The Itinerary:

Day 1:

ACTUAR will meet & greet you at Juan Santamaría International Airport to take you to a hotel with local charm in San José.

Day 2:

Your naturalist guide, who is also great with children, will drive you to Los Santos, the best place in the country to see the Resplendent Quetzal and explore the cloudforest.  Cloud forest hike and trout fishing! Accommodation at Quetzal Paradise. (B, L, D)

Day 3:.

A.M.: Quetzal observation tour! After a homey lunch, leave for Ballena National Marine Park. Ballena National Marine Park Enjoy the beaches and the lush tropical atmosphere at Villas Gaia! (B)

Day 4:

Enjoy the beach or go on a whale watching tour (optional). Overnight at Villas Gaia. (B)

Day 5:

Your guide will take you to Los Campesinos Reserve. Los Campesinos Reserve is ideal for adventurers and those who want to experience Costa Rican rural life. You will hike in the rainforest accompanied by your campesino hosts, who will share their knowledge of the uses of native plants. You will zip across a gorge in an andarivel, and walk near a huge waterfall on a hanging bridge suspended 40 yards above the river. After dinner, your hosts will show you how vanilla is produced and you might see the beautiful orchids of the vanilla vine. More traditional games for the kids. (B, L, D)

Day 6:

Hike on the Lookout Trail. Later, the cool waterfall pools await you upon your return to the main lodge. In the afternoon, take a horseback tour of the local village and visit Don Victor’s traditional sugar mill, or trapiche. Enjoy dinner around Don Victor’s grill. Overnight at Los Campesinos. (B, L, D)

Day 7:

Set out for Arenal Volcano. Arenal Volcano is 1633 meters (5307 feet) high. The afternoon will be free to relax or explore the town of La Fortuna. In the evening, enjoy the thermal waters and dinner at ecotermales. Overnight at Arenal Oasis. (B, D)

Day 8:

In the morning, hike in Arenal Volcano National Park. Old lava flows can be reached on well-marked trails. Lunch on your own in La Fortuna. Visit to Danaus Center in the afternoon to observe various species of frogs, mammals, reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitat. Dinner and overnight at Arenal Oasis. (B, D)

Day 9:

Set out to Sarapiquí! Located at the northwestern base of the Central Mountain range, Sarapiquí is known for its natural wildlife reserves. There are also banana plantations and butterfly gardens in the area. A wonderful way to spend the day is boating on the Río Sarapiquí, one of the main waterways between this region and the Caribbean coast. (not included). If you do not choose to take the whitewater rafting tour, the afternoon will be spent hiking and helping with milking at Albergue El Socorro’s dairy farm. Overnight at El Socorro. (B, L, D)

Day 10:

Hike to the Socorro waterfall! Then, depart to La Pavona to take the boat to Tortuguero! Dinner at La Casona and Turtle nesting tour (green turtles from August through October or leatherback turtles from February through April). Overnight at La Casona. (B, L, D)

Day 11:

A.M.: Boat tour of the Tortuguero Canals. Enjoy the beauty of the mirror-like waterways while your guide points out the natural wonders of this area so rich in biodiversity. Take a hike in Tortuguero National Park while learning about the trees, plants and wildlife of the region. In the afternoon, visit the village of Tortuguero for bird watching, beach walking or visiting the craft stores. Overnight at La Casona (B, L, D)

Day 12:

Take a great barge tour to Moín on the Tortuguero Canals Once in Moin, depart to Cahuita! Lunch at Miss Edith’s in Cahuita. Enjoy the beach, snorkel and hike in Cahuita National Park! Then learn how to cook the delicious coconut and fish stew, rondón, at Casa Calateas! Those who wish to combine the Caribbean beaches with the tropical forest and the campesino way of life, will love Casa Calateas. (B, L, D)

Day 13:

Head your way to the Bribri Indigenous Territory to take the Chocolate Tour at the Casa de las Mujeres (the Women’s House). You will travel in a bribri dug-out canoe on Yorkín river, which borders Panamá, and you will see exuberant vegetation on both sides. A short walk will take you to the village’s plantations of organic cocoa and bananas while you learn about BriBri life and traditions. When it’s time for dessert, you’ll learn about and participate in the traditional way of preparing chocolate! In the afternoon, practice maneuvering an indigenous canoe! Before dinner, your local guide will tell you BriBri legends around a bonfire. Overnight at Casa de las Mujeres.  (B, L, D)

Day 14:

After breakfast at Casa de las Mujeres, take a dug-out canoe to ride back to Bambú and departure to San José. Dinner on your own in San José. Overnight at a charming local hotel. (B)

Day 15:

Breakfast at your hotel. Your guide will take you to the airport for your flight home. (B)