2-week nature trip of Costa Rica

14 days – from €5,220 per person

wildlife – nature – volcano – cloud forest

Day 5 | Puerto Jiménez – La Fortuna

After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Puerto Jimenez Airport. Here, you’ll board your domestic flight back to San José. On arrival, a rental car will be waiting for you, which you’ll use to drive to your accommodation in La Fortuna (approx. 130 km | 3.5-hour drive). The town of La Fortuna takes its name from the impressive Arenal volcano. Locally, this town is also known as the place to go for outdoor activities. We highly recommend going on an exciting rafting trip down the Balsa River during your stay!
Overnight stay: Hotel Arenal Manoa | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | La Fortuna

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to Arenal Volcano National Park, home to the active Arenal Volcano. Here, accompanied by a private guide, you will go for a walk at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. A visit to the national park is a truly educational and wonderful experience. Your guide will be happy to tell you more about the volcanoes in this area and, in particular, about the famous Arenal Volcano. You’ll walk along the foot of this volcano across lava fields, taking in some impressive views.
Overnight stay: Hotel Arenal Manoa | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | La Fortuna

Enjoy your day off today! From the town, you have a good view of the Arenal volcano. The 1,633-metre-high Arenal volcano, with its almost perfect conical shape, rises majestically above the meadows and forests on the eastern side of Laguna de Arenal. The regular rumbling, eruptions and spewing of fire attract large crowds both during the day and in the evening. The summit is often hidden behind the clouds, but the lava flows sliding down the slopes, the glowing rocks shooting through the air and the roar of the Arenal make for an unforgettable spectacle. The volcano’s flanks have been designated a national park, but the light shows can also be seen outside the park in the evenings. Under no circumstances should you attempt to climb the volcano, which has been continuously active since 1968; any lull in volcanic activity is deceptive. Consider a jungle trek across suspension bridges, which offers a magnificent view of the volcano. You can also view the rainforest from above via a cable car with open gondolas, with views of the lake and the volcano. The Baldi hot springs are also highly recommended – take a moment to enjoy the natural warm water at whatever temperature you prefer. Or perhaps you’d like to visit the Rio Celeste, also known as ‘the light blue river’, situated in Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Accommodation: Hotel Arenal Manoa | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Monteverde

In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the park. Under the guidance of professional and highly skilled guides, you’ll set off to explore the forest in a truly spectacular way. You’ll be secured to a cable via a harness and ‘float’ over the forest as you zipline. An experience you won’t forget in a hurry. You’ll also have the chance to take a lovely walk across the suspension bridges, looking out over the canopy.
Overnight stay: Hotel Ficus Sunset Suites Monteverde | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Monteverde – Nosara

(approx. 165 km | 4.5-hour drive)
You’ll drive out of the mountains towards the coast and arrive in the paradise that is Nosara. The area around Nosara boasts beautiful white sandy beaches surrounded by forest and green sea grass. What’s more, this area naturally offers excellent waves for surfing. As a large part of Nosara is protected as a nature reserve, it is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including red coatis, armadillos, toucans and monkeys.
Accommodation: Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge | bed and breakfast

Days 11 and 12 | Nosara

Make the most of your free days today! These days are left open so that you can explore the area at your leisure. We highly recommend visiting the Ostional Reserve, where you’ll have the chance to see sea turtles up close. There are also beautiful cave systems in Barra and some lovely snorkelling trips to enjoy.
Accommodation: Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Nosara – Amsterdam

Your wonderful trip of Costa Rica comes to an end today. You will first return to the Costa Rican capital, San José. Upon arrival at the airport, you will return your rental car and board your intercontinental flight back to Amsterdam, where you will arrive the following day.

Day 14 | Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.