Nature Secrets Of Costa Rica

DAY 1: Welcome to Costa Rica!
Private arrival transfer to San Jose downtown hotels
Upon arrival in Costa Rica, through immigration, baggage claim, and customs, you will get to the arrival exit where you will meet and greet with our representative (holding a sign bearing your name). Our guide will run through your travel details, then transfer you to your hotel.

The drive from the airport to the hotel takes approximately 30 minutes.
San Jose area description
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica, and the province where most of the economic activities of the country such as business and educational centers are concentrated. It belongs to the Central Valley, together with Cartago - the ancient capital - and the provinces of Alajuela and Heredia. This is the perfect place for those who enjoy art, music and history; since is full of popular attractions such as the National Theater - one of the most important pieces of the country's cultural heritage, the National Museum, and the Gold and Jade Museums - which have transcendent stories to tell. Besides, San Jose is a place where gastronomy and culture converge. The Central Market, for example, is a must if you want to taste the most delicious Costa Rican dishes, but also be in contact with locals and buy an authentic souvenir. Walking around downtown, you will discover the predominant colonial architecture and the colorful public parks and gardens; and when the night comes, the city awakens with endless night life options to go dancing, drink something or enjoy live music presentations as well as street art spectacles. San Jose is also the perfect stop to shorten distances between places, and a convenient destination for the first or last night in the country.

Accommodation at Hotel Sleep Inn
2 night/s in Standard room with Breakfast included
Check-in: 14:00 - Check-out: 12:00
Standard rooms have air conditioning, cable TV, a coffee maker, a hair dryer, an iron and ironing board, a private bath, a safe deposit box, and Wi-Fi. Sleep Inn is conveniently located in the heart of the capital city, at 15Km from the Juan Santamaria International Airport. This is an excellent location to visit some of the most important attractions of San Jose, such as the National Theatre, the Jade Museum, the Gold Museum and several public parks that are part of the national heritage. The hotel offers 86 guest rooms including 9 rooms specially designed for disabled people, 4 Mini Suites and 12 connecting rooms. All the rooms are gracefully decorated in a contemporary style and feature noise insulated windows, air conditioning, 25” Cable T.V., telephone, high speed internet access, coffee maker, mini fridge, microwave oven, safe deposit box, hairdryer and iron and ironing table. The hotel has a breakfast lounge, where guests can enjoy a complimentary full American buffet breakfast from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Room service is available 24 hours with a variety of international dishes. Sleep Inn has also a gym, a souvenirs shop, non-smoking Casino, a business center equipped with services for the executive traveler: free wireless internet, two computers, a printer and a scanner, all with up-to-date technology. Parking is also available.

DAY 2: San Jose – day tour – San Jose
Breakfast at San Jose hotel
Regular combination Food & Cultural + San Jose walking tour
INCLUSIONS: Min 2 pax
San Jose is a small capital, full of details and history, that can be easily visited by walking. In the different full of life parks, you can meet artists who explain their art to everyone who is approaching; pedestrian boulevards where thousands of Costa Ricans are mobilized daily, Art Decó and neoclassical buildings that discreetly impose themselves as jewels inherited from visionary coffee growers can be found too. This is a city that contains the history of a very young society reflected in its parks, museums, theaters, art galleries and diverse corners. This visit focuses on four foundations of Costa Rican society: Peace, Health, Environment and Education. Founded in 1880, the Central Market has preserved its essence and is one of the best examples of the Costa Rican culture and society. This visit will also be a very good introduction to familiarize yourself with the different tropical flavors. It is possible to find a great variety of tropical fruits and vegetables, medicinal plants, species, meats, fish and seafood, ornaments and even animals. The Central Market is also known for its "sodas" (small informal restaurants), such as the Lolo Mora ice cream or Soda Tapia, both restaurants that have been in the market for over fifty years. This visit is an excellent opportunity to meet the people who work in the market, to smell the aroma of a fresh tortilla, to taste a delicious guava jam or just to enjoy a freshly squeezed coffee. It is highly recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, sunscreen and umbrella or raincoat during the rainy season (from May to November).

DAY 3: San Jose - Arenal
Breakfast at San Jose hotel
Arenal area description
In the Northern Region of Costa Rica there is an exceptional area full of flora, fauna, adventure experiences, culture and ecotourism: Fortuna - the town where you will find the imposing Arenal Volcano, one of the most important and popular attractions in the country due to its natural beauty, its iconic conical shape and the relaxing hot springs that come from it. Its location allows an easy access from most of the country destinations, including the Northern and Central Pacific beaches, Monteverde's cloud forest, or the city. Besides, the town offers a varied range of lodging options, restaurants, supermarkets, and tour operators; allowing the visitors to enjoy the area to the fullest - no matter ages or interests. Some of the attractions worth visiting includes the famous Arenal Lake - a very scenic artificial lake where it's possible to practice some adventure sports, La Fortuna Waterfall or Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge - the perfect option for birdwatchers or nature lovers. Shuttle + regular tour: Rafting Balsa River (Class II&III)

INCLUSIONS: regular transfer San Jose - Arenal & lunch
Experience the excitement and adrenaline of the white-water tour on this half day adventure!! Located at 50 minutes from La Fortuna, Balsa River provides an excellent setting to enjoy rafting for everyone. Get wet and wild through rapids such as “Magnetic Rock” and “Dredges”! A 15-minute break in the river allow us to taste delicious tropical fruit while enjoying a tropical setting, surrounded by monkeys, toucans, and other exotic species. In the way back to La Fortuna town you will enjoy a delicious lunch at “Vida Campesina” a traditional country estate with the aim to let visitors experience the genuine and peaceful way of country life in Costa Rica. You will enjoy a delicious typical lunch prepared on the original wood stove and served in a traditional way.

