Handcrafted Costa Rica Tour: Finest Tropical Escape

Beach sunset at Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita, Costa Rica

What to expect on this itinerary

Luxury and sustainability go hand-in-hand during your handpicked 11-day Costa Rica tour. Whether traveling as an adventurous family or looking for a romantic getaway, this featured tour offers endless options perfect for your needs, goals, and preferences. From sailing through the sky on a zipline or searching for elusive sloths, lounging on pristine beaches or relaxing in thermal springs, you will have the ultimate tour tailored to you.

Countries Visited

Costa Rica

Places Visited

Uvita, Arenal, Osa Peninsula, Manuel Antonio

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Arenal - Arrive in View of Famous Arenal Volcano

Arenal is the perfect introduction to Costa Rica and will welcome you with protected lakes, lagoons, volcanoes, rivers, and waterfalls cast beneath the looming peak of Arenal Volcano. Your flight will land at San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport, where your private transfer will meet you on arrival and take you to the fascinating landscape that embodies Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to bask in your hotel’s luxuries that highlight the idyllic location from spa services to yoga, stunning views to the sounds of the surrounding rainforest.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Arenal - Explore the Wilderness and Hot Springs

Day 3

Arenal - Find Sloths and Walk Hanging Bridges

Day 4

Manuel Antonio - Travel and Enjoy Manuel Antonio

Day 5

Manuel Antonio - Bask in a Private Wilderness Tour

Day 6

Manuel Antonio - Enjoy Kayaking and Snorkeling

Day 7

Manuel Antonio - Experience the Surf and Leisure

Day 8

Osa Peninsula - Transfer to Adventurous Uvita

Day 9

Osa Peninsula - Delight in a Horseback Excursion

Day 10

Osa Peninsula - Indulge in the Hidden Beaches

Day 11

Osa Peninsula - Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Embrace the impressive biodiversity of Costa Rica during a private tour of a sloth territory in search of the famously slow but well camouflaged sloths in the rainforest
  • Indulge in the soothing warmth and rejuvenating properties of the natural thermal hot springs in Arenal after a day of adventures
  • Discover the tremendous natural treasures of Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist guide eager to showcase the diversity of flora and fauna
  • Enjoy the thrill of catching a wave with a private surf lesson offering you individualized instruction and attention
  • Revel in the soft sands and soothing Pacific waters with a private beach-hopping tour around the Costa Ballena
  • Embark on a journey through the rainforest canopy with a guided walk along hanging bridges that provide you with a different perspective of the flora and fauna
  • Experience the marvels of a private national wildlife refuge with a horseback riding excursion taking you through riverbeds and traipsing along the Pacific waterline
  • Dive into the treasured waters of Biezans Bay with a kayaking and snorkeling tour to find a stunning combination of marine life and wildlife, from colorful fish to frigates
  • Delight in the essential experience of a ziplining tour in Arenal for an exhilarating and perspective of the rainforest canopy with a bird’s-eye view

Starting Price

$3,800 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.

5.0

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 5 reviews

Travel Review: Luxury Costa Rica Family Vacation, Arenal, Manuel Antonio National Park, Osa Peninsula, Zip Lining, Hiking, Wildlife
What an amazing trip. Our travel company completely arranged a full itinerary that allowed me to stop in 3 locations (Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula) with my 2 sons. It was just the perfect amount of activities and we truly experienced Costa Rica. Also, we had a request to make a small change that would make the tour of Manuel Antonio a bit better (less crowded) and they rearranged our charter flight and extended our checkout at the hotel. The charter plane pilots were so kind and a cooler of beer and waters were ready for us each time. The lodging chosen was top notch and I am glad I opted for the more premium lodging. Each location was so unique in its own way and very special. Also, at each location a welcome tray with a lovely note was awaiting our arrival, which made us feel even more special. Its a small thing, but it is very professional and thoughtful which is what you hope for when you choose not to book trips on your own and instead use a travel expert. I felt that my interests and needs were WELL listened too and thus options presented to me with my needs in mind (not a cookie cutter approach). 

