Volcanoes, Cloud Forest, and the Blue Zone
Sixteen days from Arenal's volcanic foothills through the Monteverde canopy to Rincón de la Vieja's bubbling mud pools and the Pacific beaches of Sámara in the Nicoya Peninsula
From Volcanic Trails to Blue Zone Beaches
Four Regions, Four Different Costa Ricas
This custom itinerary covers more ground than the typical Costa Rica trip. La Fortuna sits at the base of Arenal Volcano, surrounded by rainforest trails and hanging bridges over the canopy. Monteverde is cloud forest at 5,000 feet, where moisture hangs in the trees and wildlife is everywhere after dark. Rincón de la Vieja is a working volcano in Guanacaste's dry tropical lowlands, with bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and hot springs on a hacienda ranch. Sámara, on the Nicoya Peninsula, is a quiet Pacific beach town in one of the world's five recognized Blue Zones — regions where people live measurably longer.
Guided Hikes, Night Walks, and Island Kayaking
At Arenal, hike the national park and the 230-foot La Fortuna Waterfall on your own, then walk the hanging bridges with a naturalist guide. In Monteverde, visit the cloud forest reserve and join a guided night walk to spot sloths, coatis, tree frogs, and tarantulas after sunset. At Rincón de la Vieja, hike the Las Pailas trail through volcanic mud pools and fumaroles, then soak in Hacienda Guachipelín's hot springs and mud baths. In Sámara, a guided nature walk explores why the Nicoya Peninsula is a Blue Zone, and a sea kayak takes you to Isla Chora for snorkeling. Offbeat Travel handles the guides and bookings while you self-drive between stops.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Sixteen days by rental car from Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde cloud forest to Rincón de la Vieja and the Pacific beaches of Sámara. This itinerary can also be configured with private transfers if you prefer not to drive. Every element can be adjusted to match your interests, pace, and travel dates.
Day 1: Arrival in San José
Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), pick up your rental car, and drive to your hotel in San José for the night.
Lodging: Sleep Inn Paseo Las Damas, San José
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2: Drive to La Fortuna
After breakfast, drive to La Fortuna in the Arenal Volcano area. The road climbs the continental divide at approximately 6,000 feet through coffee plantations, sugar cane, and cattle fields. As you approach La Fortuna, the landscape shifts — cassava, papayas, and plantains line the route, and Arenal Volcano comes into view. The drive takes two to three hours.
Lodging: Arenal Paraíso Resort and Spa, La Fortuna (3 nights)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Arenal Volcano National Park and La Fortuna Waterfall
A self-guided day. In the morning, hike the trails at Arenal National Park near the base of the volcano — gentle paths through rainforest with views of the volcanic landscape and context on the major eruption of 1968. After the hike, continue to the 230-foot La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can swim at the base.
Lodging: Arenal Paraíso Resort and Spa, La Fortuna
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Arenal Hanging Bridges
A guided morning hike through the Arenal Hanging Bridges — a network of trails and suspension bridges through the rainforest canopy with views of Arenal Volcano. Your guide helps you spot sloths, monkeys, and tropical birds and shares insights on the area's biodiversity.
Lodging: Arenal Paraíso Resort and Spa, La Fortuna
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Drive to Monteverde
After breakfast, drive to Monteverde. The road follows Lake Arenal with views of lush green landscapes and the transition from volcanic lowlands up into the cloud forest region.
Lodging: Country Lodge Monteverde (3 nights)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Monteverde Cloud Forest and Night Walk
In the morning, visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve on your own. The reserve sits at 5,000 feet on the continental divide, where clouds meet the mountain range and shape the lush evergreen vegetation and rich biodiversity.
In the evening, join a guided night walk through the cloud forest. Diurnal animals settle in to sleep while nocturnal creatures emerge — sloths, coatis, agoutis, porcupines, gray foxes, tarantulas, tree frogs, and sleeping birds. The walk lasts two and a half to three hours.
Lodging: Country Lodge Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Free Day in Monteverde
A full day to explore at your own pace — revisit the cloud forest, walk the trails, or relax.
Lodging: Country Lodge Monteverde
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Drive to Rincón de la Vieja
After breakfast, drive from Monteverde toward the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano area in Guanacaste. The landscape changes as you descend from cloud forest into the warm, dry tropical lowlands.
Lodging: Hacienda Guachipelín, Rincón de la Vieja (3 nights)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Las Pailas Trail in Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Hike the Las Pailas trail, a 2-mile loop through Rincón de la Vieja National Park. The trail passes bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and lush tropical forest. Keep an eye out for monkeys, coatis, and birds as you explore the volcanic landscape. The hike takes approximately three hours.
Lodging: Hacienda Guachipelín, Rincón de la Vieja
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Free Day at Hacienda Guachipelín
A full day at the hacienda, which offers several activities on its property included in your stay: Río Negro hot springs and volcanic mud baths, and self-guided hiking trails leading to seven waterfalls.
Lodging: Hacienda Guachipelín, Rincón de la Vieja
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Drive to Playa Sámara
After breakfast, drive from Rincón de la Vieja to the beach town of Sámara on the northern Pacific coast. The route crosses rural landscapes, rolling hills, and small towns.
Lodging: Giada Hotel, Playa Sámara (4 nights)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Blue Zone Nature Walk
A guided morning walk through the forest around Sámara with binoculars and a spotting scope. Your guide explains the flora and fauna of the region and why the Nicoya Peninsula is one of the world's five recognized Blue Zones — places where people live measurably longer lives.
Lodging: Giada Hotel, Playa Sámara
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Sea Kayak to Isla Chora
Kayak from the southern end of Sámara beach to Isla Chora, a small island about 25 minutes offshore. Explore the island's landscape, relax on the beach, and snorkel in the surrounding waters. The excursion takes approximately three hours.
Lodging: Giada Hotel, Playa Sámara
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Free Day in Sámara
A full day on the beach, in town, or at your own pace.
Lodging: Giada Hotel, Playa Sámara
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Drive to San José
After breakfast, drive back to San José through rural countryside, mountains, and small towns.
Lodging: Country Inn and Suites, San José
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16: Departure
Return your rental car and take the shuttle to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your departure flight. Pura Vida!
Meals: Breakfast
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