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See Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano and San Jose

Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes range from white-sand beaches along the Pacific coast to lush cloud forests filled with exotic sloths, howler monkeys, and toucans. This seven-day vacation journeys into the country’s exotic setting, and includes a hike through the Arenal Volcano foothills and a visit in the vibrant capital city, San Jose.

This seven-day trip includes nightly accommodations, all transfers, daily breakfast and round-trip airfare from Miami (MIA) on a major airline. Other departure cities are available for an additional fee.

Click here for more information, including a detailed daily itinerary, or check out our rundown of some trip highlights below.

Days 1–3: San Jose and Arenal Volcano

San Jose is Costa Rica’s capital and its most populous city. You can behold Pre-Colombian artifacts at the Gold Museum downtown, or pick up handcrafted souvenirs and sample sugar-cane brandy at the Mercado Central. While in San Jose, you’ll stay at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Hotel Corobici.

Located about a four-hour drive north of San Jose, Arenal Volcano was dormant for centuries before a massive eruption in 1968. On this trip, you might see steam rising from its conical opening as you hike through the foothills of Arenal Volcano National Park. Here, you’ll stay at Mountain Paradise Hotel, which has a gorgeous view of the volcano.

Days 4–7: Monteverde and San Jose

Next, you’ll head to the breathtaking Monteverde region, home to a cloud forest that’s more than 4,500 feet above sea level. Because of its altitude, a thick mist of clouds almost always blankets the area. Monteverde means “green mountain,” and the cloud forest has certainly lived up to its name. The high altitude helps foster the growth of exotic flora, from colorful rare orchids (more than 400 types) to old-growth trees tangled in vines. Deep in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, you can sometimes spot sloths, howler monkeys, and hundreds of species of birds. At Monteverde, you’ll stay at El Establo Mountain Hotel.

After spending two nights in Monteverde, you’ll take a four-hour ride back to San Jose, where you can enjoy a little bit of leisure time before heading home the following day.