This 9 day, 8 night vacation will begin in the misty and magical cloud forests of Monteverde. While staying at a sustainable mountain hotel with farm-to-table dining, you will observe wildlife on a hike in the cloud forest reserve, visit a butterfly garden, learn about sloths at a sloth sanctuary, and more. From there you will head to a thermal resort near Rincon de la Vieja, one of five active volcanoes in Costa Rica. You’ll enjoy hiking to hidden waterfalls, and have an adventure filled day at an eco adventure park. Then it’s off to the seaside town of Potrero where you will stay at a beachfront stay, enjoy a sunset catamaran cruise with snorkeling, and a boat tour of Palo Verde National Park. This vacation is great for couples or families who enjoy outdoor adventures. 

 

Price

• $2,300 per person

• Based on a minimum of two people in a double occupancy room

• $1,200 per additional person staying in the same room (maximum two)

• For more than four people total, or if additional room is required, inquire for pricing.

• Prices valid through 2023 (excluding Semana Santa / Easter week 4/2/2023 to 4/9/2023 and 12/20/2023 to 1/5/2024). All pricing subject to change until booked and confirmed. Lower rates may be available during "green season" (May to November). Inquire when booking.

 

Destinations

Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, Playa Potrero

 

Duration

9 days, 8 nights

 

Itinerary

 

 Day 1 

LIR transfer to Monteverde

When you arrive at Liberia airport a private driver will transport you to Monteverde, home of cloud forests and adventures! You will check in to Valle Escondido Nature Reserve Hotel & Farm (or comparable hotel). Valle Escondido is located on a 44 acre reserve with a farm-to-table restaurant onsite. There are hiking trails, rivers and waterfalls waiting to be explored! 

 

 Day 2 

Monteverde

After breakfast you will be picked up for a guided butterfly garden (home to 30 different species), reptiles and amphibians exhibit (with representatives from rainforest, savanna, and aquatic habitats), and a sloth sanctuary tour (home to 20 rescued sloths). After dinner, join the guides at Valle Escondido for their night wildlife tour. You may see frogs, snakes, sloths, bats, and more in their natural habitat.

 

 Day 3 

Monteverde 

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up for a morning guided hike of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Monteverde is located along the Continental Divide, the border between the Pacific and Atlantic sides of Costa Rica. On a clear day you can see the Pacific ocean from way up high. The varied climates and high altitudes of this cloud forest reserve nurture the vast biodiversity found here. You may see jaguars, ocelots, emerald toucanets, three wattled bellbirds, blue-crowned mot-mots and more. Later in the day you you will be picked up for coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane tour. You’ll visit a local plantation in one of the best coffee producing zones in Costa Rica and you will be treated to samples (the best part!).

 

 Day 4 

Transfer to Rincon de la Vieja

After breakfast, you will be transported by private shuttle to Borinquen Thermal Resort (or comparable hotel) approx. 3 hours away nestled at the base of Rincon de la Vieja volcano. The property boasts hiking trails, horseback riding trails, lookout points, waterfall and natural hot springs. In the afternoon you will get to ride in a military style vehicle up through the forest to some hiking trails that will take you to hidden waterfalls for a refreshing dip. 

 

 Day 5 

Rincon de la Vieja 

Today you will be picked up for a fun trip to an eco adventure park. Here you can enjoy ziplining, a Tarzan swing, hanging bridges, horseback riding to thermal hot springs, cultural demonstrations, a water slide, and a delicious buffet lunch with traditional Costa Rican dishes. You’ll sleep well after your day of adventures!  

