The Lava and Cloud Forest Adventure is the perfect vacation for anybody seeking a combination of inland adventure, rainforest, cloud forest, volcano, hot springs, wildlife observation, and more! Take in the sensational scenery, adventures, and hot springs of Arenal Volcano and then be enchanted by the mysterious cloud forests of Monteverde. Similar to all of our amazing vacations, this value-packed itinerary can be 100% customized to your budget and needs. Check pricing notes for details. Take Advantage of Green Season Savings!
The Lava and Cloud Forest Adventure provides an awesome Costa Rica vacation for ecotourists seeking to experience the unique volcano, rainforest, and cloud forest destinations than a beach holiday. This value-packed itinerary will bring you to the majestic Arenal Volcano, complete with hot springs, then on to the Monteverde region’s mysterious cloud forests. Best of all, it is 100% customizable to your budget and desires.
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Number of nights: 6 (customizable)
Per person price from *$869
$100 Low Lifelong Deposit, No Charge Rescheduling**
While this vacation is 100% customizable, we recommend using the hotels included in this sample itinerary. These hotels have traveler-friendly policies, allowing for low down payments, easy rescheduling, and reasonable cancellation terms. Even so, we strongly recommend obtaining trip insurance to cover the unexpected.
When you arrive at either international airport (Liberia or San Jose), our friendly representative will be waiting for you and then you’ll be on your way! We’ll provide a private transfer through the scenic Costa Rican countryside to Arenal Volcano towering over the colorful town of La Fortuna. This is a beautiful area with extraordinary options for nature and adventure activities. You’ll stay at the Arenal Paraiso Hotel, offering complimentary onsite hot springs for guests and amazing volcano views. On your second day, you’ll go for a guided hike through the rainforest at the base of the iconic volcano. Your naturalist guide will tell you about the history of the volcano, and with a little luck and cooperation from Mother Nature, may point out animals such as pizotes, monkeys, sloths, toucans, or peccaries. The next day, you can choose to go on either a whitewater rafting adventure OR a riverboat safari at the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge.
After a few nights in Arenal, you’ll continue on to Monteverde, high up in the cloud forest. To get there, you’ll take a land transfer to beautiful Lake Arenal where you’ll board a boat and cruise across the lake. On the other side, another land transfer will take you through the mountains up to Monteverde. You’ll stay at Hotel Poco a Poco, which is conveniently located near town, and also offers a heated swimming pool. The next morning, you’ll be on your way to explore the cloud forest canopy at Selvatura Park. You will have your choice of either a thrilling Canopy Zipline Adventure OR a guided hike through the cloud forest on the Canopy Hanging Bridges Nature Tour. We leave your final day fully open so you can relax and unwind, explore on your own, or add an activity, of which there is no shortage in Monteverde!
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Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica and on to Arenal Volcano!
We will meet you at your choice of either Liberia or San Jose Airport and provide a private transfer to La Fortuna. You’ll stay at the Arenal Paraiso Hotel, with scenic views of Arenal Volcano.
Arenal Paraiso Hotel
Day 2: Arenal Volcano Nature and History Tour (B)
This is a guided hike through the rainforest at the base of Arenal Volcano. You’ll learn about the history of the volcano and your naturalist guide will point out wildlife along the way. Be sure to indulge in the hot springs at Arenal Paraiso after the tour!
Arenal Paraiso Hotel
Day 3: Choice: Riverboat Safari or Rio Balsa Rafting (B, L)
Today you can choose to go on either a nature cruise, the Riverboat Safari, OR on an adventure tour, Whitewater Rafting. The Riverboat Safari is a wildlife observation tour at the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, near the Nicaragua border. The Whitewater Rafting Tour includes riding over Class II and III rapids on the Rio Balsa.
Arenal Paraiso Hotel
Day 4: Arenal Volcano to Monteverde (B)
Your day will start off with a land transfer to Lake Arenal. You’ll cross the scenic lake by boat and when you reach the other side, you’ll continue by land through the mountains and onward to Monteverde. At Monteverde, you’ll stay at Hotel Poco a Poco, which is conveniently located near town, offering a heated swimming pool.
Hotel Poco a Poco
Day 5: Choice Selvatura: Canopy Hanging Bridges OR Zipline
You will have your choice of either an adventure tour, the Canopy Zipline Adventure, OR a nature tour, the Canopy Hanging Bridges. The Canopy Zipline Adventure will allow you to soar through the cloud forest canopy by ziplines, wheel, and harness with landing platforms. The Hanging Bridges tour is a guided hike on trails through the rainforest and across hanging bridges connecting the tree tops. Your naturalist guide will point out the unique features of the cloud forest as well as wildlife you may encounter.
Day 6: Free Day in Monteverde (B)
Today is a free day to explore scenic Monteverde on your own. This fun historical town includes plenty of shops, art galleries, interesting museums, and restaurants, with most activities within walking distance. You can also visit one of the national forests or contact us if you’d like to arrange an additional activity.
