Compare Simply Costa Rica: Arenal, Monteverde & Manuel Antonio by Audley Travel vs Costa Rica: See & Experience it ALL in 11 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 3,000 | $ 2,413 |
| Price Per Day | $ 273 | $ 219 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
1 breakfast, 5 lunches, 1 light dinner and 1 standard dinner are included on this tour. We are very picky about food and refuse to accept anything short of quality. We do our best to ensure you are being offered healthy and tasty local cuisine. |
| Description |
Zip-lining through cloudforest, observing nesting turtles, rainforests alive with the chaotic symphony of insects… On a tailor-made holiday to Costa Rica with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Costa Rica specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. |
You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed with activities and attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all ""FIRST CLASS,"" yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price and substance. Below are just some examples of what you will see and do on this tour:
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Day 1 : San Jose
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to San Jose. Arrive in Costa Rica's capital city San Jose, where your private guide meets you at the airport. You're driven to your hotel in downtown San Jose by private transfer.
Day 2 : Arenal Volcano
Travel via a shared minibus transfer of around three hours to your hotel in the Arenal Volcano region. In the afternoon you'll enjoy some free time to start exploring. You might like to visit the La Fortuna waterfall, hike to the base of the volcano or simply rest and relax in your lush and tranquil hotel surroundings.
Day 3 : Arenal Volcano
Enjoy a shared trip today to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, an hour and a half away by shared transfer, where you take a boat journey along the Rio Frio in search of sloth, caiman, tropical birds, monkeys and turtles. This is a half day trip including guides, snacks, lunch, all transfers and a stop off to buy breakfast and purchase souvenirs en route.
Day 4 : Arenal Volcano
A day at leisure to relax by the hotel pool or add more activities: you could go kayaking on Arenal Lake, zip-lining, white water rafting or visit the nearby hanging bridges.
Day 5 : Monteverde Cloudforest
This morning, travel to the Monteverde Cloudforest by shared transfer and a scenic boat ride. The drive, although a little bumpy, goes through truly spectacular scenery. The whole transfer takes around four hours in total. Once in Monteverde, you'll have the afternoon to relax or start exploring, before your night tour to look for the creatures of the forest after dark.
Day 6 : Monteverde Cloudforest
This morning, take a fun and interactive tour to a local family-run plantation where they grow coffee, sugar cane, oranges and bananas. In the afternoon, you'll visit Monteverde's canopy walkways and try out some exhilarating zip-lining through the treetops.Both these trips are shared group trips with transfers included, and an English speaking guide.
Day 7 : Manuel Antonio
Today you travel five hours by shared coach to the stunning Central Pacific coast and your hotel close to Manuel Antonio. On arrival, spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel or head off to explore this beautiful coastline.
Day 8 : Manuel Antonio
At leisure in Manuel Antonio. We suggest heading off early in the morning to the beach in the national park, which is a short journey away by the hotel's complimentary shuttle bus.
Day 9 : Manuel Antonio
Further relaxation on the beach. You could perhaps arrange a kayaking or catamaran tour.
Day 10 : International return flight
Take a private three hour transfer back to San Jose in time for your flight home.
Day 11 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1: A Social Gathering on the Sand & Horseback Riding
Our tour to Costa Rica starts in Tamarindo. This beach village is a popular destination for couples and families looking for a good time. Tamarindo is the epitome of everything Costa Rica prides itself on. Let's head to the beach, where there is likely to be a gathering/party of some sort. On a side note, Tamarindo is also home to leatherback turtles. The day ends with horseback riding on the beach and in a nearby valley.
Day 2: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar & Appetizers & Going Snorkeling
We go on an excursion today. Passing by the beaches in Brasilito and then Potrero, we stop at Flamingo beach so we can go swimming. Afterwards, we do a cruise into the bay. We are provided with snorkeling gear, local appetizers and access to an open bar. Enjoy the sunset while “sipping on some bubbly.”
Day 3: Zip-Lining & a Night Expedition in a Cloud Forest Reserve
We relocate from Tamarindo near to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. There we go on a zip-lining tour. We return in the evening for a night tour.
This reserve draws roughly 70,000 visitors a year. It consists of over 10,500 hectares of cloud forest and 6 ecological zones, 90 percent of which are virgin forest. A high biodiversity-consisting of over 2,500 plant species, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, 120 reptilian and amphibian species and thousands of insects-has drawn scientists and tourists alike.
Day 4: Rappelling, Climbing & Hiking & Bathing in Natural Hot Springs
We relocate from Monteverde to the town of La Fortuna. Shortly thereafter, we are taken on an adrenaline-pumping adventure to the Lost Canyon. There we climb and hike and otherwise go waterfall rappelling. Lunch is included on today’s tour.
After the Lost Canyon, we are taken to one of the many natural hot springs in La Fortuna. More specifically, we are taken to a resort called Ecotermales Fortuna. There we bathe as well as eat. Dinner is included this evening.
Day 5: Walking Over Hanging Bridges & Swimming Under a Waterfall
Today we are taken on a tour to the nearby surroundings. First is Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, which features cool-looking bridges hanging in the tropical rain forest. Next is La Fortuna Waterfall, where we can go swimming. Following the waterfall is lunch, which is included on today’s tour. Lastly for today is Arenal Volcano National Park. It offers a nice hike amid tropical scenery. The volcano measures at least 1,633 meters (5,358 feet) high and is estimated to be less than 7,500 years old.
Day 6: An Intimidating Volcano
We go on a daytrip today. We are taken to Tenorio Volcano National Park. The jewel of this national park is its volcano, from which it receives its name. Tenorio Volcano consists of 4 volcanic peaks and 2 craters. Thermal springs and small geysers dot the area, as do rivers, waterfalls and lagoons. The upper area of the park is dominated by primary cloud forest, while the lower regions are carpeted with rain forest. The summit can be reached via the Lago Las Dantas Trail, which winds up the volcano and passes through forested terrain before eventually reaching the peak. From the park’s entrance, it takes about an hour to hike up to the peak/main viewpoint. Lunch is included on today’s tour.
Day 7: The Country's Most Famous Beach
We relocate from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. We see why this town is so popular with tourists. Its national park receives almost 150,000 visitors annually. Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica at its most tropical. Let's head to the beach.
Day 8: White Sand & Taking a Surf Class
The day starts with a guided tour inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Extra time is given so we can go swimming. This park has impressive landscapes and several coves with many white sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests. The second half of the day is spent taking a surfing class.
Day 9: Discovering Wildlife Inside an Animal Kingdom
Before relocating to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, we are provided with a guided tour inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Extra time is given so we can go swimming. This park has impressive landscapes and several coves with many white sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests.
Day 10: The Most Stunning Volcano in Costa Rica & a Coffee Plantation Visit
We go on a daytrip today. We are first taken to Doka Estate. There we are provided with breakfast followed by a guided tour of a coffee plantation. Next, we visit Poás Volcano National Park. There we are provided with a guided tour. Please note that Poás Volcano National Park is often closed due to eruptions. If this is the case during your visit, then this park would need to be removed from today’s itinerary. Lastly, we visit La Paz Waterfall. There we are provided with lunch as well as a guided tour.
Day 11: Our Tour Ends This Morning
San Jose is the final destination on our tour around Costa Rica. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the international airport.
