Day 1: Arrive Liberia / Playa HermosaTour begins: Hotel Bosque del Mar, Playa Hermosa at 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Liberia International Airport to Hotel Bosque del Mar, Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste. Join us for a welcome reception and à la carte dinner at your secluded, garden-graced, Pacific Ocean resort.
Overnight: Hotel Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Nature's Paradise... Tizate Wellness GardensA guided horseback ride along mountain trails... a tropical forest canopy tour or exciting zip-line adventure* through the treetops above the Tizate River... a visit to an organic farm... relaxing massages in the spa... a soothing soak in thermal pools fed by volcanic hot springs – it’s your choice on a visit to the Tizate Wellness Gardens Hot Springs & Spa, a spa and adventure center tucked into a dry tropical forest on the edge of the Tizate River close to volcanic Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
Overnight: Hotel Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Sky Walk in Monteverde Cloud ForestMonteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, a wondrous world of clouds and mists, is home to an incredible range of plant, animal and bird life. Discover its secrets with an expert naturalist as you sky walk across the tree canopies atop suspension bridges at Selvatura Park, for an opportunity to enjoy a bird’s-eye look at howler monkeys, agouti, sloths, toucans and other colorful birds. Before dinner, attend a lecture by one of the Quaker settlers who founded Monteverde Reserve in the 1950s.
Overnight: Monteverde Lodge, Monteverde, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Biodiversity in Monteverde ReserveExplore Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve’s amazing abundance of wildlife today, including thousands of plant and animal species; themed displays and exhibits afford a close-up look at this biological treasure trove. A visit to the Serpentarium sheds light on its broad collection of reptiles, while the Butterfly Garden features a biodiversity center and four climate-controlled butterfly gardens; naturalists provide insights on these delicate insects. Feeders at the Hummingbird Gallery introduce guests to several different species of hummingbirds. Enjoy an eclectic mix of Costa Rican and fusion cuisine for lunch in a beautiful tropical setting at Sofia, prior to a guided walk in a private reserve that offers glimpses of more unique flora and fauna. Dine at your lodge this evening.
Overnight: Monteverde Lodge, Monteverde, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Lake Arenal Cruise and a Zip-Line AdventureDepart Monteverde Reserve and drive past rolling hills, coffee plantations and cattle farms to Lake Arenal. The largest lake in Costa Rica, it sits in the imposing shadow of Volcano Arenal, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth... it’s been continuously erupting since 1968! You’ll have a chance to get a closer look on a scenic cruise across the lake to Lake Arenal Dam. Nature beckons on an exhilarating Sky Tram / Sky Trek in a jungle canopy, including an opportunity to zip-line through the treetops of the rainforest for a fast-paced, bird’s-eye view of nature. Those who prefer to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground can opt for an informative guided rainforest walk. Catch your breath on a drive to your resort in the San Carlos Valley for two nights. Tilajari Resort Hotel epitomizes luxury in the wilderness and is dedicated to the sustainability of its lush natural surroundings.
Overnight: Tilajari Resort Hotel, Muelle, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: A Gentle Peñas Blancas River Float TripHead into the jungle today for a gentle float trip* down the wildlife-rich Peñas Blancas River; your bilingual guide helps you spot giant iguanas, sloths, crocodiles, monkeys and other wildlife along the shore and tropical birds – and more monkeys – in the trees above. Stop along the way for an authentic slice of rural Costa Rican life as you visit with a local farmer and his extended family at their private home; they’ve lived on the river all their lives, as did their ancestors before them, without modern-day technologies. Return to Tilajari Resort for lunch and an afternoon spent enjoying paradise as you please. Swim, play tennis, explore the grounds, or choose from optional activities (available at additional cost) including horseback riding, rafting and zip-line adventures, and pampering massages at the spa.
Overnight: Tilajari Resort Hotel, Muelle, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: From Coffee Beans to Gold in San JoséFollow the development of fine Costa Rican gourmet coffee from the seed to the cup on a guided tour of the historic Doka Estate coffee plantation on the slopes of Alajuela Poas Volcano. You’ll learn about the production, the harvesting, the processing plant and the roasting of the grain and enjoy an aromatic tasting of some of Costa Rica’s best coffee. After lunch, continue on to Costa Rica’s capital city of San José, where our exclusive Golden Evening includes a farewell reception and dinner at the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum). Situated underground, the museum extends down three stories and is home to a dazzling collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts.
Overnight: Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower, San José, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Journey HomeTour ends: San José. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Allow 3 hours for check-in.
Overnight: Meals Included: Breakfast