Short and Sweet Costa Rica Explorer
Discover Arenal and the Guanacaste Coast on this week-long trip to Costa Rica
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
Itinerary highlights
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Riding the Sky Tram gondola above the rainforest canopy in Arenal
- Animal-filled river floating safari on the Rio Frio
- Snorkelling along the Guanacaste Coast
- Horseback riding and kayaking along the shores of the gold coast
What's included
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Luxury accommodation throughout
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Private transfers
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All tours mentioned
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Full support from your Travel Designer and Concierge before, during and after your trip
At a glance
This seven-day trip is great for those with limited time who still want to get a taste of what makes Costa Rica such a wonderful destination.
You’ll spend three nights in Arenal, marvelling at its magnificent volcano and enjoying a bird’s-eye-view from the Sky Tram gondola. You’ll look out over the volcano and lake and take to the nature trails where you can spot the abundance of wildlife that lives in the canopy.
You’ll also explore the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Frio, one of the best places for birdwatching in Costa Rica. Keep your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, sloths, caimans and the endangered jabiru bird.
It’s then onto the Guanacaste Coast for three nights of relaxation, enjoying the stunning scenery and discovering the colourful underwater world of the Pacific. A fitting end to your short but unforgettable Costa Rican journey.
Example trip itinerary
Arenal
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in Arenal
Accommodation in Arenal
Arenal
Highlights
- 103 rooms and suites
- Two restaurants
- Four bars
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Communal thermal springs
- Gym
Overview
Tabacon is a beautiful and serene luxury hotel, located at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano. It is set within 900 acres of lush, tropical grounds through which Costa’s Rica’s largest network of hot springs flows.
This rainforest retreat is tucked away on a winding road that climbs up from the small village of La Fortuna. There are 103 rooms and suites that look out over the rainforest and gardens. Decor is contemporary and elegant and feature artwork and furnishings from Costa Rican artists.
The River Tabacon feeds into waterfalls and warm pools lined with soft, black sand and guests staying at Tabacon will enjoy full use of the thermal mineral springs. The water is heated by the volcano and the temperature in the pools ranges between 72 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Head upstream and you’ll find the Shangri-La Gardens, an adult-only hideaway with six pools, cocoon-shaped cabanas and bar. The open-air spa offers a range of rejuvenating treatments, made all the more relaxing by the idyllic surroundings and sounds of the rainforest.
There are two restaurants offering a mix of Costa Rican and international cuisine, as well as four bars.
→ Find out moreArenal
Highlights
- 50 spacious bungalows and villas with private terraces and Jacuzzis
- Take your stay one step further with the serene Rainforest Pool Villa
- Enjoy Latin American and Spanish drinks at the Nostalgia Wine Bar
- Embark on experiences such as white-water rafting on the Sarapiqui River
- Cleanse your soul with a treatment at the clifftop spa
Overview
Nayara Gardens, the original property in the hilltop trio that also consists of Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp, is a fitting choice for those looking for a private getaway in Arenal. Situated in the green valleys at the foot of the spectacular Arenal Volcano are Nayara Gardens’ 50 spacious and private casitas (bungalows) and villas.
Large screened windows open up allowing for plenty of natural light. The decor is a call to the wildlife of Costa Rica with lashings of tropical orange and the greens of encroaching foliage, along with dark wood furniture. Boasting expansive garden decks, the casitas are further adorned with hammocks or Jacuzzis where you can unwind to the melodies of the rainforest, making this property an ideal hideaway for those after a romantic retreat.
For the utmost luxury, enjoy a stay in the uniquely designed Rainforest Pool Villa. Here light drips in from almost every angle due to the villa’s octagonal layout, and the lush rainforest seems within touching distance from the wraparound balcony. Relax in the cooling waters of your own private plunge pool as you gaze out across to the Arenal Volcano.
When you aren’t indulging yourself in the luxuries of your casita, head down to any of the four restaurants in order to savour rich Costa Rican flavours. Nayara Gardens also hosts a plethora of experiences which you can embark on with a private guide. Whip across the top of the rainforest canopy on a zipline or rappel down the side of one of Arenal’s waterfalls.
Alternatively, make your way to the property’s spa for a massage, coffee scrub or a volcanic mud bath. Perched atop a cliff and overlooking the forest, it’s the ideal place to unwind and rejuvenate.
