Overview
Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste
Livin’ la Pura Vida! This philosophy of the pure life in Costa Rica is also a common greeting you’ll hear on your Globus Independent tour. From the mind-blowing lava trails and soul-soothing thermal springs of the Arenal Volcano region to the lush tropical forests in the clouds of Monteverde, you’ll encounter pure nature of Costa Rica’s rich and resplendent flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. Put your head in the clouds in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, some 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 amphibian and reptile species. Land in Guanacaste to laze and gaze upon the beautiful beaches of the North Pacific. Add a dose of free time to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and cuisine in San José, and you’re living your best life, indeed! Treat yourself to a tour that is exclusively yours with free time, me time, and optional adventures that speak to your independent spirit!
Highlights of Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste
City Highlights
Related Tours
Transportation
Notes
•This is an Independent tour with shared transportation between locations. Though there is no Tour Director, Local Guide service is provided in San José. •Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary. On day 8, transport is by land to Guanacaste for the next three nights.
Travelers Notes
Your Globus Independent tour gives you the freedom to explore as you please with all the perks you'd expect from the expert travel planners at Globus. We take care of the details with included accommodations, daily breakfasts, select guided sightseeing, transportation, transfers between each tour city, and a knowledgeable Local Host in San Jose to assist you upon request. We’ll also handle flight arrangements and airport transfers at the beginning and end of your tour if you wish!
Product Group
Independent Costa Rica Wonders
Independent Tour
Venture further to enjoy the world your way without the group. The experts at Globus put Peace of Mind first in travel planning. We take care of the details with included hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts and select meals, guided sightseeing, and transportation between cities. Explore confidently, knowing your Globus Local Hosts and GlobusGO mobile app provide you with tips and recommendations to personalize your tour and see the world your way.
UNESCO Sites
Area de Conservación Guanacaste
Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 1 three-course dinner
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. Information about tomorrow’s adventure will be provided by a Globus representative.
Day 2
SAN JOSÉ–ARENAL• Today, transfer to the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Settle in and experience the magic of your resort.• This afternoon, visit the famous hot springs the area is known for and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the hot springs.(B,D)
Day 3
ARENAL• Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion.(B)INSIDER PICKSPerhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird’s-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest’s wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.
Day 4
ARENAL–MONTEVERDE• This morning, your transfer begins with a short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles.• This evening, venture into Monteverde’s Cloud Forest just before nightfall with an expert Naturalist for a guided nature walk to search for the jungle’s nocturnal creatures, like sloths, foxes, agoutis, frogs, and many more!(B)
Day 5
MONTEVERDE • Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like. (B)INSIDER PICKSAwaken early to visit the eye-opening beauty of Santa Elena Cloud Forest for the best chance to observe animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also, notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors creates temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family’s farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.
Day 6
MONTEVERDE–GUANACASTE• Journey to the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. This part of the North Pacific region of Coast Rica offers hundreds of unspoiled beaches lining the shores, but Guanacaste is surprisingly far from being a traditional beach destination.(B)INSIDER PICKSDuring your time here, you may choose a rainforest canopy tour, river rafting or a float trip down the Corobici River. Consider horseback riding or fishing or relaxing on the beach and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean.
Day 7
GUANACASTE • Enjoy a free day.(B)INSIDER PICKSPerhaps opt for a guided visit to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, known as Costa Rica’s Yellowstone, to explore the steamy sulfur water ponds and pungent fumaroles that punctuate this jungle, home to toucans, monkeys, and many other animals. Or take a leisurely boat cruise through Palo Verde National Park, composed of tropical dry forest and mangroves, and admire scores of birds, caimans, and iguanas along the way.
Day 8
GUANACASTE • Enjoy a free day.(B)INSIDER PICKSWhy not choose a total adrenaline rush for today’s adventure on a zip line tour?! The zip line system consists of a network of suspended cables up in the treetop canopy that go from one platform to another and that will let you zip from tree to tree.
Day 9
GUANACASTE • Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.(B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Doubletree Cariari | This sustainable Costa Rica hotel is typical of San Jose colonial hacienda architecture and offers spacious, comfortable guestrooms and suites with the latest amenities. Enjoy total convenience in its location, personalized services, delicious cuisine, and facilities like the pool and fitness center. Let the friendly staff help you relax while catering to your needs and helping you see all that Costa Rica has to offer. | San Jose | San Antonio de Belen | Superior First-Class |
| 2 | Lomas del Volcan | Lomas del Volcan is a warm mountain hotel that maintains it's rustic style with wood cabins, each with 2 decks offering views of the Arenal Volcano and the tropical forest. | Arenal | 4 KM NW of Fortuna | Moderate First-Class |
| 3 | El Establo Mountain Lodge | Set on a private 150-acre farm adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve, El Establo Mountain Lodge offers guests a home base of relaxation and activity. Amenities include tennis, basketball, and soccer courts, two indoor pools, two restaurants, two bars, gym, and spa. | Monteverde | San Pedro | First-Class |
| 4 | Wyndham Tamarindo | At the Esplendor Hotel Tamarindo, natural beauty and sophistication converge to create a peaceful and inviting home away from home. With endless views of the Pacific ocean, guests will leave feeling relaxed and reenergized. | Tamarindo | 200m al E y 800m al N del Bco Ncal Tamarindo & #8194 | First-Class |
