Costa Rica Culinary, Nature & Beaches Tour - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Explore

Welcome to the land of pura vida! After arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José, a local representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the country's vibrant capital city by yourself or with a guide. You might like to take a stroll through Mercado Central (Central Market), the largest in the city, with over 200 shops, food stalls, and sodas (traditional restaurants) perfect for an inexpensive lunch of casado, a traditional dish of rice, beans, and meat, served with tortillas. 

Then visit the Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Church), where interiors combine Greek Orthodox, neoclassical, and Baroque styles and feature beautiful wood carvings, tiled floors, and stained glass windows. Explore Barrio Amón, a historic neighborhood that's home to cafetalero (coffee grower) mansions built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the area's historic buildings have been converted into hotels, restaurants, and galleries, making this a popular district for architecture enthusiasts. 

For a casual dinner tonight, head to Tiquicia, a hilltop stalwart that serves up delicious local fare accompanied by live folk music on weekends, with views of the Central Valley. Or, for special-occasion dining, try Restaurante Grano de Oro, a local favorite helmed by French chef Francis Canal, who uses European techniques to prepare Costa Rican fusion fare paired with an excellent wine list.

Day 2: Transfer to Arenal Volcano, Chocolate Making & Hot Springs

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you'll meet the shuttle service in the lobby. Your destination is the area surrounding Arenal Volcano National Park, home of the 5,437-foot-high (1,657 m) peak that is one of Costa Rica's most famed landmarks.

You'll get a hands-on lesson about the origin, history, and current production of one of Costa Rica's most famous exports: chocolate. Participate in the harvest of cacao and the drying and grinding of the seed that produces creamy cocoa butter. You'll also learn how the traditional chocolate drink was developed centuries ago and, of course, sample the chocolate freshly made on-site.

Afterward, soothe your muscles with a dip in the mineral-rich waters of Tabacón's hot springs, which have been used as therapeutic baths for more than 200 years. Tabacón Thermal Resort also offers day passes and includes a spa where treatments are given in outdoor bungalows (not included). End the day with a nice dinner at the resort's pretty Ave Del Paraíso Restaurant, serving Costa Rican dishes as well as international fare.

Day 3: Waterfall Hike & Cooking Class

After breakfast in La Fortuna, you'll begin today's adventure with a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall Reserve, where heavy annual precipitation gives you the chance to enjoy a stunning 210-foot (64 m) waterfall. As you descend downhill on the trail, you'll get a chance to see the falls from the very bottom, where a natural pool awaits if you want to swim in the freshwater of La Fortuna River.

In the afternoon, take a guided journey to the family-owned Arenal Vida Campesina Farm, where you'll find several crops that Costa Rica is best known for: sugar cane, coffee, corn, yucca, cocoa, bananas, and plantains. The trip includes a visit to the mill for fresh-squeezed sugar cane juice and a taste of sugar cane liquor. Next, you'll head to restaurant La Guaria Morada for a cooking class on typical Costa Rican cuisine, followed by a family-style dinner.

Day 4: Coffee Farm Tour & Nocturnal Nature Walk

Today you'll head to a local farm for a tour centered around one of Costa Rica's most famous exports: coffee. You'll participate in the entire farm-to-cup process, from picking the beans to roasting.

The rest of the day is yours to spend as you like. For a fun after-dark activity, discover the wildlife of Arenal during a night walk hosted by Danaus Eco-Center. The trail, which is easy enough for beginners, takes hikers through the biodiverse rainforest, where you'll spot nocturnal animals like sloths, bats, and frogs as an experienced naturalist provides insight into all you'll see (and hear) in the dark.

Day 5: Transfer to the Gulf of Papagayo

Road trip time! This four-hour drive takes you west through Guanacaste, past volcanic mountain ranges, flatlands, and villages as you head toward the fabulous Pacific Coast. Stop for a bite and enjoy traditional foods, fresh local fruits, or perhaps a batido (fresh fruit smoothie)—a kid favorite, especially made con leche (with milk). As the dry plains and tropical dry forests slowly give way to azure seas, you've arrived at your destination, Papagayo, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

Once you arrive, you can rest up at your hotel or spend the afternoon exploring with a sea kayak and snorkeling tour that's ideal for families. You'll paddle across the turquoise waters of Tamarindo Beach to the white sand of Capitán Island, you'll have the chance to see the coral reef teeming with exotic fish.

Day 6: Free Morning, Afternoon Snorkel & Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Today is all about relaxation on the beach. After breakfast at your hotel, get out and explore the coastline around Guanacaste, where you're sure to find a picturesque sandy spot.

In the evening, you'll board a catamaran for a sunset sail. Stop in a calm bay, drop anchor, and snorkel while the crew prepares a dinner feast. While you eat, you'll marvel at the sunset over the watery horizon while on the lookout for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or even a breaching whale.

Day 7: Free Day in Papagayo

Today can be as relaxing or adventurous as you like. If you've had enough of the beaches, you can opt for a tour of the jungle trail called Sensoria, part of a wildlife sanctuary at the foot of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano, where you'll swim in thermal pools, see waterfalls, and have a chance to spot the wild creatures of Costa Rica. Or, see the rainforest from the water during a two-hour safari float tour on the Corobicí River, where a guide will help you identify monkeys, bats, lizards, and even crocodiles.

You can also choose a guided trip down the Tenor River. It's pure, white water makes it the best river in Guanacaste for rafting. After a challenging trip down the rapids led by experts, you'll enjoy lunch before heading back to your hotel in time to catch one last sunset.

Day 8: Transfer to Liberia, Depart

It's time to say adiós to Costa Rica. After breakfast, you'll begin the drive to Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste's capital city for your return flight home.

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