San Antonio De Belen Tours
9-Day Best of Northwest Costa Rica from San Jose: Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Guanacaste
4.5

9-Day Best of Northwest Costa Rica from San Jose: Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Guanacaste

By Central American Tours
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Lowest price guarantee

Ages 3-99, max of 10 per group
Duration: 9 days
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More


  • Lunch
  • Breakfast
  • Breakfast
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Breakfast
  • Breakfast
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • 1 nights accommodation in San Jose
  • 2 nights accommodation in Arenal
  • 2 nights accommodation in Monteverde
  • 3 nights accommodation in Guanacaste
  • Sky Walk Tour
  • Arenal Volcano Hot Springs at Baldi
  • Transfers between San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde and Guanacaste
  • Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
  • Entry/Admission - Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
  • Entry/Admission - Lake Arenal
What's not included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities
  • Optional activities in Guanacaste (tour of frog pond, Liberia city tour, Nicaragua in a day, etc.


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      Airport pickup offered
      During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included airports.
      • Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, San Jose Costa Rica
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        • Infant seats available
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5766SJDAY

        • Please note: you can book optional tours while in destination for this multi-day trip
        • If you would like to end your tour in San Jose, a private transfer can be arranged and be paid in advance (approx. USD $250 per transportation)
        • Note: single rooms are only available for 1 person, double rooms for 2 and triple rooms for 3. If you book additional passengers in the rooms, your booking will be rejected and a full refund will be processed
        • Most travelers can participate
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

