Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste ( ILA3)

9 Day Package from San José to Guanacaste

2025 Tour Details 2026 Tour Details »

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 species of amphibians and reptiles. Land in Guanacaste to laze and gaze upon the beautiful beaches of the North Pacific. Add a dose of I-time to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and cuisine in San José, and you’re living your best life, indeed!

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

GET A QUOTE

Notes:

Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary. On day 8, transport is by land to Guanacaste for the next three nights. Local guide service is provied in San José.

Though this is an Independent tour, some transportation segments will be shared with other travelers.

 Meals & Itinerary

 Meals

Buffet breakfast daily; 1 three-course dinner

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

SAN-JOSE-WELCOME.jpg

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.


Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner


ARENAL-HOT-SPRINGS.jpg

Day 3

ARENAL
• Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion.


Breakfast Breakfast


Today’s I-Time Tips
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 forest’s wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.


ARENAL-HANGING-BRIDGE.jpg

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!


Breakfast Breakfast


MONTEVERDE-CLOUD-FOREST.jpg

Day 5

MONTEVERDE
• Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like.


Breakfast Breakfast


Today’s I-Time Tips
Maybe wake up early and visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest to best experience the 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 create 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.


MONTEVERDE-TREE-FROG.jpg

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.


Breakfast Breakfast


Today’s I-Time Tips
During 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 relax on the beach and snorkel in the Pacific Ocean.


GUANACASTE-BEACH.jpg

Day 7

GUANACASTE
• Enjoy a free day.


Breakfast Breakfast

Today’s I-Time Tips
Perhaps 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.


GUANACASTE-TOUCAN.jpg

Day 8

GUANACASTE
• Enjoy a free day.


Breakfast Breakfast

Today’s I-Time Tips
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 and that will let you zip from tree to tree.


GUANACASTE-ZIP-LINE.jpg

Day 9

GUANACASTE
• Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.


Breakfast Breakfast


GUANACASTE-MONKEY.jpg

 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

JORGE AVILA

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" My name is Jorge Avila from Costa Rica, I'm a general naturalist tour guide licensed by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. I really love my job because I can share with all visitors the exuberant flora and fauna of my beautiful country, I enjoy walking and spotting all kinds of animals such as monkeys, sloths and especially birds, as well as talking about plants, trees, flowers and orchids. I also love when people ask about our typical phrase "Pura Vida" and I can explain to them that this is everything in Costa Rica. It is the way to say "very nice", "beautiful", and "OK"!! I like when people come to Costa Rica looking to learn about our efforts for conservation and our culture and I can be part of these memorable experiences that I'm sure they will share with their families and friends when they return to their countries. I have one of the best jobs in the world."

Tour Director -  JORGE AVILA

JORGE AVILA

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

" Born in San José, I developed an interest in knowing the different attractions, customs and traditions across beautiful Costa Rica. I have always enjoyed at the fullest what I do, so I share my passion with everyone. I like making new friends, being helpful, leading groups, sharing my knowledge of my home country, and always having a smile for people around me."

Tour Director -  JORGE AVILA

 Accommodations

SAN JOSE

DOUBLETREE CARIARI

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

ARENAL

LOMAS DEL VOLCAN

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate First-Class
  Free Wifi

MONTEVERDE

EL ESTABLO MOUNTAIN LODGE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

GUANACASTE

WYNDHAM TAMARINDO

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).
#pf-content img.mediumImage { display: inline-block !important; width: auto !important; }