This 9-night travel package is customized for your independent travel in Costa Rica. Any portion of this package can be modified according to your preference,
just give us a call at 1.800.626.3483 or use our
online contact form
to tell us what you're looking for and we will help plan the vacation of your dreams.
Variation: If you wish, you may substitute Liberia for San Jose as your departure city.
|
Day 1 - San Jose
|
Arrive at San Jose's Juan Santamaría International Airport, where you will be met by our representative after clearing customs, then
transferred to your hotel in San Jose. Overnight at San Jose area hotel.
|
Day 2 - Rafting / San Jose (Meals: B, L)
|
Early in the morning, you will be picked up at your San Jose hotel for a journey to the Pacuare River, on the Eastern slope of the mountains of
Costa Rica.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, upon arrival to the put-in you will meet your paddling "team" and guide. After a brief orientation and
practice, you will begin rafting this Class III & IV river.
Witness beautiful rainforest canyons and waterfalls from a rare perspective as the river takes you through exhilarating rapids and calm pools.
You will stop for lunch at the halfway point.
In the afternoon you will reach the take out, stop to change clothes, then return to your San José hotel. Overnight at San José area hotel.
|
Day 3 - San Jose / Arenal Volcano (Meals: B)
|
Travel by private van through small villages and pristine forests to your Arenal Volcano area hotel. After you settle in, you'll head out for an
afternoon bike ride through local villages, sugar cane and dairy farms.
The Arenal Volcano, one of the top five most active volcanoes in the world, is visible over the landscape. Overnight at Arenal Volcano area hotel.
|
Day 4 - Arenal Volcano (Meals: B, L, D)
|
After breakfast, drive up to the south side of the volcano at the Arenal Observatory. Today you will climb Cerro Chato, an extinct volcano neighboring
Arenal. Your guide will lead you on a 2.5 hour uphill trek through virgin rainforest until arriving at Chato Lake.
After lunch and a brief swim, you'll head back into the rain forest, observing the different native species of flora and fauna.
End at La Fortuna Waterfall for another quick swim and a snack before heading back to your hotel.
Then, change clothes and head out again for a visit to the Arenal Volcano and Tabacón Hot Springs. You will learn about the natural history of the
volcano from your guide. After a delicious buffet dinner, enjoy a well-deserved soak in one of the many spring-fed hot or cold pools, or enjoy the
swimming pool with water slide and swim-up bar.
Weather permitting, you will view volcanic activity including explosions and lava flows. Overnight at Arenal Volcano area hotel.
|
Day 5 - Arenal Volcano / Monteverde (Meals: B)
|
Head from your Arenal Volcano area hotel by vehicle to the shores of Lake Arenal. Your boat ride across the lake offers spectacular views of the volcano
and rain forest. You may even spot monkeys or toucans along the way. On the other side of the lake, travel by vehicle to the mountaintop Monteverde area.
After arriving and settling in to your hotel, get ready for adventure! Visit the Selvatura canopy tour and zip between platforms on a series of
cables high up in the trees. Then, enjoy walking a circuit of trails and suspension bridges at a more leisurely pace, viewing plant life. Overnight at Monteverde area hotel.
|
Day 6 - Monteverde / Rincón de la Vieja (Meals: B)
|
In the morning, get off the beaten track and enjoy a guided walk through the Santa Elena Reserve. This reserve is lesser known than the nearby
Monteverde Reserve, so you'll feel as if you have the place to yourself.
In this area are hundreds of mammal, bird, and plant species unique to the cloud forest ecosystem. You might see the endangered Resplendent quetzal,
three-wattled bellbird, or Emerald toucanet, as well as many other plants and animals.
In the afternoon, transfer by private van to your Rincón de la Vieja area hotel. Overnight at Rincón de la Vieja area hotel.
|
Day 7 - Rincón de la Vieja (Meals: B, L)
|
After breakfast, enjoy a horseback ride at Buena Vista ranch. The trails take you through fields and acres of beautiful forest, offering views of the
Pacific Ocean in the distance. Then, enjoy the natural mineral mud pools in the area.
In the afternoon take a self-guided hike to one of several waterfalls, or along a trail that follows naturally occurring fumaroles. Overnight at
Rincón de la Vieja area hotel.
|
Day 8 - Rincón de la Vieja / Tamarindo
|
Start the day with a leisurely drive by private van down the mountainside to the small beach town of Tamarindo.
The tropical beaches in this area are a haven for surfers and swimmers alike. Overnight at Tamarindo area hotel.
|
Day 9 - Tamarindo (Meals: B)
|
Enjoy a morning sea kayak expedition to a nearby mangrove estuary. Overnight at Tamarindo area hotel.
|
Day 10 - Tamarindo / San Jose (Meals: B)
|
Transfer to the Tamarindo airstrip for a one-hour flight to San Jose to connect with your international departure.
|