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Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Walk
Arenal Volcano National Park
Lush Jungles, Misty Rainforests & Wildlife
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Tree House Restaurant & Café
Discover the tropical paradise of Costa Rica on an immersive journey through lush jungles, misty rainforests, and vibrant towns. Grab your hiking shoes and poles as we explore the untamed beauty of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, hanging bridges of Mistico Park, ancient lava flows at Arenal Volcano National Park, and the cloud-kissed trails of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Experience local traditions at the family-run farm of Arenal Vida Campesina, where we try freshly milled sugarcane juice and prepare authentic Costa Rican recipes. Seek out wildlife with an expert naturalist on a sloth tour and a thrilling riverboat safari down the Tarcoles River, home to Central America’s densest population of American crocodiles. Get a taste of locally grown goods, such as coffee and chocolate, at Don Juan plantation while learning the production process. Each day concludes with beautiful accommodations in San José, La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Jaco. From rugged jungle trails to pristine beaches, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure brings you the sights, sounds, and flavors of Costa Rica’s wild side.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park
Immerse yourself in the beauty of La Paz Waterfall Gardens as you explore lush rainforests, rushing rivers, and five breathtaking waterfalls, then discover Costa Rica’s largest animal sanctuary, home to over 100 species including birds, butterflies, monkeys, hummingbirds, snakes, big cats, and frogs, before finishing your unforgettable experience with a delicious buffet lunch featuring traditional cuisine.
Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate & Sugarcane Tour
Discover the flavors of Costa Rica in La Fortuna through coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane experiences. Enjoy freshly roasted coffee, handcrafted chocolate, and sweet sugarcane juice in a beautiful natural setting. Guided by local experts, learn how coffee is grown and processed, explore cacao’s journey from bean to drink, and try traditional sugarcane pressing. This immersive experience offers a delicious look into the country’s rich agricultural heritage and traditions.
Arenal Vida Campesina
Vida Campesina offers an authentic glimpse into rural Costa Rican life and warm hospitality. This family-run farm highlights sustainable agriculture with hands-on experiences in traditional farming, from harvesting produce to learning composting techniques. Enjoy scenic views of Arenal Volcano while gaining insight into local life. A highlight is the farm-to-table experience, where guests participate in a hands-on cooking class to prepare authentic Costa Rican dishes using fresh ingredients from the farm and making tortillas by hand.
Tarcoles River Crocodile Adventure
Embark on an exciting boat safari through mangrove-lined waterways teeming with wildlife. Glide along the river as expert guides point out massive American crocodiles basking on the banks, along with many exotic birds. Learn about the region’s rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem while enjoying close-up views and incredible photo opportunities in one of Costa Rica’s most fascinating natural habitats.
Manuel Antonio National Park
This biodiverse park features a stunning coastal reserve where lush rainforest meets pristine beaches. Accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide, explore scenic trails while spotting monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and colorful birds in their natural habitat, and walk along white-sand shores with clear turquoise waters and breathtaking ocean views.
- Day 1: Fly to Costa RicaUpon arriving in San José, we meet our local guide and check in to our beautifully appointed hotel in this vibrant capital city.