What to bring: Bathing suit, t-shirt, sunscreen, change of clothing, water shoes or sports sandals.

Accommodation at Hotel Magic Mountain
2 night/s in Superior room with Breakfast included
Check-in: 14:00 – Check-out: 12:00
Located in La Fortuna, at only 3 Km away the downtown area, Hotel Magic Mountain offers 36 comfortable and spacious Standard rooms and six Junior Suites with either a balcony or a terrace with an excellent view of Arenal Volcano. All rooms have air conditioning, telephone, cable television, safety box, coffee maker, hair dryer and wireless Internet access. Two rooms have been specially equipped to welcome disabled guests. The hotel has a nice restaurant offering an international cuisine, Sport Bar, swimming pool and wet bar for adults and a wading pool for children, Jacuzzi and a fully-equipped meeting and reception room that can accommodate up to 300 persons. The Spa has four rooms, Jacuzzi and Sauna and offers a soothing array of services including massages, facials, waxing and body treatments. Free parking is available. Smoking is not allowed in the rooms.

DAY 4: Arenal
Breakfast at Arenal hotel
Sky Adventures Arenal: Regular Arenal Sky Walk tour with guide
INCLUSIONS: regular transfers from Fortuna
Discover the beauty of Costa Rican forests on the Sky Walk. This is a guided experience on natural trails and amazing hanging bridges through the dense forests of Arenal. Trails and hanging bridges are designed and maintained to cause the lowest impact on nature, trying always to keep the forest intact for everything living in it. Sky Walk hanging bridges not only have impressive views, but they are also impressive by themselves, with distances up to 236m (774ft) and heights up to 70m (230ft). You will go on a hike to have a one-on-one experience with the flora and fauna at every level of these magical tropical forests. On Sky Walk, you can admire natural beauties from the ground on the nature trails or discover unique life systems from the forest canopy. Crossing the hanging bridges is a unique experience where you will have complete views of the forest canopy and access to a completely different ecosystem that can only be discovered at the highest points of trees. While on the Sky Walk tour, a naturalist guide will point out the intriguing plant and animal life, so you won’t miss out on the amazing details these forests offer. Trails include some uneven surfaces and several ascents and descents.

Schedule: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 11:30, 12:30, 14:00 hrs. Duration: 3hrs approx.
What’s included? Guide, and regular transfers.
What to bring? comfortable and light clothes (better if they are breathable), a jacket or raincoat, hiking or tennis shoes (comfortable and enclosed), snacks, a bottle of water, insect repellent, and sunscreen (preferably biodegradable).
Important:Check-in is 15 minutes before the booked tour start time.
Remember to take back anything you brought with you and keep nature as it is.

DAY 5: Arenal - Tenorio
Breakfast at Arenal hotel
Tenorio/Bijagua/Rio Celeste area description
The northern region of Costa Rica has wonderful attractions and downtowns surrounded by cattle and agricultural farms because these are the main economic activities, especially corn, rice, citrus, pineapple, hearts of palm, banana, yucca and beans production. These are not only rural destinations, but have a valuable natural wealth. Within these towns, Bijagua stands out; it is located in Alajuela province and perhaps it is the one having less development and infrastructure, but it is worth visiting and sharing with locals to learn about culture. Additionally, it is close to Tenorio National Park. Tenorio is a protected area situated between Guanacaste and Alajuela provinces. Here is where Rio Celeste is placed, which offers a spectacular waterfall with a unique colour, as well as some fumaroles and the place where the celestial colour of water occurs. The northern region is recommended for those who would like to walk, explore and get up close with nature. You will also find more rustic lodging options than in other destinations.

