Costa Rica Tourism

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:

LETTER CODES : (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.

Day 1. WELCOME TO COSTA RICA . Arrivals to the International Airport Juan Santamaria. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport, you will be met by one of our representatives how will explain your itinerary, answer any questions and provide you with a packet of vouchers and information about your trip. Transfer to Hotel Herradura and Check In.

Day 2. SARAPIQUI. COMBO ADVENTURE TOUR (B, L). After a full Costa Rican breakfast, you will experience a great adventure in Costa Rica . The Adventure Combo Tour is a combination of 2 of the most adventurous tours in Costa Rica . The Canopy Tour and the Whitewater Rafting. These 2 activities in just one day. The Canopy Tour has a total of 12 cables and 17 platforms, 7 of which are build on trees between 60 and 90 feet high. This unique experience will take you through a canyon where you start from the edge at the ground and after several tree and ground platforms you end at a landing platform on the ground crossing the canyon 2 or 3 times. The whitewater rafting leaves at the Hacienda's put-in and runs 13 Km . to Chilamate, with an average gradient of 1.2%. It can be run year round and no previous experience is required. Lunch included at the Hacienda Pozo Azul. After the tour, transfer to Rain Forest Lodge and check In. Dinner on your own.

Day 3. CHOCOLATE TOUR - ARENAL VOLCANO & HOT SPRINGS . ( B, D). In this three-hour activity you will discover the marvels of one of the favorite foods of humankind - chocolate. A plant originating in Mesoamerica with an extraordinarily rich history, cacao, or chocolate, was one of the most important products of the Maya and Aztec, as well as other Central American cultures. The tour includes a guided hike across the Tirimbina suspension bridge to a cacao plantation, as well as to a forested section where you will observe forest species of cacao and how the product originally developed there. During the hike, the natural and cultural history of the cacao tree is explained. Onsite, you will learn about the process by which cacao is processed into chocolate (harvesting, fermentation, drying, milling). There also you may taste different types of chocolate, made from organic chocolate grown by the Association of Amazilla Women of the Caribbean , a group of rural women from Pueblo Nuevo de Guacimo dedicated to the production of organic chocolate. Lunch on your own at the hotel and by 2:00 PM, land transfer to La Fortuna town where the impressive and active Arenal Volcano is located. Check In at Hotel Arenal Paraiso or similar. Afternoon, visit to Baldi Hot Spring Waters and free time for enjoy the place. Dinner included at this paradise. Note: Transportation form the hotel to the hot springs not included, but it is only 5 minutes by cab.

Day 4. A FREESTYLE DAY IN ARENAL (B) . Customize your day with the included adventure of your choice.

- Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge : Caño Negro and  Rio Frío are biological humid areas considered to be one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica . Here you can find a great variety of resident and migratory birds plus three different species of monkeys, also iguanas, sloths, turtles and caymans. The tour starts when we pick up all “ Nature Lovers” from the hotel in a very comfortable bus for the 1-½ hour Transfer to Los Chiles, a culturally mixed village only 4-km from the Nicaraguan border. Here your boat waits for your river adventure, at that time we begin our 2 ½ hour floating safari through Tropical Rain Forest and pastures until we arrive at the marsh. 
- Safari Adventure Boat : Enjoy a relaxing 2 hour float with no motor, only the incredible sounds of nature around you. Our expert bilingual naturalist guide will describe the many different flora and fauna of the region.
- Horseback Riding to Arenal Volcano : It is the perfect horseback riding tour in this area. As we come closer to the volcano, we ride through rivers and tropical rain forest, and enjoying the magnificent Arenal Volcano.
- Cerro Chato Hike : You'll hike through lush rain forests and pasture lands, and witness spectacular scenic views. The tour begins at the Old Observatory Lodge after passing by the Arenal National Park , Volcano and Lake .
- Arenal Mountain Biking : With a moderate ranking, we offer you a mountain bike tour in one of the best-suited area of Costa Rica : the region of Arenal Volcano with its lush vegetation and excellent views.
• La Fortuna on Horseback : A 90-minute horseback ride and short hike through the forest bring you to this spectacular waterfall.
• Hike Arenal Volcano : This hike takes you along the base of the volcano along forested trails and recent lava flows.
• Hanging Bridges : 15 hanging bridges wind their way through the forest, some with views of Arenal. Explore high in the canopy for an up-close observation of the rainforest's flora and fauna.
• Canopy Tour : Adrenaline-rushing adventure awaits – with 12 platforms and over 1,000 feet of cable strung through the tree tops. Gain a new perspective of the rainforest as you “fly” through the trees, safely attached by harness to the steel cables.
• Lake Arenal kayaking : You will embark in first class touring kayaks and spend a day paddling in the lake's calm waters while the beautiful view and energy of the Arenal Volcano penetrates your soul.
• Venado Caves : Be prepared to squeeze through small holes, crawl through tight passages, climb small rock formations, crawl on your stomach with only your head above water in a narrow tunnel as fish swim by, or walk up small waterfalls.
• Safari Kayaking . Relax and enjoy a day of heightened emotions on the quiet waters of the Peñas Blancas River .