- Day 2: La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Farm-to-TableOur adventure through tropical paradise begins with a visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park, where we set out for a hike along rainforest trails that wind past five spectacular waterfalls. This 70-acre private reserve is also home to the country’s largest animal sanctuary, offering the chance to come face-to-face with reptiles in the Serpentarium, observe free-roaming frogs in the Ranarium, learn about traditional rural life in La Casita de la Paz, and more. After working up an appetite, an on-site buffet lunch awaits us. Next, our journey continues to La Fortuna to check in to our hotel before a hands-on experience at Arenal Vida Campesina, a working farm. Embark on a guided tour to harvest organic produce and mill sugar cane for fresh juice, then take part in traditional Costa Rican cooking class that ends with the perfect Welcome Dinner: a homestyle meal shared alongside a local family.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3: La Fortuna’s Hanging Bridges & SlothsToday, we venture into Mistico Park to walk suspended pathways and forest trails within 617 acres of lush vegetation that’s a key migratory corridor with more than 50 species of birds. See how remarkable this ecosystem is as we cross a series of hanging bridges to take in sweeping views of Arenal Volcano and the namesake lake powering Costa Rica’s largest hydroelectric plant. After lunch at leisure in La Fortuna, we join a local naturalist guide for a sloth tour, searching for two- and three-toed sloths resting in their habitat while also spotting toucans, frogs, iguanas, and monkeys along the way. Tonight, we gather for a delicious dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4: Arenal Volcano National ParkLace up your hiking shoes for a journey into the dramatic landscape of Arenal Volcano National Park! Keep your camera ready as we join our Costa Rican guide for a walk across ancient lava flows with spectacular scenery of mountain ridges covered in verdant rainforest, the volcano, and lake. Keep an eye out for wildlife, such as monkeys, sloths, deer, and birds. Next, a picturesque motorcoach drive across the continental divide towards the Pacific brings us to Monteverde, where we enjoy a wood-fired dinner and settle into our comfortable accommodations.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5: Monteverde Cloud Forest ReserveToday begins with another beautiful hike alongside our local guide, this time through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Misty trails with low-hanging clouds lead us past moss-draped trees, vibrant orchids, an awe-inspiring waterfall, and elusive animals moving through the canopy. Afterwards, enjoy a unique lunch experience in a restaurant built around a majestic Ficus tree! Later, we dive into Costa Rica’s rich traditions at Don Juan plantation with passionate experts who guide us through the stories and flavors of coffee, cacao, and sugarcane! Witness coffee’s journey from seed to cup, explore the history and hands-on transformation of cacao from bean to drink, and extract fresh cane juice by hand at the sugar mill. Upon returning to Monteverde, the evening is at your leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 6: Crocodile AdventureThis morning, we head to Puntarenas and experience Costa Rica’s wild side on a Tarcoles River Crocodile Adventure! Board a riverboat and glide through the mangrove-lined Guacalillo Estuary to spot American crocodiles resting along the riverbanks – some up to 15 feet long! Vibrant birdlife fills the air, including scarlet macaws, herons, spoonbills, kingfishers, and other resident and migratory species that thrive in this protected habitat. After returning to shore, our journey continues to Jaco, known for its surf beaches and lively nightlife. We settle into our beachfront accommodations with on-site restaurants, a swimming pool, and other amenities to enjoy during a relaxing evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 7: Manuel Antonio National ParkOur day is spent discovering the unspoiled beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated coastal preserves with mangroves, wildlife-filled rainforest, and stunning white-sand beaches. Accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide, we encounter monkeys, sloths, iguanas, colorful birds, and crabs, while learning about the park’s remarkable biodiversity and its vital role as home to the country’s largest population of the endangered squirrel monkey. A delicious breakfast and lunch are included during our time here. This afternoon, we return to San José to check in to our hotel and freshen up before celebrating our unforgettable journey at a Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8: Fly HomeWe board our flight home, returning with treasured memories and new friendships made during our time in Costa Rica.
Feb 6-13, 2027
$4,499
per person
$5,699
per person
Nov 3, 2026
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 1 night at Studio Hotel in San José
- 2 nights at Tilajari Eco Resort in La Fortuna
- 2 nights at El Establo Mountain Hotel in Monteverde
- 1 night at Croc’s Resort & Casino in Jaco
- 1 night at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari in San José (before we return home)
Attractions & Highlights
- Arenal Vida Campesina farm tour, sugarcane tasting & cooking class
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park guided hike
- Arenal area guided sloth tour
- Mistico Park hanging bridges walk
- Arenal Volcano National Park guided hike
- Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate & Sugarcane Tour
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve guided hike
- Tarcoles River Crocodile Adventure
- Manuel Antonio National Park guided hike
13 Excellent Meals
- Buffet lunch in La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park
- Daily breakfast
- Welcome Dinner with a local family at La Guaria Morada Restaurant
- Dinner at Bon Appetit Pizzeria & Restaurant
- Lunch at Tree House Restaurant & Café
- Breakfast & lunch in Manuel Antonio National Park
- Farewell Dinner in San José
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport