Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour
9 Days and 8 Nights
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour. After your first night in a cozy San Jose hotel, you’ll journey to the majestic Arenal Volcano. Experience a series of some of Costa Rica’s favorite hiking trails that traverse lush, forested areas and historic lava fields, remnants of past dramatic eruptions in Las Coladas trail. As you immerse yourself in this natural wonder, you’ll be captivated by the stunning views and the rich biodiversity offering you a great opportunity for wildlife observation and photography.
Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour will venture you to the enchanting Blue River, a true gem nestled in the heart of the rainforest near Volcán Rincón de la Vieja. The vibrant blue waters, colored by volcanic minerals, create a breathtaking sight.
Throughout the Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour, you’ll be treated to an array of experiences that showcase the country’s unique landscapes and vibrant ecosystems. From exploring the hidden treasures of the Blue River to hiking the trails of the iconic Arenal Volcano, this tour promises a journey filled with awe and wonder. Contact us to start planning your trip. Contact us to start planning your trip.
Blue River and Volcanoes Tour Highlights
- Eye level view of monkeys and toucans
- Leisure time at “Beautiful Beach”
- • Discover the lushness of the forest and bird diversity of Arenal Volcano and Bijagua
- • Look for natural blue water rivers
- Guanacaste: Tradition and hospitality
- Small groups
- CRST has the best guides!
Itinerary
SAN JOSÉ
The Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour starts with your arrival at the airport. As you exit the airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Your driver will provide you with the travel vouchers for your services and review them with you at this time.
INCLUDED
- Arrival SJO Intl. Airport.
- Private land transfer service to your hotel in San José.
- Overnight at Park Inn or similar.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
The Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour Day 2. After breakfast, you will be met by our Private Driver-Host Service that will join this trip for the next 3 days. He or she will transfer you to Arenal Volcano National Park including a stop at a local farm.
Arenal Vida Campesina lets you experience life in the Costa Rican countryside with a farming family that grow typical crops and are practicing newer sustainable agricultural techniques.
The tour begins with a demonstration of sugarcane juice production using a manually-operated sugar mill. Then continue into the cultivated sections of the farm where visitors will see and learn about common Costa Rican crops such as coffee, bananas, plantains, sugar cane, etc. Also on the farm are various animals, whose organic waste is converted to biogas and an organic foliar fertilizer.
At the end of the tour, you will enjoy a traditional lunch with freshly harvested vegetables. Lunch includes a hands-on demonstration on tortilla making!
Later in the afternoon you will visit the famous Fortuna Waterfall.
Descend a 500 meter trail to the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall, a 197-foot high crystal clear waterfall! Along the trails, you can observe different species including plants, trees, toucans, butterflies and more! In addition to taking amazing photographs, you can also swim or simply relax.
During your visit, you are also contributing to the Community’s Support Development Association which goes towards Social Projects to benefit local schools, nutritional centers, the orphanage, roads maintenance and more.
EXPERT TIPS
- Bring: swimsuit, light clothing, hiking shoes, raincoat, bug repellent, camera and hat.
Our private bilingual host drivers are selected for their driving skills, knowledge of the country and orientation towards customer service. He/she is responsible for staying with the vehicle while clients are at restaurants, doing hikes or other tours so that all personal belongings left in the vehicle are safe. This service offers you more flexibility in travel time as you can request stops to photograph gorgeous scenery, view wildlife, visit nice local restaurants, meet local people, or take coffee breaks and stretch when you need it.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Arenal Vida Campesina
La Fortuna Waterfall
INCLUDED
- Breakfast.
- Driver Host Service including a Private land transfer to Arenal and a stop at a local organic lunch en route.
- Afternoon hike to La Fortuna Waterfall. (Self-guided trails at Waterfall).
- Overnight at Arenal Observatory Lodge or similar.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour Day 3. Today you will explore the area around the volcano. Arenal Volcano erupted violently July 29th 1968 destroying the region west of its base with hot gases, rocks and later, lava flows. Today the volcano steams quietly and heats local rivers that have been developed into popular hot springs and spas. Forest vegetation is quickly returning and covering the massive rock fragments and lava flows, and rainforest wildlife once again flourishes in and around the park.
- Bring: comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, insect repellent, camera, binoculars, sunscreen and rain gear.
Later in the afternoon you will visit the Suspended Bridges in Arenal.
This is a complex of suspension bridges and trails through beautiful rain forest. The terrain undulates and the trail crosses ravines with small waterfalls and travels over bridges with panoramic vistas over the treetops including views of Arenal Volcano.
As you walk you may encounter wildlife including toucans, poison dart frogs, howling, spider and white-faced capuchin monkeys. The 1.5 mile trail is an easy walk for people in good condition and loops back to the starting point.
- Bring: comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, insect repellent, camera, binoculars, sunscreen and rain gear.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
- Arenal Volcano National Park
- Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
INCLUDED
- Breakfast.