→ Find out moreArenal
Overview
This boutique hotel encompasses all things luxurious, with views overlooking the grand Arenal Volcano, beautiful villas and a state-of-the-art spa and yoga pavilion. Privacy is as well taken care of as luxury, sitting outside the Costa Rican town of La Fortuna, Nayara Springs provides the perfect amount of seclusion at around three hours from the capital, San Jose.
Each of the 35 villas is nestled among the floral gardens of the tropical rainforest and boasts its own personal pool, a spacious private garden with outdoor shower, a sumptuous four-poster bed, alongside both indoor and outdoor seating areas.
A rich array of natural wildlife awaits, and guests can enjoy it from their private terrace, or by taking a tour through the Arenal Volcano National Park. Guests can then unwind by indulging in a treatment at the spa, heading to the yoga pavilion or swimming pool, or enjoying a drink at the stylish piano bar.
Cuisine at Nayara Springs is served at the lovely poolside restaurant, Amor-Loco, where fresh fish, Latin American inspired sushi and organic home-grown vegetables all grace the menu.
→ Find out more
Three nights in Arenal
During your time in Arenal, there are a huge number of activities that we can arrange for you. There are adventure activities for the adrenalin junkies as well as options for those who want to enjoy the area at a more leisurely pace. Your travel designer will be able to guide you through the different options, so that you choose the excursions best suited to your interests.
Sky Tram and canopy tour
The tour will begin with the Sky Tram which suitable for all ages, and thanks to the space of the gondolas, wheelchairs can also be accommodated. Before you start, your guide will give you a brief explanation about security measures and will provide you with the equipment you'll need for this adventure. The slow-paced Sky Tram gondolas glide smoothly, offering impressive views of the rainforest, the Arenal volcano and the lake. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, the ride takes around 20 minutes with the possibility of short stops to take one-of-a-kind photographs or to spot a tropical bird.
The Sky Trek will return you to the starting point, and during it you will slide through cables that extend into the middle of the forest and canyons. You will enjoy views of the tropical forest that only a bird could experience. The canopy tour includes eight cross-sectional cables with a total length of 1.7 miles and a maximum height of 660 feet.
Cano Negro and the Rio Frio
The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Frio are considered to one of the best sites for bird watching and observing wildlife. Here you can find a great variety of resident and migratory birds including the endangered jabiru, the largest bird in Central America. Caño Negro is also home to many other exciting animals. Howler monkeys, spider monkeys, white-faced monkeys can be seen on the banks of the river, as well as three-toed sloths and some reptiles like turtles, caimans and basilisk, also known as Jesus Christ lizards.
The tour starts with a private transfer to Los Chiles, a small village 4km from the Nicaraguan border. During this three-hour floating safari, a bilingual guide will point out the rich and varied avifauna present in this protected wetland, declared a Ramsar Site in 1991. A typical Costa Rican lunch will be served in a restaurant after the safari.
Transfer
Private transfer to the Guanacaste Coast
Guanacaste Coast
Accommodation in Guanacaste Coast
The Guanacaste Coast
Overview
This spacious hacienda-style resort on the Guanacaste coast combines exclusive five-star luxury with beautiful seaside surroundings. Courtyards slung with hammocks, red brick and dark furniture give the hotel a local feel, and the 289 rooms and 21 suites have a typically “Tico” feel with marble bathrooms, and stunning views out over the beach and ocean.
With four restaurants, two bars and a coffee and ice cream shop, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to dining. Enjoy Italian-style dishes at Azul Grill, savour international cuisine made with local ingredients at Mansita Restaurant, satisfy your craving for something hearty at Sabanero Steak House, and treat yourself to contemporary Asian flavours at Tamarine. Azul Pool Bar specialises in refreshing natural cocktails and healthy light meals, and Nau Lobby Bar is the idea place to raise a glass at the end of a busy day. For a quick Costa Rican coffee or indulgent Italian ice cream, pop into Waves and Cream.
After a day of exploring, indulge in a treatment or two at the spa, take a dip in the swimming pool or stroll down to the beach. There are a variety of activity options for active guests. Head out into the countryside and go biking, hiking or horseriding, or spend your day at the beach jet skiing, kayaking, snorkelling sailing or surfing.
