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Day 1: Arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica 🛬
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in the center of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. You can choose to have an optional dinner near the hotel. The hotel options are in the Oroya/Aranjuez district, which is close to the famous Jade museum and just a 10-15 minute walk north and east of downtown.
3-star Eco-Hotel Aranjuez - Offers a delicious buffet.
Note: If you need to arrive a day early or need a final night at the end of the trip, we can offer an extra night for a supplementary cost.
Day 2: San Jose City Tour and Transfer to Monteverde. Sunset horse ride 🌅
In the morning, you will have the option to take a free walking tour of the city, which will give you the best insight into the country and its capital, San Jose. The tour is free, and transportation costs are covered, but the guides work for tips. Some of the places you will visit include the National Theater, High School for Ladies, China Town, Democracy Plaza, National Museum, and National Park.
At 11.15/11.30am, you will take a 3.5-hour transfer by comfortable private van through the valleys north of San Jose, passing by many coffee plantations. Monteverde, also known as the "green mountain," is another place boasting many outdoor activities.
In the late afternoon, you will have the option to participate in a sunset horse riding tour, with incredible photo opportunities and one of the tour highlights!
However, if you are not comfortable riding a horse we can offer you a coffee tour in the afternoon instead.
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Accommodation: Capulin Cabins and Farm 🌙🛌
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This is a one of a kind place to stay! All the cabins are different designed and have en-suite bathrooms. There are several forested trails to enjoy taking you throughout the property that you are welcome to enjoy. This is also part of a family-run farm based on the property that has been kept going for generations. For those interested, they can offer an interactive farm tour where you are be able to get involved with the tasks and be a part of the family for a few hours.
Day 3: Full Day in Monteverde with various optional activities 🌿
What to do in Monteverde on your full day?!
In the morning, you will have the option to visit one of two natural reserves full of wildlife, Santa Elena or Monteverde. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has numerous trails for trekking, which can take between 1.5-3.5 hours. The entry fee is included, and a nature guide can be hired on the day at an additional cost.
In the afternoon, you have the option to try zip-lining or canopy adventures through the nearby cloud forests. Monteverde is known as the "Ziplining and Canopy Mecca of Latin America" with several companies offering these activities. Prices range from $50-90 USD, depending on the routes taken.
If you don't want to try the zip-lines, you could take the canopy walkways and hanging bridges instead. A combination of half-day hiking in the reserve and an afternoon at a canopy tour park is also possible.
There are also the reptile ($10 US) and butterfly ($18 US) farms walking distance from the town.
Accommodation: Capulin Cabins and Farm 🌙🛌
Day 4: An Adventure to Nicaragua and Popoyo beach 🇳🇮 🏝️
Get ready for a journey of a lifetime! At around 7am, we drive to the border (Peñas Blancas – 4 hours). At the border we will need to leave our vehicle and continue through the customs checks and border control. We need to pay in advance an online exit fee of around $8 usd and show this when we get to immigrations control.
We then walk across to the Nicaragua side and stamp in – this wait can sometimes take around 2 hours depending on how busy (OR SLOW!) they are at processing the passports, before taking private transport to our first destination in Nicaragua, Popoyo.
Transfer time takes around 2 hours from the border.
Ideally we will order a late lunch when we arrive, so bring snacks for the journey.😋
Then find somewhere along the beachfront to enjoy the sunset. If you are looking for Surf and surf lessons we are at the best spot. We can arrange for the next day, a board and lesson if you like !
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Overnight 3* hotel : Casitas Pacific at Popoyo beach. 🌙🛌
We select Casitas Pacific not only because their location is perfect for the beach-front and their bungalows are exquisitely designed, but as they are caring for the environment, protect the turtles during hatching season (February-March), clean the area of the beach surrounding the hotel, and have 100% zero-plastic waste policy.
Day 5: Free Day for Optional Activities in Popoyo 🌴🏄♂️🧘♂️
Today is a free day for us to enjoy optional activities in Popoyo. The area is popular for all-year-round surfing classes or we may just prefer to rent a board ($15 USD for the day) or take a lesson ($30 USD per hour and up).
In addition to surfing at the nearby beaches, guests can also enjoy horse riding along the shore and participate in rejuvenating yoga classes, which can be booked in advance to secure a spot (in additional cost).
