Discover Costa Rica

DAY 1: Welcome to Costa Rica!
Regular 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.

DAY 2: San Jose – day tour – San Jose
Breakfast at San Jose hotel.
Regular tour: Doka, Grecia & Sarchi - Oxcart factories
INCLUSIONS: regular transportation, local guide, lunch, Doka coffee tour
Doka Coffee Estate is located on the fertile slopes of the Poas Volcano. This farm belongs to the Costa Rican family Vargas Ruiz, a
pioneer in coffee production for more than 70 years. Costa Rica's unique climate and diverse landscapes provide perfect growing
conditions for gourmet coffee beans. Guided by an expert, you will learn everything about the production, harvesting, roasting and
packaging of the "golden grain". After the tour, you can visit the souvenir shop and bring the best quality coffee. The second stop will
be the beautiful city of Grecia, in the province of Alajuela. The people of this pleasant city, mostly farmers, are relaxed. Being an
important agricultural center of the country, sugar cane is grown and harvested in large quantities in Greece, as well as organic coffee
and pineapple. This city is a major tourist destination mainly due to its unique metal church, which is deep dark red. La Mercedes
Cathedral is a Gothic-style church made of metal pieces that were imported from Belgium in 1890. This church is beautiful both from
the inside and impressive from the outside. The last stop is Sarchi, known as the cradle of Costa Rican artisans thanks to its excellent
workshops. Here you will have time to enjoy the artistic work of local artisans, who create the famous typical oxcarts; you will have
the opportunity to find a special souvenir to take home. At the end of the tour, you will enjoy a delicious typical Costa Rican lunch.
What to bring? Light jacket, comfortable shoes, binoculars and camera. What is included? regular transportation, local guide and lunch. Dinner on your own

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.

DAY 4: Arenal
Breakfast at Arenal hotel
Regular Arenal Volcano by the lake tour
INCLUSIONS: regular transfers, local guide, entrance & snacks
This tour combines the enjoyment of a boat ride with a walk through the rainforest of the National Park to get the most impressive
views of the colossus from all angles. The tour begins with a 20-minute drive from the hotel to the Peninsula section of the National
Park, near Lake Arenal. Here you will begin a 1.5 km (1 mi) long walk along an easy trail for about an hour. Throughout the tour, you
can enjoy excellent views overlooking Lake Arenal and the Tilaran Volcanic Mountain Range in the observation bays that are found
along the trail. At the end of the walk, you will have the opportunity to climb to the observation platform approximately 12 meters (40
ft) high for a closer and amazing view of the volcano and receive a full explanation of its history, activity cycles, and geological
formation among other relevant data. At the end of the trail, you will enjoy a snack of fresh fruit before taking the boat for a tour
along the forested shores of Lake Arenal and islets to try to find some animals. This is the ideal place to take scenic photographs of the
volcano if it is clear. You will cross the lake until you reach the town of El Castillo, a small developing community where a family
business will welcome you with open arms to share a snack of traditional food accompanied by typical drinks; ̈café chorreado ̈; ̈agua
dulce ̈; or natural juice, while enjoying the view of Lake Arenal. After this relaxing break, you will take the boat again to navigate the
lake to the pier where the minibus will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel. Schedule: From 8:00 to 12:00 & 14:30 to 18:00 hrs. Duration: 4 hours approx. What ́s included? Regular transportation from your hotel in comfortable air-conditioned minivans with Wi-Fi, bilingual naturalist
guide, National Park entrance fee, bottled mineral water, snacks, boat transportation, and gear. What to bring: Hiking or tennis shoes, comfortable clothes, a poncho or rain jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, money for snacks, souvenirs, or tips, and swimwear and towel (if adding hot springs). Notes:Children must be accompanied by an adult. They have child carriers for no additional cost, subject to availability and signing of a waiver. Lunch & dinner on your own

