Naturally Costa Rica

Day 1: Arrive San José, Costa Rica

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Costa Rica.  On arrival to San José Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at your leisure in the San Jose until you meet your group tonight.

San José is home to history and culture, outstanding architecture, friendly locals and bustling nightlife.  The capital is a bustling city in the middle of the country that is surrounded by mountains, volcanoes and untouched cloud forests.  This is also the cultural center of Costa Rica with lively markets, historic neighbourhoods and theatres, many art galleries, museums and parks.

Day 2: San José to La Fortuna

This morning travel to La Fortuna – a small leafy town that is the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. Learn the secret tips on how to cook traditional Costa Rican tortillas with a local woman who will help you prepare dishes with ingredients from her garden. You will your tortillas the traditional way by using the wood-fired stove and then sit down to a lunch of Costa Rican favourites to get to know the family. Enjoy a free afternoon when you may choose to visit the nearby hot springs that are fed by the thermal Tabacon River (additional cost).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: La Fortuna

Today is a free day or you to explore La Fortuna at your own pace. Some options in the area (additional expense) are visiting the national park to hike Arenal Volcano, take one of the trails leading to La Fortuna Waterfall or take a Cano Negro boat tour of a wetland system that is home to varied wildlife like sloths, monkeys, caimans and tropical birds.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: La Fortuna to Monteverde

Travel to Monteverde today, taking a boat across Lake Arenal followed by a scenic drive. When you arrive in Monteverde, you have a free afternoon to choose your own adventure (excursions additional expense). Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, head to the butterfly garden, visit the suspension bridges for leafy views or take a night walk in the forest looking for local wildlife.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Monteverde to Manuel Antonio

Hike in the spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve – host to more than 100 different species of mammals and 400 species of birds. Your leader will teach you about the fascinating biodiversity of the region and help spot wildlife. Look out for the quetzal with its quirky hairdo and listen for the sounds of howler monkeys or the unmistakable call of the three-wattled bellbird. The reserve also has nearly 500 unique species of orchids. In the afternoon,  drive to Manuel Antonio National Park. When you arrive in this lush national park, you have the option to go on a scenic sunset cruise.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Manuel Antonio National Park

Today you have the chance to explore the lush national park surrounding Manuel Antonio on a guided excursion with a specialist naturalist guide. Wander into the depths of the rainforest, keep an eye out for sloths and iguanas – your guide will know where to find the weird and wonderful animals.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Manuel Antonio

Today is a free day to explore more of this region. You may choose an optional activity (additional expense) such as a kayaking the waterways and mangroves to seeing the park from the water, head to one of Manuel Antonio’s famed beaches, rent a surfboard and spend some time catching waves in the water, or relax on the beach.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: Manuel Antonio to Zona de Los Santos

Drive to a small indigenous community, the Terraba or Teribe, who are an indigenous group with a rich cultural heritage. Located on approximately 34.7 square miles (9000 hectares) along the Terraba River, they have survived off the land for more than 500 years. This is a matriarchal community where women are the teachers responsible for passing information down through the generations. Learn how to carve a wooden mask before sharing lunch with the villagers. This afternoon, travel to Copey de Dota.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Manuel to San José

This morning visit a family-owned organic farm to learn how the coffee bean makes its way from cherry to cup. This includes the process from planting to harvesting, roasting and grinding to then prepare your own cup of coffee. Enjoy lunch with the family before driving back to San Jose where your leader will take you for a walk around this lively city.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 8: Depart San José, Costa Rica

After breakfast, your Costa Rica adventure comes to an end today, depart any time. Note: Your international flights are not included, contact us for the latest fares to travel between Canada and Costa Rica.