Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste
Overview
Land in Guanacaste read more to laze and gaze upon the beautiful beaches of the North Pacific. Add a dose of free time to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and cuisine in San José, and you’re living your best life, indeed! Treat yourself to a tour that is exclusively yours with free time, me time, and optional adventures that speak to your independent spirit!
9 Days
San Jose
Guanacaste
Independent
4 - 4.5 Star
Premium
5-99 Years
Locally Guided
ILA3
Itinerary
Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. Information about tomorrow's adventure will be provided by a Globus representative.
Today, transfer to the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Settle in and experience the magic of your resort. This afternoon, visit the famous hot springs the area is known for and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the hot springs.
Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion.
INSIDER PICKS - Perhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird's-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest's wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.
This morning, your transfer begins with a short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles.
This evening, venture into Monteverde's Cloud Forest just before nightfall with an expert Naturalist for a guided nature walk to search for the jungle's nocturnal creatures, like sloths, foxes, agoutis, frogs, and many more!.
Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like.
INSIDER PICKS - Awaken early to visit the eye-opening beauty of Santa Elena Cloud Forest for the best chance to observe animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also, notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors creates temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family's farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.
Journey to the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. This part of the North Pacific region of Coast Rica offers hundreds of unspoiled beaches lining the shores, but Guanacaste is surprisingly far from being a traditional beach destination.
INSIDER PICKS - During your time here, you may choose a rainforest canopy tour, river rafting or a float trip down the Corobici River. Consider horseback riding or fishing or relaxing on the beach and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean.
Enjoy a free day.
INSIDER PICKS - Perhaps opt for a guided visit to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, known as Costa Rica's Yellowstone, to explore the steamy sulfur water ponds and pungent fumaroles that punctuate this jungle, home to toucans, monkeys, and many other animals. Or take a leisurely boat cruise through Palo Verde National Park, composed of tropical dry forest and mangroves, and admire scores of birds, caimans, and iguanas along the way.
Enjoy a free day.
INSIDER PICKS - Why not choose a total adrenaline rush for today's adventure on a zip line tour?! The zip line system consists of a network of suspended cables up in the treetop canopy that go from one platform to another and that will let you zip from tree to tree.
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
Trip Inclusions
- Guided visit to Arenal's hot springs with dinner
- Scenic boat ride across Arenal Lake en route to Monteverde
- Guided nighttime nature walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
- Transfer to Guanacaste for a 3-night stay with ample free time for beachcombing or optional adventures.
- Buffet breakfast daily; 1 three-course dinner
- San Jose: Doubletree Cariari (Superior First-Class):
This sustainable Costa Rica hotel is typical of San Jose colonial hacienda architecture and offers spacious, comfortable guestrooms and suites with the latest amenities. Enjoy total convenience in its location, personalized services, delicious cuisine, and facilities like the pool and fitness center. Let the friendly staff help you relax while catering to your needs and helping you see all that Costa Rica has to offer. - Arenal: Lomas del Volcan (Moderate First-Class):
Lomas del Volcan is a warm mountain hotel that maintains it's rustic style with wood cabins, each with 2 decks offering views of the Arenal Volcano and the tropical forest. - Monteverde: El Establo Mountain Lodge (First-Class):
Set on a private 150-acre farm adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve, El Establo Mountain Lodge offers guests a home base of relaxation and activity. Amenities include tennis, basketball, and soccer courts, two indoor pools, two restaurants, two bars, gym, and spa. - Guanacaste: Wyndham Tamarindo (First-Class):
At the Esplendor Hotel Tamarindo, natural beauty and sophistication converge to create a peaceful and inviting home away from home. With endless views of the Pacific ocean, guests will leave feeling relaxed and reenergized.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- This is an Independent tour with shared transportation between locations. Though there is no Tour Director, Local Guide service is provided in San José.
- Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary. On day 6, transport is by land to Guanacaste for the next three nights.
Operator
At Globus, we understand that your holiday is your treat – a gift from you to you. Let us connect you with a new world of people, places and experiences that will ignite your imagination.
Enjoy the many benefits of touring while being “untethered and unscheduled”. Read more
Globus picks hotels picked on their centralised location, so you'll stay right in the heart of the destination. Read more
Experience all the things you love about touring with more I-Time to explore when you wish, and where you like. Read more
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Globus Worldwide (2026-27)
Dates & Pricing
AUD
Welcome Back Credit
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Globus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