- Driver Host Service including a visit to the Arenal National Park & Suspended Bridges Tours. ** Self guided trails**
- Overnight at Arenal Observatory Lodge or similar.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
BIJAGUA
Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour Day 4. Bijagua is located in a valley just a few miles east of the Miravalles Volcano, Bijagua is a small village in between the Miravalles Volcano and the Tenorio Volcano that promises big Costa Rican adventure.
The virgin rainforest in this part of Alajuela is home to tropical animal species like pumas, tapirs, sloths, anteaters, coitis, giant butterflies and rare plant species, like the wild orchids. Bijagua is covered in acres of pastoral farmland with citrus groves and vegetable gardens.
A birdwatchers paradise, the forests here provide critical habitat to squawking green parrots, macaws, humming birds and toucans.
Bijagua is known for its history of cheese making and promising ecological adventures, as it serves largely as the entrance to the Tenorio Volcano. Whether you’re a foodie looking for your next big thrill or an avid outdoorsm an seeking out Costa Rica’s best kept natural wonders, Bijagua is sure to enthrall.
INCLUDED
- Breakfast.
- Host Service including a Private land transfer service to Casitas Tenorio.
- Overnight at Casitas Tenorio or similar.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
BIJAGUA
Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour Day 5. Tapir Valley is a private reserve. Donald and two partners bought the land more than 15 years ago to protect the valuable rainforest habitat for many animals, such as the threatened Baird’s tapir. The reserve covers over 220 hectares and primary and secondary tropical forest and is adjacent to the Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Here you can experience one of Costa Rica’s best birdwatching locations and enjoy unique access to a rainforest paradise and perhaps even the chance to see the fugitive Tapir.
In days past, visitors would have to walk two hours to reach the valley, but now the main road of Tenorio Volcano National Park passes in front of the site. This makes access easier, but also brings cars closer to the area, which can have a negative impact on the mammals that use this area to access their habitat.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Tapir Valley Nature Reserve
INCLUDED
- Breakfast.
- Visit to Tapir Reserve & Sloth Tour with local guides.**Shared basis**
- Casitas Tenorio or similar.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
PLAYA HERMOSA
Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour Day 6. One of the best maintained beaches in the country, Playa Hermosa, offers visitors crystal clear blue waters and gorgeous scenery, making it a very popular beach strip on the west coast.
Winner of the ‘Bandera Azul’ or ‘Blue Flag’, a prize given to beaches that demonstrate high environmental standards and excellent safety facilities, Playa Hermosa lies seven kilometers north of Playas del Coco in Guanacaste.
Meaning ‘beautiful beach’ in Spanish, Playa Hermosa has made a name for itself with its idyllic beauty and lush surroundings.
A two-kilometer long grey sand beach, encircled by tropical forests and ridges of volcanic rock, Hermosa Beach is a great family destination for all to enjoy.
INCLUDED
- Breakfast.
- Private land transfer service to Hermosa Beach, Guanacaste.
- Overnight at Bosque del Mar or similar
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
PLAYA HERMOSA
Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour Day 7. The Palo Verde National Park on the banks of the Rio Tempisque is one of the best wildlife and bird-watching spots in Costa Rica. The remote wetland sanctuary harbours one of Central Americas largest concentration of aquatic birds and is the most important migratory bird site of the Mesoamerican Pacific.
Hemmed in by limestone hills and rivers, the lowlands of the Tempisque basin become a vast area of wetlands in rainy season. Towards the end of the rainy season Palo Verde is home to at least 250,000 birds.
- Bring: camera, sun block lotion, light clothing, bug spray and hat.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Palo Verde National Park
INCLUDED
- Breakfast.
- Visit to Palo Verde National Park including typical lunch.**Shared basis**
- Overnight at Bosque del Mar or similar
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
PLAYA HERMOSA
Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour Day 8. This beach is relaxed, rarely crowded and laid back most of the year, making it a great retreat for those who wish to just lie back leisurely and enjoy the sun.
With warm water temperatures and ideal weather conditions all year long, Playa Hermosa is the perfect haven with convenient accommodations and restaurants that line the beach shore.
Perfect for swimming and scuba diving, Playa Hermosa offers amazing diving safaris and snorkeling opportunities for those who enjoy being out in the sea.
With some of the best scuba diving in the country, you can also have great fun renting out kayaks, sailboards, windsurfing equipment, canoes, jet skis and water bikes from the many shops that line the beach.
Local tourist companies also offer organized fishing trips as well as catamaran rides along the Hermosa coast for those who prefer a more tranquil holiday.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
At Leisure
INCLUDED
- Breakfast.
- Beach Day! Day at leisure to enjoy the hotel grounds.
- Overnight at Bosque del Mar or similar
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
END OF ITINERARY
Costa Rica Blue River and Volcanoes Tour Day 9. Private transfer service to the LIR Intl. Airport or take an extension to Monteverde (at additional fee)
INCLUDED
- Private land transfer service to the LIR Intl. Airport or take an extension to Monteverde.
EXCLUDED
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals or services not specified in program.
