Pure Costa Rica: Monteverde, Arenal + Corcovado

Whether your international flight arrives in San Jose or Liberia, you’ll be warmly greeted upon arrival and escorted to your private chauffeured vehicle. Sit back and enjoy your first visual experiences of Costa Rica’s lush landscapes as you journey into the cool mountains of Monteverde. Upon arrival, check-in to our inviting highland resort where the balance of your day is to enjoy as you wish.

Monteverde, “Green Mountain” in Spanish, owes its verdant beauty to the moisture-rich, Pacific trade winds that blow upward along the mountain slopes. With clouds, fog and mist enshrouding the upper reaches of the forest canopy, it is a place of captivating beauty. It is also a land of incredible biodiversity including 450 different types of orchids, 400 species of birds and a wide variety of mammals.  Today, you can tailor your exploration to your own personal interests and taste for adventure with one of these included, privately guided excursions:

• El Trapiche—Coffee, Sugar + Cacao: Get to know Costa Rica beyond its flora and fauna at El Trapiche, a family-run operation that includes sugar cane, coffee and cacao. Experience local life and learn about the many steps that bring these products to your pantry. Of course, no visit would be complete without a tasting of their artisanal chocolate and robust coffee. Tour Duration 2 Hours
• Curi Cancha Reserve Guided Hike: Covering more than 200 acres of varied ecosystems including virgin forest, this private reserve is a birdwatcher’s paradise with 4-miles of well-maintained trails winding through the tropical cloud forest. Accompanied by your private naturalist guide, this hike offers a chance to observe several important species in their natural habitat including the reclusive Resplendent Quetzal, Blue-Crowned Motmot and Orange-Bellied Trogon. Tour Duration 3 Hours
• Monteverde Reserve Guided Hike: The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve was established in 1972 and continues to be a model of conservation and sustainable ecotourism. With our expert, sharp-eyed guide leading the way, you’ll explore the cloud forest learning about the region’s history as well as its flora and fauna. Your guide is equipped with a telescope and binoculars so you can better observe the animals and birds that might be encountered. Tour Duration 3 Hours
• Santa Elena Reserve Guided Hike: In a unique community partnership, the 765-acre Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is managed by the local high school. Within its borders, you’ll find a lush garden of mosses, ferns, flowers and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree. Dangling roots and vines sweep across the trails and the sounds of birds and other animals echo throughout the forest. It’s a nature-lover’s paradise that you’ll explore with your engaging and knowledgeable naturalist guide.  Tour Duration 3 Hours
• Children’s Eternal Forest Guided Hike: Encompassing more than 55,000 acres, this is Costa Rica’s largest private reserve—one dedicated to preserving, maintaining and rehabilitating local ecosystems and their biodiversity. With a variety of terrains and trails, visitors of all ages and capabilities can enjoy this opportunity to see and learn about the unique flora and fauna of a transitional forest, the ecosystem between rainforest and cloud forest.  Tour Duration 3 Hours
• Monteverde Reserve Nocturnal Tour: Setting out with your personal naturalist guide, this exciting excursion offers the opportunity to witness wildlife activity during the sunset hours—when diurnal animals are seeking a place to rest and nocturnal creatures are beginning their activities. Common sightings during these twilight hours include sloths, coatis, agoutis, gray foxes, tarantulas, frogs, a variety of insect species, and numerous sleeping birds. Tour Duration 2 Hours
• Horseback Riding Private Tour: With a variety of horses available for guests, beginners and experienced riders alike can take advantage of this exciting excursion. Traveling through pristine forest and cultivated areas, you’ll experience nature at its best along and witness scenes of typical Costa Rican life from coffee estates to dairy farms. From one of Monteverde’s famed viewpoints, you’ll have spectacular vistas of the Gulf of Nicoya and the beautiful mountains and countryside. Tour Duration 3 Hours
• Hanging Bridges Tour: Ascend into the canopy high above the shaded forest floor to explore the rich biodiversity of this unique ecosystem. Winding your way along the 8 suspension bridges is an exciting experience enhanced by the knowledge and insights of your private nature guide. The longest suspension spans an impressive 560 feet, promising unforgettable, awe-inspiring views of the cloud forest. Tour Duration 2 Hours

