Fly into San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport and transfer on your own to the hotel. Hotel and transfer information will be sent to you in your tour packet closer to your departure. Our tour officially begins in the early evening when you will meet your tour director, your local tour guides and the other group members for a special welcome dinner at the hotel. D
2. A day at the waterfalls
After we breakfast, we’ll start our trip to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens for a day of breathtaking waterfalls, botanical gardens, a butterfly farm, a hummingbird habitat, trout farm, lunch and more. We’ll depart La Paz mid afternoon and head for the Monteverde Cloud Forest where we will have dinner, and spend the night, at a beautiful mountain lodge. B, L, D
3. A day in the cloud forest
After breakfast at the lodge we will be swinging in the treetops. The Sky Trek is a system of several platforms, suspended above the ground, in the midst of tree boughs. Zip line cables securely anchored to each tree platform allow us to slide from one to the next a total of nine times. Trained guides start us out with a short zip and then we experience longer slides as we gradually ascend the mountainside on a series of paths connecting the platforms. The peak experience starts from an observation platform at the top of the Continental Divide. On one side you can see a panoramic view towards Arenal Volcano, and the Atlantic, and on the other you can see the Pacific Coast. If you would rather not fly alone you may be able to share the experience in tandem with a companion or with one of the sky trek guides. For those who would rather not fly through the air, a series of suspended bridges through the canopy also give a great view of the inner forest.
After lunch, we will have time to explore Santa Elena and its art galleries, ice cream factory, butterfly gardens and more. We will spend one more night at the Lodge. B,L, D
4. Lake Arenal, live Volcan Arenal and the hot-springs
We’ll begin our day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge before we head out to San Carlos and Lake Arenal. Those who would like to can begin a five hour horseback ride* down to lake Arenal where we will be spending the night at a five start resort. The rest of the group will head out on the tour bus and meet up with the horseback riders at the hotel. Tour members are free to spend the day as they like visiting the hot springs, Getting spa services* at the Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Springs, exploring the town of San Carlos, visiting the alligator farm, horseback riding or just relaxing around the pool. Group members are on their own for lunch. We will spend the evening at Tabacon Hot Springs and enjoy an exciting evening of red hot lava flow watching, a delicious dinner and, of course, the theraputic thermal waters. B, D
5. Manuel Antonio
6. Manuel Antonio – Sunset cruise
7. Manuel Antonio
8. Manuel Antonio
After breakfast in Arenal, we will make our way toward the Pacific Coast as we head down into Manuel Antonio, near Quepos, where Costa Rica’s beautiful jungle meets the ocean. After we check in at our hotel there will be free time to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities. In the evening we’ll check out the abundant gay, and straight, night-life of Manuel Antonio and have dinner in a local restaurant.
During the following days we will have guided tours through the National Park, which protects an amazing variety of flora and fauna in a tiny coastal reserve. Feel free to join whichever group you please on any given day in Manuel Antonio. Visitors are likely to see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and an array of insects, birds and other animals.
On our second evening in town we will enjoy a sunset cruise along the Central Pacific Coast, where it is not unheard of to catch sight of dolphins, and occasionally, whales and giant sea turtles.
Scuba diving, snorkeling, ATV tours, parasailing, kayaking, surfing, horseback riding, relaxing on the beach, or by the pool, a day at the spa, an afternoon at La Playita, Manuel Antonio’s clothing optional gay beach, an afternoon at any of the other beaches, trying your luck at the local casinos and exploring are just some of the many activities* that can be enjoyed during our visit in Manuel Antonio.
Other than our sunset cruise, and evening dinners, as a group, you will be free to do as you please during the long lazy days in beautiful Manuel Antonio. B & D Each day.
9. River rafting on the Rio Naranjo- a class 3 & 4 river ~Manuel Antonio
On this half-day white water adventure we will encounter challenging rapids surrounded by a pristine jungle. This rafting trip is for first time, and experienced, paddlers alike who are looking for the excitement of big waves, hydraulics, and stunning scenery. The drive from our hotel to the put-in is only 45 min. At the river we will be provided with flotation devices, helmets and a paddles and our professional white water rafting guide will give us a safety orientation. We will then jump in the rafts and start negotiating rapids. Half way through, we will stop to catch our breath while enjoying some snacks and fresh fruit on the river shore. At the end of the trip our transportation will be waiting to take us back to our hotel for our final night in Manuel Antonio. B,L,D
10. A day in San Jose
After breakfast we will start our 3 hour drive back to San Jose, where, after check-in at our hotel, you will be on your own to explore the city as you please or simply relax by the pool. San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is full of bustling city life, restaurants, casinos, bars, museums, parks and shopping. Taxi’s are inexpensive and can take you just about anywhere and we will provide some city information to assist you in choosing your activities for the day. A farewell dinner, an evening of dancing at La Avispa, or Club Oh, and our stay at a four or five star hotel will be our last evening together. B, D
11. Time to depart...
Depart on your own for the airport, and home, or extend your trip in Costa Rica and surrounding countries. If you wish to extend your trip, we will be happy to assist you with itinerary suggestions and reservations.
