Compare Costa Rica in 9 days - Pura Vida & Paradise in Tamarindo - Superior by Exoticca vs 9 Day Costa Rica Walking Tour with Arenal & Guanacaste by Gate 1 Travel

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Trip	Costa Rica in 9 days - Pura Vida & Paradise in Tamarindo - Superior by Exoticca 4.5 \| Great 22072 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip See Offer	9 Day Costa Rica Walking Tour with Arenal & Guanacaste by Gate 1 Travel 3.5 \| Average 746 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip See Offer

Duration	9 days	9 days
Price From	$ 1,399	$ 2,719
Price Per Day	$ 155	$ 302
Highlights	Arenal Guanacaste San José Tamarindo	1 Easy Day \| up to 4 hours of walking a day, easy walking on mostly flat terrain, accessible to all travelers in good health 3 Moderate Days \| 4-6 hours of walking a day, hilly with some steep or uneven terrain, travelers should be physically fit and prepared for several hours of activity 2 Challenging Days \| 6+ hours (more than 6 miles) of walking a day, rugged uneven mountain terrain, with some sustained ascents and descents, suitable for experienced active travelers in good physical condition
Trip Style	Small group tour	N/A
Lodging Level	Luxury	Standard
Physical Level	1- Very easy	3- Moderate
Travel Themes	Cultural Nature & Wildlife 50 plus Local Immersion & Homestays National Parks	N/A
Countries Visited	Costa Rica	Costa Rica
Cities and Attractions	Arenal Volcano San José	Arenal Volcano Guanacaste
Flights & Transport	Airfare included	Ground transport included
Activities	Culture Historic sightseeing History Homestays & Cultural Immersion Nature Ruins & Archaeology	N/A
Meals Included	8 breakfasts.	N/A
Description	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?	2 San Jose, 2 Alajuela, 2 Arenal, 2 Guanacaste

Itinerary: Costa Rica in 9 days - Pura Vida & Paradise in Tamarindo - Superior

Day 1: 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: 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.

Day 3: 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

Day 4: 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, or a sloth observation excursion.* 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. * 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 with the help of an expert guide.

Day 5: 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: 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!

Day 7: 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: Get comfortable on your Quad Bike with the help of the crew before discovering the verdant rainforest and tropical jungles of the mountains surrounding Tamarindo, home to monkeys, iguanas and sloths! It's an exhilarating experience as you drive along dirt roads to the stunning viewpoint that looks over the Bay of Tamarindo. One quad bike per person with the option to share a quad bike. If both passengers want to drive the same quad bike you must pay for two people. Self-driven excursion with a guide. Minimum 2 quad bikes for the tour to operate.

Day 8: Tamarindo - San José

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer back to the capital, to spend your last night in San José. We suggest taking a stroll through this beautiful city, visiting the National Theatre of Costa Rica or enjoying a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in San José.

Day 9: 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.

Day 10: US

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

Itinerary: 9 Day Costa Rica Walking Tour with Arenal & Guanacaste

This itinerary requires a high level of physical fitness with up to 6 hours of walking per day. The route and activities are subject to change. Please see the "Is This Trip Right for You?" section and the Trip Preparation tab for more information.

DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Costa Rica
Depart for Costa Rica. Arrive in San Jose and transfer to your hotel. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 5 PM
Overnight: San Jose

DAY 2, Tuesday - Coffee Farm Visit, Forest Reserve Hike
Following breakfast, travel to the verdant mountains of Santa Ana, to visit a traditional Costa Rican coffee farm. Learn how one of Costa Rica's top exports is grown in this tropical region and its importance in the socioeconomic development of the country. Afterwards, embark on a hike in one of the local trails and enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, travel to your hotel, with its private reserve. Before dinner tonight, attend a lecture on birds and biodiversity of the forests of Costa Rica. Familiarize yourself with the different types of birds, many of which you might be able to see during your hikes
Overnight: Alajuela
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity Level: Easy, 3.9 miles, 2.5 hours

DAY 3, Wednesday - Explore Juan Castro Blanco National Park
Travel to Juan Castro Blanco National Park, nestled in the country's Alajuela Province. Begin your hike through the cloud forest along the foothills of the Porvenir Volcano and explore the endemic flora and fauna. The area is well known for birdwatching and is home to over 200 different species of birds. After a picnic lunch, return to the hotel. In the early evening, embark on a guided walk in the rainforest, giving you the chance to observe nocturnal creatures, thus revealing a different side of the biodiverse region. Afterward, enjoy dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Alajuela
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity Level: Moderate, 4.5 miles, 4.5 hours

DAY 4, Thursday - Laguna Hule Hike
Depart for Arenal Volcano and the plains of San Carlos. Leaving the highlands of Alajuela behind, begin a hike near the Congo and Poas volcanoes, heading towards Laguna Hule, a beautiful crater lake. The area is ideal for trekking due to its great variety of terrain and landscapes. Conclude the hike with a picnic lunch. Afterward, proceed to your hotel near the Arenal Volcano National Park
Overnight: Arenal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activity Level: Moderate, 5 miles, 4 hours

DAY 5, Friday - Arenal Volcano Hike
Today, discover some of the trails near the famous Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica's most iconic sights. After a short drive, arrive at Arenal 1968, a private reserve, named after the violent eruption of the volcano on the same year. Hike along a trail that meanders through secondary forests, lava fields and diverse vegetation, to reach a viewpoint offering panoramic views of the volcano and Lake Arenal. Afterwards, continue by bus to the Arenal Observatory Lodge, where you start your hike through primary and secondary forests and waterfalls. During your walk, discover various bird species, along with howler monkeys, other mammals, and tropical plants. Conclude the day with a visit to one of the many local hot springs
Overnight: Arenal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activity Level: Moderate, 7.2 miles, 4.5 hours

DAY 6, Saturday - Tenorio Volcano National Park
This morning, head towards the Tenorio Volcano National Park to hike in what has been described as one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica. The park with its unique azure colored Rio Celeste and lagoon, is famous for its rich diversity. The trail takes you to the waterfall, Blue Lagoon, hot springs and hanging bridge. Along the way you might spot wildlife like monkeys, sloths and birds. Following the visit to the park, proceed towards the NW territories along the Pacific slope of the Cordillera de Guanacaste mountain range and its beautiful views of dry tropical forest. After lunch, return to the hotel
Overnight: Guanacaste
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activity Level: Challenging, 4 miles, 3.5 hours

DAY 7, Sunday - Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Explore Rincon de la Vieja National Park which is home to the active Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. The park is located on the Guanacaste Mountain Range and is a nature lover's paradise due to its diverse flora and fauna as well as terrain. During the hike through the tropical forest, you will come across boiling mud pots, fumaroles, waterfalls and plenty of wildlife. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Guanacaste
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity Level: Challenging, 5.5 miles, 6 hours

DAY 8, Monday - Return to San Jose
After breakfast, depart Guanacaste and head south to San Jose. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city independently and shop for last minute souvenirs. Tonight at dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Overnight: San Jose
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Depart Costa Rica
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast