Day 1:Arrival at San Jose International AirportUpon arrival to Costa Rica you will be welcomed by a representative of Go Visit Costa Rica at the airport and be taken to your transfer to your hotel in San Jose, to rest from your long flight.
Accommodations at Overnight at Hotel Grano de Oro.jpg)
Hot Waterfall at Tabacon Hot SpringsYou will wake up to a delicious breakfast at Grano de Oro Hotel. After breakfast you will departure to the northern side of Costa Rica, where the impressive Arenal Volcano is located. This active volcano with many hot springs that attracts thousands of tourists each year. To reach this wonder of nature we move towards the northern part of the country, we make a brief stop in the famous town of Sarchi, locally known as the Cradle of Crafts due to its creative and hardworking craftsmen. Sarchi was originally known for the unique craftsmanship of the Costa Rican Ox Cart, as pictured above. Now Sarchi makes many other wood crafts and it is very pretty village located in the mountain of Costa Rica.
Following, our trip to Sarchi you will go through plantations of various agricultural products, ornamental plants and cattle ranches, to the picturesque village of La Fortuna for a nice lunch in a cozy restaurant right in front of the volcano. This beautiful and convenient location allows to have the best view of the Arenal volcano, a classic conical shaped active volcano. After lunch you will go to the famous Tabacon Hot Springs resort to relax in one of the best hot springs in the area, where optionally you can reserve a massage or treatment, please book early. You will have all afternoon to go from various natural temperature hot spring pools. In the early evening you will enjoy an excellent dinner with a great view of the Arenal Volcano. After dinner we will transfer to your hotel, the Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs Resort, very close to the hot springs.
Accommodations at Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs Resort
Northern Jacana in Caño Negro Wildlife RefugeToday after breakfast, at Arenal Manoa, you will departure to experience the tranquility of the tropical forest traveling on the Frio River. You will have the opportunity to observe the great diversity of flora and fauna of the Tropical Wetlands forest of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. There are some 350 species of birds as well as the many other reptiles and mammals including the emerald basilisk, iguanas, river turtles, caimans, jaguars, ocelots, giant anteaters, monkeys just to mention a few.
A leisurely boat cruise the river will allow you admire and take pictures while enjoying this virgin paradise without disturbing the animals.
During this float trip he will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will explain the fascinating details about this wildlife refuge. The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is an immense refuge taking up over 10,000 hectare, and is one of the most important biological areas of the country. Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is considered one of the most important tropical wetlands in the Americas (4th in the world).
The float tour will end with lunch. After lunch, will come back to the Arenal Manoa hotel to have the rest of the day free to enjoy the facilities in the hotel or the surrounding area.
Accommodations at Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs Resort
Playita Beach, Manuel AntonioAfter breakfast at Arenal Manoa you will be picked up and taken to Manuel Antonio. Manuel Antonio is one of the most beautiful beaches where you can walk for hours along the beach and also explore this very beautiful beachside national park.
You will arrive approximately at noon and have the rest of the day free to enjoy the beach and the facilities of the hotel. Optionally you can visit Manuel Antonio National Park on your own. Visiting the park is easy just take the shuttle to the park and you will have the option to hire a guide to show you the diverse flora / fauna of the park or you can hike the well-marked trails on your own. There are also a few very nice beaches inside the park where you can relax and take a dip in the very warm tropical ocean.
Enjoy overnight at Si Como No Hotel with amazing views of Manuel Antonio and the National Park.
Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure TourToday, after breakfast at Si Como No you will spend the day at Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure Tour. This tour is high rated and you will experience the combination of unparalleled nature and Costa Rica's authentic rural heritage on this amazing tour. The certified guides at Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure Tour will take you on an exciting tour of nature, rural culture and conservation. You will begin by hiking along the lush jungle slope where three rivers are born, then swim in one of the region’s most pristine natural pools beneath a beautiful waterfall. During the tour you will spot all kinds of fascinating wildlife, fish for tilapia, visit an authentic sugar mill powered by massive oxen, and even have the option to go horseback riding.
Once you have worked up an appetite you will enjoy a traditional Costa Rican Campesino-style lunch while witnessing the panoramic vista of Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific Ocean that fills the horizon.
You will return to your hotel at about 4 pm.
Accommodations at Hotel Si Como No
Lapa Rios Eco-Lodge Luxury RoomAfter breakfast at Hotel Si Como No in Manuel Antonio you will be picked up for your transfer in a van to Puerto Jimenez where the welcome office for Lapa Rios Eco Lodge is located, it will take about 4 hours.
Once in Puerto Jimenez, you will be welcomed at the Lapa Rios Eco Lodge welcome center and you will change vehicles and continue the way to Lapa Rios Eco Lodge, a 30 minute picturesque ride.
You will have 3 full days and 4 nights to spend at the amazing Lapa Rios Eco Lodge. From this amazing lodge you will be able to do any of the 13 tours that the eco lodge offers or surf at one of the 4 beautiful surf breaks. It would be a good idea to plan the tours ahead of your stay, from the excursions menu your will enjoy during your entire stay:
- Early Birds Tour
- Wild Waterfalls
- Local Medicine Tour
- Starfish Walk
- Rainforest Ridge Walk
- The Osa Trail
- Matapalo Tour
- Sunset Birds Tour
- Night Walk (Highly Recommended)
- Self-Guided Trail
- Plant a tree
- The Carbonera School
- Twigs, Pigs and Garbage
Accommodations at overnight and full meals and non-alcoholic drinks included at Lapa Rios Eco Lodge
Flying out of Puerto JimenezAfter breakfast at Lapa Rios Eco Lodge you will be transferred from Lapa Rios to Puerto Jimenez. Once in Puerto Jimenez you board your airplane to enjoy a 45 min flight to San Jose.
Upon arrival you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel in San Jose. Rest of the day free to rest or to get acquainted with the capital city of San Jose.
Accommodations at Hotel Grano de Oro
Hotel Grando de OroAfter breakfast, pick up at the lobby of your hotel to be taken to the airport to board your plane back home.
