Day 1: Arrive San Jose — Welcome to Costa Rica
Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport, where your driver meets you for transfer to your hotel in San Jose. The rest of the day is yours to relax and begin acclimating to the gentle rhythm of Costa Rican life. In the evening, meet your Green World Adventures guide for a welcome briefing, followed by an optional dinner in the Barrio Escalante neighborhood, San Jose’s gastronomic hub where tropical ingredients meet contemporary cuisine. Your guide will outline the extraordinary 10-day journey ahead and answer any questions about the adventure to come.
Day 2: San Jose to Arenal — Into Volcano Country
After breakfast, depart San Jose for the scenic 3.5-hour drive to La Fortuna, crossing the Central Mountain Range through the cloud-forested highlands of Varablanca. Stop at the entrance gates of Poas Volcano National Park (weather permitting) for views of the steaming crater at 2,708 meters. Arrive in La Fortuna by early afternoon and check into your hotel, where every room offers a view of Arenal Volcano. In the late afternoon, take an orientation walk through town with your guide, visiting the beautiful central park and the charming church, then hike the El Silencio Trail at the foot of Arenal for your first close-up views of the volcano and the hardened lava flows from the 1968 eruption.
Day 3: Arenal Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs
Begin the day early with a guided walk through the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a 3-kilometer circuit of 15 bridges suspended high above the forest floor. Your naturalist guide will help you spot wildlife at canopy level: three-toed sloths clinging to branches, troops of howler monkeys on their morning patrol, and a dazzling variety of tropical birds including toucans, motmots, and tanagers. The tallest bridge rises 60 meters above the ground, offering views of the volcano that shift with every step. After the morning’s adventure, spend the afternoon soaking in the geothermal hot springs at one of the area’s finest resorts, where a chain of pools at varying temperatures are surrounded by exquisite tropical gardens. The minerals in the water will soothe your muscles and the views of the volcano will nourish your soul.
Day 4: La Fortuna Free Day — Choose Your Adventure
Today you have the freedom to design your own experience in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Popular options include canyoning (rappelling down jungle waterfalls), mountain biking through rainforest trails, horseback riding to the La Fortuna Waterfall, or hiking to the green lake of Cerro Chato, Arenal’s dormant twin. For those seeking a gentler pace, the town of La Fortuna is perfect for exploring on foot, with its artisan markets, local restaurants, and chocolate shops offering tastings of single-origin Costa Rican cacao. In the evening, reconvene with your group for a sunset viewpoint session where, if the skies cooperate, you will witness the volcano’s perfect cone illuminated by the golden light of the setting sun.
Day 5: La Fortuna to Monteverde — Journey to the Cloud Forest
Depart La Fortuna for the memorable journey to Monteverde, traveling via the scenic route around Lake Arenal. The road skirts the lake’s northern shore through rolling green hills dotted with wind turbines that supply a significant portion of Costa Rica’s electricity. Stop at a local cafe for a fresh tropical smoothie and views of the lake. Continue the ascent into the Tilaran Mountains, arriving in Santa Elena, the charming town that serves as Monteverde’s hub, by early afternoon. Check into your lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure, breathing in the cool, fragrant mountain air. In the evening, join an optional night walk in the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, where your guide’s flashlight will reveal nocturnal wildlife including tarantulas, frogs, and sleeping birds.
Day 6: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve — Into the Mist
Enter the legendary Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for a morning guided walk along its network of well-maintained trails. The reserve protects over 10,500 hectares of pristine cloud forest and is home to more than 2,500 plant species, including over 500 species of orchids. Your guide will help you search for the resplendent quetzal, the jewel of the cloud forest, as well as three-wattled bellbirds, emerald toucanets, and troops of coatis rustling through the undergrowth. In the afternoon, the highlight for many travelers: soar through the canopy on the Monteverde Sky Tram and Sky Trek zipline circuit, one of the most thrilling ways to experience the cloud forest. At speeds of up to 45 miles per hour on cables stretching hundreds of meters, you will see the forest from an angle reserved for the birds.
Day 7: Monteverde Coffee Tour & Travel Day
Begin the morning with a visit to a local coffee cooperative, where you will trace the journey of Costa Rica’s most famous export from cherry to cup. Learn how altitude, volcanic soil, and meticulous hand-picking create the conditions for exceptional coffee, and participate in a tasting session that will forever change how you think about your morning cup. After lunch, begin the scenic drive to the Pacific coast, descending from the cool cloud forest through the dry tropical forests and agricultural plains of the central Pacific region. Arrive at your hotel near the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park by late afternoon, and take an evening stroll along the public beach to breathe in the warm, salty Pacific air.
Day 8: Manuel Antonio National Park — Wildlife & Beaches
Enter Manuel Antonio National Park early in the morning to beat the crowds and maximize wildlife viewing. Your naturalist guide carries a high-powered spotting scope and knows exactly where to find the park’s most famous residents. Within the first hour, you are likely to encounter white-faced capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, and possibly the rare squirrel monkey — a species found only in this region of Costa Rica. After a comprehensive guided walk along the park’s trails, spend the remainder of the day relaxing on the park’s pristine beaches. Playa Manuel Antonio, with its white sand and calm turquoise water, is the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, or simply sitting in the shade of an almond tree watching the monkeys play in the branches above.
Day 9: Manuel Antonio Free Day — Choose Your Pace
Your final full day is yours to spend as you wish. Return to Manuel Antonio National Park for another day of wildlife watching and beach time, join a mangrove kayaking excursion through the Damas Estuary, book a catamaran cruise with snorkeling and dolphin watching, or relax at your hotel’s pool. For the adventurous, there is the option to join an ATV tour through the surrounding hills and villages, or take a day trip to the Nauyaca Waterfalls, two-tiered cascades that are among Costa Rica’s most beautiful. In the evening, gather with your group for a farewell dinner at a renowned restaurant overlooking the Pacific, sharing stories from your 10-day journey while the sun sinks into the sea.
Day 10: Manuel Antonio to San Jose — Farewell & Departure
Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast before boarding your coach for the 3-hour drive back to San Jose. The journey provides time to reflect on the incredible diversity you have experienced in just 10 days: the steaming volcanic slopes of Arenal, the misty magic of Monteverde’s cloud forest, the wildlife wonderland of Manuel Antonio’s beaches, and the warm hospitality of the Costa Rican people at every stop along the way. Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport in time for your departure flight, carrying with you the spirit of Pura Vida and memories that will last a lifetime.
