Costa Rica Adventure

ARRIVAL 

Upon arrival to the Daniel Oduber International Airport  in Liberia, and after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met outside by your guide from Costa Rica Sun Tours and will be driven  (45 minutes) to your hotel in Rincon de la Vieja. 

Welcome dinner included.

VOLCANO HIKE, FLOATING DOWN A RIVER AND HOT SPRINGS.

Following breakfast this morning,  a short transfer takes you to the entrance of Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a must-see Costa Rican paradise.  Your walk leads you through a dry tropical forest known for it's active volcanos, rich earth and picture-perfect waterfalls. This national park is ideal for any outdoor or wildlife enthusiast.

Our hike today takes us through a geothermal area filled with boiling hot mud springs and fumaroles. Smooth gray volcanic mud bubbles and explodes in large pits. It’s an experience like no other volcano in Costa Rica.

After lunch, we set off for an afternoon of exhilaration on a two hour float down a river in big inflatable tubes. We bounce and splash through class II and III rapids and take in the beautiful tropical scenery around us through the many quiet sections along the river.

Top off the day with a relaxing soak in the hot springs at the hotel. Finish your treatment with a cold shower so that the pores of your skin can close again, leaving you feeling like a newborn. 

Dinner at the hotel. 

PRIVATE TRANSFER RINCON DE LA VIEJA - ARENAL

After breakfast, you set off on a private transfer (4 hours plus any stops along the way) to Arenal volcano, your base for the next two nights.  Arenal is a region of national parks and volcanoes on the north section of Costa Rica.   

In the afternoon, you will visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges.

This is a complex of suspension bridges and trails through beautiful rain forest. The terrain undulates and the trail crosses ravines with small waterfalls and travels over bridges with panoramic vistas over the treetops including views of Arenal Volcano. As you walk, you may encounter wildlife including toucans, poison dart frogs, howler, spider and white-faced capuchin monkeys. The 1.5 mile trail is an easy walk for people in good condition and loops back to the starting point.

Return to the hotel for your dinner.  

ZIP LINE AND TRAIL HIKING

After a hearty Costa Rican breakfast,  you will visit the Sky Tram and Sky Trek combination tour.
The Sky Tram is a 20-minute gondola ride up the mountain with a stop on an observation platform where you can admire incredible views of Arenal Lake, mountains covered by rainforests and Arenal Volcano.  The Sky Trek is a 3,280 foot long zip line system that gives you an exhilarating ride back down the mountain through the rain forest.

In the afternoon following lunch, you will enjoy the guided walk of the Arenal Observatory trails. 

The  lodge lies in the heart of one of Costa Ricas largest natural areas. Howler monkeys call from the forest and the rich volcanic soil supports primary and secondary rainforest teeming with butterflies, mammals, reptiles and 400 species of birds. Seven miles of manicured, well-marked walking, bike, and horseback riding trail system traverses the property and provides safe, easy access to breathtaking natural beauty. The trails are never crowded. There is a hanging bridge and waterfall to add to the visual delight. Your guide will interpret the lush landscape and stop along the way to discuss the volcano, flora and fauna.

Enjoy the dinner at the hotel

TRAVEL FROM DENSE RAINFOREST TO SPECTACULAR BEACHES.

Before breakfast, choose to rise early for birdwatching. If time allows, we walk to a look-out point where you can see myriad birds. 

Following breakfast, bid farewell to the forest around you and travel to the stunning shores of Playa Carrillo with a local lunch en route. Unlike the developed beaches further to the north, Playa Carrillo is quiet and relaxed. After checking into our accommodations for the next two evenings, gear up for sea stand up paddle water activity.  The amazing views from the open waters of Playa Carrillo bay will make you wonder why you haven't tried SUP earlier if its your first time.

The beaches of Carrillo have some of the most tranquil waves in Costa Rica. It is the ideal place to begin your stand up paddle adventure. You will be taught by an experienced guide how to first kneel and then stand up on the board, as well as the correct way to paddle.  After mastering the basics, you wont want to stop! Those of you who are adept at SUP will already know what you're looking forward to!

Return to your hotel to enjoy the dinner. 

KAYAK AND SNORKEL AMONG A CORAL REEF.

Today, after our breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to our launch site for our sea kayaking and snorkeling adventure at Isla Chora.

This small island is located just a short distance from Samara Beach. There is a stunning coral reef to explore and we can walk the beaches of the island (water shoes recommended).

Lunch today includes lots of local flavor and a true Guanacaste experience.

This afternoon is free. Join in on an optional  surfing lesson (extra cost), more snorkeling or relaxing on the beach. The choice is yours.  

The kayaking and  snorkeling activity is 2 to 3 hours.

Farewell dinner in a local restaurant. 

DEPARTURE TRANSFER  

Pick-up at your hotel for departure transfer to the Liberia International Airport. Check in 3 hours prior to the scheduled flight time. (B)

 End of services.