9 Days / 8 Nights
8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner
Day 1 Arrival – San Jose
You are greeted outside of the San Jose airport by our bilingual representative for the comfortable and short drive to your hotel. There we will give you all the necessary documents for your trip. Then you are welcome to unpack, unwind and settle in for your first night in our tropical paradise. Meals are on your own.
Overnight at San Jose: Hotel Sleep Inn San Jose Downtown is conveniently located in the heart of the city, only 15 km from Juan Santamaria International Airport. It is a short distance away from casinos, night clubs, bars, restaurants, The National Theatre, Museum of Jade, Museum of Gold and parks that are part of the national heritage, among many other tourist attractions.
Day 2 San Jose – Pacuare River White Water Rafting class III-IV – Arenal
After an early morning pickup from your San José hotel, you will drive in a private, comfortable bus to an Operations Center for a delicious, typical Costa Rican breakfast. Once at the river at a private put-in, you’ll raft 16 miles, deep into the heart of densely vegetated gorges, past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and pounding rapids, in one of Costa Rica’s most impressive primary rainforests. On the river you will raft to a couple of lodges, where guests stay during two and three-day trips. The Pacuare River is one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its scenery and rapids. This quintessential tropical river is a trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, wildlife and exhilarating rapids. After an adrenaline-packed morning running rapids like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montanas and many more, you will take a short drive for a hearty and delicious lunch where there are showers, optional drinks and a souvenir store. Then, you continue to you hotel in Arenal where we spend the next two nights.
Overnight at Arenal: Arenal Springs Hotel offers the perfect combination between relaxation, comfort, and exuberant tropical scenery, as well as the best view of the Arenal Volcano from any vantage point on the premises. The Hotel features colonial style rooms, with all the amenities that one can expect from a 60-room mountain retreat, (6 rooms are especially designed for the handicapped). While at their restaurant, you may also enjoy a magnificent view of the Arenal Volcano.
Day 3 Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoneering – Arenal Volcano Hike & Tabacon Hot Springs
Breakfast and then your trip will begin with a 30 minute, 4×4 drive into a tropical Rainforest outside the town of La Fortuna. You will see many different indigenous plants and animals along the way. You then trek through the forest on magical trails that lead to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica, a place very few people get to experience. Along the way you will have the chance to see monkeys, toucans; sloth’s, parrots and discover the secrets that lie hidden deep in the canyon. Lost Canyon Adventure is an experience of a lifetime – go where very few have had the privilege to roam! Imagine yourself in the midst of thick rainforest at the top of a magical canyon full of tropical waterfalls with surprises each step of the way. When you arrive at the waterfall, you will rappel from the top down into the beautiful pristine canyon below. After trekking through the canyon you will rappel down more waterfalls, and then you will enjoy a delicious typical meal! At the end, you will be dropped at your hotel. Then around 3:15 p.m., you will be picked up to enjoy the most extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano on a gentle hike along the base of this marvelous “Mountain of Fire”. The hike begins on the active side of the volcano, and takes you through the forest over recent lava flows and to the destroyed area now in the process of regeneration. This is a 1½ hour trail and gets as close as five hundred meters from the lava flow. After this exciting tour you will be dropped at Tabacon Resort and Hot Springs where you will experience one of the world’s most amazing offerings: hot springs which are fed by an underground river heated naturally by the Arenal Volcano to the perfect temperature of 101 degrees. Our previous guests refer to this as their personal visit to the “Fountain of Youth.” After a great buffet dinner, you will be driven back to your hotel for your wonderful night of rest.
Day 4 Mountain Bike from Arenal to Monteverde
After breakfast, you will start at the Lake Arenal Dam where you drop off your luggage. From there you ride past the rural community of El Castillo until you get to the pristine Caño Negro River that runs alongside Rancho Margot. From here you do a technical river crossing and continue riding through rolling hills along the edge of Lake Arenal until ride into the small town of Río Chiquito. The scenery is a combination of secondary rainforest, farmland and great views of the lake and volcano. Your bike guide will help point out some of the local wildlife indigenous to the area, such as wild boar, sloths, toucans, Oropendolas and iguanas. Upon arrival to Río Chiquito, you will be reunited with your luggage to start your drive to Monteverde. Upon arrival you will check into your hotel and relax with the sunset overlooking the Nicoya Gulf and explore the gastronomy of this little town.
Overnight at Montverde: El Establo Hotel is situated in the heart of the tourist zone of Monteverde 7 kms from the Santa Elena Rain Forest and 4 kms from the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Quaker friendship awaits you at this hotel, set in a private 150-acre farm (50% protected primary forest) adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve. The hotel features 155 Rooms, tennis, basketball and soccer courts, 2 indoor tempered swimming pools, 2 bars, gym, spa, conference center and 2 restaurants.
