Day 1

Early Morning. Transport to Monteverde.

Your Costa Rica vacation starts with a pick-up from San Jose by shared shuttle transport - forget the worries about public buses and safety. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel reception (if it is located in San Jose center) and if staying near the airport in Alajuela you just have to meet the shuttle at the Holiday Inn Express - which is less than a 5 minute taxi ride from the airport or airport hotels.

The scenery as you make your ascent to the beautiful green mountains of Monteverde (3 - 4 hours) is beautiful. There will be a stop along the way to use the bathrooms, stretch your legs and have a snack. The views of the distant Monteverde Cloud Forest and the Gulf of Nicoya are amazing.

You will arrive in Monteverde about noon and have time to wonder about Santa Elena (main village of Monteverde) and settle into you hotel.

Late Early Evening, Wildlife Refuge Night Tour (2.5 hours) – Includes transport, entrance fee, bilingual guide and coffee     

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!

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 we

Night at Hotel Rustic Lodge  (Single Room with breakfast included)      

NOTE WE CAN UPGRADE HOTELS FOR AN EXTRA COST

 

Day 2

Early Morning.  Mountain & Farm Views Horseback Ride (2.5 hours) – Includes transport, western saddles, helmets and Spanish speaking guide (MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT OF 200LBS).   Note: if you do not want to ride we can change this to a coffee tour.

Horseback Riding is popular activity in Monteverde and a much cooler place to ride than on the beach. The riding is suitable for first time riders as well as people with experience. 

Our Mountain and Farm View Horseback Ride is a fun tour of 2.5 hours, suitable for those with experience or without. This is the shorterest tour we offer but still with plenty of time to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Monteverde Costa Rica area. The horseback ride is along little used back roads which pass by farms of coffee, sugar cane and bananas. So always something to see!

Afternoon.  100% Aventura Canopy Tour (3-3.5 hours) – Includes 11 cables, 2 supermans, tarzan swing, rappel, transport, bilingual guides and equipment.        

The canopy tours in Monteverde are some of the most adrenaline-pumping activities you will find in Costa Rica. And the Aventura Canopy is one of the best! There are 11 cables that are connected to platforms located high in the canopy of the trees.  You will be fitted with specialized equipment (harnesses, gloves and helmets) and given an explanation of 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 zip lines, stopping at each platform along the way. 

SAFETY

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 a person).

Night at Hotel Rustic Lodge (Single Room with breakfast included). We can use different hotels with a price change, please inquire

 

Day 3

Early Morning.  Taxi-Boat-Taxi to La Fortuna (3.5-4 hours). This is a great way to travel between Monteverde and Arenal Volcano!

The taxi-boat-taxi service (or sometimes called jeep-boat-jeep, although nobody uses jeeps anymore, vans and buses are much more common) is a one-way transfer between Monteverde and Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna. Or vice versa. The two places are only about 136km apart, but the shortest direct route by road is not possible because of the mountain ranges.

As the name suggests, the trip consists of a taxi ride (in the form of minivans or coasters as they are FAR more comfortable than small jeeps on the bumpy roads) to Arenal Lake, a boat across the Arenal Lake, and then another taxi on to your hotel. In total, this breaks down into about 3.5 -4 hours by microbus and 30 mins by boat plus a break.

Please note you will have to carry your own luggage from the van to the boat and from the boat to the van. If you need help please ask your driver. You can also upgrade your tour to include a horse tour along the way for $58 extra per person

You will arrive in La Fortuna about noon so you will have plenty of time to explore the small town of La Fortuna where your hotel is based.

 

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

 

Night at San Bosco Inn (Standard Single Room with breakfast included)         

NOTE WE CAN UPGRADE HOTELS FOR AN EXTRA CHARGE

Day 4

Morning.  Rio Balsa White Water Rafting Class 2-3 (9 hours) – Includes transport, bilingual guides, equipment, fruit snack and lunch at the end.    

Rio Balsa Rafting -  the Rio Balsa is ideal for those first-time whitewater rafters and those with some experience, as it is gentle enough for those inexperienced rafters but enough of a challenge to make it exciting. The Desafio guides are very accommodating to those first-time rafters, quickly earning the trust of their clients. As a result of their knowledge and care, first timers soon grow brave enough to enjoy a unique adventure! You'll enjoy the challenge as you paddle yourself through 25 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.

Hopefully, you'll get to see lots of wildlife like monkeys, sloths and tropical birds such as ospreys and toucans. This unique river trip is the best way to combine adventure and nature. The Río Balsa is dam-controlled, so good water levels are usually available.  

Plus at the end of the tour you will go for a special lunch for a delicous home-cooked traditional meal! 

Rio Balsa is only 45 minutes or so from downtown La Fortuna, which makes it a convenient location, and you'll spend more time on the river than in the car! The white water rafting trips offer door-to-door service for most hotels in the Arenal and La Fortuna areas.

Night at San Bosco Inn (Standard Single Room with breakfast included).

Day 5

Early morning.  Shared shuttle transport to Samara. Comfortable shuttle to beautiful Samara Beach! The journey is about 4 hours and there will be a stop on the way to use the bathroom, get a snack or just stretch your legs!

This afternoon you can relax at the beach or take one of our optional tours such as Stand Up Paddling, Surfing, Kayaking to Chora Island with snorkeling. Lots of choices. Just ask for availability and prices!!  

Night at  Hotel Belvedere, Giada or Samara Inn (Standard Single Room with breakfast included).

 

Day 6

Relax at the beach or take one of our optional tours such as Stand Up Paddling, Surfing, Kayaking to Chora Island with snorkeling. Lots of choices.  Just ask for availability and prices!!  

Night at  Hotel Belvedere, Giada or Samara Inn (Standard Single Room with breakfast included).

Day 7

Shared Shuttle to San Jose. This is a 5 hour journey and the shuttle can drop at the airport (you can take a 2 min taxi to your airport hotel) or the shuttles can drop directly to downtown San Jose hotels.

Tour Details

Price from $1019. Based on 1 person (single occupancy)   (Please inquire for prices for your specific date and adjusted for any modifications you would like)

* 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 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 arrange for an additional cost), all transport, all tours in the itinerary, all breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner at the hot springs and guides where stated

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 for riding, sweater or light jacket, sandals, light hiking boots, rain jacket, sun screen, insect repellant, any personal medication, swimming wear, towel, traveler's insurance recommended, full passport and credit cards (VISA and MC, other cards are difficult 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. Full refund is given if (on rare occasion) a tour is cancelled by the operator. Monteverde Tours and its affiliates are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.