Coco Loco Adventure

Arenal is made for days outdoors. Around the iconic volcano, rainforest rivers, jungle trails and hot springs give you plenty to look forward to, while nearby La Fortuna brings restaurants, ice cream parlors, chocolate shops and souvenir stores into the mix. Your three-night stay at Arenal Springs provides a welcoming base, with thermal pools and tropical gardens to enjoy between adventures.

On the Río Sarapiquí, guides equip you for a lively journey through Class II and III rapids, with rainforest lining the riverbanks and lunch included in the outing. Pure Trek brings a different kind of exhilaration: travel along backroads, hike into the rainforest and descend waterfalls and a canyon wall with your guides and safety equipment. Lunch and return transportation are included, leaving the rest of the day for an unhurried evening at your hotel.

The journey to Monteverde is part of the pleasure. Cross scenic Lake Arenal by boat, then continue by land into the mountains of the Continental Divide. Here, moisture and mist surround trees draped in vines, ferns and air plants, including orchids. Three nights at Poco a Poco put you in the picturesque village of Santa Elena, with a heated swimming pool to return to after your outings.

Explore this remarkable forest from two perspectives. A guided walk at Selvatura follows a three-kilometer trail with eight hanging bridges, giving you time to appreciate the canopy. Aventuras then brings the rush of eleven zipline cables and a Tarzan Swing, with sweeping views as you travel from platform to platform. River rapids, waterfall descents and cloud forest adventures make a memorable week together—and Pacific Trade Winds can help you make it yours with a few personal touches.

• Three nights near Arenal Volcano bring Sarapiquí Class II–III rafting, Pure Trek canyoning and time in the thermal pools at Arenal Springs.
• The Day 4 land–boat–land journey crosses Lake Arenal before climbing into Monteverde’s highlands.
• Three nights at Poco a Poco in Santa Elena pair a guided Selvatura bridge walk with Aventuras ziplining.
• Choose a gentler wildlife outing, another adventure or a different hotel from the ideas below—this is your week to shape.

The journey is part of the pleasure: leave Arenal’s foothills, cross the lake by boat and continue uphill into Monteverde. The transfer plan pairs private airport travel with the land–boat–land crossing and transportation for your excursions. Prefer the freedom of a rental car? Choose rental-car travel, private airport transfers paired with the shared lake crossing, or all-private airport and interdestination transfers. Transportation for the included tours remains as supplied by each tour.

Keep the rafting, waterfalls and canopy adventures that caught your eye, or explore another side of each region. A river safari brings wildlife into focus; a coffee farm opens a window onto local life. Compare the hotels, choose the experiences that speak to you and find the balance of adventure and downtime that feels like your vacation.

The reference price uses double occupancy, rental-car travel and the described October free-night offers at Arenal Springs and Poco a Poco; rates vary with dates, hotel demand and choices. The listed rooms, meals and services describe the included package, while substitutions may change them. Your Pacific Trade Winds planner confirms the final itinerary, logistics and price before booking. A rental car does not travel on the passenger boat; vehicle arrangements or a road route are needed. International airfare, insurance and unlisted services are excluded.