Costa Rica
Overview:
Steaming rainforest, mountainous cloud forests, colorful birds, smoldering volcanoes, natural hot springs, tumbling rivers, and miles of palm-fringed sandy beaches: if Mother Nature can ever be accused of showing off, it is in Costa Rica. Sitting just north of the equator, this verdant chunk of the Central American isthmus is one of the most bio-diverse spots on the planet. A world pioneer in eco-tourism, Costa Rica has set aside more than a quarter of its territory as a protected natural area, more than any other country on Earth. Alternatively, if you are looking for an adrenalin kick, whitewater rafting, tree-top zip wires, horseback riding and surfing are just a few of the activities on offer. Connecting in San Jose will offer an urban taste with museums, art, music, markets, cafés and a prolific microbrew culture. This diverse country has something to offer for just about everyone and with so many ways to explore, Costa Rica makes the perfect destination for families, romantics, and adventurers. Fall in love with Costa Rica’s Pura Vida.
Itinerary Summary:
Days 1 – 2 San Jose / Urban City Tour
Day 2 - 5 San Ramone / Cloud Forest Naturalist Guided Nocturnal Nature Walk / Artisan Town / Coffee Plantation / Wildlife and Birds of the Cloud Forest
Days 5 - 8 Arenal Canopy Ziplining / Canyoning / River Rafting / Hot Springs / Hiking / Horseback Riding / Waterfalls / Authentic Local Hospitality
Days 8 – 11 Guanacaste Coast Beach / Surfing/ R&R
Day 11 Depart
The Essentials:
Seasonality: Year Round – Best from January through April for the driest weather. September and October are the rainiest months. Depending on what you may want experience such as whales, nesting turtles, or spotting quetzals in their mating plumage may dictate another time of year
Boutique 3-4 star accommodations, breakfast, tours, and private transfers are part of this customized itinerary
Highlights: Multitude of Activities and Eco-Systems / Wildlife and Birds / Cloud Forest / Volcanoes / Natural Hot Springs / Beaches
Cost: from $$
Itinerary:
San Jose – 1 Night
Welcome to Costa Rica!
You will be greeted in the arrivals area of the international airport and transferred to the historic San Jose where you will be able to enjoy the hospitality of your boutique hotel, a lovely meal and a good night’s sleep.
Los Angeles Cloud Forest – 3 Nights
Enjoy a morning urban tour of San Jose where you’ll get up close and personal with Costa Rican life, through local food, history, and even the herbal remedies of folk medicine. Your morning will start with a stop at a local café for a cup of coffee. Strolling through the streets you’ll learn about the city’s history and explore a few of its important landmarks. Your last stop is the Central Market, which is filled with typical Costa Rican food and drink and is an experience that no visitor to San Jose should miss. With your guide by your side, you’ll be full of local knowledge (and perhaps even some local lingo) by the end of your tour. Returning to your hotel, you will meet your driver for a private transfer (about a two hour drive) to your boutique hotel comprised of individual casitas, perched at 4500 ft in the heart of the Los Angeles Cloud Forest. This is a 2000-acre reserve and is one of the world’s last remaining cloud forests. It is home to thousands of plants, trees, orchids and over 350 species of birds. This evening meet your naturalist guide for a two-hour walk to experience the forest at night which is an amazing time to spot some of nature’s most colorful creatures. Other tours can include the artisan town of Sarchí, the markets of San Ramone, and the Espíritu Santo Coffee Plantation. There are guided hikes and birding tours, and time to explore the research center.
Nuevo Arenal – 3 Nights
An early start this morning with a full day of activity awaits. En route to Nuevo Arenal, you’ll have time for a canopy / zip line / Tarzan swing, rappelling down a waterfall, and a two-hour class II-III white water rafting trip down the Balsa River! You’ll continue the drive to your boutique hotel of individual villas overlooking Lake Arenal. This picturesque property offers a quiet sanctuary for exploring all that the Arenal Volcano area has to offer.
One day of exciting activities can include exploring the Hanging Bridges, a 1.9 mile trail that crosses nine fixed bridges and six suspension bridges; an afternoon float safari on the Peñas Blancas river, with the opportunity to observe many animals like: monkeys, sloths, iguanas, birds and more; and ending the day with a dinner / soak in the natural hot springs.
A second day of adventure is an exclusive tour to the real virgin rain forest of Selva Leona, on a private guided tour to experience a virtually untouched ecosystem of flora and fauna. The day starts with a covered boat ride across Lake Arenal, and from there, you’ll ride horses into the mountains, crossing the Rio Grande several times, offering beautiful landscapes and views of the lake. A hike through virgin cloud forest in search of birds, monkeys, flowers, and waterfalls and a swim in the natural pools is unforgettable. An authentic Tico BBQ awaits you which is served with the hospitality and humbleness that makes the Ticos such special people. You’ll return to your hotel by horseback and boat.
Guanacaste Beach – 3 Nights
This morning you will head to the coast and your last stop is on the beach. You have 3 nights in a boutique beachfront hotel with time to be as active or as relaxed as you like. Surfing is a popular sport along the Costa Rican Pacific coast. Fishing is another popular activity that can be organized. Beachcombing, dining out, boutique shopping and relaxing poolside will round out your Costa Rican holiday.
At the end of your stay, a private transfer to the Liberia Airport will be provided.
Please call us on +1 720 494 1530 or email us at the link below to discuss this trip further with a travel expert. We would be happy to discuss ways to tailor this itinerary to your personal preferences.