        • All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5766SJDAY

        From
        $1,679.00
        per adult
        Select date and travelers

        Similar experiences

        Itinerary
        Overview
        Full Map
        11 stops
        Day 1
        Welcome to Costa Rica
        Day 2
        Arenal Volcano Area
        Day 3
        Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
        Day 4
        Transfer Arenal to Monteverde
        Day 5
        Monteverde
        Day 6
        Guanacaste
        Day 7
        Vida Aventura
        Day 8
        Optional Activities
        Day 9
        Departure Day
        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Central American Tours
          249
          Costa Rica
          Joined in March 2010
        • Q9947FEjohnh
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Direct Transport
          We used CAT for direct transport from San Jose airport to the Marriott hotel Belen then the next morning from the Marriott hotel to Tabacon in La Fortuna. Then a week later we went back to Marriott and then the next morning to San Jose Airport. The van was new and in great shape and very comfortable. Our driver for all four legs was Jorge. He was not only on time but early. He was patient with all of our questions and even made a couple stops along the way for bathroom break and to purchase things from road side vendors. We actually called the evening before leaving Tabacon and pushed our pick up time back a couple hours and they were very accommodating especially on such short notice. Jorge even pulled over in the rain to make sure that we got to see the Parrots. We will be coming back to Costa Rica and will definitely use CAT again!!! Muchas Gracias!!!
          Written October 8, 2024
        • 283nellyk
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Outstanding experience with CATOURS - Central American Tours
          Central American Tours helped us fall in love with Costa Rica. At Liberia airport it felt so special to be met by a Catours greeter holding a sign with my name. Unlike other transfer companies when you have to go look for the bus and wait until they fill up the bus and then drive around dropping off the passengers on the way at their hotels, making the trip so much longer with a stop-n-go transfer system. Our private driver arrived within a minute and drove just the 2 of us from Liberia airport to Tabacon resort (Arenal Volcano area), across the beautiful countryside up the mountains, the easiest 4 hours ride. Two days later again we requested a later pick up from our resort and were given a wonderful private driver who drove us to our next destination in Monteverde cloud forest which was an over 3 hours ride. The driver Josue gave us a lot of interesting information about Costa Rica, people, customs and answered all our questions while driving through the rain and fog. A very safe, prompt and personable driver! We were lucky to get Josue once more from the Monteverde region hotel down to Guanacaste hotel, which was another 3.5 hours comfortable ride down the mountains to the Pacific beachside of the country. Catours organized the whole trip and selected excellent resorts with various experiences and most unusual scenery that we fell in love with each of the 3 resorts. Outstanding 6 day experience being taken care of from the arrival to Liberia airport until the departure from the last resort back to Liberia. Catours is our #1 tour company while in Costa Rica - highly recommend to anyone looking for a special private experience while being driven around in a brand new SUV.
          Written August 27, 2024
        • 736melisar
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Exceptional Customer Service
          Exceptional customer service - rare to find these days! Very attentive, professional and excellent communication. Zianny, Daniel and Juan went above and beyond to help us out - we left an item at the airport for our little one and they brought it to the hotel - amazing! We can’t thank them enough!
          Written August 19, 2024
        • Y3503PEalexam
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing
          This was one of the best experience's I’ve had. My tour guide I believe his name was Gilbert . Started with a G . He picked me up from the Rio gunasteee on July 19 ! He showed his whole crew the natures and lead is perfect to the waterfalls. He’s the best ! And this excursion is worth every penny . You get to experience the hot natural springs and the waterfall and some hiking as well! 100/100
          Written July 19, 2024
        • lauramH1199BB
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          GREAT COMPANY - GREAT GUIDE - LOVE FOR LOCALS
          Franko was an incredible guide and surpassed our expectations. His personality is exactly what we would want in a guide. We spent nearly 9 hours together and he not only gave us time to ourselves but was so knowledgeable and passionate about his country we talked for hours and he answered every question we had. He focused on things we were interested in and stopped along the way to ensure we got to learn unique things about the country and nature around us. He seemed to know everybody and had such a positive relationship with any person we ran into throughout the day. I don't think we could have asked for more. Franko even made sure my medical needs were met whether we needed to make extra stops or rest. He was simply wonderful. Our driver Mauricio was fantastic in his own way. I didn't think you could ask for more than just a safe and knowledgeable driver, but he took very special care of his vehicle even making sure it was cleaned before we got back into it after a tour. I mean 'wiping the dirt from the floors where we sat' clean. The tours were very special knowing that we were supporting local families and business, so this was just the icing on the cake. It was the perfect way to experience Costa Rica and we not knowing the areas, felt safe the entire time. We had a river boat tour where (as usual) Franko seemed very close to the captain. There was even another tour guide from a different company there and NO COMPARISON to our Franko with CA Tours. He had no passion for what he was doing and have very little to no information. Most of the other people on our boat (not with Franko started asking him questions. We knew we had the best. Our lunch at a local ranch was DELICIOUS. We are self-proclaimed foodies and truly loved the lunch we had. The pottery available at the ranch was lovely and while you could tell the young man teaching us about the process was trying to sell us, it was still a lovely experience and we wanted local crafts anyhow. The whole family was so sweet. Closing out our day, we completed the coffee tour. If you enjoy learning, this is definitely a tour for you. My husband loves coffee, I love learning new things so it was the perfect combination for us. Dennis led the tour but also serves the company as quality assurance, tasting the coffee. It was wonderful hearing everything he had to say about the process and really understanding how to taste coffee. I'm close to saying I like coffee but have a TRUE aappreciation for it now. We feel so lucky to have had such an incredible day and will book with CA Tours and ask for Mauricio and Franko next time we are in Costa Rica.
