Miami and Costa Rica twin centre holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 3 nights Miami
• 2 nights Arenal 
• 2 nights Monteverde 
• 2 nights Manuel Antonio National Park 
• 3 nights Corcovado National Park 

Day 1: UK to Miami

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. Upon your arrival in Miami, head to your hotel to check-in for your 3-night stay. Miami is hot, loud and passionate! It’s a Latin city that’s for sure; a melting pot of nationalities, with strong Cuban and Caribbean influences. Enjoy some delicious food at an open-fronted restaurant where you can watch a beautiful sunset over iconic South Beach.

Included: International flights, 4* hotel 

Days 2 & 3: Miami

After a lie in this morning, you'll take a guided tour to explore the heart of Miami’s Cuban community. You'll check out some historic architectural beauties, as well as a few unique art collections along the way. Of course, you can’t visit Little Havana without a taste of true Cuban coffee, so get ready for the most delicious dose of caffeine this side of the Florida Straits. Cortadito is a Cuban espresso and paired with a typical Cuban pastry, giving you the energy boost you need to keep moving on your Miami tour!

Next up, another Cuban culture classic: a visit to a classic cigar factory. Witness the art of cigar-rolling from the experts and take in the one-of-a-kind aroma of the shop. From here, you'll visit one of the many locally-owned art galleries in the neighbourhood to hear stories from first-generation immigrants from Cuba and learn about the influence of Cuban art in Miami. You'll see the famous Bay of Pigs monument on route to a favourite local juice bar which serves up sugarcane and mango juice. You'll then continue down SW 8th Street, soaking up the Caribbean atmosphere as you pass through Domino Park, where locals play dominoes from dusk till dawn. As you explore, you can listen to the conga music of the street performers and feel the lively Latin vibe. Your Little Havana Adventure will end at one of the neighbourhood’s favourite watering holes for a classic mojito. Bliss.

The rest of your time in Miami is yours to explore at your leisure.

Included: Little Havana tour, 4* hotel   

Day 3: Fly to Costa Rica

Stroll down Miami Beach one last time before heading back to the airport for your flight to Costa Rica. On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and driven to your first destination – Arenal. Check into your hotel for two nights and settle in with dinner while you gaze up at the magnificent volcano. 

Included: International flights, transfers, 4* hotel           

Day 4: Arenal

We have included a morning tour today, perfect for nature lovers. You will be collected from the hotel to join a group tour heading out to Sky Adventure, located in the Arenal Rainforest. Here you will combine a hike through the lush rainforest with walks along the suspended bridges. Built to help biologists learn more about the rainforest these bridges get you up close to the ecosystem that exists in the canopy. Away from the dark rainforest floor here you can witness an abundance of leaves, fruit and seeds that attract various local wildlife.

Arenal Volcano is currently in a resting phase but continues to be Costa Rica’s most active volcano, at 5437 feet this imposing natural phenomenon sits in the midst of pastured green hillsides. In the afternoon, you’ll be able to take in the spectacular views on a gentle 2-hour hike, taking you along the lower slopes of the volcano.

Included: Breakfast, touring, transfers, 4* hotel               

Day 5: Travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest

After breakfast at the hotel, you will join a shared boat transfer via Arenal Lake to Monteverde, this boat ride is the quickest and most picturesque way to travel. Arenal Lake is the largest lake in Costa Rica and was manmade to provide hydroelectric energy for the country. It is a great place to spot many resident and migratory birds as well as the odd monkey and sloth! The journey takes around 30 to 40 minutes after which you will arrive at Rio Chiquito, a small town on the other side of the lake.

On arrival, you will be met and taken by bus to your hotel in Monteverde, where you will check in for a 2 night stay.

Included: Breakfast, touring, transfers, 4* hotel               

Day 6: Monteverde Cloud Forest

Your morning will be spent on an adventure tour in Selvatura, a cloud forest conservation project. You can glide through cables and ziplines through the cloud forest or take the Treetop Walkway covering a 3km trail. The park is home to a butterfly and hummingbird garden as well as an education centre with large private insect selection, learn about the natural history of Monteverde and the cloud forest ecosystem during your tour, transportation is included.

The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel     

Day 7: Travel to Manuel Antonio National Park

Next, you’ll be drive to the coast, to Manuel Antonio National Park, a beautiful region on the Pacific coast. You’ll check into your hotel for three nights – why not head straight to the beach to soak up the sunset on your first night?

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 8: Manuel Antonio National Park

You’ve got all day to relax and recharge in beautiful Manuel Antonio. We’ve left today free for you to stroll along the beach, explore the walking trails and snorkel with colourful fish on the beautiful coastline. If you want to book any tours here, we’re happy to help – just ask!

Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel

Day 9: Travel to the Osa Peninsula

After breakfast, you’ll head to the Osa Peninsula, one of the most unique and remote areas of the country. When you reach the town of Sierpe, you’ll board a boat and enjoy making the rest of the journey to the SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge by water. The effort is worth it – you’ll be met with empty beaches fringed with rainforests, knotted mangroves along lush shorelines and a multitude of land and water-based wildlife.       

Included: Breakfast, transfers (road and boat), SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge   

Day 10: Corcovado National Park

On your first day in the Osa Peninsula, you’ll head out to explore the Corcovado National Park. Considered one of the most diverse regions on the planet, the wildlife here is so diverse – you can keep your eyes peeled for bright scarlet macaws, cute tapirs, snuffling anteaters and even the elusive jaguars. The park is located right on the coast, so you’ll start early to get out to the national park in time to spend all morning there – don’t forget to bring your swimsuit so you can enjoy snorkelling with turtles in the clear water. 

Included: All meals, touring, SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge  

Day 11: Caño Island Snorkelling

Today you’ll head out to explore the underwater paradise of the Osa Peninsula. Caño Island is a lush and tropical spot, surrounded with an abundance of marine life and water that is endlessly blue. The reef can be found just a few metres away from the white-sand beach, home to black-tipped reef sharks, majestic eagle rays, gentle sea turtles and shimmering reef fish swimming in huge shoals. It’s a wonderful place to explore, before kicking back on the sand and soaking up the sun before heading back to the hotel to enjoy your final afternoon in Costa Rica.              

Included: All meals, touring, SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge   

Day 12: Depart Costa Rica 

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Drake Bay Airport for the short flight up to San Jose, ready to connect to your international flight home.               

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flight, international flight       

Day 13: Arrive UK