Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Rainforest & Pacific Coast All-Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.69 (107 reviews) 85% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/29

Duration8d

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

From volcano craters to rainforest trails and Pacific breezes

You’ll wake early for Pacific coast sunrises and end days soaking in volcanic hot springs. Walk rainforest bridges in Arenal, spot wildlife with local guides, taste fresh cheese at La Paz Gardens, and raft wild rivers—all with hotels and transport sorted so you can just live it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival to Costa Rica

Guide meets at airport exit
Assist with luggage
Transfer to hotel in San José

Day 2 — Manuel Antonio and Catamaran Tour

Early hotel pickup at 5:30 a.m.
Travel to Central Pacific area
Observe crocodiles and coastal views
Enjoy catamaran tour with snorkeling
Have lunch on board
Guided walk in Manuel Antonio National Park
Relax and swim at beach
Visit four panoramic viewpoints

Day 3 — La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour

Visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens trails
See five waterfalls and rainforest flora
Tour wildlife sanctuary with rescued animals
Cheese and artisan dairy tasting

Day 4 — Arenal Volcano and Thermal Spa

Hotel pickup at 7:00 a.m.
Travel to La Fortuna town
View Arenal Volcano
Walk suspension hanging bridges
Observe local wildlife
Relax at hot spring resort with pools

Day 5 — Canopy Adventure Tour

Canopy tour through cloud forest
Slide on 12 cables including Superman
Traverse 24 jungle platforms
Experience Tarzan Swing and Mad Horse

Day 6 — Irazú Volcano and Orosi Viewpoint

Depart San Jose at 7:00 a.m.
Ascend Irazú Volcano
Walk trails around volcanic crater
Visit Orosi historic viewpoint

Day 7 — Rafting on Pacuare River

Rafting adventure on Pacuare River
Navigate exciting rapids for 5 hours
Enjoy natural river landscapes

Day 8 — Departure from Costa Rica

Transfer to airport
Farewell and end of tour

The Experience

I didn’t expect to be up before sunrise on vacation, but there I was—half-awake, coffee in hand—watching the mist lift over San José as our driver loaded my bag. The first morning of this Costa Rica all-inclusive package felt like a blur until we hit the road toward Manuel Antonio. Our guide, Diego, pointed out crocodiles sunning themselves by a bridge (he called them “lazy locals”) and handed out pineapple slices that tasted way sweeter than anything I’d had back home. There was this moment on the catamaran later—everyone quiet for a second except the wind and the slap of water—when a pod of dolphins popped up near the bow. I still think about that view.

The days blurred into each other in the best way: waterfalls roaring at La Paz Gardens (and that damp, earthy smell after rain), sloths curled up like little commas in the trees, and Diego teaching us how to spot toucans by their calls. At Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, I nearly chickened out on the first bridge—the whole thing bounced with every step—but an older couple from Montreal just laughed and marched right past me. We’d end up swapping WhatsApp numbers over lunch later. The hot springs near Arenal were pure magic after that; slipping into those volcanic pools at dusk with steam curling around my face felt like being inside some secret world.

One day was pure adrenaline: ziplining through cloud forest canopies with hands shaking (mine, not Diego’s—he just grinned), then rafting down Rio Pacuare where I swallowed half the river but couldn’t stop laughing. Evenings were quieter—good food at the hotel (the gallo pinto is worth trying twice), tired legs, sometimes just watching rain streak down the window. On our last morning at Irazú Volcano, standing at the crater rim while clouds rolled over turquoise water below… it felt like standing on another planet. And then suddenly it was time to go home again—which always happens too fast, you know?

What’s included

Your week includes airport pickup and drop-off in San José, private transport between every destination—from volcanoes to beaches—and entry fees for all attractions like La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park.
You’ll stay each night in carefully selected 4-star hotels with breakfast included; some days feature lunches or tastings along the way (like cheese sampling at La Paz).
Local guides lead every major activity so you don’t have to worry about logistics or language barriers—just show up ready for whatever Costa Rica throws your way.

Operated by Summer Travel Costa Rica