Arrive in Juan Santamaría International Airport, San José, Costa Rica’s capital, where you will be met at the airport and transferred approximately 45 minutes to your hotel in Santa Ana. The rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture. Tonight, you will enjoy a welcome dinner.

This morning, get to know San Jose by exploring the main streets, theatres, museums and downtown neighbourhoods for 2 hours. After this, head to the outskirts of the city (20 minute drive), to the town of Escazu where vestiges of the colonial lifestyle still can be found on every corner. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, visit a local artisan to learn about the traditional 'mascaradas' and finish your visit at a sugar cane mill. The afternoon touring will last about 2 hours.

Today you travel for approximately 2 hours, through Braulio Carrillo National Park and across rural agriculture towns, made up of banana and cocoa plantations. You will embark on a boat, taking you across rivers to the beautiful jungle area of Tortuguero. This boat trip is 1.5 – 2 hours depending on the water level. Lunch will be served at the hotel, and later that afternoon a local elder will meet you at the hotel, giving you an introduction about the history of the area and its change from a lumberjack town into one of the most important wildlife protection areas in the country. Approximately 1hr in duration. The rest of the day is at leisure and dinner is served at the hotel. Between January – April if the water levels are too low, the main dock cannot be used. You will then be transferred to a secondary dock, 45 – 60 minutes drive away.

You will start the morning with a boat tour on the canals of Tortuguero National Park, exploring the flora and fauna that inhabits this area. Expect to see anything from small reptiles such as the Jesus Christ Lizard, multiple species of migratory and stationary birds, to the king of the Costa Rican jungles: the imposing jaguar. On the return you will stop at the town of Tortuguero, walking around and learning more about their way of living. Lunch will be at a floating restaurant while you enjoy a pleasant ride along the river. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax at the hotel before dinner. Total sightseeing time is approximately 3 hours.

Today you leave the Caribbean as your exploration continues crossing mountains, rivers and different kinds of forests. Cross back to the mainland and travel to one of the landmarks of Costa Rica, the Arenal Volcano. Again the transfer times is between 1.5 – 2 hours depending on water levels. With a stop for lunch at a local restaurant, you will drive 1 hour to the town of Sarapiqui where you will visit the house of a local farmer and get to taste the local delicacy of fresh cut heart of palm. Continue the 1.5 hour journey to Arenal Volcano, where the rest of the day is at leisure, before dinner at the hotel.

This morning you visit Eco Centro Danaus, one of the most important projects for wildlife protection and preservation in the area. The Reserve protects roughly three hectares of secondary forest. Enjoy a 1 hour walk exploring, before heading to La Fortuna village for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit the Arenal 1968 Park, where the hill hiking trails were formed by lava during the Arenal Volcano 1968 eruption. The 2 hour hike offers you great panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. There is no better way to unwind after a long day than a visit to the hot springs. These family-owned natural hot springs, 15 minutes drive away, are heated from the heart of the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy the peace and beautiful scenery for about 2, hours before dinner. Please note that the terrain is mostly gravel with loose rocks. The lowest point is 600m above sea level, and the highest is 900m. An moderate fitness level is required for this trail, however easier trails are available and your guide will choose the best trail for all.

Just 5 minutes from the hotel you will enjoy a trip in an inflatable boat through the scenic Río Peñas Blancas. As you paddle or float downstream, your naturalist guides will point out a wide variety of trees, birds, monkeys and other wildlife. This excursion will last 2 – 2,5 hours. This eco-tour, without the noise of a motorboat, is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the nature that usually coexists on the banks of rivers in San Carlos. During the tour, you will stop to share a mug of coffee with a farmer living isolated from the town. Lunch will be included at the hotel and the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel where optional experiences are available. Gather with the group in the evening to head to town for dinner at a local restaurant and experience a taste of the local lifestyle.

Today you leave the imposing Arenal Volcano and its’ rain forest behind as you move to the cloud forest area of Monteverde. Drive 2 hours to the town of Tilaran, where you will stop for lunch. It will take a further 2hours to reach Monteverde, as part of this drive will be on gravel road. You will have time to rest before meeting your guide and fellow travelers in the late afternoon to take on a 1,5 hour cloud forest night walk. Walking in the forest at night is a magical experience, as you learn more about the various species that rule the forest at nightfall. It is possible to spot some mammals, snakes, tarantulas, active and sleeping birds while enjoying the nightly symphony of frogs and insects. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant after the tour.

This morning you will take one of the most emblematic walks of this area on the Monteverde Hanging Bridges, that combine natural trails and amazing hanging bridges. Enjoy this 2 hour walk where you get to see the flora and fauna at every level of these magical tropical forests. Crossing hanging bridges is a unique experience, offering you complete views of the forest canopy and access to a completely different ecosystem that can only be discovered at the highest points of trees.

Today you leave the cloud forest behind as you head to the last destination of the trip, the area of Manuel Antonio located on the Central Pacific Coast of the country. Completing the forest cycle of the country, this area hosts a large variety of flora and fauna in a relatively small area of land, but also a significant patch of protected sea. It will be a 2 hour drive to your lunch stop and then a further 2 hour drive to your destination. Enjoy amazing views of the Nicoya Gulf as you head down from Monteverde and the Tilaran Mountain Range and then cross famous coastal areas such as the Tarcoles, Carara and Jaco Beach on the way to Manuel Antonio. The rest of the day is at leisure after arrival at the hotel.

This morning explore the pristine natural beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park filled with exotic wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles and butterflies. This picturesque walk will take you to one of the beaches named the most beautiful in the world, by Forbes magazine. Experience the lush rainforest behind you, white sandy beaches below, and crystalline blue waters. Have your camera ready, as your knowledgeable guide sets his trained eyes on diverse flora and fauna for you to capture along the way. You have approximately 3 hours to experience the natural beauty around you. At the end of the tour, you can either stay at the park, head out to explore the town or go back to the hotel with your guide.

Today’s morning is at leisure to relax before exploring the local flavors of the area this afternoon. The first stop allows you about an hour at the local farmers’ market in Quepos, where you have the opportunity to browse the stands and pick out ingredients for your dinner. Continue towards the small town of Londres, to a private ranch and dining area where you will start with a walk through an organic garden to pick out some finishing flavors, colors and textures for your meal. Then for the 3 hours preparation, guided by the expert local cooks. Participate in making corn tortillas by hand, exotic 'ceviches' with plantain or banana, rice cooked the old-fashioned way, chicken in a hearty tomato sauce, 'picadillos' (minced meats and veggies and spices combined), and more.

This morning after breakfast you will transfer to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose for your flight home.