7-Day Costa Rica Classic Tour from San Jose: Irazu Volcano National Park and Arenal Volcanic Area | Stay at Tabacon Thermal Hot Spring Hotel & SPA

What you'll experience

Highlights

7 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Home - San Jose

   After pick-up back to your hotel, begin your Vip City Bus has the best city tour in Costa Rica at your disposal. Our unique sightseeing double decker bus will take you to downtown San Jose from your hotel to witness the city's main historical landmarks for an immersive and panoramic cultural experience and a better understanding of Costa Rica's evolution. Our favorite places to visit for a guided walk in San Jose include Costa Rica's cherished National Theater (lobby), Art Museum, Metropolitan Cathedral the old and authentic Central Market, the impressive Gold Museum (dinner tour), an in-depth description of the National Monument, and the influential historical episode that took place at the Democracy Plaza. Our VIP City Bus tour will take you comfortably and safely through San Jose's narrow and busy streets driving by beautiful outdoor city attractions. The living city is our museum.
     

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: HILTON GARDEN INN LA SABANA HOTEL 4*
2. 2

   Day 2 — San Jose - Irazú Volcano National Park - Orosi Valley - Lankester Garden - San Jose

   This tour is the combination of the Irazu Volcano National Park, the Orosi Valley and Lankester Garden tours. With this excursion you will see an impressive volcano, visit important historical and cultural places in our country and also will have the opportunity to see beautiful plants. To that end, the tour offers the mystique of the Irazu Volcano, and the enchantment of the lush gardens in Orosi.
   The tour will begin with us trekking south along the Panamerican Highway until we reach the base of the behemoth "Iztaru" (a name of an indigenous village that was situated on the flanks of the volcano, and a likely candidate as a possible origin for the current name of the Irazu Volcano).
   The winding road traverses fertile lands in which all types and forms of vegetation are cultivated, all the while affording us a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys. And, at the very top of the summit, on a clear day, one can be privy to an unforgettable bird’s eye view of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
   As we descend to the city of Cartago we will stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica - a famous peregrination site for many believers, some of which travel for days or even weeks on foot, in a pilgrimage of faith, to the site. The Basilica has large vaulted ceilings and exquisite examples of stained glass windows, and is a must see.
   Next, after we visit the Basilica we will stop at the Lankester Gardens, a University of Costa Rica Center for investigation that protects more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads and countless species of other plants.
   Then, we will continue to the Valley of Orosi, an area that overflows with unparalleled beauty. We will be able to visit one of the few remaining colonial churches and we will stop to enjoy a tasty typical lunch at one of the local restaurants.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: HILTON GARDEN INN LA SABANA HOTEL 4*
3. 3

   Day 3 — San Jose - Tabacon Hot Springs - Arenal Volcanic Area

   After breakfast, we will head to the Arenal volcanic area, and upon arrival, visit one of the most popular attractions in Costa Rica: Tabacon Hot Spring, where you will be able to relax in the hot springs that you will never forget. On the way to the volcano, we will pass through a small town called La Fortuna, where you can see the majestic peaks on a clear day. After a hot spring, return to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Arena Thermal Studies.
   Afternoon: After checking in to the hotel, head to Tabacon Volcanic Hot Springs.
    
   
   TABACON THERMAL HOTSPRING HOTEL & SPA 5*
    
    

   

   Arenal Volcano

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: TABACON THERMAL HOTSPRING HOTEL & SPA 5*
4. 4

   Day 4 — Arenal Volcano Area - Sky Adventure (Tram & Trek or Walk)

