Highlights of Costa Rica: Irazú, Arenal, the Maleku and Monteverde

Costa Rica

Highlights of Costa Rica: Irazú, Arenal, the Maleku and Monteverde

Volcanoes, indigenous peoples and cloud forest in ten days

Costa Rica

Highlights of Costa Rica: Irazú, Arenal, the Maleku and Monteverde

A first taste of Costa Rica in a group of 25 at most: Irazú and Cartago, Sarapiquí, two nights at Arenal, the Maleku community, Rincón de la Vieja, Monteverde and Sarchí. With three beach nights at Manuel Antonio (13 days) from €3,012, or all-inclusive at Tamarindo from €3,255 per person.

When

December to April

Price

From 2 300€ excl. flights

(based on 2 people sharing)

How long

8 nights

Ideal length

The Central Valley and Arenal

Days 1-4

Volcanoes and lowland forest.

Day 1

Arrival in San José

Flight to San José, welcome and transfer to the hotel.

Arrival in San José

Day 2

Irazú and Cartago

Irazú volcano and its emerald crater lake, then Cartago, the former capital, and its basilica.

Irazú and Cartago

Day 3

Sarapiquí – Arenal

The Sarapiquí region, its pineapple plantations and lowland rainforest, before La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal.

Sarapiquí – Arenal

Day 4

Arenal national park

Arenal Volcano national park, its frozen lava flows, its hanging bridges in the forest and in the evening the hot springs.

Arenal national park
The Central Valley and Arenal — photo 1
The Central Valley and Arenal — photo 2
The Central Valley and Arenal — photo 3
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Guanacaste and Monteverde

Days 5-10

The Maleku, volcanoes and cloud forest.

Day 5

Maleku – Rincón de la Vieja

A meeting with the Maleku indigenous community, then the drive to Guanacaste.

Maleku – Rincón de la Vieja

Day 6

Rincón de la Vieja

Rincón de la Vieja park, its fumaroles, bubbling mud pools and waterfalls, in the dry Guanacaste region.

Rincón de la Vieja

Day 7

Rincón de la Vieja – Monteverde

The Monteverde cloud forest, its hanging bridges above the canopy, its hummingbirds and perhaps the resplendent quetzal.

Rincón de la Vieja – Monteverde

Day 8

Monteverde – Sarchí – San José

Sarchí and its painted ox-carts, a national craft, then back to San José.

Monteverde – Sarchí – San José

Day 9

San José – flight home

Free time depending on your flight, then transfer to the airport and fly to France.

San José – flight home

Day 10

Arrival in France

Arrival in France during the day.

Arrival in France
Guanacaste and Monteverde — photo 1
Guanacaste and Monteverde — photo 2
Guanacaste and Monteverde — photo 3
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