Day 1
Early morning. Your vacation starts with a pick-up from San Jose by shuttle transport - forget the worries about public buses and safety. Depending on your location and if your hotel is in the pick-pick zone, the driver will pick you up from your hotel reception or from Denny's Restaurant (which is less than a 5-minute taxi ride from the airport). Enjoy the scenery as you make your ascent to the beautiful green mountains of Monteverde (3 - 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 the road improvements to Monteverde, the journey is less of a challenge and more of a wonderful photo opportunity!
Early Evening. Night Hike at Wildlife Refuge. A 2- hour, fun and informative hike with a bilingual guide, through a series of trails to observe the nightlife of a growing forest. The trails are well marked and easy to walk in the dusk’s failing light, yet rustic enough to remind you that you’re in a wilderness environment. The walk is generally flat, but there are some not-too-steep uphill and downhill sections. The type of wildlife you might see as day turns to night includes porcupines, toucans and other sleeping birds, owls, agoutis, coatimundis, snakes, walking sticks, tarantulas, katydids, and an array of other cool insects. Once it gets dark you will hear the creatures that move around at night!
Please bear in mind that there are no guaranteed sightings, so don’t expect all these creatures to be waiting just for you! Typically though, this time of transition into night offers a good opportunity to view nocturnal mammals as well as diurnal animals as they prepare for night.
Day 2
Morning. Local Horseback Riding:
Doing a Horseback Ride in Monteverde Costa Rica is a great option! This 2.5-hour ride will take you through scenic countryside and is a perfect getaway from a hectic tour schedule. The ride offers spectacular views and the pace is leisurely enough that it’s a fun ride for everyone. However, please note the ride is in the mountains and is adventurous!
The ride offers great views of cloud forest in the distance (we don’t ride inside the forest reserves as domestic animals are not allowed). There are stunning viewpoints where you can admire the Gulf of Nicoya and it’s not uncommon to see various tropical birds and sometimes monkeys. The ride is within a wild 60-hectare farm and no cars! The terrain is rugged and you will go up and down mountain paths on our sure-footed horses. This is a great opportunity to do a horseback ride in Costa Rica!
NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO RIDE (OR IF NOT AVAILABLE) WE CAN CHANGE THIS TO A COFFEE OR OTHER TOUR
Afternoon. CANOPY TOUR
Adventura Canopy Tour in Monteverde Costa Rica now has the longest zipline in Latin America! At 1590 meters long this is thrill that you will remember for a long, long time! The tour includes 11 ziplines, a swinging rope bridge, an exciting rappel and 2 thrilling superman cables (where you literally fly through and over the forest face-forward, just like superman!). Also included in this amazing tour is a MEGA Tarzan Swing: this swings to a height of 45 meters (148ft).
Day 3
Early Morning. Today you will go to La Fortuna, the nearest village to one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Arenal Volcano. You will travel by what is locally known as "taxi-boat-taxi".
This is a method of getting from Monteverde to La Fortuna and takes about 3.5 hours and involves the following:
- 1.5-hour microbus ride from Monteverde to Arenal Lake. plus a stop for bathrooms etc and waiting time
- 30-minute boat ride on beautiful Arenal Lake on the foot of the volcano.
- 25 minutes microbus transport from Arenal Dam where transport to your hotel in La Fortuna
- Plus a break and waiting time
.
Late Afternoon. Paradise Hot Springs for a relaxing soak and dinner
A visit to Costa Rica is not complete without experiencing one of Arenal's famous hot springs with views of Arenal Volcano! 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.
Includes: transportation, entrance to Paradise Hot Springs, and dinner
* WE CAN ALSO INCLUDE A GUIDED VOLCANO HIKE BEFORE THE HOT SPRINGS BUT PLEASE DISCUSS THIS WITH US
Day 4
Early Morning. Mambo Combo Tour. This tour is a combination of a Canyoneering tour and Rio Balsa class 2/3 rafting. Lunch is included on the tour.
The canyoneering takes place in the Lost Canyon - an incredible canyon just 15 minutes from La Fortuna with great views of Arenal Volcano. 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
During the rafting, you will be given a snack.
After the canyoneering, you will head off for an exciting whitewater rafting trip on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful class 2-3 rivers. Challenge yourself as you paddle through fun & safe rolling rapids with names like “Morning Coffee” & “Rock around the Croc” and then play around in tranquil river pools in an isolated rainforest river canyon!
Your professional, experienced bilingual guides will give you a safety talk and paddling instruction, lifejackets, helmets & then you’re off. During the tour, along the river banks, wildlife is often spotted including monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds such as ospreys, oropendolas, and toucans. This unique river trip is the best way to combine adventure and nature. A fruit and water break will be given during a break from rafting and after the trip we'll set off for a delicious homemade lunch.
Day 5
Early Afternoon. Onward Transport.
After the tour your shuttle bus is included back to San Jose (and if there is one available main beaches available we can book you on this). We can upgrade to a private transport for an extra charge.
Hotel Details
Monteverde Hotels: 2 nights. NOTE FOR AN EXTRA COST WE CAN UPGRADE THE HOTELS
In Monteverde, we use Monteverde Villa Lodge, whenever possible. Villa Lodge is a friendly, family-run B&B located a 5-minute walk from the village of Santa Elena, close to lots of shops. restaurants and banks. The hotel offers very comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. Breakfast is included in the package; just let them know what time you would like it.
Arenal Volcano Hotels: 2 nights
Located in the center of the town of La Fortuna, Hotel San Bosco provides simple but comfortable rooms with a/c, cable TV, and a private bathroom. Plus the hotel has a pool, and jacuzzi and includes breakfast.
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 have many contacts with Manuel Antonio hotels.
We can also arrange hotels and transport in San Jose and other parts of Costa Rica. Please let us know if you need our help.
Tour Details
Minimum 2 people (Double occupancy): Prices FROM $740 per person (please contact us for accurate prices for your travel dates)
* PRICES MAY INCREASE DURING EASTER WEEK, CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
Please contact us for prices, if you would like to upgrade your hotel. The following are just suggestions, and we can upgrade to most hotels if there is availability:
* IN MONTEVERDE, FICUS SUNSET SUITES HOTEL
* IN ARENAL, VOLCANO LODGE & SPRINGS
Note. you can also upgrade your transport from shared to private transport
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 one lunch and 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 (to include white-water rafting and horse riding, full passport and credit cards (VISA and MC, other cards can be harder to use in some places).
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.