          Written May 29, 2024
        • CampRyenWater
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Active Volcano Walk at Rincon de la Vieja
          There is no better way to take in the Active Volcano at Rincon De La Vieja than with Jose! On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Jose was my tour guide for one of the most delightful days in the area. Jose arrived in a nice Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle, and we started on our journey. Jose was amazing in his knowledge of the area. It was awesome to spend time in a private setting with Jose to learn about the region and the items that impact the area. Jose is a connoisseur of nature and his knowledge of the volcano area is unparalleled! He can point out animals and creatures that I would have walked by. He has a great route through the park that I would not have taken without his expertise. The National Park is well maintained and has mostly paved paths that take you to see the various volcano areas and boiling mud pits. The park has great full-service restrooms and a nice gift shop for souvenirs. Part of the tour is lunch at a local spot on the way back to the hotel. Having lunch at a local spot is a great way to experience the delicious food that is available. This is also a great time to sit with Jose and learn more about the area. I highly recommend you book a private tour with Jose for the Active Volcano Walk.
          Written May 20, 2024
        • Cmaguire3305
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Costa Rica
          Amazing trip and excellent service from Luis from a prime Tours. He has a heart of gold. Great experience. His drivers and guides are all amazing. Worth every penny
          Written May 3, 2024
        • nicolekS8579BC
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Don’t miss this.
          If you liked the Disneyland Safari the you will love this. This one is real and way better. We saw monkeys, crocodiles, and many other animals.
          Written March 9, 2024
        • CLCtravler
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Direct Transfer from Liberia Airport to Riu Resort
          Great drivers both ways, got us to and from in a very timely manner. Both drivers were knowledgeable and friendly.
          Written February 29, 2024
        • jennifersM2640UC
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Incredible Family Vacation Experience
          Exploring Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs from Guanacaste is a journey into the heart of Costa Rica's natural beauty and geological wonders. Departing from Guanacaste, travelers embark on a scenic adventure through lush landscapes, rolling hills, and vibrant wildlife habitats en route to the iconic Arenal Volcano. As the journey unfolds, anticipation builds as the majestic silhouette of Arenal Volcano comes into view, towering over the surrounding rainforest like a sentinel of the land. The sight of this dormant giant is awe-inspiring, offering a glimpse into the raw power and beauty of nature. After marveling at the volcano from afar, travelers are treated to a rejuvenating soak in the region's famous hot springs. Nestled amidst the verdant jungle, these natural thermal pools offer a blissful retreat, with warm mineral-rich waters that soothe the body and invigorate the soul. As guests relax and unwind in the tranquil surroundings, they can bask in the therapeutic benefits of the hot springs while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding landscape. But the adventure doesn't end there – Arenal Volcano and its surrounding area offer a wealth of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking through lush rainforests and exploring lava fields to zip-lining through the canopy and embarking on wildlife safaris, there's no shortage of ways to immerse oneself in the natural splendor of the region. In conclusion, exploring Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs from Guanacaste is a truly unforgettable experience that showcases the unparalleled beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica. Whether relaxing in the soothing waters of the hot springs or embarking on thrilling adventures in the shadow of the volcano, travelers are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
          Written January 28, 2024
        • gaelwheeler
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Wonderful experience!!
          This was an amazing experience, mostly because our guide Walter was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and our driver Oliver was warm and competent. We felt safe and well cared for in their hands. if you do this tour, be sure to ask for them for the best possible experience.
          Written January 25, 2024
        • rayj5107
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent and timely service
          We used CA three times during our Costa Rica vacation with 14 family members. Every transport was on-time and courteous; Our driver was careful and we felt safe and well cared for.
          Written January 11, 2024
        • Relax610383
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Montana del Fuego Resort transport from airport
          Excellent. Prompt, friendly and clean vehicle. Gave us information along the way and pointed out key spots and history.
          Written January 3, 2024
        • Safari11172195709
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A Remarkable Journey
          I was met at the airport by a person holding a sign with my name. I was given a paper and envelope with all my tour times and pick ups listed. I was introduced to my driver who was courteous and professional. He stopped at a road side Cafe for me so that I could get something to eat because I had been traveling through the night. My trip with him lasted three hours... But the van was comfortable and I felt safe.
          Written January 3, 2024
        • mkv0lpe
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Highly recommend
          Great service and very easy to use. Booked through TripAdvisor a few days before our flight. Reasonable price for a 90 min trip from airport to our hotel. Someone met us outside and called a driver, who was there in about 5 min. Van was nice, good AC, and driver was great. Highly recommend
          Written November 30, 2023
        See all 249 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


