Buffet breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch (L), and 1 three-course dinner (D); Local Host service in each city; sightseeing with a Local Guide and transportation as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary (inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE).
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive San José, Costa Rica. Arrive in San José, where you will be met by your Local Host.
Day #2 San José–Arenal. This morning, journey to the artisan town of Sarchi before stopping for a typical Costa Rican lunch in La Fortuna. Continue to the Arenal Volcano area, where you will stay two nights. In the afternoon, take a guided WALK through the lava trails of the volcano and appreciate how nature has found a way to recover from past lava flows. After the walk, visit the famous TABACÓN HOT SPRINGS and take a dip in the natural springs and pools of mineral waters surrounded by lush, tropical forest. Enjoy dinner at the Hot Springs. (B,L,D)
Day #3 Arenal. Today is at leisure to explore on your own. Perhaps visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a network of suspension bridges, platforms, and trails built in the cloud forest. From here, explore the forest canopy with a bird’s-eye view, giving you a different perspective of the forest’s wildlife. A great opportunity for nature lovers and birdwatchers! Alternatively, you may choose a rafting adventure, horseback riding, or spelunking in nearby Venado Caves. (B)
Day #4 Arenal–Monteverde. This morning, begin with a short BOAT ride across Arenal Lake and admire different species of birds that visit and call the area home. Continue through incredible mountain scenery and MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST, home to over 3,000 plant species, approximately 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. This afternoon, visit the SKY WALK HANGING BRIDGES and take a walk on the network of suspension bridges through the cloud forest canopy. A great opportunity for nature lovers and birdwatchers! (B)
Day #5 Monteverde. Enjoy a day to do as you please. Maybe wake up early and visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest to best experience the animals in their natural forest habitats. Discover this misty and surreal wildlife sanctuary full of mosses, ferns, flowers, and other indigenous plant life. Also notice how the combination of climatic and geographic factors create temperature and humidity gradients, changing dramatically over just a short distance, or you could visit a local family’s farm to learn about sugarcane, coffee, and tilapia farming. (B)
Day #6 Monteverde–San José. Return to San José today. (B)
Day #7 San José. Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)
