Day 1.
Early Morning. Pick-up from your hotel in downtown San Jose by shared shuttle transport (shuttles can pick up from some airport hotels but usually you need to meet at Denny's Restaurant, which is 5 minutes from the SJO airport in Alajuela. For an extra charge, you can change to private transport and your driver will be waiting at the airport or your hotel to start your adventure in Costa Rica!).
Enjoy the scenery as you make your ascent to the beautiful green mountains of Monteverde (4 hours). There will be a stop along the way for a bathroom stop and a snack. The views of the distant Monteverde Cloud Forest are amazing as well as the Gulf of Nicoya. Now with some road improvements to Monteverde, the journey is less of a challenge and more of a wonderful photo opportunity (although it is still a bumpy route for the last 45 minutes)!
NOTE: IF YOUR FLIGHT ARRIVES THIS DAY PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH YOUR FLIGHT DETAILS (AIRLINE, FLIGHT NUMBER, AND ARRIVAL TIME) TO MAKE SURE YOU WILL ARRIVE IN TIME TO CATCH YOUR SHUTTLE..
Afternoon: Two Great Canopy Choices! 100% Aventura Canopy Ziplines OR Hanging Bridges at Selvatura Park
Option 1
Aventura Canopy Tour has the longest zipline (1590 meters) in Latin America! The tour includes 11 ziplines, a swinging rope bridge, an exciting rappel, and 2 thrilling Superman cables (where you fly through and over the forest face-forward, just like Superman! Also included is a MEGA Tarzan Swing: this swing to a height of 45 meters (148ft).
The Aventura Canopy has 11 cables that are connected to platforms located high in the trees. You will be fitted with specialized equipment (harnesses, gloves, and helmets) and explained exactly what this exciting adventure entails and what you have to do. The first cable is shorter and slower so that you have a chance to practice. The cables traverse from tree to tree and you will ´glide´ along the ziplines, stopping at each platform along the way.
There are daily checks on all cables and platforms before the first tour and there are regular maintenance schedules. The guides are experienced guides and are with you the whole time to ensure your safety. There is also the chance to go tandem if scared (depending on the weight of the person).
OR
Selvatura Walkways (Hanging Bridges)
In the afternoon you will have a chance to enjoy the forest from a whole different perspective, high in the canopy of the cloud forest. Selvatura is a private park located near the Santa Elena Cloud Forest in Monteverde.
The canopy walkways are a series of suspended bridges, high in the canopy of the cloud forest connected by hiking trails that wind between the bridges. In total, these trails cover 3.3km. Eight different bridges have lengths and heights that vary between 50 to 170m long and 12 and 60m high. Every bridge is 1.5m wide and has a capacity for 60 people. The hanging bridges are designed for people of every age and reasonable physical condition. The duration of the tour is usually about 1.5 hours.
Day 2
Early Morning. Taxi-Boat-Taxi: A scenic way of traveling to Arenal Volcano. The tour consists of 1.5 land transport (the taxi-boat-taxi service picks up at various hotels and you'll be with a group of people), through the rolling countryside until you reach the picturesque village of Rio Chiquito and then onto Arenal Lake on the foot of the Volcano. There will be a quick bathroom stop before setting off on a covered boat to take you to the dam at Arenal Lake - about 30 minutes. Be sure to have your camera ready for some very great photo opportunities! After reaching the dam you will be taken to your hotel. The whole journey takes about 3.5 hours
Late Afternoon. Visit Arenal's Famous Hot Springs for a relaxing soak and dinner
A visit to one of Arenal's famous hot springs is a must! Paradise Hot Springs is surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens containing exotic flowers and plants, with a view of the famous Volcano. There are 7 thermal pools 9(35ºC/95ºF to 41ºC/104ºF) which are heated by Arenal Volcano, including a swim-up bar plus a cold pool
To provide a peaceful atmosphere, numbers of visitors are restricted. There are changing rooms, toilets, showers, body treatment services (extra cost), reclinable beds, and relaxing music. Towels and locker keys are provided with a returnable deposit.
* WE CAN ALSO INCLUDE A GUIDED VOLCANO HIKE BEFORE THE HOT SPRINGS BUT PLEASE DISCUSS THIS WITH US
Includes: transportation, entrance to Paradise Hot Springs, and dinner.
Day 3
Morning/ Whitewater Rafting.
