Unexplored forests, Rural Communities & Volcanoes

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 hotel.

Accommodation Options: Posada Rural Las Orquideas (2 star owned by Fressie & Juan Carlos, a local family) 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 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 owned by Fressie & Juan Carlos, a local family)  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 have a sustainable farm), sugar mill (learn  the sugar cane plantation, 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.) or cooking classes.

Accommodation Options: Posada Rural Las Orquideas (2 star owned by Fressie & Juan Carlos, a local family) 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).

Today you will say goodbye to Zapotal and continue towards the Tenorio Volcano (approx. 3 hours) area. On the way you will stop to enjoy  a safari boat tour in  the Corobici river. The Corobici River offers a tranquil floating experience with Class I and II rapids that will satisfy any nature lover and mellow adventurer. The tropical dry forest is full of many bird species and mammals. 

Continue to Bijagua, a small town set in a valley between Miravalles Volcano and Tenorio Volcano. The farmer who parks his horse outside the supermarket to go shopping; the small cows being driven down the street to a new pasture; the cultural events held throughout the year - all these make Bijagua authentic Costa Rica. Bijagua is a great base for exploring Rio Celeste and Tenorio National Park.

Included Activities:  Safari Boat Tour in the Corobici river. 

Transportation: Approx. 3 hours from Zapotal to Rio Celeste.

Accommodation Options: Casitas Tenorio (2 star lodge) or Celeste Mountain Lodge (3 star lodge)

Mysterious and enchanting, in the very depths of the 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 r 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:  4.5 mile Rio Celeste guided hike.

Transportation: Approx. 20 minutes from your hotel.

Optional Activities: Tapir Valley nature reserve hike, birdwatching tour.

Accommodation Options: Casitas Tenorio (2 star lodge) or Celeste Mountain Lodge (3 star lodge)

Enjoy the views while your private driver takes you from Rio Celeste to La Anita Rainforest ranch (approx. 3 hours). 

Nestled in a small valley between the Miravalles, Rincón de la Vieja, and Santa Maria Volcanoes, the ranch is surrounded by an incredible explosion of biodiversity and hidden within the dense rainforest in this region live more species than are found in the United States and Canada combined! La Anita grows a wide variety of products: cocoa, heart of palm, cardamom, tropical fruits and vegetables, medicinal plants and a nice variety of exotic tropical flowers. Participate in local life and learn how to make chocolate from the hands of the experts!

Transportation: Approx. 3 hours from Tenorio Volcano to La Anita.

Optional Activities: Zip lining, hike into Rincón de la Vieja Park, horseback riding, or visit the Miravalles Volcano.

Overnight at:  La Anita Rainforest Ranch (family owned lodge).

After breakfast you will immerse yourself in the chocolate world. Being the only Costa Rican farm owned by Ticos in that produces organic cacao, La Anita provides the authentic opportunity to discover the magic behind the sweet flavor of chocolate. This tour will take you straight to the cacao pods of Upala, the region where La Anita is located and guide you through the process, until you have the opportunity to savor the product  – fine morsels of dark chocolate. Known as the Cacao Canton of Costa Rica, Upala also offers a rare, unique climate that allows several varieties of cacao to grow in the midst of rainforest and volcanoes. 

Included Activities:  Chocolate experience.

Optional Activities: Zip lining, hike into Rincón de la Vieja Park, horseback riding or visit the Miravalles Volcano.

Overnight at: La Anita Rainforest Ranch (family owned lodge)

After an early breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a private transfer to La Fortuna (approx. 3 hours), a town at the base of Arenal Volcano.

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 hot springs at the hotel or at any of the hot springs resorts around town.

Included Activities: Hot springs

Optional Activities: Rainforest chocolate tour, volcano hike.

Transportation: Approx. 3 hour drive from La Anita to La Fortuna.

Accommodation Options: Arenal Springs (5 star hotel) or Miradas Arenal (3 star hotel)

These days you will have the option to relax at the hotel and pool for the day, or choose one of two exciting activities below.

Option #1:  Canyoning

You will head to a canyon, about a 20 minute drive outside La Fortuna. Then transfer to 4x4 trucks 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: Zip lining

Today you will soar through the Arenal 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 zip lining experience

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 Arenal Volcano to 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. 3 hour drive to Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose.

Accommodations

Lodging each night is included in your choice of boutique hotels or ecolodges. 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/Shared Shuttles to get you between destinations (Renting a car is also an option but not as recommended)

Food

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

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 (Easter week or December 20-January 10) 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