Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Costa Rica (No meals.)
Arrive at San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport. After passing through Immigration you will be met by a Costa Rica Expeditions' representative who will give you a sticker to facilitate clearing customs. When you leave the building look for a sign that says, "Costa Rica Expeditions," with your name on it. A Costa Rica Expeditions' guide wearing an orange shirt is holding the sign. He or she will take you to your hotel in San Jose. Overnight at Bougainvillea Hotel (garden view room).

Day 2: San Jose / Sarapiqui / La Selva Biological Station (B,L)
After breakfast meet with your Naturalist Guide and depart for the drive to Sarapiqui area (about 2 hours). Visit La Selva Biological Station, located in the lowlands of Sarapiqui, on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. This station is owned and administered by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), a consortium of U.S. and Costa Rican institutes of higher learning. Discover the biodiversity of lowland tropical rainforest at this internationally renowned research station. With it's laboratories, online geographic information system, extensive trails and large forest reserve bordering Braulio Carrillo National Park, La Selva is one of the world's most important sites for tropical ecosystem research. Each year more than 250 scientists from some 25 countries and thousands of international students come to La Selva to study tropical ecology.

La Selva comprises 1,513 hectares (3,739 acres) of old growth and disturbed tropical wet forests. There are more than 1,900 species of plants, 330 species of trees, 436 species of birds and 450 species of ants. Showy birds, such as toucans, parrots, trogons and hummingbirds are seen frequently. So are mammals such as monkeys, peccaries, agoutis and coatis. Overnight at Sarapiqui Neotropical Center (deluxe room).

Day 3: Sarapiqui (B)
Full day to explore the area at your leisure or participate in optional activities (at additional cost). You may want to visit the Sarapiqui Museum, "Chester's Field" botanical gardens, "Alma Ata" archaeological park, or explore the 330-hectare Tirimbina Biological Reserve. Learn about pre-Columbian history and the mythic rituals of the indigenous people. The Centro Neotropico is a project owned and operated by the Landscape Foundation Belgium, an environmental and cultural non-profit association. Overnight at Centro Neotropico.

Day 4: Sarapiqui / Bajos de Toro Amarillo (B,L,D)
After breakfast a Costa Rica Expeditions' van and Spanish-speaking driver will take you to Bajos Del Toro Amarillo (1 hour). Hidden in Costa Rica's central volcanic region, the Silencio Lodge & Spa – your hotel for the next two nights - is surrounded by a 500-acre private cloud forest reserve with creeks and hidden waterfalls. Overnight at El Silencio Lodge (deluxe suite).

Day 5: Bajos del Toro (B,L,D)
Take a guided hike through the cloud forest in search of hidden waterfalls. You will depart from the hotel and use the Saca Trail to go to La Melodia, El Silencio and La Promesa waterfalls. Remainder of the day is free to explore the area at your leisure or participate in optional activities (at additional cost). Overnight at El Silencio Lodge.

Day 6: Bajos del Toro / Arenal Hanging Bridges Trails (B)
After breakfast you will meet your Spanish-speaking driver for the drive to Arenal (about 3 hours). The Volcano is an almost perfect cone, soaring 1,633 meters above sea level, with a crater 140 meters deep formed over an ancient caldera. From time to time loud explosions are heard and a mushroom cloud of gray, brown, orange or blue smoke billows out of the top. Although the volcano is capable of inspiring intense fright and awe in visitors, inhabitants of nearby Fortuna, San Carlos and the dairy farms at its base seem to live with relative peace of mind. If you ask, they will tell you with surprising tranquility about the time it erupted.

Afternoon visit to the Arenal Hanging Bridges trails, a project that consists of eight fixed bridges, ranging in length between 8 and 22 meters, and six hanging bridges, built with the latest techniques and designed with an eye for both beauty and safety. The bridges and trails cover a distance of 3 kms. And were designed to blend with the natural environment, leaving the forest virtually intact. As you walk, you be able to appreciate the great diversity of flowers and wildlife that are typical of the rainforest, along with the imposing views (weather permitting) of Arenal Volcano. Overnight at the Lost Iguana Resort (luxury suite).