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Costa Rica Vacation Review: Nature, One-Week Tour

We could not have asked for a better experience with Zicasso's travel agency. From start to finish, they did not disappoint. Our travel agent listened, made excellent suggestions, answered all of my questions, and was available once we were in Costa Rica if we needed them. We had an overview of the accommodations and tours we selected, but had no idea just how excellent everything would be.

From the drivers to the tour guides to the tours themselves, we could not have been more pleased. The drivers and guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and so proud of their country.

We experienced nature at night through a walk in the jungle, followed by a traditional Costa Rican dinner with a lovely family in a beautiful setting; the rainforest during the day, complete with hanging bridges through the treetops (the views were amazing); a coffee/chocolate plantation with a very entertaining guide; and warm mineral waters at the base of a volcano that left us relaxed and refreshed. The adult beverages were a nice touch, as was the buffet afterward. The food was delicious.

The hotel near Arenal Volcano had spectacular views and the accommodations and amenities were perfect. Our balcony overlooking the tropical gardens and the volcano couldn’t have been more beautiful.

Moving from the jungle to the beach provided us with a wonderful drive through the mountains, where we really could experience Costa Rican life.

The villa at Manuel Antonio was the ultimate in luxury, complete with its own pool/jacuzzi, spectacular views of the Pacific, and a Mother Nature experience like no other. The macaws, toucans, and monkeys (especially the howler monkeys) did not disappoint. We experienced a nature walk on the property with our guide, walked the beach, enjoyed the help and suggestions of the private concierge, and could not have been more pleased with this experience.

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Costa Rica Trip Review: Wildlife, Hiking, Boat Trip, Hanging Bridges, Ziplining, Local Culture, 8 Nights

My husband and I planned this trip to Costa Rica as a gift for my grandson, age 13, and granddaughter, age 10. Most impressive was the Zicasso travel agent's choice of hotels.

In Arenal, we had a very spacious two-bedroom, two-bath unit. The master suite included an enormous spa which entertained the kids when a thunderstorm prevented them from enjoying the pool. This was a very safe, family-friendly resort overlooking the volcano. There were several hot springs and a swimming pool that we took advantage of. Breakfast was good and offered plenty of variety.

The hotel in Manuel Antonio was conveniently located within walking distance of an array of good restaurants. The unit was a modern three-bedroom, two-bath unit and the elevator took you directly to your unit.

In addition to the fabulous accommodations, every activity we booked went as planned and everyone showed up on time.

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Costa Rica Luxury Vacation Review: Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Volcano Hike, Safari, 10-Day Trip

My main Zicasso contact was fantastic. She was always very prompt to respond and did an excellent job of setting up a perfect trip for us to Costa Rica. This was our first visit to Costa Rica and she created an itinerary that gave us a great overview of the country.

We stayed in Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. Our accommodations in each place were wonderful. Our guides were so professional, with exceptional knowledge to educate us on each of the experiences we had (volcano hike, safari, night tour, and Rio Celeste hike from the Arenal area). The guided hanging bridges and canopy tours in Monteverde were our favorites. Having days on the beach and by the pool in beautiful Manuel Antonio was the perfect way to end our Costa Rica tour. We loved it all!

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Costa Rica Travel Review: Hiking, Nature, Kayaking, Wildlife, 10-Day Tour
Overall, trip to Costa Rica, including the lodges in San Gerardo Dota, Punto Jimenez and in Punta Nicuesa (Osa Peninsula), was fantastic. Great food, excellent guides and comfortable rooms at each destination. Staffs were friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. Identified dozens of birds (two lifers), hiked through beautiful gardens and rain forest trails and observed a multitude of gorgeous butterflies and moths. We have traveled Costa Rica many times over three decades. This was the best. 

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Customizable Itinerary

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

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews