DAY 1
Your adventure begins in the heart of Costa Rica, San Jose. When you arrive at the airport you will be picked up by the hotel’s shuttle service. After you have checked in you can enjoy one of the hotel’s restaurants, pool area, spa, or why not have a tropical drink in one of the bars? If you arrive early you can go to San Jose center to discover the country’s capital or visit the more luxurious areas of Escazu or Santa Ana for a meal or shopping. Explore the city’s rich history, bustling markets, and vibrant neighborhoods. Visit cultural landmarks such as the National Museum and the bustling Mercado Central, where you can sample local delicacies and shop for souvenirs.
DAY 2
You start this day early in the morning and there is time for a delicious buffet breakfast before the lodge’s transportation picks you up. The transportation will be in a modern tourist bus and you will pass some beautiful nature and banana plantations. Next, venture into the breathtaking wilderness of Tortuguero. Known as Costa Rica’s “Amazon of the Caribbean,” Tortuguero National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The last part of the transportation will be on a boat for about 45 minutes on the river delta until you arrive at the hotel. After the check-in you will do your first tour, which is a visit to Tortuguero town where you get to interact with the locals and visit the Caribbean Sea.
DAY 3
At Aninga Lodge, nestled within the lush rainforest, embark on boat tours through winding waterways, spotting exotic birds, monkeys, and even elusive jaguars. Learn about turtle conservation efforts and, if you’re lucky, witness the magical sight of sea turtles nesting along the pristine beaches.
DAY 4
As this day begins you enjoy your breakfast before you check out and start the next part of your journey towards Pacuare. You will take the boat until Guapiles, where you will have lunch and where you will be picked up after lunch by your private transport that will take you to Pacuare Lodge. You will be met by the lodge´s professional staff, that will take you on an adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting adventure to the lodge. Or you will have the chance to go there by car if you are not ready to do the rafting. Upon arrival, you will get to choose from the optional tours that you can participate in during your stay.
DAY 5
This is a great day to go and do the exciting zip-line tour that will take you speeding on the wires through the beautiful forest. Another exciting adventure you can choose from is the canyoning experience when you can rappel down a mountainside. If you are more interested in birds, the lodge also includes a fascinating birdwatching tour.
DAY 6
Today you can choose to participate in one of the cultural tours. The Cabecar indigenous hike is a truly cultural tour as you begin with meeting with an indigenous family and listening to their stories before we continue on a lush hike. This trek is challenging as we embark on a hike in the jungle with some difficult trails. There are also the Cabecar Indian Rancho & Rainforest hike and the Rural Experience tour to choose from.
DAY 7
You begin this day with a delicious breakfast before you get ready for the trip towards La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano. Once again you will get the opportunity to enjoy whitewater rafting as part of your transfer towards Arenal. This transportation itself will show you some beautiful scenery, and if you are lucky you will get to see more wild animals before you enter the town of La Fortuna and see the majestic volcano loom as an amazing backdrop. You will arrive in the afternoon, and if you are interested you can additionally reserve a night hike or just enjoy your evening in the natural hot springs of the hotel.
DAY 8
You wake up and hope that it will be clear skies so you can see the top of the great volcano Arenal. This day is going to be filled with activities. Your first one is horseback riding to the beautiful waterfall of La Fortuna. If you prefer not to do horseback riding you can go by car. After the waterfall tour, you will have lunch on your own before you’ll meet up again in the afternoon to join your guide to hike around the Arenal volcano.
DAY 9
This guided day will include a hike on suspension bridges or hanging bridges as they are called here. On this hike you will get to walk through and see many of the different plant species and animals in the beautiful rainforest.
DAY 10
This day of your itinerary starts off with a final Costa Rican breakfast with its black gold, the coffee. Your check-out will depend on your flight back home and we will arrange your transportation so you have plenty of time to get to the airport. This will be goodbye for this time but you are always warmly welcome back to Costa Rica!