Overnight hotel 3* Casitas, Pacific, Popoyo 🌙🛌
DAY 6: TRANSFER TO OMETEPE ISLAND 🇳🇮 🏝️
We'll travel for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the port of San Jorge, where we'll take a ferry to Ometepe Island. Ideally, we'll embark around 10:30 AM on our boat or ferry to cross Lake Nicaragua (locally known as Lago Cocibolca) in just 1 hour 😊. Upon arrival at the port of Moyagalpa on Ometepe Island, we'll travel for another 45 minutes to reach our accommodation on the other side of the island.
We should arrive by early afternoon, and lunch will be served upon arrival. Afterward, we can plan our activities for the next few days on this beautiful island.
Ometepe Island: A Unique Destination
Ometepe Island is formed in the shape of a figure 8, created by two volcanoes: Concepcion (1,700 meters, active - last eruption in 2009) and Maderas (1,394 meters, extinct). The island is surrounded by subtropical cloud forests, and the main agriculture revolves around farming and crops such as cacao, beans, and plantains.
Overnight Stay Options on Ometepe Island 🌙🛌
Choose from two fantastic accommodation options on Ometepe Island:
- Villa Paraiso: Ideal for single travelers.
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- Totoco Eco-lodge: Ideal for couples.
No matter where you stay, you'll be immersed in the natural beauty and charm of Ometepe Island 😍. Make sure to explore the island's stunning landscapes and rich cultural experiences during your visit.
Day 7: Full Day on Ometepe 🌋🛶💦🏝️
We're excited to present the following options for your adventure on Ometepe Island, with a minimum of 4 people per activity. For smaller groups, an additional cost will apply. 😊
1. Maderas Volcano Trek (Full day) - Embark on a challenging full-day trek to the summit of Maderas Volcano (1394m/4573 ft) accompanied by an English-speaking local trek guide. This 11-kilometer (6.5-mile) hike takes around 8 hours and offers you the chance to encounter black howler monkeys, cacao plantations, and other native wildlife. Enjoy the shade along the way and reward yourself with a swim in the crater lagoon at the top! Please note that trek boots are essential, especially if there has been recent rainfall.
2. Rio Istian Kayaking (Half-day) - Explore the mangroves of Rio Istian on a half-day kayaking adventure with a local guide. Keep an eye out for caimans, howler monkeys, and a variety of native birds on this 2.5-hour tour.
3. San Ramon Waterfall & Coffee Farm Trek (Half-day) - Enjoy a shorter trek to the San Ramon Waterfall and visit a local coffee farm with an expert guide. This 1.5 to 2-hour hike can be combined with the coffee farm visit either on the way there or back.
For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, we also offer alternatives such as visits to ancient petroglyphs or relaxing at various bay areas and beaches. While the beaches may not be pristine white-sand like those in the Caribbean, they are still picturesque and perfect for enjoying sunsets. 😍
Overnight Accommodation: Villa Paraiso or similar on Ometepe Island. 🌙🛌
Day 8: Full Day on Ometepe 🌋🛶💦🏝️
Today, you may want to relax 😌, try another of the activities you didn't have time for the previous day (extra cost)💡, or enjoy a visit to one of the other stunning beaches on the island 🏖️, such as Punta Jesus Maria, where you can marvel at the breathtaking views of both volcanoes 🌋.
Overnight accommodation: Villa Paraiso or similar, Ometepe Island
Day 9: From Ometepe to Granada 💃🎊🚕
After a delicious breakfast, we'll take the boat back to the port of San Jorge (1 hour) and then a short taxi to Rivas, before catching a local chicken bus to the colonial town of Granada (1.5 hours). After checking into our hotel, we'll have lunch and then take an orientation walk around the central area.
Welcome to Granada, the oldest colonial city in Latin America! 🌴
Overnight Accommodation: Con Corazones, Granada 👙🩳
This hotel has a special concept, directly operating its own children's education project (the classrooms are even based inside the hotel!), and donating 100% of the hotel's profit to support local projects for children's education. Check out the impact they're making here.
Day 10: Full Day in Granada with Optional Trips 💃🎊🌄
Today, we have several options for you to choose from, depending on your interests 😊. We can suggest any of the following:
Option 1: Visit the ceramics village, Santa Catarina viewpoint, and Laguna Del Apoyo for swimming and lunch 🏊♀️🍴.
