Immerse yourself in the culture and biodiversity of Costa Rica in this off-the-beaten-path adventure. Experience the cloud forest in Zapotal, a rural community with warm and friendly people willing to share the pura vida vibe of the country. The following days you will experience daily life on Isla Chira, an island which is only 30 miles in circumference and offers stunning ocean views and the friendly charm of island life. Discover the local culture and learn why Isla Chira is the perfect spot for cultural immersion and relaxation. Continue to mystical Monteverde. Home to one of the rarest habitats on Earth. The Cloud Forest is unique to other rainforests in Costa Rica, with a constant mist hence its name. Your final days will be spent close to the Arenal Volcano, in a town called La Fortuna. The perfect place to kick back and enjoy the area’s superb beauty, La Fortuna still retains much of its original Tico charm. Here you will have many options for activities ranging from hiking to canyoning to river rafting.
One of our local experts in Costa Rica will make this the perfect trip for you!
Speaks: English and Spanish
Welcome to Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth! Upon arrival to San Jose, your private driver will take you to the rural community of Zapotal (approx. 2 hours) located in the highlands of the Puntarenas province where you will be surrounded by pastures and forests.
Transportation: Approx. 2 hours from the airport to your lodge or homestay.
Accommodation Options: Posada Rural Las Orquideas (2 star family owned lodge) or homestay (a family atmosphere where you will be treated as a member of the family. You will have a private room and share the bathroom with your host family).
After breakfast you will explore the trails of the Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve, with an area of 7800 hectares that protects 8 different types of forests, as well as more than 50% of endangered mammal and feline species. You will be enclosed by primary forest in an unknown reserve of great importance for the conservation of species of flora and fauna unique in the country.
Included Activities: Guided Biological Reserve Hike (duration will depend on your desired level of physical activity)
Transportation: Approx. 10 minutes from your lodging option.
Optional Activities:
Dairy farm (milk the cows and learn how to make cheese, yogurt and sour cream)
Sustainable farm (learn about medicinal plants, crops and the process to maintain a sustainable farm)
Sugar mill (learn about the sugar cane,, the cutting process, how to choose it and take it to the 100 years old sugar mill in an oxcart. You will learn to fire up the pot, make sugar cane juice and make the tapas de dulce)
Cooking classes
Accommodation Options: Posada Rural Las Orquideas (2 star family owned lodge) or homestay (a family atmosphere where you will be treated as a member of the family. You will have a private room and share the bathroom with your host family).
After breakfast you will go on another amazing hike towards an impressive mirador (lookout point) from which you will be able to see the Pacific coast and the Central Valley.
You will walk through pastures and forests and learn about the region from a local guide. He will share information about the community and the surroundings.
Included Activities: Guided hike (duration will depend on your desired level of physical activity)
Transportation: Approx. 20 minutes from your lodging option.
Optional Activities:
Dairy farm (milk the cows and learn how to make cheese, yogurt and sour cream)
Sustainable farm (learn about medicinal plants, crops and the process to maintain a sustainable farm)
Sugar mill (learn about sugar cane, the cutting process, how to choose it and take it to the 100 years old sugar mill in an oxcart. You will learn to fire up the pot, make sugar cane juice and make the tapas de dulce)
Cooking classes
Accommodation Options: Posada Rural Las Orquideas (2 star family owned lodge) or homestay (a family atmosphere where you will be treated as a member of the family. You will have a private room and share the bathroom with your host family).
After a leisurely breakfast, you will drive towards the pacific town of Puntarenas (approx. 1 hour) to take a boat to Chira Island. Sit back and relax on the boat for your beautiful ride (approx. 1.5 hours) into the Nicoya Peninsula.
Chira island holds the record for the most intact section of the nation's dry tropical forest biodiversity. With beautiful landscapes, surrounded by lush mangroves and rolling mountains, the flora of Isla Chira can captivate any traveler. This includes the Tempisque River, the largest river in Costa Rica. Much of Chira Island is unexplored, and you may have the excitement of discovering it yourself by touring its mountains, forests and the beautiful beaches of the island.
Once you arrive to the island you will be greeted by a member of the local community who will take you to your lodge.
In afternoon you will hike one of the highest hills on the island to observe the sunset.
Included Activities: Mirador Hike
Transportation: Approx. 1 hour from Zapotal to Puntarenas (to take the boat), 1.5 hours from Puntarenas to Isla Chira on the boat.
Accommodation Options: Posada Isla Chira (2 star lodge) or Albergue La Amistad (3 star lodge)
Today you will participate in two different activities.
First, enjoy a boat tour to Paloma Island, where you can observe ground covered with large volcanic rocky stones and a large number of egrets, herons, tula, boyera, tricolor, garza real and the white ibis. After you will take the boat back to Isla Chira, passing through the responsible fishing area and depending on the tide you can get off the boat and walk along a strip of sand until you reach the small island and visit the responsible fishing association and a group of women that grow oysters as a sustainable initiative. You will learn about the process of cultivation, hear about the lives of these entrepreneurs, and of course taste them the oysters.
Included Activities: 2 hour boat tour to paloma island & oyster cultivation experience.
Optional Activities: Mussel cultivation, mangrove tree reforestation, bike ride adventure (10 to 36 kms) handcraft lessons, mangrove boat tour.
Accommodation Options: Posada Isla Chira (2 star lodge) or Albergue La Amistad (3 star lodge)
A walk through town will let you go back in time and learn about the history, culture and religion of the island. Hear the stories from where the name of the island comes from and the Chorotega indigenous inhabitants that used to live there.
During the afternoon you can choose any of the optional activities available.
Included activity: Guided cultural walking tour
Optional Activities: Mussel cultivation, mangrove tree reforestation, biking ride (10 to 36 km), handcraft lessons, mangrove boat tour.
