Costa Rica Eco Tour Vacation: Pacuare, Arenal & Monteverde

The mesmerizing wilderness of Costa Rica

What to expect on this itinerary

The natural springs in Arenal are heated by the volcanic activity. The largest lake in the country reflects the nearby volcano’s conical peak. Glacial blue waters wind around the foothills of the central mountains, coursing over boulders along the way. This 7-day vacation through Costa Rica brings you to the adventure and beauty of the country, wrapped in the rainforest and floating downstream. Whether you are searching for a relaxing getaway or are in need of active exploration, Costa Rica offers the best of both worlds, filled with breathtaking scenery and spellbinding wildlife.

Countries Visited

Costa Rica

Places Visited

San Jose, Arenal, Pacuare, Monteverde

Suggested Duration

7 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

San Jose – Arrival on the Jungle’s Edge

San Jose is a vibrant city filled with bustling streets. The mountains wrap around the valley and dwarf the urban skyline. The city’s charm quickly rises above the energetic arcades. The neoclassical National Theater adds a touch of decadence to the city. Classic colonial mansions now display elegant art galleries. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and escorts you to your luxurious centrally located accommodation. The wonders of Costa Rica are prevalent, reaching from all around the country and collecting themselves in the nation’s capital. A large fountain sits at the center of a roundabout and separates the neighborhoods of Los Yoses and San Pedro. Los Yoses is a modern neighborhood with a view to the mountainside.

Contemporary buildings line the streets and antique mansions rise as tall as the thin palms in the yard. Barrio Amon remains home to a collection of coffee grower mansions built in the late 19th century. Stroll down the street and become acquainted with the unique history of the city and surrounding country, from art-deco facades to Victorian buildings, each taking you deeper into the artistic center of San Jose. In the evening you can enjoy a taste of the contemporary cuisine at Doris Metropolitan. The restaurant believes in high quality, locally grown ingredients, down to feeding their livestock grass and pineapple. For a truly decadent meal you can enjoy the Lomito Flambeado with gorgonzola cheese.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Pacuare – Travel the River to a Secluded Hideaway

Day 3

Arenal – Meeting with the Indigenous Peoples

Day 4

Arenal – Legends of the Aquatic Pasts

Day 5

Monteverde – Around the Clouds

Day 6

Monteverde – Into the Clouds

Day 7

Monteverde – The Adventure Home

Trip Highlights

  • Enjoy the comforts and luxuries of Zicasso featured eco-friendly resorts and lodges throughout the marvelous rainforest of Costa Rica
  • Experience the rush, power, and beauty of the Pacuare River on a rafting tour through the gorge
  • Indulge in the serene landscape on a kayak tour around Arenal Lake
  • Tour through the remarkable canopy of Costa Rica’s famous Cloud Forest National Park at Monteverde
  • Witness the marvels of the active flora and fauna in the wild, from capuchin monkeys to quetzals
  • Explore the nocturnal majesty of the rainforest on a night tour of the cloud forest  

Detailed Description

Monkeys clamor in the trees and vivacious birds call out underneath the endless forest canopy. Costa Rica is a country brimming with wildlife and rainforest, friendly locals and sensational adventure. On this custom-tailored tour, you will experience the splendor of the country in the winding rapids of the Pacuare River and the luxurious comforts of eco-friendly resorts. Volcanoes tower over the trees and the only thing more abundant than the wildlife is the lush rainforest. You don’t have to look far to find the captivating beauty and remarkable adventure of Costa Rica. Once here you will find the journey and the destination to be inseparable.

Your fabulous exploration begins with your arrival in San Jose. The metropolis is the largest city in the country and combines a fast-paced mentality with the jovial spirit innate in the country. Murals decorate random walls around eclectic neighborhoods and welcome you to the start of your vacation. The following morning you will meet your guide and climb aboard your raft that will take you through the Pacuare Gorge. Find the charm of the wild deep in the heart of the primary rainforest and arrive at Pacuare Lodge.

The soothing sounds of the jungle call out in the night and early morning. You continue your adventure down the Pacuare River, along the cliffs of the gorge, and find a number of waterfalls and natural waterslides. In the afternoon, you will head to Arenal and find the luxuries of the Hotel Arenal Kioro waiting for you. The area is best known for its coveted hot springs and active looming volcano, whose peak watches over the forest and prairies. In the morning, you will venture out onto the glassy waters of Arenal Lake for a kayak tour to view the unmatched scenery. The following day you will venture across the lake en route to Monteverde, home to the Cloud Forest National Park.

Stroll through the butterfly gardens to witness the variety of species known to the entirety of Costa Rica before arriving at the Hotel Belmar, offering optimal views of the rolling mountaintops. Enjoy a unique view of the forest at night to discover the exceptional nocturnal wildlife. The following day you will soar through the trees, zip lining over 450 feet high, to see the canopy and the forest in a different and exciting light. Your final day returns you to San Jose for you to catch your flight home.

Zicasso offers many tour options for travelers interested in vacationing in Costa Rica. Also browse the section for Costa Rica travel agency reviews.

Starting Price

$2,100 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 894 reviews

Allison A.
Costa Rica Trip Review: 8 Nights

We used a Zicasso travel expert to plan our trip. The trip was absolutely fabulous and the service was very easy to use. We would definitely use them again.

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Tara I.
Costa Rica Trip Review: Isla Chiquita, 1 Week

Zicasso's travel company was very attentive and followed up with us throughout the trip to make sure we were doing well. We had an awesome time and would recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Costa Rica

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Lolli H.
Costa Rica Travel Review: Catamaran Trip, Ziplining, National Park, 8 Nights

Everything was arranged thoughtfully, with time for "adventures" and downtime at terrific resorts to relax. All pick-ups, travel by limo, and drop-offs went as arranged. The drivers, guides, and hotel staff were all very pleasant and kind. Zicasso's tour operator did a great job planning our eight-day, family-of-10 trip to Costa Rica! We appreciated that most tours, hikes, and ocean experiences were small groups of just our group of 10. This made it a personal and annoyance-free experience all around. Thanks!

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David M.
Costa Rica Vacation Review: Family Time, 8 Nights

The Zicasso tour company was very accommodating. They put together a great itinerary and when we wanted to add something, it was no problem.

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JESSICA V.
Costa Rica Trip Review: Private Driver, Culture, 9 Nights

We had an unbelievably great trip! Everything went smoothly, was already lined up by Zicasso's tour company, and communication was excellent. The private drivers between locations were excellent and very informative. We could not have asked for a better experience!

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Tim K.
Costa Rica Tour Review: Ziplining, Wildlife, 1 Week

We loved our trip. Zicasso's travel specialist did an awesome job of listening to what we wanted ahead of time and tailoring the itinerary to that.

We had one very minor issue where a tour was running late to pick us up and we were able to get in touch with him easily to make sure we were still on track, which he confirmed as they arrived. We'll reach out to them for sure when it's time to go back.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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