Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arenal
Pick up in San Jose and transfer to your hotel in Arenal with a private vehicle and driver. Time/Distance: Approximately 3 hours - Approximately 94 miles/150 kms) Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).
With a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano, natural hot and cold springs, four unique dining experiences, and an impressive full service Spa, The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal promises to overwhelm you in every aspect of quality, service and design. The resort perches one thousand feet above the Arenal Valley on a mountain ridge just six kilometers north of the active volcano. Their higher altitude relative to other hotels in the area allows for not only incomparable views of the volcano, the lush valley and the surrounding towns that sparkle at night, but also access to the area’s famous prevailing breezes. In fact, the name Arenal is an indigenous word meaning “Window of the Wind”. With an average daytime high temperature of 80°F in the shade and nighttime lows averaging 70°F, you are sure to enjoy countless comfortable hours in your balcony hammock, al fresco dining, or sipping a frothy tropical cocktail in one of their spring pools.
Arenal contains an active Volcano, and also the only dwarf cloudforest in Costa Rica. The crater of the volcano is 1.5km (1-mile) wide and contains a hot-water lake which changes color from turquoise to green to grey. It is also a whitewater rafting center with routes on the Rio Toro and Rio Sarapiqui.
Day 2 Arenal
Waterfall repelling is known as "Canyoning". You will be picked up from your hotel and begin your adventure with a 30-minute 4x4 drive into the tropical rainforest outside the town of La Fortuna, in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano. This adventure includes 5 rappels, 4 of which are along side or right in waterfalls, and one dry rock face. After this sensational adventure you will return to the base camp to enjoy lunch. Return to the hotel after the tour has finished. You are required to be in good physical condition to participate. Morning Departure, Duration 4 Hours (approximately)
Recommended list of items to bring: Easy dry clothes, bathing suit, secure shoes (Sports Sandals and water shoes are best), extra change of clothing for after the tour, sunscreen You will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the entrance of the micro rainforest near the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a leisurely 1.5 hour hike through the rainforest while your English speaking guide offers the history of the Arenal Volcano. This park is located at the base of the Arenal Volcano and is filled with wildlife including monkeys, toucans, coati and a large variety of bird species. Observe lava flow at the end of the tour (lava and weather permitting). Return to the hotel in the evening. Duration: 3.5 Hours (Approximately) Pick up is usually at 3:45PM. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at The Springs Resort & Spa.
Day 3 Monteverde
Pick up from your hotel in Arenal and transfer to Lake Arenal (25 mins). Board a motor boat and cross the lake while observing scenic views of the Arenal Volcano (45 mins). Private vehicle transfer to your hotel in Monteverde (approx 2.75 hours). Time/Distance Approximately 3.5 hours (112km/70mi). Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).
Hotel el Establo offers the best views of Monteverde, Costa Rica, with its location next to the Monteverde Reserve and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The 155 rooms are clean and offer wall to wall carpeting, as well as private bathrooms. The hotel is a large property, with lots of space to roam. Take advantage of some dining in private at either of the hotel's two restaurants, which serve traditional dishes in both a la carte and buffet. Besides paying a visit to the spa for some relaxation, get to know the community with organized cultural visits.
Straddling the Continental Divide at 1440 meters (4662 ft), the Santa Elena and Monteverde Cloud Forest area offers one of the most interesting place to visit in Costa Rica. In the rain forest are more than 100 species of mammals including 5 species of cats, over 400 species of birds including 30 kinds of hummingbirds, tens of thousands of insect species (over 5000 species of moths) and 2,500 species of plants (420 kinds of orchids). The area is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics.
Day 4 Monteverde
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Santa Elena Cloud forest. Explore the enchanted Santa Elena Cloud forest with a set of expert eyes during this privately guided walk. Explore different trails in search of birds and mammals and discuss the amazing diversity of plants. Half day excursion (4hrs). Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the tour starting point.You will beautiful views of the area all from a bird’s eye view flying through the treetops of the Monteverde Cloud Forest . You will get your adrenaline pumping when between each one of the points on the cables that stretch jungle. Morning/Afternoon Departures, Duration 3 Hours (approximately) Return to the hotel after the tour. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at El Establo.
Day 5 Manuel Antonio
Pick up from your hotel in Monteverde and transfer to your hotel in Manuel Antonio. Time/Distance: Approximately 4.5 hours - 141 miles/225 kms Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).
Arenas del Mar is a beach and nature resort located next to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. "Unique and spectacular beach and nature experiences combined with highest levels of comfort and sustainability in a local Costa Rican setting" define the concept of Arenas del Mar. The resort caters to tourists that are looking for more than just another high end resort experience. Arenas del mar offers a luxurious lodging experience in harmony with nature.
Well-kept and well-guarded, Manuel Antonio National Park features five kinds of forest, some with characteristic rainforest vegetation. Orchids and ferns, jaguars, ocelots and the Baird tapir may be seen here. There are trails through the park and many lookouts. Horseback riding and whitewater activities also available.
Day 6 Manuel Antonio
Enjoy time at leisure in Manuel Antonio. There are many optional activities you can choose to add to your itinerary during your stay here, please let us know if you wish to add any of the following activities (optional activities not included in tour price) Optional activities: White Water Rafting, Zip Canopy tour, Nauyaca Waterfalls by horseback, Catamaran sunset sail, ATV rentals and more! Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Arenas del Mar.
Day 7 San Jose
Private transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose. (car/driver) Time/Distance: Approximately 3.5 hours - Approximately 120 miles/192 kms
Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.
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