Board your flight to Costa Rica!
Right after you go through immigration and customs, our Costa Rican Guide will meet you at the Daniel Oduber Airport (LIR) exit to load the luggage into the vehicle and transfer you to the hotel. During the short drive, you will receive a brief introduction to Costa Rica and some recommendations for your trip. The guide will explain your itinerary in detail once you are in the hotel. Settle in get ready for the adventures ahead!
Overnight in La Fortuna.
Volunteer day in Finca Los Herrera
In partnership with a local organization in the northern area of Costa Rica, you will join a volunteer day program. The volunteer activities will be at a local community. Some assignments could be painting schools and churches, maintenance of trails in private reserves along with reforestation efforts.
The activities may vary because we will receive a list of community needs a few weeks prior to departure. A lunch prepared by the community will be served as a reward for all the hard work.
This afternoon, visit Mystico Park Hanging Bridges and walk through the forest canopy. The hanging bridges extend 3,1 kilometers long, crossing 14 bridges, 8 stationary and 6 in suspension, going from 8 to 98 meters length and getting up to 60 meters high, where you can appreciate the admirable flora and fauna characteristic of the place. There are many different species of birds on the surroundings, such as the White Hawk, Great Curassow; reptiles like the Boa, Basiliscos Lizards, variety of species of monkeys and a great diversity of insects.
Dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight in La Fortuna.
Check out and transfer from Arenal to Rincon de la Vieja
We will start the day with a guided Tour in Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park
Rincón de la Vieja is approximately 15 miles northeast of the city of Liberia, which is the capital of the Guanacaste Province. At over 34,000 acres, Rincón de la Vieja has room for two volcanoes, 32 rivers and streams, and an incredible variety of flora and fauna.
Today, adventurous visitors can take a day-long hike to the top of the summit via a six-mile trail that originates at Las Pailas. The journey along the trail will reveal several different ecosystems. You will see Von Seebach, the main crater of the volcano, periodically spew steam as evidence of its geothermal activity.
Overnight in Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
Horseback Ride to Oropendola Waterfall
The horseback ride to Oropendola Waterfall begins with a 45-minute ride on a spectacular trail in the Rainforest. Located near the entrance to the Las Pailas sector of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, La Oropendola Waterfall, with its impressive 25 meters, falls into a bubbling turquoise pool in the exuberant canyon of the Blanco River, creating an incredible tropical oasis, perfect for a refreshing dip.
When you arrive at the canyon, there is a short hike on a varied terrain trail to reach the river. You also have to walk a bit inside the river to get to the waterfall. After relaxing and swimming for a while at the waterfall, we ride back to Hacienda Guachipelin.
Next activity: Visit to Rio Negro Hot Springs & Mud Baths
Surrounded by a dense dry tropical forest, the Rio Negro Hot Springs area is beautiful and peaceful. The crystal clear waters of the river flow near the 10 pools built on the riverbank, filled with thermal waters rich in minerals, naturally heated in the depths of the volcano. You can access the pools on both banks of the river thanks to two suspension bridges.
For a rejuvenating treatment on your body, you can use the hot volcanic mud, which works just like a spa body masque. When the mud dries, you can wash it in the cold waters of the river before entering the thermal water pools again.
There are on-site dressing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers at the entrance of the hot springs. From there, you walk 350 meters along a beautiful path in the woods until you reach the thermal springs.
Overnight in Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
Transfer from Rincon de la Vieja to Tamarindo Beach
Tamarindo is located at Guanacaste on the Pacific coast and is the destination perfect to relax at the golden sand beach and enjoy the sunny days.
Near Tamarindo is the stunning Langosta beach, where you can find a beautiful white sand beach. Marino Las Baulas National Park is a protected area that serves as a safe place for the leatherback sea turtle population. They can use this area as a nesting site, without fear of being captured or having their eggs stolen. You can also see many other animals in the park, including over 150 species of birds.
Lunch.
Afternoon Volunteer Activity: This theoretical-practical workshop consists of a master talk on the Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park, and a tour of the protected wilderness area where the dynamics of the coastal ecosystem will be known on site. A workshop will be held on the concept of sustainability, analysis of current development and a discussion on the ecosystem approach.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
Volunteer Activity in Las Baulas
This theoretical-practical workshop consists of a master talk on the Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park, a tour of the protected wilderness area where the dynamics of the coastal ecosystem will be known on site. The main threats will be analysed and an exercise and analysis will be carried out on the procedure for the separation of small plastic waste and the management of marine litter. This activity includes lunch.
Itinerary
Welcome to the administrative offices of SINAC.
Presentation of the Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park and the
Sustainability in Grande project.
Marine Litter Laboratory (collection, analysis and discussion of plastic
pollution).
Luncheon
Monitoring of invertebrates in intertidal pools.
Visit the sea turtle nursery.
Making signs to protect the beach.
Return to the hotel for leisure time before dinner.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
What better way to enjoy the Tropical Dry Forest than gliding through it, feeling as the birds do while they fly over this beautiful environment, or as the monkeys do when they swing off the tree branches, several cables that will take you through the forest from platform to platform so you can enjoy that different perspective of the usual way to enjoy the forest is what this tour offers, adrenaline is also included.
This afternoon the group will enjoy an "Adios Costa Rica!" catamaran dinner tour. The catamaran tour from Tamarindo beach will take you silently along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast while passing some of Guanacaste’s exotic bays, white-sand beaches, and tropical jungles. Stay alert in case you spot some dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or even a whale. Once the catamaran gets to a tranquil bay, you can jump into the water and do the snorkel activity while the crew prepares a light lunch. After the snorkeling, you can take a sunbath and enjoy a cold cocktail to admire the beautiful sunset.
Overnight in Tamarindo.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Pack up and head to the San Jose International Airport for your flight back to Toronto.
