Essence of Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica. After clearing immigrations and customs follow to the exit and take the transfer to the hotel, less than 30 minutes away.
Check in to the Barcelo San Jose .

After breakfast, check out and be ready with your luggage for your departure to Costa Rica’s heartland.
The Arenal Volcano with Hot Springs tour is one of the most popular tours that we offer.
This tour offers the best of both worlds, in terms of the raw untamed beauty of the imposing Arenal Volcano, which is juxtaposed against the lush and soothing thermal waters of  Hot Springs. All this set against a backdrop of lush vegetation and breathtaking views of the nearly perfect conical shaped lines of the volcano.
Situated in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica and about a 2 hour ride away, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a magnificent natural wonder that attracts thousands of tourists who come to see an active volcano which on clear days allows one to witness white plumes of smoke that emanate from this conical shaped behemoth. It should be noted, that the volcano had previously been assumed to be dormant, until in 1968, when to everyone’s amazement it experienced a major eruption.

Enroute to the Arenal Volcano there will be a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans. In Sarchi, you can see many of the handicrafts that Costa Rica has to offer, as well as the possibility of feasting your eyes on the world largest ox cart. The cart is made of cedar and is painted with several coats (4) of orange paint and is multicolored. The design is typical and intricate, indicative of traditional oxcarts. The oxcart is two stories high and took nearly 70 days to construct and paint. For the record, according to the Guinness book of world recorded, the cart is nearly 45 feet long (14 meters) and weighs 4400 lbs (2 tons).
The journey will then continue, traversing diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple farms, and mango groves, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until arriving to the small town of La Fortuna, and stopping to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the volcano.
Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area where you will revel in the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters. Hot spring is nestled at the base of mighty Arenal with a view of the Volcano towering in the background. Here, thermo-mineral springs flowing from Arenal run at a soothing 102 F through a maze of pools, waterfalls and exotic tropical gardens. You’ll love exploring the springs many nooks pulsating with these magic hot waters!
Hot springs combines the four elements of nature; the heat of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs, the pure air of the rainforest, and the fertile earth of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region, to provided visitors with a first rate experience.

And for a perfect ending, before checking in to your Arenal area hotel, signature buffet dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano. Back on board for your drop off at The Montana de Fuego Hotel & Spa. Check in and overnight.  Meals BLD

After breakfast, day free.
If you Join today’s optional tour, you’ll be picked up from your hotel for the most populat aerial tram tour and best zip line in Costa Rica at Sky Adventure Park.
Afternoon to relax or perhaps treat yourself to the lava rocks massage at the hotel’s En Gadi Spa.
Meals B

Option Tour: SKY TRAM & SKY TREK TOUR
After breakfast, if you join today’s optional tour. We are off for a great adventure! After a short drive, we will arrive at Sky Adventure Park.
Here we will embark on the Sky Tram. The Tram is.a series of gondolas that rise smoothly through the rainforest, offering up endless views during its mountainous ascent. This tour is perfect for people who want to take a different approach on admiring nature, without much physical effort but still be on spot where nature exhibits all its magic. On tour you will be attended by a bilingual guide who will point out different characteristics of the flora and fauna and other interesting facts. The Sky Tram travels up the mountain to arrive at a wide observation platform on the highest point of the reserve. Once there,  enjoy the indescribable view.  And of course, get ready for the thrilling Sky Trek portion of today’s tour, the ultimate Zip line experience!
Sky Trek is a thrilling zip line circuit that directly follows the Sky Tram starting at the observation platform.  Here, all geared up and in harness & helmet, you will start riding down on a zip line track stretching across canyons and in between treetops, the exhilarating adventure of zip lining down the mountainside begins; ultimately returning you to the starting point at the main building. This is the most thrilling zip line in the country. It’s something you probably never thought you would do…but sure glad you did!
Return to hotel with great memories of an amazing day!

Check out and departure after breakfast. Sit back and relax for 3 1/2 hour scheduled shuttle transfer to Costa Rica’s gorgeous central pacific coast and the treasure of white sand beaches housed in Manuel Antonio National Park (park closed Mondays). Check in to the Hotel El Karahe. Get comfortable in your selected guest room. Meals:  B

Enjoy nature all around you over breakfast today. Join today’s optional tour to Manuel Antonio National Park (Park close Mondays)
Meals B

Optional Tours:

MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK TOUR
Manuel Antonio National Park, it’s absolutely unforgettable. Take a leisurely hike with a highly trained, well-educated Costa Rican naturalist guide through exotic, bio-diverse tropical rain forest preserved in this 34 year old national treasure, Manuel Antonio National Park.

Watch sloths and numerous species of monkeys travel through the tree canopy, track nocturnal silky anteaters and several types of monkeys or iguanas resting in the tropical rain forest, and listen to the songs of the various birds as they chirp above your group, curiously. And if we are lucky, we might spot one of the only 1,000 remaining endangered Mono Titi or squirrel monkey, which live in only one location in the world, here in Manuel Antonio National Park’s biological corridor.

So much can be seen here in a span of just 2 1/2 hours! Hike through the trails and enjoy unspoiled, uncrowded, pristine beaches after beach.
Return to your hotel for a nice “siesta”.

SAVEGRE RIVER RAFTING – Full Day

This adventurous, family-friendly, full-day trip is a unique white water river rafting adventure with lots of “perks”. You can expect that our world-class, internationally-trained, bilingual guides and safety kayakers will safely guide and teach you how to navigate through this exciting river experience. You and your group of fellow rafters will start slowly and work your way up to an unforgettable yet manageable adventure that will leave you either begging for more – so go on the Naranjo River high-octane trip next – or leave completely satisfied and happy that you experienced one of Costa Rica’s famous rivers, the Savegre.

Your last full day in Costa Rica is at your leisure or save one more challenge and take the Optional Tour: Savegre River Rafting adventure.
Meals:B

Morning private transfer to the San Jose International Airport (2 1/2 hours) for your return flight to the U.S. Meals: B