Monteverde Cloud Forest & Playa Hermosa
Costa Rica in 8 Days, 7 Nights in Destination starting from 1,299$
Trip Highlights
Monteverde
Playa Hermosa
San Jose
Included
All flights
Accommodation
All transfers
Activities
Breakfast only
Availability
Departures available until March 2026
Available Group tours
Solo travelers from + $450
Add up to 3 nights to your stay
Categories available
charm included
Itinerary
Touch down in San José to begin your journey in Costa Rica. Head straight to Monteverde, for hiking in a unique biosphere known for its diverse flora and fauna. Next, make a stop at Carara National Park for some bird watching. Continue on to Playa Hermosa for several days of fun in the sun with a special crocodile tour. End with one final stop in San José before returning home.
1st Day: US - San José
Ready to discover the natural wonders of Costa Rica? Arrive at your chosen departure airport* and take off for Central America. Land at Juan Santamaría airport and transfer to your hotel in San José. Spend the evening resting or exploring the city as you please! Overnight stay in San José.
*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
2nd Day: San José - Monteverde
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin with a transfer to Monteverde*. Check in to your hotel and take some free time to rest and enjoy an independent lunch. This region is best-known for the protected Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a unique biosphere covering over 10,000 hectares with six distinct zones.
You’ll have the afternoon at your leisure to explore the forest on your own, or join our optional zipline tour**. Overnight stay in Monteverde.
*Estimated transfer duration: 5 hours.
**Canopy zipline half-day tour: Explore Monteverde from above with a zipline excursion to Selvatura Park. Whizz along more than 3.5 km of cables, with a unique vantage point over the beautiful forest! Lunch or dinner included, depending on your timing.
3rd Day: Monteverde
Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is free to spend as you please, getting acclimated to your new surroundings, relaxing, or joining our optional Monteverde Reserve tour*.
In the afternoon, embark on a guided exploration walk through the cloud forest, where you’ll learn about the rich biodiversity and history of Monteverde. The lesson begins on your drive to the group’s chosen reserve, where your guide will tell the story of how 12 American missionaries first settled here and began conservation efforts. Your hike through this super-diverse ecosystem will last about three hours, and you’ll have access to special telescopes to get the best views of the 1000s of unique plant and animal species. After the tour, return to your hotel for your overnight stay in Monteverde.
*Half-day tour Monteverde Reserve: Enjoy stunning views of the Monteverde Cloud Forest from a series of connected hanging bridges, first riding a gondola to reach the desired elevation. Take in the views on this tranquil, flat hike appropriate for all fitness levels.
4th Day: Monteverde - Playa Hermosa
Breakfast at the hotel. Say goodbye to Monteverde as you make your way to Playa Hermosa! Sit back and relax as you take in scenic views of the countryside on your approximately 4-hour journey. On the way to Playa Hermosa, make a stop at the Carara National Park, an excellent spot for bird watching known especially for the endangered scarlet macaw.
When you arrive in Playa Hermosa, check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day soaking in this stunning setting. Located in well-known Puntarenas on the country’s west coast, Playa Hermosa is a tranquil setting to enjoy the sun, surf, and fresh seafood that this region is known for. Overnight stay in Playa Hermosa.
5th Day: Playa Hermosa
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you have a free day in Playa Hermosa to enjoy the beach, which offers plenty of opportunities to jetski, snorkel, or tan in the sun. If you’re interested in seeing more of Costa Rica’s diverse wildlife, book an optional hike through the Manuel Antonio National Park*! Overnight stay in Playa Hermosa.
*Manuel Antonio National Park Hike: Take a tour of Manuel Antonio National Park, known for its biodiversity and beautiful beaches. The trail is almost flat and approximately 2 miles long, and your guide will be equipped with telescopes that you can use to observe wildlife from afar. You may encounter toucans, sloths, raccoons, coatis, snakes, various species of monkeys and much more! Halfway through the hike you will make a stop at a beach located within the National Park.
6th Day: Playa Hermosa
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off on a crocodile tour of the nearby Tárcoles river! Expect to see a host of exotic birds along with several varieties and sizes of crocodile, enjoying spectacular scenery as you navigate a boat along the dense canals of the Guacalillo mangrove forest. Observe other jungle wildlife like iguanas, basilisks, monkeys and more!
Afterwards, return to your hotel for a free afternoon to enjoy the beach. Overnight stay in Playa Hermosa.
7th Day: Playa Hermosa - San José
Breakfast at the hotel. Today begin your journey back towards San José. The journey is about 2 and a half hours, with a special “Pura Vida” surprise on the way! In the afternoon, arrive in San José to spend your last night in Costa Rica. If you didn’t have the chance to explore the city before, you have some time now! Feel free to check out the La Sabana Metropolitan Park, the Plaza de la Democracia, or the Jade Museum, with the continent's largest collection of pre-Columbian jade artworks. Overnight stay in San José.
8th Day: San José - US
Breakfast at the hotel*. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to board your flight back home. Later, touch down in the US and end your trip, filled with brilliant memories and feeling refreshed after your Costa Rican adventure!
*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
