What your quote can include
- Round-trip flightsFrom your home airport in the US
- 9 nights of lodgingLa Fortuna, Monteverde, Guanacaste beach
- Airport transfersArranged to match your flight times
- Tours & reservationsFor the activities in this plan
- Your day-by-day planPlus a book-ahead checklist
Pick only what you need. Each part is quoted with current prices before anything is booked.
Trip overview
Volcano, cloud forest and dry-season beaches, flying in and out of Liberia (LIR). When to go: The dry season, roughly mid-December through April, is the most popular and the best for beaches. For seasonal details, see our best time to visit Costa Rica guide.
- Suggested base
- La Fortuna, Monteverde, Guanacaste beach
- Fly into
- San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)
- Trip style
- Nature & beaches
Day-by-day itinerary
A sample plan. We adjust the days, pace and activities to fit your trip.
Arrive in Liberia, transfer to La Fortuna
About 2.5–3 hours by road.
- Hot springs at Arenal. Soak in pools warmed by volcanic heat. Options range from free river spots to full resorts with landscaped pools and restaurants.
Arenal highlights
Hanging bridges and waterfall.
- Arenal hanging bridges. Walk a series of suspension bridges through the rainforest canopy. Early-morning visits, ideally with a naturalist guide, are best for birds and wildlife.
- La Fortuna Waterfall. A steep staircase leads down to a 70-meter waterfall plunging into a jungle pool where you can swim at the side.
Rafting or Río Celeste
Pick white water or the blue river.
- White-water rafting. Rivers near Arenal offer beginner floats and rapids for the more adventurous. Go with a licensed outfitter.
Transfer to Monteverde
A slow but scenic journey, then a guided night walk.
- Guided night walk. After dark, guides find tree frogs, tarantulas, sleeping birds and sloths. Offered in La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio.
Cloud forest
Misty trails and canopy zip lines.
- Monteverde cloud forest reserve. Misty trails rich with orchids, hummingbirds and, if you're lucky, the resplendent quetzal. Early guided walks see the most.
- Zip-lining. Fly over the forest canopy on cables. Arenal and Monteverde both have long, well-established courses.
Coffee and chocolate
A relaxed day in Monteverde.
- Coffee and chocolate farm tour. Learn how beans become coffee and chocolate on a family farm, with tastings.
Transfer to Guanacaste
Dry-season sunshine on the Pacific.
- Pacific beach afternoon. Swim and watch the sunset at Playa Espadilla in Manuel Antonio or at the Guanacaste beaches. Mind rip currents and swim where others are swimming.
Beach and surf
Lessons in Tamarindo or calm water on the Papagayo Peninsula.
- Surf lesson in Tamarindo. Tamarindo's beach breaks are a classic place to learn, with many surf schools.
Catamaran sunset
Sail and snorkel.
- Catamaran snorkel cruise. Sail along the coast with snorkeling, lunch and sunset; offered from Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste.
Departure
Short transfer to Liberia.
- Pacific beach afternoon. Swim and watch the sunset at Playa Espadilla in Manuel Antonio or at the Guanacaste beaches. Mind rip currents and swim where others are swimming.
Choose your comfort level
The same itinerary works at different budgets. Pick the level that fits, and we'll quote it for your dates.
Essential
- A comfortable, well-reviewed 3-star hotel
- Economy flights at sensible times
- Shared airport transfers
- The plan's must-do tours, the rest at your own pace
Area to consider: La Fortuna (Arenal)
Choose EssentialSignature
- A 4-star hotel in a well-located area
- Economy or premium economy, best-timed flights
- Private airport transfers
- Guided tours and reservations for the key days
Area to consider: La Fortuna (Arenal)
Choose SignatureLuxury
- A 5-star hotel, with room upgrades where available
- Premium cabins where available
- Private transfers and guides
- Spa, dining and special-occasion reservations
Area to consider: La Fortuna (Arenal)
Choose LuxuryPrices depend on your dates, departure city and hotel, so we quote each comfort level on request. You can mix and match, for example a Signature hotel with Essential transfers.
Where to stay
La Fortuna (Arenal)
The base for Arenal Volcano, hot springs, waterfalls and hanging bridges. Lodges range from simple to luxury hot-spring resorts.
Guanacaste beaches
The dry northwest, with the Papagayo Peninsula's resorts, surf town Tamarindo and quieter beaches. Closest to Liberia airport.
Monteverde
A cool, misty cloud-forest town with reserves, night walks and canopy tours. Roads are slow, so give it at least two nights.
Pricing and policies, up front
Your quote shows the total trip price, per person and for your group, with taxes and the mandatory fees we can see included. Anything paid separately, such as some resort fees collected at check-in, local tourist taxes or checked bags on some fares, is listed clearly.
Many hotels, resorts, cruise lines and tour operators offer a deposit with the balance due before departure. Options vary by supplier, and we confirm them before you book.
Policies depend on the supplier and fare. We tell you the exact cancellation deadlines and any fees in writing before you commit.
Fares and rates change until they're booked. Some suppliers let us hold a rate briefly and many airfares can't be held, so we'll tell you what's possible for your trip.
You pay the travel provider directly, and RoamPlanned never takes payment for travel. How booking works.
Similar trips
Prefer a different pace? Try the 7-Day Costa Rica Itinerary: Arenal & Manuel Antonio, read the full Costa Rica travel guide, or build your own Costa Rica plan.