Day 5 Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve Naturalist Hike & Sky Tram & Trek
You will enjoy another wonderful breakfast and off you go again. We’ve hired a professional Naturalist Guide to escort you through an incredible part of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This tour is an easy, guided hike where you will receive information about the interesting things that are there for you to witness up close and personal.
In the afternoon you will experience what the Toucans feel while they are flying over the Cloud Forest. The Sky Trek is a system of zip lines attached to steel structures and with professional climbing equipment you will slide from one platform to another “flying” over the cloud forest of Monteverde. This will be an experience you’ll never forget!
Day 6 Monteverde – Tamarindo Beach (North Pacific)
After breakfast, you will be picked up to start your trip to the lowlands of the North Pacific, favorite beach destination in Costa Rica, passing the towns of Cañas, Liberia as you make your way to Tamarindo Beach on the Pacific slope.
Overnight at Tamarindo: Tamarindo Diria Beach & Golf Resort is truly the ideal place to forget everything. Tamarindo Beach is one hour away from the Daniel Oduber International Airport located just outside of Liberia. You will find yourself relaxing peacefully to the sounds of the ocean, wildlife, and nature that will certainly boost your outdoor adrenaline. Each sunset will definitely be unforgettable! Whether from the restaurant or the balcony of your room, you will be able to appreciate the incredible array of colors in the sky as the sun hides behind the sea. All of this of course, will be accompanied by the whisper of the ocean and the fresh sea breeze.
Day 7 Ocean Kayaking Outrigger Canoe
After breakfast you will go to Pan de Azucar Beach. There the centuries of refinement and the outrigger canoe remains basically unchanged. Now you will have the chance to share in the adventurous spirit of the early explorers. Imagine yourself cruising silently past spectacular cliffs full of pelicans and frigate birds in a craft pioneered by the Polynesians and perfected for tourist in Costa Rica. There will be great chances of snorkeling and a lot of fun. You will be back to the hotel for lunch and relaxation in the afternoon.
Day 8 Open day
You can enjoy the hotel facilities, explore the surroundings or take an additional tour like a surfing class, deep sea fishing, a sunset cruise, a horseback riding tour, an ATV tour or a mountain bike tour. Just let us know and we’ll gladly arrange it for you. Enjoy your last night in paradise.
Day 9 Departure from Liberia International Airport
Today, we will drive you back to Liberia Airport at the appropriate time to catch your flight back home. It’s time to say goodbye to the new friends you have made in Costa Rica.
Pricing
High Season 2011: US $ 1,570 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement US $ 745
Valid from November, 2010 thru April, 2011 and from July, 2011 thru August, 2011
Green Season 2011: US $ 1,405 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement US $640
Valid from May, 2011 thru June, 2011 and from September, 2011 thru October, 2011
Notes
Cost does not apply to New Year’s or Easter week and it is subject to availability of hotels and tours.
Package includes
- 1 night of lodging at Sleep Inn San Jose Downtown Hotel (4 stars) in a Standard room.
- 2 nights of lodging at Arenal Springs Hotel (4 stars) in a Jr. Suite room.
- 2 nights of lodging at El Establo Hotel (4 stars) in a Deluxe room.
- 3 nights of lodging at Tamarindo Diria Beach & Golf Resort (4 stars) in a Sunset Ocean View room
- Pacuare River White Water Rafting including transportation from San Jose to the river and then to Arenal Volcano, lunch, equipment & specialist guides.
- Lost Canyon Tour, including transportation, equipment, lunch and specialist guides.
- Arenal Volcano Hike & Tabacon Hot Springs including transportation, entrance fee, dinner and guide.
- Mountain Bike from Arenal to Monteverde including equipment and guide.
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve Naturalist Hike, including transportation, entrance fee, slide show and Naturalist guide.
- Sky Tram & Sky Trek Tour (Canopy Experience), including transportation, equipment, entrance fee and Specialist Guides.
- Private transportation from El Establo Hotel to Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort in an A/C van with a bilingual driver.
- Ocean Kayaking Outrigger Canoe including transportation, equipment, snack, fruits and guide.
- Private transportation from Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort to Daniel Oduber International Liberia Airport in an A/C van with a semi-bilingual driver/guide.
- Meals as described above (8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner).
- Meet and greet at San Jose airport with VIP service inside the terminal.
- All airport transfers.
- 24 hour travel assistance.
Not included
- Airfare and Airport tax at your departure US $ 26 per person (cash only).
- Meals and other services not mentioned above.
- Gratuities for guides and providers based on quality of service.