Nature Lovers Adventure - Sarapiquí, Maquenque & Río Celeste

An English-speaking guide will welcome you at the airport and drive you to your well-located hotel in San José. Along the way, our guide will give you all the tips and recommendations to get the most of your stay in Costa Rica. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and settle in, then perhaps take a walk around the city or choose an optional activity. There’s plenty to do in the capital, from walking in its parks, visiting a museum, taking a food tour or browsing in the shops and the busy central market.

Accommodation at Hotel Auténtico or Hotel Presidente

Optional activities: City tour, food tour, welcome dinner

After breakfast, transfer to your lodge in Sarapiquí (approx. 2 hours). Located in the northeast part of the country, bordered by Nicaragua, Sarapiquí is a heaven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. It is a certified sustainable destination and has a number of nature reserves and national parks in its surroundings that makes it a biodiversity heaven. Irrigated by the waters of the Sarapiquí river, it is a very fertile land, producing banana, coffee, cocoa, pineapple, heart of palm and corn amongst many other crops. The lush vegetation, high quality produce and adventure activities, make Sarapiquí a unique destination within Costa Rica. In the afternoon, join a small-group for a guided chocolate tour. During this activity, you will walk along the rainforests and cross some impressive hanging bridges to arrive at a traditional cocoa plantation where you will have the opportunity to taste the cocoa bean at its different stages, while getting a hands-on experience on how to prepare these delightful beans. Free evening back at the lodge.

Included activities: Hanging bridges walk and cacao tour

Accommodation at La Quinta de Sarapiquí or Tirimbina Ecolodge

Early in the morning, before breakfast, join a small-group bird-watching tour (approx 2 hours). You will be able to see hummingbirds, toucans and if you are lucky the endangered Great Green Macaw. After breakfast, get ready for a private tour of the Finca Surá farm. You will be able to participate in cutting sugar cane and preparing the juice, as well as tasting seasonal tropical fruits and walking around the plantations. You will try unbelievably sweet pineapples, sugar cane, and see cinnamon, lemon trees, peppers, etc.  For lunch you can fish your own tilapia and enjoy it with fried cassava, salad and natural juices - all products freshly harvested from the farm. Free afternoon and evening.

Included activities: Bird-watching tour and Finca Surá farm visit

Accommodation at La Quinta de Sarapiquí or Tirimbina Ecolodge

Optional activities: 

· Half-day white water rafting tour: This 7.5 mile trip takes you through the communities of La Virgen and Chilamate in Sarapiquí. It is a trip especially suitable by crystalline ponds and strong rapids. Along the journey one can enjoy four Class III rapids and about 20 Class II rapids, all of which have a good technical level. Half way of the journey on a peaceful pond, passengers can swim and eat the tasty tropical fruits of the season. No previous experience required. 

· Hiking in La Selva Biological Station: One of the premier neotropical sites for biological studies, La Selva is a Mecca not only for scientists, but also hard-core birders and serious naturalists. The state-of-the-art laboratory facilities on the edge of the rainforest have allowed researchers at La Selva the opportunity to make many exciting new discoveries about the workings of the most incredibly complex and biologically diverse ecosystem on planet earth. La Selva Biological Station is favored with a unique flora and fauna viewing experience. Agouties, sloths, howler and spider monkeys are seen frequently, as well as a wide variety of plants. Nearly half of the 850 species of birds in Costa Rica inhabit these lowlands, more than 70 species of bats and 5 of the 6 species of cats in the country.

· Cooking workshop: This activity consists of a guided walk through the trail, ending in the vegetable garden where people can harvest fresh products to cook. Then we proceed to the cooking class, where the entire group will learn about the properties of each one of the vegetables and participate cutting, boiling, or frying to prepare the dish for dinner. In the meantime, we try some other dishes. The cooking area is a beautiful big thatched roof building next to a pond on the trail.

· Natural History Walk: During this activity an expert will guide you through the trails. In addition enjoy the different characteristics of the unique vegetation in the rainforest, as well as sightings of different species of wildlife.

After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to Maquenque Ecolodge in Boca Tapada (approx. 2 hours). Located within Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge, bordering the San Carlos River, this lodge is a hidden treasure for wildlife lovers. Their bungalows have a beautiful view to a natural lagoon, where you can relax in a hammock with a book or just enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature. Free afternoon to enjoy the area. In the evening, join a small-group night-walk. After the sun sets, experience the lush tropical forest from a different point of view. In this activity you will visit the gardens and the property's forest, where you can see the nightlife of some animals such as alligators, frogs, nocturnal birds and snakes. An English-speaking naturalist guide will give you information on the flora and fauna in the area.

Included activity: Wildlife-watching night walk

Accommodation at Maquenque Ecolodge and Treehouse

After breakfast, go on a small-group, half-day kayak excursion. Enjoy the tranquility of the rainforest  while you search for exotic animals like crocodiles, tortoises, iguanas, monkeys, and more. Free afternoon and evening to explore the area.

