ITINERARY

Day 1: We arrive in San Jose and board an air-conditioned bus for our three hour drive to Turrialba. The drive will give us the first glimpse of Costa Rican life as we wind through rolling farmland and vast fields of sugar cane. Along the way we will stop by the Bascilica de Los Angeles, which is considered to be the most important church in the country. We will descend into Turrialba, a small cozy town that will be our home for a couple of nights. At the hotel, our rooms open out to interior gardens and wide tiled porches. We will spend a leisurely evening getting to know each other over a Costa Rican dinner.

Day 2: After an incredible 'tico breakfast' at the hotel, we will head to the Irazu Volcano, the third highest peak in the country at 11,365 feet. On a clear day you can see both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. From the top of Irazu we will mount our bikes for an all downhill ride. We’ll dine this evening atop the mountains at the Turrialtico Lodge and enjoy outstanding food and incredible views.

Day 3: Today’s rafting is on the awesomely beautiful Pacuare River. The Rió Pacuare is “one of the top ten premier jungle river runs in the entire world”, as described in Paddle Magazine. This river has it all; big open rapids, waterfalls that tumble from hundreds of feet above the river, and spectacular scenery and wildlife. During the 17 miles of whitewater we will enjoy an all-you-can-eat river lunch with fresh Costa Rican fruits. Don’t forget to watch for your first monkey sighting!

Day 4: We’ll be rafting the Rió Sarapiquí, a river lined with breathtaking scenery filled with high concentrations of exotic wildlife not found in more populated regions. Once dry and back in the bus, we can walk in a private rainforest reserve with a naturalist guide who will point out the diverse plant and animal life for which Costa Rica is famous.

Day 5: It’s time to get into the rain forest to see butterflies, hummingbirds and orchids! On our way to the Arenal Volcano, we will enjoy one of the many beautiful places in Costa Rica. We will take a great hike into the heart of the rain forest to the La Fortuna Waterfall and become surrounded by the sound of the falls, and exotic birds. The Arenal Volcano area is a virtual paradise with many activities available depending on the preferences of the group. In the afternoon, relax in the hot pool at the hotel, overlooking the Arenal Volcano. You also may be interested in the Latin dancing and nightlife in town.

Day 6: Ahhh, another day in paradise! After our breakfast overlooking the Arenal volcano, we’ll be on our way to Monteverde. We’ll be traveling by boat through Arenal Lake and on 4 wheel drive vehicles to the top of the largest mountain! The Monteverde Cloud Forest is truly an incredible place, with exotic wild life inhabiting hundreds of acres of virgin forest. It contains an extremely high biological diversity, including over 2,500 plant species (among them 420 different kinds of orchids), 100 species of mammals, 400 types of birds, 120 reptilian and amphibian species, and thousands of insects.

Day 7: In the morning we will head out for horseback riding and canopy tours. The canopy tour is a series of zip line cables extending from tree top to tree top. It is a beautiful way to view the layers of the rainforest and all the inhabitants within. Guests often see toucans, monkeys and orchids along the way. In the afternoon, we will relax in the spectacular Hot Springs. There are 12 mineral pools and an indoor hot tub. Each pool varies in temperature, depth, and mineral count, but all are surrounded by incredible gardens.

Day 8: We will load up for the last road trip, returning to San José for your flight home. There will be some sight-seeing stops along the way, and if time permits we will stop in the town of Sarchi to pick up authentic Costa Rican souvenirs.
Optional Beach Extension
If you would prefer to stay in this Central American paradise, you can opt to extend your trip for two more days and head to the beach! The white sand beaches and crystal clear water allow for many activities, such as sea kayaking, swimming, horseback riding, fishing, snorkeling, sea turtle nesting tours, surfing or just relaxing on the beach.
Viva la Pura Vida!

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