Day 1

Early Morning.  Forget the worries about public buses and safety. Our Costa Rican driver will pick you up from your hotel reception or the San Jose 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!

Once in Monteverde you will pass by the Santa Elena, Desafio Monteverde Office (during office hours) where you can stop meet the staff who can give you advice and tips about restaurants, banks and anything else you need.

Early Afternoon.  Monteverde Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane 3 in 1 tour!  Picking coffee in Costa Rica has been a family tradition and on the Don Juan Coffee Tour you get to share one of the most interesting activities of the Costa Rican culture.

Bilingual guides will explain the whole process of coffee production, from the plant to the cup. On this coffee tour you will learn how coffee is grown and harvested and see germination beds, plantations, sun dryers, roasters and various machines involved in the process. Of course, the tour is not complete without tasting a delicious up of Monteverde coffee! You will also learn about the producation of chocolate and sugar cane juice.  The tour takes about 2 hours.

OR YOU CAN DO A LOCAL HORSE RIDE INSTEAD OF THE COFFEE TOUR (2.5 HOUR PLUS TRANSPORT TIME) WITH HORSETREK MONTEVERDE.

Early Evening. Night Hike Widlife 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, coati mundis, snakes, walking sticks, tarantulas, katydids, and an array of other cool insects. Once it gets really dark you will hear the creatures that move around at night!

 

Day 2

Early morning. . Guided Hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. You'll be picked up at your hotel and taken to the Monteverde Cloud Forest park entrance where your bilingual guide will be waiting.

The guides at the Monteverde Reserve are some of the best in Costa Rica and they have a wealth of knowledge about the Monteverde Cloud Forest, it's fauna and flora, the history and the growth of Monteverde.

You will go on a 3- hour hike around this wonderful forest. It is a slow walk; the guide constantly stopping to explain about the fascintating ecology of the cloud forest.

Afternoon: Two Great Canopy Choices!! Selvatura Canopy (ziplines or hanging bridges) or 100% Aventura Canopy.

OPTION 1 - SELVATURA CANOPY ZIPLINES OR HANGING BRIDGE TOUR 

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 where you can do the Monteverde Canopy tour, one of the most thrilling and safest adventures in Costa Rica.

The canopy tour is entirely built inside virgin and secondary cloud forest with a total of 15 ziplines and 18 platforms. 1 cable is 1km long! Plus there is an amazing (and optional) tarzan swing! Visitors will travel between 2 miles of cables attached by a secure harness and a maximum weight support pulleys plus other security gear to ensure safety. At all times guides will assist you on the tour. The tour takes about 2.5 hours.

If you do not want to do the ziplines there is the option of the canopy walkways which are a series of suspended bridges, high in the canopy of the rain forest connected by hiking trails that wind between the bridges. In total, these trails cover 3.3km. There are eight different bridges which 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.

OPTION 2 - AVENTURA CANOPY ZIPLINES TOUR

Aventura 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).

For an extra price you can do a combo tour of the ziplines and the walkways!!

Day 3

Morning. Taxi-Boat-Taxi: A scenic way of travelling 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.

Early Evening: A Visit to Baldi Hot Springs with Dinner Included!

A visit to Costa Rica is not complete without experiencing one of Arenal's famous hot springs with views of Arenal Volcano! We will take you to Baldi Hot Springs where you can soak any aches away from the past few day's activities. Located near La Fortuna, these Arenal hot springs are perfect to really relax and pamper yourself. Baldi's has a series of pools and hot springs fed by Arenal Volcano which are set amid glorious tropical gardens so that you can relax in the water while enjoying the surroundings. The pools vary in temperature, from the temperature of a swimming pool to the warmest at around 39C (102F). It's a place where, on a clear night, you can sit in a warm pool, sipping the cocktail of your choice.

NOTE: BALDI HAS QUITE A PARTY ATMOSPHERE SOMETIMES SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE A QUIETER HOT SPRINGS WE CAN UPGRADE THIS TO A DIFFERENT HOT SPRINGS (this may have an extra cost)

You might also decide to pamper your body by opting for one of the many body treatments which are available such as massage, reflexology, body polish, volcanic mud wraps, and facials (these are not included on the tour).

Includes: transportation, entrance to Baldi Hot Springs, and dinner

* WE CAN ALSO INCLUDE A GUIDED VOLCANO HIKE BEFORE THE HOT SPRINGS BUT PLEASE DISCUSS THIS WITH US

Day 4

Monring.  Whitewater Rafting. The hottest full day whitewater rafting trip in the country on a might Class 3 - 4 river with 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. You will spend about 2.5 - 3 hours on the river.

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 5

Early Morning. Canyoneering (Rappelling Down Tropical Waterfall!

Go Big! Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoneering! 
Imagine yourself in the midst of the cloud forest 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:

Watefall One: 20 meters
Watefall Two: 150 meters
Watefall Three: 20 meters
Waterfall Four: 220 meters

Or for those who want a little less adventure 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, collect your bags and have something to eat before etting off back to San Jose (or you can opt for a shuttle bus to one of the main beaches).

Early Afternoon.  Onward Shared Transport

After the tour you have the option of shared transport to San Jose or a shuttle bus to one of the main beaches. You can upgrade to private transport for an extra cost.

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.

 

Hotel Details

Monteverde Hotels: 2 nights.

In Monteverde we use Hotel Rustic Lodge whenever possible. Small, charming bed and breakfast It is ideally located in 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 bathroom. Breakfast is included in the package.

* 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.

Arenal Volcano Hotels: 2 nights

Located on the edge of the town 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. While lava flow is not seen the volcano is plainly visible from the hotel San Bosco on a clear day.

Tour Details

Minimum 2 people (Double occupancy): Prices FROM  $849pp (please contact us for accurate prices for your travel dates)

*PRICES MAY INCREASES DURING EASTER WEEK, CHRISTMASS AND NEW YEAR

* HOTELS CAN BE UPGRADED FOR AN EXTRA COST. THE HOTELS SHOWN IN THE PACKAGES ARE TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF PRICE. WE SUGGEST UPGRADING TO FICUS HOTEL IN MONTEVERDE, AND VOLCANO LODGE & SPRINGS, IN ARENAL.  BUT WE CAN ALSO USE MOST  OTHER HOTELS. PLEASE INQUIRE.

Dates of trip: We can schedule dates by request.

Included on Trip: All accommodation except in San Jose (which can arrange for an additional cost), all transport, all tours in the itinerary, all breakfasts and 2 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, sun screen, insect repellant, any personal medication, swimming wear, towel,  traveler's insurance, full passport and credit cards (VISA and Mastercard, other cards may 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, Desafio Adventure Company reserves the right to offer a substitution, postpone, change or cancel any tour due to unfavorable conditions. Full refund is given if (on rare occasion) a tour is cancelled. Desafio Adventure Company and its affiliates are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.