 

 Day 6 

Transfer to Potrero 

After breakfast you will be transported by private shuttle to the seaside town of Potrero and will check into Bahia del Sol Beachfront Boutique Hotel (or comparable hotel). Located just steps from the tranquil waters of Playa Potrero. There is an outdoor pool, a jacuzzi, and a spa, and dining onsite, or at any number of restaurants just a stone’s throw from the hotel. Potrero is a small town without a downtown area. Most businesses are located on the main road, running parallel to the beach and Potrero sits between the two wealthy communities of Flamingo and Las Catalinas. From your hotel you can walk to the Costa Rican Sailing Center next door, and enjoy cocktails at Hemingways while you watch small sailing boats on the bay. If you want an exceptional beach experience, ask the hotel to help arrange transportation to Playa Conchal, or Playa Penca - both stunning beaches in the area. 

 

 Day 7 

Potrero

Today you will embark on a “Blue Zone Tour,” and will learn some of the secrets of Costa Rica’s famous Nicoya Peninsula, one of five blue zones in the world, where people tend to live longer and healthier lives enriched by community, cuisine, lifestyle and climate. Breakfast will be at a local favorite Coopetortilla. Accompanied by experienced guides, you will next visit a sugar cane plantation and natural preserve.Next you’ll travel to Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands for a boat safari on the Tempisque River, where you can see crocodiles, monkeys, and exotic birds. After the boat safari, you will enjoy the Rum Experience, which will teach you about the history and production of this magical liquor, with a tasting and an opportunity to infuse your own bottle. A hearty mid-afternoon lunch will round out the day.  

 

 Day 8 

Potrero

Today you will head out on the ocean aboard a catamaran for a sunset cruise. You’ll leave from the beautiful Flamingo Marina and will enjoy a lunch prepared by the crew on the boat. There is also an open bar for cocktails and tropical drinks. You’ll enjoy looking for dolphins and other marine life as you sail along the beautiful coastline. Your captain will find a protected cove and drop anchor, so that you can snorkel, or swim to shore to check out the uninhabited beach. You’ll return to the marina as the day is ending for a most memorable and classic sunset.

 

 Day 9 

Transfer to LIR 

You will be transported by private shuttle to be taken to Liberia airport for your return flight home.

 

Included

• 3 nights at Valle Escondido Nature Reserve Hotel (or comparable hotel)

• 2 nights at Borinquen Thermal Resort (or comparable hotel)

• 3 nights at Bahia del Sol (or comparable hotel)

• All hotel and activity taxes are included in price 

• Private transport from LIR to Monteverde

• Private transport from Monteverde to Rincon de la Vieja

• Private transport from Rincon de la Vieja to Potrero

• Butterfly Garden, Reptile & Amphibian Exhibit, and Sloth Sanctuary Tour

• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike 

• Monteverde Coffee, Chocolate, & Sugar Cane tour

• Day pass to an Eco Adventure Park with Ziplining, Hanging Bridges, Water Slide, Horseback Riding and Hot Springs

• Boat tour with lunch at Palo Verde National Park

• Catamaran Sunset Cruise with open bar and lunch

• Breakfast on days 2 - 9

• Lunch on days 5, 8

• In-country assistance via text, phone and email

 

Not included

• You are responsible for lunch on days 1-4, 6-7

• You are responsible for dinners

• Price does not include gratuities - it is customary to tip drivers, tour guides, housekeeping staff. There is a 10% gratuity added to restaurant bills, but additional tips for good service are greatly appreciated.

• International airfare not included.

 

What to bring

• You will be traveling to different regions, which have their own climates. Depending on when you come, there may be some rain, so rain jackets (lightweight) or ponchos are a good idea. 

• It can also be chilly and misty in the higher elevations, so layers are important. 

• Be sure to bring several long sleeve and long pants (or leggings) options as your clothes may need to dry out in between wearings if you encounter wet conditions.. 

• You will also want bug repellent and sun screen (ocean-friendly brands if possible). 

• Your footwear options should include flip flops, sports sandals, and sneakers.

 

Note

We always have one or more comparable back-up hotels. The further out you book your vacation, the better our chances of booking our preferred hotels. If hotel availability is going to have a significant impact on your stay, we will discuss alternatives with you prior to making hotel reservations on your behalf.