N2 Costa Rica - Paradise between two Oceans - 11 days

Day 1

San Jose - (-)
Welcome! Upon your arrival at San José International Airport our English-speaking representative will greet you and escort you to your hotel. At this time you will be provided a short briefing and an informative travel handout.
Overnight stay Hotel Villa Tournon

Day 2

San Jose - Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui - Chocolate Tour Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve - (BF)
After breakfast your guide will take you on a sightseeing tour of San José. The gold museum is your first stop; here you will have the chance to enlighten your self with the pre-Columbian culture and the crafts and jewelry that our ancestors made from gold and other precious stones and metals. Your next stop is the National Theater. It is a pintoresque, architectonical Costa Rican jewel. Continue your trip to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí.
In the afternoon discover the secrets and marvels of one of the favorite foods of human kind, Chocolate. The Chocolate Tour begins by taking you across Tirimbina Reserve´s popular suspension bridge to a former cacao-tree (Theobroma cacao) plantation. During the walk, you will be exposed to the natural and cultural history of the cacao tree and, upon reaching the plantation, a Tirimbina Reserve guide will reveal the secrets of transforming cacao fruit into chocolate. You'll see the chocolate-making process first-hand and have the opportunity to treat your taste buds to organic rainforest chocolate!
Overnight stay La Quinta de Sarapiqui

Day 3

Rainforest Rio San Carlos - (BF,D)
Today drive to the north, through the fertile and picturesque lowlands of San Carlos, passing pineapple and palmito plantations. Laguna del Lagarto Lodge is situated in a 1,200 acres private rain forest reserve in the north of the country (Boca Tapada) near to the Nicaraguan border, built in harmony with the surrounding nature. Just a few years ago, the trip to this rustic, yet beautiful place would have meant an expedition of several days. Today, it is can be reached by a 4x4 car in 3 to 4 hours from San José.
Overnight stay Lagarto Lodge

Day 4

Rainforest Rio San Carlos - (BF,D)
Think pure, unspoiled jungle! Stroll alone or with a guide through tropical primary forest. Multiple trails of more than 10 miles in length facilitate your exploration of this mostly untouched paradise. The variety of animals and plants here is staggering, almost unimaginable: red and green poison dart frogs, an assortment of monkeys and more than 350 species of birds, amongst them macaws, toucans and humming birds. This region is one of the few where the great green macaw, in danger of extinction, can still be seen. By canoe we can reverently enter the lagoons and see beyond into hidden estuaries filled with bromeliads, nesting bats and bright green “Jesucristo" lizards (so-called because they can walk on water). After sunset caimans can be observed while they feed. Warm, starry evenings and cool breezes on a covered porch with a refreshing drink and the background concerto of jungle inhabitants: what great memories are made of.
Overnight stay Laguna del Lagarto Lodge

Day 5

Arenal Volcano – (BF)
After breakfast, head off to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano. The drive will take you through the lush mountains of the Cordillera Central, past flourishing plantations of coffee and fruit. In the late afternoon you will surrender to an evening at the hot springs of Ecotermales, enjoy a soothing bath of waterfalls and natural pools against the backdrop of fresh nighttime air and a starry sky, all within beautiful, tropical gardens. Either way, keep a lookout for the possibility of exploding, sparkling lava flowing out the top and down the sides of Arenal Volcano; hot showers of red, yellow and orange.
Overnight stay Lomas del Volcan

Day 6

Arenal Volcano - Guanacaste / Rincon de la Vieja Volcano – (BF)
Today you will explore. Hike with your guide through the secondary forest of Arenal Volcano National Park and over the lava fields at the foot of Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. The area contains a great wealth of geologic and biological complexity. After the hike enjoying a drive around Arenal Lake to Cañas, then further on to Liberia and Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Your nighttime accommodations include a rustic mountain lodge at the foot of volcanic hills.
Overnight stay Hacienda Lodge Guachipelin

Day 7

Guanacaste / Rincón de la Vieja Volcano – (BF)
A hearty breakfast is a good idea in preparation for this day of hikes through the national park. You’ll begin with about 2 hours through wet forest with numerous crossings of various mountain rivers. You’ll also encounter dry and hot plateaus with little vegetation. At last you will reach the “Blue Lake" whose natural basin is nourished by a spectacular waterfall of turquoise-blue that invites you for a refreshing swim. Later on, continue your hike down to the park’s main attractions: bubbling mud pools, pits of boiling hot water, vapor geysers and fumaroles (deep holes that emit sulfurous vapor). If all of this doesn’t impress you with some sense of a volcano’s natural power, nothing will.
Overnight stay Hacienda Lodge Guachipelin

Day 8

Monteverde Cloud Forest – (BF)
After breakfast, you’ll continue south on the Interamericana before taking on 35 km’s of adventurous gravel road, winding your way to Sta. Elena in the Monteverde Cloud Forest region. Once in Monteverde, there are numerous optional activities that you may enjoy during the remainder of your afternoon, including a visit to the Frog Pond, the Snake Farm, or the Orchid Garden (entrance fees not included)
Overnight stay Arco Iris Lodge

Day 9

Monteverde Cloud Forest – (BF)
Your adventurous day begins with a "walk in the clouds." Start with your feet on the ground, hiking through lush forest toward the “Walkways" of Selvatura; suspended bridges, platforms and trails elevated deep within the canopy of the cloud forest. From here you are allowed a gentle, rare glimpse through the tops of giant trees into the nether regions of this hidden world that would otherwise remain a mystery to most of us. While exploring the different trails keep your binoculars or camera handy, since you might catch a glimpse of the rare and famous bird of kings – the Quetzal! There are numerous optional activities that you are welcome to enjoy during the remainder of your afternoon, including a visit to the Frog Pond, the Snake Farm, or the Orchid Garden.
Overnight stay Arco Iris Lodge

Day 10

San José – (BF)
Ride back to San José. Once in San José, the remainder of the day is yours to do as you wish. Once you get to San José is time to say goodbye to your Guide. If you wish, you might visit one of the various galleries or museums (optional - entrance fees not included).
Overnight stay Hotel Villa Tournon

Day 11

Departure – (BF)
Transfer to the airport or transfer to the booked beach hotel.

This tour is available in 3 different versions:

• "Comfort⁺" Tour (with driver/guide and private vehicle) - see description above
• "Wheels & Vouchers" self driving tour OR
• "Budget⁺ Tour" with semiprivate transfers from hotel to hotel

Prices and services included