Day 1: Arrival in San José
Welcome to Costa Rica! For your added comfort, our representative will be waiting for you just outside the airport doors, holding a sign with your name. After clearing immigration and customs, you’ll be greeted and escorted by your private transfer, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride to your hotel in San José.
AC Hotel San Jose Airport Belen (1 Night)
Day 2: Transfer from San José to Arenal
In the morning, enjoy a transfer from San José to Arenal. In the afternoon, embark on a hike through Arenal Volcano National Park, followed by a relaxing visit to the hot springs.
The Northern Plains of Costa Rica showcases some very scenic countryside towns. Small agriculture communities and cattle ranches cover rolling hills and deep valleys. The plains, rainforests and rivers make the north central a must-see in any Costa Rica program. The main attraction is the iconic Arenal Volcano.
The Arenal Volcano area is Costa Rica’s premier region of exploration and excitement: Arenal is synonymous to adventure and Eco-discovery, where you can embark in a wide variety of activities. Enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting or canyoning, or combine adventure with ecological discovery in a canopy tour. Hike the volcano or explore the rainforest strolling through hanging bridges. Feel transformed by the beauty and variety of our wildlife and tropical jungle. Get ready for a life changing adventure!
Arenal Volcano National Park Expedition + Ecotermales
The tour begins with a visit to the El Silencio Private Reserve, where participants will travel by vehicle to get as close to the base of the Arenal Volcano as possible. From there, a 1.5-kilometer walk along a moderately challenging volcanic stone path leads to the viewpoint, the closest accessible point to the volcano. At the viewpoint, a guide will provide information on the formation of Arenal, its periods of activity, and details of its first eruption in 1968. The stunning views of the Green Lagoon and Lake Arenal can also be enjoyed. Afterward, the descent begins.
The trail around Arenal features regenerating forest areas that were once affected by past eruptions. With some luck, the trail may offer sightings of various plants and wildlife, including toucans, turkeys, orioles, and possibly peccaries or snakes. At the tour’s end, the driver will be waiting with a refreshing tropical fruit snack. Following the hike, a visit to the Ecotermales hot springs will provide approximately three hours of relaxation, with lunch included.
Transportation, guide, national park entrance fee, bottled mineral water, snacks, Hot springs entrance and lunch.
Casa Luna Hotel & Spa (2 Nights)
Day 3: Embark on an exhilarating whitewater rafting adventure at Río Balsa, navigating Class II & III rapids.
Experience the excitement and adrenaline of the white-water tour on this half day adventure!! Located at 50 minutes from La Fortuna, Balsa River provides an excellent setting to enjoy rafting for whole family. Get wet and wild through rapids such as “Magnetic Rock” and “Dredges”. A 15-minute break in the river allow us to taste delicious tropical fruit while enjoying a tropical setting, surrounded by monkeys, toucans and other exotic species. In the way back to Fortuna town we will enjoy a delicious lunch at “Vida Campesina” a traditional country estate with the aim to let visitors experience the genuine and peaceful way of country life in Costa Rica. You will enjoy a delicious typical lunch prepared on the original wood stove and served in a traditional way.
Guides, lunch, transportation, entrance, snacks and drinks.
Day 4: Transfer from Arenal to Monteverde via Arenal Lake
Pickup will be arranged directly from the hotel in the Arenal area. The journey begins with a drive towards Arenal Lake, where participants will board a boat to cross the lake, enjoying panoramic views of Arenal Volcano, Chato Hill, Arenal Lake, the Tilarán mountain range, and more. Upon reaching the opposite shore, passengers will board a minivan for the 1.5-hour drive to Monteverde, with drop-off at the hotel.
A startling haven for all that is living and natural, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve promises a journey that will make you one with nature–at a whole new level. Located in the Cordillera de Tilarán, Monteverde is one of the top ecotourism destinations the world over, being one of the most spectacular wildlife sanctuary and nature reserve in the world. It is actually home to some of the most endangered species in the planet. Its elevation is from 600 meters to 1800 meters above sea level in some isolated areas. It currently houses about 2,000 plant & tree species, 400 bird species, 100 species of mammals and around 1,200 amphibians and reptiles as well as hundreds of unique fern and orchid species. Birds are one of the main attractions in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve as a lot of them would migrate there and a variety of species are for everyone to see alive and freely hovering. Some of the famed birds found in the cloud forest are the bare-necked umbrella birds, the endangered Bellbird, quetzals and over 30 species of hummingbirds.
Poco a Poco Hotel & Spa (2 Nights)
Day 5: Experience the thrill of ziplining and explore the breathtaking Hanging Bridges in the Cloud Forest.
Today you will enjoy a combo tour at the Selvatura Park in Monteverde. You will participate in an adventurous canopy tour (zip lining) where you will be flying through 12 cables and 18 platforms with an optional Tarzan Swing at the end of the adventure. Selvatura Park is one of the longest canopy tours in Costa Rica. It is also the only canopy tour located inside the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The canopy takes usually around 2,5 and 3 hours and can be done by adventurers starting at the age of 4. It is a safe adventure for everyone although restrictions may apply.
After the canopy tour you will walk on eight different bridges which are called the Selvatura Tree Top Walkways. The lengths vary between 150 feet (50 meters) and 510 feet (170 meters) and some are up to 180 feet (60 meters) high. The walkways consist of a 1.9-mile (approximately 3 kilometer) trail that leads you through the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Each bridge has a capacity of up to 80 people which makes them both the longest and strongest bridges in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The Tree Top Walkways are suitable for people of all ages. The duration of the hike usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.
Guide for the zipline, equipment and transportation
Day 6: Transfer from Monteverde to Tamarindo
Tamarindo has a status as Costa Rica’s top surf and party destination. The main attraction in town is a nice long, white, sandy beach that stretches for 3.5 km along the main road. Here the beach is great for swimming, especially at high tide, relaxing, sunbathing, and offers plenty of good waves for beginners looking to give surfing a try. Wide and flat, the sand here is packed hard enough for easy walking and jogging. Witch’s Rock Surf Shop has showers, toilets, surfboard rental, a swimming pool, and a restaurant where you can watch the surfers over a cold beer.
Foodies will find some very nice restaurants. Its central location makes it a great base for exploring the northern peninsula with your car. Sport fishing tours are a great way to get out into the blue waters for the chance to catch Sailfish, Yellow Fin Tuna and Dorado. Watch the majestic leatherback turtles come upon shore to nest at Playa Grande or enjoy an early bird watching tour. Enjoy a horseback ride along beautiful beaches, or zip through the canopy of the tropical dry forest. Diving is also very popular, which can be arranged from Tamarindo. Snorkelling tours are often combined with sailing tours, while scuba diving trips take you out to the Catalinas Islands.
Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort Hotel (3 Nights)
Day 7: Enjoy a Half Day Surf Lesson
Tamarindo is the best place to learn how to surf. Come and enjoy this adventure, all equipment necessary for the lesson is provided, board and wetsuit. The lesson plan has evolved to include all the essential information to get the student able to practice efficiently and enjoy the gift of surfing.
Transportation, Equipment, instruction and surfboard use during the class.
Day 8: Free day in Tamarindo
Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.
Day 9: Free morning at Tamarindo Beach. In the afternoon transfer from Tamarindo to San José
Enjoy your last night in the country and take some time to relax as you prepare for your departure tomorrow.
Hilton Garden Inn Santa Ana (1 Night)
Day 10: Departure from San Jose to the International Airport
Private Transfer from San José to Juan Santamaría International Airport
