8-Day Highlights of Costa Rica Vacation: Coast-to-Coast Adventure

As you touch down in Costa Rica’s capital city, you will witness breathtaking views of the country’s rich landscape that is adorned by lakes, rivers, and mountain ranges. On a clear day, you might even catch the first glimpse of one of the nearby active volcanos: Poás to the north and Irazú to the east. Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by your private transfer and escorted to your luxury accommodation. The typical sights and sounds of the city will unfold throughout your drive: you will see crowds pack into local markets, street vendors showing off colorful souvenirs, children playing pick-up games in the park, and the loud bustling of buses, cars, and bikes during the after-work commute. Once you arrive at your luxury hotel, you will be free to relax and unwind for the remainder of the evening as you prepare for an exciting day in Tortuguero Canals National Park tomorrow.

Today, you will wake up refreshed and ready to continue your Costa Rican adventure. After enjoying a cup of rich, local coffee at breakfast, your private driver will greet you in the lobby to lead you to your next destination. As you drive from San Jose to the northern Caribbean coast, you will watch the city skyline disappear into the background as your view changes into a luscious coastal rainforest.

Tortuguero is home to a unique, marshy landscape that is lined by a labyrinth of natural waterways. Its tropical, rainy climate is perfect for the wide diversity of wildlife and exotic plants that call this rainforest-covered sandbar home. Tortuguero is famous for the thousands of sea turtles who nest on its shores. From July to September, you can visit Tortuguero’s beaches after dark to witness turtles hatch out of their shells and take their first steps into the sea.

Upon arriving in Tortuguero, you will immediately notice the serene tranquility that dwells within this region. Because Tortuguero is only accessible by air or water, only a small population can call it home. You will hear the ripple of the canal, the soft droplets of rain, and feel the moisture of the humidity. Tortuguero offers the unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without distractions. Your private tour guide will invite you to board a boat, and you will weave between Tortuguero’s winding waterways. Vines and thick foliage surround the canals, and the deep green of the jungle will stretch as far as the eye can see. Your trained wildlife guide will help you spot some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful birds, extraordinary sea creatures, and exotic plants. Manatees, crocodiles, a variety of crustaceans, and freshwater fish are likely to bob to the water’s surface during your boat excursion. Once on land, you will be greeted by monkeys, sloths, and toucans as you are guided into depths of the tropical rain forest.

You will begin your day surrounded by the sounds of chirping birds and neighboring wildlife. The aroma of a traditional Costa Rican breakfast will awaken your appetite. You will be able to smell the sweetness of juicy pineapple as it is accompanied by the bold smell of locally brewed coffee, freshly made eggs, and tortillas. After a delicious meal, your private guide will greet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to your next destination: the Arenal volcano. Situated in the province of Alajuela and the district of La Fortuna, Arenal is Costa Rica’s most active volcano. As you drive, you will begin to see Arenal come into view. At 5,437 feet, Arenal towers over the rolling green hillsides and shimmering lake below.

After arriving at Arenal National Park, you will follow your private guide onto the Las Coladas Trail. As the clouds swirl above Arenal, you will catch glimpses of its perfectly symmetrical peak. You will listen to the sounds of birds, monkeys, neighboring wildlife, and black lava rocks crunching beneath your feet as you hike. Your guide will explain that from 1968 to 2010, Arenal was extremely active, spewing hot rocks, ash, smoke, and lava on a daily basis. The black cooled lava rocks that you will see along the trail represent remnants of these eruptions. As you continue to climb the trail, the slight changes in altitude will create micro-climates, allowing you to discover unique wildlife and unusual plants. Your guide will point out some of Costa Rica’s most elusive birds, three-toed sloths, spider monkeys, and the famous red-eyed leaf frog. At the end of your hike, your guide will direct you to one of Arenal’s most famous attractions: the majestic 400-year-old Ceiba tree. You will marvel at its impressive size and irregular shape, which will create the perfect backdrop for photographs.