Accommodation Options: Posada Isla Chira (2 star lodge) or Albergue La Amistad (3 star lodge)
After breakfast you will take a boat back to Puntarenas (approx. 1.5 hours) and continue by ground (approx. 1 hour) to the mystical clouds forest of Monteverde.
An amazing ecosystem, it is home to one of the rarest habitats on Earth, the cloud forest and has an amazing variety of flora and fauna. The high humidity at this point, 1,600 meters above sea level creates fog and provides a dense cloud cover over the area.
Activities available in this area includes horseback riding, suspension bridges, zip lining, hikes into the several reserves, coffee tour and farm tour.
Transportation: Approx. 2.5 hours from Isla Chira to Monteverde.
Optional Activities: Monteverde reserve hike, visit to a butterfly farm.
Overnight at: Hotel Belmar (5 star hotel) or Cabinas Capulin (3 star hotel)
Today you will soar through the Monteverde sky, in between treetops and across expansive canyons as you ride along the Sky Trek Zipline. Your tour will start with an open-air gondola trip to an observation area atop the reserve. From there you will start riding down the exhilarating adventure of a lifetime on 8 separate ziplines and eventually end up back down at the main building.
Included Activities: Guided sky tram & trek.
Transportation: 30 minutes each way from your hotel.
Optional Activities: Monteverde reserve hike, visit to a butterfly farm.
Overnight at: Hotel Belmar (5 star hotel) or Cabinas Capulin (3 star hotel)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a private 3 hours transfer to La Fortuna.
Arenal’s perfectly symmetrical shape makes it a sightseer’s dream, while its abundance of outdoor activities makes it an easy place to enjoy hiking, zip lining, thermal waters, and observe a diverse population of wildlife.
Once you arrive in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to soak in the hot springs at the hotel or at any of the hot spring resorts around town.
Included Activities: Hot springs
Optional Activities: Rainforest chocolate tour, volcano hike.
Transportation: Approx. 3 hour drive from Monteverde to Arenal.
Accommodation Options: Arenal Springs (5 star hotel) or Miradas Arenal (3 star hotel)
Today you will have the option to relax at the hotel and hot springs for the day, or choose one of three exciting activities below.
Option #1: Canyoning
You will head to a canyon, about a 20 minute drive outside La Fortuna. Then transfer to a 4x4 truck for an exciting short drive into the rainforest with spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano along the way. Once you arrive at the ranch house, you are off for a morning of exciting and exhilarating Canyoning. Rappel down waterfalls, a canyon wall, monkey drop (zip line & rappel) and rock climb all in a spectacular rainforest canyon. Then top it off with a delicious typical Costa Rican lunch.
Included activities: Transportation, bilingual guide, canyoning.
Option #2: Tenorio Volcano Hike
Mysterious and enchanting. In the very depths of Tenorio Volcano National Park a chemical phenomenon transforms the water of the Buena Vista and Quebrada Agria rivers into a sky blue stream. As they blend, one of the most extraordinary and shocking optical illusions of nature appears: “Rio Celeste.”
The 4.5 mile (7km) hike will start by going to the Rio Celeste waterfall. From there you’ll hike through the jungle until arriving at “Los Teñideros,” where two streams of crystalline water come together. As you walk along these paths you might also get to know some of the resident animals.
Included Activities: Transportation, bilingual guide, hike and park entrance.
Transportation: 1 hour each way from your hotel
Option #3: Balsa River Rafting
The Balsa River is a white water river which has class II and III rapids. Along your rafting adventure you will see lots of animals, like monkeys, toucans and some exotic birds. .
You'll enjoy over 2 hours of exciting whitewater action. As you float down the Balsa River, you'll pass through scenic forests and have the opportunity to spot wildlife. The journey ends at the San Carlos Bridge, where you can swim and enjoy some snacks.
Included Activities: Transportation, bilingual guide & rafting .
Transportation: 1 hour each way from your hotel
Accommodation Options: Arenal Springs (5 star hotel) or Miradas Arenal (3 star hotel)
Your amazing trip is coming to an end! You will take an early private ground transfer from the Arenal volcano to the San Jose Airport where you will connect to your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trip and will come visit again soon!
Transportation: Approx. 4 hour drive to Juan Santamarîa International Airport in San José.
Accommodations
Lodging each night is included in your choice of hotels, ecolodges, or community lodges. Recommendations are included in the day-by-day itinerary.
Tours & Activities
Unique experiences available daily. See the day-by-day itinerary for recommended tours and additional options available.
Guides
English speaking local & specialized guides during activities
Ground Transportation
Private shuttles or cars to get you between destinations
Food
Included meals are noted in the itinerary: B= Breakfast, BB= Boxed Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner
Entrance Fees
To sites of interest, museums and national parks
24/7 assistance
In country assistance in English during the whole trip
Airport Transfers
Transportation arranged to get you to/from the airport
International Flights
Optional Activities
Not specified meals
Alcoholic drinks
Tips
Travel Insurance
If trip is cancelled:
45+ days in advance - 100% will be refunded
15 - 44 days in advance - 50% will be refunded
8-14 days in advance - 30% will be refunded
0-7 days in advance - 0% will be refunded
High Season Cancellation Policy
If your trip falls during peak season (The weeks of Easter, Christmas & New Years) the following applies.
If trip is cancelled:
90+ days in advance - 100% will be refunded
45-89 days in advance - 50% will be refunded
14-44 days in advance - 30% will be refunded
0-13 days in advance - 0% will be refunded
Locally Owned Social Enterprise
A local travel agency specializing in connecting travelers to Costa Rica's nature and cultures. Their goal is to create authentic experiences for travelers that contribute to sustainable growth for local communities. The agency offers mid-range bookings and is