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.Due to the included arrival airport transfer, all land-only guests must provide flight information to Globus to ensure your transfer is there for arrival. This vacation visits remote locations where hotel facilities may not be up to the first-class standard you expect from Globus. Some lodges may not have air-conditioning, televisions, and other amenities you would expect from most Globus hotels.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
Special features included in this tour:
- Arrival transfer from San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport to San Jose tour hotel
- Guided visit to Arenal’s hot springs with dinner
- Scenic boat ride across Arenal Lake en route to Monteverde
- Guided nighttime nature walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
- Transfer to Guanacaste for a 3-night stay with ample free time for beachcombing or optional adventures.
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! Be greeted by a Globus representative and transfer to the hotel where rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. Please note:Information about tomorrow’s adventure will be provided by the Globus representative. SAN-JOSE-WELCOME.jpg
Day 2
SAN JOSÉ–ARENALToday, transfer to the lush town of Arenal, nestled at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Upon arrival, settle in and enjoy the serene atmosphere of your resort, surrounded by vibrant tropical scenery. This afternoon, unwind at the region’s renowned hot springs, where you’ll soak in naturally heated mineral pools amid dense rainforest. Conclude the day with dinner at the hot springs, enjoying a relaxing and memorable evening in this beautiful setting. (B,D)
Day 3
ARENALToday is free with the freedom to explore independently or choose from a selection of optional excursions to further personalize your experience. (B)INSIDER PICKS Perhaps 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 local wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.
Day 4
ARENAL–MONTEVERDEThis morning, begin your transfer with a scenic boat journey across Arenal Lake, offering opportunities to observe the many bird species that inhabit the shoreline and surrounding forests. Continue onward through spectacular mountain landscapes into the renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest, an extraordinary ecosystem home to more than 3,000 plant species, along with an impressive diversity of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. This evening, return to the cloud forest just before nightfall to set out with an expert naturalist on a guided walk in search of nocturnal wildlife, including sloths, foxes, agoutis, frogs, and other fascinating creatures that emerge after dark. (B)
Day 5
MONTEVERDE Enjoy the day at leisure, with the flexibility to relax at your own pace, or select from a variety of optional experiences should you wish to explore further. (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. You’ll also notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors creates temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance. Alternatively, you could visit a local family’s farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.
Day 6
MONTEVERDE–GUANACASTE Journey to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region, part of the country’s North Pacific coast, where miles of unspoiled beaches stretch along the shoreline. While celebrated for its sun drenched coastline, Guanacaste is far more than a traditional beach destination. It offers a distinctive blend of rugged landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and a rich cultural heritage. (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, 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 PICKS Why 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, letting 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 |