After breakfast, your chauffeured vehicle will take you to Arenal, a scenic journey that skirts the northern shores of Lake Arenal. Upon arrival, check in to our inviting hotel. The rest of this day is yours to enjoy the tranquil setting and amenities of your resort.  Meals B
 

With the soaring silhouette of the eponymous volcano at its heart, Arenal Volcano National Park and the surrounding Arenal Conservation Area offer a wide variety of activities for travelers of all ages and physical abilities. Today you can choose one of these included, privately guided excursions based upon your own personal interests and taste for adventure:

• Mistico Hanging Bridges Guided Hike: Appropriate for all ages, this exciting adventure explores different levels of the forest from the undergrowth all the way to the lush canopy 100 feet above the shadowy forest floor. Explore 2 miles of fixed and hanging bridges that wind through the forest reserve as your personal guide shares insight into the various eco-systems and their unique flora and fauna.  Tour Duration 3 Hours
• Arenal Volcano Guided Hike: Enhanced by the deep knowledge of your private naturalist guide, you’ll explore the varied volcanic landscapes of Arenal, from petrified lava flows to areas where the forest is regenerating after past eruptions. Along with terrific views of the region, this tour offers a chance for up-close observation of plants, wildlife and unusual geological formations. Tour Duration 3.5 Hours
• Birdwatching Arenal Private Tour: With our own personal birding guide, this early morning tour can be tailored to your specific interests and previous birdwatching experience. Exploring various ecosystems offers the chance to observe different bird groups including aquatic, highland and lowland species. Colorful Toucans, Parrots and Orioles are among the birds most commonly observed. Experienced birders will be thrilled by the chance to see rarer species including the Amazonian Royal Flycatcher and Cinnamon Woodpecker. Tour Duration 3 Hours
• Peñas Blancas River Safari Float: With our experienced river guide to paddle and guide your raft down a gently flowing stretch of the Peñas Blancas River, this activity is perfect for travelers who simply want to relax as they experience the tranquility and natural beauty of the forest. With the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife including monkeys, sloths, basilisk lizards, caimans, herons and cormorants, this is also the ideal tour for nature lovers. Tour Duration 4 Hours
• Sloths and Birds Private Tour: With its starring role as Flash Slothmore in the Disney film Zootopia, the sloth is one of the Costa Rica’s most famous animal residents. It’s also one of the most elusive, hiding in the dense jungle vegetation. But with our sharp-eyed naturalist guide at your side, this 1.25-mile guided walk is your best chance to come face-to-face with this marvelous creature. The trail also takes you into an area rich with birdlife.  Tour Duration 1.5 Hours
• Mountain Biking Along Lake Arenal Private Tour: Covering about 16 miles in total, this privately guided mountain biking tour does not require extensive cycling experience. Designed to immerse you in the area’s scenic beauty, it’s a recreational activity that can be modified based upon your desired difficulty level. You’ll travel a low-traffic route through pastoral towns and virgin forests, with spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Along with your private cycling guide, an assistance van will be near at hand to provide assistance if needed.  Tour Duration 3 Hours
• Kayaking Lake Arenal Private Tour: Enhanced by the broad knowledge and paddling expertise of your personal naturalist guide, this kayaking adventure takes you across the tranquil waters of Lake Arenal with its secluded bays and verdant peninsulas. Aquatic birds including kingfishers and cormorants are often spotted along with ospreys and toucans and the sounds of howler monkeys and other animals pierce the air. No prior kayaking experience is needed.  Tour Duration 3 Hours
• Rio Balsa White Water Rafting Class II-III Private Tour: The intermediate level of the Rio Balsa’s white water rapids makes this the perfect adventure for thrill seekers of all types, from amateur to expert rafters. The tour begins with a scenic 1-hour transfer to the riverbank where equipment and a safety briefing will be provided. An expert river guide will control the direction of your craft and give paddling commands to guide you safely through each set of rapids. The final stretch of the river is notably gentler, allowing time to observe local wildlife including sloths, monkeys and toucans. There will be time for a swim, and lunch at a local restaurant is included.  Tour Duration 5 Hours
• Canopy Zip Line Private Tour: With 11 different platforms and extensive stretches of 8 cables winding through the soaring forest canopy, this privately guided adventure is an adrenaline-rushing way to experience the unique flora and fauna of the rainforest including 3 species of monkey, sloths, toucans and hummingbirds. A 120 foot-high rappel offers spectacular views of the Arenal River Canyon.  Tour Duration 2 Hours
• Horseback Riding Arenal Volcano Private Tour: With an experienced equestrian guide leading the way, this memorable adventure can be tailored to your level of prior horseback riding experience. Exploring the trails of the El Silencio Reserve, you’ll ascend gradually through pastoral cattle grazing fields into the shade of the forest. You’ll discover impressive geological formations produced by past eruptions and visit the Arenal Volcano Viewpoint. This is a terrific place to capture a photograph of your horse with the mighty volcano as your backdrop.  Tour Duration 2 Hours

