Explore Arenal

Today, explore the area around Arenal Volcano on a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall and on a volcano hike – a great combination of activities for the day.

The day will start late in the morning at around 11am, so you have enough time to enjoy a nice breakfast, explore the surroundings of the hotel and relax a little before your pick up. We recommend you to wear your swimming gear for the waterfall visit.

The excursion starts with a slow paced hike down through 500 steps that open the way to the magnificent waterfall. On the way down your guide will point out the various species that will be found among birds and mammals. Once down the steps you can refresh and swim in the lagoon at the bottom of the great waterfall in front of you.

For lunch you will meet the Rodriguez Family. They will cook a traditional lunch served by the side of a river, a chance for you to experience some authentic Costa Rican culture, followed by a delicious and freshly brewed cup of coffee.

After lunch you will visit the imposing Arenal Volcano National Park. The hike takes you around its base, giving you the chance to learn about the eruptions and the old lava flows, and observe the points at which the rainforest is reclaiming the rocky lava fields. If you are lucky, you can see some rainforest animals too!

Accommodation

Amor Arenal

National Park Hike

Your adventure in Costa Rica continues as you visit Tenorio Volcano National Park for a unique hike. The area is best known for the beautiful Río Celeste meandering through the forest, the light blue waters of which are caused by the combination of sulfur and calcium carbonates.

Primary cloud forest and rainforest covers the park, which is bursting with flora and fauna species in multiple life zones, as well as many rivers, waterfalls and thermal hot springs.

Accommodation

Amor Arenal

Travel to the Cloud Forest

Today, travel between La Fortuna and Monteverde by crossing Arenal Lake. First you’ll travel by land, a vehicle will take you to the lake, where you will board a boat for an one hours ride across to Monteverde.

This service is the fastest way to reach Monteverde, and an incredibly scenic way to travel. Admire the beautiful views of mountains, sky and the colossal Arenal volcano itself on your way across the lake. When you reach the other side, you will be picked up and driven to your hotel in Monteverde.

Once you reach 1440 meters above sea level, on top of Costa Rica’s continental divide, you will notice the much cooler weather of the Monteverde and Santa Elena region. The mountains are a popular destination for eco-tourism and adventure seekers, offering activities, such as zip lining, hiking and hanging bridges tours through the cloud forest. The town itself is small and charming, with a laid-back but lively atmosphere.

Enjoy a free afternoon to visit the shops, ice cream parlors, cheese factories, coffee houses or local micro breweries of Monteverde.

As sunset falls in the forest, it’s nocturnal animals awaken. A night visit to Monteverde Reserve is an excellent opportunity to get up close to the huge biological diversity of the area. During the night, many animals emerge and for a unique spectacle in the darkness. A flashlight will be provided for each person on the 2 hour tour.

Accommodation

Senda Monteverde

Immersed in Monteverde

After  breakfast you will have the day to explore the area, including the small and quaint town of Santa Elena, filled with independent restaurants and folksy artisan shops. The nearby forest hosts a remarkable amount of biodiversity.

A walk through a cloud forest in Monteverde reveals a lush garden of mosses, ferns, flowers and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree. Clouds drift in and settle among the slopes, providing the plants with the continuous moisture that they require. Dangling roots and vines sweep across the trails, while the sounds of birds and other creatures echo throughout the forest.

In the morning, head out on a canopy tour where you’ll experience the adrenaline rush of swinging from platform to platform, attached to a harness. This adventure sees you ziplining on the longest and highest cables found in the area. Enjoy the panoramic views that can only be seen from high above.

In the afternoon, your experience continues with three tours in one – learning about the key Costa Rican exports of coffee, chocolate and sugar cane at the Don Juan Coffee farm.

The coffee tour begins with the history of coffee throughout the world, and is followed by an explanation of its history in Costa Rica and the importanceit has had in developing the country. During this part of the tour, you’ll witness all the processes involved in producing coffee, from seed to the delicious final product.

The second part of this tour is the famous chocolate tour, the perfect complement for coffee. You will learn about its contribution to rescuing the certain traditions and aspects of local culture in Costa Rica.

Finally, the third part of the tour will be based around sugar cane. You’ll learn about its history, about the nearby plantations and different types of harvest, as well as the processing of sugar cane. You’ll also get the chance to experience the handcrafting of sugar cane juice.

Accommodation

Senda Monteverde

Transfer to Drake Bay

Today you will see many different ecosystems as you leave the Cloud Forest of Monteverde, drive through the Central Pacific, arrive at Lowland Rainforest, and pass the Mangrove swamps of Sierpe before getting to the Pacific coastline.

In Sierpe you board a boat that will finally take you to your next destination in Costa Rica, Drake Bay.

Accommodation

Aguila de Osa

Discover Caño Island

Caño Island is a gem of the South Pacific of Costa Rica. Not only do the waters surrounding this island contain some of the most abundant and varied marine life in the world, but the island also hides several pre-Colombian archeological artifacts.

Caño Island is believed to have once been a pirate hideout and some go as far as to claim that the island was the inspiration for Robert Stevenson’s Treasure Island. The journey to the island will give you the opportunity to see dolphins, sometimes whales, sea turtles, rays and other animals. You will go with a local guide, from the only tour operator owned and managed by locals.

Accommodation

Aguila de Osa

Corcovado National Park

The Osa Península and Corcovado National Park is considered to be among the most biologically intensive areas in the world. If you like nature, your trip to Costa Rica must include Osa in the itinerary.

Sirena or San Pedrillo Stations are excellent spots to admire the huge biodiversity of Corcovado, and see animals like the tamandua, the tapir or the peccary. Today, you’ll enjoy a guided tour with lunch in the national park.

Accommodation

Aguila de Osa

Sierpe Mangrove Tour

On your way back north, you will spend some time in Sierpe. Visit the Sierpe Mangrove, either by boat or by kayak.

Nationally designated as a Forest Reserve in 1977 and registered as a Wetlands International RAMSAR site in 1995, the Sierpe Terraba Mangroves National Wetlands are located near the Osa Peninsula, approximately 45 minutes south of Uvita, and encompass 30,654 ha. The wetland reserve is a bird and nature tourist attraction and hosts an important habitat for many species of birds, fish, shellfish, mammals and reptiles.

Transfer from here to Manuel Antonio. The beaches in the area are beautiful, the National Park is well known for its biodiversity in an accessible area, and you can easily spot monkeys, sloths, coatis. It’s an optional visit for those who want to explore its trails, however the white sand beach and the warm ocean will give you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the tropics at its fullest extent.

Free afternoon to enjoy the beach and the hotel.

Accommodation

Parador Resort and Spa

Cooking Class and National Park Tour

Today, experience the authentic taste of traditional Costa Rican cuisine. Learn to cook some of the lesser-known dishes this country has to offer in a few easy steps.

For dessert, you’ll learn the dripped coffee making technique, used in Costa Rica to prepare coffee the traditional way. For those who do prefer tea, we will sample some of the medicinal plants in our garden, in order to create the tea of your preference.

Then, visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica. A unique protected rainforest beside some of the most amazing beaches of the Central Pacific, a naturalist guide will take you there to observe the wildlife in its natural habitat.

Spot sloths, racoons and monkeys that move throughout the tree canopy, playing with each other and searching for insects and tropical fruits to eat. You will also be able to see several types of reptiles and birds.

Accommodation

Parador Resort and Spa

Departure Day

Today, you’ll sadly say farewell to Costa Rica. Transfer out to SJO Airport in San José, say good bye to your new friends, and … see you next time!