The mesmerizing wilderness of Costa Rica

Costa Rica Eco Tour Vacation: Pacuare, Arenal & Monteverde

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Costa Rica

Places Visited

San Jose, Arenal, Pacuare, Monteverde

Suggested Duration

7 Days

The natural springs in Arenal are heated by the volcanic activity. The largest lake in the country reflects the nearby volcano’s conical peak. Glacial blue waters wind around the foothills of the central mountains, coursing over boulders along the way. This 7-day vacation through Costa Rica brings you to the adventure and beauty of the country, wrapped in the rainforest and floating downstream. Whether you are searching for a relaxing getaway or are in need of active exploration, Costa Rica offers...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Enjoy the comforts and luxuries of Zicasso featured eco-friendly resorts and lodges throughout the marvelous rainforest of Costa Rica
  • Experience the rush, power, and beauty of the Pacuare River on a rafting tour through the gorge
  • Indulge in the serene landscape on a kayak tour around Arenal Lake
  • Tour through the remarkable canopy of Costa Rica’s famous Cloud Forest National Park at Monteverde
  • Witness the marvels of the active flora and fauna in the wild, from capuchin monkeys to quetzals
  • Explore the nocturnal majesty of the rainforest on a night tour of the cloud forest  

Detailed Description

Monkeys clamor in the trees and vivacious birds call out underneath the endless forest canopy. Costa Rica is a country brimming with wildlife and rainforest, friendly locals and sensational adventure. On this custom-tailored tour, you will experience the splendor of the country in the winding rapids of the Pacuare River and the luxurious comforts of eco-friendly resorts. Volcanoes tower over the trees and the only thing more abundant than the wildlife is the lush rainforest. You don’t have to look far to find the captivating beauty and remarkable adventure of Costa Rica. Once here you will find the journey and the destination to be inseparable.

Your fabulous exploration begins with your arrival in San Jose. The metropolis is the largest city in the country and combines a fast-paced mentality with the jovial spirit innate in the country. Murals decorate random walls around eclectic neighborhoods and welcome you to the start of your vacation. The following morning you will meet your guide and climb aboard your raft that will take you through the Pacuare Gorge. Find the charm of the wild deep in the heart of the primary rainforest and arrive at Pacuare Lodge.

The soothing sounds of the jungle call out in the night and early morning. You continue your adventure down the Pacuare River, along the cliffs of the gorge, and find a number of waterfalls and natural waterslides. In the afternoon, you will head to Arenal and find the luxuries of the Hotel Arenal Kioro waiting for you. The area is best known for its coveted hot springs and active looming volcano, whose peak watches over the forest and prairies. In the morning, you will venture out onto the glassy waters of Arenal Lake for a kayak tour to view the unmatched scenery. The following day you will venture across the lake en route to Monteverde, home to the Cloud Forest National Park.

Stroll through the butterfly gardens to witness the variety of species known to the entirety of Costa Rica before arriving at the Hotel Belmar, offering optimal views of the rolling mountaintops. Enjoy a unique view of the forest at night to discover the exceptional nocturnal wildlife. The following day you will soar through the trees, zip lining over 450 feet high, to see the canopy and the forest in a different and exciting light. Your final day returns you to San Jose for you to catch your flight home.

Zicasso offers many tour options for travelers interested in vacationing in Costa Rica. Also browse the section for Costa Rica travel agency reviews.

Starting Price

$2,100 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.91 stars based on 725 reviews.

Costa Rica Tour Review: Tamarindo, Arenal Volcano, Rio Celeste,...

We had a near-perfect experience, I would highly recommend Zicasso's tour company.

Reviewed By Zach O.

Costa Rica Vacation Review: Arenal, Wildlife, Photo Opportunities,...

We celebrated my daughter's high school graduation with a 12-day trip to Costa Rica. I interviewed several local travel agencies and fell in love with Zicasso's tour company from the very first phone conversation. The owner was fantastic to work with, helping me craft the perfect adventure-filled, action-packed vacation for my family. He was honest and took the time to listen to our preferences. He provided great feedback and suggestions.

Prior to our trip, I felt very confident that I was in good hands and knew that every detail was taken care of. During our trip, the company owner checked in with me several times to make sure everything was ok. Unfortunately, someone in my family had to go home early and he was so helpful in coordinating an extra trip to the airport to accommodate our family needs (it required an extra nine hours of driving and a hotel stay for the driver).

The company owner and our agent were generous enough to not charge me for this extra trip. They even canceled all the hotel and activity reservations for that family member, and I received a refund at the end of my trip! It truly was a trip of a lifetime. I found myself thinking, I wish there was a travel company like this for every country because I would use them again to plan my next vacation, wherever it may be!

I also want to give a special shoutout to my driver, who drove my family on several long road trips during our vacation. During our drives, he would spot many interesting animals and birds, and stop on the side of the road so we could get out and get great pictures. Some of my best close-up opportunities to look at animals occurred while in the car. He talked about the agriculture, the school system, and the different rainforests. He even bought plantain chips from the side of the road and shared them with my family. Even though his job was to drive us from point A to point B, I felt his knowledge and his ability to spot animals was better than many of the tour guides we had on the trip. He really cared about Costa Rica and was excited to show us all it had to offer.

I highly recommend this travel company. And ask for our driver to drive you around; you won't be disappointed.

Reviewed By caroline C.

Costa Rica Trip Review: 8 Nights

We used a Zicasso travel expert to plan our trip. The trip was absolutely fabulous and the service was very easy to use. We would definitely use them again.

Reviewed By Allison A.

Costa Rica Trip Review: Isla Chiquita, 1 Week

Zicasso's travel company was very attentive and followed up with us throughout the trip to make sure we were doing well. We had an awesome time and would recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Costa Rica

Reviewed By Tara I.

Costa Rica Travel Review: Catamaran Trip, Ziplining, National...

Everything was arranged thoughtfully, with time for "adventures" and downtime at terrific resorts to relax. All pick-ups, travel by limo, and drop-offs went as arranged. The drivers, guides, and hotel staff were all very pleasant and kind. Zicasso's tour operator did a great job planning our eight-day, family-of-10 trip to Costa Rica! We appreciated that most tours, hikes, and ocean experiences were small groups of just our group of 10. This made it a personal and annoyance-free experience all around. Thanks!

Reviewed By Lolli H.

Costa Rica Vacation Review: Family Time, 8 Nights

The Zicasso tour company was very accommodating. They put together a great itinerary and when we wanted to add something, it was no problem.

Reviewed By David M.

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