Costa Rica in 8 Days: Volcano, Cloud Forest & Beach

Experience 8 days in Costa Rica with stays in Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano, and Tamarindo Beach. Includes hotels, airport transfers, in-country transport, and two exciting excursions. Perfect for adventure and nature lovers!

Day 1 - Arrival to Costa Rica

At the pre-arrange time personnel from Costa Rica Dream Travel Corporation will be at the airport to welcome your passengers, give them the trip documentation and transfer them to the hotel in Monteverde.
After arrival at the hotel, express check in and leisure time to enjoy the facilities of the hotel.

Day includes:Private transportation, lodging and hotel taxes
Overnight:Hotel Cipreses Lodge
Transfer duration: 3 ½ hours approximately
Note: Please note that check in time in Costa Rica is at 3:00 p.m. If your flights arrives early, please be aware that your room may not be ready at your arrival

Day 2 -Hanging Bridges or Coffee & Chocolate tour

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. During the morning you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional tour in Monteverde. For this day, you can choose between the magic of the cloud forest with a hike at the hanging bridges, or to discover the flavors of the tropics with a coffee, chocolate and sugar cane tour.
At the prearranged time and according to the selection of your tour, your transportation will meet you at the lobby of the hotel to take you to enjoy your choice of activity. At the end of the tour, you will return to the hotel in Monteverde and will have time at leisure.

Day includes:Breakfast, your choice of activity in Monteverde in regular basis (visit to the Hanging bridges or the Coffee, chocolate and sugar cane tour), transportation in SIB (shared), English Speaking tour guide, entrance fees, lodging and hotel taxes.
Overnight:Hotel Cipreses

Option 1: Hanging Bridges
This day you will be ready to discover the secrets of the cloud forest at the amazing hanging bridges tour.
The driver will pick you up at your hotel. You will be welcomed by the bilingual tour guide who will accompany you throughout the entire tour, helping you to discover the most interesting plants and animals that inhabit our lush forests. The tour will cover about 2.5 km (about 4 miles) consisting of a combination of trails and seven bridges which allow you to explore the different layers of the cloud forest as well as their inhabitants, beginning on the ground and reaching up to the tree-tops themselves. Before finishing the journey, get a chance to climb a hollow strangler-fig tree from inside. This incredible tour offers you a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate the beauty of the cloud forest from above. After you finish the amazing hike your transportation will take you back to the hotel.
What to bring: Comfortable light clothes, comfortable hiking shoes, ecofriendly mosquito repellent, light rain jacket.
The tour includes: Transportation share with other tourists, entrance fees, certified naturalist English-speaking tour guide.
Tour difficulty: Easy
Tour frequency:7 days a week / twice a day (am./pm.)
Tour duration: 4 hours
Minimum age:No restriction
Minimum # pax:2 pax

Option 2: Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour
During the Don Juan Coffee tour in Monteverde you will learn about the history, tradition and production of the coffee. You will also learn about the growing, harvesting and production of chocolate and sugar cane.
The first part of the journey is the coffee process. You will learn about the wonderful history of coffee in the world, followed by the history of coffee in Costa Rica and its importance in the development of the country. During the tour other aspects of Costa Rican culture will be shown, as well as some of the traditions. You will see all the processes of the coffee, from the seed to the delicious final product, the cup of coffee. The second part of this tour is the chocolate tour. You will have an experience between aromas and history. You will participate in the process, enjoy, share and taste the fruits of the cocoa, until you reach their magnificent transformation turning into a delicious drink. This tour will show you the whole process of transition from seed to cocoa pure and ground. The final part of the tour will be the sugar cane process. You will learn about its origin, plantation, different types of harvest, processes and different varieties of products obtained. You will be able to live the experience of extracting cane juice by hand and enjoy a glass of pure sugarcane juice as well as a few pieces of the cane itself. A sweet ending to a sweet tour!

What to bring: Comfortable light clothes, comfortable close shoes, ecofriendly mosquito repellent, and eco- friendly sunscreen, light rain jacket,
The tour includes: Transportation share with other tourists, entrance fees, English speaking tour guide.
Tour difficulty: Easy
Tour frequency: 7 days a week / twice a day (am/ p.m.)
Tour duration: 2 hours
Minimum age: No limit
Minimum # pax: 2 pax

Day 3-To La Fortuna

After breakfast enjoy an amazing view of Arenal Lake and Volcano by the Arenal Lake Crossing. This day enjoy amazing sceneries of Arenal Lake and volcano with the Arenal Lake crossing. You will admire the beautiful views of all of the mountains, sky and the colossal Arenal volcano itself on the way across the lake. This service is the fastest and a very scenic way to travel from Monteverde to La Fortuna area.
You will be picked up at your hotel in Monteverde and go to Rio Chiquito. Here you will board a very comfortable and safe pontoon boat for about 45 minutes (approx.) ride along the lake in order to reach Arenal Lake Dam. Once you arrive at Arenal Lake Dam and at the point of disembarkation you will have a short break.
Afterwards, a microbus ride will take you to your hotel in Arenal.

