
9-day Costa Rica vacation
Celestial Costa Rica: Luxurious Retreat
Move from the mountain gardens and waterfalls of Peace Lodge to Arenal’s rainforest, then unwind beside the Pacific at Arenas del Mar. This nine-day retreat balances guided nature experiences with two open coastal days. Compare named activities and stays in Customize, then shape the details with Pacific Trade Winds.
Plan Celestial Costa Rica: Luxurious Hot Springs, Waterfalls, and Beaches Retreat around your dates and interests.
Explore the starting route, stays, and experiences, then share the ideas that fit your vacation with a Pacific Trade Winds specialist.
- Price
- dynamic
- Route
- Vara Blanca - Peace Lodge → Arenal → Manuel Antonio
- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Planning
- Customizable sample itinerary
*Starting price varies with travel dates, party size, availability, and the choices you make.
Make this trip mineThe sample route
Why Vara Blanca, La Fortuna, and Manuel Antonio work together
Move from the mountain gardens and waterfalls of Peace Lodge to Arenal’s rainforest, then unwind beside the Pacific at Arenas del Mar. This nine-day retreat balances guided nature experiences with two open coastal days. Compare named activities and stays in Customize, then shape the details with Pacific Trade Winds.
Arenas Del Mar Beach and Nature Resort
Stays along the route
Starting stays for Celestial Costa Rica: Luxurious Hot Springs, Waterfalls, and Beaches Retreat
Keep the starting stays or compare the available alternatives. Your planner will confirm the final room basis, availability, inclusions, and price.
Experiences along the way
Included tours in the Celestial Costa Rica: Luxurious Hot Springs, Waterfalls, and Beaches Retreat itinerary
These are the starting experiences included in the sample itinerary. Compare available ideas for each tour in Customize.
Day 2: The Symphony of Waterfalls
Starting experienceLa Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour - Peace Lodge
Another way to experience this destination during Celestial Costa Rica: Luxurious Hot Springs, Waterfalls, and Beaches Retreat.
Day 4: Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges Guided Hike
Starting experienceArenal Mistico Hanging Bridges Guided Hike Through the Canopy & Rainforest
Explore the rainforest canopy on a guided hike at Mistico, with trails and hanging bridges offering different views of the forest. A named zipline outing is available instead in Customize. Your planner confirms your choice, suitability and the final trip arrangements.
Day 5: Cano Negro Riverboat Wildlife Safari
Starting experienceCano Negro Riverboat in the Rainforest Wildlife Safari & Cultural Tasting
Take a riverboat wildlife safari in the Cano Negro area, looking for birds and other wildlife with a guide. Rio Balsa rafting is available instead in Customize. Your planner confirms the selected experience, travel time and suitability.
Starting package
What is included in this itinerary?
These are the stays, experiences and transportation included in the starting package.
- Travel concierge while in Costa Rica
- VIP Airport Greeting
- All Domestic Transportation as described
- 2 nights at Peace Lodge
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour - Peace Lodge
- 3 nights at Nayara Gardens
- Day 4: Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges Guided Hike (starting selection; zipline available in Customize)
- Day 5: Cano Negro Riverboat Wildlife Safari (starting selection; Rio Balsa rafting available in Customize)
- 3 nights at Arenas Del Mar Beach and Nature Resort
- Inquire for details about Included Meals/Drinks
- Current sales and turismo taxes
- Optimized logistics and detailed itinerary planned with you by an expert Costa Rica Travel Planner
- Professional support before, during, and after your trip
- 24/7 Travel assistance while in Costa Rica (forget your passport or favorite shirt at a hotel? flight plan change? lose a contact lens while swimming? – WE’RE LOCATED IN COSTA RICA AND ARE HERE FOR YOU!)
- The best guides for day tours and professional drivers on transfers
- Easy booking with only a $100 deposit and flexible payment plans
Route at a glance
How Celestial Costa Rica: Luxurious Hot Springs, Waterfalls, and Beaches Retreat moves through Costa Rica
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.
Editable trip sequence
Arrival and departure stay in place while you explore a different order for the destination stops.
- 1SJO Airport arrival
- 2Vara Blanca - Peace LodgeDays 1–2
- 3ArenalDays 3–5
- 4Manuel AntonioDays 6–8
- 5SJO Airport departure
9-day Costa Rica itinerary
What happens each day on Celestial Costa Rica: Luxurious Hot Springs, Waterfalls, and Beaches Retreat?
