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, and 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 nightlife 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.
Accommodation at Hotel Sleep Inn
2 night/s in a Standard room with Breakfast included
Check-in: 14:00 - Check-out: 12:00
Sleep Inn is conveniently located in the heart of the capital city, at 15 km from the Juan Santamaria International Airport. This is an excellent location to visit some of the most important attractions of San Jose, such as the National Theatre, the Jade Museum, the Gold Museum, and several public parks that are part of the national heritage. The hotel offers 86 guest rooms including 9 rooms specially designed for disabled people, 4 Mini Suites, and 12 connecting rooms. All the rooms are gracefully decorated in a contemporary style and feature noise-insulated windows, air conditioning, 25” Cable T.V., telephone, high-speed internet access, coffee maker, mini fridge, microwave oven, safe deposit box, hairdryer and iron, and ironing table. The hotel has a breakfast lounge, where guests can enjoy a complimentary full American buffet breakfast from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Room service is available 24 hours with a variety of international dishes. Sleep Inn has also a gym, a souvenir shop, a non-smoking Casino, and a business center equipped with services for the executive traveler: free wireless internet, two computers, a printer, and a scanner, all with up-to-date technology. Parking is also available.
DAY 2: San Jose – day tour – San Jose
Breakfast at the 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.
DAY 3: San José - Sarapiqui
Breakfast at San Jose hotel
Sarapiqui area description
The Sarapiqui area is located in the northeast region of Costa Rica and belongs to Heredia province. Sarapiqui is usually used as a transition area, but it has a convenient location that favors the connection with different tourist areas or attractions especially in the North Region and the Costa Rican Caribbean. It is a rural site, where you can easily see many plantations, as well as cattle farms because these are the main economic activities in the area. The site has abundant vegetation and areas that are still virgin, for this reason, you will find many species of flora and fauna. There is located a biological station, which is offered as an excursion, but it is also used as a natural research laboratory. Activities in the area include adventure, wildlife, and relaxation; the accommodation is rustic and cozy, with very authentic options.
Regular Rafting Sarapiqui River (Class II-III) from San Jose
INCLUSIONS: transportation, local guide, fruit, lunch
Today, you will enjoy a shared Sarapiquí River Rafting Class II-III. The Sarapiquí River is the perfect combination of adventure and nature. This section is filled with class II-III rapids and refreshing water that swerves its way through the tropical rainforest of Sarapiquí. Once you arrive at the put-in, the certified guides will prepare you with your professional gear and a briefing with safety commands and paddling instructions. Rapids with names like “Roller Coaster”, “Superman”, and “Air Force” will thrill you while the incredible surroundings filled with flora and fauna will leave you breathless. Halfway through the tour, you will make a stop to savor a colorful buffet of fresh tropical fruit to recharge your batteries before continuing through the remainder of the rapids. During the break, you will also have a chance to swim and jump in from the cliffs above. There, the guides will take some time to explain the flora and fauna that inhabit this amazing area. After around 2.5 hours filled with adventure, a delicious traditional lunch will be awaiting you in the riverside facilities. After lunch, you will be ready to continue enjoying your next destination.
What ́s included? Regular transportation, local guide, fruit, and lunch.
What to bring? Light and comfortable clothing, shorts, a swimsuit, water shoes, a change of clothes, a towel, a camera, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (water resistant SPF 15 or higher, preferably biodegradable “reef safe” to not contaminate the water).
Recommended for people above 15 years old with previous experience (mandatory). Bring your reusable water bottle. Single-use plastic bottles are forbidden inside protected areas. Please note this is only a suggested itinerary, subject to change without notice because of weather conditions and/or logistics. Times may vary due to the physical condition of the group, and other environmental circumstances. Remember to always bring a copy of your passport with you while touring Costa Rica. You might need to show it to enter some areas like National Parks.
Accommodation at Reserva Biológica Tirimbina
2 night/s in a Standard room with Breakfast included
The standard room has one queen bed, a private bathroom, air conditioning, a safe deposit box, a coffee machine, a desk, a telephone, a closet, a hair dryer, and an alarm clock. Located in La Virgen de Sarapiqui, next to the Sarapiqui River, La Tirimbina is an educational, scientific, and ecotourism destination, situated between the forests and rivers of the northern region. The mission of this center is to protect a forest of exceptional biodiversity through environmental education and scientific research that engenders conservation. La Tirimbina provides great ecotourism activities such as exploring the trails, walking on suspension bridges, or discovering the secrets of cacao. It offers three different types of accommodation to meet the needs of guests according to the purpose of the visit (volunteering, researching, or leisure travelers). There are 6 Deluxe Rooms, 12 Standard Rooms, and 11 Student Rooms with Bunkbeds. Deluxe rooms are spacious and feature A/C, a private bathroom, hot water, wireless internet connection, telephone, radio alarm clock, and a small, private terrace with rocking chairs, and a view to the gardens. Other services: Wi-Fi, conference room, restaurant, souvenir shop, laundry service and parking lot.