Regular hike to Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park
INCLUSIONS: regular transfers, guide, entrance, snack & lunch
A loop of 7 kilometers will take us through the forest, to some interesting places, starting with the magical Rio Celeste Waterfall and the blue lagoon, a stretch of the calm river that makes a beautiful natural lagoon, followed by the observation deck of the Tenorio Volcano, which offers incredible views of the volcano and the surrounding mountains. Next come two more unbelievable attractions: “Las Ollas” which are fumaroles filled with boiling mud; and finally, the “Teñideros” or Dyers, where the river acquires it unique turquoise color due to a natural chemical reaction. On the way back we continue walking along the riverbanks, admiring the bubbling waters, the natural hot springs and the incredible scenery that surrounds us. The final highlight of our visit will be a delicious hot lunch, before getting back to the hotel.
Departure: 7am approx.
Duration: approx 9 hours.
What to bring? Walking shoes, comfortable clothes, camera, raincoat, change of clothes and insect repellent.
What is included? Transportation, guide, entrance to the park, energizing snacks, water and lunch.
Accommodation at Tenorio Lodge
2 night/s in Bungalow room with Breakfast included
Check-in: 14:00 hrs. – Check-out: 11:00 hrs.
The bungalow room is 45 m2, each one has a private terrace and bathroom with hot water; and is equipped with a King size bed, a sofa, a coffee table, or two Queen beds. It also has a round table with two chairs, a smoke detector, a silent ceiling fan, a pedestal fan, a minibar fridge, a coffee maker, a safe, a hair dryer, an umbrella, and a separate dressing place. All windows are equipped with mosquito nets. The Tenorio Lodge is located in the Northern region, in the small town of Bijagua, between the Tenorio and the Miravalles volcanoes, at an altitude of 1,640ft. This area is part of the Water and Peace Biosphere Reserve, created by UNESCO, which incorporates eight protected areas including the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, four biological corridors and an indigenous community. This small ecolodge was built on a property of 17 acres, partly reforested, containing two natural ponds and several trails, suitable for nature observation, with a spectacular view of the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanos. It is the ideal place for nature lovers, especially for bird watching fans as one can find more than 420 species in this area. The lodge offers 12 spacious Bungalows of 484 square feet each, featuring orthopedic mattress, silent fans, fire detectors and bathroom with a solar system to heat the water. One of the bungalows is especially equipped for disabled guests. The main building includes the front desk area, the restaurant, the bar, and a computer center with internet access and a small souvenir shop. At the end of the day, guests can relax in one of the two red cedar hot tubs, in the middle of the heliconias garden, while watching the twirling of the hummingbirds and admiring the view over the Tenorio volcano. There is a wide variety of tours and activities that can be done from the town of Bijagua including the famous hike to Río Celeste, in the Volcan Tenorio National Park, a visit to Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge or to the Palo Verde National Park.

DAY 6: Tenorio
Breakfast at Tenorio hotel
Day at leisure

DAY 7: Tenorio - Tamarindo
Breakfast at Tenorio hotel
Shared transfer Rio Celeste - Tamarindo
Transfer time and distance: 2 hours 30 minutes / 153km with a Spanish-speaking driver, and multiple stops en route for pick up or drops
Tamarindo area description
Tamarindo In the North Pacific of Costa Rica, in Guanacaste province we find some of the pretties and most gorgeous beaches such as Tamarindo and Mansita. These areas are characterized by the dry weather, crystalline water and exuberant vegetation in the surroundings. What is amazing about these spots is the proximity to each other, so you can explore multiple destinations in the same day. Tamarindo is more touristy and well known as a good surfing beach; in the main village there are a wide variety of restaurants, bars and other facilities like ATM, drugstores, supermarkets and much more. The lodging options are really varied, from all-inclusive resorts to small charming boutique hotels. The activities include nature, wildlife, adventure and relaxation; there are something to do for each family member.

Accommodation at Hotel Wyndham Tamarindo
3 night/s in Ocean View room with Breakfast included
Check-in: 15:00 – Check-out: 12:00
Located in one of the most beautiful corners of Costa Rica, Wyndham Tamarindo Hotel offers a space created for relaxation and comfort in Tamarindo, Guanacaste, a lively beach town that combines high-end shopping, dining and lively nightlife with spectacular natural scenery. The property is near Playa Grande, Avellanas beach and Langosta beach. This hotel offers 104 spacious guestrooms, all of them with beautiful ocean views. Guests can taste the most delicious dishes in the restaurant and bar, or enjoy the wet bar in the refreshing infinity swimming pool. The hotel also offers exclusive access to Langosta Beach Club. Besides, the property features other services for the guests’ comfort such as front desk and emergency medical service 24 hrs, free WiFi, bell boys, room service, laundry and dry- cleaning service, solarium, gym, Spa, elevators and availability of rooms equipped with access for people who have a condition of reduced mobility, and parking lot.

DAYS 8 - 9: Tamarindo
Breakfast at Tamarindo hotel
Days at leisure

DAY 10: Tamarindo – San Jose
Breakfast at Tamarindo hotel
Shuttle Tamarindo - San Jose - PM
Distance and transfer time: 258 km / approx. 5.5 hours, with a Spanish-speaking driver, max. 9 people. This route has tolls and multiple stops en route for pick up or drops

Accommodation at Hotel Sleep Inn
1 night/s in Standard room with Breakfast included
Check-in: 14:00 - Check-out: 12:00

DAY 11: Hasta Pronto!
Breakfast at San Jose hotel
Regular departure transfer from San Jose downtown hotels
Today we will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the international airport on time to board your flight.
We wish you a safe and pleasant flight back to your home.
¡Hasta Luego!

Important: based on the Airport policies, all travelers must be 3 hours ahead of their departure flight time.