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Pura Vida & Paradise in Tamarindo

Costa Rica • 10 days / 8 nights

From $1,499

$1,879

20% off

Flights, hotels & activities included
The perfect overview of Costa Rica for those short on time, including lush rainforests, abundant wildlife and paradise beaches.
Rachel
Designed by RachelTravel crafter

Highlights

Overview

Trip map

The perfect mix of adventure and relaxation in the tropical paradise of Costa Rica. Stroll through the historic streets of San José and feel the strength of the Arenal Volcano as you uncover the native wildlife on a nature hike. Admire the verdant landscapes of the interior before heading to the coast for a relaxing stay in Tamarindo. Ready to live the Pura Vida?

Itinerary

Day 1

1

US - San José

US - San José

Ready to live the Pura Vida in Costa Rica? Arrive at your US 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. 

 

Day 2

2

San José - Arenal

San José - Arenal

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. 

Activities

Guided Hike to the Arenal Volcano

Guided Hike to the Arenal Volcano

included
3h
Paradise Hot Springs Pass

Paradise Hot Springs Pass

Optional
4h

Day 3

3

Arenal - Rio Peñas Blancas - Arenal

Arenal - Rio Peñas Blancas - Arenal

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, 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 colorful flora and fauna. Look out for monkeys, toucans and sloths and spot vibrant tropical birds as you soak up the beauty of the immaculate natural environment. Return to Arenal and enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing at your leisure and enjoying the views of the Arenal Volcano. Overnight stay in Arenal.

For an added adventure, we recommend joining our optional activities: a chance to meet sloths* or an unforgettable guided night walk** in La Fortuna. Overnight stay in Arenal.

*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.

**Optional guided night walk: Hike through the Cerro Chato Biological Corridor in La Fortuna, covering around 800 metres. Observe nocturnal wildlife such as frogs, insects, and reptiles in their natural habitats. Along the way, an expert guide will share insights into the behaviour of these fascinating species. And cap off the experience with a refreshing drink.

Note: It is possible to do both excursions. Please be aware that the schedule or day of one excursion may be adjusted so activities don't overlap.

Activities

Peñas Blancas River Adventure

Peñas Blancas River Adventure

included
4h 30m
Sloth Observation Excursion

Sloth Observation Excursion

Optional
3h
Guided Night Walk

Guided Night Walk

Optional
2h

Day 4

4

Arenal

Arenal

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*. 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.

Activities

Cloud Forests Excursion

Cloud Forests Excursion

Optional
2h

Day 5

5

Arenal - Tamarindo

Arenal - Tamarindo

After a delicious breakfast,transfer to Tamarindo, in the province of Guanacaste, known for its beautiful beaches and surfing. Arrive at the hotel and begin your relaxed beach stay surrounded by idyllic beaches, bathed in Guanacaste sunshine. Overnight stay in Tamarindo.

Day 6

6

Tamarindo

Tamarindo

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! 

Activities

Boat Safari on Tamarindo Estuary

Boat Safari on Tamarindo Estuary

included
2h 30m
Tamarindo Canopy Tour

Tamarindo Canopy Tour

Optional
2h

Day 7

7

Tamarindo

Tamarindo

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: Immerse yourself in the verdant rainforest of the mountains surrounding Tamarindo, home to a variety of flora and fauna. Live an exciting experience driving along the dirt roads that lead to the breathtaking viewpoint over the Guanacaste coast. One vehicle is assigned per person, although there is the option to share, in which case, both passengers must pay the same service fee as if they were driving alone. Excursion without driver and with guide. Minimum 2 quads for the tour to operate.

Activities

Tamarindo Catamaran Excursion

Tamarindo Catamaran Excursion

Optional
4h
Quad Biking (ATV) Excursion in Tamarindo

Quad Biking (ATV) Excursion in Tamarindo

Optional
2h 30m

Day 8

8

Tamarindo - San José

Tamarindo - San José

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a shared transfer back to the capital, to spend your last night in San José. We suggest taking a stroll through this beautiful city or enjoying a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Alternatively, enjoy an optional VIP City Bus Tour for a good overview of the city sights and a memorable end to your Costa Rican adventure.* Overnight stay in San José.

Day 9

9

San José - Night on board

San José - Night on board

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to board your flight back to the US. Night on board**.

* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

**Depending on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US today.

Day 10

10

US

US

Touch down in the US and end your trip, filled with brilliant memories and feeling refreshed after your Costa Rican adventure!

What's included

  • Departures from main US airports.
  • International flights: US - San José - US.
  • 8 nights accommodation in Charm & Superior category hotels.
  • 8 breakfasts.
  • Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles.
  • Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
  • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish speaking guide during the excursions.

Accommodation

These are our featured hotels for this tour. Hotel allocation depends on availability and seasonality, so you may be assigned any hotel from our selection.

Select your departure date

May to June 2026

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We recommend booking early

Prices can change and departure dates may sell out.

Flexible payment options available

Pay in full, make a deposit, or split payments.

Best prices

Included activities

Optional activities

Personalization options

  • Extra NightsExtend your stay with additional nights before or after the tour.
  • Flight optionsCustomize your flights by selecting your preferred airline, cabin class, and departure and arrival times.

Additional information

What's not included

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

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

Hotels in Costa Rica may differ from standards in Europe and the United States. They are often more traditional, set in natural surroundings, and offer a unique charm.

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.

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 canceled without prior notice.

Children: 3 - 10 years.

 
 
 
 

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 +1 888-488-0592 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.

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