7-day customizable adventure
Begin beneath Arenal Volcano, where rainforest trails, river adventure and the warm springs at Los Lagos set an energetic pace. Then cross Lake Arenal to Monteverde for cool, misty cloud forest, treetop views and a final day that is yours to shape.
Explore the starting route, stays, and experiences, then share the ideas that fit your vacation with a Pacific Trade Winds specialist.
*Starting price varies with travel dates, party size, availability, and the choices you make.
Make this trip mineThe sample route
Arenal feels lush, warm and dramatic, with the volcano rising beyond rainforest, gardens and winding country roads. Monteverde changes the atmosphere completely: the air turns cooler, clouds drift through the canopy and mountain views replace the lowland horizon. Three nights in each place give you time to experience both without rushing from hotel to hotel.
Volcano views, warm rainforest and choices ranging from rafting to wildlife; Los Lagos guests also have resort hot-springs access during their stay.
Cool cloud forest, canopy experiences, reserve trails, birdlife and coffee-country culture.
Stays along the route
Keep the starting stays or compare the available alternatives. Your planner will confirm the final room basis, availability, inclusions, and price.
La Fortuna and Arenal VolcanoIncluded
A three-night Arenal base with tropical grounds, volcano-region access and use of the resort hot springs throughout the stay.
MonteverdeIncluded
A welcoming three-night base near Monteverde’s cloud-forest reserves and highland experiences.
Experiences along the way
These are the starting experiences included in the sample itinerary. Compare available ideas for each tour in Customize.
Available from La FortunaDay 2: Walk Arenal’s natural-history trail
Starting experienceA guided walk through Arenal’s volcanic landscape for natural history, forest and volcano views.
Available from La FortunaDay 3: Río Sarapiquí whitewater rafting
Starting experienceA lively Class II and III rafting day for travelers who want whitewater and tropical river scenery.
Available from MonteverdeDay 5: Selvatura hanging bridges guided hike
Starting experienceA guided canopy walk for a slower look at Monteverde’s forest layers and wildlife.
Starting package
These are the stays, experiences and transportation included in the starting package.
Route at a glance
See how the sample route connects each destination. Reorder the destination stops to explore another sequence; your planner will confirm the transportation and timing it requires.
Arrival and departure stay in place while you explore a different order for the destination stops.
7-day Costa Rica itinerary
Follow the starting itinerary day by day, then use Customize to explore stays, experiences, transportation, and pace.
Current route: La Fortuna → Monteverde
A friendly private driver meets you at SJO or LIR and carries you into Costa Rica’s green northern lowlands. Settle in for three nights at Los Lagos Hotel Resort and Spa, where Arenal Volcano frames the landscape and the resort’s hot springs are available throughout your stay.
Walk through rainforest and old volcanic terrain on the Arenal Volcano Natural History and Rainforest Hike. Your guide adds the stories behind the landscape and helps you notice the life tucked into the forest before you return to Los Lagos for an easy evening.
Take on the Río Sarapiquí’s Class II and III rapids for a playful, active day on the water, with calmer stretches between the whitewater. Prefer a gentler rhythm? This tour can be exchanged for another Arenal experience, including the Caño Negro riverboat safari.
Travel by road to Lake Arenal, board the shared boat for a scenic crossing and watch the volcano country recede behind you. A second road transfer climbs into Monteverde’s cooler highlands, where Poco a Poco Hotel and Spa becomes your base for three nights.
Step into the cloud-forest canopy on the Hanging Bridges Guided Hike - Selvatura, where elevated walkways open new views into the greenery. You can keep the day contemplative or exchange this tour for another Monteverde experience, including Selvatura’s zipline.
Let Monteverde set the pace. Sleep in, browse the shops and cafés around town or simply enjoy the mountain air. If you want one more adventure, consider a cloud-forest reserve, coffee-country experience, zipline or guided night walk.
Your private driver collects you in Monteverde for the trip to your selected international airport, SJO or LIR, with departure timed around your confirmed flight.
MAKE THIS COSTA RICA VACATION YOURS
Share your dates, priorities and the parts of this sample itinerary you would like to adjust.
Shape your time in both regions
Start with the trip shown here, then choose the stays, experiences and transportation that feel right for you. Your planner will bring the pieces together and confirm the final details and price.
Explore 1 of 3
Compare rainforest, wildlife, culture, and adventure ideas within each destination, then choose the experiences that fit your vacation best.
Destination
Alternatives from La Fortuna
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Alternatives from La Fortuna
Browse more ways to experience this destination, and swap one into the day that catches your eye.
Destination
Alternatives from Monteverde
Browse more ways to experience this destination, and swap one into the day that catches your eye.
In La Fortuna, follow a naturalist into the forest at the foot of Arenal Volcano, then trade the trail for the lively Class II and III rapids of the Río Sarapiquí. Between outings, Los Lagos gives you a relaxed base with gardens, volcano views and hot springs reserved for hotel guests. If a different pace appeals, Arenal also opens the door to river safaris, hanging bridges, canyoning, kayaking, coffee experiences and wildlife walks.
The shared land-boat-land journey across Lake Arenal is part of the experience, with wide water views before the road climbs into Monteverde’s green highlands. Here, a guided walk across Selvatura’s hanging bridges brings you into the cloud-forest canopy. Your open day can stay wonderfully unhurried or become a zipline adventure, a reserve hike, a coffee-country outing or an evening nature walk.
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