DAY 5: Arenal - Monteverde
Breakfast at Arenal hotel
Shared lake crossing transfer Arenal - Monteverde
This service, half transfer and half excursion, is a fast and scenic way to go from La Fortuna (Arenal area) to Monteverde. You will leave your hotel in La Fortuna, to start a minibus trip for approximately 30 minutes to the Arenal Lake. Once at the dam, you will board a comfortable and safe pontoon-type boat, and after a 30–40-minute journey you will arrive at Chiquito River, a small community on the other side of the lake. Arenal Lake is the largest and most important in Costa Rica, it is of artificial origin built in 1974 in order to obtain hydroelectric power for the country. It is also a place where you can find a variety of resident and migratory birds, sometimes it is possible to observe mammals like monkeys and sloths in the surroundings of the place, as well as excellent views of the Arenal Volcano when it is not cloudy. Once in Chiquito River, you will leave the boat and continue another land transfer of approximately 1.5 hours to the hotels in the Monteverde area. (During the rainy season, this transfer may take longer). It is recommended to wear long pants, coat, comfortable shoes, camera, binoculars, sunscreen and waterproof.

Monteverde area description
Monteverde is located in the North side of Puntarenas province. However, it is not a coastal downtown because it is situated in the
mountains and is part of the Costa Rica cloud forest, where you can find incredible landscapes, abundant natural resources and it is
the home of many plant and animal species. It is a small and authentic place offering marvelous attractions; its forests enclose many
secrets and it becomes the habitat of varied flora and fauna species. This place is of great importance due to the strong conservation efforts of the environment that are carried out, for this reason it becomes a natural laboratory where different studies and investigations are constantly carried out. Monteverde offers the option of taking several activities for everyone, not only in nature but educational, cultural and adventure. Although it is a touristy place, Monteverde is still a rural area, not very developed in terms of infrastructure and facilities, but it offers visitors the opportunity to be in contact to locals, culture, know how these communities live while enjoying the attractions. Lodging is varied from big resorts to small boutique hotels. Lunch & dinner on your own

DAY 6: Monteverde
Breakfast at Monteverde hotel
Regular half-day tour at the Monteverde Reserve
INCLUSIONS: regular transfers, local naturalist guide & entrance
The tour begins when the naturalist guide picks you up at your hotel in Monteverde. Then you will begin to discover the trails, there
are several that you can choose. An alternative is to walk to the panoramic viewpoint La Ventana, where you can witness the natural
contrast made by the Continental Division, a geographical feature that traces the main mountain ranges of Costa Rica. In this place,
you can experience the force of the trade winds loaded with moisture that blow from the Atlantic coast, and witness how they
descend at great speed towards the Central Pacific and the coastal plains of northern Costa Rica. There are more than 500 species of
birds, including the majestic Quetzal, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, more than 3000 plants and the largest variety of orchids
in the world. Duration: 3- 4 hours approx. What to wear? Warm clothes, walking shoes, cape, camera and binoculars. What is included? Entrance, tour with bilingual naturalist local guide and regular transportation. Lunch & dinner on your own

DAY 7: Monteverde - Carrillo
Breakfast at Monteverde hotel
Shuttle Monteverde - Carrillo - AM departure
Distance and transfer time: 145 km / approx. 3 hours, with a Spanish-speaking driver, and multiple stops en route for pick up or drops,
max. 9 people.

Carillo area description
Playa Carrillo is one of the areas located south of Guanacaste province, in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. This is a small town, not too
developed and away from the most crowded despite being a tourist site. In addition, the area has a beautiful white sand beach, clear
water, an important coral reef and is surrounded by many palm trees. The beach is characterized by being very quiet, and with small waves that make it a suitable place for families and for those who enjoy swimming. Among the activities that can be done in the area are: snorkeling, kayaking, sport fishing, hiking and horseback riding. In addition, it is a suitable area to an escape looking for wellness, relaxation, meditation and practicing yoga or other outdoor exercises, enjoying the wonderful beach. Lunch & dinner on your own

DAYS 8 - 10: Carrillo
Breakfast at Carrillo hotel
Days at leisure
Lunch & dinner on your own

DAY 11: Carrillo – San Jose
Breakfast at Carrillo hotel
Shuttle Carrillo - San Jose – AM departure
Distance and transfer time: 246 km / approx. 5.5 hours, with a Spanish-speaking driver, and multiple stops en route for pick up or
drops, max. 9 people. Lunch & dinner on your own

DAY 12: Hasta pronto!
Breakfast at San Jose hotel
Private 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.