Day includes:Breakfast, Lake Crossing (shared), lodging and hotel taxes.
Overnight:Hotel Arenal Montechiari
Transfer duration:4 hours approximately

Days 4- Zip Line OR Volcano Hike OR Sloths Hike

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. During the morning you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional tour in La Fortuna. For this day, you can choose between the adventure of the canopy tour (ziplining), a guided hike at the slopes of the Arenal Volcano, or an excursion searching for sloths and other wild animals.
At the prearranged time and according to the selection of your tour, your transportation will meet you at the lobby of the hotel to take you to enjoy your choice of activity. At the end of the tour, you will return to the hotel in La Fortuna and will have time at leisure.

Day includes: Breakfast, your choice of activity in La Fortuna in regular basis (Canopy Tour, Volcano hike or Sloths Tour), transportation in SIB (shared), English Speaking tour guide, entrance fees or equipment rental, lodging and hotel taxes.
Overnight: Hotel Arenal Montechiari

Option 1: Arenal Volcano Hike – El Silencio

Let's venture into the foothills of Costa Rica's most famous active volcano, where, as you walk around the site, you will have many different trail options. They all surround the base of the impressive volcano, offering you different points of view. In our opinion, one of the best views of the Arenal Volcano is from the El Silencio Viewpoint. This series of easy to moderate trails lead to a very high viewpoint. Here you will feel as if you were face to face with the cone-shaped peak of Arenal, there we can observe the variety of fauna that this wonderful site houses, especially monkeys, toucans, sloths and much more.

What to bring:Comfortable light clothes, closed walking shoes, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, light rain jacket.
The tour includes:Transportation share with other tourists, entrance Fee, English speaking naturalist tour guide, Fruits and 1 bottle of water.
Tour difficulty:Easy to moderate (some slopes on the road, not recommended for people with low mobility people with heart problems, recent surgeries, back problems, or pregnancy.)
Tour frequency:7 days a week / twice a day (morning and afternoons).
Tour duration:3 hours
Minimum age:5 years’ old
Minimum # pax:2 pax

Option 2: Sloth Tour

Our certified naturalist Guides are experts at locating wildlife and extremely knowledgeable in their field. Arenal area is known for its very diverse wildlife. During this tour our main goal is to find as many sloths as possible in the wild. On the search for these beautiful animals our knowledgeable guide will drive you around la Fortuna's beautiful spotting areas for more wildlife. Toucans, Red Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frogs, hummingbirds, iguanas and monkeys are among the animals that we might encounter. Breakfast and snacks are included. At the end of the search and after breakfast we will proceed to drop you of in your hotel

What to bring:Comfortable light clothes, tennis shoes, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, light rain Jacket.
The tour includes:Transportation share with other tourists, entrance Fee, English speaking naturalist tour guide, breakfast after the tour, bottle of water during the tour.
Tour difficulty:Easy
Tour frequency:7 days a week / once a day (mornings).
Tour duration:3 hours
Minimum age:This tour does not have a limit on age
Minimum # pax:2 pax

Option 3: Canopy Tour

During the afternoon, you will enjoy the adventure of the Canopy Tour.
One of the main attractions in Fortuna is to take a ZIP LINE Tour. You will enjoy 10 cables with 14 different platforms and 50mts high rappel where you can see the impressive Canyon of the Arenal River and the extraordinary flora and fauna of the rain forest. You will have the opportunity to see the three kinds of monkeys that live in this zone, toucans, hummingbird and sloths.
Fly high over the canopy of the rain forest and feel what adrenaline means for nature lovers.
Afterwards, you will have time at leisure to enjoy to the hot springs waters of Go Pools. After this unforgettable adventure you will be ready to go back to your hotel.

What to bring:Closed shoes, light clothing, recommended long pants, sunscreen, if you use eye glasses we recommend to bring holders
The tour includes:Transportation share with other tourists, necessary adventure gear, certified naturalist English speaking tour guide specialized in zipline tours, water during the tour.
Tour difficulty:easy
Tour frequency:7 days a week / twice a day (am. / p.m.)
Tour duration:2 ½ hours
Minimum age:6 years’ old
Minimum # pax:2 pax

Day 5-Day at leisure

During the day, leisure time to enjoy the area, relax at the hotel, or to experience an optional tour.

Day includes:Breakfast, lodging and hotel taxes.
Overnight:Hotel Arenal Montechiari

Day 6-Welcome to the Pacific!

