Day 1. Welcome to Costa Rica! A MrTico representative will greet you at the International airport (SJO). From there you will have a private transfer to the Capital City, San José where you will stay at a great San Jose hotel.
Overnight at the Grano de Oro Hotel (no meals included on this day)
Day 2. This exciting outdoor adventure begins when you are picked up at your San José hotel in a comfortable minibus. Before arriving at the banks of the Pacuare River, you’ll stop to enjoy an authentic Costa Rican breakfast. At the river, expert guides will provide you with the rafting gear and explain safety precautions before the rafting adventure begins.
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Once in the water, you’ll experience sheer exhilaration as you face the challenge of each wave, battling surging waters down miles of raging rapids. The river passes through scenic canyons where crystal clear waterfalls plummet down into the rapidly coursing river below. Tall trees and dense green vegetation come right down to the water’s edge. The thick undergrowth of this protected area provides shelter for a variety of tropical animals and birds, including some endangered species.
The first day on the river is an exciting journey that takes just over an hour and a half. When you arrive at the Rios Tropicales Pacuare Lodge, you’ll find a unique jungle oasis nestled in a most remarkable setting. Modern wooden bungalows with thatched palm roofs are spaced out beneath the trees, providing both privacy and serenity. The main lodge has breezy dining facilities on one area, and relaxing chairs in the open-air second area.
Happy Hour (alcoholic beverages are not included) begins as twilight descends, and the guests can gather to relax and share their experiences. Shortly after, you’ll be served dinner by candlelight. Whenever you feel ready, you can head to the comfortable bungalow that awaits you, complete with private bathroom, comfortable beds and clean linen.
Overnight at the Rios Tropicales Pacuare Lodge (meals included today: breakfast, lunch and dinner.)
Day 3. Waking up in this pristine environment is a rare and refreshing experience. Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast, then launch the rafts again for the second day of your river expedition. Rafting becomes even more thrilling as you begin to use the skills and experience gained the day before.
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You may stop to explore side streams that lead to striking waterfalls and pools with a natural waterslide that tempts you to jump right in. After well paddle through more adrenaline-pumping rapids and marvel at amazing scenery, such as the narrow canyon of Dos Montañas. After we reach the highway, you’ll be able to change into dry clothes. Then we have arranged for your private transfer to Playa Chiquitia in the southern Caribbean Coast.
Overnight at Shawanda Lodge (meals included today: breakfast)
Day 4. Be ready to take an awesome paddling tour to Punta Uva. Located in the beautiful Punta Uva region of the Southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, within the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
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This beautiful coast line is bordered by a white sand beach and low land tropical rain forest full of wildlife. You will start paddling on a river which acts as a natural highway where on any given day White-Faced-Capuchins, Spider and Howler monkeys are joined by sloths, toucans, parrots, hawks, hummingbirds, and butterflies, then you will head out to ocean.
Overnight at Shawanda Lodge (meals included today: breakfast).
Day 5. This will be free day for you to enjoy the southern Caribbean coast.
Overnight at Shawanda Lodge with breakfast included
Day 6. This morning we have arranged for your transportation to Tortuguero (a company rep will store your luggage for you). After driving to the end of the road, you’ll abandon the bus and embark on a boat trip into the jungle. After your check into your hotel, your tour guide will take you to explore Tortuguero National Park and walk around Tortuguero town. Be sure to sign up to watch the turtles nest at night; it is an amazing experience.
Overnight at Pachira Lodge (Meals included today: breakfast, lunch and dinner.)
Day 7. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll board a boat to the world famous Tortuguero National Park. As the boat slowly cruises through the canals, you’ll have the chance to observe a great variety of animals such as monkeys, iguanas, egrets, etc…This afternoon you’ll be free to relax or have a walk around the hotel areas.
Overnight at the Pachira Lodge (meals included today: breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 8. This morning we have arranged for your flight to Tamarindo (with a layover in San Jose). Upon arriving to Tamarindo you will be checking into one of the area’s best beach front hotels.
Overnight at Tamarindo Diria Hotel (meals included today: breakfast)
Day 9. Surf`s up! Novice surfing instructing will begin at the beach, on the sand, were your instructor will teach you the basics of surfing, including the adequate techniques for entering the ocean, catching waves and more.
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Your session starts on the sand which will conclude by practicing how to get up on the board and hold the correct position, and then you will move to the water to catch waves with the help of your instructors. 99% of novices will be standing up to ride waves by the end of their first lesson! You instructors will provide surfboards, bottled water and fresh fruit.
Overnight at Tamarindo Diria Hotel (meals included today: breakfast)
Day 10. This morning we will whisk you away to La Fortuna, a small town whose landscape is dominated the awesome Arenal Volcano. Its an incredibly beautiful and active volcano with daily lava flows and boulders rumbling down the cone. There you will be checking in at one of the area's nicest hotels, from which you will enjoy a splendid volcano view (your stored luggage will be returned to you).
Overnight at Arenal Springs Hotel (meals included today: breakfast)
Day 11. The morning will be free for you to enjoy the hotel’s pool and gardens. Then at 3 pm you will be picked up at your hotel for your first nocturnal adventure, the Volcano Hike! This is the best way to look at the volcano lava flowing, from a safe point! The tour begins with a 15 minute-trip to the far west side of Arenal Volcano.
