A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started
See the wildlife at La Paz Waterfall Gardens near Alajuela
13 days, from £2,215 to £3,540
Visit some of Costa Rica’s standout features, including Arenal Volcano and the Nicoya Peninsula
14 days, from £3,060 to £4,285
Primary forests and mangroves, misty volcanoes and golden beaches: a Garden of Eden for a honeymoon
12 days, from £3,110 to £6,170
With its volcanoes and primary forests, mangroves and endless beaches, you can discover nature in all its majesty with your family
13 days, from £3,135 to £4,195
Search for white-nosed coatis, capuchin monkeys and over 200 bird species in Manuel Antonio National Park
10 days, from £3,310 to £5,285
Spend some time alone combining a legendary volcano, a secret national park and the beaches of the Pacific
10 days, from £3,375 to £4,645
Pacific Coast, Caribbean vibe in Puerto Viejo, highlands and coffee plantations: another side to Costa Rica
14 days, from £3,510 to £5,600
An adventurer’s dream, this trip combines the best of Costa Rica’s river and jungle habitats with some beach time on the Pacific Coast
12 days, from £3,540 to £4,910
Explore Granada's historical colonial centre
17 days, from £4,130 to £6,590
Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday
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For obvious safety reasons it's not possible to scale Arenal volcano itself, however there are a number of hiking trails around the base that can be explored on foot or horseback. Lava flows are sometimes visible in the evenings on the slopes of the still eminently active Arenal, which makes for a spectacular view. The national park is also home to thirteen hanging bridges boasting spectacular views, and the more adventurous can explore the canopy by zip wire. Rafting, canyoning and mountain biking are just a few of the other activities that you can do in the surrounding area - and the best way to finish off an action packed day is to relax in Arenal's thermal waters - Original Travel can recommend the best spot for this so you're not having to share your hot spring with the masses.
Near the volcano is the largest lake in Costa Rica, Lake Arenal, big enough for windsurfing, kayaking, boating and fishing. A 30-minute trip in a small motorboat across the lake followed by a car journey brings you to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve which was set up by the Quakers who settled here in the mid-20th Century. This high elevation forest offers miles of trails, walkways and hanging bridges with excellent opportunities for bird watching; the resplendent Quetzal can be spotted up here between January and July.
Alternatively you can explore the trails around San Ramon, closer to the Central Valley, which is one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the tropics. Here you can see the cigar making process in action - at one point this used to be one of the main exports in Costa Rican history.
Generally, Costa Rica’s dry season runs from December to April, which tends to be the best time to visit the country. However, climate does vary throughout, and Costa Rica’s cloud forest tends to be cooler than the rest of the country, due to the altitude (worth bearing in mind when packing for a trip to the volcanoes and cloud forest). Here, September and October are usually the rainiest months, which can make visibility challenging at this time of year, so we would recommend avoiding the cloud forests and volcanoes around then. For more information on the weather throughout the year, visit our best time to visit Costa Rica guide page.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
