Itinerary

Day 1 Arenal

Arenal contains an active volcano, and also the only dwarf cloudforest inCosta Rica. The crater of the volcano is 1.5km (1mi.) wide and contains a hot-water lake that changes color from turquoise to green to gray. It is also a whitewater rafting center with routes on the Rio Toro and Rio Sarapiqui.

Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locating your vehicle.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Arenal.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

The hotel Arenal Springs offers the perfect combination between relaxation, comfort, and exuberant tropical scenery, as well as the best view of the Arenal Volcano from any vantage point in the premises. Located at only 2 and-a-half hours from San José, the hotel Arenal Springs offers the perfect combination between relaxation, comfort, and exuberant tropical scenery, as well as the best view of the Arenal Volcano from any vantage point in the premises.

Overnight at Arenal Springs Resort.

Day 2 Arenal

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the rainforest close to the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a leisurely hike for 1.5 hours through the rainforest while your private 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. Conclude the tour at the Springs Resort - soak in the hot mineral baths and enjoy! After a soothing soak in the hot springs, enjoy a lovely dinner at The Springs Resort, prepared in a colonial style rustic kitchen. Enjoy the local cuisine - a true authentic experience. Return to your hotel in the evening after a delicious dinner (included in the tour cost).

Overnight at Arenal Springs Resort.

Day 3 Monteverde

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.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Lake Arenal. 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.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the tour start point to the Skytram and Zip Canopy Tour. The Sky Tram is a high technology cableway that travels above the Monteverde Cloudforest, 2000 meters above sea level. Enjoy fantastic views from the top of the rainforest canopy. Conclude the tour with a Zip Canopy Adventure! Travel through the primary Costa Rican tropical jungle on suspension cables as you move through the jungle canopy with your bilingual guides and safety spotters from platform to platform (this is a shared, group tour). Morning/Afternoon Departures; Duration 3.5 Hours (approximately)

The Hotel Fonda Vela is located in beautiful Monteverde, famous for its rare and gorgeous cloud forest and friendly community. The climate is refreshing, often referred to as "eternal spring". The views of the Gulf of Nicoya from the hotel's 1,400 meter (4,200 foot) elevation are spectacular. Monteverde is an ideal destination for relaxing and enjoying the wonders of the tropics. A visit of at least two nights or more in Monteverde is recommended. Experience Hotel Fonda Vela's natural approach to life -- with style! Surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens, the buildings are an attractive part of the lush, tropical mountainside. The rooms are cozy, yet elegant, spacious and comfortable. Each room is designed with the environment in mind. For example, large windows help to bring the outdoors inside. The Fonda Vela was built with the idea of being a nurturing experience, environmentally, culturally and spiritually. The guests play an important part in fulfilling this dream.

Overnight at Fonda Vela.

Day 4 Monteverde

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Monteverde Cloud forest. Explore the enchanted Monteverde 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 (4 hrs).

Overnight at Fonda Vela.

Day 5 Manuel Antonio

Well-kept and well-guarded,ManuelAntonioNational Parkfeatures 5 kinds of forest, some with characteristic rain forest 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 white-water activities are also available.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel in Manuel Antonio.

A lovely boutique hotel located on the central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in Manuel Antonio, one of the most beautiful coastal national parks in the country. Surrounded by the rain forest at the top of the hill, Byblos offers opportunities for adventure-sport travelers and relaxation seekers alike. Affordable and convenient hotel accommodations and activities are offered.

Overnight at Byblos Resort & Casino.

Day 6 Manuel Antonio

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the tour start point. Vanilla Spice Tour: Located in the small pueblo of Villanueva (about a 35-minute drive from Quepos), Villa Vanilla is a spice farm and tropical laboratory for sustainable agriculture. Vanilla, cacao, black pepper and cinnamon are cultivated on the 150 acre farm. Visitors can also stock up on organic vanilla beans, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and hot chocolate – all grown on the farm. Morning/Afternoon Departures; Duration 3 Hours (approximately)

Overnight at Byblos Resort & Casino.

Day 7 Panama City

Panama City is a curious blend of old Spain, modern America and the bazaar atmosphere of the East. Most of the interesting sights are In the old part of the city with its narrow, cobble-stoned streets and colonial buildings. The old historic city with the Salón Bolivar is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Panama Canal, to the west of the city, is 80km (50 miles) long and draws many visitors. A train or bus ride alongside or a boat trip on the Canal itself is memorable - the scenery is beautiful, and the mechanics of the Canal equally fascinating. There is a new Panama Canal Museum in the Casco Viejo area.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to San José.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and English speaking professional driver.

The Radisson Decapolis Hotel combines exclusivity and boutique grandeur in the middle of Panama City. The 240 rooms are decorated with subtle luxuries, from unique art pieces to etched glass partitions. Rooms feature either ocean views or city views, and all offer air conditioning, high-speed Internet access, and room safe. Dine at the hotel restaurants, which serve everything from fusion gourmet to traditional sushi. The Radisson Decapolis is also home to a popular martini bar, which is in demand by hotel visitors and locals alike. Other pastimes include time spent at the gymnasium, massage room, Turkish bath, and beauty salon. The hotel is situated in the business zone, which allows for easy access to all the exciting areas of town.

Overnight at Radisson Decapolis.

Day 8 Panama City

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Panama Viejo, the first city founded in the isthmus by Spanish conquerors at the beginning of colonization. The remaining ruins are the ones left by Pirate Henry Morgan, who sacked the town in 1671. We will then head to the second colonial city of Panama, Casco Viejo, built in 1673 and will walk around the French Plaza and its monuments. The architecture of this area is exquisite including French, Italian and Spanish styles.

Overnight at Radisson Decapolis.

Day 9 Panama City

Leisure time in Panama City. Be sure to pre-book your local excursions through Kensington Tours to ensure that you make the most of your time in Panama. Optionals include: City Tour, Panama Canal Tour, Panama Canal Cruise, Soberania National Park Tour, Shopping Tour, Rapelling at the Chagres River, Embera Indian Reserve, Train tour and more!).

Overnight at Radisson Decapolis.

Day 10 Panama City

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and English speaking professional driver.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).

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