Independent Costa Rica Wonders
Costa Rica
Seven days in Costa Rica's two headline regions — Arenal's volcano and hot springs, then the Monteverde cloud forest — with shared transfers between them, an arrival transfer from San José airport, a hot-springs visit with dinner, a boat crossing of Lake Arenal and a guided night walk in the Monteverde reserve. Free days in both places for hanging bridges, rafting or the Santa Elena reserve. Six breakfasts and one dinner. Independent package: no Tour Director; a Local Guide in San José.
From $1,639 pp
Per person, two sharing · land only — flights from home not included · 7 days
- Next departure
- Nov 28, 2026 · $1,639
- Departures open
- 284
- Meals
- 6 breakfasts, 1 dinners
- Operator
- Globus / Cosmos
Or call / text 954-698-4438
Itinerary, hotels and inclusions checked against Globus / Cosmos's own page on Sep 3, 2026. Dates and prices are read live from the operator's feed.
Our take
Costa Rica works well as an independent trip and this package removes the three things that go wrong when you do it alone: the drive from San José, the Arenal-to-Monteverde transfer (boat plus mountain road) and knowing which lodge is worth it. Two free days mean it suits people who actually want to choose their own adventures. Globus's own note is worth taking seriously: the lodges are rustic, and some rooms lack air-conditioning and TVs.
Highlights
- Guided nighttime nature walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
- Scenic boat ride across Arenal Lake en route to Monteverde
- 6 nights in listed hotels, 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner
- 284 departures currently open across 2026 and 2027, from $1,639 per person, land only — flights from home not included
Who this trip suits
- Active travelers who want the volcano and the cloud forest without renting a car
- Couples and families with teens who like choosing their own excursions — hanging bridges, rafting, zip lines
- Nature-first travelers: night walk in Monteverde, birdlife on Lake Arenal, hot springs at Arenal
- People who want an arrival transfer and lodging sorted but otherwise independence
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who expects First-Class city hotels — Globus warns the lodges are remote and rustic
- Travelers who want everything included; most excursions and most meals are extra
- People who prefer an escorted group with a Tour Director
- Those looking for a beach — neither Arenal nor Monteverde has one
Day by day
Globus / Cosmos's published itinerary, checked Sep 3, 2026
1ArrivalArrive in San José, Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. Information about tomorrow’s adventure will be provided by a Globus representative.
No meals included
2San José–ArenalSan José–ArenalBreakfastDinner
Today, transfer to the lush town of Arenal, located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Settle in and experience the magic of your resort. This afternoon, visit the famous hot springs the area is known for and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the hot springs.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
3ArenalArenalBreakfast
Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion.
Free-time ideas · Perhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird’s-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest’s wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose a rafting or horseback riding adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
4Arenal–MonteverdeArenal–MonteverdeBreakfast
This morning, your transfer begins with a short boat ride across Arenal Lake to admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. This evening, venture into Monteverde’s Cloud Forest just before nightfall with an expert Naturalist for a guided nature walk to search for the jungle’s nocturnal creatures, like sloths, foxes, agoutis, frogs, and many more!
Meals: Breakfast
5MonteverdeMonteverdeBreakfast
Enjoy a day to do as you please today with options to choose from if you like.
Free-time ideas · Awaken early to visit the eye-opening beauty of Santa Elena Cloud Forest for the best chance to observe animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also, notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors creates temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family’s farm to learn about sugar cane, coffee, and tilapia farming.
Meals: Breakfast
6Monteverde–San JoséMonteverde–San JoséBreakfast
Return to San Jose for your final night in Costa Rica.
Free-time ideas · Perhaps visit one of Costa Rica’s most authentic market, the San José Central Market featuring more than 350 booths selling everything imaginable, from spices and fish to hammocks and flowers.
Meals: Breakfast
7San JoséSan JoséBreakfast
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates & prices
Read from Globus / Cosmos's departures feed · per person, two sharing · land only — flights from home not included
| Departs | Returns | Group | Price pp | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 5 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 6 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Nov 7 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 2, 2026 | Nov 8 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 3, 2026 | Nov 9 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 10 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 5, 2026 | Nov 11 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Nov 12 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 13 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 8, 2026 | Nov 14 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 9, 2026 | Nov 15 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 10, 2026 | Nov 16 | Standard | $1,639 | Please call |
| Nov 11, 2026 | Nov 17 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
| Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 18 | Standard | $1,639 | Sold out |
414 more departures scheduled — ask us for the full calendar. Prices are the operator's current published rates and can change until a deposit is paid; we reconfirm on enquiry.
Where you stay
Hotels as listed by Globus / Cosmos, “as shown or similar.” Tap a hotel name to see it on Google Maps.
