DAY 1: ARRIVE IN SAN JOSE 

Arrive at the San Jose International Airport. Upon clearing immigration and customs, exit the airport and meet your driver who will be waiting for you. Board the van for the 20 minute drive to San Jose. Check-in to a Room -standard room at Crowne Plaza Corobici

DAY 3: SAN JOSE / ARENAL VOLCANO 

After breakfast at 8.00 a.m. you will be picked up for drive to the ARENAL VOLCANO, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a magnificent natural wonder that attracts thousands and thousands of tourists due to its permanent, and amazing volcanic activity, which on clear days allows one to witness white plumes of smoke that emanate from the conical shaped behemoth. It should be noted, that the volcano had previously been assumed to be dormant, until in 1968, when to everyone’s amazement it experienced a major eruption.

In route to the Arenal Volcano there will be a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans. In Sarchi, you can see many of the handicrafts that Costa Rica has to offer, as well as the possibility of feasting your eyes on the world largest ox cart. The cart is made of cedar and is painted with several coats (4) of orange paint and is multicolored. The design is typical and intricate, indicative of traditional oxcarts. The oxcart is two stories high and took nearly 70 days to construct and paint. For the record, according to the Guinness book of world records, the cart is nearly 45 feet long (14 meters) and weighs 4400 lbs. (2 tons).

The journey will then continue, traversing diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple farms, and mango groves, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until arriving to the small town of La Fortuna, and stopping to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the volcano.

Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area where you will revel in the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters, as well as an optional massage or other special treatment, if you choose, that must be reserved ahead of time to ensure availability.

Tabacon Hot springs combines the four elements of nature; the heat of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs, the pure air of the rainforest, and the fertile earth of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region, to provided visitors with a first rate experience.

And for a perfect ending, before going at PRADERA HOTEL, a wonderful dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano so that you do not miss any opportunity to look at the magnificently shaped volcano. (B) (L) (D)

DAY 5: ARENAL VOLCANO/TURTLE ISLAND (PUNTARENAS–CENTRAL PACIFIC) – SAN JOSE

Early morning pick up at your hotel for driving from the Arenal Volcano to the Central Pacific, Puntarenas Dock, This day you will enjoy a complete tour to Turtle Island

The beautiful and peaceful Turtle Island lies off the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. The tip of the peninsula is home to fabulous laid back villages, outstanding pristine beaches and gorgeous reserves and wildlife refuges.

This dreamy island paradise fringed with tall swaying coconut palms, sugary white sand beaches and emerald waters invites absolute tranquility and luxury. There are numerous tour operators that will whisk you by boat to Tortuga Island most commonly departing from Jaco or Puntarenas and is about a 90 minute ride with plenty of amazing scenic views.

Once you’ve arrived spend the glorious day swimming, playing volleyball, hiking the forested hills, or simply sun bathing in the warmth of the sun and beauty of the area. For those seeking adventure take part in the canopy tour and zip line that will fly you through the tree tops giving you a birds eye view of the forest.  For some aquatic fun get on a water bike, kayak the coast line or venture out on a glass bottom boat.

A huge attraction to this exotic island is its outstanding scuba diving sites and excellent snorkeling opportunities to view marine life such as sting rays, angel fish, sharks, Spinner dolphins and octopus.  Unique and exclusive to the vecinity and all of Central America is the dive site with three sunken boats and diving outfitters that will take you there up close and personal.  It’s easy to make this destination an unforgettable part of your Costa Rican adventure.

Departure time: 6.00 a.m.

Return Time: 8.00 p.m.

Includes: Transportation, Lunch, refreshments and guided tour

Suggested Equipment: Comfortable Shoes, Swimsuit, Insect repellent, and a towel

Overnight at Crowne Plaza Corobici. (B) (L)

DAY 2: COMBO TOUR POAS VOLCANO / DOKA COFFE TOUR & LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS.

We will first drive you through the city of Alajuela passing by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park.  On the way to the volcano we will visit Doka Coffee Estate for a delicious breakfast and a coffee tour, in an actual coffee plantation where we will learn about the ancient techniques used by the experts to produce one of the best coffees in Costa Rica.

After the coffee tour we will continue to Poás Volcano where we will not only admire the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, but also learn about the different ecosystems in this beautiful national park. Following the visit to the volcano we will continue to La Paz Water Fall Garden for lunch and tour. On arrival to the La Paz, we will walk through a trail that leads to a spectacular waterfall in the middle of the rainforest.   Inside the park we will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country, the impressive hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the bird house and the frog’s exhibit.  After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in San José.

Overnight at Crowne Plaza Corobici (B) (L)

DAY 4: ARENAL VOLCANO 

Rappel – Cannoning Tour

7.00 hrs. We start off the adventure by assisting you into your “Petzl” harness and giving you you’re “Piranha” rappelling gear, “Pro-Tec” helmet and gloves. Next, your professionally-trained bilingual guides will give you a thorough safety talk about proper techniques and rappelling moves. Then we do a practice rappel down an easy, 15-ft. waterfall, so you can get the hang of it.

Keep in mind, you′ll be using some rock climbing moves as we make our way through this gorgeous slot canyon – some parts of the canyon are less than 5-ft. in width! Remember to use your arms, legs and “bum!” You′ll descend down 5 more waterfalls until you get to the grand finale… the biggest waterfall over 210-ft high. The water will splash all around you as you make it to the bottom, feeling incredibly exhilarated. It′s then a short 10-minute walk up the side of the canyon to where your tropical fruit and water await you and then you get treated to a delicious home-cooked lunch.

Includes:         Transport to/from your hotel, professional & very fun, bilingual guides; high-quality, brand-name equipment; gloves & water; and lunch

What to bring: Secure shoes (tennis shoes, Keen or Teva-style,) clothes to get wet in & change of clothes for after the tour.

Recommended:         For people in good physical condition.

14.00 hrs. Canopy Tour (Zip line)

The tour is located in a private reserve behind the Cloud Forest Lodge. It starts with a short, guided hike through the private 70-acre reserve of the Cloud Forest. The first part of the tour will take you through primary (old growth) and secondary (new growth) forest. As you fly through the treetops listen closely for the vast variety of birds that can be seen and heard throughout the preserve. Then, just when you think you have become one with the canopy we get your blood pumping with a drop back down to the forest floor. From the ground you leave again for the cloud forest canopy and the tour ends with an exhilarating rappel down from “Scary Tree”.

Included:  Transportation, entrance fee & bilingual specialized canopy guide.

What to Bring: Long pants or shorts, T-shirts, hiking shoes or sneakers and insect repellent

Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours.

Overnight and Breakfast at Pradera Hotel. (B) (A)

DAY 6.  SAN JOSÉ – END OF SERVICE.

Breakfast at the hotel and at the appointed hour; we will be transferring you to the International airport for your departure flight. Happy return trip and we hope to have you visit again. (B)

PACKAGE DETAILS

Package includes:

Private round-trip airport transfers

Shuttle Transportation to the different destinations included in the program

All meals where indicated (B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner

5-night accommodations in standard rooms (hotel taxes included)

Combo Tour ( Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee Tour and La Paz Waterfall Gardens)

Arenal Volcano Tour (visit to Sarchí and entrance fee to Tabacon Hot Springs)

Rappel – Cannoning Tour

Canopy Tour (Zip line) Monteverde

Turtle Island Tour

Not included:

Meals not mentioned

Airline ticket

Airport departure taxes (US$29.00 per person).

Alcoholic beverages

Hotel extras (phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.)

Tips (not mandatory but appreciated)

End of services.