For years you’ve probably heard friends rave about Costa Rica: its natural beauty, wildlife, friendly people, the political stability of the area, reasonable prices, erupting volcanoes, beautiful beaches, and the mysterious rainforests. You know what? It’s all true! It’s hard to imagine that there can be such diversity in landforms and wildlife in such a small country, but you’ll soon be back telling your friends about your amazing Costa Rica walking tour.

Part of the reason Costa Rica is so popular with visitors is its commitment to preserving the nation’s natural areas and wildlife. In fact, proportionately, Costa Rica protects more of its land in parks and reserves than any other country in the world.

Until recently, Costa Rica could boast of protecting 11.4 percent of their national territory in their parks system. A new initiative will extend this total to nearly 19 percent of Costa Rica’s mountains, volcanoes, forests, and beaches.

When you join us in Costa Rica, you’ll be traveling to one of the most diverse areas in the world. Costa Rica’s parks shelter some of the planet’s most important examples of biol ogical diversity including 5 percent of all plant and animal species on Earth. Costa Rica’s National Biodiversity Institute has identified an absolutely amazing number of both plant and animal species.

Those species presently known include 209 mammals; 850 birds; 220 reptiles; 163 amphibians; 130 freshwater fish; 350,000 insects, spiders and crabs; 13,021 plants; 1,500 trees; and over 1,400 types of orchids. All in all, Costa Rica offers one of the most attractive and hospitable destinations in the world. So, brush up on your Spanish, load your camera, open your senses, and join us in magical Costa Rica!

Itinerary may be changed at the discretion of the trip leader.

Day 1 – Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica. Transfer to our hotel from the airport.

Day 2 – San Jose to La Fortuna.  After a hearty breakfast, we’ll meet our local guide, learn a bit of Spanish, and board our private coach for our journey to learn about the traditional Boruca masks. These are brightly colored, carved wooden masks, long a symbol of the indigenous Boruca people from southern Costa Rica. Then we’re off to La Paz waterfall gardens, a spectacular series of 4 waterfalls in the middle of the rainforest. We’ll explore the hummingbird gallery, serpentarium, bird house, butterfly garden, and the frog exhibit, and of course, the waterfalls. Following lunch, we’ll head to La Fortuna and our hotel. La Fortuna itself is the perfect venue for nature and adventure – including Volcano Arenal, hot springs, and waterfalls. Overnight in Fortuna.

Day 3 – La Fortuna. We begin our day with a combo canopy tour in the Arenal Conservation Area to view the surrounding rainforest from the treetops, making use of a series of platforms and zip lines built in the heights of the forest itself. If that’s not enough, there’s a Tarzan swing at the end for all to attempt. Tropical rainforests have the highest biodiversity of all forests. Interestingly, most rainforest species are found in the canopy. Evening finds us learning how to prepare a traditional Costa Rican meal followed by a night hike with our local naturalist. Overnight in Fortuna.

Day 4 – Cano Blanco Safari Float Tour. Today’s adventure finds us enjoying the quiet beauty one experiences while floating gently down a pristine river in a wildlife sanctuary known for its beauty and unique wildlife. We’ll be treated to a veritable smorgasbord of wildlife, including howler and white-face monkeys, caimans, grackles, blue Herons, egrets, hummingbirds, Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibis, American Anhingas, turtles, the Amazon Kingfisher and the Basilik lizard to name but a few. A highlight of our trip includes a visit with a local family to share some local foods and learn a bit about life on their farm. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a visit to a local school. Overnight in Fortuna.

Day 5 – Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Hot Springs.  Our morning finds us enjoying a spectacular walk near the base of Arenal Volcano, bringing us up close and personal with a  now inactive volcano. In the not-too-distant past Arenal could be seen, and heard, erupting approximately every 2-4 hours. We’ll learn about the volcano’s active history and walk over the most recent lava flows, enjoying fabulous views of Lake Arenal.  Don’t worry though, we’re always at a safe distance. And for an unforgettable evening, we’ll enjoy a luxurious soak and dinner at Tabacon Hot Springs, an extravagantly landscaped series of hot pools and waterfalls at the base of Arenal Volcano. Overnight in Fortuna.

Day 6 – Fortuna – Lake Arenal – Trapiche – Monteverde. Today we head for the world famous Monteverde Cloud Forest. Our journey to Monteverde begins with a boat ride across Lake Arenal, just outside of Fortuna. After our crossing we’ll be met by our guides and coach to complete our trip to Monteverde. On the way, we’ll stop to enjoy a tour of the Trapiche Coffee Farm where we can help pick the ripe coffee beans and transport them to the grinding machine. Sugar cane and Cacao trees also grow at Trapiche, giving us the opportunity to see how sugar is made from the cane and how chocolate is made from the seeds of the Cacao. We’ll get to make, and taste, our own chocolate! At the end of the tour, you’ll be able to sample “picadillo de arracache”, a traditional vegetable dish and a cup, or cups, of fresh roasted coffee. Monteverde. Our walks here will offer breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and surrounding islands as we explore this world class reserve. Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 7 – Monteverde – Cloud Forest. Our walk today provides an opportunity to learn about the Monteverde Rain Forest’s magnificent ecosystem, including a lush green garden of mosses, ferns, unique and stunningly colorful flowers, and epiphytes growing thickly on every variety of tropical tree. As we walk, we’ll see clouds drift in and settle among the surrounding slopes, giving the continuous moisture required for such exuberant plant growth. Dangling roots and vines sweep across the trails. The air is rich with the sounds of birds and the occasional scurrying of small mammals on the forest floor and, from time to time, the raucous roars of howler monkeys. Then it’s time to leave Monteverde and head to Guanacaste on the Pacific Coast. Overnight in Guanacaste.

Day 8 – Guanacaste – Chorotega Cultural Cooking Class and Turtle Nesting Tour.

Today offers a variety of options, but if possible, we’ll enjoy a cooking class based on recipes from the indigenous Chorotega people.  In the evening, we’ll witness beautiful sea turtles, each weighing over 100 pounds and reaching over 2.5 feet long, laying from 80 to 100 eggs each. This is a unique experience you won’t forget. Overnight Guanacaste.

Day 9 – Guanacaste – San Jose. Enjoy relaxing at the beach or your favorite past time, all influenced by the tropical magic that is Costa Rica. Return to San Jose for our last night. Festive farewell buffet dinner at the top of San Jose. Local musicians and dancers celebrate with us. Join in the celebration! Pura Vida! Overnight in San Jose.

 Day 10 – Transfer to San Jose Airport. Depart for home.

THE DETAILS