Follow the starting itinerary day by day, then use Customize to explore stays, experiences, transportation, and pace.
Current route: Vara Blanca - Peace Lodge → Arenal → Manuel Antonio
Day 1: Peace Lodge: The Enchanted Mountain Retreat
Your first destination is the Peace Lodge, perched in the picturesque Vara Blanca. Nestled amidst lush rainforests and serenaded by cascading waterfalls, this eco-friendly sanctuary is a tranquil escape from the mundane. Here, you'll discover sumptuously appointed rooms and suites, each adorned with stone fireplaces, handcrafted furnishings, and private balconies offering awe-inspiring views. Whether you yearn for rejuvenation or adventure, the lodge offers it all – a spa with rejuvenating treatments, a butterfly observatory, and a refreshing pool overlooking the verdant landscape. This is a place where time stands still, allowing you to become one with the natural wonders that surround you.Day 2: The Symphony of Waterfalls
Today, you'll explore the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a realm of natural wonder. Hike through cloud and rainforest environments, unveiling five enchanting waterfalls with carefully designed viewing platforms. Feel the mist on your face as you stand beside these magnificent cascades, listening to the soothing sounds of water meeting rock. Along the way, you'll encounter nature pavilions and habitats teeming with wildlife – from jungle cats and birds to butterflies, monkeys, and sloths. The ethereal beauty of orchids in the orchid house will leave you in awe. You will also arrive at a 100-year-old farm reproduction, where you can partake in traditional Costa Rican activities like ox-cart rides and cow-milking. The Gardens also stand as a testament to eco-friendliness, engaging in reforestation and wildlife reintroduction. In every step you take, you'll feel the vibrant heartbeat of the rainforest.Day 3: Nayara Gardens: Arenal's Luxurious Oasis
Your journey continues to the heart of Costa Rica, Nayara Gardens in La Fortuna. This boutique luxury resort cradles you in the lap of nature, with the majestic Arenal Volcano as your backdrop. The spacious villas and suites boast elegant furnishings, private terraces with breathtaking views, and modern amenities that cater to your every whim. Dive into gourmet dining, where the flavors of Costa Rica come to life with fresh local ingredients and innovative culinary creations. Close your eyes, and you'll savor the tastes of this tropical paradise. As the sun sets over Arenal, find serenity at the resort's world-class spa, where rejuvenating treatments are inspired by traditional Costa Rican techniques. Unwind and rejuvenate your body and mind, and as you do, you'll hear the sounds of the rainforest coming alive around you. With an array of outdoor activities available, including guided hikes through the canopy of trees, you'll find yourself immersed in the natural wonders of the surrounding area. The attentive and dedicated staff go above and beyond to ensure every guest's needs are met, providing exceptional service and creating a personalized and memorable experience. It's not just a stay; it's a profound connection with nature and with the warm-hearted people who make your stay unforgettable.Day 4: Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges Guided Hike
Explore the rainforest canopy on a guided hike at Mistico, with trails and hanging bridges offering different views of the forest. A named zipline outing is available instead in Customize. Your planner confirms your choice, suitability and the final trip arrangements.
Day 5: Cano Negro Riverboat Wildlife Safari
Take a riverboat wildlife safari in the Cano Negro area, looking for birds and other wildlife with a guide. Rio Balsa rafting is available instead in Customize. Your planner confirms the selected experience, travel time and suitability.