Waking up with the peaceful views of Lake Arenal outside of your window, you will be excited by the opportunity to continue exploring all of the beauty that this unique region has to offer. Your exclusive tour guide will meet you in your hotel lobby to lead you throughout La Fortuna’s top attractions. Your day will begin by unwinding in Arenal’s hot springs. With the jungle as your backdrop, you will breathe in the misty air and listen to the relaxing sounds of nature as you soak your muscles in Costa Rica’s natural bathtubs. The cool air will feel refreshing as you breathe in deeply, enjoying the sweet aroma of the oxygen-rich canopy of flowering plants. The temperature of the air will contrast the feeling of the warm water of the hot springs, which are naturally heated by the Arenal volcano.

Next, your guide will lead you to the iconic La Fortuna waterfall. The view will be absolutely gorgeous. Surrounded by dense greenery, the crystal blue water cascades into a swimming hole from 75 feet above. You will refresh your spirit as you take a plunge into its waters, breathing in the crisp mountain air and taking in the luscious rainforest that envelops the scene. Following some well-deserved R&R, you will venture to Lake Arenal to enjoy a waterside activity of your choosing. Between kayaking, fishing, and paddleboarding, your day is guaranteed to be filled with fun. When it is time for dinner, your private guide will lead you into the town of La Fortuna. This charming small town offers breathtaking views of the volcano, and you will witness them as you explore the beautiful church that sits at its center, the shops, and the restaurants that line its quaint streets. You will indulge in a gourmet dining experience while watching the sunset over the quieting landscape.

The following morning, you will journey to Monteverde. After a decadent breakfast, your private transfer will meet you in your hotel lobby. Along the drive, you will observe the scene shift from the tropical Caribbean Slope into the misty Pacific Slope. As you arrive, views of coffee plantations will spread into the distance. Your private guide will lead you through a local coffee plantation where you will discover the history behind one of Costa Rica’s top exports. You will breathe in the sweet aromas of sugar cane, bananas, and pineapple that grow throughout the fields. As you are invited to pick and taste ripe coffee cherries, your guide will walk you through the entire coffee farming process from crop to cup. Finally, you will enjoy the finished product, enjoying the warm caramel aroma of a freshly brewed cup of local coffee. You will end the day by dining in Monteverde’s beautiful center, surrounded by sensational views of the city’s foggy greenery outside your window.

After a relaxing rest in your luxury accommodation, your private transfer will meet you in your hotel lobby to begin the next leg of your adventure. On the drive, you will notice the scene shift to one of the rarest habitats on Earth: the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. As you step out of your car, you will be enveloped in a misty humidity that will make you feel as if you are walking inside of a cloud. Here, you will have the chance to channel your adventurous spirit as you soar between mountains by zipline. The forest stretches over the continental divide, allowing you to experience breathtaking views of the natural wonders below as you fly through clouds at exhilarating speeds. You will spot rare species of exotic birds fluttering by, monkeys hanging from the trees, and pumas and jaguars lurking within the rain forest. Giant ferns will shade the forest canopy as beautiful blooming orchids grow wild among the leafy vines. For a closer look, your guide will direct you to Monteverde’s Tropical Science center. Home to over 2,500 species of plants, 400 types of birds, and 100 mammal species, Monteverde is every nature lover's paradise.

You will wake up slowly to the soothing sounds of nature while the clouds float through the forest above you, and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the air. After a rejuvenating breakfast, your private transfer greets you in the hotel lobby for the final relaxing chapter of your adventure. As you drive, the scene will shift from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio National Park. You will watch the vast Pacific ocean and white-sand beaches come into view. Upon your arrival, you will feel the cool morning air that drifts from the ocean surround you as you sink your feet into the warm sand. The perfume of blooming flowers and the chirping of birds will fill the air, and you will soon hear the howls of white-faced monkeys as they play among the trees. The aqua blue ocean will shimmer before you, and the calming lapping of the waves will relax you as you rest your adventurous muscles and lounge in the sun. Soon, your guide will meet you on the beach to take you on a private sailing tour around the park. As you coast along the open waters, you will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch on board. You will spot sea turtles bobbing their heads out of the water and dolphins jumping into the air. As the day culminates, you will watch the vibrant colors of the sunset paint the Costa Rican sky before you depart for San Jose.

Waking with the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean outside your window, you will savor your final Costa Rican breakfast before your departure. Sipping on a delicious cup of locally brewed coffee, you will reflect upon your once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Finally, your private transfer will greet you at the hotel and escort you back to San Jose for your flight home.