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Pura vida: Arenal & Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica in 8 Days, 7 Nights in Destination
Rachel
Travel crafter
Experience Costa Rica’s highlights in one week: tropical rainforests, volcanoes, and white sandy beaches. This essential route combines nature, wildlife, and mesmerising landscapes in one trip.
Trip Highlights
- Arenal
- La Fortuna Waterfall
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- San José
Included
All flights
Accommodation
All transfers
Activities
Breakfast only
Availability
Departures available until December 2026
Available Group tours
Solo travelers available
Add up to 3 nights to your stay
- WHAT'S THIS?
Categories available
charm included
- WHAT'S THIS?
Itinerary
Explore the capital, San José, before travelling to La Fortuna, where you’ll discover the impressive Arenal Volcano and trails that wind through ancient lava flows in the heart of the rainforest. Continue on to the Pacific coast to enjoy the beaches and rich biodiversity of Manuel Antonio, blending nature, relaxation, and unforgettable memories before returning home.
1st Day: UK/Ireland - San José
Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport. Transfer to San José, the capital of Costa Rica and check in at the hotel. You’ll have time to explore this city with its rich coffee-growing heritage, where neoclassical buildings, century-old markets, and corners that tell the story of the country’s republican origins coexist. Overnight stay in San José.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Four Points by Sheraton S... or similar
823 Reviews
See our full selection
2nd Day: San José - Arenal
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, head to La Fortuna to see the spectacular Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic natural landmarks. Arrive at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring the beautiful cloud forest surroundings at your own pace.
If you’re looking to relax, you can also join an optional visit to the hot springs to enjoy the warm waters, heated naturally by the volcano, at Paradise Hot Springs.* Overnight stay in Arenal.
*Optional visit to Paradise Hot Springs: Just a 5-minute drive from central La Fortuna de San Carlos and close to the main hotels in the Arenal Volcano area, Paradise Hot Springs is set in a stunning natural environment with beautiful tropical gardens and naturally heated thermal pools. This is an unmissable experience, offering a natural and relaxing environment to enjoy alone or with company. We recommend bringing comfortable spare clothing, sandals, insect repellent, a hat, rain gear, a camera, sunscreen, and a swimsuit. Dinner included.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Arenal Country Inn or similar
512 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Paradise Hot Springs Pass
Light
See more
3rd Day: Arenal
Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is free to rest, or you can join an optional excursion to see the charming sloths.*
In the afternoon, embark on an unforgettable hike to Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna. This active volcano is estimated to be around 7,000 years old, stands 1,633 meters tall, and has an almost perfect conical shape, making it one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world.
Follow a hiking trail formed by ancient lava flows, admiring the tropical rainforest and its abundant flora and fauna along the way. At the viewpoint, the guide will explain the formation and history of the volcano. Overnight stay in Arenal.
*Optional Sloth-watching excursion: Meet these beloved, slow-moving icons of Costa Rica. Visit the “Sloth Territory,” a small ecological project that is home to a population of sloths. Follow the trails and observe two- and three-toed sloths resting in the treetops.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Arenal Country Inn or similar
512 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Guided Hike to the Arenal Volcano
Active
See more
Sloth Observation Excursion
Light
See more
4th Day: Arenal - Manuel Antonio
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave La Fortuna behind and set off toward the sea, enjoying the scenery of tropical mountains along the way to the Central Pacific coast. Stop at the Río Tárcoles viewpoint, famous for its large population of crocodiles.
Arrive in Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica’s most renowned destinations, celebrated for its combination of paradise beaches and tropical rainforest. The afternoon is free to relax at the beach or at the hotel. Overnight stay in Manuel Antonio.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Mono Azul or similar
481 Reviews
See our full selection
5th Day: Manuel Antonio
Breakfast at the hotel. Go on an exciting excursion through Manuel Antonio National Park. Hike just over three kilometres, taking in the pristine natural beauty and spotting exotic wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles, and butterflies. At the end of the trail, you’ll reach a white-sand beach, one of the most beautiful in the country.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy at your own pace, with the option to stay inside the park until it closes. Overnight stay in Manuel Antonio.
