9-day Costa Rica vacation
Explore Monteverde's canopy and birdlife before moving to Uvita's rainforest-framed Pacific coast. A final night in Alajuela completes this nine-day vacation with a gentle transition toward departure.
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
Explore Monteverde's canopy and birdlife before moving to Uvita's rainforest-framed Pacific coast. A final night in Alajuela completes this nine-day vacation with a gentle transition toward departure.
Monteverde's mountain setting brings cooler air and a forest atmosphere distinct from the lowlands. Clouds and mist can move through the trees, while hanging bridges and guided nature walks give you time to look closely at the canopy.
Uvita's South Pacific setting brings forested hills close to the coast and Marino Ballena National Park. The long coastline, surrounding rainforest and quieter pace give travelers room to alternate exploration with time at their stay.
Alajuela provides a green inland setting near San Jose International Airport, making it useful for settling in after arrival or easing into the final night before departure. A stay here can feel like part of the vacation instead of merely an airport stop, with time to enjoy the selected property's gardens and facilities.
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.
MonteverdeIncluded
Senda Monteverde Hotel, nestled in the captivating cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica, is a haven of tranquility and sustainability. Your planner confirms the room and meal plan.
UvitaIncluded
Kura Villas in Uvita, Costa Rica is an enchanting eco-luxury resort nestled in the breathtaking hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Your planner confirms the room and meal plan.
Alajuela suburbsIncluded
Xandari Resort and Spa in Alajuela, Costa Rica, is a luxurious and tranquil retreat nestled in a lush natural setting. Your planner confirms the room and meal plan.
Experiences along the way
These are the starting experiences included in the sample itinerary. Compare available ideas for each tour in Customize.
Available from MonteverdeDay 2: Selvatura Canopy and Guided Hanging Bridges Combo
Starting experienceThis Canopy and Hanging Bridges Combo is an awesome way to explore the Monteverde cloud forest. Your planner confirms the requirements and timing.
Available from MonteverdeDay 3: Birdwatching Tour - Esteban Daily Guided Tours
Starting experienceToday you will go on a 5 hour guided bird watching tour at either the Curi Cancha Reserve or the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Your planner confirms the requirements and timing.
Available from UvitaDay 5: Combo Tour Snorkeling, Caves, and Whale Watching
Starting experienceEmbark on a raw and authentic marine adventure aboard a powerful panga boat, the perfect vessel to navigate the open Pacific and get you close to nature’s giants. Your planner confirms the requirements and timing.
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.
9-day Costa Rica itinerary
Follow the starting itinerary day by day, then use Customize to explore stays, experiences, transportation, and pace.
Current route: Monteverde → Uvita → Alajuela suburbs
Arrive at San Jose International Airport and continue to Monteverde for your first stay at Senda Monteverde Hotel. Settle in and enjoy the setting after your journey.
Today includes Selvatura Canopy and Guided Hanging Bridges Combo. This Canopy and Hanging Bridges Combo is an awesome way to explore the Monteverde cloud forest. Your planner confirms pickup, timing and the activity requirements.
Today includes Birdwatching Tour - Esteban Daily Guided Tours. Today you will go on a 5 hour guided bird watching tour at either the Curi Cancha Reserve or the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Your planner confirms pickup, timing and the activity requirements.
Travel from Monteverde to Uvita and settle into Kura Villas. The rest of the day is open to enjoy your new surroundings.
Today includes Combo Tour Snorkeling, Caves, and Whale Watching. Embark on a raw and authentic marine adventure aboard a powerful panga boat, the perfect vessel to navigate the open Pacific and get you close to nature’s giants. Your planner confirms pickup, timing and the activity requirements.
Enjoy an open day in Uvita. Relax at your stay, enjoy the coast or discuss an optional guided nature outing. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Enjoy an open day in Uvita. Relax at your stay, enjoy the coast or discuss an optional guided nature outing. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Travel from Uvita to Alajuela and settle into Xandari Resort and Spa. The rest of the day is open to enjoy your new surroundings.
Return from Alajuela to San Jose International Airport, arriving three hours before your flight. Your planner confirms the departure arrangements for your selected transportation.
MAKE THIS COSTA RICA VACATION YOURS
Share your dates and the changes you would like with a Pacific Trade Winds specialist.
Optional trip explorer
Explore suitable stays, optional alternatives for included tours, and the complete transportation plan. Your planner confirms suitability, availability, logistics and the revised quote. Your choices are sent as planning requests before booking.
Explore 1 of 3
Pura Vida Paradise begins with three nights at Senda Monteverde, where cooler mountain air and layered forest set the tone. The included Selvatura Canopy and Guided Hanging Bridges Combo on day 2 provides two perspectives on the canopy, followed by a dedicated birdwatching outing on day 3. This is a nature-focused opening with room to enjoy the lodge between excursions.
Four nights at Kura Villas shift the vacation toward Uvita's forested hills and coastline. Day 5's snorkeling, caves and whale-watching combination is the included ocean outing; wildlife sightings and the activities possible on the water depend on the season and conditions. Two open coastal days give the vacation breathing room before the last night at Xandari in Alajuela. Ask your planner to shape the stays and activity level around the way you want to experience these contrasting environments.
Three nights at Senda Monteverde begin in the cooler cloud forest. The Selvatura Canopy and Guided Hanging Bridges Combo on day 2 includes both experiences, while day 3’s guided birdwatching gives the forest a slower, more observant focus. Enjoy time at the lodge between outings, and discuss the active canopy elements and walking intensity with your planner before substituting another product.
Four Kura Villas nights bring the vacation to Uvita’s forested hills and South Pacific coastline. The included snorkeling, caves and whale-watching combination on day 5 is the ocean outing; wildlife sightings and the activities possible on the water depend on season and conditions. Two open coastal days follow for rest, the selected stay or separately arranged experiences. Nearby waterfalls and park visits are not automatically included.
The Alajuela airport stay gives this mountain-to-coast route a practical finish near San Jose International Airport. Enjoy the selected property's setting if your arrival time allows, while leaving enough time for the confirmed departure transfer and check-in. Additional meals, spa services and sightseeing remain separate from the arrangements in your proposal.
These highlights describe the starting vacation; your planner can tailor the final route, stays and experiences.
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