The Experience

Experience what makes Costa Rica unique with this itinerary that combines two of this country,™s most popular natural attractions, Arenal and Monteverde, with a stay at a Guanacaste beach resort. Highlights include entrance to Arenal,™s famous Tabacón Hot Springs and cloud forest trails at Monteverde ,“ where you can choose between a Treetop Walkway or Zipline Canopy tour.

Includes:

• All ground transfers OR 9-day car rental
• 1 night San José OR Guanacaste
• 2 nights Arenal
• Tabacón Hot Springs entrance & dinner
• 2 nights Monteverde
• Zipline Canopy OR Treetop Walkway tour
• 3 nights Guanacaste
• Welcome gift
• Daily breakfast

Day 1 – San Jose:

After you collect your luggage and clear customs you will be met outside the terminal by our local representative, who will be holding a sign with your name on it. Our representative will collect your vouchers and present you with an itinerary with scheduled times of pick-up. You will be transferred by van to your selected hotel in San Jose.

Day 2 – Arenal:

Early morning departure, (between 7:30-8:30 am) by van for a scenic 3.5 hour drive to Arenal. The drive northwest of San Jose winds through the picturesque little towns of Alajuela province and through rolling green hills of pastureland and coffee plantations. After going through the small town of Fortuna, you will anxiously await your first glimpse of the perfect cone-shaped Arenal Volcano, which on a clear day is an unforgettable sight. Located at the foot of the volcano is beautiful Arenal Lake, a 24-mile long reservoir. You will arrive at your selected hotel mid-day. Enjoy an evening at Tabacón Hot Springs. Overnight.

Day 3 – Arenal:

Day at leisure. You can arrange one of our optional tours – rafting, kayaking, a canopy tour, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, or a hiking tour. On a clear night, Arenal Volcano provides entertainment in the form of rumblings, lava flow and shooting sparks. Overnight.

Day 4 – Arenal to Monteverde:

After breakfast, (between 8:30 ,“ 9:30 am) departure for Monteverde. The three-hour journey is an adventure. You will be transferred to the lakeshore of Arenal for a 45-minute ride by boat, where you will have the opportunity to see the Arenal Volcano for the last time. From the dock continue by mini-van. The scenery is varied and interesting and the road has a few ups and downs. As you get closer to Monteverde you are surrounded by rolling green hills and on a clear day you can see the Gulf of Nicoya. Passing through the town of Santa Elena, and the Monteverde community with its hotels, restaurants and galleries, you will reach your selected Lodge around noon. You will have the afternoon at leisure to explore the area.

Day 5 – Monteverde:

The morning begins with breakfast, followed by a visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest, a world-famous privately owned wildlife reserve. Monteverde is located on the Continental Divide and is called a cloud forest because of its altitude and topography. This mist-covered forest has over 100 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds. More than 2000 plant species have been catalogued at Monteverde. With your naturalist guide you will explore the trails of the Reserve. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of the elusive quetzal with its beautiful tail feathers. Return to the Lodge for lunch, and in the afternoon you will visit the Butterfly Garden at Selvatura, where you will see butterflies native to the Monteverde area and learn about their life cycles. Then you will have a choice between two exciting half-day tours: the Treetop Walkways or the Canopy Tour [see below for descriptions]. Return to your hotel to overnight.

Day 6 – Monteverde to Guanacaste:

After breakfast (between 8:00 ,“ 9:30 am) transfer by van from Monteverde to the Guanacaste beach area. The four-hour drive will take you from the misty hills of Monteverde to the lowlands of the North Pacific, the driest region in the country. Here you will see large cattle ranches. Continue to the coast to your selected Guanacaste beach resort.

Days 7 and 8 – Guanacaste:

Day at leisure to relax by the pool or walk along the beach, or arrange optional tours. Activities that can be arranged locally include horseback riding, sports fishing, kayaking, sailing, and diving.

Day 9 – Guanacaste:
Transfer to the Liberia Airport for your return flight. (Or board your return flight to San Jose to connect to your international flight, or to spend the night.)

Optional Monteverde Tours:

Treetop Walkways

Duration: half-day. Includes transportation and entrance fee.
Recommended: Sneakers or walking shoes, long pants, light clothes, hat, camera and binoculars.
This is a series of suspended bridges and paths built within the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This tour gives you a vision of the forest from a different perspective, allowing the observation of flora and fauna from ground level all the way to the treetops. It starts with a walk on the ground through the forest, then takes you to the tops of the trees the Cloud Forest Canopy, a world which is very close yet unknown to most.

Canopy Tour

Duration: half-day. Includes transportation, entrance fee, guide and equipment.

Recommended: Sneakers or walking shoes, long pants, light clothes, hat and camera.
Requirements: Good physical condition and no fear of heights.
This tour uses a system of 18 platforms suspended above the ground. Zip lines attached from one platform to another allow you to slide with the use of special equipment through the forest. This tour gives you access to a world of incomparable beauty an unforgettable experience!