Afternoon, free time at leisure. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 5. ARENAL TAMARINDO. (B, L, D) During the morning, you will be transferred to the beautiful beaches of Tamarindo in Guanacaste province. Tamarindo Beach is part of a bay formed by a cape, Cabo Velas (velas is Spanish for sails or sailfish). Playa Grande lies to the north of Tamarindo Beach inside the bay. The two beaches are separated by a natural salt water estuary, Estero Tamarindo. South of Tamarindo Bay there is another beautiful estuary and beach , Playa Langosta. Both Playa Grande and Playa Langosta are protected nesting areas for the giant leatherback turtle, and are part of the Costa Rican national park system. These beaches are the major nesting areas worldwide for the turtles, which arrive from October to March to lay their eggs. Tours led by official guides are available to take visitors to see this incredible spectacle. Another very special tour is the jungle boat ride. Small groups are ferried on

locally built skiffs deep into the mysterious mangrove forest, where a breathtaking diversity of birds, mammals, and reptiles can be seen. Upon arrival, check in at Barcelo Playa Langosta, one of the best hotels in the area and with All Inclusive Service.

The all inclusive plan offers the following: Unlimited domestic cocktails, beer, and refreshments, three buffet meals daily, a la carte restaurant available by reservation, daily poolside activities (volleyball, aerobics, contests), tennis courts, dance classes, spa and gym facilities, kayaks, boogie boards, beach towels, snack bar open daily until midnight, discotheque. Have a great time and enjoy all this.

Day 6. BARCELO PLAYA LANGOSTA. Free time for enjoy the beach and the hotel

Day 7. BARCELO PLAYA LANGOSTA – SAN JOSE. Morning: free time for enjoy the beach and hotel. Afternoon, domestic flight to San Jose by SANSA Airlines. Upon arrival to the airport in San Jose , transfer to Hotel Herradura and check in. Free evening and dinner on your own.

Day 8. TRANSFER OUT. Transfer to the International Airport and Good Bye.

MINIMUM : 2 PAX.

TIPS & INFORMATION.

WHATS TO BRING : Hiking Shoes, Bathing Suit, Binoculars, Beach Sandals, Suntan Lotion, Hat, Mosquito Repellent, Camera, Warm Clothes, Long Pants.

INCLUDE: 2 nights lodging at Hotel Herradura, Transfer In & Out, 1 night lodging at Rain Forest Lodge, 2 nights lodging at Arenal Paraiso Hotel or Volcano Lodge, 2 nights lodging at Barcelo Playa Langosta, Combo Adventure Tour, Tour to Arenal Volcano Hanging Bridges and hot Springs, transportation and naturalist guide.

NOT INCLUDED : International air fare, airport departure taxes, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages not specified, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control.