Itinerary
- Day 1
San Jose
You'll arrive in San Jose and spend the day getting your bearings around the city. This morning, walk through Barrio Amon to see colonial mansions that have been converted into art galleries. In the afternoon, head over to Barrio Escalante where you can check out the neighborhood's restaurant scene and grab dinner at one of the local spots.
Optional Activities
- Explore Barrio Amon colonial architecture and art galleries
- Dinner at a restaurant in Barrio Escalante
Landmarks/POIs Barrio Amon Barrio Escalante - Day 2
San Jose to Cloud Forest
After a quick tour of San Jose's main landmarks, you'll travel toward Sarchi to browse hand-painted oxcarts and local crafts. From there, the route takes you through the scenic Tilaran Mountain range as you drive into the Cloud Forest. You'll arrive at your lodge later in the day and settle in for the night surrounded by misty forest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of San Jose
- Visit Sarchi to explore arts and crafts including hand-painted oxcarts
Optional Activities
- Purchase hand-painted oxcarts and other Costa Rican souvenirs in Sarchi
Landmarks/POIs Sarchi Tilaran Mountain Range Cloud Forest - Day 3
Cloud Forest
Spend your morning exploring the cloud forest reserve with your travel director, looking for the thousands of plant and animal species that live here. You'll hear hummingbirds, howler monkeys, and if you're lucky, the rare Resplendent Quetzal. In the afternoon, relax at the lodge or sign up for the optional El Trapiche tour to visit sugarcane, banana, orange, and coffee plantations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided hike into the cloud forest with Travel Director to learn about unique bird and wildlife ecosystems
Optional Activities
- 'El Trapiche' tour visiting sugarcane, banana, orange and coffee plantations
- Other Choice Experiences available
Landmarks/POIs Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 4
La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano
You'll travel to La Fortuna and spend the day exploring the area around Arenal Volcano. The landscape has natural hot springs and geothermal features, plus plenty of tropical wildlife like colorful birds, monkeys, and iguanas. By evening, relax in the outdoor hot springs at your resort to wind down.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore hot springs and geothermal attractions
- Wildlife spotting (birds, monkeys, iguanas)
- Outdoor pool at resort nestled in tropical gardens
Landmarks/POIs Arenal Volcano La Fortuna - Day 5
Arenal Volcano and Hanging Bridges
Start early with a guided hike through Arenal's private reserve, walking over lava rocks and forest trails while looking up at the volcano and Arenal Lake. Later, you'll head to Arenal Hanging Bridges Park for a sky walk through the jungle canopy on suspension bridges, watching for birds and other wildlife. End the day relaxing in local hot springs before heading back to your resort.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike through Arenal private reserve with views of volcano and Arenal Lake
- Arenal Hanging Bridges Park 'sky walk' through jungle canopy with Local Specialist (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience)
- Evening dip at local hot springs
Landmarks/POIs Arenal Private Reserve Arenal Hanging Bridges Park Arenal Lake Mirador 1968 - Day 6
Penas Blancas River Safari
This morning you'll float down the Penas Blancas River with a local guide, keeping watch for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, caimans, and tropical birds. After the river tour, you'll visit a local family to learn how people in Costa Rica live alongside their natural environment. It's a good chance to connect with the local culture and see how the wildlife and people coexist here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Safari float down the Penas Blancas River with Local Guide
- Wildlife spotting (monkeys, sloths, iguanas, caimans, tropical birds)
- Visit to a local family
Landmarks/POIs Penas Blancas River - Day 7
Departure
Your trip wraps up this morning with a transfer back to San Jose International Airport. You should arrive around 11:00 AM for your departure flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs San Jose International Airport