The Guanacaste Coast
Overview
Even with 85 rooms El Mangroove still strikes a very boutique sort of style and atmosphere. Cool, contemporary design combined with a quiet position on the Papagayo Gulf, makes for a more personal alternative to the larger resorts of the area. It’s the epitome of relaxed barefoot chic.
The hotel’s range of suites have been decked out in a contemporary yet natural style, spread over three floors, affording every level a new tier of views of the surrounding mangrove trees. The property also fronts a dark-sand beach almost exclusively enjoyed by its guests, or you can take to relaxing on the sun loungers and cabanas surrounding its outdoor pool and lovely gardens.
There are a good variety of activities from fishing to yoga and surfing, and El Mangroove has two restaurants serving some excellent farm- and ocean-to-table dishes, ranging from Peruvian to Argentinean.
→ Find out moreThe Guanacaste Coast
Overview
An impressive resort with a luxurious collection of accommodation categories, Punta Islita also has its own private beach and is well connected to the local villages.
Situated on the beautiful Guanacaste coast and western side of the Nicoya Peninsula this hotel comes with all the extensive facilities and modern amenities one expects yet avoids the insular feeling you sometimes get from other resorts. There are 57 rooms, suites and casitas to choose from. Deluxe rooms are spacious and have their own terrace with hammocks, the suites are similar but have their own deck with Jacuzzi and if you want an ocean view in either, you’ll have to specify this. The casitas are really quite charming and ideal for couples or for those looking for that extra bit of privacy with their own garden, plunge pool, and terrace.
As well as the choice of staying in the hotel’s casitas or villas, there is the private Islita beach with sun loungers and a frequent shuttle service to the Corozalato village and other local towns for guests who want to discover the region and perhaps indulge in some local artisanal shopping. The villas tend to be privately owned but rented out by the hotel with either two or three bedrooms, terraces, private plunge pool, garden and are a great option for families, groups or extended stays.
Stylish Pacifico Restaurant showcases the rich textures, vibrant colours, and flavours of Costa Rica, and the menu features fresh local ingredients reflecting the region’s diversity. For a laid-back meal, take a table at Los Cocos Beachfront Club.
There is a plentiful amount of local expeditions, adventure activities and workshops to enjoy and a spa, golf course and tennis courts to indulge in.
→ Find out moreThe Guanacaste Coast
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Overview
Occupying the entire Papagayo Peninsula on Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste coast this hotel’s facilities are extensive and feature four restaurants, three pools, a championship-size golf course, tennis courts, spa and a collection of stand-alone villas.
Papagayo is a vivid green spit of land that winds into the Pacific blue, decorated with idyllic golden beaches of which the hotel has direct access to two. The hotel’s 182 guest rooms, suites and villas are smart and luxurious, incorporating lots of Costa Rican and tropical style with the use of bamboo, rattan, solid wood furniture, shuttered windows and doors. Stone finishes and beige tones are broken up by the occasional vivid splash of colour.
There are three categories of accommodation; the guest rooms are housed in three small individual buildings on both sides of the peninsula and the hotel’s facilities and pools are a five-minute stroll away. The treehouse-like canopy suites are elevated for views over the dry tropical forest canopy down to the water and some have their own plunge pools. However, if you’re after privacy and tranquillity then the residences equipped like a proper home with kitchen, infinity pool and two or three bedrooms are ideal.
There’s also plenty to keep you entertained and much to help you unwind; a range of activities and private excursions direct from the hotel can be organised and the spa offers an array of body and facial treatments.
→ Find out more
Three nights on the Guanacaste Coast
With its stretches of golden sand beaches, wildlife reserves and ultra-easy-going atmosphere, the Guanacaste Coast is the perfect place to kick back and relax for a few days. Nicknamed the 'gold coast', it stretches all the way from the Nicaragua border south to the Nicoya Peninsula. There is lots to do here from surfing and snorkelling to horse riding and kayaking.
Snorkelling the Guanacaste Coast
Your guide will introduce you to the underwater world, where you'll discover the beauty that lies beneath the Pacific Ocean. Learn about the different creatures and species that inhabit these waters and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and turtles.
