A Costa Rican Escape

Fly from London to San José, then transfer to the Curio Grand Hotel Costa Rica, a historic boutique hotel housed in a restored 20th-century building. Settle in ahead of your tour.

Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of San José this morning. The capital of Costa Rica, it’s home to several attractions including the elaborate, neoclassical-style Teatro Nacional. Afterwards, transfer to La Fortuna, home of the impressive, still-active Arenal Volcano. Check in to the Arenal Springs Resort, where you’ll spend the next four nights. This peaceful, picturesque retreat is set amid lush gardens and known for its natural hot springs, with sweeping volcano views all around. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before a welcome cocktail and dinner in the evening.
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Visit La Fortuna’s Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park this morning for an adventure in the treetops. Amble through the canopies via its series of suspended bridges, glimpsing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Keep an eye out for the wildlife; jaguars, toucans, bellbirds and tapirs are among the creatures to spot, with trails leading to various scenic waterfalls and viewpoints. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you wish.
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Embark on a guided hike around the Arenal Volcano this morning. Choose from one of two rainforest trails, exploring a frozen lava field that was left over from an eruption in 1968. Admire its impressive formations and surrounding flora and fauna, as you take in views of the volcano and its namesake lake. Return to Arenal Springs Resort.
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Prepare for an adventure this morning as you head out on the Peñas Blancas Floating Safari. You’ll be driven to a river deck near La Fortuna, before hopping into an inflatable raft for a leisurely ride along the water – expect monkeys, sloths, birds and other wildlife nestled in a lush, emerald forest that’s an important biological corridor. Return to the hotel afterwards and enjoy an included dinner.
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Choose from one of two memorable adventures today – a 30-minute aerial Sky Tram ride, where you’ll ascend to the top of the mountains with spectacular views all around, or Sky Trek, where you’ll soar above the rainforest on seven different ziplines. Take in mesmerising views of Lake Arenal, the Arenal Volcano and other impressive landscapes on an experience to remember, before enjoying a final night at Arenal Springs Resort this evening.
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Transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park this morning, stopping en route for a Jungle Crocodile Safari Boat Tour on the Tarcoles River – home to one of Costa Rica’s most vibrant ecosystems. These waters are known for their American crocodiles; you’ll see them close-up on a guided tour, passing mangrove forests and lush riverbanks, with plenty of colourful birdlife along the way (from scarlet macaws to egrets and herons). Continue on to Manuel Antonio and check in to the Parador Nature Resort and Spa, where you’ll stay for the next four nights. Overlooking the Pacific, this luxury retreat is set in the heart of the rainforest, offering excellent wildlife-viewing. Dinner is included at the resort this evening.
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After breakfast, head out on a guided walking tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. Made up of a sprawling rainforest and swathes of pristine beaches, the park is home to capuchin, squirrel and howler monkeys, alongside sloths, coatis and an impressive array of birdlife. Follow the trails with your guide as you take in this rich ecosystem and its secluded, white-sand coastline.
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Today is free to enjoy at leisure; relax at one of the hotel’s outdoor pools, or take advantage of the facilities such as: head to the nearby Biezans Beach (where you can swim, snorkel or go stand-up paddleboarding), venture off on one of the park’s walking trails, or enjoy a spa treatment as you take in this scenic landscape (bookable locally).  Enjoy an included lunch at the resort.
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Enjoy a final free day at the resort today, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
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Transfer to San José airport today for your overnight flight home.
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Arrive London.