada (depending on the market).


      This is an independent tour with guided shared activities, not an escorted group tour.


      Some activities may be guided by a bilingual guide (English and Spanish) who provides explanations in both languages, depending on the composition of the group.


      Any hotel mentioned in the offer, whether the main one or an alternative, is as likely as each other to be confirmed. You will find your final hotel confirmation on your updated trip summary approximately 15 days before departure.

      • Entry requirements

        Your passport must be valid for at least 1 month beyond the date of expected departure from Costa Rica.

      • Visa

        Visa not required for stays up to 30 days.

      • Currency

        Costa Rican Colon

      • Language

        Spanish

      • Electricity

        110 V. Adapter required.

      • Health

        Please consult your doctor regarding malaria prophylaxis.

      • Time zone

        UTC - 06:00

      • Other useful information

        Local emergency number 128

      • Tourist Office website

        https://www.visitcostarica.com/en

      Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.

      Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.

      In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.

      Triple room: the third bed will be a rollaway bed.

      If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +1 778 807 9750 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.

      While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.

      Room allocation: We will do our best to accommodate your family in the same room. If availability doesn't permit this, we guarantee your family will be accommodated as close together as possible. Children will always be accomodated in a room with at least 1 adult.

      Booster seats: Not available in all destinations. Feel free to take your own if you need one.

      Pay in installments

      Pay only 60% today to reserve your trip.

      Pay the rest in installments depending on your departure date

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