Hotel Poco a Poco
Day 7: Back to the Airport (B)
All good things must eventually come to an end… We’ll provide a private transfer back to the airport according to your particular flight schedule.
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The village of La Fortuna sits in the shadow of the imposing Arenal Volcano, providing a central hub for ecotourists and vacationers to come explore some of Costa Rica’s top attractions. Visitors will find shops, restaurants, tour desks, the local church and adjoining central park, but the real attractions lie just outside of town. Here you’ll find volcanic hot springs, waterfalls, and many rainforest nature or adventure tours. The Arenal Volcano area is often referred to as the Adventure Capital of Costa Rica. It’s also one of the most beautiful areas to visit. View this destination...
Some animals that live in Arenal… (actual images may have been taken in other locations)
Life is abundant in the deep green forests and mountains of Monteverde. Bromeliads and vines cover enormous old growth trees from top to bottom where exotic birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals all live in the vibrant cloud forest canopy. At nearly 1,500 meters in altitude, the damp forests are nearly always covered in clouds, thus giving the name, Monteverde Cloud Forest. This area offers some of the best canopy tours and birdwatching in Costa Rica, making Monteverde a top destination for ecotourists. View this destination…
Some animals that live in Monteverde… (actual images may have been taken in other locations)
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Arenal Paraiso Hotel is a great little eco-resort offering onsite hot springs and amazing volcano views. Guests will enjoy a peaceful, casual ambiance that caters to ecotourists and really anybody that wants to discover a true sense of Costa Rica and its pura vida. The multi-unit bungalows and hot springs are spread out among beautiful tropical gardens. Guests can also enjoy a beautiful swimming pool and lounge area as well as a delectable restaurant and bar. View this hotel…
Hotel Poco a Poco delivers a great location and affordability to guests of this 3-star hotel. Offering a heated swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and even a small spa, the hotel offers a comfortable base for your explorations during your stay in Monteverde. View this hotel…
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Learn all about the history of the iconic Arenal Volcano on a guided hike through the rainforest at the base of this famous volcano. Your naturalist guide will lead the way pointing out areas of geological interest as you explore the jungle and its inhabitants. With a little luck, you may spot some of the resident wildlife such as peccaries, pizotes, toucans, or monkeys. You just never know what may appear! View this tour…
Whether you are seeking nature or adventure, we have you covered! Choose either a Riverboat Safari cruise or a Whitewater Rafting Adventure. The Riverboat Safari takes place near the Nicaragua border on a covered riverboat at the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. With a little luck, you may spot animals such as monkeys, sloths, caiman, and many bird species. OR, choose to go on a thrilling Whitewater Rafting ride down the Rio Balsa. This is a Class II and III river, and one of the most popular rafting rivers in Costa Rica! View this tour…
You will once again be able to choose a nature or adventure tour, Canopy Hanging Bridges OR Canopy Zipline. The Hanging Bridges tour is a guided walk through cloud forest trails and across suspended bridges that allow you to observe the forest and animals in a unique and memorable way! The Canopy Zipline tour provides a fast-paced adventure soaring through the cloud forest along zipline cables. View this tour…
Overview | Itinerary | Destinations | Hotels | Tours | Inclusions & Rates
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Your Package Includes: (remember; you can customize any aspect!)
Award-Winning VIP Service
Hotels & Resorts (hotels can be substituted at an adjusted rate)
Tours, Activities & More (tours can be substituted at an adjusted rate)
Transportation (a rental car or other transportation options can be substituted at an adjusted rate)
Meals & Drinks (based on hotel and tour selections)
This vacation has been priced recently for as low as $869 per person, double occupancy. In order to offer the lowest prices possible, we work with a combination of contract and dynamic rates. These rates fluctuate daily, based on the season and hotel availability.
*Your vacation will be 100% customized to your needs. After inquiring with us, you will receive an exact price based on your custom itinerary. Please include special requests in the comments section. The rates listed here include current taxes, hotels, tours and transfers as described unless otherwise indicated. Rates may vary based on your travel dates, room occupancy, and type of transportation selected. Green season pricing and offers listed above are for select travel dates only and restrictions may apply. Inquire for details. Prices are subject to change at any time and do NOT include international airfare, travel insurance or any other services that are not expressly mentioned.
Lifelong Deposits
If you delay or cancel your trip for any reason, your deposit will be valid until you are ready to go. It is also transferable to a friend.
No Charge Rescheduling & Modifications
For travelers with existing bookings and for new bookings, we will waive modification fees for those that wish to change their travel dates to future travel dates for all booking plans.Restrictions may apply. Please review our policies for details.
Overview | Itinerary | Destinations | Hotels | Tours | Inclusions & Rates
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