Exhilarating fun on a Class 3-4 river. Non-stop whitewater action! The river canyon includes exotic wildlife and continuous rapids. The tour run by the very experienced and safety-conscious, Desafo Adventure Company, departs from your hotel about 8:30am and returns around 4:00 pm. The tour Includes tropical fruit fiesta and hot 'casado' lunch. If the river is too high we have alternative rivers to choose from and for those who like a little less action there is the option of a the Class 2/ 3 Rio Balsa or the half-day Safari Float, which is a gentle float down a Class 1 river, with opportunities to see monkeys and other wildlife.
Day 4
Early Morning. Canyoneering (Rappelling Down Tropical Waterfalls
Go Big! Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoneering!
Imagine yourself amid the rainforest at the top of a series of tropical waterfalls. Prepare to get wet as our guides put you into your safety harnesses and assist you as you rappel through a magical canyon full of waterfalls with surprises at each step. There are several tropical waterfalls, 4 of which you repel down with the following heights:
Waterfall One: 20 meters
Waterfall Two: 150 meters
Waterfall Three: 20 meters
Waterfall Four: 220 meters
Or for those who want a little less adventure and don't wish to do the canyoneering you can opt for a walk to the La Fortuna Waterfall. This is an opportunity to swim in the refreshing waters of the famous La Fortuna Falls. You'll be picked up after breakfast and taken to the entrance where a 40-minute descent will bring you to the base of the waterfalls. You'll have time to relax and swim before beginning the climb back up.
After the visit, we'll stop for a short while at the hotel to freshen up and collect your bags before setting off on an afternoon shared shuttle back to San Jose (or you can opt for a shuttle bus to one of the main beaches if one is available). Or for an extra cost, we can upgrade to private transport, so you can depart when you like!
Hotel Details
Monteverde Hotels: 1 night
In Monteverde, we use Hotel Monteverde Villa Lodge whenever possible. Small, charming bed and breakfast It is ideally located in a residential area a few minutes walk from Santa Elena village in Monteverde, where hotels, stores, and banks are located. The hotel offers very comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. Breakfast is included in the package.
Arenal Volcano Hotels: 2 nights at Hotel San Bosco
Located on the edge of the town of La Fortuna, Hotel San Bosco is a good-sized hotel with about 34 rooms. Rooms are very comfortable with A/C, private bathrooms, and cable television There is a swimming pool and jacuzzi. The volcano is visible from the Hotel San Bosco on a clear day.
* HOTELS CAN BE UPGRADED FOR AN EXTRA COST. THE HOTELS SHOWN IN THE PACKAGES ARE TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF PRICE. IN MONTEVERDE WE SUGGEST UPGRADING TO FICUS HOTEL AND IN LA FORTUNA VOLCANO LODGE & SPRINGS BUT WE CAN ALSO USE OTHER HOTELS. PLEASE INQUIRE.
Beach Extensions! Ask for details about adding some days at the beach - we can arrange all transport, hotels, and tours. Manuel Antonio Beach and Samara Beach are popular choices. We can also arrange hotels and transport in San Jose and other parts of Costa Rica.
Tour Details
Minimum 2 people (Double occupancy): Prices FROM $663 per person. (Please inquire for specific prices for your travel date)
NOTE: * PRICES MAY INCREASE DURING EASTER WEEK, CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR *
* HOTELS CAN BE UPGRADED FOR AN EXTRA COST. THE HOTELS SHOWN IN THE PACKAGES ARE TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE PRICE. IN MONTEVERDE WE SUGGEST UPGRADING TO FICUS HOTEL AND IN LA FORTUNA VOLCANO LODGE & SPRINGS BUT WE CAN ALSO USE OTHER HOTELS. PLEASE INQUIRE.
Dates of trip: We can schedule dates by request.
Included on Trip: All accommodation except in San Jose (which can be arranged for an additional cost), all transport, all tours in the itinerary, all breakfasts and two lunches, guides
Not Included: Flights to Costa Rica, hotels in San Jose*, evening meals and some lunches, optional tours or transportation to other places not included in the schedule.
What to Bring: T-shirts, shorts, long pants, sweater or light jacket, sandals, light hiking boots, rain jacket, sunscreen, insect repellant, any personal medication, swimming wear, towel, traveler's insurance, full passport, credit cards (VISA and MC, other cards can be harder to use).
NOTE:
Adventure tours such as whitewater rafting, horse riding, kayaking, canyoneering, and hiking require physical effort. Clients should be in good condition. For client safety and enjoyment, Monteverde Tours reserves the right to offer a substitution, postpone, change, or cancel any tour due to unfavorable conditions. A full refund is given if (on rare occasions) a tour is canceled by the operator. Monteverde Tours and its affiliates are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.