During the morning, your shuttle transportation will be ready to transfer you to the North Pacific Coast.
Drive through the beauty of the tropics, until you reach the amazing Tamarindo beach. After check in at the hotel, leisure time to enjoy the area.

Day includes: Breakfast, lodging and hotel taxes.
Overnight: Hotel Tamarindo Diria
Transfer duration:5 hours approximately

Day 7-Enjoy the Pacific!

During the day, enjoy a carefree leisurely time. Beach comb at the pool area or swim the beaches of the North Pacific Coast.

Day includes:Breakfast, lodging and hotel taxes.
Overnight: Hotel Tamarindo Diria

Day 8-Goodbye Costa Rica!

At the pre-arrange time, and according to the international flight schedule, you will be transferred from the hotel to the International Airport in Liberia to take the international flight back.

Day includes:Breakfast and private transportation
Transfer duration: 1 hour approximately

International Airport Authorities and Airlines recommend all passengers arrive at the airport 3 hours before scheduled flight departure.
Note: Airport exit taxes may not be included in your international ticket ($29 per person).

Price per Person:

Low Season 2026:From May 1st to December 15th, 2026

$1349.- USDper person in double occupancy
$1102- USD per person in triple occupancy
$982- USD per person in quadruple occupancy
$532- USD per child under 11 years old sharing room with 2 adults
$1943- USD per person in single occupancy

High Season 2026:From January 3rd to April 30th, 2026 (not valid during Easter Week)

$1414- USDper person in double occupancy
$1152- USD per person in triple occupancy
$1019- USD per person in quadruple occupancy
$532- USD per child under 11 years old sharing room with 2 adults
$2059- USD per person in single occupancy

Program includes

- Private transportation from the International Airport (San Jose or Liberia) to the hotel in Monteverde
- 2 nights lodging in Monteverde, at the Hotel Cipreses (B&B)
- Your choice of activity in Monteverde in regular basis
- Lake Crossing from Monteverde to La Fortuna in regular basis
- 3 nights lodging in La Fortuna, at the Hotel Arenal Montechiari (B&B)
- Your choice of activity in La Fortuna in regular basis
- Shuttle transportation from La Fortuna to the beach
- 2 nights lodging in Tamarindo beach, at the Hotel Tamarindo Diria (B&B)
- Private transfer from the hotel to the International Airport (Liberia)
- Lodging and sales taxes
- Total Meals: 7 breakfasts
- 24/7 In-country support

Program does NOT include

- Additional activities not mentioned in the program
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Beverages (sodas or alcohol) during meals.
- Travel Insurance. Optional upon request
- International airfare.
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities for tour guides and drivers

Notes

• Prices valid for a minimum of 2 passengers travelling together
• Prices valid for the mentioned seasons (not valid during Easter Week, from March 28th to April 5th, 2026)
• Children Policy: Maximum 2 children under 11 years old sharing room with 2 adults.
• Maximum occupancy per room: 4 persons (adults or children) unless specified in the program otherwise
• Rates are based on arrivals and departures of all passengers of the program at the same flight.
• Beverages not included with the described included meals. (Bottled water, sodas or alcohol)
• Regular basis tours are with English speaking tour guide and transportation service shared with other tourists.
• Shuttle bus transportation consists in door-to-door service shared with other tourists.
• Private transfer are services from Point A to Point B making 1 stop along the way for meals, restroom breaks, or to visit local stores.
• Drivers in Costa Rica are certified drivers and speak basic English. Certified tour guides during private transfers are available with an extra charge.
• Schedule time for regular basis tours and shuttle transportation are subject to the availability of the service, location of the hotel and route.
• Special bedding requests are subject to the availability of the hotel at the moment of check in.
• Check in time in Costa Rica is at 3:00 p.m. In case your transfer arrives earlier than check in time please be aware that your room may not be ready at your arrival. Luggage can be storage at front desk.
• Check out time in Costa Rica is at 11:00 a.m. In case your tour is schedule in the morning before check out of the hotel, or in case your transportation is schedule for a later time than check out, please check out of your room and leave your luggage at the front desk.
• Please inform in advance of any special requirements such as allergies, food restrictions, health conditions, special occasions, or any information you considered relevant.
• In Costa Rica, triple or quadruple occupancy consists in a room with 2 beds (roll away bed confirmation depends on the hotel availability at the moment of reservation and may have an extra cost)
• Any additional services not mentioned on the program as included will have an additional cost.
• On site confirmed services are not exchangeable for other activity and if not taken the activity there is no refund.
• Costa Rica Dream Travel cannot be liable for the loss of any service contracted (partial or total loss) due the loss or delay of international flights, due negligence and/ or arbitrary acts of the clients, acts of God not under our direct control.
• Reservations are subject to availability

Travel Terms and Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions