8-Day Costa Rica Tour: San Jose, Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio

Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio in one trip: volcano hikes, zip lines, and Pacific beaches

An 8-day guided tour departing San Jose that moves through Arenal Volcano and ends at Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast. You'll zip-line over La Fortuna Waterfall, soak in thermal hot springs heated by the volcano, explore a Maleku Indigenous cultural center, and spend two free days at one of the world's most beautiful parks. A bilingual guide leads the group through all stops. Seven nights accommodation, meals and ground transport are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to hotel

• Meet at San Jose International Airport
• Transfer to hotel in San Jose

Day 2: Travel to Arenal Volcano

• Stop at Sarchi artisan town
• View world's largest ox cart
• Travel through plantations and farms
• Lunch with volcano view
• Arrive at Arenal Volcano
• Relax at hot springs resort

Day 3: Arenal Volcano adventure activities

• Zip line over jungle and waterfall
• Visit Villaku Indigenous Cultural Center
• Return to hotel

Day 4: Transfer to Manuel Antonio

• Pickup from Arenal hotel
• Transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park and beaches

Day 5: Explore Manuel Antonio Beach

• Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
• Enjoy white sand beaches and coral reefs

Day 6: Free day in Manuel Antonio

• Relax at hotel or beach
• Optional park visit

Day 7: Return to San Jose

• Free morning in Manuel Antonio
• Transfer to San Jose city hotel

Day 8: Departure from San Jose

• Pickup from hotel
• Transfer to San Jose International Airport

The experience

The tour opens in San Jose with hotel pickup and a transfer to Arenal Volcano, a journey that breaks at Sarchi, a town known for its artisan crafts and the world's largest ox cart: a cedar structure 45 feet long, decorated in bright traditional colors and built over 70 days. From there the route crosses pineapple and plantain farms, mango groves and cattle ranches before reaching La Fortuna and lunch with a view of the volcano's conical peak. The afternoon centers on the thermal hot springs: five mineral-rich sources heated underground by the volcano's magma feed dozens of cascading waterfalls and warm pools along the riverbed, with temperatures ranging from 72 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Day three is built around a 3-kilometer zip-line trail that ends at Pino Blanco waterfall, surrounded by canyons up to 120 meters high. The route includes a cable over La Fortuna Waterfall itself (980 meters long, more than half a mile) at a height that frames the Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato in the distance. After the zip lines you visit the Villaku Indigenous Cultural Rescue Center to learn about Maleku culture before heading back. The next morning brings a transfer south to Manuel Antonio National Park on the central Pacific coast.

Manuel Antonio holds two free days. The park sits on white sand beaches backed by lush forest that reaches the water's edge, with coral reefs offshore and a terrestrial biodiversity that draws visitors worldwide. Forbes ranked it among the twelve most beautiful parks in the world in 2011. The final day is a morning at leisure followed by an afternoon transfer back to San Jose and then to the airport. Throughout the tour, a bilingual guide travels with the group; accommodation runs seven nights in mid-range hotels; all meals, ground transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, park fees and taxes are included.

What’s included

• Seven nights accommodation in mid-range hotels.
• bilingual professional guide.
• all meals including dinner.
• ground transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• park entry fees and all taxes.
• zip-line adventure over La Fortuna Waterfall.
• thermal hot springs access.
• visit to the Villaku Indigenous Cultural Rescue Center.
• airport pickup and return transfer.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Destiny Travel Costa Rica

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and Spanish fluently, so if you're comfortable following commentary in either language, this tour works for you. If you need a guide who speaks only one language, confirm availability before booking.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start.

What is La Fortuna Waterfall like, and do I actually zip-line over it?

La Fortuna Waterfall is a major stop on day three. The zip-line excursion includes a cable that spans 980 meters, more than half a mile, directly over the waterfall at a significant height, with views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato framing the landscape as you cross.

How much free time do I get at Manuel Antonio, and what can I do there?

You have two full free days at Manuel Antonio National Park. The park sits on the Pacific coast with white sand beaches, lush forest, and coral reefs. You can swim, hike, relax at the hotel or explore the park on your own.

Are the thermal hot springs included, or do I pay extra?

The thermal hot springs are included in the tour on day two. Optional spa treatments like massage are available but not included and must be reserved in advance. Those are paid directly at the resort.

Does the price cover my hotel rooms for all seven nights?

Yes, seven nights accommodation is included: one night in San Jose, two nights near Arenal Volcano, and two nights at Manuel Antonio, plus one night back in San Jose before your airport transfer on the final morning.

Is transportation from San Jose airport included?

Yes, pickup from San Jose International Airport on day one and transfer back to the airport on day eight are both included. Ground transport between all stops in an air-conditioned vehicle is also included throughout the tour.