San Jose
Doubletree CariariSuperior First-Class
This sustainable Costa Rica hotel is typical of San Jose colonial hacienda architecture and offers spacious, comfortable guestrooms and suites with the latest amenities. Enjoy total convenience in…
Arenal
Lomas del VolcanModerate First-Class
Lomas del Volcan is a warm mountain hotel that maintains it's rustic style with wood cabins, each with 2 decks offering views of the Arenal Volcano and the tropical forest.
Monteverde
El Establo Mountain LodgeFirst-Class
Set on a private 150-acre farm adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve, El Establo Mountain Lodge offers guests a home base of relaxation and activity. Amenities include tennis, basketball, and soccer…
What's included
- A Globus Local Host in the destination to call on, and Local Guides on the included sightseeing
- 6 nights in the hotels listed below ("as shown or similar")
- 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner — see the day-by-day for which days
- Transfers between tour cities as shown in the itinerary
- Arrival transfer from San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport to San Jose tour hotel
- Guided visit to Arenal’s hot springs with dinner
- Scenic boat ride across Arenal Lake en route to Monteverde
- Guided nighttime nature walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
What's not included
- International airfare — every price on this page is land-only; we quote flights from South Florida with your dates
- The departure airport transfer (the arrival transfer is included)
- Meals not listed: about 7 lunches and 5 dinners, plus drinks with meals
- Gratuities for drivers, Local Guides and hotel staff
- Optional excursions, bookable from 90 days before departure
- Travel protection — recommended, and we will price it alongside the tour
- Single supplement for solo travelers — quoted on request
The real cost of this trip
The “from” price is the operator's land-only rate. This is what sits on top of it, so the number you budget is the number you pay.
| Flights from South Florida | Not included. We price them with your dates; arriving a day early is worth it when the tour starts with an evening meet-up. |
| Airport transfers | Arrival transfer included; departure transfer added when we book your flights. |
| Excursions | Hanging bridges, rafting, zip lines and the Santa Elena reserve are all extra; only the hot springs, lake crossing and night walk are included. |
| Meals not covered | 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner are in. Budget for the rest, plus drinks. |
| Gratuities | Driver, guide and hotel tips are extra. |
| Optional excursions | Offered from 90 days before departure and on tour. Not required to enjoy the itinerary. |
| Travel protection | Not included. We recommend it for a trip at this price point and quote it with the tour. |
| Solo travelers | A single supplement applies. We quote it per departure. |
Good to know
- Independent tour
- This is an Independent tour with shared transportation between locations, as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary. Though there is no Tour Director, Local Guide service is provided in San José.
- Operator's note
- Due to the included arrival airport transfer, all land-only guests must provide flight information to Globus to ensure your transfer is there for arrival.
- Operator's note
- This vacation visits remote locations where hotel facilities may not be up to the first-class standard you expect from Globus. Some lodges may not have air-conditioning, televisions, and other amenities you would expect from most Globus hotels.
- Independent package
- No Tour Director and no group. A Globus Local Host is available in the destination, sightseeing is on the days shown, and the rest of the time is yours.
- Price basis
- Per person, based on two sharing a room, land only — flights from home not included. Hotels are as listed or similar.
- Start and finish
- 7 Day Package from San José to San José.
Group minimums
Group rates and amenities unlock at these tiers. Negotiated through Travel Connects' supplier relationships.
| Tier | What you get |
|---|---|
| 8+ guests | Group pricing starts here — Globus quotes group rates from 8 travelers. Ask us for a group quote. |
| 20+ guests | Custom itinerary available — Globus can build a tailor-made version of this tour. |
Gallery
Questions we get about this trip
Is airfare included?
No. Every price on this page is land-only. We quote flights from Fort Lauderdale or Miami with your dates, and Globus can add airport transfers when the air is on their booking.
What do we do on the free days?
Day 3 at Arenal and Day 5 in Monteverde are open. Popular options are the Arenal hanging bridges, rafting or horseback riding, and the Santa Elena cloud forest at dawn. We book excursions in advance if you want them locked in.
Is the airport transfer included?
The arrival transfer from San José's airport is included — Globus needs your flight details for it. The departure transfer is not, and we add it when we book your flights.
How much walking is there?
Expect a lot of walking on your own — city stays are on foot, on cobbles and steps. If that is a concern, tell us before you commit and we will talk it through rather than hope for the best.
Which dates are cheapest?
Prices vary by departure — the dates table on this page is read from Globus's own feed, so what you see is current. Shoulder-season departures are usually the lower-priced ones; any Small Group departures cost more.
What if we need to cancel?
Globus's published terms apply and the fee schedule depends on the departure and whether air is booked through them. We link the terms rather than restate them, and we walk you through the exact figures on your reservation before you pay a deposit.
Cancellation policy
Globus' published Travel Terms & Conditions apply. Deposit amounts, final payment dates and the cancellation fee schedule vary by product and departure date, and differ again for air booked through Globus; the exact figures are confirmed on your reservation. Full terms: globusjourneys.com/terms