Note: Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays. If your visit was scheduled for that day, it will be moved to Wednesday. Tuesday will be free or will be spent on the optional activity, if booked.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Mono Azul or similar
481 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Half-Day Manuel Antonio National Park Excursion
Moderate
See more
6th Day: Manuel Antonio
Breakfast at the hotel. A free day to enjoy at your own pace: relax on the pristine beaches of Manuel Antonio and soak in the tranquil atmosphere. In the afternoon, you can also join an optional catamaran tour with dinner.* Overnight stay in Manuel Antonio.
*Optional Catamaran evening with dinner: Enjoy the sunset over the Pacific on a scenic tour of bays and inlets. Depending on the season, you may also spot marine life. The tour includes a stop in a protected bay where you can go snorkelling (equipment provided). The experience ends with dinner as the sun sets over the horizon.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Mono Azul or similar
481 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Catamaran Evening with Dinner
Light
See more
7th Day: Manuel Antonio - San José
Breakfast at the hotel. Return to the capital, travelling through the green valleys and mountains of central Costa Rica. Once back in San José, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace. We recommend taking a walk to visit the National Theatre of Costa Rica or continuing to discover the local cuisine. Overnight stay in San José.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Four Points by Sheraton S... or similar
823 Reviews
See our full selection
8th Day: San José - UK/Ireland
Breakfast at the hotel. Your journey through Costa Rica comes to an end, but you’re returning with unforgettable memories. At the scheduled time, a transfer will pick you up to take you to the airport for your flight back to the UK/Ireland. Night on board.
Categories
charm
From £1,699
- Accommodation in Charm category hotels.
Pick a date and start customising your trip
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Prices can rise at any time and departure dates fill up quickly. Secure your spot at the best price today.
Included activities
Available Activities
The price includes
- Departures from main UK/Ireland airports.
- International flights: UK/Ireland - San José - UK/Ireland.
- 7 nights hotel accommodation in Charm category hotels.See hotels included
- 7 breakfasts included.
- All transfers
- Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.See itinerary
- All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
- Hike to Arenal Volcano.
- Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park.
- ATOL Protection.
- Bilingual English/Spanish guide during excursions.
Not included
Drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.
If your destination is in the USA or Canada, or if your selected flights to a different destination have connections in the USA or Canada, it is mandatory to have an ESTA (for USA) or an eTA (for Canada) before travelling.
ESTA: Official ESTA Application Website, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
eTA: Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
Pickup time for activities: Your exact pickup times will be confirmed in a specific document in your account before travel. Please be at the reception 5 minutes before the departure time for the transfer and activities. Punctuality is required for this shared service to ensure smooth operation for all travelers.
Travel times in certain areas may be longer due to traffic, weather, or road conditions, so occasional delays may occur.
Hotels in Costa Rica may differ from those in Europe and the United States. They tend to be more traditional, set in natural surroundings, and have a unique charm.
This is an independent tour that includes shared, guided activities. It is not a fully escorted group tour with an accompanying guide.
Activities may be led by a bilingual guide (English and Spanish), with explanations provided in both languages, depending on the nationalities of the group.
All hotels listed in the package, both main and alternative options, have an equal chance of being assigned. Final hotel details will be confirmed in the trip summary approximately 15 days before departure.
Entry requirements
Valid passport with at least six months validity.
Visa
Visa is not required for stays less than 90 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.
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 +44 20 8068 3176 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.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offer up-to-date travel advice by visiting www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
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.
When booking a triple room, note that these accommodations are not larger than a double room, but will include either one double or two single beds and a sofa bed/rollaway.
Pay in installments
Pay only 60% today to reserve your trip.
Rest is paid in instalments according to your departure date.
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