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Upon arriving your guide will explain everything about the Arenal Volcano, including formation, eruption and contributions to Fortuna`s development. Then enjoy a guided 1 ½ hour hike through El Silencio trail, on a private primary forest facing the majestic Arenal Volcano. A bilingual naturalist guide will point-out indigenous rain forest plants and tell you about their medicinal properties. At dark, continue to the observation point, which offers the closest and most direct lava flow vista. Relax; enjoy a drink and listen to the incredible sounds of the volcano. If the cloud cover is high enough, expect to see a bizarre faint glow coming from the crater and watch thousands of fireflies. Listen to the rumblings of the mountain as well as an orchestra of frogs, birds, and insects. After the hike back, you will be driven to some amazing Hot Springs. There you will have the entrance fee and dinner included. You are going to love it!
Overnight at Arenal Springs Hotel (meals included today: breakfast and dinner)
Day 12. Today will be a free day in the Arenal Area.
Overnight at Arenal Springs Hotel (meals included today: breakfast)
Day 13. This morning we have arranged for your transportation to Monteverde. First by land and then by boat, crossing the majestic Lake Arenal to reach the famous cloud forests. Cloud forests are a particular type of tropical rainforest that occurs at specific tropical mountain areas and constitute unique ecosystems. Take advantage of the early arrival to visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve on your own to explore these beautiful forests.
Overnight at Trapp Family Lodge (meals included today: breakfast)
Day 14. Start your day with an adventure on the Sky Trek, Sky Tram & Sky Walk. The Sky Tram provides and a one of kind experience of aerial travel through and above the cloud forests of Monteverde and well as the breathtaking views golf of Nicoya.
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Upon arriving to the location, the adventure starts in the reception where you board the slow paced gondolas and ride smoothly up to a wide observation deck at the highest point. Instead of riding back down the same way you came up on the Sky Tram, zip your way to the bottom along the fast moving canopy tour zip lines, the best option for those seeking a rush of adrenaline. Afterwards you will be able to enjoy a walk through the elevated walkways and bridges (through and above the cloud forest) of the sky walk.
Overnight at Trapp Family Lodge (no meals included today)
Day 15. This morning you will be transported by tourist bus to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast (approximate travel time 4½ hours). It is home to many of the nicest resorts and restaurants in Costa Rica, all offering the most beautiful views.
Overnight at Costa Verde Hotel (no meals included today)
Day 16. The Costa Rica Pacific coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world. The unique geology of the region insures a surprise around every island and shore. Enjoy a sailing trip where you will look for dolphins & whales (season dependent), visit offshore islands, and go snorkeling.
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Dolphins will play in the wake as you sail silently through the blue pacific waters. The rushing of wind and waves are frequently interrupted by the splash of dolphins and whales coming near for a closer look. Stop for a leisurely swim at one of the white sand beaches and dive on the underwater reefs of the Manuel Antonio Marine Preserve. A swim and snorkeling break offers a perfect complement to the warm sunny days. Many different kinds of reef fishes are seen while enjoying the cool waters. Several species of sea turtles frequent the waters of the Marine Preserve. A delicious meal is also included.
Overnight at Costa Verde Hotel (meals included today: lunch)
Day 17. On your own at Manuel Antonio to visit Costa Rica’s most visited National Park.
Overnight at Costa Verde Hotel (no meals included today)
Day 18. This morning we will provide transportation to Palmar Sur where you will take a boat to Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge in the Osa Peninsula. Casa Corcovado is the closest lodge to Corcovado National Park, the last remaining Pacific lowland rainforest of sustainable size in Central America.
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Corcovado is the "crown jewel" of a world-renowned Costa Rican national park system (a company rep will store your extra luggage for you). Including thirteen separate ecosystems, almost one thousand species of trees and nearly hundred species of birds, Corcovado has been called "the most biologically intense place on earth" by no less an authority than the National Geographic Society. There are no roads to Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge; access is only by motor launch. The adventure begins one and a half hours before your arrival as the motor boat leaves from the reception center, "La Hacienda", in Sierpe, and you travel down the river and then follow the Pacific coast until you arrive at the lodge.
Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, tucked away in the trees and cooled by the Pacific Ocean, is a 170 acre private reserve bordering Corcovado National Park. Carefully designed and built by a naturalist with over thirty years of local experience, this unique lodge offers accommodations constructed with the highest concern for conservation in harmony with the landscape and the environment.
Lodging at Casa Corcovado (meals included today: lunch and dinner)
Day 19. Today, you will have the option of choosing between a tour to Corcovado National Park, and a tour to the amazing Caño Island. You can also enjoy hiking on the property’s trails through the rain forest and/or go on guided bird watching tours.
Corcovado National Park Tour. After a delicious breakfast your adventure begins by starting out from the lodge with your naturalist guide for your journey into Corcovado National Park. The cool morning hours offer a good opportunity to spot wildlife and to observe some of the incredible variety of birds in the park.
Caño Island Tour. Offshore lays Caño Island, an ancient Indian burial ground. Picnic on a white sand beach sheltered by coconut palms and snorkel among the coral reefs that surrounds this tropical paradise. There will be time for a hike up to the burial grounds in the interior of the island.
Additionally, you can combine the island tour with a double tank PADI scuba dive along the island.
Lodging at Casa Corcovado (meals included today: breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 20. Today you will emerge from the jungle and head back to civilization (San Jose). We will deliver the extra luggage to the hotel.
Overnight at Grano de Oro Hotel (meals included today: breakfast)
Day 21. Today has been designated as your departure day. You can easily arrange for a taxi to the airport through the hotel’s front desk (with the official airport taxi service: Taxis Unidos. Very reliable, timely and professional). The cost is $23.
