Costa Rica: Leaving My Footprint

8 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Escape to lush green forests, culture-packed cities, and picture-perfect volcano grounds! On this Costa Rican adventure, you'll experience spectacular natural beauty while doing your part to preserve it. This package delivers a unique mixture of opportunities - you'll have the chance to volunteer at a wild animal rehabilitation center, learn about indigenous ...
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Visit to Obras del Espiritu Santo
    • Full-day Maleku Reserve Tour
    • Volunteer Program Tour at Proyecto Asis

What's this trip about?

    Escape to lush green forests, culture-packed cities, and picture-perfect volcano grounds! On this Costa Rican adventure, you'll experience spectacular natural beauty while doing your part to preserve it. This package delivers a unique mixture of opportunities - you'll have the chance to volunteer at a wild animal rehabilitation center, learn about indigenous tribes, make arrows and tortillas, climb a volcano, explore the capital city of San Jose, and much more!  This 7-night vacation is chock full of tours, special visits, and cultural activities. From a guided journey through breathtaking Arenal Vida Campesina to a full-day tour of the native Maleku Reserve, every day of this trip will be completely different from the next. A memorable highlight of your time in Costa Rica will be your visit to Obras Del Espiritu Santo, a non-profit organization that focuses on local teenagers and children at social risk. Share special time with these children, teach them about your culture and language, and learn about their situations and the hardships they face. You can be sure that these children will never forget you, and you will surely never forget them. Jump on this opportunity to make a difference while experiencing the beauty of Costa Rica. Enjoy convenient transfers, luxurious accommodations, several included meals, and English-speaking guided tours. So, go ahead. Take tons of priceless photos, feel the reward of giving back, and immerse yourself in the culture and scenic landscapes of this tropical oasis.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CitySan Jose
End CityCosta Rica

Travel Themes

  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • Relaxing Retreats

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Hot Springs
  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Volunteering & Community Service
  • Wildlife Viewing

Trip includes

    • Round-trip economy class airfare to San Jose (SJO)
    • Round-trip airport transfers
    • 2 nights in San Jose at the Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici or similar
    • Visit to Obras del Espiritu Santo
    • Transfer from San Jose hotel to Arenal Volcano area
    • 4 nights in the Arenal Volcano area at the Arenal Springs Resort & Spa, or similar
    • Arenal Vida Campesina Tour
    • Full-day Maleku Reserve Tour
    • Volunteer Program Tour at Proyecto Asis
    • Transfer from Arenal Volcano to San Jose hotel
    • 1 night in San Jose at the Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici or similar
    • Daily breakfast and 3 lunches

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Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to San Jose!

Arrive in the sunny city of San Jose! Upon arrival at SJO International Airport, you'll be greeted by a Swiss Travel representative who will provide you with all the documentation you'll need during your Costa Rican adventure. Enjoy a comfortable transfer to yo...

Day 2 San Jose

Energize with a rejuvenating breakfast, then enjoy your visit to Obras Del Espiritu Santo. Cherish your time at this wonderful non-profit organization that focuses on diverse social aspects such as health, education, and at-risk youth. Spend quality time with a...

Day 3 San Jose - Arenal Volcano

After breakfast, embark on your journey toward the northern lowlands of Costa Rica, home of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Climb up the central volcanic mountain range and see agricultural plantations, vibrant plants, and vast cattle ranges. Then, come face-to-fa...

Day 4 Arenal Volcano

Grab your camera and get ready for a guided journey through Arenal Vida Campesina, a self-sustained cultural area, where you'll partake in activities such as milking cows, making tortillas, gathering vegetables, learning traditional dances, and more! Enjoy a day filled with cultural immersion, friendly locals, tasty food, and beautiful scenery. 

Day 5 Arenal Volcano

Become part of the history and culture of the Maleku Tribe today! Visit the beautiful natural reserve of these indigenous people and get a taste of their daily lifestyle. Learn about authentic Costa Rican culture, stroll through a medicinal plant garden, and enjoy some local snacks and foods along the way. 

Day 6 Arenal Volcano

Unleash your wild side at Proyecto Asis, a wild animal rescue center! Enjoy a guided tour that takes you through different enclosures and habitats. Once you learn all about the animals, you'll be able to interact with them! Prepare food, feed the animals, and m...

Day 7 Arenal Volcano - San Jose

Snap your last photos in the Arenal area, then wave goodbye to the colorful jungle and head back to city life. Enjoy a scenic ride to capital San Jose, where you will spend your last night in Costa Rica. During the drive, gaze out the window at rolling agricult...

Day 8 Depart Costa Rica

Squeeze all your souvenirs into your luggage and enjoy a convenient transfer to SJO International Airport. On your relaxing flight home, reflect on the unforgettable cultural experiences you've had and the differences you've made. 

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,584
Price per day$323
Last Updated: 6/19/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Value Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Drrobi

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Everything went smoothly

Everything went smoothly other than having to wait several hours to get into our hotel room. The resort is nice but very pricey and it is difficult to eat anywhere e...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici

Kick back and relax at the contemporary Crowne Plaza San Jose Corobici! Feel your eyes widen as you walk through the atrium, which boasts sky-high ceilings, stylish seating areas, and flooding natural light. Check-in with the friendly reception team, then mosey through the halls and find your room. Open the door to plush beds, WiFi, flat-screen TV, sparkling bathrooms, and more. Take a quick nap, then unpack your swimsuit and head for the pool! Take a refreshing dip or lounge in the warm sun with a drink in-hand. Work all your stresses away at the on-site state-of-the-art fitness center, melt your worries away in the sauna, or sink into the steamy Jacuzzi.

When you work up an appetite, decide between El Tucan Restaurant, which serves sophisticated Costa Rican cuisine near the pool, or Fuji Restaurant, which serves traditional Japanese cuisine in a hibachi-table setting. After a delicious dinner, unwind with a drink at the lobby bar!

Hotel Arenal Springs

Hotel Arenal Springs is located near natural hot springs in Fortuna, a 20 minutes' drive from the Arenal Volcano site. Soak in rich mineral waters in the middle of Costa Rica's beautiful tropical rainforest! You'll never be bored because this hotel offers a wide variety of activities from zip lining to river rafting to mountain biking.

In addition to the hot springs, the hotel features three outdoor swimming pools including a children's pool. Unwind with a drink at one of the hotel's bars, including a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. Dine on international, Italian, and Japanese cuisine at three on-site restaurants. Bright and airy rooms feature flat-screen cable TV, air conditioning, terraces, private bathrooms and views of the garden and Arenal Volcano and the garden.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
Greatvaluevacations-PK-GC4P-SH-CRLF-SJO

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