Day 6: Arenas del Mar Resort: The Beachfront Haven
You'll now find yourself at Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort in Manuel Antonio, where luxury harmonizes with environmental sustainability. Wake up to the symphony of the Pacific Ocean and immerse yourself in eco-friendly luxury. Delight in farm-to-table cuisine, where every bite is a fusion of local and organic ingredients that burst with flavor. The restaurants at Arenas del Mar are not just places to dine; they're showcases of the rich culinary tapestry of Costa Rica. As you dine, you'll savor the essence of this bountiful land. Unwind by the infinity pool, surrounded by lush gardens that bloom with vibrant tropical flowers. Take a short stroll to the private beach, where the sun-soaked sands beckon you to relax and breathe in the salty ocean air. Discover the wonders of Manuel Antonio National Park, home to abundant wildlife and scenic hiking trails that wind through the rainforest. This is where nature meets luxury in perfect harmony. With a deep commitment to preserving the natural beauty, Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort invites you to immerse yourself in a harmonious blend of luxury, sustainability, and authentic Costa Rican hospitality. Your time here is not just a vacation; it's a testament to the preservation of the planet's most precious places. Guests will enjoy amenities such as a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, spa, WiFi in most areas, and tropical gardens. This is where you'll find solace, where you'll reconnect with the earth, and where you'll be enveloped in luxury that leaves no footprint behind.Day 7: Beachfront Bliss
Two days of leisure await you on the palm-studded beaches of Manuel Antonio. Wake up to the gentle sound of waves lapping the shore, and open your eyes to a world of possibilities. Whether you choose to perfect your tan on the sun-drenched sands or embark on additional activities to explore the rich biodiversity of Manuel Antonio National Park, these beach days are yours to savor as you please. With each passing moment, you'll fall deeper in love with the untamed beauty of Costa Rica's coast.Day 8: Beachfront Bliss
Two days of leisure await you on the palm-studded beaches of Manuel Antonio. Wake up to the gentle sound of waves lapping the shore, and open your eyes to a world of possibilities. Whether you choose to perfect your tan on the sun-drenched sands or embark on additional activities to explore the rich biodiversity of Manuel Antonio National Park, these beach days are yours to savor as you please. With each passing moment, you'll fall deeper in love with the untamed beauty of Costa Rica's coast.Day 9: Farewell, but not Goodbye - ¡Pura Vida!
As your celestial journey nears its conclusion, remember that memories last a lifetime. You'll be transported back to San Jose International Airport, ensuring you arrive three hours before your departure flight. As you bid farewell to this enchanting land, you carry with you the spirit of ¡Pura Vida!, a life embraced fully and passionately. Costa Rica's Celestial Retreat is not just a vacation; it's a transformation, a connection to nature, and a love affair with a land where every moment is pure life.
MAKE THIS COSTA RICA VACATION YOURS
Plan your Celestial Costa Rica vacation
Share your dates and the changes you would like with a Pacific Trade Winds specialist.
Optional trip explorer
Make this vacation yours
Compare stays, a named alternative for each included outing, and complete transportation plans. Your Pacific Trade Winds planner confirms suitability, availability, logistics and the revised quote.
Explore 1 of 3
Compare hotel ideas
Peace Lodge: begin among mountain gardens and waterfalls
The first two nights place you at Peace Lodge in Vara Blanca. The included La Paz Waterfall Gardens visit explores a setting of forest trails, waterfall viewpoints and nature exhibits. It is a cooler mountain contrast to the warmer lowland rainforest and coast that follow.
Arenal: look into the canopy, then explore the waterways
Three nights at Nayara Gardens give you an Arenal base between guided outings. Walk rainforest trails and hanging bridges at Mistico on Day 4, then look for birds and other wildlife on a Caño Negro riverboat safari on Day 5. Ziplining and Río Balsa rafting are alternative ways to experience the canopy and waterways.
Rainforest perspectives, from the canopy to the river
A canopy hike gives you time to examine the forest from trails and bridges, while ziplining brings a more active view through the treetops. A riverboat safari leaves time to watch the banks for wildlife; Río Balsa rafting adds the excitement of moving water. Compare these experiences in Customize and ask your planner which best fits your interests and abilities.
Manuel Antonio: three coastal nights and two open days
Arenas del Mar provides the starting beachfront stay for the final part of the route. Two free days leave room for the beach, the hotel or an optional excursion. Nearby rainforest and Pacific coastal scenery make this a change of pace after Arenal; additional activities are requested and quoted separately.
PLAN THIS VACATION
What should you know before planning this vacation?
- Two Peace Lodge nights begin in the Vara Blanca mountain setting, with day 2 devoted to the waterfall-gardens experience described in the starting itinerary.
- Three Nayara Gardens nights add Arenal's rainforest, with the starting Mistico guided hanging bridges on day 4 and Caño Negro riverboat safari on day 5.
- Three Arenas del Mar nights finish in Manuel Antonio, where days 7 and 8 remain open for beach time and separately arranged coastal experiences.
- The nine-day trip favors nature outings and distinctive stays rather than a different scheduled adventure every day. Walking intensity and tour conditions should match your party.
- Your planner can compare hotels and excursions while confirming room and meal arrangements and the entire mountain-to-Pacific transport plan.
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