After breakfast, enjoy a privately chauffeured transfer to San Jose Airport for your included flight to the remote and wildly beautiful Osa Peninsula. Upon arrival in Drake Bay, you’ll be met and escorted to our enchanting resort for a leisurely 3-night stay. Dinner this evening is included.  Meals B+D
 

Hailed by National Geographic as the “most biologically intense place on Earth,” the Osa Peninsula is one of Costa Rica’s most pristine and wildly beautiful areas. Home to the last remaining Pacific lowland rainforest of sustainable size in Central America, the region draws biologists, climatologists and wildlife experts from around the world. Established in 1975, the 105,000-acre Corcovado National Park comprises 2.5% of the entire planet’s biodiversity and 13 major ecosystems from highland cloud forest to mangrove swamp.
 
After breakfast this morning, you’ll join other resort guests and our expert naturalist to explore the pristine forests of Corcovado, regarded by many as the Crown Jewel of Costa Rica’s extensive National Parks system. The excursion begins with a 30-minute boat transfer from our hotel’s beach, with a chance to see marine species including dolphins and humpback whales. Upon arrival at the San Pedrillo Ranger Station, you’ll begin your exploration along Corcovado’s forest trails. Enhanced by your guide’s deep knowledge and keen observational skills, you’ll discover the Park’s abundant natural beauty with a good chance to see some incredible wildlife including the majestic Barid’s tapir, scarlet macaws and squirrel monkeys. With a bit of luck you might even espy the elusive and magnificent jaguar. You’ll also enjoy a picnic lunch and time to indulge in a refreshing dip by a rainforest waterfall. Returning to the resort, there will be time to relax and refresh before dinner.  Meals B+L+D

The marvels of the Osa Peninsula are not just land based. Ten miles off the coast, the Caño Island Biological Reserve encompasses more than 22 square miles of ocean waters. Despite the dangers of warming seas, the Reserve still has one of Central America’s most extensive and healthiest coral formations.
 
Setting out after breakfast with other resort guests and our expert marine guide, you’ll travel by boat into the protected waters of the Caño Island Biological Reserve. Upon reaching the island, snorkeling gear and instruction will be provided for an unforgettable snorkeling adventure. Your guide will lead you to the best underwater spots where you can observe a rich diversity of colorful marine life. With a bit of luck, you might even see manta rays, sea turtles and white-tipped sharks. Long ago, Caño Island was an important pre-Columbian ceremonial site and burial ground, and although visitor access to the island’s interior is not permitted, you will have a chance to wade ashore and relax or stroll along the beach. Then return to the mainland by boat, arriving at your resort in time for lunch. The rest of this day is yours to enjoy as you wish.  Meals B+L+D

After breakfast and check out, we’ll take you by boat and chauffeured vehicle to Drake Bay Airport for your included flight to San Jose. Upon arrival in the capital, your private car and driver will take you to your deluxe hotel in the heart of the capital.  Meals B

After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to the airport for your homeward journey.  Meals B