Collect your hire car from the hotel and set off driving independently to Arenal, your base for the next two nights. The glowing lava trails are particularly impressive on a clear night.

The bubbling stream running through the garden at Tabacon hotsprings

Day 3

Costa Rica, Arenal

Relax in hot springs

Spend today exploring the Arenal region. Local attractions include guided walks to the volcano, boat rides, canopy tours and hot springs.

Trees shrouded in mist in the cloudforest

Day 4

Costa Rica, Monteverde

To the cloudforest

Take the pretty route around the north shore of Lake Arenal then up the winding country roads to Monteverde today. Stay near the cloudforest reserve for two nights.

A clear view across the cloudforest on the Sky Walk at Monteverde

Day 5

Costa Rica, Monteverde

Cloudforest wildlife

Explore the cloudforest today. Plenty of activities are on offer locally, including canopy tours, guided walks, horse riding and zip-wiring.

A vibrant Scarlet macaw perches in an almond tree

Day 6

Costa Rica, Jaco

Visit Carara National Park

Head south today to the Central Pacific coast. Visit the Carara National Park, a mixture of tropical dry forest and rainforest and home to one of the largest remaining populations of Scarlet Macaw in the country.

Day 7

Costa Rica, Jaco

Relax at the beach

Free day to relax at the beach. Perhaps visit the Tarcoles Bridge this afternoon to see scarlet macaws flying home to roost in the nearby mangroves.

The view at the end of the forest path in Manuel Antonio National Park

Day 8

Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio

Travel south

Drive the short distance south to Manuel Antonio today, probably one of the most scenically beautiful regions in the country.

A tiny poison dart frog tries to blend in on an obliging plant

Day 9

Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio

Wildlife and beach

Take the forest trail through the national park this morning for a chance to see a host of wildlife, including sloth, monkeys, toucans and coatimundi.