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Itinerary (7 Days, 6 Nights)
Early morning....our vacation starts with a pick-up from San Jose by private transport - forget the worries about public buses and safety. Our Costa Rican driver will pick you up from your hotel reception or the San Jose (or Liberia) airport and take you to your hotel in Arenal. There will be a stop along the way for a bathroom stop and a snack.
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
Early Morning Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is located north of Arenal near Los Chiles and is a protected area with abundant wildlife. Take a guided boat trip down the Rio Frio for great birding and to see reptiles, mammals and beautiful scenery. The best way to see wildlife in the area! Lunch and transport is included, as well as an experienced bilingual nature guide.
Morning Adventure Connection: Taxi Boat Taxi (From Fortuna/Arenal to Monteverde)
This is a method of getting from La Fortuna to Monteverde, it takes about 3 hours and it involves the following:
ALTERNATIVELY (FOR $60PP EXTRA ON THE PACKAGE PRICE) You can go by horseback:
Horseback Ride to Arenal Volcano. A wonderful alternative way to travel to see Arenal Volcano. We travel along Arenal Lake from Rio Chiquito to the Cano Negro River (near El Castillo). The route follows a beautiful lakeside trail and rural farm road with good safe trails in ALL weather and is suitable for all levels of riders.
Along the Lake Trail there are many tropical birds, views of the volcano and scenic jungle parts. The horses are well cared for and healthly. Helmets are provided and rain ponchos if it rains. Luggage goes by boat.
This wonderful journey includes a boat ride on Arenal Lake and a fruit fiesta. The horseback ride is about 3 hours and total tour takes approximately 5 ½ hours with land transport, boat and breaks. This tour is broken up as follows:
a) 1 ½ Hours by car from Monteverde to Rio Chiquito b) 3 ½ Hours by horse from Rio Chiquito towards the volcano with a breakc) ¼ Hour boat ride across the lake d) transport ride from the Arenal side of the Lake to your hotel
Afternoon Trapiche Tour: This tour is run by a local family who like to share their knowledge of the culture of Costa Rica. El Trapiche refers to the sugar mill process but the tour does not limit itself to teaching about sugar producation. They also show the coffee process and talk about a few other crops that they grow. You will have a guided walk through the through the forest, see the ponds of breeding tilapia fish and coffee plants and other crops and you will get a chance to ride on an ox cart ride back to the main building. Here you can tasting sugar cane juice or lemonade, eating picadillo de arracache (a typical Costa Rican food), and you can make your own candy out of sugar cane!
Early Morniung. 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.
Afternoon. Selvatura Hanging Bridges (canopy walkways) 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.
Private Transport to Samara Beach
Relax on beach
Samara Costa Rica, or Playa Samara, is located in Guanacaste, just 2 hours away from Liberia one of the major airports in Costa Rica. Samara Beach is a Blue Flag beach signifying its unique cleanliness and beauty. This gem of a tropical paradise is on the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean; a small coastal town that retains its Costa Rican charm but is a popular with visitors having one of the few safe swimming beaches in Costa Rica.
Dolphin Spotting Tour
Dolphin and Whale Spotting Samara Beach Costa
This is a great opportunity to experience the wonders of Costa Rica\'s oceans. The migratory routes of Costa Rica Dolphins and whales in the northern pacific pass through the area of Samara Beach and Puerto Carillo. The waters are famous for spotting different species of sea mammals, including sea turtles.
Costa Rica Dolphins that have been seen include: Spotted Dolphin, Central American Spinner Dolphin, Common Bottle Nose Dolphin and whales such as Humpback and Blue Whale.
Private transport from Sámara to San José or Liberia. The most comfortable, convenient and fastest way to travel by road is by private, hotel to hotel transportation.
NOTE FOR AN EXTRA COST WE CAN UPGRADE THE HOTELS - THE HOTELS BELOW ARE SHOWN AS AN INDICATION OF PRICE BUT WE ARE HAPPY TO USE ANY HOTEL OF YOUR CHOICE AND ADJUST COSTS
Arenal Volcano Hotel: 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 with plenty of hot water and cable television There is a swimming pool, 2 jacuzzis and some gym equipment. While lava flow is very rarely seen from La Fortuna, the volcano is plainly visible from the hotel San Bosco on a clear day.
Monteverde Hotel: 2 nights.
In Monteverde we use Hotel Rustic Lodge whenever possible. Confortable and friendly Rustic Lodge is ideally located in a residential area a short walk to the small town of Santa Elena, where shops, banks and restuarants are located.
The hotel offers very comfortable rooms with private bathroom. Breakfast is included in the package.
Samara Hotel: 2 nights
Hotel Giada is located at Samara's main entrance to Playa Samara, on the main street, so close to the restaurants, shops and to the beach. It's built and decorated in tropical style. It has 24 charming rooms each with a/c, cable tv, private bath and balcony. Everything is there for your comfortable and pleasant stay.
NOTE FOR AN EXTRA COST WE CAN UPGRADE THE HOTELS - THE HOTELS BELOW ARE SHOWN AS AN INDICATION OF PRICE BUT WE ARE HAPPY TO USE ANY HOTEL OF YOUR CHOICE AND ADJUST COSTS
Minimum 2 people (Double occupancy): Price FROM $1022 per person (inqire about prices for your specific dates and any modifications you would like)
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 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. The horse ride part of the journey to Arenal - this is $50pp extra if you wish to do this.
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 (to include white-water rafting and horse riding, full passport, traveler's checks if a back up wanted and a credit card (VISA and MC, other cards are difficult to use in Monteverde).
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.