Overview of Your Classic Fly and Drive Tour
Take off on your own tour to discover what makes Costa Rica one of the world’s premier ecotourism destinations. Plus this Costa Rica trip offers the flexibility to choose between a budget or upscale hotel alternative, following a fixed route. You’ll visit one of the Western Hemisphere’s most active volcanoes, hike in the treetops, encounter exotic wildlife and relax on Costa Rica’s famous white sand beaches. What more could you ask of a trip to paradise?
Trip Features
- 9 Days
- Starting at $2,395 per person
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PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate -
ACTIVITIES
Self Drive, Snorkeling, Ziplining, Canopy Walk, Hiking -
HIGHLIGHTS
Arenal National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tabacon Hot Springs
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Talk to a Travel Expert
A Southern Explorations guide will meet you outside customs and transfer you nearby to the rental car office to pick up your vehicle for your trip to the Arenal Volcano area, about a three-hour drive from San Jos. Your Costa Rica adventure begins with an overnight stay at a local hotel in the vicinity of the volcano. After check-in, spend the rest of day getting settled and exploring the area on your own. (B)
You have two free days to enjoy the many activities in the area. There’s the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, a Costa Rica ecotourism paradise for birders interested in waterfowl. Go horseback riding or relax in several 102-degree F. thermal pools fed by the Tabacn River at the Tabacn Hot Springs, a Spanish style bathing resort in an idyllic setting of lush tropical gardens. The area’s biggest attraction is the Arenal Volcano, which has been in constant activity for more than thirty years, where you’ll be able to take an unforgettable guided canopy tour of interpretive trails that crosses fifteen hanging bridges. You’ll end this day of your Costa Rica ecotour with another night at the hotel. (B)
Today’s three-hour drive takes you around Arenal Lake, passing by picturesque small towns before reaching your destination, the rural community of Monteverde, nestled in the highlands of the Tilaran mountain range. Overnight at a local hotel in Monteverde. (B)
Free day to explore the area’s main attraction, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, a 6,200 acre wildlife sanctuary established by an American Quaker community. One of Costa Rica’s richest ecological habitats, the reserve contains Sky Trek, an extensive system of trails, canopy platforms, a treetop platform and a suspension bridge in the tropical vegetation of evergreens, vines, orchids and bromeliads. Those looking for extra thrills on their Costa Rica ecological tour may take an adrenaline-pumping zip-line flight deep into the forest, a highlight of most everyone’s Costa Rica vacation. Another night at the hotel in Monteverde. (B)
After breakfast and check-out, it’s a three-hour drive to the Manuel Antonio National Park area. On the way, you may visit the Carara National Park, an ideal spot to observe where tropical forests and dry forests meet. Surrounded by agricultural land, this reserve is teeming with crocodiles, monkeys, sloths and scarlet macaws. Balance of the day at leisure in Manuel Antonio. Overnight at a hotel near the park. (B)
Explore the sights of Manuel Antonio National Park, an important habitat for the endangered squirrel monkey and home to 350 bird species, and an essential stop of your Costa Rica tours. This park has something for everyone. Magnificent white sand beaches surrounded by tropical forests, rafting trips, guided walks, hiking and fishing are all possibilities. Overnight at your park area hotel. (B)
*Manuel Antonio National Park closed Tuesday
After breakfast, drive to the San Jose International Airport (3 hour drive) where you will drop off the rental car before taking your flight back home. (B)
*Manuel Antonio National Park closed Tuesday
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Phone
1-877-784-5400Included Hotel
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Trip FAQs
We have so much to share with you! How does this all work? Start with the frequently asked questions below, and if you want to talk to us directly, simply reach out by phone or form.
Talk to a Travel ExpertYou have the flexibility to choose your own travel dates on most of our trips. Certain trips, such as cruises, have fixed schedules. Availability on these trips is always changing so please contact us with your preferred travel time and we can find the perfect itinerary for you
We provide full service tours so in general our trips include all guided activities with professional English-speaking guides, accommodations, transportation, airport transfers, entrance fees and permits, select meals, and pre-departure services. You will be responsible for international airfare while we will book all in-country airfare. Contact one of our expert travel planners for even more details on this specific tour.
The first step is to get in touch with a Southern Explorations travel planner for date availability and information on activities, accommodations and other travel aspirations you may have. Give us a call at 1.877.784.5400, fill out this form or email info@southernexplorations.com.
Yes! All of our posted itineraries can be considered a starting point and we’re happy to tailor a trip to your exact desires. There may be some elements of a trip, such as a cruise or all-inclusive lodge stay, that cannot be modified but we can always adjust the tours around those components.
We have more detailed information about each destination in the Plan Your Trip section of this website. Our team of friendly travel planners is also available to walk you through various options and to work with you on the perfect trip!
Plan Your Trip to Costa Rica
Browse our in-depth travel guide of Costa Rica to learn more about the destination.
Learn More About Costa RicaTestimonials
I have dreamed about going to Costa Rica for years and this trip exceeded all of my expectations! The pre-trip planning by the Southern Explorations was exceptional. With short notice, your team pulled out all of the stops to put together a customized, self-guided itinerary for us during one of the busiest times of the year. Your flawless attention to detail ensured that everything ran like clockwork, from the moment we were met at the airport and delivered to our first hotel to the final day when we dropped off our rental car at the airport before flying home. Each location on the itinerary offered a different type of scenery (and weather!) and an endless variety of activities to pursue, all of which were spectacular. Overall, it was a fascinating adventure and we will always treasure the memories. We look forward to booking our next adventure with Southern Explorations.
– Lisa and Geoffrey Marsden
