Day 1
Overview & Highlights
Costa Rica is a land of volcanoes product of an intense volcanic activity that began some 75 million years ago and has left us with a plethora of magnificent formations. An exploration from the Central Volcanic Range to the Guanacaste Volcanic Range.
Highlights:
• Explore the tallest volcano of the country (11.260 feet), the Irazu Volcano, and from there admire his brother, the Turrialba Volcano under a new period with ash explosions that shower the Central Valley periodically.
• Admire the enormous crater of Poas Volcano and its steaming fumaroles.
• Hike and explore lava rock formations over the foot of Arenal Volcano with an experienced local guide.
• Soak in thermal pools, take an invigorating mud bath, and relax in a natural pool at the foothills of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano.
Best time to travel:
November to April, June, and July.
Welcome & transfer in SJO Airport to your hotel
On arrival at the San Jose International Airport (SJO), you will be meet & greet by our bilingual representative who will help you with your luggage and transfer you to the hotel.
Hyatt Place San José (2 nights)
Conveniently located in the tranquil neighborhood of Curridabat, Hyatt Place San Jose/Pinares is the perfect location for both business and leisure travelers, within close proximity to many local attractions.
With 120 roomy rooms divided up into separate living and sleeping areas, including the comfy Cozy Corner with sofa-sleeper, you’ll soon find that your space is the perfect spot to recharge.
At Momentum Pinares shopping plaza (where the hotel is located), you can find several dining options at the restaurants.
Day 2
Irazú Volcano & Turrialba Volcano
After a hearty breakfast, pick up at the hotel for the drive on a winding route crossing small towns and agricultural fields towards Costa Rica´s highest volcano( 11.270 feet above sea level).
After visiting the Irazu Volcano National Park drive towards the town of Capellades and stop en route for lunch (at extra cost) at Restaurante Rancho del Sapito with views of the Turrialba Volcano. Here you can try different types of local cheese produced in the area.
On the way back to San José, stop for sightseeing the former capital of Costa Rica, Cartago. Now, this provincial capital remains an important religious center. On August 2nd thousands of pilgrims walk here to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of the Angels.
Irazú Volcano National Park visit
Irazú volcano is a stratovolcano with a summit elevation of 11,260 feet. Its five craters are easily differentiated. The most important ones, because of their activity, are The Main Crater and the Diego de la Haya crater. The Main Crater is almost circular, has very inclined walls and it measures 3,440 feet in diameter and 980 feet deep. The Diego de la Haya crater is 2,000 feet in diameter and 330 feet deep. Other craters are Playa Hermosa, La Laguna, and El Piroclastico.
The origin of its name comes from an Indian village that existed in the volcano called Iztarú, a word meaning, for them, the hill of tremor and thunder.
Records of the eruptive activity of the volcano date back to 1723 when a strong eruption occurred, according to documented records by Diego de la Haya Fernandez, Governor of the Province of Cartago at the time.
Day 3
San José to Arenal Volcano (stop at Poas Volcano)
Pick up at your hotel for the land transfer from San José to Arenal Volcano, on the way stop at Poas Volcano National Park.
Poás Volcano National Park visit
Upon arrival at Poas Volcano National Park, a gentle walk will take us from the visitor center to the main crater observation area.
Poás main crater is an enormous, gaping hole and 1.030,18 feet deep. At the bottom, there is a circular turquoise-colored hot lake. This park protects various types of forests containing abundant epiphytes and parasite plants.
Hotel Arenal Springs Resort and Spa (2 nights)
Each room has been designed to provide incredible direct views of the majestic Arenal Volcano, and each terrace is surrounded by tropical gardens where countless birds and butterflies play. All rooms, in addition to the restaurants, pools, hot springs, and common areas have been designed to take into account the special needs of disabled people and are wheelchair accessible.
The hot springs have been created to give you the feeling that you are in a natural thermal river in the middle of the rainforest. Tropical gardens surround the river to add to the sensation. The floor of the pools is made from limestone which adds to the soothing atmosphere. The light color allows you to see your feet and verify the cleanliness of the waters. The thermal water is naturally heated by the Arenal Volcano and its underground rivers.
Professional massage therapists await you in each of their high ceilings, private bungalows snuggled among charming tropical gardens with the soothing sounds of running water, the songs of the birds, and gentle music.
Day 4
Arenal 1968 Volcano Hike
Costa Rica has around 112 volcanoes and the Arenal Volcano is one of the most active in the country and is located in La Fortuna de San Carlos.
From 1968 to 2010 there were many lava flows, eruptions, and pyroclastic clouds. For years, this Volcano has been the biggest attraction in the area. With a beautiful natural scenery, trails, characteristic flora, and fauna, our certified naturalist guide will take you to the ancient lava fields, where some observation points will delight you!
Day 5
Transfer Arenal to Rincón de la Vieja, Guancaste
Pick up at your hotel for the private transfer from your hotel to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano area.
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin (3 nights)
Rincon de la Vieja National Park is an impressive park surrounded by two volcanoes, located 15 miles northeast of Liberia, Guanacaste.
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin offers you comfortable accommodations to relax in after a day of adventure and nature tours near the national park.
The hotel features traditional architecture and authentic handcrafted furniture in a typical Guanacaste fashion.
We offer farm-to-table homemade meals, producing on our ranch much of the food that we serve in our Hacienda Restaurant.
Day 6
Hike to "Las Pailas" trail at Rincon de La Vieja Park
The Las Pailas trails of Rincón de la Vieja National Park are located very close to Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin.
The Las Pailas sector spectacularly shows the power of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano, the most active and largest volcano in Guanacaste. Steam and sulfur come from natural fumaroles of yellow and rusty soil. Witness clay pails in various shades of brown with boiling volcanic water, fine gray volcanic mud bubbles, and explosions in large pails.
With a bilingual naturalist guide, you can walk the Las Pailas circular path through the tropical forest to enjoy the best views of the volcano, incredible nature, volcanic activity, and wildlife. The park is home to more than 300 species of birds, and many other animals, such as armadillos, bays, iguanas, coatis and white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and spider monkeys.
Day 7
Free day at Hacienda Guachipelin
Enjoy a free day or join optional activities (at extra cost) such as horseback riding, hiking, some adventures such as river tubing at Rio Negro, rock climbing, ziplining, and rope swinging.
Relax and rejuvenate in the mineral-rich, thermal waters of Rio Negro, surrounded by the beautiful tropical forest!
For a more private spa experience with thermal waters, a sauna, and mud baths, visit Simbiosis Spa. For an optimal natural spa experience, we recommend starting with 10 – 15 minutes in the sauna to open all the pores of your skin.
Then, we recommend applying pure volcanic clay — which comes directly from our volcanic mud pans — all over your body. Wait for the mud to dry and then wash it in the showers.
Now it’s time to relax in one of our three pools with clay hot springs. Finish your treatment with a cold shower so that the pores of your skin can close again, leaving you feeling like a newborn.
Day 8
Transfer Rincon de La Vieja to Liberia Airport
You will be picked up at the hotel for the private transfer to Liberia (Daniel Oduber International Airport) on time for your check-in process with your airline.
*Check-in: 2 hours before your flight departure time.
Adios Costa Rica!
