Our journey begins in the historic capital of San José at a delightful casino hotel. There is time for a swim or massage before the included dinner as our busy schedule flows into Costa Rica’s mystical tropical paradise. Dinner
En-route from San José to the La Fortuna area, visit Poás Volcano, one of the most spectacular volcanoes in Costa Rica. Poás has a long history of large eruptions, first producing a cloud of hot ash five miles high back in 1910. Look down from its mile-wide rim into a gigantic boiling cauldron of steaming geysers. We continue to the Doka Coffee Estate for a tour of the plantation where we learn how this famous product of Costa Rica is produced. Following lunch at the estate, we continue to La Fortuna, a village ringed by mountains and inhabited by friendly folk whose little shops may offer the perfect memento. Its most well-known ‘resident’ is the Arenal Volcano. From our hotel we can see its awe-inspiring cone first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. This evening is free to enjoy the rich natural wonders of the area — beautiful waterfalls, fragrant trails and the natural hot springs. Breakfast and lunch
There are few places on earth where one can observe an active volcano, and we will spend the afternoon near Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. Since it erupted 400 years ago, it has continued to light up the night sky. From our observation point, we feel the ground tremble and see smoke that billows from the earth’s molten core rise to join the clouds. Upon returning to the hotel, relax in the springs before enjoying the included dinner. With lovely views of the resort’s hot springs, lush gardens and Arenal Volcano, this is a tropical paradise. Breakfast and dinner
While in La Fortuna, we enjoy a full day excursion to Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, a remote “everglades” type of wetlands teeming in different species of flora, fauna and birdlife. During the excursion, a highlight will be a boat ride on the Frío River where you’ll have the opportunity to see birds such as the snake-bird, herons and cormorants; a variety of monkeys such as the howler, spider or white-face monkeys, three-toed sloths and local reptile inhabitants like the Jesus Christ Lizards and turtles. This is truly a unique experience, showcasing the natural beauty of Costa Rica. A typical lunch is provided during the excursion. Breakfast and lunch
After breakfast we drive to the Manuel Antonio area, famous for its national park. This tiny yet bustling town is located off Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, just a stone’s throw away from Quepos. The region is a treasure for biodiversity, attracting nature buffs, eco-travelers and adventure seekers alike. Without a doubt, Manuel Antonio lies within one of the country’s most celebrated spots. Upon arrival, check in to our hotel for three nights accommodations. Dinner is included this evening. Breakfast and dinner
We take a boat trip on the Tarcoles River located near Carara National Rain Forest Park. This adventure combines nature with the breathtaking experience of viewing American crocodiles at near proximities. Home to one of the world’s largest crocodile populations in the wild, some of these "local residents" are up to 15 feet long! As our boat ride takes us inside the mangrove canals and along the Tarcoles River, we also have the opportunity to spot many different species of birds, including the rare scarlet macaw, amongst the lush foliage. The afternoon is at leisure. Breakfast
Our included tour visits nearby Manuel Antonio National Park, the smallest of the parks in Costa Rica but one of the most popular. There is a magic to this park that is hard to explain. Per-haps it’s the park’s forest, mangroves, lagoons and beach vegetation that supports 1,009 species of mammals and 184 species of birds (with migrants bringing the bird species to some 270) that make it so amazing. Among the inhabitants that can be easily seen are sloths, iguanas, agoutis, armadillos, raccoons, coatimundis and the adorable squirrel monkey. We return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure before we say goodbye at our farewell dinner. Breakfast and dinner
After breakfast, our tropical getaway comes to an end as we return to the San José airport for our flight home. Flights should depart after 1:00 p.m. Fond memories of the beauty of Costa Rica and the warm hospitality of its people are sure to be treasured for a lifetime! Breakfast
Wyndham Herradura, San José, Costa Rica
Arenal Manoa Hotel, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
El Parador Hotel, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
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