For this trip, we just need to arrange transportation, kayak rentals, and pay an entry fee upon arrival. You can either bring your lunch or purchase it at a lakeside restaurant. The lake, which formed over 20,000 years ago, is quite shallow and can be warm due to volcanic activity beneath its bed. On the way there (or back), we can stop in the village of Catarina for a viewpoint over the entire lake and visit a village famous for making artisanal pottery, showcased at a local workshop in a family home. Lunch is an additional cost and up to the individual 😋.
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Option 2: Tour of Lake and Islands + San Pablo Spanish Fort – The best time could be for sunset 🌅.
This 2-3 hour tour gives you a chance to spot local wildlife such as spider monkeys and many species of birds, including cormorants 🐒🐦. With around 350 different small islands on the lake, some host large private mansions of the wealthiest Nicaraguans in the country. The boats also take you up close to some islands where the only inhabitants are spider monkeys swinging from the branches of the native trees. On one island, you'll find an old colonial fortress called San Pablo from the 17th century, where you are allowed to disembark from the boat to explore 🏰. There will also be a stop at one of the islands with a restaurant where you can have lunch or purchase refreshments.
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For Option 1 or Option 2: You can add an extra 2-3 hours to make a full day tour, including a visit to Masaya active volcano (could be done as an evening tour) and Masaya Artisanal Market 🌋. The extra cost is $35 per person.
Visit Masaya Volcano 636m (day or night tour) 🌋
Experience the awe-inspiring Masaya Volcano at sunset, when its beauty is truly captivating. 🌅 We highly recommend the evening tour, where you'll witness vibrant colors and have the chance to see glowing lava up close!
Option 3: An extra cost, but can be discounted if you choose not to do one of the first trips 😊.
Hike Mombacha Volcano (1,570m) 🌋: Experience a 5-6 hour adventure (5 kilometers up, 5 down)!
This 6-hour tour includes a 3-4 hour hike, a private guide, transportation, and an entry fee. The cost is $30 per person (discounted from other trips) depending on the number of participants 🚶♀️🚶♂️.
Relax and recharge after your exciting day with overnight accommodation at Con Corazon, Granada 🌙🛌
Day 11: Final day in and around Granada – Optional trips available 😊
Today, you'll have more time to explore Granada on your own. Feel free to check out the local market, grab a coffee or local beer, or catch up on any trip you didn't have time for the day before 🚶♂️🍺.
Or maybe this will be the best day to start purchasing souvenirs at Masaya handicrafts market for taking back home 🎁. Make the most of your final day in Granada, and enjoy everything this charming city has to offer!
Day 12: Journey to La Fortuna 🌱🍃
After a delicious early breakfast, we'll hit the road at around 7.30am for a 2-legged shuttle to our next stop in La Fortuna. We'll cross back through the border and arrive in La Fortuna town, at the foot of the Volcano Arenal, around 3pm. Our hotel is located in a peaceful area just a 5-10 minute drive away from town.
Once we arrive, we can decide on the fun activities we want to do the following day. 😊
Our hotel, Cataratas Eco Lodge, is near a natural plunge pool and rope swing that's just a 25-minute walk away. We chose this hotel for its eco-friendly focus, beautifully cultivated gardens, outdoor pool, and a stunning view of Volcano Arenal!
Accommodation: Cataratas Eco Lodge, La Fortuna
Day 13: Free Day for Excursions in Arenal and Fortuna 🌱
From the town of La Fortuna, the possibilities for water and adventure activities are endless! Some options include:
Proyecto Asis Animal Conservation Program
If you're interested in visiting the nearby rescue center, we'll need to pre-book either a morning or afternoon visit. The tour is about 2 hours and there's a donation fee per person, which goes directly to the project. You can either walk 2 kilometers from town or take a taxi.
During your visit, one of the trained naturalists will give you a brief introduction to Proyecto Asis. Then, you'll have the chance to explore the reserve with a friendly guide who will engage you and help you think about conservation in a new way. If you want to spend more time helping to care for the animals, you can arrange this for an additional donation fee.
More info here.
For our final evening, we'll visit some amazing hot springs and then head out for dinner - entrance to the hot springs, and transport there and back are included!
Accommodation: Cataratas Eco Lodge
Day 14: Transfer to San Jose or the airport - 3 hours
We'll travel back to Costa Rica's capital by van and either head directly to the airport for our flight home or spend one more night (optional for an extra $50 USD for a shared room).
END OF SERVICES! 🎉