DAY 4: Sarapiquí
Breakfast at Sarapiqui Hotel
Selection of one of the following activities:
Hacienda Pozo Azul: Regular Canopy tour
The exciting experience of sliding by 9 cables in the exciting forest of Sarapiquí, is the base of this tour. At the time of arrival at the facilities, you will receive a safety talk, as well as, the necessary equipment to enjoy this adventure, once this is finished, the journey begins. During the tour, you will fly like a bird over the treetops, by 9 cables and walk through 13 security platforms. The guides will accompany you at all times, to ensure that you enjoy the most, without worrying about anything. The tour ends with a 300-meter cable that crosses the impressive canyon of the Sarapiquí River.
Duration: approximately 2 hours.
Includes: regular transportation, local guide & equipment.
What to bring: long pants, secure shoes, camera, binoculars, sun lotion, insect repellent and raincoat.
Important note: minimum age of 6 years old to participate.
Hacienda Pozo Azul: Regular horseback riding half day
For many years, the Quintana family has been raising horses, and participating actively in horse events throughout the country. During this ride, you will make the most of their knowledge of one of their well-trained horse. The trails and back roads of the Hacienda are the perfect scenery combining pasture, jungle, and rivers for a safe 6-hour ride, according to your experience. It is highly recommended to wear long pants, tennis shoes or closed shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, a raincoat, and a camera.
DAY 5: Sarapiqui - Arenal
Breakfast at Sarapiqui Hotel
Morning at leisure to enjoy optional tours.
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 easy access from most of the country's destinations, including the Northern and Central Pacific beaches, Monteverde's cloud forest, and 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 age or interests. Some of the attractions worth visiting include 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 Sarapiqui – Arenal - PM
Distance and transfer time: 167 km / approx. 2 hours, with a Spanish-speaking driver, and multiple stops en route for pick up or drops
Accommodation at Hotel Magic Mountain
2 night/s in Superior room with Breakfast included
Check-in: 14:00 – Check-out: 12:00
Located in La Fortuna, only 3 Km away from the downtown area, Hotel Magic Mountain offers 36 comfortable and spacious Standard rooms and six Junior Suites with either a balcony or a terrace with an excellent view of Arenal Volcano. All rooms have air conditioning, telephone, cable television, safety box, coffee maker, hair dryer, and wireless Internet access. Two rooms have been specially equipped to welcome disabled guests. The hotel has a nice restaurant offering international cuisine, a Sports Bar, a swimming pool and wet bar for adults and a wading pool for children, a Jacuzzi, and a fully-equipped meeting and reception room that can accommodate up to 300 persons. The Spa has four rooms, a Jacuzzi, and a Sauna and offers a soothing array of services including massages, facials, waxing and body treatments. Free parking is available. Smoking is not allowed in the rooms.
DAY 6: Arenal
Breakfast at Arenal Hotel
Sky Adventures Arenal: Regular Arenal Sky Walk tour
INCLUSIONS: regular transfers from Fortuna and local guide
Discover the beauty of Costa Rican forests on the Sky Walk. This is a guided experience on natural trails and amazing hanging bridges through the dense forests of Arenal. Trails and hanging bridges are designed and maintained to cause the lowest impact on nature, trying always to keep the forest intact for everything living in it. Sky Walk hanging bridges not only have impressive views, but they are also impressive by themselves, with distances up to 236m (774ft) and heights up to 70m (230ft). You will go on a hike to have a one-on-one experience with the flora and fauna at every level of these magical tropical forests. On Sky Walk, you can admire natural beauties from the ground on the nature trails or discover unique life systems from the forest canopy. Crossing the hanging bridges is a unique experience where you will have complete views of the forest canopy and access to a completely different ecosystem that can only be discovered at the highest points of trees. While on the Sky Walk tour, a naturalist guide will point out the intriguing plant and animal life, so you won’t miss out on the amazing details these forests offer. Trails include some uneven surfaces and several ascents and descents.
Schedule: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 11:30, 12:30, 14:00 hrs. Duration: 3hrs approx.
What’s included? Guide, and transfers.
What to bring? comfortable and light clothes (better if they are breathable), a jacket or raincoat, hiking or tennis shoes (comfortable and enclosed), snacks, a bottle of water, insect repellent, and sunscreen (preferably biodegradable).
Important: Check-in is 15 minutes before the booked tour start time.
Remember to take back anything you brought with you and keep nature as it is.
DAY 7: Arenal – San Jose
Breakfast at Arenal Hotel
Morning at leisure to enjoy optional tours or hotel facilities.
Shuttle Arenal - San Jose
Distance and transfer time: 136 km / approx. 3 hours, with a Spanish-speaking driver, and multiple stops en route for pick up or drops.
Accommodation at Hotel Sleep Inn
1 night/s in a Standard room with Breakfast included
Check-in: 14:00 - Check-out: 12:00
DAY 8: Hasta Pronto!
Breakfast at San Jose hotel
Shared 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!
