Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in San José
You'll land at Juan Santamaría Airport and get picked up by a representative who'll take you to San José. Check into your hotel and settle in for the night.
- Day 2
Irazú Volcano, Mountain Biking, Turrialba
After breakfast, you're heading out for a hike around Irazú Volcano's craters followed by mountain biking through local plantations and rural towns. The biking portion takes about 3.5 hours on rolling terrain, and you'll have roughly an hour of walking as well. Lunch happens at Torre Alba Restaurant, then you'll visit a historical church in Aquiares before finishing with a swim at a natural waterfall pool.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Torre Alba Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided hike around two main craters at Irazú Volcano National Park
- Mountain bike ride from Irazú Volcano to Turrialba Volcano National Park perimeter (3.5 hours on gravel trails)
- Visit to historical church in Aquiares
- Swimming at natural pool beneath 15-metre waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Irazú Volcano Turrialba Volcano - Day 3
Horseback Riding and Cooking Class, Turrialba
This morning starts with a two-hour horseback ride at Casa Turire farm where you'll pass through sugar cane fields, coffee plantations, and secondary forest. The route gives you nice views of the Turrialba Valley the whole way. After the ride, local women will teach you how to make corn tortillas with local cheese during a cooking class.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided horseback riding tour (2 hours) through plantations and secondary forest at Casa Turire
- Scenic lookout viewing entire Turrialba Valley and surrounding mountains
- Cooking class with local women on making corn tortillas with Turrialba cheese
Landmarks/POIs Turrialba Valley - Day 4
Pacuare River White-Water Rafting, Sarapiqu í
You'll spend 3.5 hours on the Pacuare River doing white-water rafting with Class III and IV rapids after breakfast. Between sections, there's time for a tropical fruit snack and a dip at a waterfall. The dramatic Huacas rapids come later in the day. After you're done on the water, you'll shower and change before heading to lunch at a local restaurant with Costa Rican buffet-style food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Buffet-style Costa Rican lunch at local restaurant in Siquirres)
Included Activities
- Guided white-water rafting on Pacuare River (3.5 hours) including Class III and IV rapids
- Tropical fruit snack break during rafting
- Short hike to nearby waterfall with swimming opportunity
- Waterfall viewing and dip at dramatic canyon
Landmarks/POIs Pacuare River - Day 5
Chocolate Tour and Hot Springs, Arenal
Following breakfast, you're off to La Tirimbina for a guided chocolate tour that crosses a suspension bridge into the Tirimbina Biological Reserve. You'll learn about cacao history and see how artisanal chocolate gets made, plus get to taste freshly prepared chocolate. Later in the evening, head back to relax in the hotel's natural hot springs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided chocolate tour at La Tirimbina Biological Reserve including suspension bridge crossing
- Hike through former cacao plantation section of Tirimbina Reserve
- Demonstration of artisanal cacao processing and chocolate-making
- Chocolate tasting of traditional preparations
- Evening soak in natural hot springs at hotel
Landmarks/POIs La Tirimbina Biological Reserve Arenal Volcano - Day 6
Arenal Hot Springs Relaxation
After breakfast, you have a relaxed day ahead. Spend about 4 hours soaking in the natural hot springs around Arenal Volcano at your own pace, unwinding and just enjoying the warm waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leisure time in natural hot springs surrounding Arenal Volcano (4 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Arenal Volcano - Day 7
Monteverde Cloud Forest, Return to San José
You'll hike through Monteverde Reserve after breakfast, exploring one of the world's most well-known cloud forests. The 35 square kilometer reserve has different ecological zones where you might spot mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, and reptiles. Lunch isn't included, so plan accordingly. After the hike, transfer back to San José and check into Presidente Hotel for your final night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve across four ecological 'Live Zones'
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Monteverde (not included)
Landmarks/POIs Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve - Day 8
Departure from San José
Pack your bags after a final breakfast at the hotel and head to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your departure flight. Your Costa Rica trip comes to an end here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