        4.5
        4.5 of 5 bubbles6 reviews
        Excellent
        5
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        0
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        1
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        Anais H
        1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jul 2021
        Sight seeing is gorgeous and perfectly scheduled throughout the trip! Nature Lovers must experience!! You start with tropical forest, then cloud forest and end with a nice couple days of relaxing in an all inclusive dry forest resort in Guanacaste. This is the best way to get to see many significant and beautiful parts of Costa Rica! The hotels that are offered in the package are also top-class, Kioro in Arenal, El Establo in Monteverde, and my family stayed at Riu Palace while in Guanacaste. Jorge was an amazing tour guide, he is very knowledgeable, helped improve my Spanish speaking skills and overall a pleasant man.
        Written July 21, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you very much for our review! Yes, Guided Vacations (Marvels of Costa Rica, 9 days 8 nights) is the best way to experience the best of Costa Rica. I am so glad you enjoyed your vacations. Puedes regresar cuando quieras!!!! Jorge Taylor President / Owner
        Written August 27, 2021
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        MissSeaweed
        Jersey Shore, NJ207 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2021
        Just returned from a 9 day trip arranged by CATours and it was an amazing time. We had private transport from SJO airport to our hotel in San Jose. Next was two days in La Fortuna, where we did the Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Tour. Next was the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge where we saw many different birds, iguanas, cayman, bats (sleeping - it was daytime!) and just had a great relaxing time on the river cruise. Then we transferred via boat across Lake Arenal to a bus that took us to our next stop, Monteverde which I think was my favorite region. The cool nights were beautiful. Our final location was Manuel Antonio (Guanacaste). The sunset catamaran tour was one of the highlights of our trip. Not one of the giant party boats, but a much more relaxing one. Finally, private transport back to one last night in San Jose, and private transport to the airport next morning. Great staff. CATours responded very quickly to a few of my mid-trip requests to change things, and their drivers were excellent. They arranged a few wonderful suprises for us as this was an anniversary trip. Can't say enough about the entire experience!
        Written December 13, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you so much for your review! Wonderful words from your part. I will share them with our team. Thank you for choosing Costa Rica for your trip!! We love to share our country with everyone! Hope you come back! Happy holidays!
        Written December 27, 2021
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        David
        13 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jul 2019 • Family
        We had the best time in Costa Rica. We found our tour guide, Leidi Vargas, at the airport as she was holding a sign with our name on it. She picked us up at the airport and was available at our hotel and via text and email as we traveled around the country. She was very patient with us and explained everything we needed to know. Leidi arranged a trip to a national park, snorkeling, and transportation around Costa Rica. We always felt safe with all the drivers and guides. We had the best time and saw all kinds of animals. The hotels were amazing and the people were the best. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming to us. Once we parted ways and went to our second hotel she kept in touch with us via text to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and getting the resources we needed. Everything went according to plan, every driver and tour arrived on time and as expected. Can't wait to come back again!
        Written August 2, 2019
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you very much for your review! I am glad you enjoyed our 9 Day tour of Costa Rica. It was our pleasure to serve you and hope to have the opportunity to have you back in a not to distant future. Jorge Taylor President / Owner
        Written August 4, 2019
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Dr SSL
        13 contributions
        2.0 of 5 bubbles
        Feb 2024 • Friends
        Although there were breath taking experiences on this trip I would not recommend it for several reasons. According to our incredible tour guide Fico we were fortunate to see so many monkeys. We saw Howlers, Capuchins and Spider monkeys close up in the wild. We also saw an incredible number of bird species. I would have liked to know in advance how experienced you need to be with binoculars. We made a friend on the trip who is an experienced birder and wildlife photographer who shared his photos. Other wise we would not have managed to see them and capture photos. My main complaint would be the number of people on this bus trip. In order to process and move 27 people everyday we were up every morning between 5:00-5:30 and on the bus at 6:30. We spent so many hours on that bus with very little activity. Mostly people were between 60-75 years old but we had two young couples. Everyone complained about the lack of activity. Any scheduled down time or more lengthy hiking options vanished in the process of moving so many people with frequent but necessary bathroom stops. By the end I was so sleep deprived it was hard to appreciate much. In the itinerary they mention a turtle rescue research experience. In fact these turtles are almost extinct and definitely not available for viewing. Instead the morning was spent picking up plastic from the beach and sorting to increase awareness of how plastic are being incorporated into our marine life. People were very disappointed. This should have been a trip for maybe 15 people. I will always be grateful to our guide Fico and some of the experts we met along the way for sharing their vast knowledge but this trip was not worth so much money.
        Written February 17, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        You have the wrong company. Please remove this review from our page. Nothing that you describe is from this tour. We do not a tour guide named fico We do not do groups with so many passengers We do not visit a place to see turtles Please remove your comment from our page. Thank you
        Written February 20, 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Omnigreen
        Port Clinton, OH77 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2019
        We stayed in Fortuna and viewed the Volcano from our cabina. It's a lovely area with massive foliage. This is a definite excursion in Costa Rica. I would love to go back and stay in the park.
        Written January 18, 2019
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you very much for your review!! It was our pleasure to serve you during your Costa Rica vacation. Our goal is to create unforgettable memories for our clients and we are glad to have accomplished our goal during your visit. CATours Team
        Written June 5, 2019
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Toni D
        San Bernardino, California, USA66 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2018 • Couples
        Our 30th wedding anniversary trip to Costa Rica was amazing! Jose was the best guide, so knowledgeable, and an all around great guy. From San Jose, to Arenal, to Monteverde, and to Guanacaste, every minute was wonderful. We hiked, went on a safari cruise, did horseback riding and ziplining, kayaking... trip of a lifetime and can't wait to go back!
        Written February 18, 2018
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you very much for your review! I am glad you enjoyed all your activities with Catours. We hope to serve you again in the neat future.
        Written February 26, 2018
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        9-Day Best of Northwest Costa Rica from San Jose: Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Guanacaste provided by Central American Tours

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