VOLCANO, RAINFOREST, WATERFALLS, BEACHES and
CULTURE!
9 nights and 8 days, $1750
- Hike in the rainforest with views of Arenal volcano
- Visit local families
- Roast and grind our own coffee at a coffee farm
- Eat lunch cooked in a solar oven
- Sunbathe and swim at a pristine beach
- Look for nesting turtles at Ostional Wildlife Refuge
- See crocodiles sunbathing at Isla de Chira
- Hike to a hidden valley and swim in a crystalline waterfall pool
- Learn how communities all over Costa Rica are doing their best to protect the land and wildlife that they love.
ITINERARY
Saturday:
Arrival at Juan Santamaria airport. Stay at a hotel of your choice.
Sunday:
Your bilingual naturalist guide will pick you up at your hotel and
take you to the mountainous Palmichal area south of San Jose, where
you will learn about the conservation practices this community has
developed. You will visit Don Manuel on his coffee farm, and learn how
to roast and grind coffee from Dona Cristobalina. Lunch, dinner and
overnight at Nacientes Palmichal Lodge.
Monday:
Breakfast in Palmichal and departure to the northern zone. On the way
you'll visit the picturesque town of Zarcero where you'll stop to
stroll through the beautiful topiary garden in front of the church.
After lunch, you will continue to Arenal volcano, staying at Arenal
Paraiso Lodge. Upon arrival you will meet local families for a
cultural presentation and dinner. Meals: breakfast and dinner.
Tuesday:
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Arenal Hanging Bridges, a
series trails through stunning rainforest, linked by 13 bridges of
different lengths and altitudes. Later, you'll go to Ecotermales La
Fortuna for a relaxing time in the natural hot springs, Dinner will
be at Ecotermales. Meals: breakfast and dinner.
Wednesday:
Breakfast
at the hotel and departure to Guanacaste province via the
road around Arenal Lake. In Guanacaste you will visit Casa del Sol,
where we will enjoy lunch cooked in a solar oven. You will continue on
to Hotel Giardino Tropicale in Playa Nosara. Meals: breakfast and
lunch.
Thursday
After breakfast you'll have time to play and relax at the beach. An
optional tour to Ostional Wildlife Refuge will happen that night if
the turtles are active. Usually the giant arribadas happen between the third
quarter and the new moon. Meals: breakfast.
Friday:
Breakfast at Giardino Tropicale and departure to Puerto San Pablo,
where a boat will be waiting to take you to Chira Island. Once aboard
the boat, you will see Venado and Caballo Islands, as well as Nicoya
Peninsula and the fishermen at their daily tasks. At Nancite wetland
you will have the opportunity to see 5 to 7 mangrove species and
observe the great diversity of bird species, many of which are
migratory. Then you'll travel to Paloma Island, a nesting sanctuary
for aquatic birds. This is also an excellent trip to see crocodiles
sunbathing. Finally you will reach Chira Island where you will walk to
La Amistad lodge to enjoy a delicious shellfish lunch, and learn the
inspiring story of the women of Isla de Chira, who were instrumental
in saving the reef near the island, which allowed the fish population
to return. Overnight at their lodge on the island. Meals: breakfast,
>lunch and dinner.
Saturday
Breakfast at on Isla de Chira and boat back to Puerto San Pablo.
Shortly after, you will arrive in the town of Jicaral where you will
have lunch and start the 90-minute climb to Cerro Escondido Lodge,
deep in the Karen Mogensen Reserve on
the Nicoya Peninsula. Overnight
the Nicoya Peninsula. Overnight
at Cerro Escondido. Bring hiking boots! Meals: breakfast, lunch and
dinner.
Sunday:
After breakfast, you will hike down to the beautiful Velo de Novia
(Bridal Veil) Falls where you will have a picnic lunch and swim in the
waterfall pools. Overnight at Cerro Escondido. Meals: breakfast, lunch
and dinner.
Monday
You will bid goodbye to Mary and Arnulfo, the couple that cooks and
guides at Cerro Escondido, and hike down in time to catch a ferry boat
from Playa Naranjo, sailing between the verdant islands of the Gulf of
Nicoya to the port town of Puntarenas. From there you will travel back
through the mountains to the Central Valley. Meals included: breakfast
Nine days, eight nights for $1750 per person double occupancy. Price includes:
Minibus and bilingual naturalist guide/driver.
All lodging and taxes mentioned, all meals mentioned as included.
Price does not include airfare from the US, nor does it include
lodging for your first and last nights in Costa Rica. We can recommend
inexpensive lodging if you need it.
For more information or to sign up, write beatrice@keytocostarica.com
This itinerary can also leave at any time of year. The larger the group, the lower the price.
Check out our other tours, or let us help you plan your own tour!
Learn about our 6-day, 7-night itinerary in February 2007