   Morning: SKY Rainforest Cable Car + Sky Trek (zip line) or Forest Hike (choose one)
   After breakfast, head to take the cable car to admire the natural ecology around Arenal Volcano. Along the way, enjoy the unique scenery of the tropical rainforest, overlooking Arenal Volcano and the volcanic lake, and take in the biodiversity of this paradise in 360 degrees. You may spot various mammals moving freely in the forest and birds singing from the treetops, experiencing the beauty of the rainforest from above. The cable car passes through the entire rainforest, allowing visitors to appreciate the unique forest distribution beneath their feet, enjoy expansive mountain views from above, and watch birds and monkeys interacting in the treetops. Unlike ordinary cable cars, this one is an open-air gondola suspended about 75 feet above the ground, providing a thrilling experience.
   For those who dare, you may choose to experience the Sky Trek zip line or the Sky Walk forest hike at your own expense. Challenge your adrenaline by moving between platforms built in the rainforest canopy, enjoying the forest scenery from above and feeling fully immersed in nature. Sliding along the ropes at speeds of up to 60 km/h is an exciting experience for adventure lovers. For those who prefer not to try the zip line, the cable car and forest hike option is available.
   At noon, enjoy lunch while taking in distant views of the volcano. Arenal Volcano, located to the north, is an active volcano. The natural ecological scenery allows you to fully appreciate the beauty of nature. In the afternoon, return to the hotel to relax in the hot springs or optionally enjoy a professional massage or aromatherapy treatment.
   Afternoon: After returning to the hotel, visit Tabacón Hot Springs again.

   
    
   
   TABACON THERMAL HOTSPRING HOTEL & SPA 5*
    

   

   Arenal Volcano

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: TABACON THERMAL HOTSPRING HOTEL & SPA 5*
5. 5

   Day 5 — Arenal Volcano Area - Mystic Hanging Bridge - San Jose

   Morning: Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges
   After breakfast, head to the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges near Arenal Volcano. This area is one of Costa Rica's well-known eco-tourism attractions, featuring six safe and elegant hanging bridges. Walk through the lush primary rainforest, enjoy unparalleled scenery, and explore the diverse wildlife that awaits you.
   Noon: Check-out at 12:00 pm.
   Afternoon: Return to San José.

     

   

   Arenal Volcano

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: HILTON GARDEN INN LA SABANA HOTEL 4*
6. 6

   Day 6 — San Jose - Doka Coffee - Poas Vocano - LaPaz Waterfall Garden - San José

   We will visit the Doka Coffee Estate for a delicious breakfast. Then we will be treated to a coffee tour in an actual coffee plantation where we will learn the ancient techniques used by the experts to produce some of the best coffee in Costa Rica and around the world. The careful process involved in the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of the Golden Bean will then be illustrated, very hands-on, and then we will savor the delectable product.
   After the coffee tour, we will continue to Poas Volcano National Park, where there is a noticeable change in temperature and exuberant vegetation of the cloud forest. The Poás Volcano, is an active 2,708-metre (8,885 ft) stratovolcano. The crater of the volcano is over a mile across and 1050 feet deep. It has erupted 40 times since 1828, including April, 2017.
   At the Volcano we will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, and hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon as we learn about the different ecosystems in the park.After Poás, we will continue to La Paz Waterfall Garden, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch (rated 4 Forks by the Costa Rican Tourism Council) that includes multiple selections of Traditional Costa Rican dishes and much more.
   At La Paz Waterfall Gardens we will go through walking trails surrounded by lush tropical rain forest. Here we will appreciate flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, birds, butterflies, monkeys, and hummingbirds. There are also, educational animal exhibits to enjoy such as the Aviary, the Butterfly Observatory, Hummingbird Garden, Serpentarium, Jungle Cats Exhibit, and the Frog Exhibit. This is definitely a tour enjoyed by nature lovers from all ages.
   Due to the altitude and activity of the Poás Volcano, this tour is not recommended to any person with heart conditions, high blood pressure, people who have had a recent surgery, pregnant women or children.  As we ascend the mountain, we will notice a change in temperature and vegetation; we will see coffee plantations as well as fern, flower and strawberry farms along the way, creating a beautiful array of colors and visuals.
    

   

   Poas Volcano

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: ISLA VERDE HOTEL 3*, HILTON GARDEN INN LA SABANA 4*
7. 7

   Day 7 — San Jose - Home

   Transfer out.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Important info

Tour operator