Included activity: Kayaking excursion

Accommodation at Maquenque Ecolodge and Treehouse

Optional activities:

· Maquenque bird watching tour: Early in the morning, when most birds start to be active, a naturalist guide will take you through gardens and lagoons in a lush tropical forest with over 410 bird species, including some migratory species. Some of the species that can be are: Great Green Macaw (in endangered), Scarlet Macaw, some toucans, Oropendolas, honeycreepers, Tanagers, Euphonias and Jacamars, just to mention a few!

· San Carlos rainforest hiking: Discover the tropical rainforest where you will experience a trek of 3 km (about 2.5 hrs.), during which it is possible to observe a great variety flora and fauna in the area, in addition to enjoying a visit to the Botanical Garden.

After breakfast, private transfer to Bijagua (approx 3 hours), located in between Tenorio National Park (where Río Celeste is located) and the Miravalle Volcano, in the province of Alajuela. The virgin forest in this part of the country is home to tropical species of animals such as pumas, tapirs, sloth bears, anteaters, coatis, giant butterflies and rare plant species, such as wild orchids. In the afternoon, you will go on a half-day private visit of the Tapir Valley, a private ecological reserve. A group of concerned citizens purchased the land over ten years ago with the vision of protecting valuable rainforest habitat for many animals including the endangered Baird's Tapir. The reserve covers over 220 hectares of primary and secondary rainforest and adjoins the Tenorio National Park. Here you will experience some of the best birding in Costa Rica, be able to enjoy exclusive access to a rainforest paradise and even have the chance to see the elusive Tapir. Free evening.

Included activity: Tapir Valley Excursion

Accommodation at Heliconias Rainforest Lodge or Casitas Tenorio B&B

After breakfast, embark on a half-day private excursion to Tenorio National Park. The guide will pick you up in the lodge to take you to the park. After approximately a 40-minute hike in the park through primary and secondary rainforest, you will see the breathtaking 21mt / 70ft Río Celeste Waterfall. The rest of the hike includes a phenomenal lookout point, the area where the river gains its amazing light blue color, the unforgettable blue lagoon, as well as the steaming hot & cool springs and mineral mud pits. You will hike for about 4 to 5 hours in total. Free afternoon and evening back to the lodge. 

Included activity: Río Celeste Excursion

Accommodation at Heliconias Rainforest Lodge or Casitas Tenorio B&B

Optional activities:

· Bijagua Waterfall: Visit a family-run lodge to explore their trail into the rainforest at the base of the Miravalle Volcano. You will pass through their gardens and then alongside a river through dense forest. Two river crossings are required to reach the waterfalls and the hike can be strenuous at parts.

· Coffee and Organic Farm Tour: Try out different fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs, during a visit to a traditional Costa Rican farm. Prepare sugar cane, grind coffee beans, and enjoy that coffee freshly brewed with some homemade bread.

Free morning. After lunch, transfer to you to your well-located hotel in San José (approx. 3.5 hours). Free evening. 

Accommodation at Hotel Auténtico or Hotel Presidente

Optional morning activities:

· Birdwatching tour: Experience the magic of the sights and sounds of local tropical birds waking up. Hike the forest and wetland as clouds lift off the trees into the growing light. View a variety of endemic species, or let your guide help you see and photograph specific species you’ve dreamed of. 

· Farm tour (if staying at Casitas Tenorio B&B): Only a short walk from your casita, head to a cow barn, where you can partake in daily farm life activities. Learn to milk a cow, participate in cheese-making activities and harvest a few eggs. 

· Tenorio Trail Walk: Explore a private trail at Casitas Tenorio where you will pass through remnant rainforest and visit a lookout point with a spectacular view of Tenorio and Miravalle volcanoes.

· Bijagua Waterfall: Visit a family-run lodge, and explore their trail into the rainforest at the base of Miravalle Volcano. You will pass through their gardens and then alongside a river through dense forest. Two river crossings are required to reach the waterfalls and the hike can be strenuous at parts.

At the scheduled time, you will take a private transfer to the San José international airport for your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trip and will come back to visit again soon!

Accommodation

Lodging each night is included in your choice of boutique hotels or ecolodges. Recommendations are included in the day-by-day itinerary

Tours and activities

Unique experiences available daily. See the day-by-day itinerary for recommended tours and additional options available

Local guides

English speaking local & specialized guides during activities

Airport transfers

Shuttles and taxis arranged to get you to/from the airport

Ground transport

Private or shared shuttles will take you between destinations

Entrance fees

To sites of interest, museums and national parks

Food

Included meals are noted in the itinerary: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner

Contributions

To the social and environmental projects visited

24/7 assistance

In country assistance in English during the whole trip

• Optional activities

• Alcoholic drinks

• Not specified meals

• Travel Insurance

• Tips and gratuities

• International flights