Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Days
5+
Activity Level
Easy
Host City
Liberia, Costa Rica
From
$2,995 USD
Guanacaste
Experience the wild side of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region with The Explorer’s Passage (TEP)! Begin your trip with four nights near Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Here you’ll discover beauty and thrills as you hike, bike, raft, ride, and/or zipline through the tropical forest in search of volcanoes and waterfalls. Your Guanacaste adventure ends with several days at Playa Hermosa, a coastal town known for its crystal clear waters and white sand beaches – the perfect destination for kayaking, snorkeling, and basking in the tropical sun.
Trip Highlights
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TRIP COST
From $2,495 USD per person
*More info. on pricing
More questions? Read more about pricing here
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
*If you are interested in a shorter or longer trip, we can create an itinerary based on your interests that combines various destinations in Costa Rica.
Accommodations
Relax in comfort & luxury
*Various Options
Choose between 3.5 Star, 5 Star or 5+ Star Accommodation Options
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Easy*
Primary activities:
Hiking, Kayaking, Snorkeling, and Horseback Riding
*Please refer to our Trip Activity Level Guide for more information
Sample Trip Itinerary
Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.
Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!
Day 1: Arrival in Guanacaste
Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! After arriving at Liberia Airport, transfer to Hacienda Guachipelín, your home base for the next four nights. Spend the rest of the day settling in, exploring the grounds, and experiencing the pura vida of this beautiful country.
Day 2: Hiking to Las Pailas and La Cangreja Waterfall
The day begins with a scenic guided walk to Las Pailas trail in Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Once in the park, you’ll be led through the jungle – past bubbling mud pits and fumaroles that steam from the ground – until you reach the best views of the volcano. Then, it’s a 3 mile/5 kilometer hike to reach Cangreja Waterfall. Be sure to keep your eyes open for monkeys, coatis, armadillos, and birds. In the afternoon, relax with a picnic lunch beside the clear blue falls.
Day 3: Hacienda Guachipelín Adventure Day
Today’s optional activities include inner-tubing on Rio Negro, swinging through the jungle canopy on ziplines, riding horseback on scenic forest trails, and relaxing in the Rio Negro Hot Springs. The choice is yours!
Day 4: Hacienda Guachipelín Adventure Day
It’s your second day at Hacienda Guachipelín, and the options are endless. Consider taking a different hike in Rincon de la Vieja National Park, or setting out on a mountain bike. Or maybe you’ll opt for one (more) long soak in the hot springs.
Day 5: Transfer to Playa Hermosa
Day 6: Kayaking and Snorkeling
Day 7: Spelunking in Barra Honda Caverns National Park
Today you will visit the limestone caves of Barra Honda Caverns National Park. Outfitted in rock climbing gear, you will have the chance to go deep into this labyrinth of limestone caves for a closer look at these incredible rock formations, as well as the unique plants and animals that call these caves home.
Day 8: Beach Morning and Afternoon Catamaran
Enjoy your last full day in Costa Rica at your own pace. Spend the morning lounging on the beach or exploring the town, then set sail on an afternoon catamaran boat ride before watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.
Day 9: Depart Costa Rica
Take advantage of your last few hours in Costa Rica by soaking up the sun on Playa Hermosa. In the afternoon, transfer to Liberia International Airport for your flight home.
Customizing Your Costa Rica Adventure
Are you interested in another activity or destination in Costa Rica? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? Prefer to start and end your trip in San Jose? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:
Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Costa Rica!
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5-Star Review Average on TripAdvisor! Read More >
Trip Accommodations
5 Star Accommodations
Hacienda Guachipelín | Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Located next door to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Hacienda Guachipelín combines relaxation and adventure for a uniquely Costa Rican experience. Fill your days with onsite excursions and nature tours, and spend your evenings enjoying authentic farm-to-table meals at La Hacienda Restaurant, or a soak in the Rio Negro Hot Springs that are heated by the nearby volcano. Pamper yourself with a mud bath at Simbiosis Spa, or wake up with guided sunrise yoga and meditation (also available at sunset). All 79 rooms (including standard, superior, and suites) at Hacienda Guachipelín offer air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms, allowing you to live in modern comfort in the heart of the tropical dry forest.
5+ Star Accommodations: Playa Hermosa
Bosque del Mar | Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
Bosque del Mar is located steps from Hermosa beach, in the Gulf of Papagayo, Guanacaste. As you unwind to the sound of waves in this eco-friendly treehouse-like setting, you will experience first-class hospitality, service, and gastronomy. Each suite (consisting of Junior, Garden view, Oceanfront, and Penthouse) is characterized by comfort and privacy, and each includes WiFi, air conditioning, and a terrace.
5 Star Accommodations: Playa Hermosa
Casa Conde Beach Front Papagayo | Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
Casa Conde Beach Front Papagayo is an all-inclusive boutique hotel immersed in the jungle. Located on nine hectares of dry tropical forest on the edge of Playa Panama, with views of the Bay of Papagayo, the hotel boasts a front row seat to all kinds of wildlife. In addition to its natural wonders, the property offers two restaurants and four bars, plus recreational facilities, including ping pong tables, a volleyball court, and two pools. The fifty air conditioned rooms offer an assortment of amenities, and may include a jacuzzi, ocean view and/or a balcony.
3.5 Star Accommodations: Playa Hermosa
Villas Sol | Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort is an all-inclusive resort on a sunny hillside overlooking Playa Hermosa and the Papagayo Gulf. With 54 comfortable guest suites, a tranquil bay for water sports, and magnificent tropical gardens, this resort offers an intimate, family-friendly experience with modern amenities like air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and marble bathrooms. The resort features two restaurants, a bar, a spa, an infinity pool, and a fitness center, as well as a shuttle to the pristine Blue Flag beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Trip Support
There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.
Personal Attention & Preparation Before Every Trip
There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to you before your adventure to Costa Rica. We get very involved with our clients before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from us on preparation, and trip experience. It also gives you the platform to ask questions about any aspect of the trip.
Staff Support & Logistics
Our knowledgeable support staff take care of the details of your in-country transportation, lodging, meals, tours, park fees, and activities. We’ve even scheduled in a bit of free time for you to explore, relax, shop, or eat on your own.
Additional Trip Information
Check out our detailed educational content on Guanacaste, written by our adventure team. These articles provide a complete overview of everything that you need to explore the world with The Explorer’s Passage.
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