Transfer
Private transfer to Liberia airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
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Short and Sweet Costa Rica Explorer
How we work
This seven-day trip is great for those with limited time who still want to get a taste of what makes Costa Rica such a wonderful destination. You’ll spend three nights in Arenal, marvelling at its magnificent volcano and enjoying a bird’s-eye-view from the Sky Tram gondola. You’ll look out over the volcano and lake and take to the nature trails where you can spot the abundance of wildlife that lives in the canopy. You’ll also explore the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Frio, one of the best places for birdwatching in Costa Rica. Keep your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, sloths, caimans and the endangered jabiru bird. It’s then onto the Guanacaste Coast for three nights of relaxation, enjoying the stunning scenery and discovering the colourful underwater world of the Pacific. A fitting end to your short but unforgettable Costa Rican journey. | Whats included?
|
Days 1-4 |
Arenal |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel in Arenal |
|
|
Accommodation in Arenal
•
Tabacon - $$$$$
Tabacon is a beautiful and serene luxury hotel, located at the foot of the majestic Arenal...
•
Nayara Gardens - $$$$$
Voted one of South America’s most romantic hotels, the Nayara is a fitting choice for those...
•
Nayara Springs - $$$$$
This boutique hotel encompasses all things luxurious, with views overlooking the grand Arenal...
|
|
| Three nights in Arenal During your time in Arenal, there are a huge number of activities that we can arrange for you. There are adventure activities for the adrenalin junkies as well as options for those who want to enjoy the area at a more leisurely pace. Your travel designer will be able to guide you through the different options, so that you choose the excursions best suited to your interests. |
|
| Sky Tram and canopy tour The tour will begin with the Sky Tram which suitable for all ages, and thanks to the space of the gondolas, wheelchairs can also be accommodated. Before you start, your guide will give you a brief explanation about security measures and will provide you with the equipment you'll need for this adventure. The slow-paced Sky Tram gondolas glide smoothly, offering impressive views of the rainforest, the Arenal volcano and the lake. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, the ride takes around 20 minutes with the possibility of short stops to take one-of-a-kind photographs or to spot a tropical bird. The Sky Trek will return you to the starting point, and during it you will slide through cables that extend into the middle of the forest and canyons. You will enjoy views of the tropical forest that only a bird could experience. The canopy tour includes eight cross-sectional cables with a total length of 1.7 miles and a maximum height of 660 feet. |
|
| Cano Negro and the Rio Frio The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Frio are considered to one of the best sites for bird watching and observing wildlife. Here you can find a great variety of resident and migratory birds including the endangered jabiru, the largest bird in Central America. Caño Negro is also home to many other exciting animals. Howler monkeys, spider monkeys, white-faced monkeys can be seen on the banks of the river, as well as three-toed sloths and some reptiles like turtles, caimans and basilisk, also known as Jesus Christ lizards. The tour starts with a private transfer to Los Chiles, a small village 4km from the Nicaraguan border. During this three-hour floating safari, a bilingual guide will point out the rich and varied avifauna present in this protected wetland, declared a Ramsar Site in 1991. A typical Costa Rican lunch will be served in a restaurant after the safari. |
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|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to the Guanacaste Coast |
|
Days 4-7 |
Guanacaste Coast |
|
Accommodation in Guanacaste Coast
•
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa - $$$$$
This spacious hacienda-style resort on the Guanacaste coast combines exclusive five-star...
•
El Mangroove - $$$$$
Even with 85 rooms El Mangroove still strikes a very boutique sort of style and atmosphere....
•
Hotel Punta Islita - $$$$$
An impressive resort with a luxurious collection of accommodation categories, Punta Islita...
•
Four Seasons Papagayo - $$$$$
Occupying the entire Papagayo Peninsula on Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste coast this...
|
|
| Three nights on the Guanacaste Coast With its stretches of golden sand beaches, wildlife reserves and ultra-easy-going atmosphere, the Guanacaste Coast is the perfect place to kick back and relax for a few days. Nicknamed the 'gold coast', it stretches all the way from the Nicaragua border south to the Nicoya Peninsula. There is lots to do here from surfing and snorkelling to horse riding and kayaking. |
|
| Snorkelling the Guanacaste Coast Your guide will introduce you to the underwater world, where you'll discover the beauty that lies beneath the Pacific Ocean. Learn about the different creatures and species that inhabit these waters and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and turtles. |
|
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Liberia airport |
