8-Day Jewels of Costa Rica Tour

Costa Rica’s vibrant landscape comes to life on this eight-day vacation, which takes you on tours of the country from its capital city, San Jose, to beaches lined with mangrove trees and dense cloud forests dotted with volcanoes. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite stops below, and you can view an adventure-packed itinerary here. The vacation includes:

• Daily breakfast
• Two lunches
• 1 night at DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari or similar hotel in San Jose
• 2 nights at Baldi Hotel and Hotsprings Resort or similar hotel in the Arenal Volcano area
• 2 nights at Hotel Villas Playa Sámara or similar hotel in Guanacaste
• 1 night at Hotel El Establo or similar hotel in Monteverde
• 1 night at Hotel Tramonto in Jaco or similar in the Jaco area or the Manuel Antonio National Park area
• Whitewater rafting tour on the Balsa River (class II & III river) from Wave Expeditions
• Entrance to the largest hot springs in the world, Baldi Park
• Entrance to Waterfall of La Paz
• Entrance and visit to the Poas Volcano Crater & National Park
• Zipline from Skytrek Adventures
• Rainforest over the trees gondola tour from Skytrek
• Rainforest hanging bridges tour
• Vertigo drop from Sky Adventures
• Crocodiles sight seeing tour over the Tarcoles River
• Entrance and guided tour of the national park of manuel antonio
• English-certified guide
• All transfers
• WiFi
• Dedicated bus with private bilingual driver throughout the adventure tour

Day 1: Arrive in San Jose

The hotel staff greets you at Juan Santamaria International Airport in Cost Rica’s capital city, San Jose, where you’ll hop aboard a complimentary shuttle to the award-winning Hilton Cariari Hotel. Rest up to prep for tomorrow’s adventures, or have a traditional tico dinner at one of the restaurants in town.

Day 2: Poas Volcano

An early breakfast kicks off the tour, giving you ample fuel for hiking to the rim of Poas Volcano in Poas Volcano Park. From Poas, the group drives to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. US News and World Report ranked this nature park among Costa Rica’s top attractions. Its residents include butterflies, jaguars, and a hodgepodge of other rare wildlife.

The day comes to a close with a drive north towards La Fortuna. Soothe your muscles by soaking in the healing waters amid views of the legendary Arenal Volcano in one of two dozen thermal pools at Baldi Hotel and Hotsprings Resort.

Day 3: Arenal Volcano

Today’s adventure-packed afternoon includes whitewater rafting on the Balsa River or an excursion to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.

The evening is set aside for leisure time, so you can relax at the hotel spa, or venture out to explore Arenal Volcano National Park’s nearly 30,000 acres of misty cloud forests, petrified lava fields, and the tranquil Lake Arenal. Its can’t-miss centerpiece is the conical, 5,000-foot-high Arenal Volcano.

Days 4 and 5: Guanacaste

Journey westward to reach the sunlit shores of Costa Rica’s Gold Coast, known to the locals as Guanacaste. The next two days includes some leisure time to lounge on the beach; alternately, you can venture out and take a kayak tour to Isla Chora or take a charter fishing cruise (fees apply).

Day 6: Monteverde Cloud Forest

Head southeast to Monteverde Cloud Forest. Here, you can walk on hanging bridges that weave through the misty treetops, and zipline beneath a canopy of lush green via the included Sky Walk, Sky Tram, and Sky Trek tours. The park features more than 400 types of rare orchids and a wild butterfly garden.

Day 7: Manuel Antonio National Park

You can spot sloths on Manuel Antonio’s more than 140,000 acres, as well as toucans and macaws. A guided tour helps you identify the wildlife and exotic tropical plants. After dark, dance to live music on the warm sands of Jaco Beach right outside the hotel.

Day 8: Head Home

After a fun-filled trip, you’ll take an early 7 a.m. shuttle to Juan Santamaría International Airport in time for your flight back to the U.S. (Trips to the airport take about two hours.)

Know Before You Go

• Official language: Spanish
• Currency: Costa Rican colón
• Drive on the right side of the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best way to travel to the hotel from the airport? The best airport to fly in/out of is Juan Santamaría International Airport (airport code: SJO). A complimentary shuttle is included with this package.

2. Is there an additional occupancy fee, or do I have to purchase another Groupon? This deal is for two people; however, up to two additional persons can be added in the same room at $899/adult and $699/kid for kids under 12 for the whole package.

3. Which activities and amenities are included in the resort credits? Resort credits are not offered with this Groupon.

4. Are dinner reservations required for restaurants? Is there a dress code? Please contact the tour company at (800) 774-5228 regarding reservation or dress code information.

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