Costa Rica | Riches of the Rainforest, Arenal Volcano, and the Pacific Coast

 

San José

Day 1

Upon arrival, after clearing customs and immigrations at the airport, meet your driver and transfer to Hotel Balmoral, situated in the heart of the city near the Gold Museum and the National Theater, along the city's famous pedestrian boulevard. Check in starts at 2:00 pm. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner and program orientation at El Patio featuring a variety of options including a full service restaurant, pizzeria, coffee shop, full bar and wine cellar. In order to arrive in time for orientation, participants must book flights that arrive in San José no later than 4:30 p.m.

Dinner included

 

Overnight at Hotel Balmoral

Sarapiqui

Day 2

This morning gather for breakfast and then depart San José and head north to Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. En route stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Explore the many trails and picturesque waterfalls as well as the hummingbird garden, lush botanicals, and much more. Lunch on premises. Continue to Selva Verde, located in the lush lowlands of north central Costa Rica on a large private tract of primary and secondary tropical rainforest. After settling in, receive an orientation to Selva Verde's facilities and 500 acre private reserve, then hear a lecture by a local naturalist on the biodiversity of the region and rainforest structure. Enjoy time to relax in the lodge's rooms or stroll about the property before a buffet style dinner in the upstairs dining room. After dessert, explore the nocturnal world of the rainforest during a short night hike on the walkway in search of nocturnal amphibians, mammals, owls, and insects.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

 

Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge

Sarapiqui

Day 3

This morning after breakfast there will be an exciting whitewater rafting adventure. The river has a gentle current with several minor class I, II, and III rapids. A professional river guide escorts all rafting trips and all of the necessary safety equipment (helmet, life jackets, etc.) is provided along with a lesson on rafting and safety instructions and procedures. For those not interested in rafting, a boat trip along the river can be arranged as an alternative. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Best Chocolate and the Reserva Curare. The fun starts in the 2 acre cacao plantation, learn all about the cacao plant, flowers, and pollination, and then to the Cacao Rancho in the middle of the reserve to learn where chocolate comes from, starting with the fruit to the final product. After watching the processes, you will get to sample fresh made chocolate. This evening have dinner at the lodge and visit the nearby Tirimbina Biological Reserve for a program on the fascinating lives of bats. During the visit, learn about some of the 113 species of bats that can be found in Costa Rica. Begin with a short presentation followed by an opportunity to see live specimens caught in the mist netting setup by local researchers who are collecting data. Later return to the lodge.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

 

Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge

Arenal

Day 4

Optional early morning birding on the grounds of the lodge, a birder's paradise! Return to the dining room for breakfast followed by a hike in the primary rainforest reserve to experience life in the rainforest up close. Discover the unique ecosystem and its flora and fauna. Along the reserves forest trails you may see a variety of wildlife including parrots, jacamars, hummingbirds, motmots, and other exotic lowland tropical birds. After the hike, walk through Selva Verde's unique botanical garden and learn about the beautiful tropical flowers and plants. Lunch at lodge then depart for La Fortuna. Visit the picturesque town to take photos and shop for souvenirs before continuing to the hotel. Check in at Arenal Paraiso. Afterwards is at leisure to experience the thermal hot spring pools that are heated by the volcano.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

 

Overnight at Arenal Paraiso

Arenal

Day 5

This morning after breakfast, depart for Arenal Hanging Bridges. Later, visit Arenal Vida Campesina for lunch. Participate in making your own tortilla and enjoy a meal prepared with produce fresh from the farm. The hospitality is as heartwarming as the shot of their farm fermented liquor, a traditional farewell gesture, and fitting end to a memorable visit. Return to the lodge for dinner in the dining room. Weather permitting; the hotel affords excellent views of the immense Arenal Volcano from every room

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

 

Overnight at Arenal Paraiso

Guanacaste

Day 6

Breakfast at lodge then depart from Arenal and transfer to Sugar Beach. En route, enjoy a visit at Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands. We will start with a delicious typical Costa Rican buffet lunch at "La Casona", a mystic old house of almost 150 years old. After lunch, explore El Viejo Wildlife National Refuge and its magnificent Tempisque River which border Palo Viejo National Park. Enjoy an incredible number of birds, Howler Monkeys and white face Capuchin Monkeys, as well as crocodiles and some other species in their natural habitat. Fun isn't over yet, after the boat tour, we visit again "La Casona" to enjoy a delightful cup of coffee, fruits, and natural beverages. This afternoon continue to the hotel at Sugar Beach. Check in at Sugar Beach Hotel. Afterwards is at leisure to explore the hotel facilities. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

 

Overnight at Sugar Beach Hotel

Guanacaste

Day 7

After breakfast, we'll board our bus and ride to the Flamingo Beach area in preparation for a scenic catamaran ride along the coast. Once at the dock, we will take a short boat ride by motorized tender to where our catamaran is moored. After welcoming us on board, the crew will raise anchor and we will set sail along the coast. Picnic style meal aboard the catamaran plus tropical fruit, water and soft drinks. After lunch, we will swim and snorkel from the catamaran. As we search for tropical fish, we also hope to spot octopi, starfish, rays, and puffer fish! At the end of our catamaran cruise, we will board a tender back to shore and board our bus for the return transfer to Sugar Beach and our hotel. Afternoon is at leisure to explore the beach or relax. This evening Farewell Dinner is at the hotel

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

 

Overnight at Sugar Beach Hotel

Farewell!

Day 8

Transfer to the international airport in Liberia, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. Check out is at 12:00 pm.

Breakfast- included