Day 1
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.
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 2
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.
Day 3
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:
- 30-minute microbus transport from your hotel in La Fortuna to the Arenal Dam.
- 30-minute boat ride on beautiful Arenal Lake at the foot of the volcano.
- 2-hour microbus ride from Arenal Lake to Monteverde.
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 production. They also show the coffee process and talk about a few other crops that they grow. You will have a guided walk through the forest, see the ponds of breeding tilapia fish 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 taste sugar cane juice or lemonade, eat picadillo de arracache (a typical Costa Rican food), and you can make your own candy out of sugar cane!
Day 4
EARLY am Guided Hike in the Cloud Forests of Monteverde (we use a private cloud forest reserve called the Curi Cancha Reserve which is far less crowded and you often see more birds, especially the famous Quetzal, in season). You'll be picked up at your hotel and taken to the private reserve entrance where your bilingual guide will be waiting. The guides have a wealth of knowledge about the cloud forests in Monteverde, including fauna and flora, the history, and the growth of Monteverde. There will also be a chance to visit the new maze at Curi Cancha. The hike will be about three hours around this wonderful forest.
This can be changed to visit the main Monteverde Reserve for an extra cost.
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.
Day 5
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.
Day 6
Kayaking or Boat Tour to Chora Island
The kayaking tour is 3-4 hours along the route in front of the coastline of Samara Beach to the Island Chora (you can also do this by boat which is a shorter, 2.5-hour tour). Each kayak is for two people and includes water, guides, and fresh fruit.
You will explore the coral reefs around the island and be amazed at the variety of colorful sea life. Year-round the seas in Samara are pleasantly warm and calm enough to allow safe observations of the underwater ecosystems. There will be an opportunity to walk around the pure white sands of Island Chora or relax whilst watching the many sea birds attracted to the area.
- am we will pick you up from your hotel
- after arriving at the beach you will receive a thorough safety talk and a quick 5-minute lesson and continue to practice under the careful watch of your guide
- your guide will then take you on a tour to Chora Island - takes about 40 minutes each way
- you will enjoy a tropical fruit snack and drinks. On the Island, you will have approx. 1.5 hours to enjoy snorkeling or relaxing on the white pristine beach.
- Return to your hotel
Day 7
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.
Hotel Details
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 of La Fortuna, Hotel San Bosco is a good-sized hotel with about 34 rooms. Rooms are very comfortable with A/C, and 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 visible from the Hotel San Bosco on a clear day.
Monteverde Hotel: 2 nights.
In Monteverde, we use Monteverde Villa Lodge whenever possible. Comfortable and friendly, the lodge is ideally located in a residential area a short walk from the small town of Santa Elena, where shops, banks, and restaurants are located.
The hotel offers very comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. 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 the beach. It's built and decorated in tropical style. It has 24 charming rooms each with a/c, cable tv, a private bath, and a 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
Tour Details
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.