Day 7: Arenal Biking Tour and Hot Springs (B,D)
In the morning, ahalf-day biking tour is scheduled. Easy-to-moderate riding on a gravel road at the base of Arenal Volcano; flat with a few short hills. The biking tour includes a Cannondale or Kona mountain bike with front suspension (custom fitted to your size), helmet, gloves, water bottle, bilingual guides/mechanics, and choice of different kinds of saddles and pedals. Support vehicle equipped with first aid kits, rain ponchos, spare bikes, spare parts and complete tool kits. A picnic stop is included, with water, fruit and snacks.

Evening visit to the Hidalgo Family Hot Springs, the ideal alternative to the mass tourism hot springs in Arenal. When we first met the Hidalgos in 2000, they were reluctant to open up their family farm to visitors. Finally they agreed to try it on a trial basis. They found, perhaps to their surprise, that they enjoyed having foreign guests and have now put in changing rooms and a restaurant. Now, although they do not provide the private experience that they once did, the Hidalgo Hot springs is not nearly as crowded as the others in thearea. The springs consist of five free-flowing pools set in a natural river gorge. Water temperature ranges from 100-109ºF (38-43ºC), depending on the pool. A Costa Rican home-style meal in the restaurant, modeled after the first house that Don Manuel and Dona Hortemida Hidalgo built in 1940 when they settled on the farm, is included. Overnight at the Lost Iguana Resort.

Day 8: Arenal / Monteverde / Sunset Horseback Ride (B)
Afterbreakfast transfer to the boat launch at Arenal Dam to cross the lake (transfer is about 15-30 mins. depending on wind). The boat will dock at Rio Chiquito, a small town on the shore of Arenal Lake, where you will board an air-conditioned van for the ride to your hotel in Monteverde. Total transfer time from Arenal to Monteverde area via Arenal Lake is about 3 hours. Monteverde is a peaceful community made up of dairy farmers, naturalists and tourism service providers who have joined together to create a model for sustainable development and environmental protection that is becoming known throughout the world. Founded in 1954 by a group of Quakers searching for a peaceful place to live, it is the home of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Children's Eternal Rainforest, and the Santa Elena Reserve.

In the afternoon depart for a sunset horseback riding tour. This tour takes you through open fields and forests and offers fine views of the area's plantations and the Gulf of Nicoya. You will see the sunset over the Gulf from atop a nearby hill. Experienced riders and adventurous beginners only. Accompanied by a Spanish-speaking horseman. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens.

Day 9: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (B)
Join a morning excursion (of up to 10 people) to the Cloud Forest Reserve with by a specialist guide. Originally just 4,000 acres, the Reserve now includes a protected area of 25,000 acres, comprising six different life zones. So many habitats in such a small area, along with extensive trail improvements, allow visitors to enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna with relatively little and easy walking.

The Reserve was founded in 1972 and extends down both slopes of the Tilaran Mountains (elevation 2,300 to 5,600 ft.). It encompasses six different ecological zones and is home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 1,500 species of plants. From January to July, depending upon your luck and patience, you may observe the Resplendent Quetzal (occasionally a dozen or more individuals at once). Other species include the Three-wattled Bellbird, the Emerald Toucanet, and White-faced and Howler Monkeys. Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon at your leisure, or participate in optional activities (at additional cost). Overnight at Monteverde Lodge.

Day 10: Monteverde / Esterillos Beach (B)
After breakfast a Costa Rica Expeditions' driver (Spanish-speaking) will meet you at the hotel for the drive to Esterillos on the Central Pacific coast (3-½ hours). This shell-strewn, long beach is perfect for walking, jogging, exploring and sunbathing. Dramatic waves have made this a renowned surfing beach. There's ample shade under the palm and almond trees, plus hammocks and chaise lounges for relaxing. Overnight at Xandari by the Pacific (prima plus room).

Days 11-12: Esterillos Beach (B)
Two days to explore the area at your leisure or participate in optional activities (at additional cost), such as hiking, canopy tours, horseback riding, sea kayaking, fishing, and other tours. Overnight at Xandari.

Day 13: Esterillos / San Jose (B)
Today a Costa Rica Expeditions' van and driver will meet you at the hotel for the drive to San Jose (2-1/2 hours). Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea (garden view room).

Day 14: Departure (No meals.)
Transfer to the International Airport, arriving at least two hours before your flight's scheduled departure time.

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